NationStates Jolt Archive

I suppose until we get a playoff system the bowls will have to do....though yet again the BCS is going to leave a bad taste in a lot of people's mouths for quite some time after this year. So many what ifs.....

1. What if Auburn was in the championship game?

2. What if teams like Boise State, Louisville, and Utah were given a chance to compete in a 16 team format?

3. What if the preseason polls hadn't had USC and Oklahoma at the top?

4. What if the Big East didn't retain their automatic bid?

5. What if there was a 1st tier and 2nd tier of teams in 1-A?

Since none of those questions will be answered, let's just get on with bowl predictions!!

New Orleans: Southern Miss will run roughshod over North Texas. The defense is just too strong.

Champs Sports: Georgia Tech deserves this bowl. Syracuse doesn't. The Yellow Jackets will easily take this.

GMAC: Bowling Green is good. Their offense is fantastic. They've shown they can beat teams with good defense. But against Memphis? It will be close, but Bowling Green gets win 1 for the MAC conference this bowl season.

Fort Worth: Both teams had let down years. Marshall's offense never got going and Cincinnati's defense never held up. But Marshall's defense is good enough to win this and they have the history in big games of getting the job done. Marshall will win. (As a Marshall grad, of course they will!)

Las Vegas: Not so tough a call. Wyoming is good but they don't have the depth to take on even an average UCLA team. UCLA will dominate from start to finish.

Hawaii: Hawaii eked in with a win over hapless Michigan State. UAB has talent on both sides. UAB is the better team, but Hawaii won't let Chang leave without the victory here.

MPC Computers: Fresno State has been crying for recognition all year. When they got it, they blew it. They are facing a Virginia team that should be kicking themselves for not finishing better in the ACC. Virginia should win, if they can forget about the season.

Motor City: Toledo has everything going for it. The defense is solid and the offense comes through. They seem to get every play when they need it. Connecticut will be jacked, but Toledo will roll them, giving the MAC their 3rd bowl win of the season. How about the MAC?

Independence: Miami, another MAC team, is good. They have a good offense and a fair defense. But one of their best WRs was stabbed this week and their coaching staff explodes when the pressure comes on. They can beat Iowa State and probably would win 8 out of 10 times they play this year. But the Cyclones get this bowl win.

Insight: Notre Dame will play their guts out to show the administration that the firing of Ty Willingham was a bad mistake. Oregon State will lose badly.

Houston: Mike Price's UTEP team is an amazing story. This team has been the laughingstock of football for a long time. The turnaround this year has been nothing short of miraculous. Colorado will win this but it won't take away from the season UTEP has had.

Alamo: Is this where Ohio State wanted to be? Their offensive problems have not been solved yet, despite having the full season to do something. Tressel has a knack for getting teams ready with preparation but I doubt the Buckeye fans will outnumber the Oklahoma State crew in the stands. The crowd helps OK State win this one.

Continental Tire: Boston College gets a preview of a future ACC foe in UNC. UNC fans will be glad basketball season has begun. BC in a blowout.

Emerald: Navy should win this. Navy has no reason to lose. They are the better team in every way, shape, and form. Their fans have to be jacked at simply having a bowl bid. That's why New Mexico's upset win is going to hurt so much.

Holiday: Upset number 2--Cal simply won't have the bad taste out of their mouths at having been shafted by Texas for the Rose Bowl berth. Texas Tech's offense will have scored 14 before Cal gets into the game. Spot the Red Raiders 14 and you won't catch them, no matter who you are.

Silicon Valley: Troy's defense is flat out good. Northern Illinois' defense is flat out good. Both have anemic offenses. The Huskies give the MAC win number 4 for the bowl season, and MAC conference fans will scream about why they deserve more than their normal 2 slots. Of course, with Marshall's departure from the conference, they really don't from year to year.

Music City: Tough call, you have Minnesota's darling offense against Alabama's physical play. Minnesota is good and they will hang for a few quarters. In the end, Alabama will just bang them up and win this.

Sun: Arizona State has no reason to lose. They are, bar none, the better team. But Kyle Orton is auditioning for next year and Purdue will win.

Liberty: Could this be the best non-BCS bowl? Louisville and Boise State....two offenses that could light up anyone. Boise is the newest darling of college football. But they have struggled from time to time this year, even though they are putting up 50 a game. They could win this, but Louisville gets the nod because they will be able to stop Boise on maybe one drive in the game. Boise has no defense and won't be able to do the same.

Peach: Miami and Florida.....whoooo. Who will coach Florida? Is Ed Zaunbrecher going to do it now that Zook is gone? Urban won't be there yet. Florida is loaded with talent but their offense never adjusted to Zaunbrecher's complex schemes (the same schemes he ran at Marshall for Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich). Miami wins in the confusion.

Outback: Wisconsin suffered a late season collapse. Georgia has had times this year of offensive inability. Nevertheless, this is Greene's final game at Georgia and he'll singlehandedly win this game for the Dawgs.

Cotton: I don't know why, but I've always been somewhat partial for Tennessee. Maybe its the atmosphere for their games. I pick them over Texas A&M.

Gator: Does WVU really deserve this? Who did they play? They should have run the table this year with the lackluster competition they were up against. They failed their only true test this year with Va. Tech. Rich Rodriguez does not have a handle on the Mountaineers this year as the players have really been out of control at times. Florida State wins this by the end of the first half.

Capital One: Which LSU team shows up? The dominant, crushing team or the paper bag offensive team? LSU has more talent than nearly any other team in college football, yet can they put it together to beat Iowa? They should, but I call the game for the Hawkeyes, in a minor upset.

Rose: If Texas does not win this, Cal fans will scream that much louder. Texas in the Rose Bowl? It just doesn't sound right. In the first ever meeting between these teams, look for Michigan to show why the Big XII should NEVER be allowed in Pasadena again.

Fiesta: This game should have been a lock. But now, with the depature of their offensive coordinator and the imminent departure of Urban Meyer, how will Utah handle the mess? Pitt does not deserve to be here, but that doesn't mean they can't win. They have an accomplished quarterback and speed that Utah hasn't seen all season. They also have probably the best defense the Utes will see. Utah has been the underdog all year. In addition to the internal strife, they are carrying the hopes and dreams of every non-BCS team on their shoulders. Should they lose, the commentators will scream about why non-BCS teams should break the glass ceiling. I'm rooting for the Utes, but fear that Pitt will shock them.

Sugar: How do you run through the SEC undefeated and get tossed to the wayside? If Auburn gets over the letdown of being passed over, they will simply destroy Virginia Tech. They match up so well to the Hokies that its insane. Their strengths exploit every one of Va. Tech's weaknesses. Auburn will win, if they can get over the game that plays the day after theirs.

Orange: Bah humbug....USC and Oklahoma are both deserving, but can anyone really make the case that either one is better than Auburn? It won't matter now, but you'll hear it for the next month. USC feels this is redemption for last year and Oklahoma is feeling they can prove that last year was a fluke. Both are loaded with offensive firepower but its defense that is going to win this game. USC has shown they are mortal in games against Virginia Tech and Cal. Oklahoma has shown no such flaws. USC will lose by 2 touchdowns.

And there you have it folks!

Your pro-MAC, anti-Big XII biases (esp. anti-Texas) are showing.

Don't blame Texas for this crappy system that leaves everyone's fates up to a bunch of voters. Dump the BCS and then we can pit UT & Cal against each other and decide it on the field. And give Auburn a chance to show they're the best team in the country.

Meanwhile, Cal had better blow Texas Tech out if they want to maintain the argument that they're better than Texas. Texas beat Tech by 30 points.

Texas Tech will hound on Cal. :sniper:

Texas will get stomped on. :gundge:

USC will get crushed. :mp5:

But Auburn and Utah will win. :) :cool:

I'd love an 8 team tourney (16 is a little much), that would be awesome. Honestly, I think Oklahoma will come out on top. However, I believe that Auburn should be the top team, but that's just me. For now, though, GO SOONERS!!!

(I'm a Nebraska fan....ya....get your laughs in.... :( )

Orange: Bah humbug....USC and Oklahoma are both deserving, but can anyone really make the case that either one is better than Auburn?

Well, there was the fact that Auburn lost to USC the past two years, one of which was a shutout. Who's to say Auburn would've done better this year?

The longhorns only lose to teams in Crimson and Cream. Michigan is the team that doesn't belong in this one, it should be UT vs Cal. But in this case, hook 'em horns.

Auburn should get a chance to play OU and USC so that we can finally have one undefeated team. But since that isn't going to happen, I say OU and Auburn end up as the only two undefeated teams at the top of the polls. (dunno about Utah or Boise, don't follow them much)

1. Anti Big XII? I have them going 5-2 for the bowl games. Texas doesn't match up well against Michigan. No residents in Pasadena is thrilled that Texas is there over Cal. Michigan plays a high octane offense that Texas doesn't handle well. They have speed that Texas won't have seen, save for against Oklahoma, which they lost to. This matchup favors Michigan. The only other Big XII team I have losing is the Aggies, and that's to a Tennessee team that can compete with anyone in the country when they have their A game on. I see no reason why you'd assume I'm anti Big XII.

2. Pro MAC? I believe I made my sentiments clear. I'm a Marshall fan and I positively despise the MAC. I'm thrilled about our move to Conference USA for next year because the MAC is a bunch of whiny babies who fail to support their teams. Depsite that, look at the matchups of the 5 games which MAC teams are a part of. The only 2 questions I have are whether Bowling Green will beat Memphis (which they should) and whether Iowa State will beat Miami. The other games clearly favor the MAC teams. Troy over NIU? UConn over Toledo? Please....

So you know, I've looked at other predictions from the so-called experts and they are counting on the MAC to go 4-1 as well, though they have Marshall losing to Cincy. I don't buy that one. I refuse to as a Marshall fan.

3. I don't see you making any predictions. Put up or shut up.

Well, there was the fact that Auburn lost to USC the past two years, one of which was a shutout. Who's to say Auburn would've done better this year?

No one, considering the fact that we'll never know. Exactly why a playoff should be implemented. But one shouldn't judge a team based upon the results of a previous year.

Insight: Notre Dame will play their guts out to show the administration that the firing of Ty Willingham was a bad mistake. Oregon State will lose badly.

Ever hear of the Fiesta bowl???? you are dead wrong. We might not win, but we won't lose horribly. Have you even seen Oregon state play? we had one tough season. Playing both national champions from 03' and playing an excellent game against both? What about Derek Anderson, Bill Swancutt, and Dwight Wright?

I suppose until we get a playoff system the bowls will have to do....though yet again the BCS is going to leave a bad taste in a lot of people's mouths for quite some time after this year. So many what ifs.....

1. What if Auburn was in the championship game?

Then Oklahoma or USC would be on the outside looking in, and you'd have the same exact griping that there is now.

2. What if teams like Boise State, Louisville, and Utah were given a chance to compete in a 16 team format?

They would get housed. Face it, those teams just don't play a schedule nearly as difficult as a USC or Oklahoma or Auburn. I could name 30 or 40 schools that could go undefeated if they played a schedule like Boise State or Utah's. Until those teams go up against quality opponents more frequently and don't rely on wins over UNLV or Rice to get a perfect record, then they have no business in a national championship game.


3. What if the preseason polls hadn't had USC and Oklahoma at the top?


That's a very interesting thing to consider. You have to think that if USC weren't #1 to start, they would be ranked lower than Oklahoma and Auburn. They struggled alot more than either of those two teams did. I think that there shouldn't be a preseason poll, and the polls should start after a month or so of games, to offer a more balanced perspective. But we all know that absolutely nothing about the way college football is run will change.


4. What if the Big East didn't retain their automatic bid?


I think it would have been unfair to remove the Big East's bid this year, but I definately think that they should lose it from now on. Before Miami and VT jumped ship, the Big East was a viable conference. And now with BC leaving too, they just aren't a power conference anymore. But it's hardly their fault this season. They should have the pity bid this season because Miami, VT, and BC screwed them big time.


5. What if there was a 1st tier and 2nd tier of teams in 1-A?


I don't see how that would change anything. There already is a defacto 1st tier, the six BCS conferences and Notre Dame, and a 2nd tier, everyone else. It would do little to change the problems of the BCS that we've seen the past two years, it would just further ruin smaller schools' chances of getting a payday in a BCS bowl.



Since none of those questions will be answered, let's just get on with bowl predictions!!

New Orleans: Southern Miss will run roughshod over North Texas. The defense is just too strong.

Agreed.

Champs Sports: Georgia Tech deserves this bowl. Syracuse doesn't. The Yellow Jackets will easily take this.

Agreed. The Big East is pitiful. But Syracuse is riding that momentum from their dismantling of BC, so don't count them quite out.


GMAC: Bowling Green is good. Their offense is fantastic. They've shown they can beat teams with good defense. But against Memphis? It will be close, but Bowling Green gets win 1 for the MAC conference this bowl season.

It's definately going to be a shootout. Omar Jacobs and DeAngelo Williams are a pair of unsung stars in college football. I think Bowling Green takes this one as well.

Fort Worth: Both teams had let down years. Marshall's offense never got going and Cincinnati's defense never held up. But Marshall's defense is good enough to win this and they have the history in big games of getting the job done. Marshall will win. (As a Marshall grad, of course they will!)

This game is a total tossup. Both have played hot and cold all season, so it all depends on who figures it out first. I don't see a clear cut winner here; it's more or less random.


Las Vegas: Not so tough a call. Wyoming is good but they don't have the depth to take on even an average UCLA team. UCLA will dominate from start to finish.

UCLA would have been 9-2 if they'd played Wyoming's schedule. UCLA in a blowout.

Hawaii: Hawaii eked in with a win over hapless Michigan State. UAB has talent on both sides. UAB is the better team, but Hawaii won't let Chang leave without the victory here.

Got to go with the home-field advantage on this one. The Hawaii fans are some of the loudest in college football.

MPC Computers: Fresno State has been crying for recognition all year. When they got it, they blew it. They are facing a Virginia team that should be kicking themselves for not finishing better in the ACC. Virginia should win, if they can forget about the season.

The Cavaliers are just too strong, even considering their downward spiral in the second half of the season. I can't even imagine Fresno State staying in this one.

Motor City: Toledo has everything going for it. The defense is solid and the offense comes through. They seem to get every play when they need it. Connecticut will be jacked, but Toledo will roll them, giving the MAC their 3rd bowl win of the season. How about the MAC?

I think I'm going to have to disagree with you on this one. I think Dan Orlovsky is the best QB in college football right now, and the Huskies are way to pumped about getting into their first bowl as a 1-A school to lose this one.


Independence: Miami, another MAC team, is good. They have a good offense and a fair defense. But one of their best WRs was stabbed this week and their coaching staff explodes when the pressure comes on. They can beat Iowa State and probably would win 8 out of 10 times they play this year. But the Cyclones get this bowl win.

Again, I disagree. Miami is better on both sides of the ball than Iowa State, and most of the Cyclones season was a fluke. They let down in every important game of the year, and they played in the Big 12 North, not exactly the big leagues. I take the RedHawks in this one.


Insight: Notre Dame will play their guts out to show the administration that the firing of Ty Willingham was a bad mistake. Oregon State will lose badly.


I think it all depends on the Notre Dame team that shows up. If we get the team that beat Michigan and Tennessee, then it's Notre Dame by a mile. But if we get the ND that lost to BYU and Pittsburgh, then the Beavers clean up.

Houston: Mike Price's UTEP team is an amazing story. This team has been the laughingstock of football for a long time. The turnaround this year has been nothing short of miraculous. Colorado will win this but it won't take away from the season UTEP has had.

Got to go with the feel-good story and UTEP.


Alamo: Is this where Ohio State wanted to be? Their offensive problems have not been solved yet, despite having the full season to do something. Tressel has a knack for getting teams ready with preparation but I doubt the Buckeye fans will outnumber the Oklahoma State crew in the stands. The crowd helps OK State win this one.


I'm going to go with OK State on this one as well. Just think of where they'd be if they didn't have to play Oklahoma and Texas in consecutive weeks. Ohio State has done nothing but dissapoint this season.


Continental Tire: Boston College gets a preview of a future ACC foe in UNC. UNC fans will be glad basketball season has begun. BC in a blowout.


The Eagles are going to be mighty pissed after losing the Big East title and the Fiesta Bowl. BC huge.


Emerald: Navy should win this. Navy has no reason to lose. They are the better team in every way, shape, and form. Their fans have to be jacked at simply having a bowl bid. That's why New Mexico's upset win is going to hurt so much.

I don't think the New Mexico defense can handle the kind of scheme that Navy runs on offense, and the Navy defense is one of the most underrated squads in college football. Navy by seven.


Holiday: Upset number 2--Cal simply won't have the bad taste out of their mouths at having been shafted by Texas for the Rose Bowl berth. Texas Tech's offense will have scored 14 before Cal gets into the game. Spot the Red Raiders 14 and you won't catch them, no matter who you are.

Cal was a couple of big plays away from beating USC and going undefeated, and the TT offense has shown it can't handle the power teams. Cal by a mile.


Silicon Valley: Troy's defense is flat out good. Northern Illinois' defense is flat out good. Both have anemic offenses. The Huskies give the MAC win number 4 for the bowl season, and MAC conference fans will scream about why they deserve more than their normal 2 slots. Of course, with Marshall's departure from the conference, they really don't from year to year.

Not even sure. Two good defenses versus two bad offenses. In the end, I give it to Demarcus Ware and Troy, 3-2.


Music City: Tough call, you have Minnesota's darling offense against Alabama's physical play. Minnesota is good and they will hang for a few quarters. In the end, Alabama will just bang them up and win this.


Remember when Minnesota was running for like a thousand yards a game and was going to go undefeated? I don't think they do. Alabama.


Sun: Arizona State has no reason to lose. They are, bar none, the better team. But Kyle Orton is auditioning for next year and Purdue will win.


Like you said, Orton is playing for his next paycheck.


Liberty: Could this be the best non-BCS bowl? Louisville and Boise State....two offenses that could light up anyone. Boise is the newest darling of college football. But they have struggled from time to time this year, even though they are putting up 50 a game. They could win this, but Louisville gets the nod because they will be able to stop Boise on maybe one drive in the game. Boise has no defense and won't be able to do the same.

I've never bought into the Boise State phenomenon, and I'm not about to now. Nothing impresses me about winning alot in the WAC. I take Louisville.


Peach: Miami and Florida.....whoooo. Who will coach Florida? Is Ed Zaunbrecher going to do it now that Zook is gone? Urban won't be there yet. Florida is loaded with talent but their offense never adjusted to Zaunbrecher's complex schemes (the same schemes he ran at Marshall for Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich). Miami wins in the confusion.


Florida doesn't even have a coach. I don't see HOW they could win. Miami.


Outback: Wisconsin suffered a late season collapse. Georgia has had times this year of offensive inability. Nevertheless, this is Greene's final game at Georgia and he'll singlehandedly win this game for the Dawgs.


It all depends on whether or not Wisconsin decides to play D. I'm going to say no and I'll take Georgia too.


Cotton: I don't know why, but I've always been somewhat partial for Tennessee. Maybe its the atmosphere for their games. I pick them over Texas A&M.


Tennessee.


Gator: Does WVU really deserve this? Who did they play? They should have run the table this year with the lackluster competition they were up against. They failed their only true test this year with Va. Tech. Rich Rodriguez does not have a handle on the Mountaineers this year as the players have really been out of control at times. Florida State wins this by the end of the first half.

I think the FSU defense shuts down West Virginia and somehow compensates for the complete lack of FSU offense.


Capital One: Which LSU team shows up? The dominant, crushing team or the paper bag offensive team? LSU has more talent than nearly any other team in college football, yet can they put it together to beat Iowa? They should, but I call the game for the Hawkeyes, in a minor upset.


I think Nick Saban is too lost in all the speculation over his next coaching gig to win this game.


Rose: If Texas does not win this, Cal fans will scream that much louder. Texas in the Rose Bowl? It just doesn't sound right. In the first ever meeting between these teams, look for Michigan to show why the Big XII should NEVER be allowed in Pasadena again.


Michigan. Texas is perhaps the most overrated team in the country. No way that Cedric Benson can do what he's done against the Wolverine defense, and conversly, there's no way the Longhorn defense can stop Chad Henne and Mike Hart. Michigan.


Fiesta: This game should have been a lock. But now, with the depature of their offensive coordinator and the imminent departure of Urban Meyer, how will Utah handle the mess? Pitt does not deserve to be here, but that doesn't mean they can't win. They have an accomplished quarterback and speed that Utah hasn't seen all season. They also have probably the best defense the Utes will see. Utah has been the underdog all year. In addition to the internal strife, they are carrying the hopes and dreams of every non-BCS team on their shoulders. Should they lose, the commentators will scream about why non-BCS teams should break the glass ceiling. I'm rooting for the Utes, but fear that Pitt will shock them.


I so want Pitt to romp Utah so all those whiners will shut up, but Pittsburgh was only 8-3 in the Big East, which is like 5-6 in a real conference. At least Utah went undefeated in a crappy conference. If Utah can forget that their coach just bailed on them, I give it to them.



Sugar: How do you run through the SEC undefeated and get tossed to the wayside? If Auburn gets over the letdown of being passed over, they will simply destroy Virginia Tech. They match up so well to the Hokies that its insane. Their strengths exploit every one of Va. Tech's weaknesses. Auburn will win, if they can get over the game that plays the day after theirs.

I'm thinking the Tigers run for 400+ yards and hang 56 on VT to show all the voters why they should have been #1.


Orange: Bah humbug....USC and Oklahoma are both deserving, but can anyone really make the case that either one is better than Auburn? It won't matter now, but you'll hear it for the next month. USC feels this is redemption for last year and Oklahoma is feeling they can prove that last year was a fluke. Both are loaded with offensive firepower but its defense that is going to win this game. USC has shown they are mortal in games against Virginia Tech and Cal. Oklahoma has shown no such flaws. USC will lose by 2 touchdowns.


I like Oklahoma. They won out a much tougher schedule, and they won games more convincingly. Plus Adrian Peterson is going to be fired up about winning the Heisman and will rush for two bills and a pair of touches. Oklahoma 31, USC 21.


And there you have it folks!

Let me just say you sound like you should be analyzing for ESPN. That's a compliment.

Ever hear of the Fiesta bowl???? you are dead wrong. We might not win, but we won't lose horribly. Have you even seen Oregon state play? we had one tough season. Playing both national champions from 03' and playing an excellent game? What about Derek Anderson, Bill Swancutt, and Dwight Wright?

Yeah, I remember the game. But Notre Dame has an emotional factor that the Beavers won't have. They are playing with a chip on their shoulder. And quite frankly, Notre Dame just has better skill players on their offense.

Yes, I've seen Oregon State play. I was at the LSU-OSU game this year with friends from Baton Rouge. I also enjoy watching the west coast teams. Being originally from Oregon myself, I take an interest in the west coast. However, I'm originally from Eugene, and my dad graduated from the University of Oregon before getting his Ph.D. from Notre Dame.

I stand by my prediction.

Yeah, I remember the game. But Notre Dame has an emotional factor that the Beavers won't have. They are playing with a chip on their shoulder. And quite frankly, Notre Dame just has better skill players on their offense.

Yes, I've seen Oregon State play. I was at the LSU-OSU game this year with friends from Baton Rouge. I also enjoy watching the west coast teams. Being originally from Oregon myself, I take an interest in the west coast. However, I'm originally from Eugene, and my dad graduated from the University of Oregon before getting his Ph.D. from Notre Dame.

I stand by my prediction.
I was at that game to, just like most of the other games.
But I understand now, your sore that the ducks lost :p Jk
I will still stand by my comments that it is going to be closer than you think

USC was 2 bad fumble calls and 53 seconds away from losing to UCLA this weekend. Seriously, that was some of the most one-sided ref-ing ever. Spencer Havner should have dunked that fumble. Hmph! Forward progress indeed.

Of course, I'm at UCLA right now, so I might be a little biased (We would have won if we had Maurice Drew healthy). But we shut down Bush in the 2nd half, and Leinert did not impress me at all. He looked little better that UCLA's Drew Olson, and against a rested, hungry Oklahoma team, I see him doing nothing but giving the ball to Bush and White.

USC was 2 bad fumble calls and 53 seconds away from losing to UCLA this weekend. Seriously, that was some of the most one-sided ref-ing ever. Spencer Havner should have dunked that fumble. Hmph! Forward progress indeed.

Of course, I'm at UCLA right now, so I might be a little biased (We would have won if we had Maurice Drew healthy). But we shut down Bush in the 2nd half, and Leinert did not impress me at all. He looked little better that UCLA's Drew Olson, and against a rested, hungry Oklahoma team, I see him doing nothing but giving the ball to Bush and White.

Ugh. I'm in USC's band, and even I have to admit that the ucla game sucked ass.

Rose: If Texas does not win this, Cal fans will scream that much louder. Texas in the Rose Bowl? It just doesn't sound right. In the first ever meeting between these teams, look for Michigan to show why the Big XII should NEVER be allowed in Pasadena again.


Let's stop this debate and look at some facts for a minute.


First of all, let's look at the respective leagues that each team plays in.


The Pac-10 has how many bowl teams this year? And the Big 12?

Now that we've proven which conference is tougher by virtue of bowl teams, let's look at strength of schedule. Texas was 3-1 vs. top 25 teams this year, to Cal's 1-1. Sure you say, but Cal dominated USC and only lost on the last play of the game? Well, Texas held 0u to a season low point total and was one score away from turning that game around. Texas had a close game with Kansas..our only otherstumbling point. I submit two things here: 1.) Texas was comming off an emotional win over a pretty decent OkState team. There was some mental breakdown, but Texas got the W. Cal on the other hand, struggled against Oregon, and only beat a directional school( who they were favored by 24 against), by 10-points. That game wasn't even decided until LATE in the 4th quarter...much like Texas vs. Kansas. The fact is, when Cal had their chance to shine for the AP and coaches, they stumbled just enough to create some doubt.


The argument that Michigan will stomp Texas is just plain silly. I'm not predicting a Horn Victory, but I'm not ruling one out either. The last two mobile QB's that Michigan faced, shredded the vaunted Michigan defense...que Vince Young. Next, Cedric Benson has gained 1,000 yards in each of his four years and is currently among the nations leaders in rushing. To say that he won't get his yds against Michigan is also just silly, and shows that you haven't watched Texas play at all this year...kind of like some AP voters. Benson gets stronger as the game goes on. Did you SEE the A&M game? Those agroids came off the field and were PHYSICALLY WHIPPED...that's b/c Cedric behind a veteran O-line pounded them like a cheap whore.


As for Michigans offense...Let's see...give Greg Robinson a month to prepare for a freshman QB? Advantage Texas. The Texas Defense is much improved over last year, and Derrick Johnson will flat rip someones head off. This group of Seniors for Texas is on a mission to PROVE to the haters that Texas indeed DOES belong. Trust me, I'm one of the biggest Mack Brown bashers there is, but when I see the heart demonstrated by these kids...something just feels right about them this year. This is NOT the same team that lost to 0u. They are battle tested, and ready for the challenge.

If anyone cares to debate this further, please feel free to visit Texas Longhorn BBS (http://www.longhornbbs.com) and look for roundrockhorn..aka..ME.

Until then,


HOOK 'EM and BTHO Michigan!!

Yes, Cal will protest loudly when Michigan smacks Texas around. However, Texas would have protested just as loudly if Cal were the team chosen to get smacked around by Michigan.

First off, I don't make any references to whether Texas or Cal is a better team. Both teams are deserving of a high bowl bid, and the fact that only one received it merely shows that a playoff is sorely needed.

However, let's look at the facts here. Conferences aside, I mentioned that people will scream should Texas not win in the Rose Bowl. Consider the fact that Cal was looking to go to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1959. Consider they were hoping to win for the first time since 1938. Now, consider the fact that they were one day away from entering the Rose Bowl and lost it in the coaches poll in the end after they won their game against USM, albeit by the skin of their teeth.

Then, consider the history of the Rose Bowl. For nearly a century, if you were a Big 10 or Pac 10 person, the Rose Bowl was the culmination of a football season for the history books. Even when the BCS began, the Rose Bowl kept their affiliations somewhat intact. For Cal to get so close and to have it snatched away by a team with a similar record, its devastating for that team.

Now, the fact that they lost it by a few points in the coaches poll after Mack Brown went out politicking for votes and Tedford took the high road hurts even more. But the bottom line is still this. Should a coach have to go out and persuade voters to vote for their team? Should Cal have to win all their games by 50 to be deemed worthy?

Pac 10 people have complained about a BCS bias since its inception. But they have no more a claim to a bias than any other conference does. The BCS has left out a worthy team each year. The Big XII had their chance to complain a few years back. The Big East lost out 4 years ago. The Big 10 has had their own chance to complain before that. The bias is simply not there. But that doesn't negate the fact that people are always going to complain that it exists.

Now, on to the more pertinent question at hand....who wins the Rose Bowl. Michigan first:

Michigan lost to Notre Dame early in the season and then to Ohio State to end the season. Ohio State is understandable as a rivalry game. Go through the remainder of their schedule and you'll see over and over again the same thing: speed. Even lowly Illinois contains speed that is unrivaled save for the SEC. The Big 10 is clearly not the grind out conference of years past. They've learned from their many follies at the hands of SEC foes over bowl games past. Michigan is well tested, with a team speed that is off the charts. Couple that with a swarming defense and a potent offense that can go to the air and you have a capable team.

Texas:

Texas lost to Oklahoma for their only stumble of the season. But look over their opponents for the year. Not to take anything away from the Big XII, but the team speed from top to bottom just isn't there. Kansas and Baylor equivalent to Illinois and Indiana? Not really. Texas faced team speed against Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and OK State, and a lesser extent with Missouri. With the exception of Tech, they struggled in those games. Texas has strength up front and may be able to grind down a lesser foe, but we're talking about a Michigan defensive front that went up against behemoths at Ohio State, Minnesota, and Iowa. Michigan won't wear down like other Longhorn opponents. In the meantime, the Wolverine linebacking squad is going to swarm.

Texas will hang for a while, and they should. They are a fine team. But they've not faced anything like what they are going to get with Michigan. Michigan isn't pass happy and they aren't geared for smashmouth running. They run an offense similar to the NFL teams. Texas has faced some of this from their opponents this year but none of their opponents are as complete in terms of this style of attack.

I guess it goes to show you that Cal should've just whined till it got its way... kind of like Texas did.


I thought it was a little classless how Coach Brown was begging for votes after the [Texas A&M] game. I think a team's record and the way you play should speak for itself, and you shouldn't have to complain about the BCS system.


Cal can at least pride itself that it didn't take the low road and grovel in front of the media in a last ditch effort for votes. But hey, good for Texas... they might not have any dignity, but at least they got to the Rose Bowl.

There is no legitimate reason for colleges to have anything other than intramural sports. Do away with football; do away with the bowls.

*Yes, I am a football fan.

There is no legitimate reason for colleges to have anything other than intramural sports. Do away with football; do away with the bowls.

*Yes, I am a football fan.
I hate the IM football here. It's non-contact, and there's all these rules about how girls have to be involved. But more importantly, it's non-contact! Non-contact fooball is a contradiction in terms!

My votes goes toward disbanding the Bowl Championship Series and go with a pro-style playoff system. This would determine, finally, a true national champion in the college ranks.

This will never happen, of course, because of corporate sponsorship of the BCS.

As a Kentuckian, I am fuming at the fact that teams like Pittsburgh are assigned slots in more prestigious BCS games than Louisville---the best offense in the nation. How does this happen?

Let's go for a hypothetical situation then. A few years ago a few companies put together some hypothetical scenarios about playoffs. I watched it with great interest. Let's try something like that here.

Assume that each of the current BCS leagues gets an automatic bid for their champion. That keeps them from complaining too loudly. Assume then that the final 10 teams are assured spots based upon the BCS rankings. So let's try it:

ACC: Va. Tech
Big East: Pittsburgh
Big 10: Michigan
Big XII: Oklahoma
Pac 10: USC
SEC: Auburn

Remainder at large (based upon final BCS standings):
Texas (Big XII)
Cal (Pac 10)
Utah (Mt. West)
Georgia (SEC)
Boise State (WAC)
Louisville (Conf. USA)
LSU (SEC)
Iowa (Big 10)
Miami (ACC)
Tennessee (SEC)

Just for starters, which conference has a right to complain here? Each BCS conference fields at least one team. Non-BCS conferences place 3 in the playoff system, showing each non-BCS conference that they will have a chance to compete each year. Money is abundant.

Now, let us set up the playoffs according to final BCS standings. Now, in this situation, we could actually have a selection committee like the basketball tournament does, but as any rankings I make up will be deemed biased by someone, I'll just go as non-biased as possible and rank according to BCS standings:

1. USC
16. Pittsburgh

8. Virginia Tech
9. Boise State

5. Cal
13. Michigan

4. Texas
12. Iowa

2. Oklahoma
15. Tennessee

7. Georgia
10. Louisville

6. Utah
11. LSU

3. Auburn
14. Miami

How is that for games for a first round? As no system is in place, let's assume that the top 8 get a home game for the first round, like Division 1-AA does.

Then we can assume the final 8 will play in various bowl games. That means 7 bowl games will always be assured of final round bowl games, each rotating the finals and semifinals among them. We can accept the Orange, Fiesta, Sugar, Rose, Gator, Capital One, and Cotton for these spots....unless someone wants to pimp for the Holiday to take Capital One's spot.

Imagine the revenue generated from this. Ever been to a college football playoff game? How about a true championship? I have.....Division 1-AA championship game was the most thrilling atmosphere for any college game I've ever been to, and I've seen 106,000 seat stadiums filled to capacity.

OK, so let's play out my scenario:

Round 1:

USC over Pitt
Boise State over Va. Tech (I know, I know, but its my playoff damnit)

USC to face Boise State in the Capital One

Cal over Michigan
Texas over Iowa

Cal to face Texas (how's that for settling things on the field) in the Gator

Oklahoma over Tennessee
Louisville over Georgia in a fantastic college upset

Oklahoma to face Louisville in the Cotton

Utah over LSU
Auburn over Miami

Utah to face Auburn in the Sugar

Round 2:

USC over Boise State
Texas over Cal

USC to face Texas in the Rose

Oklahoma over Louisville
Auburn over Utah

Oklahoma to face Auburn in the Fiesta

Semifinals:

Texas over USC
Auburn over Oklahoma

Texas to face Auburn in the Orange

Finals:

Auburn over Texas in a true national championship.


Now, obviously my scenario is based upon my assumptions of who would win and a little hope as well. But imagine the revenue....imagine the fact that no one would be complaining. Sure you always have the last person left out upset, but the outrage generated isn't nearly as large as what we have here, especially given the fact that when you get down to 15, 16, and 17, you have teams that put themselves into that situation. It works at every other level.....

Good except for Louisville is 7th and Boise 10th, yeah Lousvill being ranked 7th in the nation definitly deserves a better bowl slot.

Ever hear of the Fiesta bowl???? you are dead wrong. We might not win, but we won't lose horribly. Have you even seen Oregon state play? we had one tough season. Playing both national champions from 03' and playing an excellent game against both? What about Derek Anderson, Bill Swancutt, and Dwight Wright?
+ the Irish have a recent string of bad luck come bowl season. :(

Sugar: How do you run through the SEC undefeated and get tossed to the wayside? If Auburn gets over the letdown of being passed over, they will simply destroy Virginia Tech. They match up so well to the Hokies that its insane. Their strengths exploit every one of Va. Tech's weaknesses. Auburn will win, if they can get over the game that plays the day after theirs.



Weaknesses? Like what?

Tech has a solid defense against both the run and pass, great running backs, talented (although young) recievers, and an experienced qb who has gotten better every game.

Hell, if not for a bogus pass interference call (against USC) and a shanked field goal, Tech would be 11-0.

And just as important, they play well as a team and enjoy being the underdog.

Orange: Bah humbug....USC and Oklahoma are both deserving, but can anyone really make the case that either one is better than Auburn? It won't matter now, but you'll hear it for the next month. USC feels this is redemption for last year and Oklahoma is feeling they can prove that last year was a fluke. Both are loaded with offensive firepower but its defense that is going to win this game. USC has shown they are mortal in games against Virginia Tech and Cal. Oklahoma has shown no such flaws. USC will lose by 2 touchdowns.

And there you have it folks!

Did you see them play A&M or OSU?

Vegas has USC by 3 right now.

I liked those what if questions earlier. Here's another for ya:

6. What if Boise State and Utah had played harder schedule? Assuming the remained perfect, would they have been contenders for a national title game or would the big conference bias take over?

Though I shouldn't really care about football as I am a Kansas Jayhawk fan. Our record was terrible but at least we beat K-State and Mizzou!

Weaknesses? Like what?

Tech has a solid defense against both the run and pass, great running backs, talented (although young) recievers, and an experienced qb who has gotten better every game.

Hell, if not for a bogus pass interference call (against USC) and a shanked field goal, Tech would be 11-0.

And just as important, they play well as a team and enjoy being the underdog.

Any time Tech has gone up against a team with a solid running game, they have struggled. They did so against USC, they did so against NC State, they did so against WVU, and they did so against Wake Forest.

Every team has what ifs. VPI is a few what ifs from 11-0. They are also a few what ifs from being 6-5. Wake manhandled them. As much as I respect Jim Grobe's coaching ability, the Deacons shouldn't have been able to do that against the Hokies.

Auburn has an offensive line better than any the Hokies will have faced this year. Better than USC, better than Miami. They have a running back that is elusive and has more pure quickness than the best the Hokies have faced. Let's face it here, the Hokies, even with their ample Tidewater recruiting base, does not have the defensive matchup for this game.

Couple that with Tech's offense. Yes, Randall is a leader. But were you one of the many Hokie fans at the beginning of the season that was hoping for the other QB to take the spot? Randall is a proven leader, but he is not a proven passer. Yes, he can make plays. Yes, he can make key plays. But he'll need to be consistent for 4 quarters. That is just something he's not done in any game this season. You can't take away his leadership ability but VPI needs more. If Auburn can drop 7 into coverage by dominating the line, what is Randall going to do?

Factor number 3. VPI will not be playing in Lane Stadium. The happy confines of home is an advantage for Tech teams. The stadium is built right on top of the playing field practically. Crowd noise is fierce. But on the road, the Hokies have only one respectable win at Miami. Now they're going to New Orleans, where Auburn fans will be 2-1 at the least. Crowd noise will play against them and its a dome.

All aspects of this game point to an Auburn domination of the turkeys of western Virginia.

Did you see them play A&M or OSU?

Vegas has USC by 3 right now.

Yes, I saw the OSU game. As I said earlier, all stats fall by the wayside when you are playing your rival game. Why did UCLA play so tough against USC? Are they as good as USC? Something just happens in rival games.

And Vegas has betting lines so people can bet. Come back a few days before the game and tell me what the line is. At that point, I'll tell you the same. USC will lose by 2 touchdowns.

I really like everyone's major bias of the Big 10(except for Michigan and Iowa). Just like the media, people always discount the Big 10. Take into account that besides Michigan, who lost to a tough Notre Dame team(when they are on), and Iowa who hadnt quite got into their groove, The Big 10 had Ohio State, Purdue, Minnesota, and Wisconsin undefeated, and Indiana with only one loss coming into conference play... INDIANA... Thats the reason the Big 10 always has few dominant teams recordwise, because they always have tough tough schedules, second to none, except for possibly the SEC. Ohio State, Purdue, Minnesota, Wisconsin all got ruined by the Big 10's tough schedule, and these are tough teams.

Secondly, I do not go with the idea that the Big 10 has waivered from their tough defense and field grinding play. Ohio State's national championship was won this way. Thats the reason that Minnesota's offense was completely shutdown, because of the tough, grueling play in the conference week after week. There are those teams, Minnesota and Purdue being among them in the Big 10, but the toughest teams still feature amazing defenses with complimenting offenses, such as Michigan and Iowa and Wisconsin.

Finally, look for the Big 10 to win a lot this year as they always do(5-1 last year in bowls). Iowa, Purdue, Ohio State win big, Michigan pulls out a squeaker and Wisconsin and Minnesota go up against tough teams where it favors the competition slightly. Anthony Davis from Wisconsin is tough to stop.

P.S. PAC-10 way overrated... they do not play anyone.

Any time Tech has gone up against a team with a solid running game, they have struggled. They did so against USC, they did so against NC State, they did so against WVU, and they did so against Wake Forest.

Those struggles were due to offense, not defense. USC had 101 rushing yards, and none of the others had over 150. Keep in mind that Tech's recieving core consists of two freshmen and a sophmore. They took some time to develop and are a big reason why the Hokies have won eight in a row. All the games you just mentioned were in the beginnig of the season. And don't forget, Imoh was out for the first three games.


Auburn has an offensive line better than any the Hokies will have faced this year. Better than USC, better than Miami. They have a running back that is elusive and has more pure quickness than the best the Hokies have faced. Let's face it here, the Hokies, even with their ample Tidewater recruiting base, does not have the defensive matchup for this game.

Speculative. Williams is ranked 42nd in yards per game.


Couple that with Tech's offense. Yes, Randall is a leader. But were you one of the many Hokie fans at the beginning of the season that was hoping for the other QB to take the spot? Randall is a proven leader, but he is not a proven passer. Yes, he can make plays. Yes, he can make key plays. But he'll need to be consistent for 4 quarters. That is just something he's not done in any game this season. You can't take away his leadership ability but VPI needs more. If Auburn can drop 7 into coverage by dominating the line, what is Randall going to do?


If they leave four on the line Randall will run all over them.

Actually, most of us are pretty happy that Vick took care of that pesky qb controversy. His passing has improved throughout the season. I attributed much of that to the improved play of the receiving core.

However, the offense is what I'm worried about. It has been pretty lackluster at points. Like I said, we haven't had close games due to bad defense.


Factor number 3. VPI will not be playing in Lane Stadium. The happy confines of home is an advantage for Tech teams. The stadium is built right on top of the playing field practically. Crowd noise is fierce. But on the road, the Hokies have only one respectable win at Miami. Now they're going to New Orleans, where Auburn fans will be 2-1 at the least. Crowd noise will play against them and its a dome.


This is where I disagree the most.

Tech has not lost on the road this year (USC was certainly a home game). I went to the Sugar Bowl in 1999, and we had more fans there than FSU. Don't underestimate how well Tech travels. Lane stadium has twice the capacity of Blacksburg and sells out every game.

It's going to be closer than you think.

There is no legitimate reason for colleges to have anything other than intramural sports. Do away with football; do away with the bowls.

*Yes, I am a football fan.

There is. Colleges are meant to prepare students for their professional lives. Football is one of the professions available to young adults, and therefore it's perfectly legitimate for colleges to have programs preparing students to play football for a living.

I have previously devised a way to revamp Division I-A college football so it actually has a playoff that is representative of all its teams. It's not just a system of bowls, playoffs, etc.; it goes beyond that.

We'll start with the regular season. Everyone plays 12 games. No more 11-game seasons. And you have to play at least 6 away from home. Oh yeah, and it takes 7 wins to be bowl-eligible, unless there's a shortage of bowl-eligible teams, in which case 6 will do. Conference title games don't count in regular-season totals and are effectively a 13th game. Leagues still have to have 12 teams to have a conference title game.

Next we'll go to conferences. Teams will be prodded into conferences and eventually be required to join them. Notre Dame will be pushed into a conference, probably the Big Ten or the Big East, and Navy will be pushed to, say, Conference USA.

Finally, the postseason. We can have all the bowls we want, but the playoff would contain 16 teams. Teams that lose before the final game can play in New Year's Day bowl games; all other teams play before New Year's. After New Year's...say, January 2nd, the national title game is played.

How do we pick teams for the playoffs? Well, for starters, you win your conference, you go to the playoffs. That means that the North Texases of the world go to the playoffs. Sure, people are going to be clamoring about how they don't belong because they went 0-4 in out-of-conference games, but answer me this - so? The NCAA basketball tournament can have 16-seeds that are effectively cannon fodder for the Oklahomas and USCs of the world, but is it killing the sport? Hardly.

Oh yeah, there are only 11 conferences. To hell with the independents. They can qualify for bowls at-large like everyone else. Five at-large spots, and since we're sure that no conference will ever gain more than two at-large spots, to hell with limiting bids by conference. We pick the at-large teams as well as ranking the playoff teams by a formula that's far superior to the BCS.

It takes into account only three things - record, strength of schedule, and opponents' strength of schedule, weighed 40%-40%-20%, respectively. Say what you will about strength of schedule, and it's still weighed 60% overall, but in college football, it's all about wins and losses for the most part.

For wins, it's pretty self-explanatory - win and you score points, lose and you don't. For strength of schedule, all games against other schools are counted, so if USC beats Notre Dame, Notre Dame's loss to USC doesn't count in USC's strength of schedule rating, but Notre Dame's loss to Purdue does. Therefore, the maximum score in strength of schedule is 132, for 12 games against schools that each have 11 other opponents. The final component is a little more complicated, as each opponent's strength of schedule is added together. So if USC plays Notre Dame, its third component includes Notre Dame's strength of schedule. Max score is 132 for each part of that, or 1,584 total.

Each of the other components is out of 3,168 for a total of 7,920, the highest possible score. The opponents' opponents part is taken at face value for a max score of 1,584. The opponents part is taken out of 3,168, and therefore a team's score out of 132 is multiplied by 24 to give its overall score. A team earns 264 points in the wins portion of the ranking system for each win. Breakdown is as follows:

Each win = 264 points
Each win by scheduled opponent = 24 points
Each win by opponent of scheduled opponent = 1 point
Max score = 7,920 points

I am too lazy to calculate each team's ranking under my formula, and besides, with different schedule lengths it would be very inconsistent, so I will largely use accepted rankings for my playoff. Here's how it would look.

FIRST ROUND - for those wondering why I have Boise State in the top 8, this system provided a home game in the first round to all undefeated teams. Also, in the first round, it goes without saying that all high seeds are playing at home.

1 USC
16 North Texas

8 Boise State
9 Louisville

4 Texas
13 Miami

5 California
12 Iowa

3 Auburn
14 Toledo

6 Michigan
11 Virginia Tech

2 Oklahoma
15 Pittsburgh

7 Utah
10 Georgia

NATIONAL QUARTERFINALS

USC vs Louisville at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA

Texas vs California at Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte, NC

Auburn vs Michigan at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX

Oklahoma vs Utah at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA

NATIONAL SEMIFINALS

USC vs. California at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL

Auburn vs. Oklahoma at Adelphia Coliseum in Nashville, TN

NEW YEAR'S DAY BOWL GAMES

Outback Bowl - Pittsburgh vs. North Texas
Cotton Bowl - Toledo vs. Miami
Gator Bowl - Iowa vs. Virginia Tech
Capital One Bowl - Boise State vs. Georgia
Fiesta Bowl - Oklahoma vs. Louisville
Sugar Bowl - Texas vs. Utah
Rose Bowl - Michigan vs. California

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Orange Bowl, January 2nd - USC vs. Auburn

AND WE'RE OFF!

And wow, North Texas looked back last night. Very, very bad. Let's hope the rest of the bowl season provides better competition.

But on a bright note, 1 for 1 for me.

Orange: Bah humbug....USC and Oklahoma are both deserving, but can anyone really make the case that either one is better than Auburn? It won't matter now, but you'll hear it for the next month. USC feels this is redemption for last year and Oklahoma is feeling they can prove that last year was a fluke. Both are loaded with offensive firepower but its defense that is going to win this game. USC has shown they are mortal in games against Virginia Tech and Cal. Oklahoma has shown no such flaws. USC will lose by 2 touchdowns.
Yes, it should have been OU vs. Auburn - I think we (I = ou fan) have an easier chance of beating USC, but that's not really the point of a championship game, now is it?

I like your prediction - I'll be pretty humiliated if we can't take this game. We did a number in our division championship, and USC almost fell to an unraked school...

AND WE'RE OFF!

And wow, North Texas looked back last night. Very, very bad. Let's hope the rest of the bowl season provides better competition.

But on a bright note, 1 for 1 for me.


And damn, I forgot to bet on it...

You didn't fill out your parlay card? Shame shame.

Oh, and I'm beginning to rethink my prediction on Boston College beating UNC. I got to thinking about it and took a closer look at UNC's schedule for the year. I still think Boston College is going to win but I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't. UNC sold 20,000 tickets for the game in less than a week. I'm going to stand by my prediction but I think this has a good chance of being my first loss for the bowl season. (Luckily this isn't one of the games on my card.)

My favorite college is Clemson University. Despite their 6-5 record, after they beat up the Cocks in a huge brawl towards the end of the game, Clemsond decided to hold them out of a bowl game this year.

It's a shame. I will be rooting for Utah and Auburn to win because the BCS is BS.

My favorite college is Clemson University. Despite their 6-5 record, after they beat up the Cocks in a huge brawl towards the end of the game, Clemsond decided to hold them out of a bowl game this year.

It's a shame. I will be rooting for Utah and Auburn to win because the BCS is BS.


BOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I want Auburn to lose so they'll shut the hell up about being left out.

Thanks to Syracuse for showing why the Big East doesn't need that many bowl slots.

I was gonna brag about how the Beavers beat Notre Dame, but instead I found a beaver I can play with so I kind of decided not to brag. But HA we won!!!!
:D :D :D :D :D :D