Had USC won Saturday...

[Big10Ponyfan]

...would the Harris poll voters and coaches poll voters still voted to put Florida over Michigan?

It makes you wonder. I heard the Sporting News Radio late host, Todd Wright, talk about this last night. I think it's a very interesting question.

I have my doubts that they would have, although if they were asked they would definitely say they would have, even though Michigan was ahead of Florida all season long.

But again, my feeling is Florida won its conference. Michigan did not. You need to win a conference championship to really be in the national championship discussion. It doesn't work out that way in the NCAA BB tournament, but that's a legitimate system.

[Mountain Mustang]

Big 10 Bowls
Minnesota -- Insight
Purdue -- Champs Sports
Iowa -- Alamo
Penn State -- Outback
Wisconsin -- Capital One
Michigan -- BCS Rose
Ohio State -- BCS Championship Game

Looks like 7-0 to me

--Teams that the Big 10 is playing
Insight-Texas Tech vs. Minnesota
Champs- Maryland vs. Purdue
Alamo- Texas vs. Iowa
Outback- Tennessee vs. Penn St.
Capital One- Arkansas vs. Wisconsin
Rose- USC vs. Michigan
Championship OSU vs. Florida

I'd be shocked if the Big 10 went +.500
Big10Pony who do you really look at in those matchups and say "this is a win?"

I know you're a Big Ten fan, but honestly it's pretty unrealistic to think that they're going undefeated. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matchups.
To me the only good chances Big 10 has is against UF, USC,

[MustangStealth]

I'd be shocked if the Big 10 went +.500
Big10Pony who do you really look at in those matchups and say "this is a win?"

I know you're a Big Ten fan, but honestly it's pretty unrealistic to think that they're going undefeated. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matchups.
To me the only good chances Big 10 has is against UF, USC,

Don't get him started... we had a whole thread about this yesterday.

[Big10Ponyfan]

Big 10 Bowls
Minnesota -- Insight
Purdue -- Champs Sports
Iowa -- Alamo
Penn State -- Outback
Wisconsin -- Capital One
Michigan -- BCS Rose
Ohio State -- BCS Championship Game

Looks like 7-0 to me

--Teams that the Big 10 is playing
Insight-Texas Tech vs. Minnesota
Champs- Maryland vs. Purdue
Alamo- Texas vs. Iowa
Outback- Tennessee vs. Penn St.
Capital One- Arkansas vs. Wisconsin
Rose- USC vs. Michigan
Championship OSU vs. Florida

I'd be shocked if the Big 10 went +.500
Big10Pony who do you really look at in those matchups and say "this is a win?"

I know you're a Big Ten fan, but honestly it's pretty unrealistic to think that they're going undefeated. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matchups.
To me the only good chances Big 10 has is against UF, USC,

No. I don't think they are going to 7-0. Optimism fueled that remark.

Honestly, I think Iowa and Minnesota are big trouble. Purdue is toss up. I think Wisconsin will beat Arkansas. Arkansas can't throw the ball and the pass defense is horrible. Wisconsin QBs aren't flashy but they win. And look at the bowl history of Wisconsin and Arkansas.

Penn State can beat Tennessee, but unlikely. But Tennessee is a goofy team.

And I think Michigan and Ohio State will win.

So I think it could be 4-3 with me siding with Purdue.

[Mountain Mustang]

I can't blame you for your optimism with the 7-0, I'm an optimist as well. Your arguments make sense, I think there's several tossups in there. Should be fun to watch.

[J.T.supporta]

In my opinion, Florida was the back up option in case USC didnt beat UCLA. Michigan would have never gotten a rematch if USC or Florida won out. They had their chance and the voters were being generous of ranking them at number 2 for a week.

It was either going to be USC or Florida...never a rematch.

[SMUtrojanFAN]

I'm interested to see how SC and Michigan match-up. You seem pretty confident and if last weekend's display was any indication, you will be right. But Pete generally is a good motivator so we'll see how they play out. Both teams are not psyched to play at the Rose Bowl, but Michigan might have more of a let-down since they probably feel "left-out" versus USC who f*cked themselves. They're still a good team so don't count them out just yet.

[expony18]

In my opinion, Florida was the back up option in case USC didnt beat UCLA. Michigan would have never gotten a rematch if USC or Florida won out. They had their chance and the voters were being generous of ranking them at number 2 for a week.

It was either going to be USC or Florida...never a rematch.

agreed

[Big10Ponyfan]

I'm interested to see how SC and Michigan match-up. You seem pretty confident and if last weekend's display was any indication, you will be right. But Pete generally is a good motivator so we'll see how they play out. Both teams are not psyched to play at the Rose Bowl, but Michigan might have more of a let-down since they probably feel "left-out" versus USC who f*cked themselves. They're still a good team so don't count them out just yet.

Or you could take Michigan with the chip-on-its-shoulder act. I think it really depends on how Lloyd Carr sells this to his players.

Michigan will win the game if its O-line can get physical enough with SC's defense and if Mike Hart can rush for 75-85 yards.

I think the Wolverines have better depth at WR with Breaston and Manningham over Jarrett and co. And if I'm an SC fan, I'm still not sold on John David Booty's playmaking ability, see the first half against ND.

Chad Henne's been pretty solid all year. But I do love the Rose Bowl when it is the traditional Big 10-Pac 10 showdown with the sun setting behind the San Gabriel Mountains in the middle of the third quarter.

[SMUtrojanFAN]

Or you could take Michigan with the chip-on-its-shoulder act.

i.e. USC in 2003.

Michigan will win the game if its O-line can get physical enough with SC's defense and if Mike Hart can rush for 75-85 yards.

I'd definitely say SC's D is more reliable than their offense, despite only one graduating senior. So good luck there...

I think the Wolverines have better depth at WR with Breaston and Manningham over Jarrett and co.

I don't think I would agree with that. Jarrett is good, but Steve Smith is clutch, and Patrick Turner makes great plays as well. He is the next Jarrett.

And if I'm an SC fan, I'm still not sold on John David Booty's playmaking ability, see the first half against ND.

Maybe, but he can bounce back VERY WELL. See the second half against ND.

Chad Henne's been pretty solid all year. But I do love the Rose Bowl when it is the traditional Big 10-Pac 10 showdown with the sun setting behind the San Gabriel Mountains in the middle of the third quarter.

AMEN, there's nothin better.

[Big10Ponyfan]

Or you could take Michigan with the chip-on-its-shoulder act.

i.e. USC in 2003.

Michigan will win the game if its O-line can get physical enough with SC's defense and if Mike Hart can rush for 75-85 yards.

I'd definitely say SC's D is more reliable than their offense, despite only one graduating senior. So good luck there...

I think the Wolverines have better depth at WR with Breaston and Manningham over Jarrett and co.

I don't think I would agree with that. Jarrett is good, but Steve Smith is clutch, and Patrick Turner makes great plays as well. He is the next Jarrett.

And if I'm an SC fan, I'm still not sold on John David Booty's playmaking ability, see the first half against ND.

Maybe, but he can bounce back VERY WELL. See the second half against ND.

Chad Henne's been pretty solid all year. But I do love the Rose Bowl when it is the traditional Big 10-Pac 10 showdown with the sun setting behind the San Gabriel Mountains in the middle of the third quarter.

AMEN, there's nothin better.

It's a great scene. I'm guessing Michigan is wearing blue and SC is wearing white?

And by the way, Charles White fumbled before he crossed the goal line in 1981.

[J.T.supporta]

I am fortunate enough to say that I saw Michigan play last year in the Alamo and that team last year is a whole different team this year...Henne developed into a true team leader this year and a healthy Mike Hart means Michigan can compete with any team...

[PhirePhilBennett]

...would the Harris poll voters and coaches poll voters still voted to put Florida over Michigan?

It makes you wonder. I heard the Sporting News Radio late host, Todd Wright, talk about this last night. I think it's a very interesting question.

I have my doubts that they would have, although if they were asked they would definitely say they would have, even though Michigan was ahead of Florida all season long.

But again, my feeling is Florida won its conference. Michigan did not. You need to win a conference championship to really be in the national championship discussion. It doesn't work out that way in the NCAA BB tournament, but that's a legitimate system.

Had OSU beaten Mich a second time, we still wouldn't know if they were better than florida

[Charleston Pony]

my wife is from Michigan and while she could care less, her brothers are in the camp arguing Michigan is the 2nd best team and should be in the title game. My response has been that they'd better see if they can handle USC 1st. And what in the world are they going to say if Florida does the unthnkable and beats OSU?

The FACT is that there are several teams in the top 10 grouping that are capable of beating anyone in the country on any given day. That's what makes the bowl season fun.

I just hope CUSA doesn't lay an egg.

[J.T.supporta]

Michigan has lost the last 2 Rose Bowls they were in...As for CUSA in bowls...at worst CUSA goes 2-3 with loses to So Car, S.Flo. and UT.


ALSO...even if Florida beats OSU...there WONT be a split national champ...theres no way the voters would have Michigan jumping Florida if mich. beats usc and fl. beats osu.