May 18, 2008
CFN posts its 2008 Bowl Game Predictions
There's something about the month of May in the college off-season that brings out the Nostradamus in all of us. Next up with the crystal ball: College Football News with their 2008 predictions for the bowl games and BCS games.
A few highlights....
Champs Sports Bowl ... Virginia vs. Illinois
Meineke Car Care Bowl ... Florida State vs. Pitt
Texas Bowl ... Colorado vs. Rutgers
PetroSun Independence Bowl ... Nebraska vs. Arkansas
Alamo Bowl ... Michigan State vs. Kansas
Pacific Life Holiday Bowl ... Texas vs. Oregon
Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl ... Wake Forest vs. Alabama
Chick-fil-A Bowl ... Boston College vs. South Carolina
Outback Bowl ... Michigan vs. LSU
Konica Minolta Gator Bowl ... Miami vs. Notre Dame
Capital One Bowl ... Penn State vs. Auburn
AT&T Cotton Bowl ... Oklahoma vs. Tennessee
Rose Bowl presented by Citi ... Wisconsin vs. USC
CFN is basically rubber stamping the winner of USC - Ohio State into the National Championship game. From the outcome of this prediction, I guess CFN is throwing in with the Buckeyes. This one looks dead on to me, unless USC ends up in the championship game, then this one becomes tOSU against the Sun Devils.
Allstate Sugar Bowl ... Georgia vs. Virginia Tech
By putting the Bulldogs into the Sugar, CFN is calling the WLOCP the defacto SEC championship. Take that as you will, Georgia fans. Va Tech looks like the class of the ACC, but CFN pulls them into the Sugar as an at-large. If there's one conference that has proven itself to be way to whacked out to predict, it's the ACC. I think Georgia/Arkansas are safe SEC picks, but give me Clemson from the ACC side.
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl ... Missouri vs. West Virginia
The Fiesta gets its traditional first pick of the at-large teams and takes the 'Eers. I'm not sure that Missouri will be the Big XII champs. CFN is hedging, with Texas Tech as their second choice, but... I wouldn't count out the Sooners... ever. I think Oklahoma - West Virginia makes more sense.
FedEx Orange Bowl ... Clemson vs. Texas Tech
If there is one prediction that I think is off the mark, it's CFN's prognostication for the Orange. I would be willing to take the field here at any odds, because I don't see a Tigers - Red Raiders matchup in Miami. I think the Hokies are the most likely candidate here for the ACC, versus an at-large team. For my prediction, give me VaTech (ACC Champs) versus Arizona State (at-large) or maybe even Utah (at-large).
FedEx BCS National Championship ... Ohio State vs. Florida
The Buckeyes and Gators in the National Championship game... where have we seen that before? This one is just as likely to be USC-Florida, which would probably be the highest rated college football game ever. If Florida gets to the BCS title game and wins, I think you will have seen the last of #15 in orange and blue. Just sayin'.
Comments:
40 Acres of Burnt Orange
posted on May 18, 2008 8:58 PM — 76.182.205.22 — link — abuse?
said:
I personally would love to see a Tennessee vs Texas Cotton Bowl. Predicting Texas Tech past both Texas and OU is pretty bold if i do say so myself, but the Raiders are due they have been lurking in the Big 12 South shadows for far too long. It's getting about that time for them to step it up to the next level as soon as they get a defense.
HookEmHorns!
posted on May 18, 2008 10:45 PM — 67.166.241.225 — link — abuse?War Eagle Atlanta
said:
Come on! Another Cap One Bowl for us? Evidently this is AFTER we lose to Florida in the SEC CG??
Maybe I'll stay at Kevin's house for that. I'll bribe him with a free ticket to the Citrus Bowl to go see JoPa. At least I know he'll root for us, in order to saddle JoPa with another loss in the coaching race...At least seeing Alabama in the Music City Loser bowl makes things a bit more palatable. I'm assuming that with their appearance in Nashville, they will manage to stretch it to seven straight against us...
MrGamecockFan said:
posted on May 18, 2008 10:56 PM — 63.167.255.154 — link — abuse?
In my opionion, I consider that South Carolina will enjoy much more success this year than they had last year. With the depth, the coaching changes, and the the simple fact that we only lost a handful of our key players bodes well for this upcoming season. Given the fact that teams like LSU, Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas, Clemson, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt have lost a number of signicant factors on their teams, ranging from players to coaches, I think this could be the year for South Carolina to once and for all step up to the next level, no longer being the perpetual bottomfeeder of the SEC. As far as I'm concerned, everyone should take heed that Lee Corso is calling South Carolina his dark horse this upcoming season. A man that once claimed that Spurrier couldn't win an SEC Championship in 400 years at South Carolina.
2008 Gamecocks Prediction 10-2
At best, ending up in the Sugar Bowl, and at worst, the Outback!Remember, you heard it here first.
MrGamecockFan said:
posted on May 18, 2008 10:57 PM — 63.167.255.154 — link — abuse?
In my opionion, I consider that South Carolina will enjoy much more success this year than they had last year. With the depth, the coaching changes, and the the simple fact that we only lost a handful of our key players bodes well for this upcoming season. Given the fact that teams like LSU, Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas, Clemson, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt have lost a number of signicant factors on their teams, ranging from players to coaches, I think this could be the year for South Carolina to once and for all step up to the next level, no longer being the perpetual bottomfeeder of the SEC. As far as I'm concerned, everyone should take heed that Lee Corso is calling South Carolina his dark horse this upcoming season. A man that once claimed that Spurrier couldn't win an SEC Championship in 400 years at South Carolina.
2008 Gamecocks Prediction 10-2
At best, ending up in the Sugar Bowl, and at worst, the Outback!Remember, you heard it here first.
Zac said:
posted on May 19, 2008 12:26 AM — 209.36.193.14 — link — abuse?
OU-Ron, I would welcome WVU having again so grand a season as to be invited to the Fiesta Bowl against MO, OK, or TX. Any of those match-ups would be entertaining. I don’t think it’ll happen this year; I fear WVU will share the B.E. Championship again, but win it by tie-breaker.
Where’s VTBob? Howzabout VA Tech/WVU in the Orange Bowl??? I’m telling you; they’ll have to move it to the Big House to have enough seats.
40-A’s of B.O., I think it would be great to see TX Tech do that well, but I agree with you; without a decent enough defense...
C-Dogg/1st & Nole: I would love to see FL St & Miami back in decent bowls with better than 6-6 records. For the time being, I’ll settle for 7-5, which is where I figure Pitt to wind up; so that match-up with FSU isn’t a bad one. I’m hoping ND won’t qualify for the Gator Bowl, as I’m suspecting either S FL or Cinci to be there, if one of them doesn’t pull an “at-large” else-where. It could happen. If it’s against Miami, all the better, but I’m thinking they’ll be in the same boat as FSU.
While I’m understandably disappointed with the usual lack of respect for the B.E., it’s way too early to be thinking about who'll be in what bowls. I do have to agree with one thing: Either FL or GA will be in the NC against likely OSU or USC. I wouldn’t rule OK out, but with the personnel OSU has coming back, you’d have to think they’ll be in the driver’s seat.
MrGamecockFan, as for SC, you're a Daisy if they do.
TLee said:
posted on May 19, 2008 8:00 AM — 137.4.186.6 — link — abuse?
To MrGamecockFan:
Who did Clemson lose???
What world do you live in…Clemson returns almost all its starters, including Harper, Davis, Spiller, Kelly, Hamlin, Sapp, Ford... all names that should strike fear into hearts of even the perennial powerhouses.
Add to that the have immediate impact freshmen who enrolled in the spring…Bowers& Maye. Maye plays Mike LB like a seasoned vet (saw it for myself in the spring game) and Bowers is said to be better that both Gaines Adams (No 5 overall in ’07 draft) and Phillip Merling (No 32 overall in ‘08). Remember those names!
Bottom line… Clemson will be in contention this year for the ACC title…
As for the Chickens… I think you typed in your game prediction backwards…
TLee said:
posted on May 19, 2008 8:02 AM — 137.4.186.6 — link — abuse?
To MrGamecockFan:
Who did Clemson lose???
What world do you live in…Clemson returns almost all its starters, including Harper, Davis, Spiller, Kelly, Hamlin, Sapp, Ford... all names that should strike fear into hearts of even the perennial powerhouses.
Add to that the have immediate impact freshmen who enrolled in the spring…Bowers& Maye. Maye plays Mike LB like a seasoned vet (saw it for myself in the spring game) and Bowers is said to be better that both Gaines Adams (No 5 overall in ’07 draft) and Phillip Merling (No 32 overall in ‘08). Remember those names!
Bottom line… Clemson will be in contention this year for the ACC title…
As for the Chickens… I think you typed in your game prediction backwards…
posted on May 19, 2008 8:02 AM — link — abuse? said:
@WEA - You can stay here, but I already get comp tickets for the Champs & Capital. :)
One of the changes to the above that I think is a *real* possibility would be FSU/USF in the Gator Bowl. Remember the Gator gets their Notre Dame exception, but they used their Big 12 exception last season, so... unless the Irish storm through this year, the Gator is likely to have to field a Big East team. WVU is going above the Gator, so -- based on ticket sale possibilities -- getting USF into the game would likely be a priority. The Gator has upped its relationship with the ACC over the past few years and can hold sway to get a lower ranked FSU if they need em.
Of course, JoPa-Bowden in a loser leave town battle royale would probably sell some tickets for the Citrus Bowl, too. :)
Clemson Joe said:
posted on May 19, 2008 11:07 AM — 165.166.31.249 — link — abuse?
Ah, the Gamecocks fans dreams begin. For what it's worth, here's how I see it.
South Carolina's 2008 Schedule
W North Carolina State
W at Vanderbilt
L Georgia
W Wofford
W UAB
W at Mississippi
W at Kentucky
L LSU
L Tennessee
L Arkansas
L at Florida
L at ClemsonI see SC going 6-1 to start the season and then ending with 5 straight losses, yet again. So my prediction is 6-6 with 8-4 being the best case scenario, and 5-7 being worst case.
TampaGator said:
posted on May 19, 2008 11:45 AM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?
Naturally I'd love to see UF v. anyone for NC...
If that doesn't happen, I'd love to see USC v. SEC Champ (whomever it may be).
...waaaaayyyy ovedue...
Fortunately, as good as Ohio State is going into this season, and the Big 2.7 being temporarily reduced to the Big 1.7 (Michigan should suck this year, so we can't really even hope for loss there--especially not in the 'shoe), we might just be spared a 3rd consecutive NC appearance, with games @ USC, @ Wisc'y and @ Illinois.
I'll be damned...I'll be pulling for the Trojans--at least on 9/13.
GO GATORS!!TampaGator said:
posted on May 19, 2008 11:52 AM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?
Naturally I'd love to see UF v. anyone for NC...
If that doesn't happen, I'd love to see USC v. SEC Champ (whomever it may be).
...waaaaayyyy ovedue...
Fortunately, as good as Ohio State is going into this season, and the Big 2.7 being temporarily reduced to the Big 1.7 (Michigan should suck this year, so we can't really even hope for loss there--especially not in the 'shoe), we might just be spared a 3rd consecutive NC appearance, with games @ USC, @ Wisc'y and @ Illinois.
I'll be damned...I'll be pulling for the Trojans--at least on 9/13.
GO GATORS!!MrGamecockFan said:
posted on May 19, 2008 8:00 PM — 63.167.255.155 — link — abuse?
TLee -> Sorry about that, didnt mean to inlclude Clemson on that list. I rewrote the post, and forgot to correct it.
Clemson Joe -> You're are almost certifiable if you think that Carolina is going to lose to Tennessee and Arkansas this year. Georgia, LSU, and Clemson are swing games which could go either way. I see the ball bouncing our way this year. Florida is the only team that I think will beat us, however, we should still be in the game to the end.
Just my thoughts...I still consider the Florida-South Carolina game as the one to decide who represents the East.
Zac said:
posted on May 20, 2008 5:55 AM — 209.36.193.14 — link — abuse?
Clemson Joe/MrGamecockFan, I can't remember (can't find the Open Thread), but I think I picked SC to beat AR, but loose at Ole Miss. Of course, that doesn't change the final tally. Sorry MrGCF, but I figure your boys for 6-6 with a bowl win. Now a W against TN is certainly possible; I won't rule it out. Just don't let your boys look past Wofford. They're more than capable beating SC as easily as Appy St beat MI. Just a word to the wise.
TLee said:
posted on May 20, 2008 7:34 AM — 137.4.186.6 — link — abuse?
MrGamecockFan:
I'm actually pulling for you guys... both teams doing well will really help put SC on the map in terms of national recognition, and ultimately, recruiting.USC (no, not the one in the land of freaks on the left coast) truly has one of the toughest schedules in college football… and that’s coming from a devout Clemson fan.
I’d hate to have to play that schedule year after year
U. of S. C. 1978 said:
posted on May 20, 2008 9:27 AM — 97.82.175.124 — link — abuse?
MrGamecockFan, I love you man, lol. Your vision is is a dream come true. It concerns me that we lost one lineman to the NFL, another to the CFL. I can agree that if everything works out well, we step up a level this year. A step up in level, puts us in contention for the SEC CS. Yeah baby! SEC champs, that is truly something worth being!
RazzMaTazz said:
posted on May 20, 2008 12:29 PM — 70.137.160.70 — link — abuse?
Kevin: The Hokies may well win the ACC and go to the Orange Bowl, but they have MASSIVE rebuilding to do so I think most (if not all) of the national media pundits will pick Clemson to win the ACC and go to the Orange Bowl. But I'll grant you that, based on history, it's hard to imagine Tommy Bowden actually getting it done.
I hate to jinx my Tigers, but I actually think there's an outside chance that Clemson could go undefeated and (undeservedly, with great controversy) slip into the national title game-- where they would likely get their butts kicked (and encourage a plus-one). At this point, Las Vegas would favor Clemson in every game on their schedule. So if Clemson "simply" does what the odds makers expect them to do, then Clemson could slither into the NC game-- even though there would likely be about 5-7 better 1-or-2-loss teams.
How great would it be to see Clemson beat Ohio State in the NC game, with Clemson sealing the deal on a late-game interception, at which point Tressel punches the Clemson player? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEVJyf0ft3ISoCar Fans: The only thing more delusional than me thinking that Clemson could go undefeated, is you guys thinking that SoCar is going to beat either UGA or LSU. Since I'm not an SC native, I'm one of the few Clemson grads/fans that roots for SoCar all season long (except for the Clemson game) because I want Clemson to gain respect by beating a ranked SoCar team. But I think that SoCar's best case scenario is 9-3. And 8-4 or 7-5 are more likely. I do think that SoCar will be one of Clemson's toughest games. Always unpredictable. Good luck.
Clemson Joe said:
posted on May 20, 2008 2:34 PM — 165.166.31.249 — link — abuse?
MrGamecockFan #15:
I could give you a win over Arkansas next season, but I still don't see USC beating Tennessee. USC plays Tennessee well every year, but I still see it being a loss. I am not the only that thinks Tennessee will be better than USC, as many pundits agree. I think saying I'm certifiable is quite a stretch. By the way, I think the Georgia vs. USC game is far from a swing game.You are certainly entitled to your opinion as I am mine. I only ask that you hang around through the whole season and after that for quite some time to come. Last season there was a younger Carolina fan that loved to dish out the trash talk during the 6-1 run, but once the losing started, he disappeared to never be heard from again. Just follow through and we will see who is correct about the outcome of the season.
c-dogg said:
posted on May 21, 2008 12:12 AM — 76.188.151.33 — link — abuse?
Zac....(#6)
My Canes in the Gator Bowl? I'll take it. We are slowly getting rid of Cokers kids with Shannon's recruits on the field. It's going to take some time. Can't wait til the whole roster is Shannon's recruits....watch out! :o)
Tomcat said:
posted on May 23, 2008 1:59 AM — 69.150.213.9 — link — abuse?
#22 MrGamecock You might be right, We will find out about the Razorbacks early this year when they come to Austin Texas. Yall might have more trouble with the Rebels than the Razorbacks this year yall go to Oxford Miss.
With Clemson,UGA,LSU,Tenn,Fla on yalls schedule yall might win a few of these who knows, but Ole Miss will probably be tougher than Ark.
Good Luck
BTW Ol ball coach knows how to win
Adios Tomcat
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OU-Ron
said:
posted on May 18, 2008 12:18 PM — 68.12.216.68 — link — abuse?I would like to see the Sooners get another shot at WV, although LSU would be my preference....
Predicting what teams will be in the BCS bowls is even a larger stretch than preseason rankings.....