NG's Bowl Projections Oct. 15th Edition

[SKoreaVol]

There is a perception among some certain other team's fans that Tennessee is not a very good team. This perception seems to stem from Tennessee's two losses, which, admittedly, were not very pretty to behold.

However, I wonder if those same people have the same perception of USC. USC has now lost two games, games in which they were heavily favored. In fact, one could argue that losing to a 41 point underdog is the same as getting beat by 41 points to a team with comparable talent. Yet the prevailing perception seems to be not that USC is a bad team, but that they need to make some adjustments.

One could also make a very good argument that the Tennessee team of the last 2 weeks is a much better team than the first few. They are running the ball. They're playing light years better on special teams and defense. In fact, looking at the situation rationally, one would argue that this Tennessee team is drastically improved, so making projections about this season based on Tennessee's losses is very irrational. Don't you think?

 

[Neyland's Ghost]

There is a perception among some certain other team's fans that Tennessee is not a very good team. This perception seems to stem from Tennessee's two losses, which, admittedly, were not very pretty to behold.

However, I wonder if those same people have the same perception of USC. USC has now lost two games, games in which they were heavily favored. In fact, one could argue that losing to a 41 point underdog is the same as getting beat by 41 points to a team with comparable talent. Yet the prevailing perception seems to be not that USC is a bad team, but that they need to make some adjustments.

One could also make a very good argument that the Tennessee team of the last 2 weeks is a much better team than the first few. They are running the ball. They're playing light years better on special teams and defense. In fact, looking at the situation rationally, one would argue that this Tennessee team is drastically improved, so making projections about this season based on Tennessee's losses is very irrational. Don't you think?

Post of the DAY, right here. :clapping::good!:k::rock::thumbsup:

 

[Lexvol]

Post of the DAY, right here. :clapping::good!:k::rock::thumbsup:

I thought that USC only had one loss?

 

[WA_Vol]

I thought that USC only had one loss?

They do. :ermm:

 

[Lexvol]

Just checking.

 

[SKoreaVol]

I thought that USC only had one loss?

Bah. That's what I get for posting first thing in the morning. Clearly I had deluded myself into thinking the Trojans had lost last weekend.

Edit: For further support of my point, look at Arkansas last year. Did they not get destroyed by USC early on? They ended being a decent team.

 

[emainvol]

OK, I will start out by picking the Major Conference Championship Games and Winners.

ACC- Boston Coll vs. Virginia Tech Winner: Virginia Tech
Big 12- Kansas St. vs. Oklahoma Winner: Oklahoma
Big East- West Virginia
Big Ten- Ohio St.
Conf. USA- East Carolina vs. UTEP Winner: East Carolina
Pac-10- California
SEC- Tennessee vs. Auburn Winner: Tennessee
WAC- Hawaii

I decided it was just easier to bold the predictions I agree with.

So let's move to the ones I don't.

I think Boston College is easily better than Va Tech, I mean, let's see them play good offense against a good defense, and for that matter let's see them play good defense against a good offense before we anoint them the ACC champ.

I agree with Oklahoma as the Big 12 champ, but Missouri or Kansas will be in the Big 12 championship game. Kansas St has already lost to Kansas and will
have a heckuva time trying to knock off a just flat out good Mizzou team.

West Virginia needs South Florida to lose twice in conference, it could happen but their hardest remaining game is Rutgers on the road, then Louisville and Cincy travel to Tampa. If they get past Rutgers (which I fully expect them to do) they are going to be entirely too motivated for a let down in either of those games, which are against lesser teams. South Florida is for real, and Leavitt is not going to let them go into anything unprepared. They may lose one game, but two is out of the question.

Ohio St. is going to have a hard time finishing the season with less than three losses. Have you seen the back half of their schedule? You really think they can win all those games? The winner of this weekends Illinois/Michigan game wins the Big 10. And they both beat Ohio St.

California has to play at Arizona St, UCLA, and Washington before the year is over. Throw in a game in Berkeley against a USC team that may not be the juggernaut they were thought to be preseason (then again, who is?) but is still coached by Pete Carroll. USC wins the Pac 10, and if they don't that honor goes to ASU. In fact, go ahead and mark Nov. 22nd on your calender. ASU will be ready to take the Trojans on in what could be one of the better games of the year.

I don't necessarily disagree with Tennessee in the SEC championship, but we have a hard road ahead. Basically we have just as good a shot as anyone, however, Auburn, no chance. Auburn plays at a ticked off LSU, at night. After LSU thrashes them, they would have to lose two more games in the SEC to finish behind Auburn, who would have to run the table. Lets just say I wouldn't put any money on LSU losing to Alabama, Ole Miss, or Arkansas, let alone two of the three.

 

[Neyland's Ghost]

Good job emain. That's the kinda reply I've been waiting 4 pages for. We'll see what happens. I don't believe in South Florida like you do, and I think that Auburn wins at LSU. If they don't, no biggy. I'll change my projections to reflect it. These are fluid. I am not trying to say what I have projected will be 100% right, I just wanted to start some conversation. I plan on posting these projections weekly. We'll see what happens.