22 NOV - 2008

1) BCS Uncertainty

There are some good teams in college football this year, but do you think we can work out who are the best two? Many had Texas Tech among the top 2, but #5 Oklahoma sure did a job on them, and now look like they have to be considered for a Top 2 spot. #4 Florida destroyed a hapless Citadel and look like a dominant force, but still have undefeated Alabama ahead in the SEC title. With the murky Big 12 South (Texas, Tech and Okie all a chance) whoever gets the nod for the Big 12 game vs Missouri will need a convincing win to secure a BCS spot, especially with USC watching closely. If the Sooners survive Oklahoma State next week, the BCS should have them ahead of Tech and the Longhorns and worthy for a title game shot, but Texas will be looking to keep their hopes alive. Utah have officially put their hand up for the BCS buster job this year and a probably Fiesta Bowl trip looks likely against 'The Other Big 12 team'. So maybe Utah vs Texas. If Oklahoma wrap up a #1 game against my tip of Florida, with Penn State and Oregon State to play in the Rose Bowl, USC would be a hot ticket for either the Orange or Sugar Bowl. How about USC vs Alabama in New Orleans? As someone headed for the Sugar Bowl contest, that would make me happy. Although if Bama upset UF and the Gators were there instead, even better.

2) Wolverines Out with a Whimper

It has been one heck of an off-season and season for Michigan. Losing a pile of stars to the NFL (possibly the best graduating class ever at UM) a new coach, transfers and the worst season in Wolverine history as the country and Ann Arbor buzzing with discontent. People are already pointing the finger at Rich Rodriguez. But is it fair? With most of the offense gone it was always going be a tough year, but to change schemes and lose the bonafide replacement to Henne (Ryan Mallett) because of that, it is tough. Now we are hearing that freshman RB Sam McGuffie is homesick and wants out. RR needs to steady this ship. The sooner we get LOI day happening the better for UM so that Tate Forcier and Shadorick Beaver can get in the Maize and Blue. Plenty of freshman cut their teeth, so the likes of Cissoko, Odoms and co will benefit in the long term. Lets play hypotheticals for a bit. Lets assume Lloyd Carr was still in place. How would the season have gone? Well, for starters we would have had Ryan Mallett at the helm and likely using his arm to effective use in getting the ball to Greg Matthews and his freshman buddies. Carson Butler would have probably stayed at TE. 3 yards and some more dust would have been the order of the day. Probably an efficient enough offense, with a weakened Oline limiting the success. Defensively, with Tim Jamison and Terrance Taylor we should have been stout, but the Scott Shafer scheme didn't help them out. Morgan Trent was looking to have a big year to solidify his NFl stock, not sure how that went, especially with the poor play at safety. Is it time to panic? No. Would there be calls for any coach's head after a season like this...for sure...how RR responds will be the question.

3) My Predictions

At the very start of the pre-season I had Knowshon Moreno and Percy Harvin as my Heisman favourites. Both have had injury interrupt their plans to a point and Moreno lost much of his OLine to injury. Both are still among the most electrifying players in CFB, but not likely to take it out this year. My bet now is Sam Bradford or Colt McCoy. My National championship prediction was for Georgia or FLorida. The Gators are still in the hunt, but the Bulldogs suffered early and although mounting a solid season, are not quite there. Next year could be their year if they can keep Matt Stafford in Athens and not in the pros.