FanNation - The Republic of Sport

So right off the bat, let's agree that the whole "mid-major", "non-BCS", however you want to categorize a team like these Cardinals- will always leave a Div 1A team "on the outside looking in." So... that's the Sportscenter cliche-ridden BS version of the story.  I don't have a solution, by the way; oh, and also by-the-by, the problem I'm speaking of is the fact that a team like Ball State could run the table this season (just gotta take care of those pesky Western Mich. Broncos to complete the Directional Michigan Trifecta Sweep next week) and still find themselves not just nowhere near- and I mean nowhere near- the National Championship contest, but probably left out of a BCS spot as well.  That's the problem- and I still don't have a solution. 

And I'm not here or about to lambaste their schedule (though today I notice that Eastern Michigan, an early Ball State victim, is catching 12 and a half at 3-7 Temple. Yes, that's right, the Temple that the Big East booted off the island a few years back for not having a football program worthy of sharing a stage with such powerhouses as Syracuse, et al.)  Okay- sorry for the digression; last one today- I (kinda) promise.  You see what I'm saying- maybe their should be a playoff-style tournament thingy... perhaps a hybrid of the Prez-Elect's 8 Team, 2 Rounder and the 64 plus-the-playin NCAA tourney.  Right now, let's just make a few picks and worry this issue later.

We're trying to keep things going from last week, when we posted a 5 and 1 mark in this space; now that won't be easy to match, so for now we'll just try and nail some.  BC, as I've implied, has yet to lose their annual just-go-ahead-and-bump-us-out-of-the-BCS-and into the Meineke Car Care Bowl game, and Wake Forest has been just up and down enough to have a chance to knock off the Eagles.  But I'm still not convinced- for one thing the Eagles traditionally choke in their backyard, if they're gonna choke at all.  So seeing as this one's not going down in Chestnut Hill, I'll instead address the total: 40 points.  Now BC's not a scoring machine, by any stretch, but I generally like the over when they're in a low-scoring affair.  This one's 40, mainly because the Deacons tend to keep things defensive.  But I'm picking a higher total than 40, not much higher- but maybe the old 27-17 that the Eagles always seem to end up with.

So what else, then?  I still want to ride Penn State's oponents, that's what else.  I've been impressed all year with Michigan State (more impressed that I've been with the Nittanies lately), so I'm willing to stick what's working 'til it quits.  So the Sparts start with sixteen, and I like it.  And away in Cali, as the not-so-Big Game unfolds, I also advocate taking the Stanford Cardinal, an 8.5 point dog in this year's version.   I just see Cal's season as being slightly underwhelming and a bit disappointing, plus this one's a real rivalry- so this could be closer than all that.

Another dog, another day:  I'm also inclined to grab the Pitt Panthers and their 6 point spot against Cinci; yes, the Bearcats are good, but I'll take my chances on the more established and stable Panthers.  And now let's switch gears and grab Vtech, even as they give a generous 17 point spot to the lowly Blue Devils.  I correctly diagnosed a few weeks back when it was time to stop giving Duke one mote of respect, and I think the Hokies will breezily win this one at home by 4 td's. 

And let's add one more thing; the total in what shouldn't have been but will be nonetheless the most pitiful SEC matchup of the season- yeah, Vols at Vandy- stands at 36.  I just have a hunch that the 'Dores will put up 28 themselves as they try to ensure a decent Bowling destination, and maybe Tennessee scores a few themselves as they decide to play for pride- or dignity or whatever.  So look for more (maybe not much more, but more) than 36 in this powder-puffery.

And I'm out- so good luck and here's hoping we're all celebrating later.