Author: Gerardo Orlando (Page 72 of 75)

All the BCS apologists are happy today now that Texas and USC are left as the only two unbeaten teams in the country. If they stay unbeaten, the system will have worked for this season, just as it did in 2002 when Ohio State and Miami squared off in an epic battle for the National Championship.

Supporters of the BCS can argue that this system is much better than the pre-BCS days, when matchups like Miami/Ohio State and Texas/USC would not have taken place. But that really misses the point. Fans, players and coaches deserve a better system. Teams like Auburn last season deserved a shot at the title after going undefeated in the SEC. If Alabama had won out, they certainly would have deserved a shot. This season, teams like Miami and Ohio State have one and two losses, respectively, but does anyone doubt they would have a chance at the title if a real playoff system were in place?

I was rooting for Alabama, because another controversy might have tipped the balance in favor of a playoff system. It looks like we’ll get an incredible game between Texas and USC, but we deserve much more.

Just about everyone has taken shots at Joe Paterno over the last several years, and frankly the criticisms were well deserved. Yet Paterno has an undefeated team and, more importantly, he’s ripping the BCS!

During a news conference Paterno called the BCS a “joke” and said that there ought to be a playoff system in college football. He’s one of the wise men of college football, and it’s great to see him give an honest assessment the ridiculous system used to select a national champion.

Mack Brown has put together some great teams at Texas, but he hasn’t been able to get over the hump against Bob Stoops and the Sooners. So many excellent seasons have been spoiled by losses to Oklahoma. Can they finally do it this year? This year the Longhorns are 14.5 point favorites over the Sooners.

The key to the game will probably be the health of Adrian Peterson. Oklahoma needs a healthy Peterson to have a chance in this game. If he can carry the ball 30 times and be effective, Mack Brown and the Longhorns might once again blow their chance at a National Championship.

Penn State is 5-0 for the first time in years, but they’ve racked up those wins against a pretty weak schedule. This weak reality sets in as they host the #6 Buckeyes in an old-school matchup. Ohio State is a 3.5 point favorite on the road.

One of the reasons for Penn State’s success thus far has been Paterno’s willingness to finally play freshman. The young wide receivers have helped to spark the Nittany Lion offense. Yet this week they face an Ohio State defense that completely dismantled Iowa. Paterno has been gushing about the Ohio State defense this week, calling it one of the best he has ever seen. We’ll see if they can live up to those lofty statements this week. Ohio State should win without too much trouble.