On The Field
Bowl Final
Well, no one expected that. When you looked at the two teams going into last night's game, it looked fairly even. This despite the strange nagging feeling I got as I wrote the preview yesterday. I kept feeling like there was too much talent on USC for Oklahoma to win. Yet, something in me still said Oklahoma had a chance and a very good one of winning. When the game was played, a different team showed up. It was a flashback to last year for Oklahoma. All of a sudden, they forgot how to play. The only thing that stank more on the field last night than the play of Oklahoma was the pitiful Half Time show which got booed off the field.
Obviously, with the win, USC finished #1 in the final MRI. Oklahoma with the loss fell to #4, behind Utah and Louisville. Auburn, despite the perfect record, finished 5th. Final Top 25 and full final standings will be posted shortly.
One last thought before some predictions and this leads right into them. Andy Geiger retired as the Athletic Director at Ohio State today effective in June. With so many investigations going on around the basketball and football teams, there was little doubt this would happen eventually. It is strange timing for the announcement to come this early. Obviously the investigation most recently into quarterback Troy Smith and his improper payments from a booster sheds some harsher light onto the Buckeye program. Geiger is running away just as the investigation gets hot. Couple this with his damning words about Maurice Clarett, and this leads me to believe that he is somehow involved in the mess more than he has said. By retiring now, he is hoping to disappear before most of the truth comes out and we find out that the rot that is plaguing Ohio State runs deeper than just these two incidents. I will say, I have no proof of this, but things are not all right in the world in Columbus, Ohio. And that leads me to my predictions for next year...
- Ohio State will be investigated and the program will be found guilty in a number of areas. They will come close to getting the Death Penalty much like SMU got years ago. Jim Tressel will be gone and they will lose not just a few scholarships, they will lose half. That rattle you hear is Ohio State athletics never being the same again. Still, they will find a way to beat Michigan in next year's finale and keep the Wolverines from playing for the National Title.
- Next year's Half Time show at the Orange Bowl will feature the marching bands of the schools involved. When did it become so important for the Half Time show to be flashy? I turned away even with the "Big Name" stars involved. Kelly Clarkson? Sorry, but she was maybe important two years ago when she won American Idol. And I stress the maybe. Ashlee Simpson? No one since Kato Kaelin ever gained so much popularity through only their relationship with someone named Simpson. Did the Orange Bowl producers not see her embarrass not only herself, but NBC, on Saturday Night Live? Bring back the bands. And if the schools don't want their bands to play, get some of the bands from the Southwestern Athletic Conference to come play. At least the crowd will be entertained by decent performers.
- Sorry Miami and San Francisco, but Matt Leinart will stay in school. Norm Chow will run an offense that will enable him to almost win his second Heisman award in a row. Why won't he win it? Because I forecast an injury for Leinart. His backup will come in and play two games. They will lose one of those games and keep USC from winning their third straight National Championship.
- Texas will lose to Oklahoma, again. Ok, that one wasn't so hard to forecast.
- The best team that no one will be talking about until late in the season will be South Carolina. South Carolina will win the SEC next season with Steve Spurrier at the helm.
- Speaking of coaching changes, here is my take:
- LSU will flop with Oklahoma State's old coach Les Miles at the helm. How can you go from a very good coach in Nick Saban to a coach who didn't win any of their big games and got blown out less than a week before against a very down Ohio State team? Sorry LSU, if you were hoping for a string of National Title runs, it won't happen with Miles.
- Notre Dame will go 7-4 with Charlie Weis at the helm. They will go to a bowl, and lose as always against the more dominant competition. The only thing that will go well for Notre Dame this coming year is they will again beat Navy to keep their streak alive.
- Someone will hire Dennis Erickson, who was fired today by San Francisco. In two years, he will turn the program around before leaving again falsely believing that he can coach at the NFL level once again. Erickson is a very good college coach, much like Pete Carroll has shown that he is. They just can't translate that into success at the top level.
- Urban Meyer will turn Florida into a contender again. It will happen next year, and they will beat Florida State. They just won't beat South Carolina or Tennessee which will keep them from the SEC title game.
- Utah will never be the same again with Meyer.
- Dave Wannstedt will win at Pittsburgh. Who couldn't win the Big East, especially when you have a very good and mature quarterback in Tyler Palko at the helm. Louisville and Pittsburgh will come down to the final week of the season.
- Tyrone Willingham will turn Washington back into a contender in the Pac-10. Notre Dame will kick itself in the butt when they realize it is the school and not the coach which is the problem.
- Walt Harris is kidding himself if he thinks he will be able to contend in the new look Pac-10 at Stanford. Look for a mid pac(k) finish for the Cardinal.
- Ron Zook will have Illinois turned around in 3 years. They will never win the Big Ten under him but they will stay close to the top for years.
- Bob Stoops will leave Oklahoma after next season to try the NFL. Norm Chow won't leave USC to be a head coach anywhere.
- Next Year's Heisman Winner: Reggie Bush, over Adrian Peterson in the closest battle ever.
- Next year's National Champs: Miami over, get this, Minnesota.
Have a good off season everyone. I will be around from time to time On The Field, but not as much as during the season. Look for full coverage of college basketball at
Sitting Courtside to get your sports fix.
How the MRI beat Trev Alberts...
Ok, so there is still one game left and it will be a great one. If the MRI gets it right, it will finish with a 17-11 record. It will also happen to tie two sports writers because they have picked Oklahoma in the final game. Both Stewart Mandel, who I have praised all season, and Trev Alberts, who annoyed me quite a bit this season, posted their picks online at the start of the bowl season. I have been tracking their picks along with the MRI and my other bowl picks that I did on ESPN. Here is the latest result.
| Bowl Game | The MRI | Ben Miraski | Stewart Mandel | Trev Alberts |
| New Orleans | Southern Mississippi | Southern Missisippi | Southern Mississippi | North Texas |
| Champs Sports | Georgia Tech | Georgia Tech | Georgia Tech | Georgia Tech |
| GMAC | Bowling Green | Bowling Green | Memphis | Bowling Green |
| Fort Worth | Cincinnati | Cincinnati | Cincinnati | Cincinnati |
| Las Vegas | UCLA | UCLA | UCLA | UCLA |
| Hawaii | UAB | UAB | Hawaii | Hawaii |
| MPC Computers | Virginia | Virginia | Virginia | Virginia |
| Motor City | Connecticut | Toledo | Connecticut | Toledo |
| Independence | Miami(Ohio) | Miami(Ohio) | Miami(Ohio) | Miami(Ohio) |
| Insight | Oregon State | Oregon State | Oregon State | Oregon State |
| Houston | UTEP | UTEP | Colorado | UTEP |
| Alamo | Oklahoma State | Oklahoma State | Oklahoma State | Ohio State |
| Continental Tire | Boston
College | Boston College | North Carolina | Boston College |
| Emerald | New Mexico | Navy | Navy | Navy |
| Holiday | Cal | Cal | Cal | Cal |
| Silicon Valley | Northern
Illinois | Northern Illinois | Northern Illinois | Northern Illinois |
| Music City | Alabama | Alabama | Minnesota | Minnesota |
| Sun | Arizona State | Purdue | Purdue | Purdue |
| Liberty | Louisville | Louisville | Louisville | Louisville |
| Peach | Miami | Miami | Miami | Florida |
| Outback | Georgia | Georgia | Georgia | Georgia |
| Cotton | Texas A&M | Texas A&M | Texas A&M | Texas A&M |
| Gator | Florida State | Florida State | Florida State | Florida State |
| Capital One | LSU | Iowa | LSU | Iowa |
| Rose | Texas | Texas | Texas | Texas |
| Fiesta | Utah | Utah | Utah | Utah |
| Sugar | Auburn | Auburn | Auburn | Auburn |
| Orange | USC | Oklahoma | Oklahoma | Oklahoma |
| Record | 17-11 | 16-12 | 17-11 | 17-11 |
Bowl Predictions, Orange Bowl
Whew!I made it. 27 bowl games down, one to go. And what a one that will be. Before I get to that, just to recap a little, how did this bowl season go? We started off hot, 4-0, and then we lost 3 straight. A 4-5 middle of the bowl season didn't sit too well with me. I have some bones to pick with Cal and Oklahoma State for embarrassing themselves. Someone also get Mike Price on the phone and ask him how his team could play well for so much of that football game and not finish the deal so that he could get his 9th win. And then New Year's Eve, my luck changed. Sure, Alabama lost, but they were driving for the win late in the game. Yes, LSU lost on the last play of the game on the biggest defensive gaff of the bowl season (Biggest Special Teams gaff: UCLA having the ball bounce off its face. Biggest Offensive gaff... Still up for debate.). But from that day on, we only lost 3 of the games. An 8-3 run to end the season isn't bad and the MRI will be looking to make it 9 tonight. So, all told, not a bad bowl season. We are currently sitting at 16-11. Last year, we finished 16-12 which means that this is the MRI's only shot to better itself. And to do that, we will have to win one of the best college football games of the year.
Orange Bowl: USC (1) vs. Oklahoma (2)
The number "1" will be very meaningful to tonight's game. The winner is guaranteed to be able to put that next to their name when the final Coaches Poll is released. Given Auburn's performance last night, the team will also most likely get the lion's share of votes in the AP poll when their final results are taken. We have two players in the game, Matt Leinart from USC and Jason White from Oklahoma, who have been named not only the number one players are their positions, but also the #1 players in the game for the past two seasons by winning the Heisman trophies. Add that together with the number of First Team All-Americans that these two teams have garnered and you are looking at a #1 festival.
Leinart, who wears two "1"s on his back, was not the USC MVP this season, despite winning the Heisman. That honor instead went to his Co-Pac-10 Offensive Player of the year teammate, Reggie Bush. Bush, who will get the start at tailback since USC's leading rusher LenDale White is out, is probably the most versatile player and explosive player in college football. There isn't much he won't do on the field for the Trojans. He ran the ball for 6 touchdowns this season. He caught the ball for 7 more. He even threw a 52 yard pass for one. And don't forget his contributions on special teams for USC. Two punt returns for touchdowns and 501 yards of kick returns for an average of 26.4 for return. As the team leader in All-Purpose yards, he doubled the number of yards per game of his nearest teammate. You can be sure that you will see Bush have the ball in his hands some time tonight. When Bush doesn't have the ball in his hands, Leinart will use the opportunity to show off his passing skills. A season of almost 3000 yards and 28 touchdowns was enough to win him his fair share of honors. Leinart will be looking down the field at his top receiver Dwayne Jarrett, who stepped up to fill that role after Mike Williams was not allowed back by the NCAA. Jarrett, a freshman, was named to the All-American freshman teams in numerous places and his stats rank second all time at USC by freshman behind Williams. On defense, USC is just as strong as their offense. Matt Grootegoed and Shaun Cody head up a defense that gave up only 12.5 points per game, falling square in between Auburn and Virginia Tech. Along with fellow All-Americans, Mike Patterson and Lofa Tatupu, they will need to be tops on their game to counter Oklahoma's powerful offensive game. Shutting down the running game will probably be their first priority. Second will be pressuring the quarterback. They caused 48 sacks and 19 interceptions this year, so don't be surprised if they can repeat some of those numbers in this game.
Jason White knows what its like to get the big game and not win it. Last year, he led his team to the Big XII championship game and lost. Then he went to the National Championship game and lost again. You often don't get a chance to make up for mistakes like that, but Oklahoma has done just that this year. After soundly defeating Colorado for the Big XII championship this season, they have just one more demon to exorcise. White was a finalist again for the Heisman trophy, this time throwing for 2961 yards and 33 touchdowns. He finished first in the Big XII in passer rating and was the conference offensive player of the year. White had improved help this year from his rushing game, so he didn't have to put up the gaudy numbers he did last season. That help came from freshman sensation Adrian Peterson. Had Peterson not been injured for the game against Nebraska when he barely played, there is no doubt that he would have already rushed for 2000 yards this year and most likely would have rushed for 100 yards in every game this season. In addition, he may have finished higher than second in the Heisman balloting, where he set the high water mark for finish by a freshman. Peterson gained only 1860 yards on the ground and scored 15 touchdowns. He set numerous records for rookie players, including consecutive 100 yard performances by a freshman. When White throws the ball, look for Mark Clayton to catch it. Clayton is the all-time leading receiver at Oklahoma. Of course, it helps when you have a quarterback like Jason White leading the team, but Clayton did much of that himself. Of his 855 yards this season, almost half of those came after he caught the ball. His 9 total touchdowns were tied for second on the team behind Peterson. Clayton has a 38 inch vertical so look for him to sky to catch some of those passes from White. When you look to the defense, you can start up front with All Big XII defensive end, Dan Cody. Cody led the team with 9 of their 38 sacks so he will be trying to get up in Leinart's face as much as possible. Defensive back Brodney Pool led the team in tackles and interceptions so he will be a big help in containing Jarrett for most of the game. Look for Oklahoma to concentrate on stopping the pass first, and then hoping to find a way to contain Bush.
The more I look at this game, the less I know who is going to win. The MRI gives a slight advantage to USC and it has been getting closer and closer all bowl season. Having watched both teams play at least three times this season, I can't really call it. USC struggled in the game against Oregon State, though it was played in a fog. I happened to catch Oklahoma during two of its worst defensive performances. I have a gut feeling that Oklahoma won't want to let this one slip away two years in a row and give them a slight edge, but USC would love to put that "Back to Back" next to National Champions. Mark this down as another one where I disagree with the MRI, but really, in a game like this, how can you really lose.
MRI Predicts: USC
Confidence factor: 51.32%, 5 out of 28
Bowl Predictions, Sugar Bowl
Sugar Bowl: Auburn (6) vs. Virginia Tech (13)
Tommy Tuberville didn't expect to be playing in the Sugar Bowl this time last season. As the Auburn administration was gunning for a replacement and even interviewing candidates, Tuberville was trying to figure out what to do after the season ended. Auburn's season was supposed to have been last year. They were ranked high in the polls going into the season. And yet, they proceeded to fall on their faces, including a drubbing by eventual National Co-Champion USC on a nationally televised game. That was when Tuberville thought he might be in trouble. Despite a New Year's Eve win over Wisconsin in the Music City Bowl last season, Auburn managed to defeat just one team which ended up ranked in the final poll. Yet, Tuberville was back at the helm this year for the Tigers. They came into the season ranked and though they were thought to be good, no one expected them to finish 12-0 and SEC champions. That was a title reserved for Georgia. Still, Auburn pulled it off, and did so in such an impressive fashion that they earned coach Tuberville a contract extension worth $16 million. However, left out of the National Championship game, they are going to have to settle for a glimmer of hope that something strange happens to put that #1 next to their name. Yes, the evil BCS system cost Auburn its chance at glory and a chance for SEC teams to repeat as the National Champs. Don't think that will discourage Auburn from playing all out in the Sugar Bowl. They are ready and determined to win, and win big to leave nothing to chance. They have all the tools to do just that. They enter the game with the best scoring defense in the country, allowing just 11.2 points per game. They gave up 20 or more points just twice this season, against Arkansas and Tennessee in the SEC title game. Put that together with their smash mouth offense and you have the recipe for a big day. Auburn is led on the field by its pair of all star backs, Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, and Ronnie Brown. Williams, a 5'11" senior, ran for 1104 yards this season for his second straight year over 1000. He also scored 12 touchdowns rushing and one through the air to lead the team. And don't be surprised if he throws one also. He did just that this year. Brown, a 6'1" senior, played the second option role well, grabbing 845 yards himself and totaling 9 touchdowns. Together they form a tandem that leaves teams spinning. The Tigers also feature senior quarterback Jason Campbell. Campbell improved on last season's numbers and he can credit that in part to very much improved play of his offensive line. Last season, in the first two games, he was sacked 13 times, and 25 times overall. This season, that was down to 11 for the whole year. He threw for 2511 yards and 19 touchdowns while completing almost 70% of his passes. Look for him to hit Ronnie Brown coming out of the backfield, or aim for receivers Courtney Taylor and Devin Aromashodo. Auburn brings in enough firepower to put points on the board against anyone. If their defense holds, this one could be theirs.
Virginia Tech and Frank Beamer played Beamer ball all season and managed to turn a team that was picked for the middle of the ACC into the conference champions in its first season in the league. Don't expect the same flash you saw when Michael Vick was the quarterback in Blacksburg. Instead, this team features a tough defense and a competent offense which lead them to a 10-2 record. The Hokies were almost as good as Auburn in the scoring defense category, giving up only 12.6 points per game. They held opponents to 267 yards per game, good enough to be 4th in Division 1. You can credit their special teams for a lot of their glory. Frank Beamer's teams know how to block kicks so don't be surprised if a punt or field goal attempt by Auburn suddenly turns in the opposite direction off the hands of someone like Jim Davis for a score tonight. The kick attack will definitely be a test for the Auburn punt protection. On offense, ACC offensive player of the year, Bryan Randall will lead the attack. The senior quarterback brings many of the skills that Vick once did, but he looks a little different when he does it. He throws the ball more than Vick ever did, and is now the all time passing yardage leader for Virginia Tech. He threw for almost 2000 yards and 19 scores this season. He also ran for 466 more yards, good enough for third on the team. He doesn't have the moves that Vick once displayed. As a result, he gets hit for a loss more, giving defenses credit for the "sack" 34 times this season. If Randall doesn't run the ball himself, look for him to hand off to Mike Imoh, who has breakaway speed. The junior ran for 704 yards this season, after missing the first three games of the year. His best effort came against North Carolina, when he went for 243 yards and two touchdowns. He didn't play much over the final three games of the season due to a nagging hamstring injury which makes him questionable for the bowl game. If he doesn't go, then the rushing duties fell on junior Cedric Humes. Humes filled in well for Imoh but lacks the same speed factor.
Virginia Tech plays a tough game. If they can force Auburn into enough mistakes, they have a chance to win. Otherwise, Auburn has too much on the line with this game to give in easily to the Hokies. Look for it to be closer than you would expect but the Tigers to come out on top.
MRI Predicts: Auburn
Confidence factor: 76.71%, 22 out of 28
