The BCS: Business Causing Segregation

Hmmm. The end of another year. A year of parity, debate, and an ever-rotating top five, that now has college football analysts nationwide in gameday-induced comas...

But, wait! Of course we all knew this would happen one day. That's why the powers-that-be formulated such a indefatigable system like the BCS: objective, unswerving, maniacal?

In the end, the BCS, as my headline so slyly dubs, has initiated a segregated college footbal fan base. Some might say...Trey...isn't college football segregated anyways? Do people not have tie-ins to teams, conferences, or regions? My answer is yes, they do.

However, the sort of distinctions resulting from this year's polling and BCS have thoroughly tossed the majority of football-related personnel into an uproar, unlike any previous boisterous year (I end up feeling this way about every year). So, what do we do?

The only thing we can do: Watch.

We have to now sit back and watch for a month before any of us will be able to make any more exclamations that the right teams did or did not play for the national championship. With that said, in my own feeble understanding of football, I want to preview all of the BCS bowl's. I will go from what I feel to be the worst game to watch to the best...and I think some might be surprised.

 
Orange Bowl: Kansas vs Va Tech

First things first, Mangino, you had a great year. I only was able to watch Kansas play three times, and even though they scored a whole bunch of points in two of those games, I just kept thinking how slow their receivers looked. How they snuck in over Mizzou is another mystery in a long list of BCS mysteries this year. Now, they face a "battle-tested" VA Tech team, a team Herbstreit and friends give more credit to than they are worth. How soon does the football nation forget a 40 point drubbing to LSU earlier in the year? Sure, the ebb and flow of the season proves teams play differently at different times (take my Dawgs for example). Still, I am unimpressed by VA Tech's offense and their defense is vulnerable to the play action. So, a slow offense (KU) vs a wiley defense (Va Tech) means the Kansas defense will have to decide the game. 

Prediction: Kansas 27, Va Tech 17

Rose Bowl: USC vs Illinois

Ok. I love Illinois and have all year. I hate Zook, but I really like the offense for Mendenhall and Juice. Not to mention, they have one of the best receivers in football (Hint: he wears number 9). But, good season Illini. USC will win this game easily and the only reason I did not rank it as the least exciting game to watch is because the Orange Bowl does not feature nearly as much explosiveness as this game does.

Prediction: Trojans Roll 35-14

BCS National Championship: OSU vs LSU

I do not like this matchup. But, I do not think it will be like last year repeated. LSU is not as fast from sideline to sideline as Florida was last year. But, they are still faster than OSU. In this home game, I think half the number of people who watched on TV last year, watch this year. I'll take the LSU running back rotation and defense as the keys to the game.

Prediction: LSU grabs Miles a title, 24-10

Sugar Bowl: UGA vs Hawai'i

Wow. THIS GAME SCARES ME. Out of all the teams in the mix, I told everyone I did not want to play Hawai'i. I stayed up all night Saturday hoping Washington would not give up such a big lead. They did and now Colt and the Rainbow warriors are coming stateside to play the Dawgs. It is what it is. The Run and Shoot vs Smashmouth. It all comes down to which system prevails. If Stafford and the GA O can control the clock...stringing together some 5-7 minute drives, then Georgia will win handily. If it's a shootout, then I'll be dodging Somoans all over N'Orleans. You know I have to go with my boys...

Prediction: UGA wins 31-28

Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma and WVU

If I had to pick the two teams who I thought were playing in the Championship at the beginning of the year, this is the matchup I pick. Instead, because of some rocky spots, I get to the see matchup anyways. How will WVU come back from the deflating Pitt loss and will Oklahoma be able to amp up in spite of falling short of N'Orleans? I love this matchup...a whole LOT of speed on the field. I saw WVU in person at the Sugar Bowl in '05. Slayton is a BEAST on a fast field. I truly think this will be the best football game  of them all. 

Prediction: 31-24 WVU

Well, there you have it. I am going to the Sugar Bowl and cannot wait. I really don't want to start making '08 projections now, but I am telling you that UGA has got to be a preseason top-3 team. If we are not, something is severely wrong. Boooo BCS...but, man, what a season!