Chris Jordan
4-0 Sweep!!!
200♦ FLORIDA - When the going gets tough, the Wolverines get going. It's that simple.
And just as we saw Michigan struggle against Ohio State in the finale, and Oregon in the second game of the season, we're going to see it stumble in Lloyd Carr's swan song.
Unless a team is inline for an undefeated campaign ? which was near impossible for every team this season ? there are the general hiccups during the season for every prominent team. With Florida, which let's not forget ? under Urban Meyer ? ripped Ohio State to shreds last season, it believes this was a disappointing campaign because a pair of losses in the middle of its season.
After a 4-0 start to the campaign, the Gators were tripped up abruptly by Auburn, LSU and Georgia before closing the regular season on a four-game SU and ATS winning streak, including a 45-12 beat down of intra-state rival Florida State as a 14-point home favorite in the season finale.
Florida?s three losses came by an average margin of a little more than six points per setback, but it rebounded nicely, and I honestly believe we're going to see Meyer's troops heading into this one motivated for a blowout victory over the mentally constipated Wolverines.
Sure, the Wolverines will be looking to win one for Lloyd Carr, not to mention the slew of seniors on this team, but this is what is called a signature game for the Gators, a springboard if you will for the 2008 season, something the Gators wish they could start next week. Carr is 5-7 in Bowl games at Michigan, and Meyer is 4-0 in his last four ? two with Utah and two with Florida.
Make it five straight with this blowout win of the Wolverines.
100♦ TEXAS TECH - I do realize the Raiders stumbled down the stretch this season, and certainly was shockingly bad for being the top offense in the nation at one point, but I've watched one too many teams that struggled down the stretch come back prepared for the postseason.
The one high note I take into this one, from that end-of-the-season run, was the Raiders' 34-27 upset win over Oklahoma as a 7-1/2 point home underdog. And the Sooners were supposed to be a team playing in the BCS Title game.
This is a dangerous team, I am telling you this right now, and keep in mind the straight-up winner in Tech's 11 games with a point spread, covered the number in 10 of those games - including the last nine in a row.
This is a big day for the Red Raiders, as they make their first postseason appearance on New Year's Day since 1954, and they come into this postseason off last year's most exciting bowl game, in which they came back from a 28-point deficit to knock off Minnesota, 44-41. Think those returning players remember that ? I do.
I certainly don't believe the Cavaliers have the offensive horses to keep up with an offense that averaged exactly 50 points per game in their first seven games ? winning six of them. And even after that, the Raiders averaged 30.2 points over their last five games. Virginia can't get close to those numbers, as it averaged just 24 points and 328.7 yards per game, while putting up 21 or less in four of its last six outings.
Guys, play the more explosive Red Raiders in this one.
50♦ LOUISVILLE - We're going to lay the points in this old-school rivalry from the Conference USA, as the Bearcats have shown vulnerability on the road, where they've lost all four of their games. Granted, they snapped an ugly skid with a six-point win on Saturday, and they've covered four straight, but ever since Louisville lost to Purdue, Rick Pitino has had his troops rolling. The Cardinals, albeit they've beaten some cupcakes, have rebuilt their confidence by winning four straight by an average margin of 17.5 points. They come into this one off a 31-point drubbing of Iona, on Saturday, and should have no trouble getting up for this one.
50♦ CLEMSON - The Tigers may have had disappointment last night on the gridiron, but leave it to the cagers to lift the spirits of this school as the winning continues. I know it's a tough chore for the Tigers on the road today, but they're laying points for a reason, and it's likely because they're 4-1 SU and 3-1 ATS when playing away from home. I realize Alabama is 10-3 this season ? including a 7-1 mark at home, but only four of those eight home games ever made it to the betting board ? meaning the Tide will face their first big test of the season today. And with Clemson out-distancing teams by 10 when its traveling, I like my chances in playing the road team in this one.
