A bizarre BCS Championship prediction

By Staff     Aug 26, 2009

Most predictions I’ve seen for the BCS Championship this season involve Florida vs. Oklahoma or Texas.

Pretty safe pick. Just like last year, one loss should still give you a decent shot at playing for the BCS title game, especially in the SEC and Big 12.

Then, there are the somewhat crazy predictions. Like this one, coming from ESPN analyst Lou Holtz, who thinks that Florida will play (you guessed it) … Notre Dame in the upcoming BCS Championship:

Holtz doesn’t think the No. 23 Fighting Irish are the second-best team in the country, but cites their schedule as being favorable to make a title run. Let’s take a look at Notre Dame’s schedule:

For Notre Dame to play in the BCS title, you’d think it would have to go undefeated. I say this because if the Irish finish with one loss and a weak schedule, Florida, Texas and OU would all be more worthy options.

Going undefeated will be difficult. USC is an obvious choice for a loss. Two other games that interest me will be at Pittsbugh and vs. Michigan State. The Panthers were selected to win the Big East in the preseason media poll, while the Spartans were tapped third in the Big Ten.

Coach Charlie Weis already seems to be on the hot seat. After a productive first two years at Notre Dame (9-3, 10-3), he’s gone 3-9 and 7-6 the past two seasons. He’s 1-2 in bowl games.

Notre Dame playing in the title? Not going to happen.

Switching gears: I checked out Rivals.com’s preseason unit rankings for the Big 12 the other day. The writers and designers over there do fine work and I agreed with all of their rankings, except one.

It’s a bit surprising that in the wide receiver rankings, Texas was No. 1 and Texas Tech was No. 2.

In my mind, here’s the No. 1 group of receivers in the Big 12 and, for that matter, in the country:

http://worldonline.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/blogs/entry_img/2009/Aug/26/ku_fbc_media_day_2009_receivers.jpg

Texas will have fine receivers next season. Jordan Shipley’s established. Malcolm Williams could have a breakout season and showed flashes of his potential filling in for Quan Cosby against Texas Tech last year. Dan Buckner, Brandon Collins and converted quarterback John Chiles provide depth.

Depth is not an issue for Kansas. And the Jayhawks’ best receivers are better than the Longhorns’ best receivers.

Dezmon Briscoe (92 catches, 1,407 yards, 15 TDs), if he stays healthy and his academic problems are behind him, should be a first-team All-American. Kerry Meier (97-1,045-8) has the surest hands in the conference. His production shouldn’t drop much. Kansas has two established elite receivers and not another team in the conference can say that.

Then, there’s Johnathan Wilson, a prime candidate to break out for 700+ yards and 7-8 scores. I haven’t even mentioned Bradley McDougald, whom coach Mark Mangino recently said performed better than any freshman he’s had in the program.

Texas has better personnel than Kansas in most positions. Not receiver.

That should be all for now, friends. As always, discuss.

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