Musburger sees close title game
One winner in today’s college football title game might be an insurance company.
Don’t laugh. Brent Musburger will call ESPN’S Alabama-lsu game, which happens to be the Allstate BCS National Championship Game. Meaning Musburger just might see it coming down to the “good hands” of, say, a kick holder or a receiver. Musburger on last year’s title game memorably worked in the sponsor’s tagline by saying Auburn’s gamewinning field goal was “for all the Tostitos.”
When asked, Musburger sounds interested: “I like that. I’m glad you put that thought in my head. And this one could come down to a field goal.”
Well, there’s something to look forward to. Otherwise, two schools from the same conference playing a rematch, after neither scored a touchdown in what CBS billed as a game of the century, doesn’t exactly seem like must-see TV. Musburger figures that besides SEC devotees — “and there are no more passionate fans in the whole world” — viewers will tune in to see what he figures could be nine defensive players who’ll become firstround NFL draft picks: “A lot of our audience will be watching to see future NFL guys.”
So much for the pageantry of college ball. But Musburger is hopeful: “I fully expect both these teams to score touchdowns.”
Spice rack:
TNT’S Charles Barkley popped up on NBC’S NFL coverage Saturday to repeatedly insist the Detroit Lions would beat the New Orleans Saints so his hosting Saturday Night Live could be hyped. He noted why he wasn’t nervous about SNL: “If you screw up on TV, you still have a job” — on, uh, TV. . . . NBC’S Johnny Miller and CBS’ Nick Faldo are working their first tournament together on the Golf Channel’s Tournament of Champions, which ends today (4 p.m. ET). On-air, Faldo noted, “It’s very interesting. Johnny sounds so good, folks. He’s got all these stats in front of him.” Then Faldo helpfully revealed “my information for the week” — his coffee mug. . . .
Clip ’n’ save from NBC’S Tony Dungy: Peyton Manning will be the Indianapolis Colts quarterback if he’s “healthy enough to play,” but the Colts this spring will draft Andrew Luck. . . . NBC drew a 19.3 overnight — 19.3% of households in the 56 urban markets measured for overnights — for New Orleans’ 45-28 win against Detroit, down 7% from comparable coverage of the New York Jets beating the Colts 17-16 last year. Its earlier broadcast of the Houston Texans beating the Cincinnati Bengals 31-10, which came after guest analyst Barkley insisted the Bengals would win, drew a 15.3 overnight, down 16% from last year’s SaintsSeattle Seahawks game. . . . Fox’s Terry Bradshaw said Sunday that the Jets should cut disgruntled wide receiver Santonio Holmes: “You don’t win championships with those types of players — you cut them. Only Rex Ryan would make him a captain.” Another notable Bradshaw take Sunday: At halftime of the New York Giants’ 24-2 win against the Atlanta Falcons: “This game will come down to a big play in the fourth quarter.” After that game, Fox’s Jimmy Johnson says he’ll “eat my crow” for earlier this season saying “stick a fork in the New York Giants, because they’re done.” . . .
ESPN says talk show host Jim Rome will leave Jan. 27. CBS had no comment Sunday whether it will sign Rome. . . . Chad Ochocino enjoys attention but says he doesn’t want to join ESPN after he’s done playing. Instead, he says his OCNN, which uses social media, will suffice: “I want to compete against ESPN. . . . Not work for them, but compete against them.” Will that threat affect Disney stock? . . . ESPN’S Orange Bowl on Wednesday drew 4.5% of U.S. households — the lowest-ever BCS game rating.