I Did It My Way - Part II

Ah yes, championship week is over and bowl season is on. The next couple of weeks will be a snoozer when it comes to the schedule, but that last week of December, after Christmas specifically, is when I watch just about every game on TV.

This year was a wacky one to say the least. Remember my playoff system? I said I’d line up the teams and do the matchups as I see fit once the conference champs had been crowned. So, here we are with nothing to talk about until the important bowls start, so it’s time to take an in depth (mildly) look at what I’d like a playoff system to look like.

Forgot what I’m talking about? Go back and read my previous entry or we’ll just cover the finer points. That should bring you up to speed.

1. The first six teams are chosen by each major conference’s champion. Seeding among these teams is determined by place in the polls. The final two spots are given to two at-large teams.
2. First round games will be played at the higher seeded team’s home field on the weekend of December 22^nd. Second round games will be held at three of the four major bowls. The fourth major bowl will rotate each season and host two other at-large teams in a consolation game. More on this next week.
   
3. The national title game will be held January 7^th at a neutral site just as it is now. Sounds pretty simple right? Well, let's get into the games. I even included times and channels just to give you a palpable feeling on what this would be like and how awesome it would be.
   

#1 vs. #8 – in Columbus, Ohio

11am Central Time on ABC

Ohio State’s annual layoff would be shortened dramatically because of the new playoff system. Also, I’m sure Ohio Stadium is seeing it’s first December game or first game in quite some time. Under my playoff system this game would take place on Saturday, December 22^nd as stated above.

Hawaii had a great season and looked great against some decent teams, but not great teams. Their first real challenge against a big time opponent in their house in the dead of December doesn’t bode well for the spread offense under Warrior coach June Jones. Hawaii will put up points, just not that many.

Pick: Ohio State 35 – Hawaii 14

#3 vs. #6 – in Norman, Oklahoma

2:30 pm Central Time on ABC

One team is coming off winning their conference championship against what was the number one team in the nation and defeated their rival handily the previous week. The other is coming off a loss to their rival at home and missed out on a chance to play for the national title. One team has one of the fastest most physical defenses that shut down one of the most prolific offenses this season. The other team’s maestro is playing hurt and running an option that was slowed by an inferior defense.

So, does this game spell disaster for the team in question? You better believe it. This will be the biggest first round blowout on the slate of games I have in this mock tournament. An added bonus, we get to see how this game plays out for real in the Fiesta Bowl in less than a month.

Pick: Oklahoma 41 – West Virginia 14

#2 vs. #7 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

5:30 pm Central Time on CBS

I bet you think this game is in the bag for one of the year’s best defenses? Think again. LSU is banged up and in turmoil. Sure they beat Tennessee in the SEC Championship game, but that team was playing like world beaters. The Volunteers did what LSU couldn’t do in Lexington, but that doesn’t mean that it gets LSU back to where they were by defeating the Vols.

A run down Glen Dorsey, who will be saving himself for the NFL combine and the draft, and a banged up Matt Flynn are pieces of a puzzle that will be missing and hinder the Tigers chances at moving on in the tournament. Georgia is playing too well and the Bulldogs are too good on run defense, stopping a key component in the LSU offense that most people don’t know about. Here’s your upset special, but it’s a squeaker.

Pick: Georgia 24 – LSU 21

#4 vs. #5 – in Los Angeles, California

9pm Central Time on ESPN

The media proclaimed “hottest team in the country” will take on the Hokies of Virginia Tech in the Coliseum. I just think that the Trojans are finally playing up to their potential. Every team has problems with injuries, USC had their fair share and it hurt them. Still, you don’t lose to Stanford at home, that’s why the once mighty Trojan’s find themselves in the middle of the pack.

Will “Beamer Ball” be enough to slow the Trojan offense, with a Heisman-like quarterback, deep running back squad and a young, up and coming receiver core? Doubtful. The Hokies came into this game with plenty of momentum, just not enough talent to match up evenly. Special teams play and a solid defense are a bit of a factor during some key plays in keeping it closer than most would think for Beamer’s boys.

Pick: USC 28 – Virginia Tech 16

I’m going to turn this into a semi-long, drawn out thing. I really have nothing better to do and it’s going to be slow until recruiting really picks up in January and prospects sign in February. Check back next week and we’ll look at the second round matchups. I know you’re on the edge of your seat.