MREAST Takes A Look At NCAAF Title Chasers
Last year I started a weekly series on NCAAF Title Cahsers. This is an early look at what lies ahead for those coveting the National Title. The pool of unbeaten teams has been pared down to 13, and amongst that pool are 2 potential BCS busters in Boise St. (5-0), and TCU (4-0). Here is a look at what lies ahead for these unbeaten teams.
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THIS WEEK: IOWA (5-0) hosts Michigan: Although this won’t be an easy game for the Hawkeyes, as Michigan is vastly improved from a year ago, it is a very winnable game.
They have a tough road to remain unbeaten wih games to come all on the road at Wisconsin,Michigan St., and Ohio St. Odds are they will not be a BCS Bowl participant.
WISCONSIN (5-0) @ OHIO ST: The road probably ends for the Badgers here, as they have the daunting task of facing the Buckeyes at the Shoe. If they can somehow spring the upset here, and then get past Iowa at home, the Badgers will be playing in a BCS Bowl game.
ALABAMA (5-0) @ OLE MISS This will not be an easy game for the Crimson Tide. Houston Nutt has elevated the Rebel program, and certainly has the talent here to spring the upset, especially at home. Looking beyond for the Tide, they still have LSU at home, and conclude at Auburn, as they avoid Floeida on the regular season schedule. The Tide has the defense, and emerging QB to certainly be a player in the BCS Championship game.
KANSAS (4-0) hosts Iowa St.: This one should be a wlak in the park for the Jayhawks, but they have their hands full down the road facing Oklahoma at home, Texas on the road, and Missouri at home. They are at best a long shot to reach a BCS Bowl.
MISSOURI (4-0) hosts Nebraska: Missouri has surprised as Macklin and Daniels are gone, but the offense is not. This is not an easy game, and upset alert is possible, as the Cornhuskers are no pushover. The Tigers, if they get by this one still have Texas at home, and Oklahoma St., and Kansas on the road. I don’t see them in a BCS Bowl.
TEXAS (4-0) hosts Colorado: If the Horns lose to Colorado at home there ought to be an investigation. The Longhorns, are yes, long on talent, but have a few obstacles as they must face Oklahoma, and Kansas, and road tilts with Oklahoma St., and Missouri. Certainly with the talent on hand, all winnable games, and they are certainly a player for a BCS Championship game.
TCU (4-0) @ Air Force: Tricky game against a solid Flyboy team, but the Frogs specialty is stopping the run, and should come away with a win here. There biggest test comes at BYU, and another at home vs Utah, and if they get by those, the Frogs will likely find their way into the BCS mix.
AUBURN (5-0) @ ARKANSAS: This is far from a layup for the Tigers as the Razorbacks can flat out score, and will be their stiffest challenge so far. They have a most difficult task even if they escape here, as they play Miss, and Bama at home, and must go to LSU and Georgia. It will take a miracle to see them in a BCS Bowl.
GAME OF THE WEEK: FLORIDA (4-0) @ LSU (5-0) This is almost an elimination game for the BCS Championship, as the loser is going to be on life support. Tim Tebow status unclear at the moment, but I’ll bet he plays here. Tigers may not be as good as a few years ago, but still loaded with talent, and down on the Bayou they don’t lose many. If Florida wins, I think the only stumbling block left in their way to a perfect season would be at South Carolina, and I would expect them to play for the Championship. If LSU wins, they still have big hurdles playing at Bama, and Ole Miss.
BYE TEAMS AND A LOOK AHEAD: Next week’s game of the week will be in the Big East as Cincinnati (5-0) will head to Florida to face South Florida (5-0). The winner here certainly has a leg up on the Big East Title. If the Bulls win, they still have a game at Pitt, and host Miami,Fla. I don’t look for them in a BCS game. If the Bearcats win, they will have a game at Pitt, their only true tough game, and could finsih unbeaten, and be in the BCS Championship mix.
BOISE ST. (5-0): Boise St will rest this week, and that sets up their game the following week at Tulsa to be their only true obstacle left on their way to a perfect season. The Broncos stand a very good chance of going unbeaten, and believe it or not, if things break well for them, they could potentially find themselves in National Championship talk.
I’ll be back next week, as this list begins to shrink, and the picture becomes a bit clearer as teams eliminate themselves.
If your looking for help, I was 89-63 in NCAAF a year ago, and stand at 25-14 this year. Best of luck, and may the hook be with you! EAST
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