Who’s next?!
That’s right, sports fans, I will invoke Bill Goldberg. That’s basically what the Buckeyes are saying right now. Three of the past four Fiesta Bowls have featured the Buckeyes. It’s become their personal wood shed, where they take the opposition out to put the wood to. In 2004, the Buckeyes dismantled the cowboys of Oklahoma State Wildcats of Kansas State. 2003’s Fiesta Bowl was the best football game I have ever witnessed, EVER. This year’s bowl looks like it will be shaping up for another classic.
First I wanted to say I still think the BCS is a sham. How an 8-4 team can play in one of the four BCS bowls (arguably the four “best” bowl games) when Oregon, Auburn, and countless other teams with better records, that have beat better teams, and could probably beat Florida State. That being said, I was impressed with FSU against Va. Tech. I’ve said all along that VT was overrated and I was glad FSU beat them convincingly. Hopefully now we can officially get of the Vick bandwagon (Mike is an average NFL QB, Marcus won’t fare any better).
It’s clear that Texas and USC are the two best teams in the country. That much we already know. I’m still mulling over who I think wins that game. Right now I’m going with Texas, but that may change. I will say that if Reggie Bush doesn’t win the Heisman then I will have lost all faith in humanity. As for the other bowls – the Georgia/West Virginia Sugar Bowl doesn’t interest me. Georgia will win big. FSU/Penn State is intriguing mostly because of the coaches. If you would have asked me who would win this game last week, I wouldn’t hestitate saying Penn State would. After watching Florida State last night, I’m not so sure. This is a toss up. Penn State’s defense is tough and that’s what I think will be the difference. Penn State by a field goal.
So we come to the Fiest Bowl. I may be biased, but outside of the Rose Bowl, this bowl has the best matchup. Two storied programs, two teams one (or two) plays away from greatness. Notre Dame and wunderkind Brady Quinn are in for a shock. I think Quinn, being from Columbus, will have a big target on his back. I don’t think many fans are bitter he went to Notre Dame but the players may feel different. He’ll be harassed all day long by Hawk and Schlegel. OSU’s defense will dominate. I don’t think Notre Dame’s defense will be able to stop OSU’s offense. Troy Smith will play big and I predict that Ted Ginn Jr. will break something big. Maybe a punt, maybe a long pass. I think they will be more than Notre Dame can handle. Write it down – OSU wins big.
Fear the spear.