Same Song, Second Verse

In another uneventful BCS national championship game, the LSU Tigers became the first two-time BCS national champion, with a 38-17 win over the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Ohio State was drilled for the second time in a row in the BCS national championship game. This was the Buckeyes’ third appearance in the championship game in six years. Most schools would kill for that kind of success. But, it’s a Ricky Bobby world out there. Meaning, if you’re not first, you’re last.

It has become obvious that the Big Ten is not preparing tOSU for the next level. Ohio State has become the cream of a so-so Big Ten crop. However, when they get to a bowl game, they run into the brick wall known as the SEC. tOSU is now 0-9 in bowl games against the SEC.

LSU was a team of density. Actually, they were a team of destiny. The Tigers won several close games, and lost two games in triple overtime.

What Could Have Been

Four years ago, the top high school player in America was in the state of Ohio. There was a guy at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron that was filling up gyms wherever he went. He was identified at an early age as "the next Jordan". He had so many agents and shoe companies after him that college was not even an option.

But, just what if this guy had gone to college? He wouldn't have stayed at home to play for the Akron Zips. There's a good chance he would have gone down the road to play for The Ohio State University. Imagine LeBron James in college. Even more farfetched: what if he would have stayed for four years?

Wait a minute, though. LeBron wisely took the money and turned pro. And, TOSU wound up with a stud in Greg Oden, thanks to the NBA, and their new rule requiring players to be 20 years old before they are drafted. So, TOSU is playing for a national championship tonight.

Both parties are better off, after all.

It's Their World

It's the Gators' and Buckeyes' world. We just live in it.

Florida and Ohio State renew acquaintances Monday night. Just three months ago, these two schools met in the Arizona desert for the BCS national championship in football. The Gators won going away. Now, the two schools play for the national championship in basketball on Monday night in Atlanta.

This is the first time a school has played for a national championship in both sports since the 1987-88 school year, when Oklahoma lost to Miami in the Orange Bowl, and lost the basketball national championship to Kansas three months later. I am still sick over both of those, especially the basketball championship game. That was OU's best team ever (3 first round draft picks), and they were the best team over the regular season. KU has probably had 10 better teams than that one, but that one won the national championship. Yuck. Ok, I chased a rabbit there.

It just so happens that not one, but two schools are playing for national championships in both sports. With a win, Florida would 1) repeat as national champions, and 2) would be the first school to win football and basketball national championships in the same year.

Monday night will be a hot night in Hotlanta.

Script Ohio, Hoops Style

At the end of this year, Ohio State and Wisconsin were both ranked #1 in the nation, depending on the poll. They played in Columbus with the Big Ten championship on the line.

This game was so big, the band did "Script Ohio" for the first time ever at a basketball game. This is the pep band, and not the marching band, so it's not quite as intricate. However, it is really cool.

The band marches out onto the field (or in this case, the court), and spells out "Ohio". At the end of the march, an honored band member runs out and puts the dot on the "I". This is one of the most honored traditions in college football. On occasion, an honored guest will dot the I. Among those that have dotted the I are Woody Hayes and Jack Nicklaus.

I doubt if the NCAA will allow the pep band to do Script Ohio today before their game with Memphis. Maybe they can do it in the parking lot of the Alamodome. Hey, maybe they can do it in front of the Alamo. Yeah, like the guardians of Texas freedom would let a bunch of Yankee carpetbaggers do Script Ohio at the Alamo. Oops, getting my wars mixed up. Anyway, Script Ohio is one of the coolest things.

So Close

This tournament was very nearly turned upside down. Xavier had a nine point lead with three minutes to go over #1-ranked Ohio State. The Musketeers had a three-point lead with 3 seconds to go, but missed a free throw, and Ron Lewis hit an NBA-range three-pointer to send the game to overtime. Ohio State then took the game over in overtime and escaped with the win.

When CBS came back from commercial with Xavier up 9 with three minutes to go, I had a feeling Ohio State was going to come back. My gut isn't always right, but it was on this occasion.

This may have been the one chance to knock off the Buckeyes. Look out for TOSU.

Half a BCS Mess

Who's Number Two?

The Ohio State University took care of business on Saturday, with a wild 42-39 win over Michigan. Both teams went to the air early and often. Woody Hayes was turning over in his grave. Bo Schembechler was turning over at the funeral home, as he hasn’t been buried yet. Those two coaches made this game famous with three yards and a cloud of dust. The Buckeyes can book their reservations for the BCS National Championship Game in Glendale, Arizona on January 8. The race for the other spot is a mess.

Michigan has a chance to join them, but they need some help. They would really be helped if their little buddies from Notre Dame beat USC on Saturday. USC played a lethargic first three quarters before pulling away to defeat Cal, 23-9. At this point, Michigan remains #2 in the BCS rankings. It remains to be seen if USC wins over Notre Dame and UCLA would help them pass Michigan in the BCS rankings.

Also players in this #2 mess are Florida and Arkansas. Both teams have games this week, as Florida plays Florida State, and Arkansas plays LSU. The winner of their duel in the SEC championship game has an outside chance to end up as the #2 team.

If USC wins out, it’s hard to argue with them due to the strength of their non-conference schedule. They would have wins over Notre Dame, Arkansas, and Nebraska, in addition to their Pac-10 title. Michigan has proven themselves worthy, but USC’s non-conference schedule should be enough to carry them to the #2 spot.

BCS Projections

BCS NCG: TOSU vs. USC
Rose: Michigan vs. Notre Dame (rematch)
Fiesta: Texas vs. Boise State
Sugar: Florida vs. West Virginia
Orange: Arkansas vs. Georgia Tech

Big XII Rankings

1. Texas: Needs win over A&M to stay in this spot.
2. Oklahoma: Needs win by Texas Aggies and win over Oklahoma Aggies.
3. Nebraska: Getting ready for Kansas City.
4. Texas A&M: Sooners will be cheering for Aggies on Friday.
5. Texas Tech: Good win over OSU.
6. Oklahoma State: Inconsistent, but facing their Super Bowl with OU coming to Stillwater.
7. Missouri: What was that brainlock in Ames?
8. Kansas: Fighting Manginos need win over Mizzou this week.
9. Kansas State: Followed up Texas win with loss to hated archrival KU.
10. Baylor: Season mercifully over.
11. Colorado: Improved from beginning of season to end.
12. Iowa State: Sent coach McCarney out a winner.

Observations

Observations on the day in college football:

Any day OU wins and Texas loses is a good day.

What a performance by the Buckeyes of The Ohio State University. They replaced 9 starters on defense, and still dominated Texas tonight. Texas obviously misses Vince Young, a once in a lifetime talent. 30,000 people are going back to Ohio very happy.

It was a night of near misses. 1) Troy almost beat Florida State, as the Seminoles had to score two touchdowns in the last 5 minutes to win. Their winning touchdown was set up by an interception with 2 minutes to go. 2) Air Force lost at Tennessee, when they were stopped on a 2 point conversion with a chance to take the lead. They lost 31-30.

Hats off to New Hampshire. They followed up last year's 1-AA playoff trip with a convincing win today over Northwestern. Northwestern is recovering from the shock of coach Randy Walker's untimely death just before the beginning of summer practice. Nonetheless, it was a big win for New Hampshire.

From the Insult to Injury Department: Last week, Colorado lost to Montana State. Today, Montana State followed that huge win up with a loss to Chadron State, of the Division II Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The RMAC limits their schools to 28 scholarships, and Chadron State only has 22 football scholarships. This is compared with 63 scholarships for Division 1-AA, and 85 scholarships for Division 1-A. This begs the question, though: Who would win between Colorado and Chadron State? All is not well in Boulder, and not just because the Buffs lost to Colorado State today.

The NFL gets fully cranked up tomorrow. Go Cowboys!