ESPN Bowl Prediction: State to Indy, OM to Liberty

[wilson5869]

<div class="story-header"> <h1 class="storyTitle">Early forecast predicts Buckeyes, Bulldogs in title game</h1> <div class="byLine"> <p class="author">By Mark Schlabach
ESPN.com
(Archive)</p> </div> <div class="promoPlug"></div> </div> <div class="page-tools"> <p class="lastUpdate" style="float: left;">Updated: June 24, 2008, 6:15 PM ET</p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">

</span> </div>

The heat of June dragging you down? Wondering what cool bowl matchups might happen in December and January? Well, here's a very early look at what the 2008 bowl season could bring.</p>

</p> <table class="tablehead widetable" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr class="stathead"> <td colspan="2">2008-09 Bowl Projections</td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Bowl
(Matchup)</td> <td>Projection</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>FedEx BCS National Championship Game
(BCS No. 1 vs. BCS No. 2)</td> <td>Georgia Bulldogs vs. Ohio State Buckeyes</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Tostitos Fiesta
(BCS vs. BCS)</td> <td>Oklahoma Sooners vs. BYU Cougars</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Allstate Sugar
(BCS vs. BCS)</td> <td>Auburn Tigers vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>FedEx Orange
(BCS vs. BCS)</td> <td>West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Clemson Tigers</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Rose Bowl presented by Citi
(BCS vs. BCS)</td> <td>USC Trojans vs. Wisconsin Badgers</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>GMAC
(C-USA vs. MAC)</td> <td>Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. Central Michigan Chippewas</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>International
(Big East vs. MAC)</td> <td>Louisville Cardinals vs. Miami (Ohio) RedHawks</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>AutoZone Liberty
(C-USA vs. SEC)</td> <td>Houston Cougars vs. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ole Miss Rebels</span></td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>AT&T Cotton
(Big 12 vs. SEC)</td> <td>Texas Longhorns vs. LSU Tigers</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Konica Minolta Gator
(ACC vs. Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame)</td> <td>Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Capital One
(SEC vs. Big Ten)</td> <td>Florida Gators vs. Illinois Fighting Illini</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Outback
(Big Ten vs. SEC)</td> <td>Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Tennessee Volunteers</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Chick-fil-A
(SEC vs. ACC)</td> <td>Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Virginia Tech Hokies</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Insight
(Big 12 vs. Big Ten)</td> <td>Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Purdue Boilermakers</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Gaylord Hotels Music City
(ACC vs. SEC)</td> <td>Miami Hurricanes vs. South Carolina Gamecocks</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Brut Sun
(Pac-10 vs. Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame)</td> <td>Oregon State Beavers vs. Texas A&M Aggies</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Bell Helicopter Armed Forces
(Mountain West vs. C-USA)</td> <td>TCU Horned Frogs vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Pacific Life Holiday
(Pac-10 vs. Big 12)</td> <td>Arizona State Sun Devils vs. Missouri Tigers</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Texas
(Big 12 vs. C-USA)</td> <td>Colorado Buffaloes vs. UCF Knights</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Roady's Humanitarian
(WAC vs. ACC)</td> <td>Boise State Broncos vs. Maryland Terrapins</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Valero Alamo
(Big Ten vs. Big 12)</td> <td>Michigan State Spartans vs. Kansas Jayhawks</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Papajohns.com
(Big East vs. SEC)</td> <td>Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Kentucky Wildcats</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>PetroSun Independence
(SEC vs. Big 12)</td> <td><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mississippi State Bulldogs</span> vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Emerald
(Pac-10 vs. ACC)</td> <td>California Golden Bears vs. Boston College Eagles</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Champs Sports
(ACC vs. Big Ten)</td> <td>Florida State Seminoles vs. Michigan Wolverines</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Meineke Car Care
(Big East vs. ACC)</td> <td>Pittsburgh Panthers vs. North Carolina Tar Heels</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Motor City
(MAC vs. Big Ten)</td> <td>Ball State Cardinals vs. Iowa Hawkeyes</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Sheraton Hawaii
(WAC vs. Pac-10)</td> <td>Nevada Wolf Pack vs. UCLA Bruins</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia
(Mountain West vs. Pac-10)</td> <td>Air Force Falcons vs. Arizona Wildcats</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>R + L Carriers New Orleans
(C-USA vs. Sun Belt)</td> <td>East Carolina Pirates vs. Florida Atlantic Owls</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Congressional
(ACC vs. Navy)</td> <td>Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Navy Midshipmen</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Pioneer Las Vegas
(Mountain West vs. Pac-10)</td> <td>Utah Utes vs. Oregon Ducks</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>St. Petersburg
(Big East vs. C-USA)</td> <td>USF Bulls vs. Memphis Tigers</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>New Mexico
(WAC vs. Mountain West)</td> <td>Fresno State Bulldogs vs. New Mexico Lobos</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Mark Schlabach covers college football and men's college basketball for ESPN.com. You can contact him at [email protected].</p>

 

[wilson5869]

<div class="story-header"> <h1 class="storyTitle">Early forecast predicts Buckeyes, Bulldogs in title game</h1> <div class="byLine"> <p class="author">By Mark Schlabach
ESPN.com
(Archive)</p> </div> <div class="promoPlug"></div> </div> <div class="page-tools"> <p class="lastUpdate" style="float: left;">Updated: June 24, 2008, 6:15 PM ET</p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">

</span> </div>

The heat of June dragging you down? Wondering what cool bowl matchups might happen in December and January? Well, here's a very early look at what the 2008 bowl season could bring.</p>

</p> <table class="tablehead widetable" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr class="stathead"> <td colspan="2">2008-09 Bowl Projections</td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Bowl
(Matchup)</td> <td>Projection</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>FedEx BCS National Championship Game
(BCS No. 1 vs. BCS No. 2)</td> <td>Georgia Bulldogs vs. Ohio State Buckeyes</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Tostitos Fiesta
(BCS vs. BCS)</td> <td>Oklahoma Sooners vs. BYU Cougars</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Allstate Sugar
(BCS vs. BCS)</td> <td>Auburn Tigers vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>FedEx Orange
(BCS vs. BCS)</td> <td>West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Clemson Tigers</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Rose Bowl presented by Citi
(BCS vs. BCS)</td> <td>USC Trojans vs. Wisconsin Badgers</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>GMAC
(C-USA vs. MAC)</td> <td>Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. Central Michigan Chippewas</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>International
(Big East vs. MAC)</td> <td>Louisville Cardinals vs. Miami (Ohio) RedHawks</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>AutoZone Liberty
(C-USA vs. SEC)</td> <td>Houston Cougars vs. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ole Miss Rebels</span></td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>AT&T Cotton
(Big 12 vs. SEC)</td> <td>Texas Longhorns vs. LSU Tigers</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Konica Minolta Gator
(ACC vs. Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame)</td> <td>Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Capital One
(SEC vs. Big Ten)</td> <td>Florida Gators vs. Illinois Fighting Illini</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Outback
(Big Ten vs. SEC)</td> <td>Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Tennessee Volunteers</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Chick-fil-A
(SEC vs. ACC)</td> <td>Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Virginia Tech Hokies</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Insight
(Big 12 vs. Big Ten)</td> <td>Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Purdue Boilermakers</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Gaylord Hotels Music City
(ACC vs. SEC)</td> <td>Miami Hurricanes vs. South Carolina Gamecocks</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Brut Sun
(Pac-10 vs. Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame)</td> <td>Oregon State Beavers vs. Texas A&M Aggies</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Bell Helicopter Armed Forces
(Mountain West vs. C-USA)</td> <td>TCU Horned Frogs vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Pacific Life Holiday
(Pac-10 vs. Big 12)</td> <td>Arizona State Sun Devils vs. Missouri Tigers</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Texas
(Big 12 vs. C-USA)</td> <td>Colorado Buffaloes vs. UCF Knights</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Roady's Humanitarian
(WAC vs. ACC)</td> <td>Boise State Broncos vs. Maryland Terrapins</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Valero Alamo
(Big Ten vs. Big 12)</td> <td>Michigan State Spartans vs. Kansas Jayhawks</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Papajohns.com
(Big East vs. SEC)</td> <td>Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Kentucky Wildcats</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>PetroSun Independence
(SEC vs. Big 12)</td> <td><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mississippi State Bulldogs</span> vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Emerald
(Pac-10 vs. ACC)</td> <td>California Golden Bears vs. Boston College Eagles</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Champs Sports
(ACC vs. Big Ten)</td> <td>Florida State Seminoles vs. Michigan Wolverines</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Meineke Car Care
(Big East vs. ACC)</td> <td>Pittsburgh Panthers vs. North Carolina Tar Heels</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Motor City
(MAC vs. Big Ten)</td> <td>Ball State Cardinals vs. Iowa Hawkeyes</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Sheraton Hawaii
(WAC vs. Pac-10)</td> <td>Nevada Wolf Pack vs. UCLA Bruins</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia
(Mountain West vs. Pac-10)</td> <td>Air Force Falcons vs. Arizona Wildcats</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>R + L Carriers New Orleans
(C-USA vs. Sun Belt)</td> <td>East Carolina Pirates vs. Florida Atlantic Owls</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Congressional
(ACC vs. Navy)</td> <td>Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Navy Midshipmen</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Pioneer Las Vegas
(Mountain West vs. Pac-10)</td> <td>Utah Utes vs. Oregon Ducks</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>St. Petersburg
(Big East vs. C-USA)</td> <td>USF Bulls vs. Memphis Tigers</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>New Mexico
(WAC vs. Mountain West)</td> <td>Fresno State Bulldogs vs. New Mexico Lobos</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Mark Schlabach covers college football and men's college basketball for ESPN.com. You can contact him at [email protected].</p>

 

[wilson5869]

<div class="story-header"> <h1 class="storyTitle">Early forecast predicts Buckeyes, Bulldogs in title game</h1> <div class="byLine"> <p class="author">By Mark Schlabach
ESPN.com
(Archive)</p> </div> <div class="promoPlug"></div> </div> <div class="page-tools"> <p class="lastUpdate" style="float: left;">Updated: June 24, 2008, 6:15 PM ET</p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">

</span> </div>

The heat of June dragging you down? Wondering what cool bowl matchups might happen in December and January? Well, here's a very early look at what the 2008 bowl season could bring.</p>

</p> <table class="tablehead widetable" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr class="stathead"> <td colspan="2">2008-09 Bowl Projections</td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Bowl
(Matchup)</td> <td>Projection</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>FedEx BCS National Championship Game
(BCS No. 1 vs. BCS No. 2)</td> <td>Georgia Bulldogs vs. Ohio State Buckeyes</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Tostitos Fiesta
(BCS vs. BCS)</td> <td>Oklahoma Sooners vs. BYU Cougars</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Allstate Sugar
(BCS vs. BCS)</td> <td>Auburn Tigers vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>FedEx Orange
(BCS vs. BCS)</td> <td>West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Clemson Tigers</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Rose Bowl presented by Citi
(BCS vs. BCS)</td> <td>USC Trojans vs. Wisconsin Badgers</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>GMAC
(C-USA vs. MAC)</td> <td>Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. Central Michigan Chippewas</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>International
(Big East vs. MAC)</td> <td>Louisville Cardinals vs. Miami (Ohio) RedHawks</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>AutoZone Liberty
(C-USA vs. SEC)</td> <td>Houston Cougars vs. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ole Miss Rebels</span></td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>AT&T Cotton
(Big 12 vs. SEC)</td> <td>Texas Longhorns vs. LSU Tigers</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Konica Minolta Gator
(ACC vs. Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame)</td> <td>Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Capital One
(SEC vs. Big Ten)</td> <td>Florida Gators vs. Illinois Fighting Illini</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Outback
(Big Ten vs. SEC)</td> <td>Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Tennessee Volunteers</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Chick-fil-A
(SEC vs. ACC)</td> <td>Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Virginia Tech Hokies</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Insight
(Big 12 vs. Big Ten)</td> <td>Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Purdue Boilermakers</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Gaylord Hotels Music City
(ACC vs. SEC)</td> <td>Miami Hurricanes vs. South Carolina Gamecocks</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Brut Sun
(Pac-10 vs. Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame)</td> <td>Oregon State Beavers vs. Texas A&M Aggies</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Bell Helicopter Armed Forces
(Mountain West vs. C-USA)</td> <td>TCU Horned Frogs vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Pacific Life Holiday
(Pac-10 vs. Big 12)</td> <td>Arizona State Sun Devils vs. Missouri Tigers</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Texas
(Big 12 vs. C-USA)</td> <td>Colorado Buffaloes vs. UCF Knights</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Roady's Humanitarian
(WAC vs. ACC)</td> <td>Boise State Broncos vs. Maryland Terrapins</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Valero Alamo
(Big Ten vs. Big 12)</td> <td>Michigan State Spartans vs. Kansas Jayhawks</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Papajohns.com
(Big East vs. SEC)</td> <td>Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Kentucky Wildcats</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>PetroSun Independence
(SEC vs. Big 12)</td> <td><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mississippi State Bulldogs</span> vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Emerald
(Pac-10 vs. ACC)</td> <td>California Golden Bears vs. Boston College Eagles</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Champs Sports
(ACC vs. Big Ten)</td> <td>Florida State Seminoles vs. Michigan Wolverines</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Meineke Car Care
(Big East vs. ACC)</td> <td>Pittsburgh Panthers vs. North Carolina Tar Heels</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Motor City
(MAC vs. Big Ten)</td> <td>Ball State Cardinals vs. Iowa Hawkeyes</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Sheraton Hawaii
(WAC vs. Pac-10)</td> <td>Nevada Wolf Pack vs. UCLA Bruins</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia
(Mountain West vs. Pac-10)</td> <td>Air Force Falcons vs. Arizona Wildcats</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>R + L Carriers New Orleans
(C-USA vs. Sun Belt)</td> <td>East Carolina Pirates vs. Florida Atlantic Owls</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Congressional
(ACC vs. Navy)</td> <td>Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Navy Midshipmen</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Pioneer Las Vegas
(Mountain West vs. Pac-10)</td> <td>Utah Utes vs. Oregon Ducks</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>St. Petersburg
(Big East vs. C-USA)</td> <td>USF Bulls vs. Memphis Tigers</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>New Mexico
(WAC vs. Mountain West)</td> <td>Fresno State Bulldogs vs. New Mexico Lobos</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Mark Schlabach covers college football and men's college basketball for ESPN.com. You can contact him at [email protected].</p>

 

[wilson5869]

<div class="story-header"> <h1 class="storyTitle">Early forecast predicts Buckeyes, Bulldogs in title game</h1> <div class="byLine"> <p class="author">By Mark Schlabach
ESPN.com
(Archive)</p> </div> <div class="promoPlug"></div> </div> <div class="page-tools"> <p class="lastUpdate" style="float: left;">Updated: June 24, 2008, 6:15 PM ET</p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">

</span> </div>

The heat of June dragging you down? Wondering what cool bowl matchups might happen in December and January? Well, here's a very early look at what the 2008 bowl season could bring.</p>

</p> <table class="tablehead widetable" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr class="stathead"> <td colspan="2">2008-09 Bowl Projections</td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Bowl
(Matchup)</td> <td>Projection</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>FedEx BCS National Championship Game
(BCS No. 1 vs. BCS No. 2)</td> <td>Georgia Bulldogs vs. Ohio State Buckeyes</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Tostitos Fiesta
(BCS vs. BCS)</td> <td>Oklahoma Sooners vs. BYU Cougars</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Allstate Sugar
(BCS vs. BCS)</td> <td>Auburn Tigers vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>FedEx Orange
(BCS vs. BCS)</td> <td>West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Clemson Tigers</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Rose Bowl presented by Citi
(BCS vs. BCS)</td> <td>USC Trojans vs. Wisconsin Badgers</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>GMAC
(C-USA vs. MAC)</td> <td>Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. Central Michigan Chippewas</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>International
(Big East vs. MAC)</td> <td>Louisville Cardinals vs. Miami (Ohio) RedHawks</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>AutoZone Liberty
(C-USA vs. SEC)</td> <td>Houston Cougars vs. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ole Miss Rebels</span></td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>AT&T Cotton
(Big 12 vs. SEC)</td> <td>Texas Longhorns vs. LSU Tigers</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Konica Minolta Gator
(ACC vs. Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame)</td> <td>Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Capital One
(SEC vs. Big Ten)</td> <td>Florida Gators vs. Illinois Fighting Illini</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Outback
(Big Ten vs. SEC)</td> <td>Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Tennessee Volunteers</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Chick-fil-A
(SEC vs. ACC)</td> <td>Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Virginia Tech Hokies</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Insight
(Big 12 vs. Big Ten)</td> <td>Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Purdue Boilermakers</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Gaylord Hotels Music City
(ACC vs. SEC)</td> <td>Miami Hurricanes vs. South Carolina Gamecocks</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Brut Sun
(Pac-10 vs. Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame)</td> <td>Oregon State Beavers vs. Texas A&M Aggies</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Bell Helicopter Armed Forces
(Mountain West vs. C-USA)</td> <td>TCU Horned Frogs vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Pacific Life Holiday
(Pac-10 vs. Big 12)</td> <td>Arizona State Sun Devils vs. Missouri Tigers</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Texas
(Big 12 vs. C-USA)</td> <td>Colorado Buffaloes vs. UCF Knights</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Roady's Humanitarian
(WAC vs. ACC)</td> <td>Boise State Broncos vs. Maryland Terrapins</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Valero Alamo
(Big Ten vs. Big 12)</td> <td>Michigan State Spartans vs. Kansas Jayhawks</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Papajohns.com
(Big East vs. SEC)</td> <td>Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Kentucky Wildcats</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>PetroSun Independence
(SEC vs. Big 12)</td> <td><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mississippi State Bulldogs</span> vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Emerald
(Pac-10 vs. ACC)</td> <td>California Golden Bears vs. Boston College Eagles</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Champs Sports
(ACC vs. Big Ten)</td> <td>Florida State Seminoles vs. Michigan Wolverines</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Meineke Car Care
(Big East vs. ACC)</td> <td>Pittsburgh Panthers vs. North Carolina Tar Heels</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Motor City
(MAC vs. Big Ten)</td> <td>Ball State Cardinals vs. Iowa Hawkeyes</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Sheraton Hawaii
(WAC vs. Pac-10)</td> <td>Nevada Wolf Pack vs. UCLA Bruins</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia
(Mountain West vs. Pac-10)</td> <td>Air Force Falcons vs. Arizona Wildcats</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>R + L Carriers New Orleans
(C-USA vs. Sun Belt)</td> <td>East Carolina Pirates vs. Florida Atlantic Owls</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Congressional
(ACC vs. Navy)</td> <td>Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Navy Midshipmen</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Pioneer Las Vegas
(Mountain West vs. Pac-10)</td> <td>Utah Utes vs. Oregon Ducks</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>St. Petersburg
(Big East vs. C-USA)</td> <td>USF Bulls vs. Memphis Tigers</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>New Mexico
(WAC vs. Mountain West)</td> <td>Fresno State Bulldogs vs. New Mexico Lobos</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Mark Schlabach covers college football and men's college basketball for ESPN.com. You can contact him at [email protected].</p>

 

[wilson5869]

<div class="story-header"> <h1 class="storyTitle">Early forecast predicts Buckeyes, Bulldogs in title game</h1> <div class="byLine"> <p class="author">By Mark Schlabach
ESPN.com
(Archive)</p> </div> <div class="promoPlug"></div> </div> <div class="page-tools"> <p class="lastUpdate" style="float: left;">Updated: June 24, 2008, 6:15 PM ET</p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">

</span> </div>

The heat of June dragging you down? Wondering what cool bowl matchups might happen in December and January? Well, here's a very early look at what the 2008 bowl season could bring.</p>

</p> <table class="tablehead widetable" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr class="stathead"> <td colspan="2">2008-09 Bowl Projections</td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Bowl
(Matchup)</td> <td>Projection</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>FedEx BCS National Championship Game
(BCS No. 1 vs. BCS No. 2)</td> <td>Georgia Bulldogs vs. Ohio State Buckeyes</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Tostitos Fiesta
(BCS vs. BCS)</td> <td>Oklahoma Sooners vs. BYU Cougars</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Allstate Sugar
(BCS vs. BCS)</td> <td>Auburn Tigers vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>FedEx Orange
(BCS vs. BCS)</td> <td>West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Clemson Tigers</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Rose Bowl presented by Citi
(BCS vs. BCS)</td> <td>USC Trojans vs. Wisconsin Badgers</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>GMAC
(C-USA vs. MAC)</td> <td>Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. Central Michigan Chippewas</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>International
(Big East vs. MAC)</td> <td>Louisville Cardinals vs. Miami (Ohio) RedHawks</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>AutoZone Liberty
(C-USA vs. SEC)</td> <td>Houston Cougars vs. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ole Miss Rebels</span></td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>AT&T Cotton
(Big 12 vs. SEC)</td> <td>Texas Longhorns vs. LSU Tigers</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Konica Minolta Gator
(ACC vs. Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame)</td> <td>Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Capital One
(SEC vs. Big Ten)</td> <td>Florida Gators vs. Illinois Fighting Illini</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Outback
(Big Ten vs. SEC)</td> <td>Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Tennessee Volunteers</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Chick-fil-A
(SEC vs. ACC)</td> <td>Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Virginia Tech Hokies</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Insight
(Big 12 vs. Big Ten)</td> <td>Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Purdue Boilermakers</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Gaylord Hotels Music City
(ACC vs. SEC)</td> <td>Miami Hurricanes vs. South Carolina Gamecocks</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Brut Sun
(Pac-10 vs. Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame)</td> <td>Oregon State Beavers vs. Texas A&M Aggies</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Bell Helicopter Armed Forces
(Mountain West vs. C-USA)</td> <td>TCU Horned Frogs vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Pacific Life Holiday
(Pac-10 vs. Big 12)</td> <td>Arizona State Sun Devils vs. Missouri Tigers</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Texas
(Big 12 vs. C-USA)</td> <td>Colorado Buffaloes vs. UCF Knights</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Roady's Humanitarian
(WAC vs. ACC)</td> <td>Boise State Broncos vs. Maryland Terrapins</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Valero Alamo
(Big Ten vs. Big 12)</td> <td>Michigan State Spartans vs. Kansas Jayhawks</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Papajohns.com
(Big East vs. SEC)</td> <td>Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Kentucky Wildcats</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>PetroSun Independence
(SEC vs. Big 12)</td> <td><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mississippi State Bulldogs</span> vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Emerald
(Pac-10 vs. ACC)</td> <td>California Golden Bears vs. Boston College Eagles</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Champs Sports
(ACC vs. Big Ten)</td> <td>Florida State Seminoles vs. Michigan Wolverines</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Meineke Car Care
(Big East vs. ACC)</td> <td>Pittsburgh Panthers vs. North Carolina Tar Heels</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Motor City
(MAC vs. Big Ten)</td> <td>Ball State Cardinals vs. Iowa Hawkeyes</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Sheraton Hawaii
(WAC vs. Pac-10)</td> <td>Nevada Wolf Pack vs. UCLA Bruins</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia
(Mountain West vs. Pac-10)</td> <td>Air Force Falcons vs. Arizona Wildcats</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>R + L Carriers New Orleans
(C-USA vs. Sun Belt)</td> <td>East Carolina Pirates vs. Florida Atlantic Owls</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Congressional
(ACC vs. Navy)</td> <td>Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Navy Midshipmen</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Pioneer Las Vegas
(Mountain West vs. Pac-10)</td> <td>Utah Utes vs. Oregon Ducks</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>St. Petersburg
(Big East vs. C-USA)</td> <td>USF Bulls vs. Memphis Tigers</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>New Mexico
(WAC vs. Mountain West)</td> <td>Fresno State Bulldogs vs. New Mexico Lobos</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Mark Schlabach covers college football and men's college basketball for ESPN.com. You can contact him at [email protected].</p>

 

[wilson5869]

<div class="story-header"> <h1 class="storyTitle">Early forecast predicts Buckeyes, Bulldogs in title game</h1> <div class="byLine"> <p class="author">By Mark Schlabach
ESPN.com
(Archive)</p> </div> <div class="promoPlug"></div> </div> <div class="page-tools"> <p class="lastUpdate" style="float: left;">Updated: June 24, 2008, 6:15 PM ET</p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">

</span> </div>

The heat of June dragging you down? Wondering what cool bowl matchups might happen in December and January? Well, here's a very early look at what the 2008 bowl season could bring.</p>

</p> <table class="tablehead widetable" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr class="stathead"> <td colspan="2">2008-09 Bowl Projections</td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Bowl
(Matchup)</td> <td>Projection</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>FedEx BCS National Championship Game
(BCS No. 1 vs. BCS No. 2)</td> <td>Georgia Bulldogs vs. Ohio State Buckeyes</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Tostitos Fiesta
(BCS vs. BCS)</td> <td>Oklahoma Sooners vs. BYU Cougars</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Allstate Sugar
(BCS vs. BCS)</td> <td>Auburn Tigers vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>FedEx Orange
(BCS vs. BCS)</td> <td>West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Clemson Tigers</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Rose Bowl presented by Citi
(BCS vs. BCS)</td> <td>USC Trojans vs. Wisconsin Badgers</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>GMAC
(C-USA vs. MAC)</td> <td>Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. Central Michigan Chippewas</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>International
(Big East vs. MAC)</td> <td>Louisville Cardinals vs. Miami (Ohio) RedHawks</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>AutoZone Liberty
(C-USA vs. SEC)</td> <td>Houston Cougars vs. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ole Miss Rebels</span></td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>AT&T Cotton
(Big 12 vs. SEC)</td> <td>Texas Longhorns vs. LSU Tigers</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Konica Minolta Gator
(ACC vs. Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame)</td> <td>Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Capital One
(SEC vs. Big Ten)</td> <td>Florida Gators vs. Illinois Fighting Illini</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Outback
(Big Ten vs. SEC)</td> <td>Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Tennessee Volunteers</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Chick-fil-A
(SEC vs. ACC)</td> <td>Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Virginia Tech Hokies</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Insight
(Big 12 vs. Big Ten)</td> <td>Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Purdue Boilermakers</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Gaylord Hotels Music City
(ACC vs. SEC)</td> <td>Miami Hurricanes vs. South Carolina Gamecocks</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Brut Sun
(Pac-10 vs. Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame)</td> <td>Oregon State Beavers vs. Texas A&M Aggies</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Bell Helicopter Armed Forces
(Mountain West vs. C-USA)</td> <td>TCU Horned Frogs vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Pacific Life Holiday
(Pac-10 vs. Big 12)</td> <td>Arizona State Sun Devils vs. Missouri Tigers</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Texas
(Big 12 vs. C-USA)</td> <td>Colorado Buffaloes vs. UCF Knights</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Roady's Humanitarian
(WAC vs. ACC)</td> <td>Boise State Broncos vs. Maryland Terrapins</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Valero Alamo
(Big Ten vs. Big 12)</td> <td>Michigan State Spartans vs. Kansas Jayhawks</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Papajohns.com
(Big East vs. SEC)</td> <td>Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Kentucky Wildcats</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>PetroSun Independence
(SEC vs. Big 12)</td> <td><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mississippi State Bulldogs</span> vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Emerald
(Pac-10 vs. ACC)</td> <td>California Golden Bears vs. Boston College Eagles</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Champs Sports
(ACC vs. Big Ten)</td> <td>Florida State Seminoles vs. Michigan Wolverines</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Meineke Car Care
(Big East vs. ACC)</td> <td>Pittsburgh Panthers vs. North Carolina Tar Heels</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Motor City
(MAC vs. Big Ten)</td> <td>Ball State Cardinals vs. Iowa Hawkeyes</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Sheraton Hawaii
(WAC vs. Pac-10)</td> <td>Nevada Wolf Pack vs. UCLA Bruins</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia
(Mountain West vs. Pac-10)</td> <td>Air Force Falcons vs. Arizona Wildcats</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>R + L Carriers New Orleans
(C-USA vs. Sun Belt)</td> <td>East Carolina Pirates vs. Florida Atlantic Owls</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>Congressional
(ACC vs. Navy)</td> <td>Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Navy Midshipmen</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>Pioneer Las Vegas
(Mountain West vs. Pac-10)</td> <td>Utah Utes vs. Oregon Ducks</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>St. Petersburg
(Big East vs. C-USA)</td> <td>USF Bulls vs. Memphis Tigers</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td>New Mexico
(WAC vs. Mountain West)</td> <td>Fresno State Bulldogs vs. New Mexico Lobos</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Mark Schlabach covers college football and men's college basketball for ESPN.com. You can contact him at [email protected].</p>

 

[ScoobaDawg]

OH GOODY..another SEC beatdown of the Buckeyes???
ESPN the "world wide leader" makes me sick. Not even July 1st and they are back on Tressells cock.

 

[RebelBruiser]

OH GOODY..another SEC beatdown of the Buckeyes???

ESPN the "world wide leader" makes me sick. Not even July 1st and they are back on Tressells cock.

</p>

Think of it this way. Who is going to beat OSU? It doesn't matter that they'll get it handed to them in the national title game. They'll get there because all they have to do is knock off the Big Ten schools, and they'll be in.

I think picking OSU to be in the title game is more of a recognition of the fact that OSU doesn't have anyone on their schedule that should beat them than it is a recognition of Big Ten strength.

 

[DerHntr]

i realize it is for advertising but it sure doesn't sound right when saying your team is in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl

 

[Fletch Fletcher]

Think of it this way. Who is going to beat OSU?

They play at Southern Cal the 3rd week of the season.</p>

 

[patdog]

Not even July 1st and they are back on Tressells cock.

They weren't supposed to make another serious run for the title again until this year. If they get past Southern Cal, they'll be in the title game. </p>

 

[Coach34]

yuku

 

[Coach34]

he is predicting us to go 6-6 with all these returning starters and an easier schedule than last year....hmmmmmm

 

[jamdawg96]

atlanta or nashville come bowl season...

book it.

 

[ArrowDawg]

.....is that he's probably right. It would be typical for us to follow up a good season with a mediocre or bad one.

 

[patdog]

Probably three since I bet that's about what you pick too (well four now that I see that Arrow agrees too). I sure hope we're wrong, but I really didn't see anything last year that gives me a lot of confidence for a repeat 8-win season.</p>

 

[DowntownDawg]

...but unlike you guys, I'm not going to cry about it and act like we are God's gift to football, one year removed from 6 years of absolute football hell. In about year 4, I told myself if we ever got to be a consistent bowl team, I wouldn't complain. That might change if Shreveport or Memphis becomes out winter home for 6-7 years, but certainly not in a potential year two.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

And I agree with you DowntownDawg

 

[War Machine Dawg]

To beat the dead horse, do we have any faith at all the offense will improve enough to actually win games for us? I know I don't. Especially without Brown at LT protecting Carroll. I think that loss is being vastly overlooked. He was the anchor for our OL the last two years. We didn't start getting better 2 years ago until he was cleared to play and took over at LT. And let's not talk about our WR corp. I have no faith in the group as a whole or our ability to properly utilize them. I mean ****, throwing fades to Lance 17ing Long? And not getting the damn ball to Tony Burks? How the hell do you go from All-SEC your first year to not doing dick your second year? It's ridiculous.

Losing Jamon Hughes on the other side isn't any small loss. I think he was set to start at O'Neal's vacated OLB spot. He was a badass splitting time last year. The D should still be very solid, but I'm not sold enough on the offense, Shitbrick Carlson, Woody, or Croom to say we'll win any more than 6 this season. And we might be lucky getting to 6. Hope I'm wrong, though. We desperately need Croom to succeed, and I want him to succeed. This is his definitive make-or-break year with me. Year 5, it's all his baby. No more excuses, no more throwing JWS under the bus. Win or go home.

 

[Coach34]

but here we are in year 5 and we are scared to death about our offense. Its 17'ing ridiculous. We all know our defense SHOULD be good enough for 8-10 wins...I find this year so interesting because Crooms gets credit for our offense...and Johnson is gone off our defense...Cheese now has to put on a great show to help Crooms and his ultra-conservative offense...

We won 8 games last year- we have an easier schedule and lots of returning starters...less an 8 wins is regression...

 

[Todd4State]

but he COULD be saying that we will have a 7-5 record and that we won't go to the Liberty Bowl again because we went last year. Most bowls don't like to take the same team in consecutive years if they can help it.

I do agree that he is probably thinking 6-6, I just wanted to throw that out there because I feel like it's a valid point.

Edit to say that I still think we go 3-9. We lose to La Tech on the road and it all goes to hell from there. Included in the 3 wins is an uninspiring 14-10 win over SE La.

 

[ArrowDawg]

....is a definite regression, and certainly less than 7 as a low-end number.

SPD thinks Croom should be gone if he doesn't win again this year, his 5th year, but I don't believe it's that simple now. Croom probably bought himself at least two more years(including this year) because of the '07 season. I do think, however, that '09 would be his last year if he fails this year and can't rebound in '09. I don't think we can afford to give our head coach the most ridiculous raise we've ever given and not expect(demand?) positive production in the next couple of years. I'm not talking about SEC titles, just consistent winning.</p>

As for this year's team, I think the defense SHOULD be solid again. I don't know how Harbison will work out yet, but he should know the defense as much as EJ did. The concern I have is that I that I don't think the defense will be able to create as many turnovers, score as many points, etc. as they did in '07. It's just rare that you catch/create that many breaks two years in a row. We always need a steady defense to win, but I believe that today's game of college football requires a steady offense to have more than just a fluke winning season once every 4 years or so. That's why I'm pessimistic about this coming season, because I've seen NOTHING from Croom/McCorvey to suggest they'll ever field a competent and competitive offense in the SEC. I do hope and pray they make a believer out of me this year. I'm still hanging on the edge of Croom's bandwagon, one leg in.</p>

 

[RebelBruiser]

Probably three since I bet that's about what you pick too (well four now that I see that Arrow agrees too). I sure hope we're wrong, but I really
didn't see anything last year that gives me a lot of confidence for a repeat 8-win season.</p>

</p>

Well, technically 6-6 is only one less win than you had last year. If you go 6-6 this year and win your bowl game like you did last year, you'd be 7-6, one game worse than 8-5. If you had been 8-4 going into the bowl season and lost your bowl game, I'd say that 6-6 would be a decent drop off, but 7-5 to 6-6 is not much of a change.

 

[GeauxTigahs2005]

It amazes me that you guys are arguing over what would be a successful season. At this stage in the game for MSU a bowl game has to be the answer. It's crazy to think otherwise. Croom has done a good job of molding the team to his style, and I do agree the offense needs a little more imagination, but this team is light years ahead of what he started with.

 

[ShaNaNa]

Is that OSU plays USC early so say they lose that game but win out. If everyone else has a loss they will still make the title game.

College football doesn't need a playoff it just needs to get OSU out of the championship game

 

[FQDawg]

Well, technically 6-6 is only one less win than you had last year. If you go 6-6 this year and win your bowl game like you did last year, you'd be 7-6, one game worse than 8-5. If you had been 8-4 going into the bowl season and lost your bowl game, I'd say that 6-6 would be a decent drop off, but 7-5 to 6-6 is not much of a change.

I have to agree with our man crush friend here... I think some of the same folks who have lambasted Croom/McCorvey for the first three years are putting WAY too much emphasis on a single season - one in which we all realize we got a lot of breaks. To say that going from essentially 7-5 to 6-6 is a regression is a bit over the top.

I think if you would have told any of us two or three years ago that we would go to back-to-back bowl games in years four and five, we would have been all over it. At this point, if you can guarantee me that we'll be in a bowl game at the end of this season, I'll take it right now.

 

[Stormrider81]

Wow. Here we are one year removed from 6 straight seasons of 3 wins or less and 6 or 7 wins isn't good enough? If MSU wins 6 or 7 this year I'm happy and I'll tell you why. Going to back to back bowls is a big thing. Being able to point to any kind of sustained success would be huge in recruiting. Croom can say, "you see, we had it rough at first but now we're competing consistently and this is only the beginning" rather than trying to sell prospects on something that hasn't occurred yet. Getting to a bowl this year = a successful season. If we win 7 I'll be thrilled. You have to walk before you can run.

Let me also say this, if we fail to make a bowl this year, then we are in trouble. Making one next year will be tough so Croom needs to do it this year. Also, recruiting will suffer if we fail to go bowling, just as it will be helped by said bowl game. The bowl is the true mark this year, not any number of wins.

 

[TR.sixpack]

If you had told Arrow and Coach this time last year that we'd go to two straight bowls, they'd take it. Now after one good season, one which they bitched and moaned throughout, it's not good enough.....hmmmmm. I don't think we're in a position, yet, to look down our noses at 6-6 season. And frankly, I'm not really worried about losing all those senior seeing as how many freshman and sophmores played last year. The '09 team will have its fair share of 4th year players.

The whole "easier schedule/senior" argument is just a way for the Croom-detractors to scream failure if we take a small step backwards.

 

[TR.sixpack]

[No message]

 

[RebelBruiser]

Is that OSU plays USC early so say they lose that game but win out. If everyone else has a loss they will still make the title game.

College football doesn't need a playoff it just needs to get OSU out of the championship game

</p>

I didn't realize OSU was playing USC this year. Obviously I haven't been paying attention to the schedule yet. But like you said, even if they lose that one, they'll still likely go 11-1, which with an early loss, will likely be enough to get them to the title game.

Picking OSU in the title game is a pretty safe bet, even with the game with USC. And I honestly don't think many people necessarily think they are the best team in the country. They just realize that the Big 10 is weak and therefore OSU has the easiest route to the game.

 

[DerHntr]

a little more imagination

understatement of the day

 

[DowntownDawg]

...it's just the Croom haters setting themselves up to be disappointed no matter what. That way they can stay in their comfort zone and hate Croom. It's what they do.

 

[Optimus Prime 4]

hell, you won 7 games during the regular season. 6 this year is NOT a step back. It shows consistency, which is something I think of lot of you are still not sure about. If you make a bowl I know it will raise Croom in my eyes a couple notches.

 

[HD6]

an LSU fan? But he's right on. And as for Coach, his ideas of what MSU football should be are exactly the same as what his ideas of what MSU basketball should be, that is, they are wrong. As long as Croom consistently wins 6-8 games a year and keeps us in bowl games, he will be allowed to coach here, much the same as Stansbury will be the coach here as long as he wins 18-20 games a year and keeps us in the NCAA tournament. And any rational State fan would agree.

 

[Goat Holder]

nm

 

[DowntownDawg]

...as would most reasonable people.

 

[patdog]

We won 8 last year. We have an easier schedule this year. We return most of last year's team and will start about 15 seniors. If we can't win more than 6 this year, it won't be a good sign.

 

[DowntownDawg]

...but what's your point? Is 6 games not good enough? Should we be firing Croom for going to two consecutive bowls? I guess a team that goes 13-0 in Year 1, and 12-1 in Year 2 is regressing. So what? The baseline of success at Mississippi State is a bowl game. If that is achieved again, your program is gaining consistency, which is the goal, as Storm and others have said.

You guys just look for stuff. It blows my mind. Maybe we'll win 10 games next year, and then in July of 2009, we'll get to hear about how a 9 win season is regression and how Croom should be on the hot seat.

 

[DowntownDawg]

...this is the same stupid mentality that led OM back to the dark ages of football, and rightfully so. All of the sudden, winning seasons and bowl games aren't good enough. We need to be winning the toughest division in college football, or we need a new coach. That's why I get so annoyed by this ********.

 

[DerHntr]

my questions:

if we do have sustained success (say 5 years in a row in a bowl):

1. How long will Croom hang around with the money he is making?

2. When do we reasonably start to expect more than 8 wins?</p>