LAS VEGAS, NV Who’s the chatter box out in Pasadena? As discussed here on MVictors, earlier this week a source from the Rose Bowl leaked that LSU was going to be selected for the game. Not mentioned in the release of this leak was all this assumed that USC beat UCLA of course, or that at least Florida wouldn’t pass Michigan. As discussed here, both of these events occurring was about 12% proposition. Well, it happened. I am certain that LSU fans made Rose Bowl plans/tickets on the news and this was validated by some angry LSU fans we ran into on the Bellagio casino floor.
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Reaction to Florida to BCS Title Game
Here’s my take on this mess. I feel bad for the Michigan players and coaches and it’s not right that they don’t have a clear shot at the national title. I do think there is some credence to have a representative from another conference play in the title game.
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50-50 Shot now, we’ll see
LAS VEGAS, NV USC falls to UCLA and now the major sources are projecting a Michigan-Ohio State rematch in Glendale. I give it a coin toss chance. I think some voters will upgrade Florida with a decent win in the SEC championship, but more on the fact that they are the SEC champion, and played a tough schedule. We’ll see.
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Bless Her Heart
Check out this letter to the editor, printed in today’s (12/1/06) Wall Street Journal. Ms. Deanne Weber of Northfield, MN was commenting on a recent piece on the Michigan – Ohio State game, then she recalled this piece of “history”: When I started dating my husband in college, I was a huge basketball fan and considered myself quite knowledgeable about the sport. He, on the other hand, is more of a football junkie. His dorm had a pool for the NCAA basketball tournament, and..he picked Michigan to win it all. He showed me his pick sheet, and I tore it apart. “You picked Michigan? Michigan?” I said incredulously. “They just fired their coach, and they’re starting five freshman! No way. Pick another team.” Well, that was 1989, and you know the rest of the story. Luckily, he still married me. Don’t forget about the roles Cazzie Russell and Tractor Traylor played on that epic run, Deanne!
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LSU to Rose Bowl? But Wait…
A report from MSNBC is stating that they’ve heard from insiders that the Rose Bowl will offer an at-large berth to LSU. This is good, in that we avoid a Michigan vs. Notre Dame rematch in the Rose Bowl. But… what if USC loses and Florida impresses over Arkansas in the SEC title game? That would leave USC as PAC-10 champ in the Rose Bowl vs. LSU, and potentially Florida and OSU in the BCS Championship if voters give the Gators enough juice. So with Sugar Bowl picking next because they lost their conference champ to Glendale (Florida), and they’d probably take Michigan. Then I believe they have the next pick of the at-large teams, which of course would be none other than the beloved….Fighting Irish of Notre Dame!
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Mike Hart’s Decreasing Heisman Stock
Has anyone noticed that Mike Hart's has suddenly dropped on the Heisman chase lists around the internet? I'm not saying that he should get any consideration to win - that of course is going to Troy Smith - but I was hoping the guy cracked the Top 4 and got the trip to New York.
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A Better Sports Illustrated Cover
Memo to Sports Illustrated. It just wasn’t right to put Bo Schembechler’s memorial photo in a small block behind a triumphant Buckeye on the November 27, 2006 cover: Especially after the hated Buckeyes downed Bo’s beloved Michigan in the greatest game ever played between the two rivals. Given my ties to the media, I was able to contact the print department to run off a few copies of a second version of last week’s Sports Illustrated. I like this one a little better. To add insult to injury, there seems to be a groundswell of support for a Notre Dame vs. Michigan rematch in the Rose Bowl, although most projections have the Wolverines and LSU in the Grandaddy. Bo would be turning over in his grave if Notre Dame gets a Rose Bowl berth on sacred Big Ten ground.
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Ivan the Terrible
Some excerpts from this week’s chat on ESPN.com with college football analyst Ivan Maisel: On USC vs. Michigan and the #2 BCS slot: Anthony (Troy, OH): Who would win in a match-up between Michigan and USC? In your opinion, isn’t it unfair to base rankings on what your ideal National Championship scenario is? I prefer to see what people truly think teams should be ranked. Ivan Maisel: That’s the way the system is supposed to work.