Seatle @ Green Bay - Green Bay wins because Seattle already has had their best playoff game.

Giants @ Dallas - Tony Romos 15-minutes are up Giants pull the upset.

Chargers @ Colts - a close game that the Colts make comeback and win.

Jaguars @ New England - Moss and company score but the Jags offense rises to the occasion and New England cannot stop Garrard. Jags pull the upset of the year.

 

This was sen to me from friend of mine that was produced the Times Picayune. Take a look if you like. Its well done

 

 

http://www.nola.com/photos/t-p/index.ssf?2008BCSshow/

Everyone and their brother made a big deal out of the speed that the SEC posses and the lack of it at Ohio State. Another slap that people took was the fact that Ohio State was 0-8 against the SEC going back to games that were played when many a sports writer and average Joe were just kid's still squeezing zits. This game was not about those things or where the game was being played or the other chants of playoffs, plus one, or which teams were deserving or not deserving.

 

 

 

This game came down to talent. Which team had more talent and were able to execute the best or when it mattered most. Ohio State has speed and they have athletes and they have one of the best coaches in college football with the vested one. They are a sound team that won their conference with just one loss to a surging Illinois at the time. LSU did not beat them with the long run. The long run of the night belong to OSU and Beanie Wells when he peeled off a 65 yard game burner through the LSU  defensive front and got passed the linebacker it was over. That is when speed was a factor and he ran faster than any LSU player on the field. So the speed was equal, the coaching was titled toward OSU.

 

 

 

But the athletes, the depth, the skill players tilted toward LSU that is what won this game. LSU we could argue probably has the most depth of any college football team in the nation and with another very sound recruiting class coming in that will continue for the foreseeable future until the shinny foil comes off the wrapper and it usually does at one time or another.

 

 

 

But until then LSU is National Champions built on having the best players in college football that just happen to be talented.

 

We can all talk smack and hype our respective teams and others can talk of boycotting the game or claiming it's not "the real title game." The reality is these are two teams that took two different paths with some good fortune bestowed upon them by WVU, Missouri, and then the voters along with strength of schedule formula landed these two teams in New Orleans for a showdown on who will claim the title of BCS National Champions.

 

Whether you agree these two teams or any one of them is worthy of this is not a valid point or should it be made out to be one but people keep on beating the dead horse. Because the reality is everyone in the major conferences had an opportunity to claim their spot. Some failed outright and others let faith play its hand and with that two teams emerged from the pack. Like it or not it is how it is. Many decry that a plus one should be considered but that is for another Blog because if that were the case the water has been muddied and how many teams could claim with righteous indignation that they are deserving. While others can counter by pointing out obvious facts. Like I said we can save that after all the games are played.

 

We keep hearing the talking heads speak louder and louder and some on the landscape buy into certain arguments as fact. Some just want to hear their own voices and see their words in print believing they carry meaning or some weight as to the outcome or some twisted reality that they are making significant points that can be debated later.

 

So let's break these two teams down and see what they are really made of. No questions will be answered because you cannot answer a negative or prove a negative wrong. It is impossible to do so.

 

Quarterbacks: Boeckman for Ohio State statistically is better on paper than LSU's Flynn. I like Boeckman and I believe he is more of a team leader on the offense than his predecessor that was more of a distraction. While many want to shout from their roof tops that he was the Heisman (troy Smith) winner really carries little weight in most cases. Boeckman, as a senior, waited for his opportunity and learned from one of the best head coaches in the NCAA. What Ohio State has is a very good quarterbacks coach in Joe Daniels. While not widely known outside of the Midwest by many fans of the game he is the man that is responsible not only for recruiting quarterbacks in identifying the talent but he steadily works with these kids on teaching them. Being a quarterback is not easy and it takes special talent and athletic skill and you do have to be smart. You have to understand the defenses, be able to read the blitz packages and now how to counter their attack while on the field. Joe Daniels is very good at teaching these kids that skill.

 

Boeckman does not have the strongest arm for a quarterback but he is consistent in his play and reads. In the mid range he can rifle a pass but long balls he tends to be not as accurate but he has not had to throw as many long passes because of the effectiveness of the running game and short to mid range passing attack. He is a smart player but not as fast as a Flynn or Perrilloux. In arm strength he is stronger than Flynn and more accurate.

 

Flynn is a dual threat type quarterback. He can throw and in short passing situation he is far more effective than in the long game. He is nimble with his running and has quickness that is somewhat deceiving to the defense. He plays a physical type ball game. Flynn has a bad habit of staring down his receivers which I am surprised he has not had more interceptions because of it. Flynn has been called one of the smartest quarterbacks to play college ball. While he may be book smart and understand the schemes it sometimes does not translate onto the field.

 

The other quarterback for LSU is Ryan Perrilloux. I am sure he will be used in this game in several situations. Perrilloux does have a stronger arm and is a far more accurate passer than Flynn and much faster. Perrilloux fits the mold of the spread offense quarterback more so than Flynn or Boeckman for Ohio State. Perrilloux though with his off field antics have proven to be less than helpful to his career and standing with coach Miles. Miles tends to hold grudges when a player disappoints.

 

If LSU has some new plays and truly utilizes Perrilloux then that may pose some difficulty for the OSU defense. If Flynn keeps telegraphing his passes he will get picked and that could determine the outcome of the game.

 

Boeckman is more of a consistent gamer in this one and LSU will have to get into his face and throw off his game. LSU has the bulls of front to penetrate and win the battle but if Boeckman has time to pick his target it will get frustrating for LSU's defense.

 

Running Backs: Chris Wells is a very good back and his counterpart may pose some bigger problems for LSU with his deceptive quickness. Wells has rushed for over 1400 yards this season but he has not faced a defense like LSU to date this year. For LSU to be successful against the run they have to maintain their gaps in which they got real sloppy as the year progressed. Chris Wells has good speed and soft hands and is a dual threat but not in the league of a McFadden or Jones but none-the-less he creates special consideration for the LSU defense. Maurice Wells while used in a mop up and backup role is more dangerous than Chris and poses another problem for LSU if OSU utilizes both backs in a tandem set. If Tressel watched the LSU Arkansas game then he has certainly put in a few plays just for this game.

 

LSU running backs are led by Jacob Hester. What can you say about Hester besides that he does not run out of bounds? He looks for a DB or line-backer to tee off on. While he does not have world class speed he is powerful with a very good first step and gets bye the line fast. He also has good hands and does well coming out of the backfield for quick passes over the middle and quick out patterns. In those cases his average yac is 9.8 yards. His counterparts are Keiland Williams, Charles Scott, Richard Murphy and Trindon Holliday. Holliday is by and far the fastest player that will be on the field but he is used in reverse or speed screen plays. He is not built for north south running. Keiland Williams and Charles Scott are great change up backs. Both poses quickness and speed and Williams, like Hester, is not afraid to lay the wood to the defense. Scott is more of a shifty runner with greater speed with the ability to shift gears and direction in a split second.

 

In this game LSU has the depth at running back and the advantage.

 

Receivers: In this one we will start with LSU. Early Doucet is a very real talent. Unfortunately he was hurt most of the year and there are still questions about his health. I do not believe he is 100% yet but he is still someone that you will see and he will impact the game because you have to cover him. Doucet is a serious threat over the middle and has no fear in running those routes. He has very good hands and is an excellent down field blocker. Demetrius Byrd is the best of the LSU receiving squad. He has good speed, very nice technique and he has shown he is the big play receiver that can just destroy a DB's confidence. You can expect the Byrd will own the post routes and the deep slants which are his forte. Lafell is a big kid that has bulked up this year but he tends to drop passes that he should catch and catch those that no one should catch. He is fast and probably the fastest of the receivers and has good height and can jump. He is the tall target but he is known as "butter fingers." Richard Dickson and Terrance Tolliver are the two that create opportunities for LSU in the passing game. Dickson is a very physical TE with good size and above average tight end speed. He also is a sound blocker but not as good as Mit Cole in that department. Tolliver is the "forgotten one" in the receiving corps. When LSU has gone to the spread formation it is either Tolliver or Dickson that end up with the ball because defenses cannot cover Doucet, Byrd, Lafell, Tolliver or Dickson. Something has to give so you keep Dickson and Tolliver in front of you and they usually break one.

 

Ohio States leading receiver is the son of former Tiger Terry Robiskie. Brian leads all OSU receivers with 50 catches on the year with just under 900 total yards with 10-touchdowns. He is a very good with exceptional hands and elusiveness. He is Boeckman's go to guy in the clutch. His counterparts on the squad (Hartline, Small and Ballard) have impressive numbers with YAC. Hartline has 5-touchdowns on the year and look for him to be an impact player in this game. At 6'3" and 180 pounds at the beginning of the year he has put on some bulk during the season and improved his game. As a junior he has had some good games but no big break out game yet but he is a legitimate threat and he will end up getting some favorable match ups. OSU does not have the depth that LSU has in the receiving corps but it has proven not to be a big factor. OSU receivers are very good and do an exceptional job running routes and getting into space.

 

Offensive Line: What can we say both lines of had their share of struggles seeing yellow this year. Both are big and physical. But OSU line is better than LSU's just because of the sack allowed by LSU and the amount of penalties they gave up this year. I have been out spoken about their technique and play and frankly I am not holding out hope that they will improve greatly for the BCS National Championship Game. The only advantage LSU has in this is the fact that LSU QB's have the ability to run while OSU QB is not much of a runner unless he gets pressured. OSU will have to keep LSU defensive front out of the backfield and if that is not enough they will have to worry about safety blitzes or Beckwith or Highsmith in Boeckman's face.

 

LSU task is not any easier. LSU has had moments of when you actually thought they were good to only be fooled by more penalties than the law should allow. LSU does not do well against the blitz nor keeping still for that matter before the ball is snapped.

 

I say that OSU offensive line is better than LSU.

 

Defense: We all can point to the stats and see that OSU has better stats and many will rush in and say "they play a weak schedule" or LSU play a "tougher schedule." That's lovely. The reality is in the major conference it is hard to make an argument on strength of schedule because when you play within your conference they are all tough games. No one is going to lay down for you. Now if you're Hawaii we can make the strength of schedule argument. Because they play in a weaker conference and strength of schedule can be a real indicator. But when you are in the SEC, ACC, Big East, Big 12, Pac 10 the strength of schedule argument really does not hold any water. We all know that in every conference there are going to be some teams that are not up to the talent as those in the top of those conferences but that does not mean they are just going to get run over by the supposed superior team. Ask USC about Stanford or LSU about Ole Miss or Mississippi State. While LSU won those games they were not as easy as sometimes the score indicates. For USC everyone said they would win even Stanford's head coach heaped praise all over USC but in the end it was a competitive conference game. Period.

 

Defense wins championships and that is a fact. Some will want to make an argument about LSU falling in the defensive stats because of injuries. Yes they had injuries and a player not eligible because of academics. I say this; so what. Injures happen and kids sometimes don't go to class or fail or get caught cheating. It is the coaches responsibility to get the back ups in the program through recruiting and then get those kids game ready. Injuries happen but they are not an excuse and people that use them more than likely never stepped on the field and competed.

 

What makes a linebacker look good? Well the defensive line if they do their job then it allows the linebacker to shine. In the case of James Laurinaitis that is not necessarily the case. He is a fantastic linebacker with excellent burst of speed and is extremely physical. I like this kid a lot. His defensive front is sound and they do a good job keeping their gaps and penetrating. The part of this squad that is suspect are the corners. They are good so do not get me wrong on this but they are not man on man cover corners but more of a zone type players. That will benefit the LSU receivers since they are very physical. I suspect that OSU will bump the LSU receivers and play some cover two keeping their speed guys on the field. If they do this it will be to their benefit. But if they go man-on-man then it could be a long night.

 

OSU will be able to get to Flynn but if they over pursue Flynn has the ability to evade and look for LSU to run a lot of misdirection to offset the speed of the OSU defense and its linebackers. If LSU runs more of a spread set then that will work against OSU defense.

 

For LSU its staples are the front four and its corner and safety. The linebackers get a lot of press and I think Beckwith is the better of the linebackers. Highsmith has speed and is better suited in cover or late blitzes but Beckwith is a beast and is excellent in run situations. The corners for LSU are very good with one little exception in safety McCray. He has some poor technique which has hurt LSU. He is not that fast and for some reason his head does not have the ability to turn on the shoulders. He must be some sort of inferior robot. I sometimes tell people he is like that robot on lost in space. "Danger Will Robinson danger" with his arm flailing about and his only moving when he turns his body. Put him aside you have Steltz, Zenon, Jackson, and Taylor that are all very fast and physical and will give the OSU receivers all they can handle.

 

Coaches: You have to give OSU the advantage when it comes to its head coach. This is his third BCS title game and he is a winner plain and simple. Miles is well Miles. Miles is more of a risk taker and motivating type of guy not big on X's and O's. Tressel is an X and O guy. So OSU gets the nod for head coach. For Defensive coach you have to give the nod to Pelini. He has had the best defenses in college football since he has arrived but he has also had some of the biggest lopsided losses as coordinator. We can throw out his only year at OU because frankly it takes a defense at least one year to 16 months to adjust to a new scheme. The same goes for a change in offense.

 

OSU defensive coordinator has done an outstanding job in recruiting and creating schemes. I like his style but he tends to get conservative when a game seems to be in hand. Or sometimes he will not make certain adjustments that I would make. He is a bend do not break kinda guy and works well. OSU defensive has good speed and very sound technique but they lack a lot of depth and skill in some positions. But they are good, very good.

 

Special Teams: I give it to OSU. LSU special teams are horrid. The bet year they had was in 05 during the Miles era. Other than that they stink. I say this because they are not aggressive in attacking the punter. Fail to run back kicks and generally leave field position in the favor of the opposing team in kick or punt returns. On the defensive side on special teams they are better. On kick and punt defense they are about as physical as you can see. This is the part I like about their special teams but when it comes to returns or blocks I just turn away and cannot stomach it.

 

On returns OSU has been sound with creating field position which has shortened the field for their offense. OSU average field position, in most games, was their own 42 yard line. That creates greats pressure on the defense. This only benefits OSU and could be a deciding factor in this game.

 

The Greatest Intangible: Louisiana Superdome. LSU has not lost a game in the dome for some time. They have beaten, Tulane, OU, Illinois and Notre Dame. So for LSU they are comfortable in the Dome and many of the kids on the LSU squad come from the New Orleans area. LSU will have home field advantage in this one and the best way to sum up the crowd for OSU is HOSTILE.

Auburn v Clemson. Never bet against Tommy Tuberville. He and his teams always find a way to win. These teams are so closely matched it was almost like seeing themselves in a mirror. Auburn had some misfortune this year but when you look at it this is a very young team and will return almost everyone next year. The biggest problem Auburn has is that they lose more under grads to the NFL than most lose as graduating seniors. This was a very good game and I enjoyed every second of it. Bothe teams have good upside for next year but as always which Clemson team will be playing.  

 

My Pick Auburn. Auburn Won

 

 

 

Wisconsin v Tennessee. I was a homer on this one big time. I knew that the Badgers defense was not that good and they would have issues and problems with the Vols attack. What I did not expect was the Vols actually find some defense since the SEC championship game. The Vols now have to fill holes in the coaching staff with the loss of the offensive coordinator and other staff. That may prove Fulmer's end if he struggles with this team next year. I like the Badgers QB he is tough son of a bitch and with three cheap shots on him he got up and kept playing. The Badgers could have dealt the Vols more PJ Hill because threw the Vols defense off. Even with him just in the backfield as a decoy would have worked.  

 

My Pick Badgers.  Vols Won (bastards)

 

 

 

Missouri v Arkansas. Holly crap!!! First I would like to say to Arkansas team. While some of you played with effort and heart most of the team just seemed to walk through the motions. Those players should feel embarrassed. Mizzou bitch slapped the razorbacks from one end of the field to the other. I would heap high praise on Mizzou but anyone that watched this game could see just how LAZY the razorbacks played. It STUNK!!! Mizzou has a lot to look forward to but they will lose lots of kids and may slip back a little next year but the year after they will be back and in serious contention if they keep a positive mind set and they keep the recruiting going strong. They are in a win, win here and rank high in the post season and pre-season polls next year. 

 

My Pick is Arkansas. Mizzou Won

 

 

 

Virginia v Texas Tech. This was another game I like very much. These teams were very evenly matched and Virginia did a very good job coming back in the game when you thought they were going to be toast. Texas Tech has one of the best passing games in the country and a phenom receiver that is scary and why is it he got over looked by so many schools? This was a fun game and for those that had a heat condition it did you know favors. My Pick is Tech. Tech Won

 

 

 

 

 

Michigan v Florida. The question that I asked and I believe was answered was Tebow was not 100% but that was not the difference in the game. The difference was Michigan came and played. So the question is now where was that effort all year long? If they would have played like that all year they would have won the Big 10 and be in the national championship game. Michigan had game on in this one and frustrated Florida's offense and defense. While Florida is a young team they were outplayed and out coached.

 

 Michigan Won

 

 

 

USC v Illinois. Everyone can say Illinois did not belong but it was the decision of the rose Bowl to select Illinois. I think maybe it was once of those "wink, wink" selections to make USC get a boost in the polls and try to make an argument that they should have been selected for the NC game. Lets face it the Rose Bowl could have taken Kansas, Mizzou, Michigan (after seeing how they manhandled Florida) or Georgia. But instead they take Illinois in which the outcome of this contest was decided when the announcement was made. I will say this and that is this was USC best game all year. The defense played extremely well and they won this game because they shut down Illinois and gave the ball back to their offense. I still cannot stand Booty and believe he is way over-hyped and over-rated. 

 

My Pick USC. USC Won

 

 

 

Hawaii v Georgia. Did anybody really believe that Hawaii had a chance in hell in this one? When you play the 117 weakest schedule and do not have the athletes to match up with Georgia this game was decided before Mark Rietch ever drew up the game plan. It was almost like watching a pro team playing a high school squad. It was ugly, ugly, ugly and I felt sorry for those kids after a while. My heart hurt every time the Dawgs knocked Brennan or their fabled receivers got knocked out. The Rainbows were just completely out matched and had no answers for the Dawgs in any facet of the game. 

 

My Pick Georgia.  Dawgs Won

 

 

 

Oklahoma v West Virginia. Just like I said about Michigan, where has this WVU team been all year and why did they not show up against Pitt? To borrow an old phrase "play like champions" should be posted all around their locker room. WVU played an almost flawless game but I can't blame them that much for the penalties because the SEC that worked this game throw more yellow than any other crew in the NCAA. But every flag that OU got was deserved. I have never seen offensive lineman move so slow and not be able to block or block down on a D-lineman. Wait I have they are called LSU. WVU took OU behind the wood shed and just whipped OU until they bleed. This game was decided early despite what any one thought. WVU was hyped for this game and laid it all out there. I liked everything they did and how they did it. I was impressed and give the team big props for an excellent game plan, execution and playing as a team with emotion that OU could not match. The best part is that this team will be intact, for the most part, next year. WVU now has a new head coach but will have to fill some voids in the coaching ranks but lets face it what offensive coordinator would not want to coach these kids next year? WVU can pick and chose who they want and that is a nice position to be in. For OU this was just an embarrassment of major proportions. If you thought last year was bad and a fluke think again it's a trend and not a good trend. OU needs to rethink its offense and get a better offensive coordinator that can implement a more effective schemes. On defense they got burned all night long and I do not want to hear about they did not have a starting corner. It's the coaches job to recruit players to fill those voids if needed and get those kids prepared. Any one that uses that excuse is a soar loser and lame. OU got beat and it was not a good loss. This loss will reverberate into next year. 

 

My Pick is OU.  WVU Won

 

 

 

Virginia Tech v Kansas. Well, well, well. I see the "up starts" this year are 2-4 in BCS bowl games and that is not bad at all. Kansas did what I thought they would on offense but on the defensive side they surprised me a little and played very aggressive and physical ball up until the reverse on the punt return. They then backed off a little because that play dazed them a bit and on the sideline they had that collective "oh crap" look on their face. I guess at that time they realized just how explosive Tech can be. Kansas took it to the Hokies right off the bat and threw many looks at the Hokies and frankly Tech just could not match the emotional play of the Jayhawks.

 

 

The little general for the Jayhawks played big in this one and did an excellent job in game management and making smart decision throughout most of the contest in ball control. I like the little guy and its unfortunate he won't be much of an NFL prospect because of his size. I know they list him at 5'11" but he is barely any taller than coach and he is 5'4" tall or round which is greater.

 

 

Maybe the Jayhawks answered the Mizzou player and what fans have started to say after they bitch slapped Arkansas in the Cotton that they deserved the BCS game. Kansas was a fine representative and played extremely well against Virginia Tech and they deserve not only the win but proved it to be a sound selection for the Orange Bowl. 

 

I am going against my better judgment and Pick Kansas.  Kansas Won