National and Big 12 recap – USC and Matt Leinhart win the national championship


2004 – “Shoulder to Shoulder” – National and Big 12 Recap National and Big 12 Recap USC, left out of the BCS Championship Game in 2003, left little doubt as to the nation’s best team in 2004, closing out a 13-0 campaign with a 55-19 thrashing of previously unbeaten and 2nd-ranked Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.  Heisman trophy winner Matt Leinhart led the Trojans with 332 yards passing and five touchdowns in the title game. There was, of course, the annual controversy surrounding the BCS selection process.  In 2004, no …

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— Colorado v. UTEP – Houston Bowl – December 29, 2004 — Bowling For Dollars The Buffs reward for winning the Big 12 North in 2004 was a trip to Kansas City to face No. 2 Oklahoma, one of the most dominant teams in the country. The result? A 42-3 debacle. Still, Colorado was still 7-5 on the season, and was still the Big 12 North champions. The winning season merited an invitation to play in the EV1.Net Houston Bowl against the University of Texas, El-Paso (UTEP). It had appeared …

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— Colorado v. Oklahoma – Big 12 Championship – December 4, 2004 — Big 12 North Champions There was reason to cheer for Iowa State the day after the Buffs’ win over Nebraska.  An Iowa State win would give the Cyclones the Big 12 North title, relegating Colorado to a minor bowl bid.  After the Nebraska win, the Buffs were 7-4, on a three-game winning streak, and the darling of the media for the first time in several years.  Why not root for Missouri?  Who wanted to spoil the positives …

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