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Who now for the title game?

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Florida just hasn't impressed me this year. They seem to be regressing on offense since the beginning of the season. They struggled with Vanderbilt and a mediocre Georgia team. To me if USC can knock off Cal and ND they would deserve to go to the title game.
 
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I still think that USC, if they win out, should go. The way they lost to Oregon State: on the road, down big early, fought back to a two point conversion away from a tie, proves, to me, that they have the heart to stay in a game that looks out of hand early. I think that their beat down of Arkansas gives them credibility over the six degrees of one loss teams. They are probably the only ones that have the offense and the defense to make it close come January 8th

I also don't think that the loser of tOSU-tsun should go. Especially if it's us. Everything will have been in our favor this year (home game, senior quarterback, big game coach). If we lose to tsun, at home, we don't deserve a rematch, and a shot at the National Title. Since that isn't going to happen. I'll stick to my tOSU vs. USC in the National Title game prediction.
 
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aside from millions of years of crappy football teams, what does Rutgers have against them?
Click to expand...

Non-conf opponents! These guys have know for three years they were in the restructured Big East. If you want to play for all the marbles step up. The only team in the Big East I would have given a pass to is Louisville because they pretty much did that.
 
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If they win out ... USC.

I don't know (or much care) who DESERVES to play in the title game as long as the Bucks are one of those teams. Everyone has a case to make, but I'm not listening too closely unless you're from a BCS conference AND undefeated. That's the rules we all play by and everyone knew it going in. Guess that means I'll accept Rutgers if they (and we) go the distance. Doesn't really matter at the moment. Still lots of football to play ... that is true for the Buckeyes as well. Just win out (please) and let everyone else sweat the details.
 
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The problem with this discussion is that you can't preface a choice with "right now". The BCS title game isn't right now, and teams will appear to us very differently if they win out over the next 3-4 weeks.

We have to assume that any one-loss team that doesn't win out is done.

So, given the same set of contenders (Florida, Auburn, Arkansas, USC, Cal, Notre Dame, Texas and yes, Rutgers...maybe), how do they look if they run the remainder of the table? Let's admit that "right now", no one holds much of an edge, and many of the teams have some unimpressive performances or schedule weaknesses on their resume.

Florida: Their best remaining game is the SEC title. The best scenario is a rematch with Auburn that helps them "make good" their earlier loss. If so, they're probably in, regardless of how Texas and USC shake out. A win over Arky is a little weaker, and leaves the door open for a one-loss Texas or USC team.

USC: Other than Florida, USC is the next team down the line in terms of controlling destiny. With matchups against two top 10 teams in the final month, the Trojans can make the best case for finishing strong of any team on the list. Of all of the one loss teams, though, USC's loss is possibly the most inexcusable. All of the other one-loss teams have fallen to a top 10 team. (Edit: Except Cal)

Auburn: I'd place them ahead of USC, except that they need a little help. An Arkansas collapse down the stretch that puts War Eagle in a rematch with Florida, and winning that would put Auburn in regardless of what else happens. Barring that, an SEC title-free Tiger team is going to need help. A USC loss and a Florida loss would have them in a toss-up with my next pick.

Texas: They'll win out, and it may not help. This is the one team that doesn't control it's own fate. Voters won't want the rematch with OSU (yes, bias will creep in), and none of their remaining games are going to impress anyone. They're rooting against Florida, Auburn and USC.

Cal: What Cal needs is to be USC's only remaining loss. USC would have to beat ND, and even then Tedford's team is going to need some SEC bloodletting to climb into the game. The computers might vault them past a one-loss Texas team, but the voters won't. Their fate will depend upon how far the voters drop the OSU-TSUN loser.

Arkansas: That early loss to USC is a major strike, so they need another USC loss. Their wins so far aren't much to get worked up about, short of the Auburn game. A win over Florida in the SEC title game helps make their case, but I still think they wind up behind Texas or USC. I think that they are the least likely of the group to win out, including Rutgers.

ND/Rutgers: These two are in the least likely of spots. ND could be buoyed by a win over SC, and a Cal loss to the Trojans, but then still need to get past the SEC squads, AND hope for a Texas loss. In that scenario, Rutgers would be riding the tide all the way up with them, presuming a win in Morgantown (I wouldn't vBet on that, anyway). I put them together because they need the exact same thing: lots of upsets for the teams in front of them.

When it comes down to it, the teams that really have a legit shot are the first four: Florida, USC, Auburn and Texas. Beyond that, the teams just need too much help. Now, who is playing well enough to hold up their end of the bargain? Texas can easily win out, and Florida will probably win out, as will Auburn, unless they play again. USC has a tough road, but is playing well enough to do it. If all of that happens, flip a coin between USC and Florida, and try to withstand five weeks of ESPN telling us that D1A needs a playoff. :wink:
 
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Who's No. 3? from cbs.sportsline

From http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/
Ohio State and Michigan are locked into the top two BCS spots. Until they play, at least. After Louisville's loss, who falls in behind the titans? Here are the candidates, Dennis Dodd says in the Weekend Watch List.

Expect to hear a lot more about an Ohio State-Texas rematch -- from Texas.

Those whiny SEC elitists are now on the clock.

Oh, and, hey, look what 800-pound gorilla just entered the room. It wears green and has its own network. This BCS race just got a whole lot more interesting, thanks to Rutgers' upset of Louisville. Did WWL say upset? We shouldn't be surprised. It's Year 9 of this confounded system and it always seems to end this way -- with the two undisputed best teams in the country.

At least in five of the previous eight years.

Welcome to a little thing we like to call The Armageddon Scenario. Or, to put it in Hollywood terms that Southern California can understand -- everyone into the pool.

Rutgers' win over Louisville just opened the door for, WWL reckons, about nine teams to get back in the championship picture. All of them have one loss. That's not counting Ohio State and Michigan, who play tuneup games this weekend in preparation for The Big Game -- which, the way things are going, might be nothing more than a preliminary bout.

With that in mind, here is a quick primer on The New Contenders heading into the weekend. WWL has ranked them from most to least likely to benefit from Rutgers' win.

Florida: Ranked fourth in the BCS but only but two one-thousandths of a point ahead of No. 5 Texas. The Gators get a slight edge because they have the possibility of playing the SEC championship game against a one-loss team.

Urban Meyer has been shooting his mouth off, regarding the relative merits of having one loss in the SEC (vs. an undefeated Big East champion). Now is his time to prove it. A quick glance at his comments from two years ago shows he was on the exact opposite side of the fence with Utah. The Utes could play with anybody, he said. Guess it just depends on who is signing your checks.

Texas: Mack Brown had the Ohio State rematch guns locked and loaded for just such an occasion. Texas (No. 5 in the BCS) was the contender to lose earliest -- to No. 1 Ohio State on Sept. 9. If the loser of Ohio State-Michigan falls far enough, why not the 'Horns and why not now?

Texas has only three games left to make its statement: Saturday against Kansas State, Texas A&M on Nov. 24 and the Big 12 championship game -- against a team with at least three losses -- on Dec. 2. Remember the computers hate Texas at this point.

Auburn: It will either be the Tigers (No. 6) or Florida in contention, if Arkansas doesn't win the SEC West. OK, so what if Auburn finishes second in the West at 11-1? It will still need Florida, and most likely Texas, to lose. Georgia and Alabama remain on the schedule.

Notre Dame: A distant No. 9 in the BCS, but you have to like ND's chance because it is ND.

The season -- and Heisman -- might come down to a prime-time battle on Nov. 25 at USC. Then maybe we can start thinking Notre Dame-Michigan rematch. The Irish have a weak finishing kick with Air Force and Army up ahead before USC.

USC-Cal: Separated by .012 in the standings, this is an either-or. The two teams meet Nov. 18 in Los Angeles. Cal (at Arizona this week) seems to be playing better than USC (hosting Oregon).

Though the Trojans (No. 7 BCS) got embarrassed by Oregon State a couple of weeks ago, it has a poll advantage over the Bears. USC is No. 7 in both polls, Cal is ninth (No. 8 in the BCS).

Arkansas: If the Hogs (No. 11) are for real, we'll find out down the stretch. Saturday at home vs. Tennessee, at Mississippi State and then LSU. Beat Florida in the SEC title game and this could get interesting.

West Virginia: A distant 10th in the human polls and the BCS, the Mountaineers seemingly have played their way out of it. But they do have a regular-season finale against Rutgers. Rich Rodriguez will need a lot of teams to lose just to have a chance.

Rutgers: After the field was cleared and every last back was slapped, one possibility remained: Rutgers has an outside shot at playing for a national championship.

Just to write those words sends the warm and fuzzies up WWL's spine. We were there and saw what that victory did to the fans, the university and the state of New Jersey.

Didn't look real close, but is it possible Greg Schiano is the new Ol' Blue Eyes?

The Biggest Loser: Take your pick this week -- Britney? K-Fed? Rummy? Any random Republican?

Cheer up. Trying following The You've Got To Be (Bleepin') Kiddin' Me Tour. In other words, unlikely teams doing unlikely things.

Arkansas (8-1) is trying to grab hold of the SEC West against Tennessee. Wake Forest (8-1) is going to Florida State as the ACC version of Rutgers.

Rutgers you already know about.

Thoughts and prayers: This is one of those times when you can't help but root. Something good needs to happen at Miami.

We're not going to recount what a tough season it has been to this point. Nothing compares to losing a teammate. The Hurricanes bravely moved on this week after the murder of defensive lineman Bryan Pata.

They almost immediately decided to play the game at Maryland. If that helps the grieving process to play -- and win -- then go 'Canes.

Attack of the Gulfstreams: Was it eight years ago? When Texas swaggered into Manhattan, Kan., it looked like the 101st Airborne was descending upon the quaint central Kansas town?

We're talking corporate jet after corporate jet dropping into Manhattan's airport to drop off monied Orangebloods.

The year was 1998. Ricky Williams was running toward the Heisman. K-State's Michael Bishop was his runner-up.

K-State shut down Williams that day. The two stars went on to fame and fortune in the CFL, but that's another story for another time.

Here come the private jets again. The K-State villain Saturday is 12-year-old Colt McCoy. OK, so the Texas quarterback is actually a redshirt freshman. Personally, I'd love to see McCoy hook up against that Ohio State D again. He wasn't allowed to throw downfield in that Sept. 9 loss to the Buckeyes, but has since matured into the nation's No. 2 passer.

And a big-time Heisman candidate, if you've read this space at all.

I see a lot of the same characteristics Vince Young has, coming out of him," teammate Tony Hills said. "Except that Colt can't dance."

You want Joe in that press box. You need Joe in that press box: Let's just say there would've been better places to be this week that with a cantankerous Joe Paterno in the press box.

Finally, Joe had some sense to back off when doctors told him he needs to shut it down for a while. Then again, you never know about Temple.

One for the thumb: It's hard to believe that Jim Tressel has been hiding the fact that Troy Smith has "a growing pain" in his right (throwing) thumb.

Wow, especially with Northwestern this week, Michigan coming up and a national championship at stake.

Did you just overlook informing the media, Tress?
 
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I don't think there's anyway a serious voter could slate Rutgers (who in my opinion would get dominated) into the championship game. I have lost a ton of faith for the Big East especially on the defensive side of the ball after that ridiculous 1,000 yard game (WVU vs. UL). I think Rutgers is worthy of top 25 by all means, but championship game...no way.


I want USC. I just think we match up well with them and I would like to see the two teams go at it like they did in the earlier years (i.e. 70s). I also don't hate USC which helps.


If by miracle the Domers got in, I would be ABSOLUTELY delighted to drop another 600+ on them. Only this time don't let off the gas in the late third and put at least 40 on the scoreboard. I despise the fighting French. :)
 
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Ok...I understand this particular thread wasn't about playoffs, but it was brought up earlier in the thread. Doesn't anyone want to address my post or did I kick your asses and win the arguement?
Click to expand...

You captured my sentiments exactly. You kiced their asses.
 
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Rematches?

Is that really a reason to not want a play-off????

To me there are two reasons to not want a play-off:
  1. It would lessen the importance of OSU vs. TSUN
  2. It would lessen the importance of every regular season game.
Even though The Game is a part of my soul,

Even though the importance of the regular season is what sets college football apart from all other sports,

I still want a play-off.

I understand if you don't.

But don't think for a minute that you "kicked my ass".

This is strictly a matter of opinion and always will be. Even the standards of value on which one's opinion in this matter is based are matters of opinion.

Getting back to the thread's topic:
Is it supposed to be the two best teams in Glendale?
If this is your position: how can you deny a rematch of The Game?
​
Is it supposed to be the two teams that have "earned it"?
If this is your position: you are entitled to say that the loser of The Game "had their shot"; but you must also acknowledge that everyone else has a different definition for what "earning it" means.
​
Let's face it: the BCS is a cluster-fudge. There are a few who like it, but most people don't. All the BCS has accomplished was to destroy much of the tradition associated with the Bowls. With that already accomplished, there is now no argument standing in the way finally having real champions crowned in college football...

...except for the regular season, of which "The Game" is a part. If that is your highest value, then feel entitled to be against a playoff.

Rematches???? Whatever
 
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OK, you read it here first: If ND has a couple of really good games, I'd bet a dollar that we will play them in the Championship.

Pretty crazy but don't discount the power of the alums and the television executives.

If not ND, then Florida: we'd have to beat the mystique of the "speed" of FL players and also the Urban Meyer legend.

Last year we showed everyone that Tressel could outcoach Weis; this year it might be Meyer.

Go Buckeyes!
 
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