College Football: Michigan Can Shut Up Now
Posted November 26th, 2006 by George Thomas
For a week now I've had to listen on assorted radio talk shows - local and national - read in papers, magazines and whatnot that the Michigan Wolverines deserve a rematch in the BCS National Championship Game Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz.
I've not passed judgment on that possibility, opting to wait for what happened between USC and Notre Dame last night on ABC. Ummm yeah…Watching USC dissect the Fighting Irish in the second half was a bunch of fun. Almost as much fun as having to sit through Steubenville's stomping of Aurora in the Ohio Division III playoffs last night.
In short: the Trojans deserve their shot at the Bucks, and despite being somewhat young, could actually win that game. If they beat UCLA Saturday, their appearance in the championship game is a foregone conclusion. Given that it would have been the traditional match-up in the Rose Bowl, prepare - once again - for uber hype, this time courtesy of FOX which mortgaged their future for the rights to most of the BCS games.
November 27th, 2006 at 8:42 am
It's hard to believe Southern Cal could have been underrated all year, after the success they've had since Carroll has been there. They've lost two super close games in the last three years.
The pundits like to talk about Weis and the coaches at Iowa and California, but Carroll and Tressel are the two best college coaches in the country, hands down.
Heaven forbid but I wouldn't be that surprised if USC wins Jan. 8.
November 29th, 2006 at 8:40 am
Hi George: Welcome to the Sports Page and to the Blog space. Sure appears to me that you have pulled off a successful transfer. Are you in a way replacing Tom Reed? Where did he go? Does this mean that one day I will be watching you on Les Levine? Good luck with all. I'll be reading. Randy Weltman
November 30th, 2006 at 1:06 pm
I think SoCal was underrated because of who they lost, Larry. A lot of college coaches talk about just "reloading" but how on Earth do you reload two Heisman Trophy winners - Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush? I don't think you can.
From where I sit, the Trojans and Buckeyes may be the beneficiaries of a less-than-strong year in college football. And when you compare teams, the only dominant one all year has been the Bucks. Sure, there were a couple of close scrapes (remember Illinois and Penn State), but they essentially thumped opponents. As for the Michigan game, that wasn't as close as the score and Michigan running back Michael Hart thought.
This should be OSU's year, Larry, but it's my fervent hope that the Buckeyes don't believe their own hype. I seem to remember one team that every sports pundit in the country said couldn't lose back in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl. Ask Kellen Winslow Jr. what happened there.
November 30th, 2006 at 1:09 pm
Hi Randy and thanks. In the interest of full disclosure folks, Randy is a friend from the area where I live. His son and mine played on the same pee-wee football team together and currently attend school together. Yes, Randy the transition has been relatively smooth. I'm certainly enjoying it. I'm still carving out my niche, Randy. As for Tom Reed, I saw him this past weekend at the Browns game. He's working as a feature writer for the Columbus Dispatch. As for appearing on television, I will entertain all offers. We all know how photogenic I am..