Midway National Championship

[bigwinnner8]

Its half way over, who do you have in the national championship game and why?

Florida over Penn State

Florida has stepped it up a notch the last two weeks and it looks like the offense is finally clicking. With LSU out of the way, they need to pull one out in Georgia against an over rated Bulldog squad and they will be the 1 loss SEC team that makes the big game.

Personally, my ideal scenario is to have BYU/Ball St/Boise St as the only undefeated team and just throw a wrench into the whole BCS system. However, there are three ranked Big 10 teams. OSU looks very beatable and if you can stop Javon Ringer then you can stop MSU. Penn St gets Michigan and Michigan State at home, leaving them one more real test at the Horseshoe and I think they get it done.

This leaves us with what has really become the norm in national championship games. A SEC power wiping the floor with the best of the Big 10. Nobody wants it, but at the halfway point I think its most likely.









On a total side note, is there anyone here who things the Big 12 is top down better then the SEC? After this weekend I think you could make the argument....

[donkeypunch]

I personally disagree with Penn State and Florida, If FLA doesn't lay a complete egg against Miss then it's easy, they would be in. But to lose that game, at home nonetheless to a .500 football team is inexcusable. But if they only end up with 1 loss it will interesting to see if they can get in (which I still think they will).

As for PSU, they still haven't played anyone. Strength of schedule is 74 and their best win was against Illinois/Oregon St. I know they've beaten up on the bottom feeders of the Big 11, but let's see what they can do against The Ohio State in a couple of weeks.

Right now I feel as though Texas would have to be in at this point, they have the biggest win and a SOS of 43 (probably mostly due to OU game, but nonetheless...) and I'm going to give the other spot to Alabama even though i'm still not sold on them (SOS of 38 and no losses).

I'm of the opinion that truly from top to bottom it's still the SEC, due mostly to the fact that the Big 12 has Baylor, Texas AM and Iowa State who are all worse than any teams in the SEC. But after that, a slight edge to the Big 12 as far as top tier teams at the moment, so since the 12 has a few teams that are really really bad, I lean slightly SEC.

[NY80]

Interesting debate. I also believe that Florida will be in the National Championship. It seems as though they're playing more of a "backyard" style football now which is what suits Tim Tebow best. They are letting him be the great athlete and leader he is. Also, the defense is starting to step up, and I think they will handle the Bulldogs with relative ease.

As for Alabama, the jury is still out. Yes, they are great in the trenches, but they still haven't played anyone with a proven offensive line. Both Clemson and Georgia had very young, inexperienced and unproven offensive lines. Alabama slipped up a couple times vs. the likes of Tulane and Kentucky, and if they do that vs. a team with a little more talent, that will be there loss. I don't think they will have the strength of schedule to get in over Florida, any of the 1 loss Big 12 teams, or an undefeated PSU (if it happens).

As far as PSU, they have looked great and to this point I would say they are far and away the best team in the Big 10. Ohio State still remains very unimpressive on offense. Yes, they snugged out a win at Camp Randal, but judging by how PSU and Ohio State faired vs them (I know it is unrealistic to compare teams based how they play common opponents), but I'd say PSU looked much sharper. However, I agree that we will see for real in a few weeks when PSU plays Ohio State.

What about the Horns? They looked very impressive against the Sooners but their secondary is still very young (two freshman starting safeties). If their secondary can continue to improve and impress the way they did Saturday, they are the clear cut favorite in my opinion.

Regardless of what happens, this has been one helluva first half; one that has gone by very quickly.

My prediction:

Penn State 31
Florida 23