So much for the smurf turf. I was happy to see the 'Hoos nab a return trip to the Continental Tire Bowl, but do you think the committee would have extended the offer if our Pep Band was still around? Talk about an awkward invitation: Virginia, please come to Charlotte for our bowl game, but remember to leave the Pep Band behind since it is banned from ever performing again at the Tire Bowl.
While the Cavaliers' postseason plans are set, USC, LSU and Michigan still are hoping to get a shot at the Sooners in the Sugar Bowl -- this year's championship game in college football. Since the argument for why Division I-A football should have a playoff has been made many times and is relatively clear, I will not offer my own reasons for the same conclusion; however, to give the fans what they want, I propose we should see what a four-team playoff system might yield this year. Miss Cleo, may I borrow your tarot cards...
No. 1 Oklahoma vs. No. 4 Georgia
After upsetting the Tigers in this weekend's SEC Championship game, the Georgia Bulldogs grab the number four seed and the misfortune of facing unanimous number one and undefeated Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1. Last time we saw the Sooners, they were hanging 60 points on Bill Snyder and Kansas State in the Big 12 title game. Consistently dominant all year long, Oklahoma shows no signs of rust against a tough Bulldog squad.
Taking advantage of a much-maligned offensive line, the Sooners defense has a field day sacking QB David Greene.On the other side of the ball, defensive end extraordinaire David Pollack and the 'Dawgs keep Heisman-winner Jason White under wraps for three quarters before the Sooners run away with the game and a 31-13 victory.
Advancing to the title game, the Sooners await the winner of...
No. 2 USC vs. No. 3 Michigan
The Rose Bowl gets its dream match-up as the Pac-10 and Big-10 champions square off in this second semifinal. For the Trojans -- a team whose toughest opponent, Washington St., sports a loss to Notre Dame -- the Wolverines represent their hardest competition to date. This, combined with the four-week layoff, makes USC come out of the gates a step slow on both sides of the ball.
On the other hand, the Michigan offense picks up where it left off with Heisman finalist Chris Perry and wide receiver Braylon Edwards scoring nearly at will. Catching the Trojans off-guard, the Wolverines take a quick 21-7 lead. However, the USC offense is too good to be stalled for long and starts clicking after some halftime adjustments. Relying on a mixture of play actions and draws to keep the over-pursuing Wolverine defense on its heels, Trojan signal caller Matt Leinart hooks up with stud wideout Mike Williams on a pair of long bombs to cut the Michigan lead to 27-21. Nevertheless, the Wolverines continue to pound the ball with Chris Perry, who breaks a personal record with 62 carries, and runs out the clock to hold off the Trojans.
Championship: Oklahoma vs. Michigan
The following weekend in New Orleans, the title game features the Sooners and Wolverines (a title matchup yours truly coincidentally predicted at the beginning of the season). With Oklahoma and Michigan alums watching from the sidelines, the two hottest teams in football square off for the chance to be crowned kings.
While the Oklahoma aerial attack is stymied by a strong Wolverine secondary, the usually potent Michigan ground game runs into a buzz saw of Sooner defenders. Unable to get much going with Perry, Michigan throws over the top of Oklahoma's pressing cover two defense for its only offensive touchdown of the evening. On the other side of the ball, Oklahoma manages to establish an effective running game operating out of the shotgun but can only muster three field goals.
With the Sooners leading 9-7, Wolverine return specialist Steve Breaston takes a punt 63 yards for the score and gives Michigan a 14-9 lead early in the fourth quarter. Ahead by the same margin with three minutes to go, Michigan is forced to punt from its own twenty. Sending all 11 guys at the kicker, the Sooners bust through the porous Wolverine protectors to block the punt and recover the loose pigskin and barrel in for the touchdown to give the Sooners a 15-14 victory and the national championship.
So there you have it, a playoff confirms what you probably already knew all along -- Oklahoma is the best team in the land. Now if we could just expand the playoffs to 64 teams so Virginia could get an 11-seed...
Read More
Home loss to Notre Dame adds another first to men’s basketball’s worst season in memory
By Thomas Baxter | 10 hours agoVirginia dropped a home game to Notre Dame for the first time ever.
For Leah Hayes, 'Just keep swimming' is what Virginia is all about
By Xander Tilock | 2 days agoShe shatters records in the pool and is an inspiration to swimming fans and all those with alopecia.
Virginia comes back from a 20-point gap but falls short versus No. 18 Georgia Tech
By Victoria Blankenship | 2 days agoVirginia loses another ACC bout in heartbreaking fashion.
