Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech vs Kansas

This is the least compelling of all the BCS matchups. Virginia Tech isn't exactly the most exciting team to watch, and Kansas doesn't deserve to be there. Missouri was #1 just 24 hours ago, and now they don't even have a BCS bid. Considering Missouri beat Kansas head to head, the Jayhawks' BCS berth is a farce. I've heard enough about their incredible season (in which they played one real team and got beat) and I've seen enough of Mark Mangino to last a lifetime. How can a human being be shaped like a sphere? It's just not natural. I'll probably watch the game just because I'm addicted to college football, but I doubt I'll enjoy it.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 28, Kansas 20

Sugar Bowl: Hawaii vs Georgia

Goergia coach Mark Richt has a bone to pick with the BCS. He says his team didn't get a fair shake from the media because they didn't win their conference. Well coach, to be more exact, you didn't even play in your conference title game. In addition, you lost to the team that lost the SEC title game. Care to continue arguing? Hawaii is the nation's only undefeated team. I've only seen one of their games, and that was the unimpressive near loss to Washington last night. Still, Colt Brennan is the great equalizer for a Hawaii team that will be outmatched in terms of talent. Brennan didn't repeat his historic 2006 season, but he was still damn good. This is an intriguing game because Hawaii only played one other real team (Boise State) and they run such a pass-heavy offense. I have no idea how this one will play out, so like any good analyst, I'll just make up a score founded on nothing and call myself a genius if I'm remotely close.

Prediction: Hawaii 35, Georgia 31

Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma vs West Virginia

Oklahoma should have gotten way more love from the AP and Coaches polls after their dismantling of the supposed #1 team in the nation yesterday. They are a dangerous team that is capable of beating anybody in the country. West Virginia, on the other hand, put up the least clutch performance I've seen in a long time posting an impressive 7 points...at home...against 4-7 Pittsburgh...with a chance to clinch a National Title berth. Way to prove yourselves by not choking in the biggest game of your lives. Then again, maybe this just proves the incredible depth of the Big East. Isn't that the argument when a middle of the road SEC team upsets LSU or Georgia? Pat White is fragile, and I'll be shocked if he plays the whole game against Oklahoma's hard-hitting defense. The Sooners are BCS regulars, and they are too balanced for the Mountaineers to stop. Expect a good game, but don't be shocked if Oklahoma pounds WVU mercilessly.

Prediction: Oklahoma 31, West Virginia 17

Rose Bowl: USC vs Illinois

USC is on fire. They are close to being the team that everybody thought they were in the preseason. With the nation's #2 ranked defense and plenty of offensive firepower, Illinois has their hands full. This is where their improbable season crashes and burns. They are the only team to defeat Ohio State, and they did it in Columbus. Don't expect a repeat performance of that stunning upset. USC has too much talent, and they have the defensive playmakers to shut down Reshard Mendenhall and Juice Williams. Barring a horrifying call that for no apparent reason other than God's hatred for me as an individual goes un-reviewed, expect USC to spank Illinois much the same way they did to Michigan last year.

Prediction: USC 35, Illinois 17

National Championship: Ohio State vs LSU

I am torn on this game. For the past year, all we've heard about is how the SEC plays a better brand of football than any other conference. Florida's demolition of the Buckeyes in last year's title game started that line of thinking, and this year's Big Ten/SEC matchup will finish it one way or the other. College football's balance of power is at stake in this game. If OSU wins or loses a tight game, then the critics and LSU lovers will have to shut up for at least a season. If LSU blows them out, then those that believe the SEC is God's gift to football will have enough ammunition to make me reconsider my thoughts on the college football landscape. I firmly believe that Jim Tressel is an exponentially better coach than Les Miles, and it is this belief that brings me to the conclusion that Ohio State has a distinct advantage in this game. Still, the exposing of the defensive line and the inadequate play of Todd Boeckman in the Illinois game give me pause. This will be a much better game than last year's title game, although that isn't saying much. Call it a homer pick, but the Buckeyes redeem themselves and everybody who has been on LSU's nuts all year, despite their mediocrity over the last two months (especially on defense), will bow to Brutus.

Prediction: OSU 24, LSU 21

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (2)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Lloyds Apple said:

Congrats on having big enough balls to make some early picks and picking Hawaii over Georgia. I'm thinking Georgia wins. VTech wins...big. USC wins but if Juice Williams plays his A game, it could get tricky. Think Oregon. If Illinois even makes this a game, then they will start out in the top 10 next year. LSU vs. OSU...I want to see how the next week or two plays out. The early line says LSU will likely be favored by 6 or 7. I like that line for OSU for sure even if the game is in Louisiana.

report abuse vote down vote up

December 04, 2007
Votes: +0

Bugeatersteve said:

I agree with Lloyds regarding picking Hawaii. However with regards to Oklahoma, they didn't get the BCS love, I believe because their defense gave up like 500 yards to Texas Tech and lost. That fact didn't have anything to do with their quarterback being out of the game. You can't loose to a "also ran" and expect to get in the championship game, although a USC vs. Oklahoma game would be an interesting watch don't you think?

report abuse vote down vote up

December 04, 2007
Votes: +0

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment