Following Auburn's win and Ohio State's loss, the final BCS matchup was met without controversy.

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

A collective sense of relief seemed to wash over the college football world around 11:30 p.m. ET on Saturday night, when Michigan State tailback Jeremy Langford broke free for a 26-yard touchdown to ice the Spartans upset of previously unbeaten Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game. It wasn't so much that the Buckeyes lost -- though there are certainly plenty of anti-Ohio State zealots out there who took glee in Urban Meyer's misery -- but that the result spared us the headache of enduring one last BCS uproar.

For all the preemptive worrying and lobbying the past month -- first over the fear of there being too many undefeated teams; then over whether a one-loss SEC champion should potentially leapfrog the undefeated Buckeyes -- the final season of the BCS ended in surprisingly clean fashion. The national championship game pits 13-0 Florida State, this season's most dominant team, against 12-1 Auburn, the nation's hottest squad fresh off back-to-back victories over top-five foes.

"I've been saying all fall, hang on everybody, chill out, it's going to work out," BCS executive director Bill Hancock said on Sunday night. "I wasn't concerned going into this weekend. I just felt like we'd have the two best teams going into Sunday evening."

In fact, after years and years of maddening controversies, the soon-to-be-defunct BCS actually ended its run with universally accepted matchups in four of the last five seasons (Alabama-Texas in 2009, Auburn-Oregon in '10, Notre Dame-Alabama in '12 and Florida State-Auburn in '13). "We've gotten it right way more times than we've created controversy," said Hancock.

Of course, the one exception -- the widely panned LSU-Alabama rematch after the 2011 campaign -- was one of the instigators behind the sport's eventual move to a playoff format.

Which brings us to the irony of 2013. Two teams proved plenty in the final season of the BCS. Four teams, on the other hand, would have been an absolute mess.

BOWL SCHEDULE: Matchups, dates for every 2013-14 college football bowl game

Put yourself in the forthcoming selection committee's shoes. Who do you pick? The final polls and BCS standings are in agreement that the top-four teams, in order, are Florida State, Auburn, Alabama and Michigan State. There's no question, that field would make a lot of sense. The Seminoles and Tigers would be no-brainer selections, while the Crimson Tide were the season-long No. 1 until they lost the Iron Bowl in dramatic, unprecedented fashion. The 12-1 Spartans just knocked off an undefeated team to win the Big Ten.

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Stewart Mandel: Final season of BCS brings questions, not controversy; Overtime

Following Auburn's win and Ohio State's loss, the final BCS matchup was met without controversy.

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

A collective sense of relief seemed to wash over the college football world around 11:30 p.m. ET on Saturday night, when Michigan State tailback Jeremy Langford broke free for a 26-yard touchdown to ice the Spartans upset of previously unbeaten Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game. It wasn't so much that the Buckeyes lost -- though there are certainly plenty of anti-Ohio State zealots out there who took glee in Urban Meyer's misery -- but that the result spared us the headache of enduring one last BCS uproar.

For all the preemptive worrying and lobbying the past month -- first over the fear of there being too many undefeated teams; then over whether a one-loss SEC champion should potentially leapfrog the undefeated Buckeyes -- the final season of the BCS ended in surprisingly clean fashion. The national championship game pits 13-0 Florida State, this season's most dominant team, against 12-1 Auburn, the nation's hottest squad fresh off back-to-back victories over top-five foes.

"I've been saying all fall, hang on everybody, chill out, it's going to work out," BCS executive director Bill Hancock said on Sunday night. "I wasn't concerned going into this weekend. I just felt like we'd have the two best teams going into Sunday evening."

In fact, after years and years of maddening controversies, the soon-to-be-defunct BCS actually ended its run with universally accepted matchups in four of the last five seasons (Alabama-Texas in 2009, Auburn-Oregon in '10, Notre Dame-Alabama in '12 and Florida State-Auburn in '13). "We've gotten it right way more times than we've created controversy," said Hancock.

Of course, the one exception -- the widely panned LSU-Alabama rematch after the 2011 campaign -- was one of the instigators behind the sport's eventual move to a playoff format.

Which brings us to the irony of 2013. Two teams proved plenty in the final season of the BCS. Four teams, on the other hand, would have been an absolute mess.

BOWL SCHEDULE: Matchups, dates for every 2013-14 college football bowl game

Put yourself in the forthcoming selection committee's shoes. Who do you pick? The final polls and BCS standings are in agreement that the top-four teams, in order, are Florida State, Auburn, Alabama and Michigan State. There's no question, that field would make a lot of sense. The Seminoles and Tigers would be no-brainer selections, while the Crimson Tide were the season-long No. 1 until they lost the Iron Bowl in dramatic, unprecedented fashion. The 12-1 Spartans just knocked off an undefeated team to win the Big Ten.

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Final season of BCS brings questions, not controversy

home section Interior Design Housekeeping Entertaining Home Improvement Gardening & Plants Landscaping eHow Home & Garden Landscaping & Outdoor Building Overall Landscape Planning Landscape Ideas for a Small Front Yard

Marie Lenahan

First published in 2001, Marie Lenahan writes about horticulture, food and green living. Her work has appeared in gardening magazines and academic journals. Lenahan holds a Ph.D. in horticultural science.

An appealing front yard welcomes guests to the front door and looks attractive from the street. Maintaining a welcoming yet uncluttered feeling in a small front yard seems like a challenge, but it takes only a few design techniques along with proper selection of plants to perk up your yard and turn a small space into an airy, diverse garden.

A key feature of the front yard is the path that leads to the front door. A walkway that's at least 4 feet wide allows two people to stroll side by side. A path lined with vegetation is attractive, and one that curves around a bird bath, a tree or even a garden gnome gives a sense of flow. Any design, however, should have meaning, especially in a small yard, and sometimes a straight path works best. The front door is a great focal point in a small yard; enhance the space with a nearby cluster of bright containers and cheerful flowers.

A few design tricks make small yards look bigger. In an article published in "Fine Gardening" magazine, landscape designer and author Rosalind Reed shares a few tips. For example, make use of the entire yard by extending the garden to the curb. Dividing a small yard into diverse areas, such as a water feature, elevated plantings, and a segmented patio area for eating and relaxing, adds depth to the space. Also, positioning parts of the garden at a 45-degree angle to the house counterbalances the size of the house in a small yard.

A garden style that matches the architecture of the house creates unity and is an effective landscape design for yards of all sizes. In her "Fine Gardening" article titled "Front-Yard Gardens Make a Strong First Impression," garden designer Jeni Webber writes about designing yards for a variety of house styles. For example, to complement a cottage, Webber added a low picket fence to allow for neighborly conversations, as well as an arbor, a birdbath and an herb garden. Webber suggests extending elements of the house, such as brick or stone, to the garden walkway and mailbox, as well as to other hardscaping elements of the yard.

Take care when selecting plants for a small front yard. For example, installing a tree that grows too large will cause problems down the road. Before planting, understand the height, spread and cultural requirements of the tree. From a design standpoint, improper selection and placement of trees and shrubs blocks the front door and walkway and clutters a small space. Karen Ellersieck of the University of Missouri Extension recommends selecting plants with at least 2 seasons of interest, such as bright fall foliage, intriguing bark, or cheerful spring or summer blooms. A balance of deciduous and evergreen plants also creates visual interest in the yard.

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Landscape Ideas for a Small Front Yard | eHow

Before you contemplate specific backyard landscaping designs, you have to ask yourself some basic questions. What are you looking for from your yard? Are you trying to create an entertainment area where you can host friends for cookouts? Or is kicking back and relaxing in a meditation garden more your style? If you have kids and/or pets, you'll have to take their needs into account when designing your yard.

In presenting the 12 design tips below, I treat all those issues and more. As food for thought before you begin, consider some DIY landscape design basics, such as the difference between designing for real estate value and designing for your own needs. Also browse my landscape design photos to get your creative juices flowing.

Above, I began by asking you about your expectations for outdoor living. Do you see yourself using your yard to:

But the reality, for many people, is that they will be using their backyards for a combination of such pursuits. So is there a way to "have it all"?

You bet! But to achieve a multi-functional space, you'll have to get used to the concept of outdoor living spaces. The idea is to create outdoor rooms that serve distinct purposes -- just as the rooms inside your house are designed for different kinds of activities.

Often, a critical component of achieving an effective design is maximizing the amount of usable space available. You may have a huge lot in back of your house, but if it's all on a slope, the space may be unusable (at least for some of the activities you'd like to use the area for). In such a case, building a deck may be the solution, whether it be attached to the house or a floating deck. View these deck pictures for some ideas.

An alternative to a deck in such a case may be to terrace the land -- perhaps by building small retaining walls -- and build a brick patio. Consult my resources on patio ideas for information on styles, materials and overcoming challenges.

Swimming pools, despite all the upkeep and special considerations they demand, are very common components of backyard landscaping. They are especially popular with those who wish to utilize their space for:

One special consideration for swimming pool owners is the necessity of surrounding the pool with a structure designed to accommodate foot traffic safely. So called "pool decks" must be durable and slip-resistant.

You also need to pay attention to your selection of plants to use around swimming pools; that's one of the issues I explore in my article on designing around swimming pools.

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Backyard Landscaping Designs - 12 Great Ideas

Front yard landscaping ideas can include many areas. Planting beds, driveways, walkways, privacy, and types of plants to use are just a few. Here you will find many ideas and tips to help you with your design.

Front Yard Landscaping Ideas For Color

Your front yard presents to the world your home and a bit about you. It is the one people see as they walk and drive by. It is the one you see each and every day.

It also presents itself to your family and guests. So it is important to have it make you feel good and smile. When you drive up to it or walk outside your door it should look great to you. Your landscape should welcome you with attractive plantings, a nice driveway, and a comfortable walkway.

Slideshow

Please Enjoy These Front Yard Designs

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Adding color along driveway entry

Colorful front plantings viewed from street

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Creative Front Yard Landscaping ideas - Landscape Design Advice

To create and foster a social network of homeowners and landscape professionals who share their yards with those searching for inspiration for their own yard projects. These yards and pictures should be categorized and easily searchable so that visitors looking for landscaping ideas, garden ideas, or DIY help in their front yard or backyard can quickly find the exact inspiration they are seeking.

To further highlight the yards shared by the community, YardShare will publish Yard Ideas articles on landscaping, gardening and landscape design topics using member's yards and pictures as examples.

After a homeowner receives inspiration on YardShare for their own yard, we hope that the homeowner will "pay it forward" and share their landscaping or garden project on YardShare so that they may provide inspiration to another homeowner looking for landscaping and garden ideas. Through this evolution of the sharing process, YardShare will continue to grow and evolve as a social network dedicated to those passionate about their outdoor spaces.

I invite you to help us Knock Down Fences by joining YardShare and spreading the word about our Mission.

- Bryan Powell, Founder and CYS (Chief Yard Sharer)

Continued here:
YardShare - Landscaping Ideas > Pictures > Front Yard > Garden ...

Are you convinced your yard needs a makeover? Would a few simple landscaping ideas be enough to point you in the right direction? Sometimes, that's all the DIYer needs: specific, easy-to-implement recommendations to inspire action.

From designing front, back and side yards to how to start a garden, consult my simple landscaping ideas to learn ways to improve your yard. Each article presented below is just a starting point; follow the links within the articles to access more detailed information on each topic. If you'd like to skip right to the pictures, scroll down to section 5.

These 10 simple landscaping ideas will show homeowners how to improve the most visible section of their properties: their front yards. You'll find information on the following topics in this article:

We don't all use our backyards in the same ways. The following examples aren't mutually exclusive, but they do give some idea of how many purposes the backyard can serve:

In this article I present a variety of simple landscaping ideas for backyard makeovers. Regardless of your tastes, every homeowner will find useful information in this resource.

Most people have a pretty good idea of what they want their front yard and backyard to look like. But what about side yards? These Rodney Dangerfields of the landscape are often neglected, because homeowners simply don't know what to do with them. The simple landscaping ideas laid out in this article cut to the heart of the issue, presenting the basic choices available to you for side-yard designs.

Any portion of the yard can be home to a garden. Flower gardens are still more common in front yards than vegetable gardens, but the latter are gaining in popularity even in this, the most visible area of the yard.

Regardless of the type of garden you desire or its location, beginners will need some help learning how to open up a plot of land and establish a garden there. Consult this piece for information on everything from a simple way to remove sod to making astute plant selections for your new garden.

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Simple Landscaping Ideas - Simple Ways to Landscape Your Yard

ATTENTION: Have You Always Wanted to Redesign Your Home's Landscape But Don't Know Where to Start? Then This Is The Most Important Letter You'll Ever Read...

Re: Landscaping the easy way... Dear Home Owner,

I f you are reading this letter then it is likely that you want to design your dream home landscape.

And if you're a proud homeowner, you're most likely aware of the cost and effort required to design a landscape. And just as likely, you've probably come up against the same old brick wall...

Do you know that most landscaping designers overcharge you for their services?

Have you under-estimated the time and cost required to complete your dream landscape?

Having trouble coming up with ideas for your landscape design?

Do you want a new landscape but don't know where to start?

If you've answered yes to any of the above, I understand your pain. I was once in your shoes...

Here's the BIG problem: Most landscaping designers are downright rip-offs.

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ø 7250 Landscaping Ideas & Landscape Designs - Backyard ...

The landscaping ideas on this page are free for you to look at and get examples from. These are the actual designs for front yards and backyards that have been created for our own clients. Do not publicly reprint.

Some of these designs include complete layout renderings, guidelines, and extended instructions for planting schemes, patios, courtyards, xeriscaping, entryways, and more.

These designs were created for specific shape yards and lots and may not go perfectly with your exact property. However, that's not necessarily important or should it keep you from incorporation any of the specifics of these designs into your own plans. Simply mix and match different characteristics, shapes, planting schemes, and materials from different designs into something that will work for your own yard.

This plan has a really unique shape and demonstrates continuity of a lawn area that has a natural stone path running through it. The mediterranean style of the home as well as the plants give this front yard landscape design its atmosphere and style.

A really cool backyard landscape design with play area, sand box, tricycle trail, outdoor kitchen, dog run area and more. A very universal plan whether you have children or not.

The largest residential yard we've done so far. A very clean design with a lot of ideas for landscaping different areas of the yard. This design includes a segment specifically for backyard, front yard, and swimming pool.

We used native locally grown limestone rocks to create a dry stack wall for this multi level design. This is a very natural looking free flowing backyard landscape that will go well with almost any Southwest style home.

A very large front yard design at the end of a culdesac street. A lot of good design ideas and tips for shape, plants, and planting.

This design uses a lot of different elements to give it its unique design, atmosphere, and appeal. There's also fake dry river bed to help drainage on the curb corner. Very unique design idea.

This is an example of a southwest, Santa Fe style front yard landscape. We used a lot of free curves in this design which gave the illusion of even more space.

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Yard Plans Gallery | 17 Free Designs - DIY Landscaping Ideas

Follow our simple steps to learn how to landscape, then transform your outdoor living spaces. By Kelly Roberson

You don't need a degree in horticulture or even a green thumb to learn how to landscape your yard. What you do need is patience and a little bit of inspiration. Nationally known garden designer and author Jon Carloftis breaks it down for gardeners of every skill level.

Interested in adding a water garden to your yard? Find plants, plans, and inspiration.

BHG: Evaluating a yard -- whether it has some landscape elements or none at all -- can seem overwhelming, particularly for the beginning gardener. How do you even begin to learn how to landscape your own spaces?

Carloftis: If you are just starting out and are not feeling secure with how to landscape, drive around different neighborhoods. See what houses and yards appeal to you and take photos if you can. That really is the best way to start.

BHG: There are so many styles of landscaping -- contemporary, traditional, cottage, to name a few. If you're learning how to landscape and want to pick your style, are there any common elements?

Carloftis: Yes. If you step back and look at the yards that appeal to you, they likely have a good mix of all the various plant types: evergreen and deciduous trees, perennials, annuals, vines, and shrubs with four-season interest. You don't want your house to look bare in the winter, but you'll also notice that the old rules on how to landscape -- only green out front and no flowers -- are out. Nowadays you can do whatever you want.

BHG: That might be what is overwhelming: You can do whatever you want. How should gardeners break down their outside spaces when they are figuring out how to landscape?

Carloftis: There are a couple of things to remember when starting to landscape. First, you need to create a focal point; everything else will work around it. Trees are a good place to start. Go to a nursery and look at specimen trees. You can create a focal point with shrubbery, too. At the same time, consider your neighbors and focus your efforts on your front yard. You don't want to be the one house that brings down the look of the neighborhood.

BHG: After a homeowner has created a focal point, what comes next on the landscape list?

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How to Landscape Your Yard - Better Homes and Gardens