Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Get to Know the Different Scenarios

Top 5 things that have happened since I last published anything on here:
1. The Boston Red Sox won the World Series
2. Houston is the worst team in the NFL and Jacksonville has beaten their last 3 road opponents (seriously, what's up with that?)
3. Duke produced its first 10 win season. Ever. 
4. Obama and company kicked off ObamaCare worse than Wainwright and Molina catch fly balls (Less people signed up for that than signed a, nevertheless badass, petition to build a Death Star)
5. The "40-oh-0 Wildcats" were beaten by the Spartans to get that chip off their shoulder and UConn has stayed perfect through eight.

So, anyway, it's been too long and I apologize. Now I should be back fairly regularly and attempting to catch y'all up on what this country has come to (both politically and in the sports world).

Anyway, to recap this weekend: Bama doesn't want to review time left on the clock anymore, Florida State made Florida look like Georgia Southern (except the Gators lost), THE Ohio State University remained perfect in the ugliest win they have had under Urban Meyer, Auburn knows what it means to play to the final whistle, Missouri took the legs out of Johnny Football's Heisman candidacy and Northern Illinois kept its resume strong for a BCS bowl berth.

The BCS still has an entire Saturday filled to the brim with football to figure out the deuce sitting at the top.

Luckily for us we are allowed to do the unthinkable and imagine all the possibilities before anyone is crowned ACC, Big 10 or SEC Champion. So, let's get creative and look at the Top 10 Likeliest Scenarios.

The Battle of Undefeateds
1. #1 Florida State v #2 Ohio State
This one requires the least explanation. Florida State takes down the Blue Devils in a non-shocker of an ACC championship. Ohio State handles Michigan State to go to 25-0. The Seminoles and Buckeyes are headed to the Rose Bowl on January 6, 2014. Good old fashioned 12-0 v 12-0 so there will be only one undefeated. (Excuse me Jordan Lynch and Co., good luck maintaining your streak)

ACC v SEC I
2. #1 Florida State v #3 Auburn
If we get this one, we might never hear the end of the SOS argument from SEC faithful. According to the strength of schedule, Auburn battled the fourth hardest schedule of the year and came out with one loss. Florida State, on the other hand, had the 42nd toughest road to perfection. On the third hand, Ohio State had the 52nd hardest test. There's little argument that the Big 10 had a down year but is perfection worth so little to the voters now? If it is or if the Bucks stumble against the Spartans, Auburn has its ticket punched for California. (Assuming a victory in the SEC Championship) The Seminoles will need to buckle their seatbelts and get ready for by far the toughest test of their season if they have to battle the Tigers (War Eagles) on Jan. 6.

ACC v SEC II
3. #1 Florida State v #5 Missouri 
Ohio State would have to lose, no question. (A 23rd ranking in SOS and a 5th seed in the BCS will hinder any team's efforts at displacing perfection) In only the second year as an SEC East member (still trying to figure out the geography here), Mizzou went through a gauntlet that contained marquee games against Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Ole Miss and Texas A&M and lost once. In double overtime. On a missed field goal. To the Gamecocks. If they can take down the Tigers on Saturday, these bad boys just earned themselves a trip to the BCS Championship at the Rose Bowl.

The One that Got Away
4. #1 Florida State v #4 Alabama 
The title says it all. At week 9, the BCS already had this one plotted out. Alabama and Florida State entered the initial standings #1 and 2 respectively. Then, the King got dethroned and the Seminoles took up the mantle. However, with the right combination of wins and losses, we could still see this one play out. That combo? An Ohio State faceplant against the Spartans and a last second field goal by Mizzou to misplace the rowdy War Eagles. No other combination would justify the non-SEC winner jumping to #2.

You Like to Run?
5. #2 Ohio State v #3 Auburn 
There is the possibility, as slim as it may be, that Florida State underestimates the Blue Devils, a team that is setting records for their school, and falls on Saturday. If that happens and Ohio State beats Michigan State, the Buckeyes will take over first place in the BCS. As long as Auburn handles business against the Tigers, they'll be a sure shot into the second spot. And if we do see these two teams in Cali, it'll be one of the most down and dirty, grit and grime games played out west. Ohio State is the second leading rushing team in the nation while Auburn is fifth. Be prepared for a long game in the trenches.

Big 10 Offense v SEC Defense
6. #2 Ohio State v #5 Missouri 
Having beaten the stingiest defense in college football, the Spartans let up 11.3 ppg, the Bucks would have a very good idea of how to get points on the board even when the defense hates giving them up. And that sort of defense is exactly who they'd meet if Missouri pulled off the win against the War Eagles. The Tigers were the second stingiest defense in the SEC letting up just 19.4 points per game and they never allowed an opponent (including Johnny Football) to put more than 28 points on them. Ohio State enjoys putting up big numbers averaging 48.2 points a game. So, even if the tagline might be the Bucks offense versus Tigers defense, it may just be the other way around for a championship in the Rose Bowl.

One for the Ages
7. #2 Ohio State v #4 Alabama
Urban Meyer v Nick Saban. Undefeated v Champions. Big 10 v SEC. Winning v Winner. 3 Undefeated Campaigns v 3 of the last 4. Okay, enough, you get the picture. This would be a groundbreaking championship that would easily pave the way for the new 2014 playoff system. Just to paint the picture a bit more, between the two coaches six of the last 10 championships have been won, between the two teams there are 18 National Titles, including a split between the two in 1961. Now, if only the Blue Devils can dismantle the Seminoles and Mizzou can win a close one against Auburn! If this one happens, I'm declaring a national holiday.

The Iron Bowl Classic
8. #3 Auburn v #4 Alabama
If there aren't any undefeateds after this weekend of championships, Auburn and Alabama will almost certainly meet in the Rose Bowl. The entire state of Alabama might be on lockdown and curfew if this one is announced on Sunday. Don't think Saban will be looking for any 57 yard field goal nor will the War Eagles allow it to come down to the final second and another miracle play. The Miracle Eagles v the Stunned Kings, another one for the ages.

You Remember Us?
9. #5 Missouri v #4 Alabama
Last year these two met. Missouri still feels the sting from that 42-10 whooping at home. This year, the Tigers are a different team and know how to handle size, speed, depth and strength. They know what it's like to fight in the trenches and keep a feisty offense on its heels and a wear away a stubborn defense. A rematch from the Tigers' SEC debut year would result in a close, nail-biter with pretty much everyone in the country glued to their seat until the final whistle.

What?
10. #3 Auburn v # 6 Oklahoma State
The least likely option to EVER happen, but that's what we look for, right? So how exactly do I explain even thinking this could happen? Well first off, Florida State would have to lose a decent game to the Blue Devils. Then the Buckeyes would have to be destroyed by the Spartans (considering the rankings of the teams, a close loss would most likely leave Ohio in the Top 5 and ahead of the Cowboys). Then Auburn would need a win in the SEC Championship game, really doesn't matter if its by 1 or 100. Finally, the Cowboys HAVE to destroy the Sooners and Baylor must lose to Texas. The then Big 12 Champions MIGHT have the edge on the non-conference champion Alabama. So, if all of this falls into place, is this even a game we want to see on January 6? It would be yet another high powered offense v shutdown defense game. Of all the options, this one is the least likely but it could be an interesting second tier "Oregon v Alabama BCS Championship" (Which will never happen).

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