{mosimage} Here at Death Rattle we don't like to hide from our predictions or pretend that we never said something dumb. With that in mind, let's take another look at my predictions for the BCS.

Kansas vs Virginia Tech

Prediction: Virginia Tech 28, Kansas 20

Actual Score: Kansas 24, Virginia Tech 21

This game was a debacle. The Virginia Tech defense should be pissed. They played very well against the high powered Jayhawk offensive attack and did everything they could to steal this game, but their quarterbacks just wouldn't let them. The two-headed suckfest that was Tyrrod Taylor and Sean Glennon threw the game away, literally, with three ill-timed picks. One went for a touchdown and another was returned to the 2. The Virginia Tech defense was only responsible for 10 points allowed. They were fast, aggressive, and hard-hitting. I am in awe at the suckitude displayed by the VT offense. The line was porous, the quarterbacks were inaccurate and made poor decisions, and the receivers had hands of stone. The Kansas offense was effectively shut down for the most part, as I figured they would be. The thing that surprised me was how well the defense played. Aqib Talib had a big game, and the undersized front seven applied pressure on nearly every passing down. Creative, well-run blitzes seemed to surprise the Tech offensive line. I thought that this was the least intriguing BCS matchup, but it ended up being a very entertaining, though sometimes sloppy game.

Georgia vs Hawaii

Prediction: Hawaii 35, Georgia 31

Actual Score: Georgia 41, Hawaii 10

I wrote in my prediction article that anybody that claimed they knew what to expect in this game was lying. These teams play at opposite end of the country in incomparable conferences and they shared no common opponents. Because of these factors, I thought Hawaii would be able to spread the Georgia defense out and surprise them with the quick passing offense that Colt Brennan has run so well his whole career. I was wrong. Georgia destroyed Hawaii in every phase of the game, reducing the Warriors offensive line to rubble and making Colt Brennan pray for the end of the game. He was hit and hit hard on seemingly every play. The Georgia defense was extremely fast and the Warriors looked like they were just happy to be there. It quickly became clear that that was all they would have to be happy about. Goergia winning didn't surprise me, but to dismantle the Hawaii offensive attack so thoroughly was impressive.

Oklahoma vs West Virginia

Prediction: Oklahoma 31, West Virginia 17

Actual Score: West Virginia 48, Oklahome 28

This game surpised me. Oklahoma came in as one of the hottest teams in the country and boasted one of the nation’s best defenses. West Virginia was without the coach that made their program respectable and coming out of a conference that has been seen as inferior over recent years. Oh ya, and they had just posted 7 points at home to a 4-7 team en route to blowing their shot at the National Title. For Oklahoma to be so unprepared defensively for the West Virginia running attack was stunning. Pat White destroyed them and Noel Devine became a household name. Oklahoma has to be the most disappointing team in the short history of BCS play. For as good as Bob Stoops is at winning the Big 12, he is equally bad at preparing is team for BCS games. The ONLY thing you have to worry about as a coach when preparing for West Virginia is the run game. Still, the "great" Oklahoma defense allowed over 350 yards on the ground to a one-dimensional offense that was without Steve Slaton for much of the game. Owen Schmitt had a 57-yard touchdown run. Owen freaking Schmitt! Oklahoma embarrassed themselves and their conference in the most surprising game of the BCS season so far.

USC vs Illinois

Prediction: USC 35, Illinois 17

Actual Score: USC 49, Illinois 17

If Illinois would have won this game then I would know for sure that somebody was messing with my mind. However, USC decimated Illinois, running away with this game and using it to serve notice to the rest of the country that they are still the most successful team this millennium. Joe McKnight had his coming out party and the USC defense looked downright scary. My favorite part of the night was probably Kirk Herbstreit's claim that Rey Maualuga is unquestionably the hardest hitter in the country. Really? Nobody is even allowed to question that? At one point I was afraid that Kirk was going to storm the field in the middle of a play to ride Maualuga piggy-back style as he delivered one of his patented Thor hits. Joe McKnight showed why he was the top recruit in last year's class, speeding past the Illinois secondary for 125 yards on just 10 carries. He has drawn comparisons to Reggie Bush in his skill set, and while I don't think he's on that level, he is definitely a gamebreaker. The most impressive play of the day was when McKnight burst into the open field, hit the jets, and was run down from behind easily by Vontae Davis. Joe McKnight is fast, but Vontae Davis is really, really fast.

OSU vs LSU

Prediction: OSU 24, LSU 21

Despite my 1-3 record in BCS games, I'm not about to waffle and go against my boys in their shot at revenge. Michigan showed that the SEC's superior speed is nothing but a myth, and even Wisconsin nearly took out Tennessee. The Big Ten/SEC showdown is knotted at 1-1 and the games were both very close. But hey, nobody from the north has any speed whatsoever. LSU's defense has been garbage in the last half of the season, but now that they are totally healthy, they may be able to regain their insane first half form. My guess is they will fall somewhere in between, and the Buckeyes' will allows them to outlast a damn good LSU team and take home their second BCS title.

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wpeery said:

	Sean Glennon needs to join Brady Leaf in the club of quarterbacks that don't deserve a Division 1 scholarship. Both men are turnovers waiting to happen, let's be honest.
	report abuse vote down vote up

January 08, 2008
Votes: +0

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