It's taken 24 days, but we're finally here. The BCS National Championship plays out tonight after weeks of anticipation and many good and not so good bowl games. Tonight's game features two teams with a combined record of 25-0. The winner will join TCU as the only undefeated college football teams in the country. Unfortunately for TCU, they'll be left off the trophy, but could be named as co-champions in other end of season awards (not likely though). Either way, the debate will rage on at the conclusion of the game. But for now, we'll concentrate on the Ducks and Tigers. If this game were played with actual animals, it would be no contest. But luckily for Oregon it's not. Without further ado here's the Courtesy Wave's preview and prediction of the title game.
BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP - #1 AUBURN (13-0) vs. #2 Oregon (12-0)
7p in Glendale, AZ
Tune in for: It's the National Championship. Do you need more fodder? Unlike the past decade, this championship features 2 teams that haven't won a National Championship since 1957 (Auburn). Oregon has never won one in their entire existence which dates back to 1893. It's very similar to the situation we had with the World Series last year where the Giants hadn't won since 1954 and the Rangers never. On the field tune in to see all-world and Heisman winning Quarterback Cam Newton. A controversial player because of his connection to his father's bribery case where he offered Newton's signing in exchange for cash (allegedly). Newton is a rare once in a awhile talent who's legs are just as good as his arm. Newton has the best quarterback rating in the country at 188.2 and would be the best rushing Quarterback if not for the freak out of Michigan, Denard Robinson (who also leads the country). Still Newton's 1,409 yard is good for 13th and he doesn't have to look far to find the guy who will pass Robinson and lead college football in rushing by the end of the game. In fact, they've already met this year, at the Heisman unveiling where Newton beat out 3 other, one of them was Oregon's running back LaMichael James. At 1,682 yards, James needs only 21 yards to pass Robinson for the nation's rushing title, a nice consolation prize to the Heisman. James also needs only 1 rushing TD to tie (2 to pass) Chad Spann from Northern Illinois for the nation's rushing TD leader.
Shortest Drive: Oregon - But really, who's driving to this game? I suppose a few faithful fans that want to either avoid a hefty plane ticket or just experience a country road trip with college buddies will make the trek. It's still a 20 hour drive for Duck fans, as opposed to a 27 hour jaunt from Auburn, Alabama.
Local Connections: None. Although Auburn would have had Roszell Gayden OL, Jr. New Hope. Gayden, who was part of the All-State First team in 2007, had originally committed to play for the Gophers under Brewster. He headed to Auburn as a JUCO transfer. But is once again transferring from Auburn.
Courtesy Pick: For all that's wrong with the BCS, they did get one thing right, this will be a helluva matchup. Both teams are strong on both sides of the ball and each have their strengths. Oregon is an elite rushing team and Auburn relies heavily on Newton's arm and legs. Oregon's defense is a top 15 unit and has killer DBs in John Boyett and Cliff Harris who between the 2 of them have 10 INT's. While Auburn is strong up front led by one of the top DT's in the country in Nick Fairley, who's 10.5 sacks put him in the top 10 and 2nd among DT's. Fairley will have to play better than fairly good though against Oregon's 300 yards/game rushing offense. Oregon's WR Jeff Maehl knows how to score too, with 12 receiving TD's (11th nationally). It could come down to the special teams game too. Auburn gets the edge here with their dynamic CB and KR Demond Washington who's 5th in the country with 1,025 kick return yards. Both teams, on average, score more than 42 points per game, with Oregon #1 overall in scoring at 49.3 points, so the name of the game might be to "contain" not "stop" each others superstar offenses. They both played top 20 schedules, with Auburn's slightly more difficult at 15th (Oregon 19th). The big difference between the two schedules is the lack of a conference title game. The PAC10 doesn't have one, which gives Auburn a position of already being in a Championship game atmosphere. Since someone has to win, I'll give an edge to the boys in green. Their uniforms may be ugly, but there game is far from it. 1st national title in Eugene? We'll see.
OREGON 38-35
That'll do it for the College Football Bowl picks. Regardless of tonight's outcome, I can sleep soundly tonight knowing I came out above .500 with my current 18-16 Bowl record, and a possible new motto for the Courtesy Wave: slightly better than a coin flip.
until next time,
bsv
the courtesy wave
No comments:
Post a Comment