Mel Bracht, Sports Media

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David Stanley Ford

Remote Patrol: FOX team left a lot to be desired calling BCS National Championship

By Mel Bracht    Comments Comment on this article24
Published: January 9, 2009

Fox Sports' third and final telecast of a BCS national championship game came up lacking. The network covers only five college football games a season, and it clearly showed Thursday night.


Charles Davis

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Give me ABC's Brent Musburger and Kirk Herbstreit any day over Fox Sports team of Thom Brennaman and Charles Davis. It likely will be Musburger and Herbstreit who will call the 2010 national championship game from the Rose Bowl for ABC. The BCS television rights then move to ESPN in 2011.

Brennaman, a veteran announcer who also broadcasts Big Ten network games, had a sloppy night with numerous mistakes. He clearly had trouble following the action on the field.

Among his blunders:

* Failing to name Nic Harris as the defender who came up with the Sooners' first interception of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.

* Losing a down when the Sooners were stopped on the goal line in the second quarter. He mistakingly thought it was fourth-and-goal when it was third down, and Davis failed to correct him.

* Referring to OU running back Chris Brown as Allen Patrick on a long run by Brown.

* Failing to realize Florida's Ahmad Black had come up with an interception.

Brennaman and his Fox cohorts went overboard in gushing about how great a man Tebow is off the field. His comments would have been more fitting on a feature story than a game broadcast.

"If your fortunate to spend five or even 20 minutes around Tim Tebow, your life is better for it," Brennaman said.

Switzer's take

Barry Switzer, who had won three national championships as OU coach, clearly had trouble being objective on the Fox studio show, referring the Sooners as "we" and "us."

After the game, Switzer appeared shellshocked and said he had empathy for OU coach Bob Stoops, who is 1-3 in BCS finals, noting he had lost "to the Miamis and the Nebraskas." "I've always told Bob when you get there, you've done something no one else has, you're in the championship game and you play teams good or better than you are. He played a team better than his tonight."

In his closing thoughts, he encouraged Bradford and Tebow to return to college for another year.

"If the two quarterbacks come back next year," he said, "we could have a rematch next year."

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David Stanley Ford


Related Topics: Sports, Football, Media, College Athletics, College Football, Television, Bowl Championship Series, Sports on TV


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SEC Rulz you are indeed an idiotic moron
Pat, Grand Prairie - Jan 12, 2009 at 9:44 am
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I really didn't pay any attention to the two game announcers as I was listening to Bob Berry and Merv Johnson on the radio. Unfortunately they are not in-sync with the television, so as soon as the ball was hiked, I had to turn the radio off to watch the play. As soon as the play was over, I would return to Bob Berry and Merv Johnson. As far as the studio crew was concerned, I enjoyed listening to Barry Switzer all the time, and everybody knows he's for OU. That's why they have him. I would like to say something positive concerning the video production. It was nice to watch a ballgame without the constant and irritating crawl across the bottom of the screen that is ESPN and ABC. It takes away from the game, and I would rather watch a Fox production than any that ESPN or ABC produces. I do like to listen to Brent Mussberger--that's one thing ABC has going for them.

Bill Masters
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Bill, Tulsa - Jan 11, 2009 at 6:17 pm
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Mel Bracht is right on regarding the two idiots broadcasting the game. It was so biased a novice high school announcer would have done better. How much wasted time on stupid commercials geared to a 12 year old. Did this keep everyone one out of sync due to delay of the game. ABC is no better with the outdated equipmentn not even broadcasting in high definition all year long on local channels. good to see ESPN getting the nod in the future.
Bob, Fairfield Bay - Jan 10, 2009 at 11:17 am
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Dennis has it about right!
Jerry, Atlanta - Jan 10, 2009 at 8:40 am
I love ya Barry but there is no way OU gets to another BCS championship game, at least for several years. Unless they go undefeated and have a spectacular year. If they are ever a 1 loss team, nobody will put them in a big game for a while.
Jess, Warr Acres - Jan 10, 2009 at 12:27 am
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Barry Switzer got away with alot of recruiting deals that should have gotten the Sooners the death penalty..........karma
SEC RULZ, Greenup - Jan 9, 2009 at 11:33 pm
bunch of sore losers....doesn't matter if God called the game...Oklahoma loses. Big 12 football is overated much like Bradford and Oklahoma's team.
SEC RULZ, Greenup - Jan 9, 2009 at 11:18 pm
I don't know who slowed down OU's hurry up offense more, the referees, Florida defense, or the Fox network timeouts.
Jackson, albuquerque - Jan 9, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Yes, the announcers were worse than bad. They missed plays right and left. The first time OU had the ball Johnson was hit before the ball got there, way before. No mention by the announcers and regretably or the officials. Florida kicking the ball to stop OU's high tempo and nothing side by the announcers or officials. The officials continuously calling timeouts to reset the play clock without one comment from the announcers. It looked like the ACC gang was trying to stop the Sooners. Every big play in the first quarter by OU was negated by a penalty. Fox never showed a replay of the offender. Maybe OU committed the penalty maybe not. Florida offensive line tackling McCoy for a hold and nothing called. You could easily see it on the play but no mention by the announcers. Not saying any of this would have made a difference in the outcome but the announcers stayed mum and continually told us all about how great Tebow was. Another thing about the only sideline shots were from the Florida side giving their gater chops. Wow!!! I also turned down the volume of the TV and listened to Barry and Merv on Sooner radio. They were biased but Merv especially gave Florida their due when they made good plays not so from the TV announcers for OU plays it was all Florida. Granted I am biased and still upset that OU lost if those of you who taped the game will see what I am talking about.
William, Fairfield - Jan 9, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Horrible broadcasters. Just awful. "Florida likes it when the Sooners look to the sidelines for plays,” then the Sooners move the ball during the same series and it's all about how effective the play calling is. They were clueless. Noting but constant hagiography about a self-absorbed, self-serving, evangelical fundamentalist. Scores of close up shots of the John 3-16. Fine, be a missionary. Save the world from sin and tell everyone that “God so loved the work, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Not on a football broadcast. Fox has heard, the Federal Communications Commission has heard, and now it’s time to get back to football. Anyone notice that both of Bradford’s interceptions near the goal line hit the hands of Sooner receivers first.
Dennis - Jan 9, 2009 at 8:19 pm
I muted the game several times (something I have never done in over 30 years of watching football). It was obvious that the excessive tv time out ruined the tempo for both teams. Thom needs to back to base baseball and Davis needs to get back in the studio.
steve, nicholasville - Jan 9, 2009 at 7:47 pm
I just have to chime in again on these Fox announcers. They did no homework on the game, no homework on the teams. It's like they tore out press clippings and slapped together some notes which they used up in the first 5 minutes and were forced to "wing it" for the rest of the game. Fox did a terrible job at preparing for the broadcast. There were no "touching" specials on a player, (except Tebow which took up most of the game)and no material for the announcers in case the game became a blowout. It was literally like they grabbed some guys off the street (or off this blog) and stuck them in the booth. Speaking of booths, thanks for stopping by, Fox, but please don't come back.
Vince, Tuttle - Jan 9, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I just have to chime in again on these Fox announcers. They did no homework on the game, no homework on the teams. It's like they tore out press clippings and slapped together some notes which they used up in the first 5 minutes and were forced to "wing it" for the rest of the game. Fox did a terrible job at preparing for the broadcast. There were no "touching" specials on a player, (except Tebow which took up most of the game)and no material for the announcers in case the game became a blowout. It was literally like they grabbed some guys off the street (or off this blog) and stuck them in the booth. Speaking of booths, thanks for stopping by, Fox, but please don't come back.
Vince, Tuttle - Jan 9, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Thank you Mel! I had to use the mute button at least 30 times during the game. And lest you think it has anything to do with losing, I'm talking from the starting kickoff to the end. All they did was spew the same rhetoric that has been going on the airways for the last month...nothing original..nothing innovative. At the beginning of the game they said the Sooners special teams have been, and I quote, "horrible" all year. But did they notice that on kickoffs Florida's average field position was about the 15 and OU's was about the 35? Seasoned announcers notice that kind of stuff and bring it to light in their "analyzing". These guys spent way too much time trying to be cute instead of professional. I can't believe dorks called the BCS Championship Game.
Vince, Tuttle - Jan 9, 2009 at 2:56 pm
This team of Brennaman and Davis were awful.
stephen, dallas - Jan 9, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Hey, it's Fox, what did you expect? Then again, any time 'your team' loses, you blame anyone and everyone, even the darn TV network. Did anyone expect Switzer to be unbiased? His empathy showed all over his face, and I understand that. We will be back, as Barry said. When? Certainly before Fox returns.
Gerry, Elk City - Jan 9, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Personally that's the most biased play calling I've ever witnessed in any football game. I got so sick of listening to "Florida this...Florida that." When Florida had the ball all they talked about was Florida. When OU had the ball all they talked about was Florida. We finally turned the volume down and listened to Bob Barry Sr. call the game. Even with the delay between the radio live broadcast and Fox it was worth it! I'll never listen to another broadcast from those idiots again. I'd rather watch the game in silence.
Doug, Nowhere, OK - Jan 9, 2009 at 1:52 pm
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Personally that's the most biased play calling I've ever witnessed in any football game. I got so sick of listening to "Florida this...Florida that." When Florida had the ball all they talked about was Florida. When OU had the ball all they talked about was Florida. We finally turned the volume down and listened to Bob Barry Sr. call the game. Even with the delay between the radio live broadcast and Fox it was worth it! I'll never listen to another broadcast from those idiots again. I'd rather watch the game in silence.
Doug, Nowhere, OK - Jan 9, 2009 at 1:33 pm
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Personally that's the most biased play calling I've ever witnessed in any football game. I got so sick of listening to "Florida this...Florida that." When Florida had the ball all they talked about was Florida. When OU had the ball all they talked about was Florida. We finally turned the volume down and listened to Bob Barry Sr. call the game. Even with the delay between the radio live broadcast and Fox it was worth it! I'll never listen to another broadcast from those idiots again. I'd rather watch the game in silence.
Doug, Nowhere, OK - Jan 9, 2009 at 1:24 pm
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The night was long enough for a Sooner fan, but what did we do to deserve Fox? I know, it's the money, but it also is the BCS. It was annoying to get Pro Football playoff promos in between plays of the biggest college game of the year. Not to speak of endless, trashy timeouts. Fox really is the gutter of them all, and thank God they are out of it next year. Let 'em have the boring Pros, where they can talk all game about who is being traded and fired and all the other crap in which Fox loves to dwell.
Richard, Arlington - Jan 9, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Aside from how the Sooners played, I too thought that the announcers were horrible. It was a cornucopia of superlatives...
Fred, Edmond - Jan 9, 2009 at 8:21 am
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Lets not forget that FOX damn near ruined the game with commercials. That was terrible.
matthew, Fayetteville - Jan 9, 2009 at 4:14 am
how is it obvious? look at Bradford's 2 interceptions: a pass tipped and bobbled among players before picked off and then a receiver stripped from the reception. Teboe misread a safety coverage and a DT zone coverage. you know nothing p from muskogee
Danial, Portland - Jan 9, 2009 at 4:02 am
Tebow is obviously a better college QB than Sam--its all about leadership and fire in College--not so much in pro==Sam should go for the $
p, muskogee - Jan 9, 2009 at 12:51 am
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