{mosimage} Earlier I predicted a BIG and EASY win for Ohio State. Do I still think this way after watching (almost) ALL of the Bowl games?

It's always fun to compare conferences and Bowl games, possibly using them as a predictor for future Bowl games (example: National title game featuring LSU and Ohio State). It's true, my brain is consumed by championship game madness and conference hatred.

So what conference has proven themselves the best this Bowl season, top to bottom? Why, the SEC of course.

Yeah, I'll be the first to admit leading the Buckeye "sour grapes" movement following last years championship game debacle. Ohio State is 0-8 in their last 8 bowl games vs. SEC schools, Jim Tressel is 0-2 and Florida bitch slapped the Buckeyes 3 times in total (once for football, twice in basketball--including title game). For me the basketball results were expected but the football game was shocking. I never thought Jim Tressel would allow that to happen. Never say never.

Following the Florida Gators rhomp a year ago things got personal. The media leaders who praised OSU as the "class of college football" were now laughing at their own ignorance and then taking it out on the Buckeyes. But the true testament to the newfound bitterness was evident on message boards, where SEC fans sought out a very large and obnoxious OSU contigent, pointed their fingers, and laughed at the very large and obnoxious OSU contigent. The very large and obnoxious OSU contigent has fought back and judging by most threads on message boards, both sides usually end up looking dumb in the end. Columnists, Bloggers and Message Boarders all usually have one thing in common; bias. Guilty as charged!

I'll admit to reading and participating in the madness, trying to spew a few facts when I feel compelled to. A little reason to unreasonable SEC fans. Or a little caution to unreasonable Big 10 fans. Usually of course, I would point to the Big Ten vs. SEC overall wins stat in the last 5 years, 3 years and 1 year (all of which are even or favor the Big 10). My girlfriend likes to remind me that reading sports forums does not qualify as work. She is right, but with College Football about to come to a close I tell her it will be over soon. Of course, I'm lying because recruitng signing day is on Feb. 4 and as always thing are getting pretty damn juicy.

But enough of all of that, here is some analysis on how the how the Big Ten and SEC conferences have faired and how I NOW think it may play out in the end.

SEC Bowl Game Analysis

Mississippi State vs. UCF

Mississippie State went 4-4 in SEC play, while UCF only lost 1 CUSA game. It was a close, defensive battle that saw Kevin Smith fall short of Barry Sanders single season rushing record. It's always who they don't talk about who decides close games, and UCF QB Kyle Israel was miserable. 10 for 24, 88 yards, 3 INT's and 0 TDS. Mississippi State has a solid D, one that UCF could not handle. UCF is not "ready" yet. They gave Texas a game but got beat later 64-12 to USF. Sylvester Croom appears to have found a home in the SEC. It will be a tough task to compete at Miss. State, but he's laid a solid foundation and will need to continue to get some very good left overs on the recruting trail. UCF was favored to win by 3 so this is a good win for the SEC.

Alabama vs. Colorado

Alabama won, 30-24 after putting up the first 27 points. Colorado got their shit together but failed to convert on some golden opportunities in the 4th quarter. If these team played again it would be very close but I'd still probably give 'Bama the nod. Top to bottom a little better but you have to give the Buffaloes credit for rising from the dead in 2007. Nick Saban is no doubt busy shoring up a fine recruiting class in hopes of playing in something better than the Independance Bowl.

Kentucky vs. Florida State

Kentucky wins, 35-28. FSU had 33 players suspended but played surprisingly ok. More than ever, I saw Jumbo Fisher acting like the Head Coach on the Seminole sideline. Maybe the camera persons just focused on him more but he looked in control. Kentucky showed offensive firepower. Their D will need to improve if they want consistency but even with the suspended players this is a good win. Wondering "what could have been" for FSU had they been at full strength is pointless, as the Noles will play their first 3 games next year without the same guys too. It will be interesting to see where QB Jared Larenzen is taken in the NFL Draft. I'm no expert but I doubt he gets selected in the first round. Maybe he'll go early in the 3rd round or as late as early in the 5th--just a guess.

Clemson vs. Auburn

I picked Auburn by 1 and thought it would be a battle. Both schools went 5-3 in their respective conferences. In the end Auburn pulled off another slight upset for the SEC, 23-20. Auburn is tough, beating Florida and losing a last second pass to LSU. Clemson had beat South Carolina on the last game of the season but it was a real battle for them, which is my ultimate reason for picking Auburn (simple logic, I know). These two teams, who both go by "Tigers" showed that they are similiar in more ways than one. I'm willing to bet these teams are slugging it out on the recruiting trail too. For some reason it always feels like Clemson could just as easily be in the SEC.

Missouri vs. Arkansas

I did not really watch this game, thankfully. Missouri killed a wildly inconsistent Arkansas team 38-7. The Razorbacks lived and breathed through their old coach so the odds of them pulling off an upset flat lined when Houston Nutt left. Ugly loss for the SEC but to a good Missouri team who can now ride the high that stems from a Bowl game victory.

SEC vs. Big Ten Bowl Games

Wisconsin vs. Tennessee

Wisconsin has a way of winning Bowl games but not this time, as Tennessee prevailed 21-17. QB Tyler Donovan took a beating from the Vols and had a chance at the end to somehow win the game before thowing an INT. Tennessee had 3 guys suspended for this game, including stud LB Rico McCoy (grades). A reasonable conclusion would be that the better team won this game. Wisconsin finishes a bit disappointed in the season, where they lost 4 games (5-3 in Big Ten) in what was supposed to be a possible BCS type of season. Tennessee finished 10-4 (6-2 in SEC play). They can be happy with the win but are still not the Volunteers of old. Sure they won 10 games but with 14 games the accomplishment is not as big of a deal. They are just a little too sloppy on and off the field for my liking. Still, finshing 2nd in the SEC including a big win over Georgia is nothing to sneeze at.

{mosimage}Michigan Wolverines vs. Florida Gators

Michigan wins 41-35, overcoming 4 turnovers including 2 by Mike "I try too damn hard or simply don't trust my teammates" Hart. This was the best looking game so far this College Bowl Season. By this I mean the most competitive game by two athletic teams. Maybe a Geogia-USC match-up could have topped this had it happened, but as it stands this was the most entertaining thus far. I've followed, and rooted against, both of these teams all year. UF because they embarrassed the Buckeyes. Michigan because I don't give a damn for the whole state of Michigan. People talk about how this was the first time UM was at full strength since App. State, but even in that game Mike Hart only played half of the game--looking like Jim Brown when he did run the ball.

This was the Michigan team people expected. UF has some questions to answer, especially on the O-Line and Secondary. Tim Tebow would have checked in at an area hospital if he was not built to take hits. Michigan blitzed all day, and while UF was able to put points on the board, they seemed overwhelmed on their last drive and final attempt for a victory. UF gave up 41 thanks to a Defensive Backfield that was horrible. I love Safety Major Wright's game but as a whole they've got work to do. Inexperience is one thing but they should all have game experience by now. Expect some re-shuffling on the depth chart this off-season. I also expected more pressure on Chad Henne. Last year the UF D-Line looked quick. This year they looked small.

Michigan now loses Jake Long, Chad Henne and Mike Hart. Additionally, WR Mario Manningham is likely gone for NFL riches. Adrian Arrington could go too. With talks of QB Ryan Mallett possibly transferring, this could be a UM squad stuck in a bit of rebuilding mode, with or without star QB recruit Terrelle Pryor. Mallett was cheering hard during the Bowl game and I could see him staying.

Derrick Harvey will likely go pro for Florida. What more does he need to prove, really? Andre Caldwell is graduating but he could be replaced. Overall, UF should be back in the title hunt again. They need an improved running game (they should be better next year at RB) to give Tebow plays where he won't get hit. Without that help, or even with it, UF may look to another QB to spell relief at times for Tebow. Without help, no way does Tebow or Florida go unscathed.

Big 10 Bowl games

Purdue vs. Central Michigan

Purdue wins, 51-48. There was 0 D in this game. None. When Purdue needed a score they got it and vise versa. Purdue had the ball last and they won. Central Michigan won the MAC but the MAC is as bad as I've seen it. Purdue went 3-5 in Big 10 play and will have a hard time improving without a better defense.

Boston College vs. Michigan State

BC wins 24-21. This match-up surprised me because I expected better for BC and worse for MSU, but it was close regardless. I had MSU in a upset, but this was before their star DE and 2 other guys were suspended. This could have made a difference against a sometime poor Boston College O-Line. Matt Ryan played good enough and has NFL written all over him. Brian Hoyer player terrible. He'll need to improve for MSU or get out of the way for the next guy. BC went 6-2 in ACC play while MSU went 3-5 in Big Ten play. Unfortunately, moral victories are for losers.

Penn State vs. Texas A&M

This game coincided with the Patriots-Giants game and UFC 79, so I did not catch all that I wanted too. Penn State won, 24-17, overcoming a 14-0 deficit. TAMU played with an intern coach which is never easy (unless you are WVU). I expected Penn State to win and thought it was a "must" win for the Big 10.

Indiana vs. Oklahoma State

Indiana was gettin crushed early and added points late to make it look closer, eventually losing 49-33. This game was on the NFL network (lame) so I did not watch it. I expected a better game but the victorious team was not surprising.

SEC vs. Big 10 Final Game

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. LSU Tigers

I've already predicted a Buckeye win, 34-26. I stand by that but also recognize it will be a tough game against a tough team (despite by "Big and Easy" claims not long ago).

I worry about the LSU run vs. the OSU run D, which can be vulnerable. If LSU has success on the ground, the OSU D will be placed in tough situations. LSU has speedy receivers but that means little if OSU can pressure the LSU QB's, which they should. The LSU line have proven to be great run blockers but not-so-great in pass protection. They need to do what they do well in order to help with the pass.

It's tough for me to imagine Chris Wells rushing for under 100 yards in the game unless OSU gets down early, which would be uncharacteristic of them.

Even with the injuries to Michigan, you could not help but notice OSU was physically more dominant in the trenches. Glenn Dorsey and the LSU D-Line will need to play like the did in the first 5 games because they second half of the season they stunk. Dorsey's health is said to be fine but you half to wonder. Back and knee injuries linger, so we'll see.

This is one of those games where I could see OSU winning close or big. I could see LSU winning close.

Based on conference play in Bowl games, the SEC is deeper. As for the best 2 teams at the top of the conferences, we'll have to wait until January 7th to find out. Should the Big 10 win, they'd have a better record over the last 5-6 years in Bowl games vs. the SEC. Should LSU win they go 2-1 this year, with 2 straight championships to rub in the face of more Big Ten bitterness. As it stands, the SEC is 6-2 while the Big 10 is 3-4 overall in Bowl games. The Big Ten, looking for respect, will still need another win to really change peoples minds, whether they like it or not. The SEC, even at 6-3, is looking cherry. 7-2 would equate to absolute dominance.

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Lloyds Apple said:

	Crap...I left out the Ill vs. USC breakdown. I'll add it later, but in short, Illinois was DRILLED!
	report abuse vote down vote up

January 05, 2008
Votes: +0

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