I'd like to think that my college football prognasticating is getting better with a pair of correct ones to finish up before the title game...hold up Tulsa just scored again.
The weekend was also spade tight as every pro prediction came down as your humble scribe predicted it would. I never thought I could depend on Eli Manning and he'd come through like a champ. As much as I detest the Steelers I was troubled by the play calling of Mike Tomlin late in the Jags-Steelers game. But no matter what call he made on that 3rd and 6 run or pass he would have gotten roasted for it had it not been successful. But to not only fail to stop a timeout depleted Jags team on 4th and 2 but to let David Garrard run for 32 yards was shameful. Wait a minute... Tulsa just scored again...The Redskins were just about to add another chapter to their winning for Sean story when Shawn Suisam missed a chip shot field goal and the Skins just fell apart, letting the Seahawks take not one but two backbreaking picks get took to the house was sad. I hate to say it but the Skins quit in that final quarter. I'll have the preview of the divisional round on Friday.
This whole sordid affair with Roger Clemens is getting messier and messier. Clemens went on 60 Minutes and answered the charges that were leveled at him. Mike Wallace didn't throw softballs at him, but they weren't hard highones either. Then at the press conference it seemed that ESPN watchers were highly skeptical. Clemens is in a no-win situation. If he vocieferiously denies the allegations as he is doing, he "looks guilty" If he does like Barry Bonds has been doing and simply refusing to answer the charges until made to he looks guilty for not defending himself. No one knows who is telling the truth and Congress is going to have to get involved again, because baseball is looking more and more like the buffoon that can't keep its own house clean. I'll detail more thoughts on this later in the week.
You know what the fun things is about irritating Buckeye fans are? Many of them are so used to someone doggin on them they don't even know when they are being given a backhanded compliment. I got a nasty comment on my last post because I was growing tired of the "poor pitiful us" mentality I had been hearing from Buckeye coaches, players and apologist...err fans. I had merely stated that I felt that the Bucks as the top rated (rightfully so in my opinion) team in the country that instead of trying to play the persecuted underdog role instead have a "takin' care of business" mentality. Memo to Buck fan, your team is NOT an underdog. Your team has played well enough to merit its selection to the BCS title game, I grew annoyed by the "Oh it might as well be a road game." blatherings I was hearing. Correct me if I'm wrong here.
Did OSU win on the road in a dome? Yes at Minnesota
Did OSU win on the road at a ranked team Yes at Purdue and at Penn State
Did OSU win on the at a non conference team? Yes at Washington
Did OSU win on the road at a historically tough, hostile venue? Yes @ Michigan.
So if OSU did all that and consider themselves title material...WHY ARE YA'LL CRYIN'??? If the Bucks have accomplished the aforementioned, winning in New Orleans despite a pro LSU crowd should be a task that can be done. All I've said from the word go is if the Bucks are the championship material that they claim they are. Go out and win the damn thing and no one will have a thing to say.
Now that I have that off my chest lets look at the matchup.
ALLSTATE BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
#2 Louisiana State (11-2) vs #1 Ohio State (11-1)
Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans 8:00 (FOX)
Favorite LSU by 4
Fast Fact Both teams are vying to be the first team to win multiple BCS titles
Both teams are a bit of surprise to be in this game, needing ill-timed losses by teams that were ranked ahead of them at one time to gain entry to this game. Ignore the carping you hear from Athens and Los Angeles, the two best teams are here. Ohio State is a lunchpail type of team. Todd Boeckman is not superstar QB, but is effiecent and has the gamesmanship that keeps the Bucks out of perilous situations. Boeckman has a pair of Brians: Robiskie and Hartman as dependable targets Chris "Beanie" Wells is a darting slashing running back who is a scoring threat from anywhere on the field. The Bucks offense while effiecent isn't a point a minute offense, they are the methodical wear you type, but
The defense is the Bucks real calling card. DE Vernon Gholston and LB James Laurinaitis are hard hitting, fast pursuing defensive players who are game changers, the latter being a Butkus award winner. Both Gholston and Laurinatis demand attention at all times. To say that this unit is stingy on giving up points is a massive understatement. This team while not the most high scoring doesn't need to be since their defense is so miserly on giving up points itself. The Bucks problem is the same as it was last year and painfully proven against Illinois, they have trouble with mobile teams.
Louisiana State is a high risk high reward team. Jacob Hester gets the most press, but Keiland Williams is a sleeper back who could be utilized effectively. The Tigers have a bit of a QB quandry with Ryan Perrriloux and Matt Flynn sharing duties. Both are smart and handle the offense well. Early Doucet is a talented but underused wideout who OSU CB Malcolm Jenkins will likely be assigned to.
The Tiger defense starts with the emotional play of all everything Glenn Dorsey who in turn opens up things for talented LB Ali Highsmith. This defense can be run on though and if Wells hits it the right way it could be trouble.
In the end, its the Tigers hi-wire act versus the supposed underdog Bucks. The Tigers gambling nature could backfire on them. The Bucks need to start fast and avoid turnovers to take what could be a crowd leaning to LSU though from what I've heard the crowd in the Big Easy has been split. I picked Ohio State to win last year and felt foolish for betting on the Bucks. Fool me once...I can't get over the Tigers getting run over by Darren McFaddden and have to think that Beanie Wells could do the same thing. I see a tight game the Bucks pull out a grinding win and 12 months of having to hear Buck fans lord about how great this "scrappy underdog" team is. I should know better and will probably hate myself for this pick but...
Pick-Ohio State
Previous Pick Set 2-1
Overall 15-17
And no the winner regardless of who it is should NOT have to wear an asterisk or share its title with anyone...
I'll comment on how I'm dealing with a Buck win or loss, on the continuing Clemens saga and have the return of the Phat Dap/Head Slap on Wednesday or Thursday. Until Next Post Fellow Sports Fans!
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