Rematch?

If you haven't figured it out already, I root for upsets (unless it involves my team of course) and chaos, especially when it comes to college football. And we have some chaos. USC was stymied by UCLA's fast defense and John David Booty heard their footsteps. Booty was unable to get the ball to his playmakers and USC will be going to the Rose Bowl after losing 13-9.

Meanwhile in a wild and wacky game, Florida won the SEC Championship 38-28 over Arkansas. The Gators jumped out to a 17-0 lead, then Arkansas came back to go up 21-17. After forcing Florida to call their last timeout with 4 minutes left in the 3rd quarter, Arkansas muffed a punt inside their 5 which Florida recovered for a touchdown. Momentum shift, game pretty much over.

So who is Ohio St. going to play: Florida or Michigan? Unless the voters consciously vote for Florida over Michigan, it will be Michigan. Florida won't be able to make up the deficit they face in the computers alone I don't think. Here's how I break down the argument:

For Florida:

• If you believe the SEC is the toughest conference, then Florida played the toughest schedule. The Big 10 isn't as tough top to bottom as the SEC.
• Florida won a conference championship whereas Michigan didn't.
• Florida's loss came in a game where there was a controversial call against them and they didn't give up an offensive touchdown.
• Michigan had their chance, why should they get to play Ohio St. again?

For Michigan:

• They played a tougher non-conference schedule: Central Michigan (MAC champs), at Notre Dame (10-2, a dominating 26 point win), Ball St. and Vanderbilt was a tougher slate than Central Florida, Western Carolina, Florida St. and Southern Mississippi.
• Michigan's one loss was at the #1 ranked team by just 3 points, Florida's loss came against a team currently unranked
• Visually, Michigan looks more dominant. They dominated everyone else in their conference whereas Florida had too many close calls against mediocre teams.

I'm a little biased I admit it. I think it should be Ohio St./Michigan again. Florida hasn't impressed me. Every game, they have at least one bad turnover in their own territory that costs them a touchdown. Tonight, it was the intercepted Chris Leak shovel pass that was returned for a touchdown. Michigan doesn't make those mistakes. Florida's only offense is Percy Harvin. Chris Leak can't seem to make big plays unless Harvin is involved. Defensively, I think Florida and Michigan are even. Special teams, not even close. Edge: Michigan. When your kicker is 4/13 with a season long of 34, that's not good.

If Florida plays Ohio St., I think it could get ugly, I really do. Think about it, has Florida played a diverse offense like Ohio St. that can run and pass? Let's see: Auburn (heck no), LSU (getting warmer, but no), Florida St. (haha no), Arkansas (great running team, little passing), Tennessee (probably the closest thing, but Tennessee is no Ohio St.). Ohio St. has the speed to run by and stop Florida.

If Michigan plays Ohio St., I still think Ohio St. wins, but in a closer game, 10 to 14 point margin. Michigan played a great 2nd half 2 weeks ago. The only bad thing about that is now Tressel & Co. can study those adjustments for the next month and be ready for them. I don't know if Michigan can play any better against Ohio St. than they did in that 2nd half. They got 3 turnovers, and still couldn't win (only scored 10 points off those turnovers).

I'm one of those in favor of a playoff. The people (like John Saunders) who say these games wouldn't mean as much are wrong. USC/UCLA wouldn't have as much riding on it as USC would've been in say an 8-team playoff, but Louisville/UConn would've meant more as would have Rutgers/West Virginia. And if Arkansas beat Florida, maybe Arkansas makes the 8-team playoff and Florida doesn't? Plus, you get 3 straight weeks of single-elimination playoffs, why wouldn't you want that? I'm not going to get into the economics of college sports, but basically the reason we won't and probably will never have a playoff is money, pure and simple.

There were some hoops too:

• N. Carolina 75, Kentucky 63. I really, really like Wayne Ellington as a player. He displays great shooting fundamentals. Notice when he catches the ball, the ball never drops below his waist when he goes to shoot. Every young player should watch a tape of him catch and shoot the ball, it's textbook. Reyshawn Terry stepped up his game, making some big jumpers in the 2nd half. Kentucky played a pretty good game, they slowed the tempo and were able to get Randolph Morris involved, and he responded playing a great game. But outside of him and Joe Crawford, UK has no offense. Bobby Perry is inconsistent, Ramel Bradley is not a point guard, and there's no scoring off the bench.
• DePaul 64, Kansas 57. Who said look out for DePaul??? Hehe, I'm bound to be right on one team. Sammy Mejia was 8/16 from the floor, scored 23 points. DePaul was more aggressive. Free throws: KU 9/14, DePaul 19/26. Kansas has to learn to show up every night like they did against Florida. Brandon Rush, 1/7 shooting, 3 turnovers, 3 points, won't get it done. I think he'll be running on the treadmill some this week for Bill Self.
• Gonzaga 87, Texas 77. Derek Raivio 27 points, 4 assists. Pargo added 18 points and 6 assists. Heytvelt had 13 points and 12 boards. Gonzaga shot 50% as a team and outrebounded Texas by 4, really good effort by the Zags. And, AJ Abrams only shot 3/17 tonight, negating the 2 in the 1-2 punch of Kevin Durant (29 points) and Abrams. Texas is going to struggle, they are really young.
• Ohio St. 78, Valparaiso 58. In his first 23 minutes at Ohio St., Greg Oden scored 14, grabbed 10 boards and blocked 5 shots. Not too shabby.
• Arizona 84, Illinois 72. Arizona's offense is as good as anyone in the country. After the first 15 minutes, they picked up their defensive intensity and Illinois cooled off after their hot start. All 5 Arizona starters were in double figures, and it looks like Mustafa Shakur has learned to balance scoring and play-making. 16 points and 8 assists are great numbers for him. Illinois really needs Jamar Smith back. Brian Randle will certainly help, but Smith will take away minutes from Rich McBride, who is still nothing more than a catch and shoot guy. He can't handle the ball and he can't defend anyone.
• Duke 61, Georgetown 52. Good to see Josh McRoberts a little more assertive offensively. But Duke still needs more from him than 15 points and 5 boards. Georgetown is only as good as their shooting. 43%, including 2/14 from 3 point range isn't good enough.
• Wichita St. 64, Syracuse 61. At the Carrier Dome, the Shockers shocked the Orange, jumping out to a big lead, then held on for dear life in the 2nd half. Despite only 3 points from PJ Cousinard, Kyle Wilson scored 17 and Ogirri added 16. The defense held Syracuse to 36% shooting and the Valley has another big win. Syracuse usually doesn't lose in December because they don't leave New York until Big East play starts. So this is a really big win for Wichita St.
• Butler is still undefeated.
• And North Dakota St. won at Marquette tonight. Last year, the Bison won at Wisconsin. North Dakota St., a program on the rise.

Lastly, if you get a chance, try and find the story about the University of Louisville marching band member who is blind. He was born with no eyes and can't extend his arms, so he's confined to a wheelchair. But he's an unbelievable musician (piano and trumpet). His dad wheels him around in his wheelchair on the field, during games and practices while working the 3rd shift at UPS. A great story, you should check it out.