So the Fiesta Bowl takes place literally just down the road from my house. I’ve been ambitious before and just walked the four miles to the stadiums’ front door, but normally I take the 5 minute drive. It’s a weird experience to watch a nationally televised game that is so close to home. During these Fiesta Bowl games and the 2008 Super Bowl I probably watch the blimp shots a bit closer than the average viewer, looking for those familiar sites on see on my daily drive.
I also tend to root for Fiesta Bowl placement. It tends to mean friends from other schools come into town and I can play host becoming a pseudo fan for the weekend (as my true allegiance will always lie with my Arizona State Sun Devils).
This year was different though. The odd BCS system ended up with the strange combination of TCU and Boise State, two “bowl busters” now playing each other. Like quite a bit of America, I wasn’t as fascinated with this game as I might have been if TCU or Boise State had a chance to take on one of the major conference teams, but this was the game that took place.
Still, it was an interesting game, with TCU never quite gaining it’s stride. For me, the coolest moment took place in the fourth quarter.
Boise State faked a punt. It was 4th and 9 from their own 33, and Boise State makes a gutsy call. If you haven’t seen it yet, watch it.
I like the risk involved with this. It reminded me of another play from an Idaho team I had seen days earlier when Idaho State defeated Bowling Green on a two-point conversion with 4 seconds remaining.
Again, the risk factor is appealing. There is something about doing something that goes against the norm a bit, being bold, and living with the consequences. I know that if either one of these plays didn’t work the coaches would have been ridiculed by fans and the media, but because they were bold and they did work, the coaches were praised. Highlight reels included these plays and people continue to talk about them.
Yes, there are times for security, for consistency, for staying on a charted course.
But there are also times for bold action.
I realize that far often than I would like to admit, I play the safe route, kicking on a 4th and inches because I fear what would happen if I don’t get that first down. In these times I end up living a life of ordinary instead of extraordinary. That fear of failure prevents me from achieving that incredible feeling of success. You can watch these videos and see the players complete joy for accomplishing that which others think is a little bit crazy.
Both of these Idaho teams won their games.
As you being 2010, it’s important that you’re still willing to take that occasional risk. Boise State’s play worked because it was unexpected. They don’t fake every punt, but they do when it matters.
And because they are willing to take that risk, we want to talk about them.