As a big fan of sports video games, I’ve fallen in love with EA Sports’ NCAA Football series. I always felt it was superior to Madden across the board. Maybe it’s because recruiting is more fun than signing free agents. Or maybe its because NCAA Football has the option. But it’s probably because John Madden isn’t spewing the same commentary as the 2000 version of Madden.

EA Sports will announce the coverboy for NCAA Football 2008 in a press conference today. But thanks to a report from Deadspin, we already know who it will be. Brady Quinn? Troy Smith? Chris Leak? None of the above. Boise State quarterback Jared Zabransky has been chosen to be on the cover, which is a definite shocker. This is a franchise that has gone with a well recognized player every time a new game is released. Last year was Reggie Bush. Other coverboys have included Larry Fitzgerald and Carson Palmer. Going with a lesser known player like Zabransky is surprising, but it promises some good things.

Often times, EA Sports puts an athlete on their cover to correspond with a new feature. NCAA 2006 featured Desmond Howard striking his classic Heisman pose. It was all designed to promote the game’s new feature, Race for the Heisman. By putting Zabransky on the cover, will we see a number of new trick plays put into the game? The game may also feature some new tweaks to dynasty mode, emphasizing lesser known schools. There’s lots of options here and we’re excited for it. The game will hit shelves in mid-July and consume my life for the remainer of summer.

Once again, the lesser BCS bowl has stolen the show. On a day where USC trounced #3 Michigan, it was the Fiesta Bowl that had everyone talking. It’s also created even more inevitable talk about the need for a playoff. And after Boise State’s overtime win against Big 12 Champion Oklahoma, it’s damn near impossible to disagree. Boise State proved to everyone that they belonged.

It’s not the fact that Boise State was an overwhelming underdog; the spread was only 7. It’s the way they won. I’m always down for ballsy playcalls. How about a Hook and Ladder and Statue of Liberty. When OU returned an interception for a touchdown, I figured it was probably over. Within 47 seconds, it was tied again. If I was the defensive coordinator on 4th and 16, a hook and ladder is the last thing I’d expect. But Boise ran it to perfection and sent it to overtime.
After Oklahoma scored in overtime on a touchdown run by Adrian Peterson (who looked great in his return from injury), Boise State again pulled some trickery. A halfback option pass on 4th down gave the Broncos a choice: tie the game and send it to a 2nd overtime or go for the win. Win or lose, it was a great decision by Chris Petersen. As good as Boise State is, they were gassed on defense. They didn’t have the superior athletes and they had nothing to lose. They went for the win and pulled out the Statue of Liberty. How in the hell would you see that coming?

So now Boise State is 13-0 and their season is done. But it shouldn’t be. If Ohio State wins on January 8th, there will be two undefeated teams left in the country. Why shouldn’t Boise get a crack at the Buckeyes? They beat Oklahoma fair and square with Adrian Peterson playing. There’s no asterisk to add on that win. On a night when college football showcased one of it’s finer unknown teams in recent memory, they also showed their biggest flaw: the constant lack of a true national champion.