A recap of what went down and what you should take away from Saturday's college football games.

Nobody deserved a win in their final game more than Bobby Bowden. Not only is he an outstanding football coach, he's a great person. He deeply cares for all of his players and never lost sight of what's really important in all of his years as head football coach.

In the wake of player abuse by coaches, endless player arrests, academic ineligibilities and the tabloid-like prying into a certain coach's personal health, the college football world is lucky to have its attention drawn to Bowden, final game or not.

It was only fitting that Bowden went out against his former team in a bowl game he has never lost (5-0 in the Gator Bowl). Bowden never wanted to go out 7-6 and with his program struggling, but he expresses no regret in the way things ended. "I look at it for the 56 years, not what happened last year or the last four years or five years," he said.

Some may argue that the school had no choice but to move on and that it was time for the Seminoles to enter the Jimbo Fisher era. Still, for somebody who built the program into one of the perennial powerhouses of the sport, Bowden should be afforded the right to go out on his own terms. Where would FSU be without Bowden? Show a little respect for a man who has brought your school so much pride, national recognition and exposure, not to mention money.

Hopefully Penn State gets it right and lets Joe Paterno go out his way. Does anybody else think that will involve attaching a game plan to his last will and testament?

Recapping the day in 500 words or less, this is what Saturday taught us about the season:

• It was nice to see C.J. Spiller get that elusive bowl win and jump to second all time in all purpose yards in the FBS. Jamie Harper and Andre Ellington give hope to Tigers fans anxious at seeing Spiller and Jacoby Ford walk away. If Kyle Parker decides to return at quarterback, Clemson should be just fine.

• Shootout, right? It took 27:27 for the first points to be scored in the Independence Bowl. Georgia finally picked it up en route to 44 points, but the Aggies' 6th ranked offense never got it going. In fact, the Aggies seemed to give up in the face of adversity when things were not falling their way. And boy did the A&M defense look awful.

• Miami pulled off some impressive plays at the start and end of the Champs Sports Bowl. It wasn't enough. Wisconsin looked unstoppable at times with John Clay and Lance Kendricks wrecking a once proud Miami D. Jacory Harris was noticeably off as the Hurricanes couldn't find their rhythm. A late touchdown and onside kick recovery by Miami didn't matter.

• The Holiday Bowl was like a horrific train accident that wouldn't let you look away. Arizona's stat line: 0 points; 6 first downs; 109 yards offense; 1 turnover; 44 points allowed; 19 first downs allowed; 396 yards allowed; 0 turnovers forced. Enough said.

• The game of the postseason was the Humanitarian Bowl. Idaho stunned the Falcons with a two-point conversion that put them up 43-42 with four seconds left. BGSU's Biletnikoff finalist Freddie Barnes led everybody with 17 receptions for 219 yards and 3 touchdowns. He became the FBS all-time leader for receptions.

• Florida State used E.J. Manuel perfectly by relying on short passes and his athleticism. FSU running back Jermaine Thomas and WVU running back Noel Devine led their teams. Curiously, Devine touched the ball just five times in the second half. Senior Patrick Robinson's second quarter interception led to an FSU touchdown.

• Who the hell scheduled so much football in such a short period of time at the Citrus Bowl? And who the hell maintains that field? Penn State and LSU braved awful and dangerous field conditions in a defensive battle decided by a Daryll Clark-led game winning drive. What a great exit for the senior.

• I did not expect Ohio State to let Terrelle Pryor throw the ball so much through the air, but I guess that's why I'm not wearing the headset (or that nifty vest). Pryor had his hand in 57 OSU plays, while Ross Homan led things for the Ohio State defense in holding the Oregon offense in check.

• Speaking of surprising quarterback performances, Tim Tebow finished his collegiate career with a 482 yard, 3 touchdown passing performance in a 51-24 Sugar Bowl victory. He added 51 yards and a touchdown on the ground. This was the best way, short of winning another National Championship, that Tebow could have ended his college career.

The New Household Name for the week goes to Lance Kendricks, the Wisconsin tight end who caught 7 passes for 128 yards against the Miami Hurricanes. Kendricks had been overshadowed all season by fellow tight end Garrett Graham whose 7 receiving touchdowns led the Badgers. On Tuesday night, though, Kendricks was Scott Tolzien's go-to guy. All 7 of Kendricks' receptions went for first downs. Pretty impressive if you ask me.

Keeping with the tight end theme, Aaron Hernandez, this year's John Mackey Award winner, Proved He's Worth The Hype in Florida's Sugar Bowl victory over Cincinnati. Hernandez recorded 9 receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown. Hernandez has been Tebow's go-to guy in so many situations this season and was utilized often in Tebow's final outing. Hernandez finished his junior season with 68 receptions, 850 yards and 5 touchdowns. He looks to have a bright future at the next level, whether he decides to come out this year or the next.

There are only four bowl games left so make sure you get your college football fill before its 8 month hiatus. Monday night you have the Fiesta Bowl between TCU and Boise State; Tuesday is the Orange Bowl between Iowa and Georgia Tech; and Wednesday is the GMAC Bowl between Central Michigan and Troy. That all leads up to the National Championship in Pasadena between Alabama and Texas.

Happy New Year!  - Danny Hobrock

Danny is a sports journalist who primarily covers college football and professional baseball. He is a contributor for several sports related blogs and is the former editor of a political and current events website.

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