So much grumbling about South Florida being ranked #2 when it should be OSU at #1 that has us bitter (us being college football fans). I keep hearing gripes that the game, if these two teams were to win out and play for the National Championship, would be lackluster and wouldn’t draw much of an audience. That may be true, but as a college football fan if my team is not going to have a chance to play for the NC then I want the most interesting matchup that can possibly be put together.
OSU and Oklahoma are current powers as well as titans of old, and some predictors are putting them in the Big Game, figuring that South Florida will eventually lose somewhere, and when they do they’ll be overtaken by a one-loss Oklahoma team which is currently sitting at #4. #3 Boston College has less of a chance of playing in the NC game than South Florida, so them I’m not worried about. Oklahoma, however, has a cupcake schedule the rest of the way–their next three games are against teams who were outscored last weekend by a combined score of 149-17 (zikes!). Their best chances for losses will be their final three games against the Red Raiders, the Cowboys, and then a likely rematch with Missouri in the Wee 12 Championship game.
But even if this scenario plays out–if OSU and Oklahoma win out and USF and BC don’t–LSU or South Carolina could still put a wrinkle to things, because if either of them win out with a MUCH tougher schedule than either OSU or Oklahoma and win the SEC then they should leapfrog Oklahoma and earn the right to play for the National Championship. Yes, I said it, if South Carolina wins out–and that includes winning the SEC Championship, likely against a team that has already beaten them soundly (LSU)–they should leapfrog Oklahoma and play the (likely) undefeated Buckeyes for the National Championship.
Now here’s the crux: None of this is going to happen, because if there’s one thing this college football season has shown me it is that what we expect to happen is only going to happen about 50% of the time. That means OSU shouldn’t wind up undefeated, LSU won’t win out, South Carolina won’t win out, and Oklahoma, despite the breeziest opportunity to do so, won’t win out. Will South Florida? Time will tell, but my instincts say no. *Sigh* It’s a tough season to predict, but a damn fun one to watch.
Prediction for the National Championship game: South Florida vs. Oregon
And if you think that’s impossible you haven’t been watching college football this season. Oregon is one helluva team and has a tough schedule remaining, but they can conceivably win out if they beat USC. Plus, being in the PAC-10, they don’t have to play in a conference championship game. South Florida has shown they can beat everyone on their schedule, because they’ve already beaten the toughest teams they’ll face. Sure, they can still lose, everyone can this year, but if they do win out they’ll be in the Big Game in the end.
Read my next article titled: Why Oregon vs. South Florida isn’t a bad thing.
Okay …. I will admit it…I am a lifelong South Carolina fan. It is because of this that I am going to keep it real and say based on what I have seen this season and Carolina’s history I think it unlikely that they can win out. Vandy could beat almost anyone like they should have done with UGA. Arkansas, Tenn. and Florida are still on the schedule and not to mention the lame clemson tigers who always seems to find a way to upset Carolina on years when we are favored. But I will go out on a limb and say that this is a taste of what is to come and this time next season I don’t think that many football fans in the country will be surprised to see the Gamecocks in the top 10 or even winning it all. Spurier is getting it done and the recruits are coming. I certainly hope for a miracle but like I said…I’m keepin it real!
One thing about it: you have to remember how this season is progressing. I’m not saying it’s likely that SC will win out, I’m just saying that a lot of strange has been going on. Good luck!