Historic Iron Bowl Brings Out Best in Media, Too

From the moment it happened and through the hours (and hours) afterward, broadcast media on all sides of the historic Iron Bowl that reshaped this year's national championship and provided cultural fodder in the South for years to come did a generally good job.

When Auburn beat Alabama with a 109-yard field goal return for a touchdown as time expired -- capping a game that included the longest play in Alabama history as well as abundant drama and memorable moments -- CBS Sports had things covered from start to finish. Afterward, those in charge of the broadcast shared their reactions with Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated. It was the second part of his weekly Media Circus.

Kudos as well to the CBS on-air tandem of Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson, who mixed insight with an appropriate deference to the pictures and replays the production team provided. (There were nine replays of the play on the broadcast.) Still, Danielson correctly made a point about Alabama's inability to defend on the final play because "There are no athletes on the field for Alabama. They got all fat guys."

The network TV's as-it-happened excellence was matched by radio broadcasters from Alabama and Auburn as well. The link at the top features the call from the Tigers' team of Rod Bramblett and Stan White, and Eli Gold was just as strong -- albeit it much more reserved -- on Alabama's radio network.

While traveling home, satellite radio enabled me to listen to both as the play happened and afterward and they certainly encapsulated the moment for their respective fan bases.

Immediately after the game, ESPN's Tom Rinaldi had a straightforward, tight interview (conducted in tight quarters as well) with Auburn's Chris Davis, and that was good, expected work from Rinalidi.

Still, he was at his sheer, unrivaled best with a piece that got abundant airtime across numerous ESPN outlets Monday. The essay included the final play, key moments of the game, perspectives and, mostly, Rinaldi at his best telling a story about the difference one second can make. Of course, Alabama's failed  57-yard field goal that allowed the game-ending return to happen started with just one second on the game clock.

From start to finish, the memorable game was marked by standout coverage. Not surprisingly, only disconnected talking heads whiffed (and even then it was just occasionally).

Those that made that category, though, were ESPN's Tim Hasselbeck, who sounded silly on on "Mike and Mike in the Morning." Even in the face of great statistics from ESPN researchers -- who armed their on-air folks with information that 25% of long field goals in such situations typically work, compared to just 2% of Hail Mary passes -- Hasselbeck blasted Alabama's late-game approach. He just sounded tone deaf to what was happening around him, though.

Likewise, media critics who took shots at the work of the Auburn radio crew for talking too much during the deciding play and aftermath were guilty of over-thinking the process. It's radio. Those guys have to talk. And, yes, it's their job to be homers because they're listeners are all Auburn fans.