College Football, Week 14: Are the Buckeyes Title Worthy?

Hello all, and Happy Turkey Day. Before I go any further, I would just like to say I am thankful for all of my readers, near and far. So thanks again for reading my blog!!!

As the college football regular season comes to an end, we once again find ourselves debating who deserves a place in the BCS National Championship game. The easy answer would seem to be that if No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 Florida State win out, they're going to Pasadena. But, upon a second look, is it really that simple?

Looming at No. 3 is Ohio State and their 23 game winning streak. While most pundits agree that it would take a loss from either the Crimson Tide or the Seminoles for the Buckeyes to move in to the BCS Championship, I am not sure that even that would be necessary. I know I am speaking from a biased perspective, but give me a moment and I'll explain in further detail.

The Buckeyes enter this week with the 64th ranked strength of schedule in the nation according to sports-reference.com (http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/) which, at first glance doesn't look that impressive. But consider the fact that Florida State's strength of schedule is only  63rd best in the nation, and Ohio State isn't looking quite so bad.

I know Florida State beat No. 6 Clemson earlier in the season, and that is the main reason why the Seminoles are rated higher than in the BCS. But if Ohio State wins its next two games, and both Michigan State and Wisconsin can pull off victories this Saturday, that means the Buckeyes will have two wins against top 15 BCS teams to Florida State's one. Shouldn't that carry at least a little weight?

It appears, however, that ESPN is doing its best to make sure the Buckeyes don't make a return trip to the national championship. Either that or they believe the best way to attract viewership is by dogging OSU. Why else would they, week after week, focus on what team can leapfrog the Buckeyes? Or that there is any possibility that a one-loss Auburn team, that needed a miracle to beat Georgia by the way, would deserve to move into the second BCS spot with a win on Saturday?

I know, I know, I'm a homer. I also know there are apparently five or six schools in the SEC that would beat Ohio State if they played in the conference. (Or at least that is what ESPN/my friends would have me believe, because the SEC is so much the superior conference.

Yet it should be pointed out that Alabama, with the 49th ranked schedule in the nation, isn't really playing that much tougher competition. And I think that the Buckeyes could hang with them, even though most people in Columbus would rather OSU go to the Rose Bowl, because that way they would be guaranteed to go 26-0. (N.B.: The last three teams to end the regular season as AP No. 1, including Notre Dame last year, failed to win the national championship)

Rather than worry what may lie down the road, Urban Meyer's squad will be solely focused on beating its arch-rival up north once again. Which brings me to this week's predictions:

3Ohio State at Michigan: 

The Buckeyes are looking to make it 24 in a row under second year coach Urban Meyer. Having already set OSU records for points in a season (536), points per game (48.7) and total offense per game (530 yards), the Buckeyes look to put an exclamation point on the season with a win Saturday. Look for the Scarlet and Gray to turn to its workhorse, Carlos Hyde, early and often along with a healthy dose of Braxton Miller.

For the Wolverines, this year hasn't gone nearly as planned. Once thought of as a darkhorse title contender, Michigan is now looking to salvage some respectability in this year's version of 'The Game.' Quarterback Devin Gardner, thought to be one of the more efficient signal caller's in the preseason, has thrown almost as many interceptions (11) this season as TDs (17). Brady Hoke may not be on the hot seat just yet, but fans in Ann Arbor are getting restless.

So how does this one pan out? I'd love to say that the Buckeyes are going to cover the 14 1/2 point spread they're favored by, but this is a rivalry game, and it's being played in the Big House. Look for Scarlet and Gray to remain undefeated, however. Ohio State 28, Michigan 20

1Alabama at 4Auburn: 

This year's edition of the Iron Bowl couldn't have more on the line, as a trip to the SEC championship (and possible BCS championship berth) goes to the winner. While the Tigers have been playing inspired ball lately, AJ McCarron and company are just too efficient. Alabama 24, Auburn 17

2Florida State at Florida:

Will Jameis Winston play or won't he? For the Gators the question should be: does Tim Tebow still have any eligibility left? FSU 48, Florida 7

9Baylor at TCU;

Art Briles' squad took one squarely on the chin last week. Don't expect lightning to strike twice, however. Baylor 56, TCU 24

Minnesota at 11 Michigan State:

Gophers pull off the unlikely...wait, I couldn't even finish that sentence without milk spewing out of my nose I was laughing so hard.  Michigan State 27, Minnesota 10

24 Duke at North Carolina:

Figures to be a high scoring affair, with Jabari Park...wait, you mean to tell me this is still football season? Duke 25, North Carolina 17

Well, that's all for now. Time to go enjoy some turkey and stuffing. Happy Thanksgiving all.

More Observations on Week 1 of College Football

As the opening weekend of college football comes to a close tonight with Florida State vs. Pittsburgh, there might be more questions than answers. While some of the top teams took care of business as expected, other teams were upset, some by FCS (Division I-AA schools).

Looking back at the weekend's action, here are several observations:

Alabama is still the top team in the nation, at least for now. 

There is an old saying that goes 'in order to be the champ, you have to beat the champ.' Well, Alabama is the defending national champ. And, despite a less than stellar performance offensively against Virginia Tech, they still defeated the Hokies rather handily. So, until someone beats them, the Crimson Tide is the No. 1 team in the nation by default.

 It certainly looks like Christion Jones might be the heir apparent to Eddie Lacy for this squad.

The state of South Carolina might have two teams that are legitimate BCS contenders in 2013.

Everyone knew that Jadeveon Clowney and company were going to be a force to be reckoned with in Columbia.

Yet the unknown might have been how Clemson, South Carolina's other BCS squad, would perform in 2013. A 270 yard, 3 TD passing performance by quarterback Tajh Boyd certainly has people talking about the Tigers chances to run the table in the ACC.

 The biggest threat to Clemson's chances at an undefeated season might be the Gamecocks, who will face the Tigers in the season finale in Columbia.

Speaking of running the table, the Louisville Cardinals began their quest to go 12-0 with a resounding 49-7 victory yesterday over Ohio. Teddy Bridgewater, one of the favorites for the Heisman this year, made a emphatic opening statement passing for 355 yards and 5 TDs.  Everyone has been chirping about how Ohio State has an easy chance to run the table this season, but the Cardinals don't face one team ranked in the preseason AP Top 25.

On the West Coast, Oregon made it's claim to being in the top 5, but they still might not be the best team in the PAC-12. 

The Ducks' rolled against a clearly overmatched Nicholls St team, with DeAnthony Thomas and Marcus Mariota picking up where they left off last season.  Yet Stanford, the defending PAC-12 champs, didn't even play this week. This debate may not be settled until these two teams meet on November 7.

Finally, Michigan and Notre Dame, two teams that have quietly flown under the radar this preseason, made big statements of their own a week prior to their showdown in the Big House.

Both the Wolverines and Irish opened the season with new signal-callers under center. And while Michigan's 59-9 demolition was not totally unexpected, it was Notre Dame's 28-6 win that set up what should be a very intriguing matchup.

Michigan's Devin Gardner, a better pure passer than the departed Denard Robinson, might be one of the more underrated quarterbacks in the nation. It will be interesting to see how an Irish defense missing its leading tackler from last year handles him.

For the Irish offense, they will need senior Tommy Rees to play like he did on Saturday.

March Maddness, Bottom Line: Ohio State Keeps Winning

Mmmmadd, Maddness. Or so goes the song by alternative rock band Muse, chosen by CBS Sports as the theme song for the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

The 2013 NCAA tournament is full of Maddness this season, no different than any other year really. In fact, the odds that I win any of the four brackets I filled out are slim and none.

And I'll let you in on a little known secret: I could care less if I lose all of them, if it means that Ohio State is cutting down the nets on April 8th. For that would signify the Buckeyes are National Champions, king of the courts for the first time in my lifetime.

As a matter of fact, I will admit that last season I finished dead last in the tourney pool amongst my family members, finishing behind my nine year-old niece, who doesn't watch sports at all. The rest of the family had a good laugh at my expense, as well they should. It was quite funny. And I could finish last again.

Of course I will point out that the final four of my bracket 1A is Louisville, Ohio State, VCU, and Miami. For comparison purposes, it should be known that I just saw ESPN college basketball expert Jay Bilas' Final Four is Louisville, Ohio State, VCU, and Indiana. The point being that, not only did we come up with three of the same Final Four participants (and I guarantee you I didn't let him copy off of me, even though he begged me to do so), only Louisville and Ohio State remain in our respective brackets. And while I am getting paid the big bucks, Bilas is sitting on his cozy stoop in the ESPN studios at Bristol making his minimum wage.

But I digress, the point is, I would love nothing more than to see the Buckeyes win it all. This Maddnness has driven me so insane that Thursday, as my day job proceeded into the night, I couldn't decide which would be worse: missing the game due to my job, or Ohio State getting knocked out of the tournament. At the end of the day, it was clear that I wanted Ohio State to keep playing, regardless. And they did.

Madddnnesss, I tell you.

Did I mention that I bet my best friend $10 heads up that my bracket would finish better than his? I have told him repeatedly I will gladly pay up that bet if it means the Bucks win it all. Of course, I should note that he has significantly more money to lose in this tourney than I do, but, hey, that really isn't my problem, is it?

 So, when its all said and done, I hope my team wins the whole bleeping thing. Cause if they don't, I am going to be kicking myself madd I didn't do a better job of guessing in these brackets.

A few other observations as we head into the Elite Eight:

Leave Aaron Craft alone. Where's all the criticism of Deshaun Thomas?

For as much as Buckeye fans want to pin the team's recent struggles on Aaron Craft's inability to make free throws in the latter stages of the game, I would like to offer up another scape goat: Deshaun Thomas.

It has seemed all along that fans want to overlook Thomas' flaws (there are several) because he leads the team in points and rebounds. But there are times in every game where I think to myself, "this guy is really the leader of this basketball team?"

I mean, first off, let's examine his shot selection. Within 7-10 feet, there is probably no one in the nation better than Deshaun Thomas. When he moves to the perimeter however, it becomes more problematic. If he has an open shot, and he gets his feet set, I say let him shoot. The thing is, he often takes off balance shots from three point range (sometimes with defenders in his face. Which brings me to another point. My best friends argue ad nauseam how difficult it is to defend the three. How is it, then, when Thomas shoots a three, many times the defenders are right in his face?)

Then there is DT's defense, or lack thereof. It should come as no surprise that, in the Iowa State game, the reason Aaron Craft took a controversial charge was simple: Thomas was out of position. And this still happens quite often. For as much as fans want to say he has improved that part of his game, he still employs the O-le method of on the ball defense.

So it seems funny to me that people believe Thomas is a lock to leave for the NBA next season. Especially when they were quick to ridicule Jared Sullinger last year, even though the Northland graduate was a much more polished player than DT is now.

Michigan may have caught the break of the tournament last night.

I know this may seem like I am hating, especially since, in my last post, I claimed the Wolverines were playing the best ball of anyone in the tournament. But hear me out.

Last night the Kansas Jayhawks had Michigan beat and let them off the hook. Seriously. This is no Denny Green "We had 'em...and we let 'em off the hook, so crown them champions" bs. No, Kansas was clearly dominating the game, up by double digits with six minutes left, and shooting over 55% from the field. All they had to do was run out the clock and they were moving on to the Elite Eight.

Yet something happened that has still left me dumbfounded. It was as if, in the waning moments of regulation and overtime, KU point guard Elias Johnson stopped playing smart basketball. There was the missed front end of the one-and-one. And the 10 second backcourt violation. Then the wild pass at the end of overtime to someone who is not even a good perimeter shooter.

That is not to say that Trey Burke and company didn't play hard. Burke's three pointer, from about 30 feet, was just as dramatic as Ross' bomb a night earlier. And it appears that this tournament has single-handedly propelled freshman center Mitch McGary into a star as well. But the way the game ended had to leave anyone not wearing Maize and Blue extremely perplexed at the very least.

Florida has quietly put themselves in position to make another final four.

The talk of the South regional for days has been the cinderella Florida Gulf Coast and its coach, Andy Enfield. And it seemed that, for the opening moments of last night's game versus Florida, the glass slipper would remain. The Eagles raced out to a 24-15 early lead with five minutes left in the 1st half.

From there it was all Florida. Going on a 22-7 run that would last deep into the second half, the Gators would eventually win going away, 62-50. And, while most of the focus on that side of the bracket centers on Michigan and Syracuse, it would be foolish to count team Billyball out.

Coach K inches one step closer to a basketball immortal, the late great John Wooden.

Be honest, if I asked you how many Final Fours Duke had been to under Mike Krzyweski, what would you say? Seven? Eight? Cause that is what I guessed.

Try 14. I know it surprised me too. Which might be one reason he is so hated among so many people.

That's all for now. Enjoy the games and don't let March Madness get you too down.

2013 NCAA Sweet Sixteen: Florida Gulf Coast U Cinderella No More

The second round of the NCAA tournament is officially over, and it is now on to the Sweet Sixteen.

A few observations regarding this past weekend's games as we look forward to Thursday:

Florida Gulf Coast University can no longer be considered a Cinderella story.

The Eagles, a 15 seed in the South region, had already pulled off the improbable victory when they beat the Georgetown Hoyas on Friday.

But last night's game against San Diego State was supposed to be harder. The Eagles were supposed to be tired and emotionally drained from Friday's upset. Yet it appears someone forgot to tell the kids from Fort Myers, Florida, that they were tired. In fact, as the game's end drew near, it appeared that the Aztecs were the ones who had tired legs.

The Florida Gators better not underestimate this team or they will become its next victim.

Ironic thing is their star player, guard Sherwood Brown, started as an unknown walk-on freshman. Now it's safe to say the senior might be more popular than Johnny Manziel.

The University of Michigan Wolverines might be playing the best basketball of anyone in the tournament so far.

That had to be said, even if it pains me to say that as an Ohio State fan.

What's worse is that I have to admit that even though I didn't give the Wolverines much of a chance entering the tournament. I figured the way they ended the regular season--losing 5 of their last 11 games--would surely mean an early exit.

Yet John Beilein has been able to get his charge to believe in one another and step up when it matters. In Saturday's win versus VCU, four Wolverines scored double digits--led by the freshman center Mitch McGary.

What's ironic is that a coworker asked me today who I thought was the best team after two rounds and I answered Arizona. If the U of M keeps shooting like it has been, I may have to change my answer.

The Pac-12 is the surprise conference of the tournament so far.

I'll be honest, I didn't give any team from the Pac-12 much of a chance to make it beyond the first round in 2013. Mostly because I believed that after UCLA, the conference was really weak.

Boy, was I wrong. Turns out the only Pac-12 team that was weak this year was UCLA.

Oregon and Arizona, the two remaining teams from the Pac-12 in the Sweet Sixteen should give Louisville and Ohio State, their two respective opponents, all they can handle.

The Big Ten is the best conference in the tournament in 2013. Period.

Charles Barkley's claims that the Big Ten is overrated nothwithstanding, this conference has four teams in the Sweet Sixteen (more than any other conference), and has a cumulative record to date of 10-3.

Not only that, but it boasts names such as Thomas, Craft, Oladipo, Zeller, Payne, Appling, Burke, and Hardaway just to mention a few.

And speaking of Charles Barkley, I'd like to briefly address the exchange that occurred following the Ohio State-Iowa State game yesterday afternoon. Many people think I have a problem with the fact that he disagreed with a charge that Aaron Craft took late in that game. Not at all. What I have a problem with is the fact that he trivialized an otherwise classic showdown by saying the refs cost Iowa State the game.

Fact of the matter is, the call(one subject to split second human error, and no video replay) didn't determine the outcome of the game. The Cyclones had their chances, both on offense, and defense, in the final minute of that game. Barkley's insistence on being bull-headed might work with the NBA crowd, but it is obvious he doesn't understand the college basketball audience.


Finally, the West Region might be harder to navigate than it looks, even with four of the five top seeds falling by Sunday.

Ohio State, the lone top seed remaining, needed some last minute heroics from point guard Aaron Craft to escape from Dayton as 78-75 winners over Iowa State.

Arizona, the Buckeyes' opponent on Thursday night, doesn't appear to be any easier. The Wildcats appeared to be hitting on all cylinders this past Saturday while dispatching of Harvard 74-51. And Sean Miller, former pupil of Ohio State coach Thad Matta, is certain to game plan for the Buckeyes.

It's March. And it's Madness. Indeed.

An All-Big Ten Final Four?

VCU, thanks a lot. Shaka doesn't seem so smart right now, pardon the pun.

Actually, it wasn't really his fault. You see, Smart's Rams ran into the buzzsaw that was the Michigan Wolverines basketball team. With the hot shooting Trey Burke and Glenn Robinson, Jr, and a tenacious defense, VCU didn't stand a chance.

And my bracket may not stand a chance, either.

Having watched the Big Ten all season, I fully realize they could put four teams (Indiana, Michigan, Ohio State, and Michigan State) in Atlanta. After all, they are three of the most talented squads-plus an Ohio State team that plays some of the best defense in the country.

So while I had the privilege of watching guys like Burke and Hardaway and Victor Oladipo and Adrian Payne week after week, I was weary that this conference may have beaten each other up. Which is why I did fill out an all Big Ten Final Four.

If Michigan's win today is any indication, they may all be beating up on each other again in couple of weeks.