Compared to some, I’m a recent convert to the sport, but one of the first things I realised was gospel truth in football is that when you hear the unmistakable voice of Brent Musburger opening a broadcast with, “You are looking live,” you know that the following game is going to be a big one. Possibly, the biggest of the weekend. Certainly, the biggest on the ABC/ESPN family of networks. You knew you should sit down and watch, because the potential for fireworks was high.
All of that changed at the end of last year, when word snuck out during the National Championship Game that Brent Musburger was going to be forced out of the ESPN booth, where he was one half of the network’s top broadcasting duo (along with the equally excellent Kirk Herbstreit) in favour of someone else. The rumour had it that one of three men were vying for the job: NFL broadcaster Mike Tirico, ESPN studio host Rece Davis and College GameDay anchor Chris Fowler.
It turned out to be Fowler, the excellent host of College GameDay for so many years, and it appeared to come about because ESPN were worried about losing a key cog in their college football wheel to, say, the SEC package on CBS – Verne Lundqvist, another legend, isn’t getting any younger over there. What better way to shore up Fowler’s continued presence on the Worldwide Leader than to offer him the pick of the ABC/ESPN games each week, as well as a semi-final and the new College Football National Championship Game, arising out of the also-new playoff system.
With ESPN needing to dangle that carrot to Fowler, a younger man than Musburger, with a good decade or two ahead of him with the company, poor old Brent was the odd man out. He needed to make way, and although ESPN dressed it up to make it seem so very awesome that he’d be broadcasting the SEC Network’s Game of the Week – realistically, the fourth or fifth best SEC game of the week – it was unmistakably a demotion. And a sad way for Musburger to depart top-flight college football.
Sure, if Brent had been missing his reads and bumbling through commentary then move him on, put him out to pasture even, but I never saw that with Brent – not even well into his seventies. He was on top of his game last year. Sure, his grasp of pop culture left a little to be desired, and his fawning over AJ McCarron’s girlfriend was a little creepy, and the gambling references were unpopular with some.
Even so, the fact is that ESPN tossed a guy still bringing his a-game straight out the door. It might’ve shored up the company’s talent going forward, but it was a crappy way to do things. For one, Brent is a legend. For another thing, he still had - and has – the ability to make a big play bigger and more exciting than any other broadcaster going around. (Apologies to you, Gus Johnson). The end result? A broadcasting legend toiling away over on a network that most of us can’t see or don’t want to see.
Thus far, the heir apparent Chris Fowler hasn’t really impressed me on Saturday Night Football. Great guy, loyal ESPN soldier and a top notch host of College GameDay, but just a serviceable play-by-play guy, and not even in the same ballpark – or, as it more appropriate in this case, the football stadium – as Musburger when it comes to translating the excitement of a sold out stadium/feverish atmosphere into your lounge room.
Almost one season in, and I've noticed that Fowler just doesn’t have the ability to rise for the big plays. He's tried hard and there are many worse commentators on ESPN, but he’s not the guy I’d choose to call the biggest game each week. You could almost feel it with Brent behind the mic – and you could always rely on a sneaky gambling reference or three, especially if the game was well and truly over. And, aside from that, I mean, Chris Fowler hasn’t provided the internet with any Brent/Eminem-type gems, has he? And will he ever? Probably not.
It’s been tough listening to Brent languish on the SEC Network. To his credit, he’s called every game like it’s the Rose Bowl, which must be tough, especially when he and Jesse Palmer are given match-ups like last weekend’s Alabama-Western Carolina game. Or, as it’s been more aptly called, a glorified Tide scrimmage.
Well, college football fans, rejoice! Why? Because Big Game Brent is coming back to the ESPN mothership. On Saturday night (or Sunday morning here in Australia) we’ll all be looking live at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama for the Iron Bowl!
Perhaps it’s reward for so many unappetising match-ups this season, but whatever the reason, we should be very glad of this. The Iron Bowl should be an epic clash – when is Alabama vs. Auburn not? – and we’re going to feel that epic atmosphere come in through the speakers of our television, because the preeminent voice of college football will be behind the microphone. To be honest, the game deserves this.
Smart move, ESPN. Hopefully this is a sign that you’re not ready to completely consign Brent to the pastures of the SEC Network. Do us all a favour, and slot him into a broadcast crew that actually gets games on ESPN or ESPN2 next year, okay? Please! Hell, I’ll settle for ESPNU if that’s all you got. Brent Musburger is too good for the SEC Network.
Cannot wait for this Iron Bowl. Cannot wait to see Big Game Brent doing his thing again. I only wish he’d been on the game for the feted ‘Kick-6’ ending to last year’s game. Chances are, he might’ve exploded! Let’s hope for something similar in 2014!
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