Words of Wisdom

Well, the BCS bowls – including the national championship game – are set and the nation is astir with excitement and a desire to know what the BCS people are smoking…

Those that were left out:
Missouri – Despite finishing the season ranked higher than conference rival Kansas, the Tigers were doomed to an eminent thrashing by Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl. If anybody has a claim to the BCS that didn’t make it, its Missouri and their wins against two BCS schools – Illinois and Kansas.

Florida – They may have lost 3 games, but the Gators seem to be a much stronger team than the three loss team that did make it into the field – Illinois. Florida had the highest strength of schedule ranking of any of the teams listed here, 9th, and their opponents won 60% of their games.

Rose Bowl (Jan 1) – USC vs. Illinois
There were a few bumps in the road for the Trojans this season – Oregon and lowly Stanford – but USC once again asserted their dominance in the Pac-10. Illinois had the luxury of a weak Big 10 and Rose Bowl tradition on their side to earn a spot in the “Granddaddy of them all.” Ron Zook’s Illini did defeat Ohio St. earlier in the season, so they are certainly capable of playing with the big boys, but I expect Pete Carroll’s squad to again carry home the victory. USC 31 – Illinois 21

Sugar Bowl (Jan 1) – Hawaii vs. Georgia
Look, I know Hawaii is the lone undefeated team, but give me a break – their opponents only won 35% of their games and the Warriors’ only quality win was against WAC foe Boise St. Georgia, on the other hand, stumbled early in losses to South Carolina and Tennessee, but finished strong with six consecutive wins – including Florida, Auburn and Kentucky. Even Heisman hopeful Colt Brennan won’t be able to stop the Bulldogs’ march to victory. Georgia 34 – Hawaii 17

Fiesta Bowl (Jan 2) – Oklahoma vs. West Virginia
After their resounding defeat of then-number 1 Missouri, Oklahoma thought they had laid claim to a championship berth, but the BCS gods said otherwise. That being said, the Sooners have something to prove. West Virginia has three wins over ranked opponents, but they have yet to play anyone the caliber of Bob Stoops’ team. The Mountaineers will not be able to overcome the disappointment of their regular season-ending loss to Pittsburgh and the boys from Oklahoma will prevail. Oklahoma 27 – West Virginia 20

Orange Bowl (Jan 3) – Virginia Tech vs. Kansas
After an early-season 48-7 defeat by LSU that amounted to a ritualistic slaughter, Virginia Tech came back strong and worked their way back up the polls by beating ranked Clemson, Virginia, and Boston College squads. Kansas proved that, as long as you win, you do not actually have to beat anyone of consequence to make it into the BCS. The only ranked team that fell to the Jayhawks this season was their local Kansas St. rivals, who ended up finishing the season 5-7. Missouri exposed Kansas’ shortcomings in their single meeting, defeating the Jayhawks 36-28. Give this one to the Hokies. Virginia Tech 30 – Kansas 16

BCS Championship Game (Jan 7) – Ohio St. vs. LSU
A few weeks ago, prior to the craziness of the regular season ending, this was the assumed championship matchup. Soon, though, OSU dropped a game to Illinois by a touchdown and LSU lost their second game, a 4 OT barnburner to Arkansas, which seemingly knocked them both out of the title picture. Last minute losses by Missouri and West Virginia then pushed both of them back to the front of the pack. Ohio State returns for another shot after being annihilated by Florida last season and LSU is trying for their second championship in five years.
LSU 30 – OSU 24

What did you think of the bowl matchups?