2008 Woodie Awards
PCI
Brad Chen '08 & Kevin O'Brien '07
Issue date: 10/12/06 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 2 next >
I'm already looking forward to next year's college football season because I think that my boys-Penn State-have a great shot at the national title. But I guess there's still this season to play, and I'm wondering who you guys think will win the national title this year. -Matthew Fessler '07
Let's look at the top three teams in the AP Poll-Ohio State, Florida, and USC-to decide this.
USC's narrow win over Washington scares me because there are times when the Trojans do not play up to their potential. That could play a major factor in November, because the tough stretch of No. 18 Oregon, No. 10 Cal, and No. 9 Notre Dame will need 100 percent effort. Pete Carroll is a great college coach, but I don't see this being the year.
Florida has been extremely fun to watch because their QB tandem of senior Chris Leak and freshman Tim Tebow can be deadly, as LSU found out last week. However, like USC, their upcoming schedule is haunting. The Gators will play an angry No. 11 Auburn team that was stunned last week and will definitely be fired up this week. And while FSU isn't fighting for a major bowl this year, you can bet on Bobby Bowden giving his instate rivals a heck of a game.
This leads me to Ohio State. The Buckeyes proved last year they can win a Big Bowl, taking down Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl, and they have defeated Texas and Iowa convincingly this year. They are led by Heisman candidates Ten Ginn Jr. and Troy Smith on offense, and their defense has not allowed more than 17 points in a game this year. Also, OSU's remaining schedule is fairly easy, with only No. 4 Michigan as their last game of the season, which is at home. I like Ohio State defeating Florida for all the marbles.
-Brad Chen '08
The Buckeyes are certainly the favorites right now, but my pure, unadulterated hatred for that sleazy program prevents me from picking them. So let's go process of elimination. Nobody can get through a full SEC without a loss, so count out Urban Meyer's Florida team. Either West Virginia or Louisville will go undefeated (I'm banking on the healthier Mounts). So the winner of that showdown has a chance for the national title, as does Michigan, if the Wolverines manage to knock off Ohio State in the Nov. 18 showdown in the Horseshoe. But whoever makes the title game will fall to a team that many seem to have forgotten about: USC.
Let's look at the top three teams in the AP Poll-Ohio State, Florida, and USC-to decide this.
USC's narrow win over Washington scares me because there are times when the Trojans do not play up to their potential. That could play a major factor in November, because the tough stretch of No. 18 Oregon, No. 10 Cal, and No. 9 Notre Dame will need 100 percent effort. Pete Carroll is a great college coach, but I don't see this being the year.
Florida has been extremely fun to watch because their QB tandem of senior Chris Leak and freshman Tim Tebow can be deadly, as LSU found out last week. However, like USC, their upcoming schedule is haunting. The Gators will play an angry No. 11 Auburn team that was stunned last week and will definitely be fired up this week. And while FSU isn't fighting for a major bowl this year, you can bet on Bobby Bowden giving his instate rivals a heck of a game.
This leads me to Ohio State. The Buckeyes proved last year they can win a Big Bowl, taking down Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl, and they have defeated Texas and Iowa convincingly this year. They are led by Heisman candidates Ten Ginn Jr. and Troy Smith on offense, and their defense has not allowed more than 17 points in a game this year. Also, OSU's remaining schedule is fairly easy, with only No. 4 Michigan as their last game of the season, which is at home. I like Ohio State defeating Florida for all the marbles.
-Brad Chen '08
The Buckeyes are certainly the favorites right now, but my pure, unadulterated hatred for that sleazy program prevents me from picking them. So let's go process of elimination. Nobody can get through a full SEC without a loss, so count out Urban Meyer's Florida team. Either West Virginia or Louisville will go undefeated (I'm banking on the healthier Mounts). So the winner of that showdown has a chance for the national title, as does Michigan, if the Wolverines manage to knock off Ohio State in the Nov. 18 showdown in the Horseshoe. But whoever makes the title game will fall to a team that many seem to have forgotten about: USC.