Bowl picks: The New Year’s Day and BCS games (I actually like Ohio State)
I’m on the record (many, many times) saying that Ohio State doesn’t deserve to be in the national title game. When your best win is against overrated Wisconsin, and when you play a pathetic non-conference schedule, you have no business playing for the BCS title.
In my book, a victory over LSU would be Ohio State’s first quality win of the season. (Don’t get me started on the Big Ten, which had an awful regular season.)
That said, the Buckeyes are a good bet against LSU, for two reasons (neither of which involves the phrase “anything can happen,” which is also true):
1. I’m not a Les Miles fan in any way, shape or form, especially in big games. (Michigan is much better off without him.) I give a significant coaching edge to Jim Tressel.
2. When was the last time LSU beat anybody handily, other than Mississippi or Louisiana Tech?
Since Oct. 1, the Tigers have played six teams that ended up in bowl games. It lost two in triple overtime, and the four wins were all by a touchdown or less.
In fact, in those six games, LSU has a plus-16 point differential — less than three per game.
Granted, those were very good teams, but the Tigers aren’t capable of hammering anybody decent, and yes, I’ll admit Ohio State is decent.
And OSU plus-4.5? Based on LSU’s results, that’s a smart bet. (I also thought OSU was a smart bet against Florida, so what do I klnow?)
Outback Bowl (Tampa)
Jan. 1
Tennessee (minus-3.5) vs. Wisconsin: I usually like Wisconsin in bowl games because the Bdgers are well-coached. And I usually don’ like Tennessee because the Vols are not well-coached. But this is a mismatch in talent, speed and, um, talent. Gimme: Tennessee.
Cotton Bowl (Dallas)
Jan. 1
Missouri (minus-3) vs. Arkansas: Huge letdown for Mizzou, but Arkansas has a new coach, in case you hadn’t heard. Only question is whether Petrino will still be a Hog come Jan. 1. (There are other jobs out there, you know.) Gimme: Missouri.
Capital One Bowl (Orlando)
Jan. 1
Florida (minus-10) vs. Michigan: Lose to App State, underachieve like nobody else, dump your coach … and end up in a January game. Yep, there are too many bowls: Gimme: Florida.
Gator Bowl (Jacksonville)
Jan. 1
Texas Tech (minus-5.5) vs. Virginia: These teams are playing on New Year’s Day and Arizona State isn’t. But make no mistake: the Pac-10 likes its bowl lineup. Gimme: Texas Tech.
Rose Bowl (Pasadena)
Jan. 1
USC (minus-13.5) vs. Illinois: Illinois might have had a chance in October. But now … now it’s gonna be a blowout. I’d take USC minus-the-points against anybody right now. Gimme: USC.
Sugar Bowl (New Orleans)
Jan. 1
Georgia (minus-8.5) vs. Hawaii: Only explanation for this line is that nobody has seen Hawaii play. Even if you ding the Dawgs 10 points for the BCS-snub factor, they still win by two touchdowns. Gimme: Georgia.
Fiesta Bowl (Glendale)
Jan. 2
Oklahoma (minus-7) vs. West Virginia: Looked like a good game until Rich Rodriguez bolted WVU for Michigan. The game I want to see is Oklahoma-USC. Gimme: Oklahoma.
Orange Bowl (Miami)
Jan. 3
Virginia Tech (minus-4) vs. Kansas: KU, whose best win is over a 7-5 team, has done nothing to indicate it can play with a team of VaTech’s caliber. Gimme: Virginia Tech.
BCS Championship
Jan. 7
LSU (minus-4.5) vs. Ohio State: For reasons stated above … Gimme: Ohio State.
Although it is hard to argue with the oddsmakers, picking 8 out of 9 favorites? With all of the upsets this year? Go out on a limb there - try Wisconsin over UT just *because* the Badgers always show up for their bowls. Try Kansas because of the redemption factor. And that VaTech lost all the big games they played in, too. Try finding something interesting about the Texas Tech/UVA game, rather than throwing in another pro-Pac-10 comment. Try a *little* harder. Please.
Careful Jon, or your “SEC rules” card may be revoked.
Jon, the Pac-10 has awful bowl tie-ins and we all know this. Will you have a seperate write up about this? I noticed you basically omitted all bowl games involving the Pac.
This is a major issue for the Pac-10. Basically many people ignore and omit(including you)any bowl before January 1. The Pac-10 only has one bowl game played on or after January 1.
Please ignore the above post. Found the December Bowls write-up.
However, this doesn’t change the Pac-10’s irrelevance every bowl season.
You ask in your #2 question, when was the last time LSU beat anybody handily, other than Mississippi or Louisiana Tech?
Well one time would be on Sept 8 when LSU (#2) romped Va. Tech (#9) 48 - 7!!
Most of them are real, real “yawners…I mean Yawners!”
Straight up I take:
I will watch Ohio State and LSU because the people that know (I guess)put them in the championship game.
USC walks all over Illinois…there still trying to find a “politically correct” mascot.
Oklahoma blasts WVU.
Florida takes the “Blue” and just leaves the “Maze!”
Gad…I can’t even finish ‘em!!
I’m hoping Hawaii beats out Georgia, but I bet Georgia will pull out the win.
A healthy USC team vs …. Illinois, that’s a no brainer - USC stomps the “illini”
I second TommyCoug: oklahoma will steam-roll over WVU, especially since WVU lost their coach to michigan.
I can’t stand Ohio State or LSU. Im not event watching that game. But i’m guessing LSU will win. I’ll also take VaTech over Kansas.
You are a moron. Sorry, but your reasoning for the OSU upset of LSU is ….. a pipe dream (as in what were you smoking when you wrote it?). We are all entitled to our opinions, you have yours and I have mine. OSU will get be as non-competitive as they were against FL last year (although the score won’t be as big a blow out). LSU’s battle tough and it will show frim the first quarter on. OSU knows what’s comming and they still won’t be able to stop it. The loss to FL last year will catch up to them in the second quarter when they realize that they don’t belong on the field with the 5th team from the SEC.
Happy holidays,
C
I agree with John. It’s looks like LSU will be healthy for the game against OSU. With that said, when they are healty look at the MSU and VA Tech games, I think that’s the LSU that will show up.
The PAC time needs to get most exposure, I read a couple of months back about their TV contact, worthless.
This is the same guy that in July said Ohio State would finish 26th. Now he picks us to win the National Title. LSU people be afraid. Ohio State is an underdog in this game. Ohio State is in the same position they were in against more talented, faster stronger Miami in 2002. We are NEVER a underdog. WE ARE OHIO STATE. So Ohio State with a CAUSE is the most dangerous team in sports.
I agree with most of your picks, but I believe Kansas will beat Viirginia Tech & Hawaii will pull out another amazing WAC victory over Georgia. Georgia won’t know what hit em! I hope Ohio State whips the over-rated Tiggers of LSU. LSU is a hard team to like. Their players & fans have a “hollier than thou” attitude. I don’t know why. They lost two games just like a bunch of other teams, and they should have lost 1, or 2 more games. Given the chance USC would take the “tiggers” apart. I hate the Big 10, or 12 whatever it is, but vs LSU– GO BUCKEYES!!
Jon, did you forget the wipping LSU gave to Va Tech.
That is the main reason they are in the championship game.
They lost a bunch of players to injury. Now they are back, look for a Tiger Blow-Out!
And by the way Billy, USC did not earn the chance. You are Lucky you guys are playing. Who did Ohio St beat to get there? The team with the best record you guys played, you lost. AT HOME!
We may haved played in some close games against some tough competition. But guess what. We Won.
In the Old days, without overtime. LSU would be 11-0-2.
By the way Billy. No One has taken the Tigers apart in the last 6 years. So that won’t happen.You are just blowing smoke. What happened in last years game between Fla?
By the way. I forwared you blog to Les Myles and the Tigers. Keep them coming. I sure you they will get to their rightfull owner.
Lets not forget Mississippi St, also. 55-0.
I now agree with everyone. Jon, you really don’t know what you are talking about.
Get another job. Maybe with Home and Garden
Dang…
I know I’ve known it for a couple weeks now, and I’m sure others are excited… but I am sorely disappointed the season for me ends with the year. There’s not a single bowl that I’m planning to watch this January. Even U$C destroying the Illini doesn’t begin to get me going. What a disappointing end to a year that thrilled and amazed… before suddenly leaving the party at 9:30.
And being that I’ve never developed much more than tepid interest in basketball, hockey, baseball, et al. or even the pros, I guess I’m going to have to climb back in my cave for another 8 or 9 months.
…Until Fall 2008, cheers all; merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
PS. Mike, did you see my apologetic response after I went a-ranting a couple weeks back? If not, sorry again. Good luck to your Tigers.
Mike T,
It’s fun to flush you out. All I had to do was bad-mouth your LSU Tigers & you show up. You’re pretty quiet until someone posts negative comments about your beloved LSU. The more you post the more you prove your ignorance. Keep it up. You are such a joke that has become fun to read your pathetic responses trying to defend LSU’s right to be in the BCS Title Game. Their very lucky that their record is not 7-5. ARKANSAS Wow! LSU is an Emerald Bowl type team. Go BUCKEYES!
Mike the tiger - You want to talk about lucky? LSU is lucky.
When USC lost to stanford they lost by 1 point to an unranked and dropped to 10. LSU lost by 2 points to similarly unranked arkansas.
USC lost to (then) #5 Oregon by 7 points… WITH a healthy dixon. LSU lost to #17 Kentucky by 6 points.
So please, mike, add these up and mix them around and tell me how LSU was able to weasel its way back into the top 2 while USC had to fight so hard to get back to number 6 even when they kept winning. They’re both two talented teams with 2 losses, but when you compare the losses… L(ucky) State University starts looking like the lucky one.
To all, LSU is not 7-5. LSU did not lose to Stanford,AT HOME, 40 point dog.LSU beat more top 30 teams then anybody. Took triple OT from Kentucky,a top 10 team back then. Ark, also another 3 ot game. He had to have the game of his like to impress the pros. He only wound up second behine Tebow. And yes, we played both of these talented players. Woodson was pretty good too.
USC would be 7-5 with LSU’s schedule. They are only playing in the ROSE because Dixon got hurt. But that is my point. We lost players all year. Never complained. Just won games. Watch us in Jan. We will be at full strength. You will see the Tigers that killed Virginia Tech.
To Youngblood
Who are you kidding. It is in your blood. You, like me will be watching every bowl game, every playoff game.
I am like you. I LOVE THIS SPORT.
I would say every Sunday after a Saints loss. I will never watch them again. Guess what, next week I will be gluded to the tube or going to the game.
Forgive me if I sound a little pumped up about my Tigers. This oppertunity does not come to often.
You guys have experienced it a lot with the 49ers.
Now you know how I feel
WOW, 4 out of 6 game involve SEC teams,
I guess none of the pac 10 fans will be renting a Big Screen TV for New Years Day.
Sorry
Alex, How can you compare Ark to Stanford.
Ark 8-4, Stanford 3-9? Ark to the Cotton Bowl. What Bowl is Stanford goin to? LOL
Yea, I think I would rather lose to Ark. Your anology is something special, that only you can understand.
Mike -
I’m glad to hear you’re amped about LSU. On the otherhand, what is your argument against the fact that USC lost by 7 to a number 5, while LSU lost by 6 to number 17? That it was overtime, so it’s not that big of a deal?
You seem to blame the arkansas loss on the fact that mcfadden “had to have the game of his life to impress the pros.” Mcfadden is straight-up a good player, let’s not diminish that. But if you think your team lost because one player, mcfadden, “had to” play a great game, that’s not making a strong argument for why you lost.
MTiger,
You sound pretty dense when you infer that LSU earned their way into the championship game. The reality is that LSU “backed in” through a process of elimination. The BCS had to decide which loser would get a chance to play for a national championship. The tiggers got the nod. Lucky indeed since the best two teams in the country are USC & Oklahoma. At least LSU avoided the embarassment of losing to Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl. Arkansas Wow! This year’s title game really demonstrates how screwed up & how poorly the BCS rating system is working. Ohio State vs LSU-what a joke!
“Sugar Bowl (New Orleans)
Jan. 1
Georgia (minus-8.5) vs. Hawaii: Only explanation for this line is that nobody has seen Hawaii play. Even if you ding the Dawgs 10 points for the BCS-snub factor, they still win by two touchdowns. Gimme: Georgia.”
I saw Hawaii play like 4 times this year, 1 in person at SS, I guess I’m nobody. That’s ok. I don’t recall seeing Georgia play though only hearing that they were somehow special from ESPN but never explaining why they were special.
All I want for Christmas is for the Warriors to BLOW OUT Georgia so we can put these East Coast Bias politickers out of their fu****g misery. Just bury ‘em after they get WAC’ed! I can’t believe I’m saying this but GO WARRIORS! Take those West Coast Hater sons a bit###s down! Let’s see what nasty things they have to say about West Coast Football if Georgia gets stomped..
~MWS
Forgive the dp but, hey, we don’t get very many shots at the SEC so make it count!! Time to own it, we’re rooting for ya!
Go Hawaii!
~mws
I agree with Alex, LSU and OSU backed-in to the championship game. This system is soo screwed up and this match-up proves it. Everybody in the country knows neither of these teams deserve to be there. As a result, every BCS game is a bad match-up. OSU will get blown out by LSU and USC would have blown out both of these teams by 3-4 touchdowns. USC v Illinois? I don’t even want to watch this game. I think Mike the tigger must have uploaded a cajun virus into the BCS computers to discount the LSU losses a little less than everybody else. how retarded….GIVE US A PLAYOFF!
Eddie, Very Well Said!
I guess we will hear the crying from Pac 10 fans. USC number 2. Do you actually think losing to Sanford makes you qualify for the bcs CHAMPION game. Send me some of that stuff you guys are taking. Or maybe I should just drink your water.
Had LSU lost to Old Miss and Kentucky, I could see your point.
USC is the worst 2 loss team in the Nation. Half the SEC would blow them away.
As for the Sugar, as much as I hate to say it. Ga will put 60 points on the board and hold Hawaii to 14 points.
They will get their first taste of a very good defense.
I also pick USC to lose BIG in the Rose.
And then Eddie, what are you going to cry about when USC does not win in the playoffs.
I can hear it now. Them stupid officals cost us the game. You guys cry more than anyone in the world.
WAKE-UP. IF NOBODY TOLD YOU YET, I WILL. THERE IS NO PLAYOFFS,AND USC IS NOT PLAYING FOR THE NATIONAL CHAMP!
DEAL WITH IT AND WATCH YOU PANTSY USC IN THE ROSE AND STOP CRYING.
Ohio State will win, guaranteed.
Talk is cheap, Fred.
On paper it looks like another Blow-out with another fast SEC school. Sorry LSU 64-OSU 10
Go Tigers!
Jon,
You said Boise was a better team and Hawaii beat them.
You said Fresno was a better team and Hawaii beat them.
You said Nevada was a better team and Hawaii beat them.
You are predicting a blow out by Georgia.
Jon, don’t you like poi.
The LSU team can’t even count to 64 let alone score 64 points.
I think you were up too late last night, Mike The (or Thge) Tiger. Or else you found some mushrooms that you cooked improperly or are smoking some strange, strange mixture…
64-10 LSU? Tell me where can I get some of that action money?
TommyC,
I’m sure you know by now that MTiger “KNOW NOTHING”!
Bb, I know..TC!
Lets see. The pac 10 and the Wac look pretty wimmpy as of now in the early bowl games.
Boise Wimmpy St, looses to a team barely over .500
Give me a break. Hawaii will be another loser.
Mike the Idiot finally comes out from under his rock! The only wimpy team in the BCS Bowl games is LSU. Oregon State played horrible & still easily won their bowl game. LSU is a joke & will be embarassed in the national championship game. LSU is very lucky to be playing Ohio State instead of U. of Hawaii. Their loss to Ohio State will be less embarassing than a loss to the Hawaii Warriors!
LSU vs. Ohio State, who cares..
Hawaii vs. Georgia will be the best game guaranteed. Go Warriors!
Pacific Rules! Atlantic Drools.
~mws
LSU vs Ohio State shows what a horrible college football evaluating system that currently exists. Right now USC is the best team in the nation followed by Oklahoma. A USC-Oklahoma match up for the national championship would give college football some validity & credibility. Both LSU & OSU are lucky if they are one of the top 8-10 teams in the country!
“MTT”…where have you been? Did you go back home to eat some Gumbo? I agree with you that the Pac-10 is not looking so good with wins in bowl games. However, with injuries galore and still a limbo coaching situation, UCLA put themselves in a position to beat BYU…and Oregon State did win last night with a substitute QB that is suspect at best.
The real disappointment was ASU…they looked bad and got thumped by a ready but average Texas team…but, then D. Erickson and Co. got thrashed by USC also and ASU has a history of looking bad against good teams. And wait until Dennie has been there 3-4 years, he will make Florida States classroom issues look small and the Sheriff will have a jail full of his players (”lock up the women and children, Phoenix”).
I think California and Oregon are extremely vulnerable…USC may have to carry the Pac-10 banner alone.
As for LSU, you have a big mouthy coach that deserves to be humiliated by Ohio State, with their weak schedule against LSU’s 2 loses!
GO COUGS!!…GO PAC-10…GO HAWAII RAINBOWS!!
The “real” championship game would have been USC against Oklahoma!
Thanks Wilner for picking against Hawaii, since you’ve picked against them all year and have been wrong all year too. I would have been nervous if you actually picked Hawaii to win the Sugar Bowl…
Even though mike the Tiger is an obnoxious blow-heart who sounds like an idiot most of the time he does seem to be on to something with his rants about the SEC. Another win last night! Maybe the SEC will finally show themselves as a decent conference. Mike TT, keep up the moronic posts. Maybe this year the SEC will cash some of the checks you’ve been writing with your mouth! Happy New from the Islands of Paradise. The home to the only undefeated Div. 1 football team in the country.
I just finished reading the article in the Mercury News about the Air Force-Cal game. A few things popped out:
1) The game doesn’t exactly sound exciting especially with 3 of Cal’s most explosive players not starting for minor violations. I guess Tedford doesn’t want to look like he is losing control! 2) With 2 of their top receivers out early I guess it’s 2 runs & a short pass & a punt! 3) Riley is going to play! Wow! I guess later is better than never. If Tedford would have used Riley earlier in the season Cal would not be stuck in San Antonio playing in such a low level bowl game!!! Lets hope that USC can give the PAC its 2nd bowl victory tomorrow in Pasadena. (2-4 is not a good bowl record but better than 1-5)
M the T,
LSU is very lucky to be playing Ohio State instead of USC, or especially an excited & motivated Oregon Duck team that destroyed USF yesterday. Oregon’s physicality would probably knock several key Tigers out of the game. LSU would wimper & cry their way back to Baton Rouge to lick their wounds!
to duck
I don’t see your team in any type of BCS game. As again,TALK IS CHEAP.
Poor Hawaii. Man , they finally played a good team. One with a winning record and not from that wimppy WAC. Look what happen. No competition.
Troy, I bet you guys are all excited with that big win. Well LSU beat That Ill. by 55 points 6 years a go in the Sugar. Try playing a good team next year in the Rose, because it won’t be the BCS Nat Champ game again!
What, Where is Bob? Shoting your mouth all year long about Hawaii. What an idiot!
Well I guess we won’t hear from him again.
Did the Wac win any post season game or were they just showing their rreal colors.
Dude that Hawaii is a BAD team, and I don’t mean that in a good way. They must have been beating flag football teams.
Brent Mussberger has to be in bed with Pete Carol.
To say Usc is the best. Congrads, Usc just beat a team, that the year before this, has only won 9 games in 3 years. Hawaii would have been much more competitive. The BIG TEN is weak from top to bottom.
LSU will CRUSH OHIO ST. We want them to cry for mercy.
They will be begging Myles to stop.
LSU will start taking a knee in the 3rd quarter.
Beg now Ohio and we will give you mercy. We won’t hurt all your players , so you can win that weak conference again.
I am starting to agree with Mike the Tiger, even though I am a die heart Ducks fan.
The Tiger look good. They have great talent and speed in all positions.
Myles has a big mouth, but he is a great coach to have at least 11 wins in his first three years as the head coach.
He may match Pete’s record someday.
Go Ducks!
I am glad some of you pac ten wimps are comming to their senses. SEC is The BEST!
Jon, you are 4 and 4. The LSU game will make you a loser!
Mike you were right…LSU was the best team and deserve to be Champs! I agree that they need not share it with Georgia in the AP poll who didn’t make it to the SEC final game or to USC that lost to Stanford and didn’t beat one team that finished in the top 15. LSU beat 4 teams in the top 15. Next year I think the PAC will be stronger, especially USC. Hopefully we will finish healtier next year down the stretch.