Game of the Decade????

With Michigan set to battle Ohio State, and the BCS folks wishing that the game was a matchup made in National Championship heaven, and NOT Big 10 (or 11, if you like) heaven, it’s time to break down the advantages of each school.

Michigan
The Wolverines defense is the key to the game, in this humble view of mine. If that defense which has shown so much flash and determination in getting Michigan to 11-0 shows up, then the game will likely fall Lloyd Carr’s way. Of course, this is a defense we are talking that has played absolutely no one near the talent of the offensive firepower at Ohio State’s disposal. The most recognizable offensive juggernaut Michigan has faced this year? Notre Dame, a team which has struggled to defeat mediocre squads UCLA, Georgia Tech, and Michigan State.

Ohio State
The Buckeyes offense may be the key for these heavily favored boys to get to the BCS Championship. Against a subpar Big 10, an overrated Texas team, and some patsies in the mid-major conferences (Northern Iowa, ect), Troy Smith has put up gaudy numbers and staked his claim for the Heismann trophy. Those numbers may be somewhat inflated, when you take a look at the caliber of teams Smith, Teddy Ginn, Antonio Pittman and CO. have faced this season. The toughest defense faced thus far? Texas, a team ranked near the bottom of NCAA Division I in pass defense – and Ohio State’s offense production in Austin was nothing to write home about. This is a Texas defense which just gave up 45 points to Kansas State (not to mention the 33 hung up by Baylor against the Horns)

So what does this all mean? What we have here is two teams with undefeated records that could, arguably, be noted as unproven squads. Each team has a signature win at a nationally recognized school (Ohio State at Texas, Michigan at Notre Dame). Looking at those teams, one can question whether the Buckeyes defeat of Texas or the Michigan destruction of the Irish should be an indication of the Wolverines and Buckeyes dominance over the college game, or a mere reflection of the overrated Irish and Horns (remember, these were the #2 and #3 ranked schools coming into the season, and we all know how the preseason polls greatly affect college football all season long)

So it comes down to this – are we watching the game of the century Saturday, or is it just a matter of two teams meeting after wiping up some patsies in an overhyped ABC drama fest? Let’s call it a mixture of both – teams can only beat who they are scheduled to play, and it seems clear that being one of only three teams left unbeaten should be an honor to which the winner should receive the spoils – a trip to the BCS Title game.

My prediction – Michigan’s defense stands fast and holds Ohio State in check. Ohio State’s defense comes up with some key turnovers deep in Wolverine territory, giving Smith and Co. a short field. Ohio State wins a “defensive” yawner : 17-7

Updated BCS Bowl Predictions:
Rose: Arkansas vs. Michigan
Fiesta: Texas vs. Notre Dame
Sugar: Florida vs. West Virginia
Orange: Wake Forest vs. Boise State
BCS Title: Ohio State vs. USC