Well, the women of this University impressed me during the past week in regards to their awareness of the sport of football.
As the clock hit zero to end the third quarter in Saturday’s LSU-Alabama game, nearly 90,000 people in Tiger Stadium, including the players, held up their hand indicating “four”, as in the fourth quarter.
The band sent the crowd into a frenzy with the “LSU Pregame,” and everyone was cheering on the Tigers in hopes they could stop the Crimson Tide from scoring when the fourth quarter began.
All of a sudden, a chick — yes, a chick — tapped me on the shoulder and asked, “Why are all of the players walking to this side of the field?”
No Comment. Just food for thought.
No. 12 Michigan at No. 2 Ohio State
Freshman running back Maurice Clarett made a guarantee for this game: He will play. It may not be the type of guarantee football fans like to hear, but it will do.
This game is huge. If any game had a chance to totally warp the Bowl Championship Series picture, this is the one. If the Wolverines win, which they will, it will make it possible for six teams to finish the season with one loss. And all will claim a shot to face Miami in the Fiesta Bowl for the national title.
Think about it. If Ohio State loses, Washington State will move into second in the poll. But Ohio State beat the Cougars. And Iowa, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Georgia all will be complaining about the failure in the BCS, which actually stands for “Belittling College Sports.”
Whoever thinks the BCS is good for college football needs to retrieve his head from a hole in the ground.
Division I-A college football is the only organized sports league in the world where there is not a playoff system. “Why is that?” you ask. Tradition? No, the answer is money, my friends!
The bowls bring in too much money for the presidents of universities to ever agree to a playoff system. And if you think a playoff system would deaden the excitement of college football, explain to me the thrill of March Madness.
Oh yeah, back to the game. Ohio State has squeaked by its last few opponents but will not get the opportunity to play catchup against Michigan.
The Wolverines travel to the Horseshoe and will dot their own “i,” as in win.
Michigan 24 Ohio State 20
Auburn at No. 9 Alabama
The “Iron Bowl” is a scary setting. Picture this — 85,000 people in one arena, all from Alabama. I would be surprised to count more than 100 teeth in all of Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday.
Well, in any case, it should be a great game. This is only the fourth time the game is held in T-town because every game from 1902-1988 was set at Birmingham’s Legion Field.
These two teams hate each other. Alabama coach Dennis Franchione will not even say the word “Auburn.” He calls it “That School Down the Road.” Well, that’s better than “The Cow College,” as legendary coach Bear Bryant called it.
Jason Campbell will not have time to throw the ball to the Auburn receivers because of the relentless Alabama pass rush — just ask Rick Clausen. And the Crimson Tide defense will have fits chasing Jason Campbell all across the field all night long.
If Auburn can establish a run game, which I don’t think it can, the team may have a shot. Otherwise, Campbell will be running scared throughout the game and will get pounded into the Tuscaloosa turf.
Alabama 27 Auburn 17
No. 7 USC at No. 25 UCLA
Who could possibly ask for a better matchup than the “90210 Bowl?”
It is about time the Trojans and Bruins regained the national attention that this game deserves.
When these two teams line up in the Rose Bowl Saturday, they will be playing not only for the city championship, but possibly for the Pac-10 championship. But only if Washington beats Washington State.
USC can win the Pac-10 if it beats UCLA, and if Washington State loses to both Washington and UCLA.
UCLA can win the Pac-10 if it beats USC and Washington State and if the Cougars lose to Washington Saturday.
USC quarterback Carson Palmer has established himself as a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender with his 2,960 yards, 24 touchdowns and 8 picks. In the past four games, Palmer has thrown for 1,327 yards and 15 scores.
USC will jump out to a quick lead and should hold onto it throughout the game. And a Bruin comeback is about as likely as Brenda and Dylan getting married in a return-special commemorative episode.
USC 45 UCLA 38