Autumn Spectacle: The Way They'll Finish

The Way They'll Finish
By AutumnSpectacle.com staff E-mail

Ten years of the BCS - and every year has been different. We challenge anyone to show us a 14-week period of any sport, at any time, that compares with what happened in major college football in the autumn of 2007. Surprises, craziness, drama, wire-to-wire – because of the BCS. From Appalachian State’s win over Michigan in the Big House Labor Day weekend, to Dec. 2 when the bowl announcements came, it was a constantly changing, anything-can-happen, upset-the-applecart, nobody’s-safe, screaming competition.

Missouri and West Virginia woke up #1 and #2 at sunrise, Dec. 1 – just win baby. But when the lights went out that night they had both gone down, and Ohio State and LSU were back at the top - after they thought that all was lost.

So, what will 2008 bring? One thing we know for sure: Labor Day weekend - it’s on! And every week, as the race unfolds - from Eugene to Blacksburg, from Madison to Boulder, the only thing we know for sure is: no matter who you’re playing, you MUST win THIS game - Today. Who will falter? Who will survive? Really want to know? Listen up.

Let’s be clear – we’re not picking our pre-season Top 25 – there are plenty of those out there, already. We’re predicting the winners, the champions – who will claim the Crystal Ball as the Final Number 1, the Final top 25 – The Way They’ll Finish after the last showdown.

And, we’ll toot our horns a little. This is the third year of our Final Top 25. In 2006, we predicted in May that Ohio State would run the table and win it all. We were one game short, just like the Buckeyes.

In 2007, we nailed it. We boldly proclaimed LSU would bring it all home and we did so, even before a player had put on his pads for two-a-days. We also predicted Boise State would not follow up on their miracle in the desert, that West Virginia would lose at South Florida, that Oklahoma would lose in Lubbock, that Arizona State would return to the national radar and that Arkansas wouldn’t live up to the Sooie, despite having a Heisman finalist returning.

Now, it’s time to look at 2008.

We weighed all the factors: players, coaches, returning starters, coaching changes, schedules, fight songs, mascots, colors, stadiums, alma maters, battle cries, spirit squads, tailgaters, karma, mojo, and without a doubt it’s – BOOMER SOONER OKU!

1. Oklahoma

Yes, Bob Stoops can still win the big one, and he'll prove it this year as the Sooners bring home their eighth national championship. OU faces the same conference opponents at the same venues as they did in the year 2000, and again play the Conference Championship game in Kansas City and the National Championship Game in Miami. So it’s obvious - as in 2000 - the Sooners are destined to run the table and claim the Crystal Ball. And besides the karma, they’ve got the talent – and they want it bad.

With 14 starters returning, OU makes a September statement with victories at Washington and over Cincinnati and TCU at home. Gaining momentum behind QB Sam Bradford, RB Demarco Murray and strong line play, the Schooner rolls through October, squashing the hated 'Horns in the Cotton Bowl as they go. November gets a little shaky. Following a workman-like win over Nebraska and a blitzing of Texas Tech at home, Oklahoma survives at Texas A&M and avoids an embarrassing loss in Stillwater before hammering Mizzou again for the Big 12 Title. As in 2000, the Sooners take their bowl trip to Miami, defeating a Florida team for the Title. In 2000, the 'Noles were the victims - this time around, it's the Gators. Relax, Sooner fans - Stoops is still Stoops.

2. Florida

Urban Myer’s Florida Gators are primed for another national title run in 2008 – but they don’t quite get there. Behind Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, Percy Harvin and a much-improved defense, the Gators cruise through the regular season - rocking the Vols in Knoxville, beating LSU, avenging last year’s loss with a win over Georgia at the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party and cruising to victory over the ‘Noles in Tallahassee along the way. They bring home the SEC Crown in Atlanta, but the party ends on a down note when they step in front of a wagonload of Sooners on a quest for BCS redemption in the National Championship Game.

3. Ohio State

With 18 starters back, the Buckeyes are looking for their third straight trip to the BCS National Championship Game - but whoa Nellie - not this time. Bucks travel to Tinsel Town Sept. 13 to challenge Southern Cal for a place at the top, but limp out of the Coliseum, losing a heart-breaker. They bounce back strong in the Big Ten race, but drop a conference game - to Wisconsin or Illinois on the road or Penn State at home. The Buckeyes finish strong with a pounding of Michigan in the Horseshoe and a revenge win over USC in the Rose Bowl.

4. Missouri

Behind 15 returning starters (9 on defense) and Heisman hopeful Chase Daniels at QB, Old Mizzou has a chance for that dream season in 2008 - and they jump-start it with a big victory over Illinois in the opener. Cruising through September and into October they chalk up conference wins over Nebraska and Oklahoma State before falling to Texas in a heart-stopper in Austin, Oct. 18. From there, the Tigers win out the regular season, topping it off with a shellacking of Kansas at the Border War in Kansas City. Then it's back to Arrowhead the next week where they're crushed by the Sooner Schooner in the Big 12 Title game. When the Sooners head to Miami, Missouri snags a BCS Bowl bid.

5. Southern Cal

Trojans open with a convincing road win over Virginia in Charlottesville, then, following an open date, they squeeze out a monumental victory over Ohio State in the Coliseum. It’s all down hill from there for USC, right ? Not so fast. Pete Carroll has 11 starters returning (just 4 back on offense) and the Men of Troy let one get away. At Oregon State on Sept. 25 (a Thursday night game), Oregon or Arizona State (back-to-back at home in October) or at cross-town rival UCLA Dec. 6 – the Trojans drop a conference game, but claim the Pac 10 Crown and return to the beloved Rose Bowl, New Years Day, where they fall to the Buckeyes in a rematch.

6. Georgia

The Bulldogs have 15 starters back and face a schedule that gives them a chance to prove their worth. Wins in back-to-back road games at South Carolina and at Arizona State and over Alabama and Tennessee at home, could solidify the Dawgs at the top of the charts in mid-October. But they drop one in that four-game stretch, then fall to them Florida Gators at The World’s Largest Cocktail Party. A third loss, at Auburn, and a home win over rival Georgia Tech in the game known as “Clean Old-Fashioned Hate,” sends UGA BCS Bowling again.

7. Wisconsin
Kicking off 2008 finds the Badgers with 19 returning starters and looking for a quarterback. With road games at Michigan, Iowa, Michigan State and Indiana and Ohio State and Penn State at home – they come up short twice but land a BCS Bowl bid.

8. LSU

Looking for a quarterback and with only 9 starters returning, four of which are in the offensive line. The Bengal Tigers roll, improving as they go - winning at Auburn, but losing at Florida and to Georgia at home. November victories over 'Bama and Ole Miss at home and a thumping of Arkansas in Little Rock send the Tigers to Atlanta where the Gators throttle 'em in the SEC Championship Game. LSU lands in an upper-tier bowl to wrap it up.

9. Texas Tech

The Red Raiders bring 18 starters back, and thanks to a safe, non-conference schedule, rich in cupcakes (Eastern Washington, Nevada, SMU and UMass), they stroll through September with no losses suffered and no respect earned. The conference slate is another story. The Raiders drop a road game in October, and take a pounding from Oklahoma in Norman, Nov. 22. Their high point comes in Lubbock, Nov. 1, with a victory over Texas. New Year’s Day finds the Red Raiders bowling.

10. Wake Forest

Wake roars out of the gate with wins over and Ole Miss, Baylor and Navy at home, but lose at Florida State. Then, behind 15 returning starters and QB Riley Skinner, the Demon Deacons light up a Thursday night with a huge home win over Clemson, Oct. 9, and sweep out - except for a loss at Maryland or at N.C. State. Then it's on to Jacksonville where they bring the wood on VaTech for their second ACC crown in three years and a BCS Bowl bid.

11. Texas

With 12 starters back, led by QB Colt McCoy, the Horns own September - dropping pesky Florida Atlantic, UTEP, Arkansas and Colorado in Boulder. But Bevo gets skewered and barbequed at the Texas State Fair as the Longhorns are steamrolled by the Sooner Schooner in the Red River Rivalry. They bounce back strong, whipping Mizzou and Oklahoma State in Austin the next two weeks, but take their lumps on the road - losing at Texas Tech and at Kansas in November. Horns wrap up the regular season on an upswing, beating Texas A&M at home, then it's R and R for Bevo at a mid-level bowl.

12. Penn State

JoePa chases Bowden with 17 starters back, but he's looking for a quarterback. The first four weeks are friendly and the Nittany Lions take advantage, beating Oregon State and creampuffs Coastal Carolina and Temple at home, and winning at Syracuse. The Lions face four key conference games - Illinois in Happy Valley and Wisconsin, Ohio State and Iowa on the road - and they lose three of them, before finishing with home Ws over Indiana and Michigan State and head to a nice bowl.

13. Virginia Tech

Frank Beamer's Hokies have 11 starters and two proven quarterbacks returning for the defending ACC champs. They're out of the gate quick as they travel to Charlotte to open with a victory over a veteran East Carolina squad, and sweep September, with big road wins at North Carolina and Nebraska. October turns dark for VaTech, as they drop two in a row - at Boston College Oct. 18 and at Florida State Oct. 25. From there the Hokies run the table through the regular season, but fall to Wake Forest in the ACC at Jacksonville, then finish strong in a bowl.

14. South Florida

The Bulls are 2-0 when they drill Kansas at home in a Friday night contest, Sept. 12. From there, behind QB Matt Grothe and 15 returning starters, they fight through the conference slate: Pitt, at Louisville, at Cincinnati, Rutgers, UConn – losing twice – then beating West Virginia in the finale for the Big East Title and a BCS Bowl berth.

15. TCU

With 14 starters back and two experienced quarterbacks, the Horned Frogs are fast out of the blocks, winning at New Mexico to start, beating Stanford at home, and cruising until they get pummeled by Oklahoma in Norman. The Frogs rebound, picking up speed as they roll through the Mountain West schedule, highlighted by a Thursday night victory over BYU, Oct. 16, at home. Another Thursday night win at Utah, Nov. 6, followed by a solid win over Air force and them TCU Horned Frogs are BCS Bowling.

16. West Virginia

The Mountaineers survive an early scare at East Carolina, then are upset at Colorado in a Thursday night contest, Sept. 18. With 13 returning starters (9 on offense), led by QB Pat White, WVU surges through October, counting big wins at home over Rutgers and Auburn (another Thursday night game, Oct. 23), and at UConn, Nov. 1. The Mountaineer Express rolls on through November until it is derailed in season-ending losses at Pitt in the Back Yard Brawl and to South Florida in Morgantown, before finishing on an upswing in a bowl game.

17. Kansas

Coming off a magic carpet season, the defending Orange Bowl Champion Jayhawks tune up with two cupcakes at home before falling at South Florida, Friday, Sept. 12. With 15 starters back (9 on defense) and returning Jr. QB Todd Reesing, the Hawks launch into Big 12 Conference play – losing at Oklahoma and twice more – finishing 8 – 4, and heading to an upper – tier bowl.

18. Oregon

Mike Bellotti’s Oregon Ducks are looking for a quarterback to lead 5 returning offensive starters (12 overall). They start on a high note, beating Washington at home to open, but fall short on the road as the season unfolds – losing at Purdue, at USC, at Arizona State and at Oregon State in the Civil War finale, then go to a mid-level bowl.

19. Tennessee

New QB Jonathan Compton leads 8 returning offensive starters in a revamped offensive system, as the Volunteers open with a big Labor Day win over UCLA in the Rose Bowl. They return home where they fall to Florida, followed by road losses at Auburn and at Georgia. From there, the Vols beat Alabama in Neyland Stadium while “Rocky Top” rings, then win out - except for a loss at South Carolina - and play in a New Year’s Day bowl.

20. Alabama

Nick Saban goes into battle with 16 returning starters (10 on offense), and Sr. QB John Parker Wilson at the helm for the Crimson Tide. The Tide loses a squeaker to Clemson in Atlanta, beats Arkansas in Fayetteville, then loses 3 down the stretch – at Georgia, at Tennessee and at LSU – but ends the regular season on a high - breaking a 6-year drought with a Sweet Home Alabama Iron Bowl victory over Auburn in Tuscaloosa. Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer.

21. Michigan

Working with 2 returning offensive starters (10 overall), new head man Rich Rodriguez unveils the 2008 version of the Maize and Blue. The Wolverines avoid a second straight opening loss in The Big House with a shaky win over Utah, but lose at Notre Dame, to Wisconsin and Illinois at home and are taken to the woodshed by them Buckeyes of THE Ohio State University in the 100 -Yard War.

22. Florida State

Bobby Bowden's race with Joe Paterno continues, neck-and-neck, and Bowden starts the 2008 campaign with a squad depleted by 3-game disciplinary suspensions. In the face of the suspensions, the Seminoles coast through two wins over cupcakes and take a nail-biter over Wake Forest at home in an Atlantic Division showdown. With the suspensions lifted, the 'Noles plow ahead to wins over Colorado in Jacksonville, the Caines in Miami and N.C. State before losing to Virginia Tech at home and the Ramblin' Wreck of Georgia Tech in Atlanta. FSU beats Clemson and loses to BC at home, then wins at Maryland, before dropping the regular season finale to in-state rival Florida in Doak Campbell Stadium.

23. Tulsa

The Golden Hurricane take advantage of a schedule well-stocked with cupcakes and conference showdowns at home. They host conference foes Rice, UTEP, UCF and Tulane, and win them all. Their lone regular season loss comes Nov. 1 at the hands of them Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville. The Hurricane falls to East Carolina in the Conference USA Championship Game and goes bowling.

24. Clemson

With 15 starters back, the Tigers come roaring out of the gate with an opening victory over Alabama in Atlanta, Labor Day weekend, and pick up speed with wins over conference foes N.C. State and Maryland, and cupcakes The Citadel and South Carolina State. They suffer their first loss at Wake Forest, Oct. 9, then drop two more on successive November Saturdays – at Boston College and at Florida State. A sweet win over in-state rival South Carolina, at home, brings down the curtain on the regular season.

25. Brigham Young

With 8 returning offensive starters led by Jr. QB Max Hall, BYU’s high - powered offense fuels three wins through September – but with just 3 defensive starters back, they lose either at Washington or to UCLA at home. The Cougars plow into October with conference wins over Wyoming and New Mexico, but lose a Thursday night showdown at TCU Oct. 16. They close out the regular season by winning 4 of their last 5 – the loss coming either at Air Force or rival at Utah in their last two games.

But what about these...?

Notre Dame

Last year’s 3-9 record was demoralizing to everyone in the Irish Nation, to say the least. This season will show whether Notre Dame is headed back to where they should be. Recruiting has been outstanding, but when will it pay off? 2009 – that’s when it’s time to get it done – the Men of Troy return to The House That Rock Built in October,’ 09, and that’s when it’s time for the Fighting Irish to be back in the hunt. In the meantime, improvement is the order of the day – every day.

Auburn

They say they’re moving from Tommy Tubervillle’s smash-mouth offense to the spread – we’ll see. The Tigers will be solid, but we count 4 losses: either at Mississippi State or to Tennessee at home, LSU at home, at West Virginia on Thursday night, Oct. 23 and to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Iron Bowl, T-Town.

Arizona State

With 6 offensive starters back (13 overall) and Sr. QB Rudy Carpenter at the controls, the Sun Devils win their first three, then fall to Georgia at home Sept. 20. From there, they face four conference difference-makers – at Cal, at USC, Oregon at home and at Washington – and lose two of them, before losing at rival Arizona to close it out.

Fresno State

Pat Hill welcomes back 16 returning starters (9 on offense) Sr. QB Tom Brandstater, and a schedule that gives the Bulldogs a chance to make a splash. With 3 BCS non - conference opponents, they could rocket up the charts – if they win ‘em. Not this time. Fresno opens with losses at Rutgers and to Wisconsin at home then finds a win at Toledo and loses to UCLA in the Rose Bowl to round out September. From there they win 7 of their last 8 – losing at Boise State in the final regular season contest.

Florida Atlantic

The defending conference champions return a boatload of starters (18 total) led by NFL-caliber QB Rusty Smith. This is not your normal Sun Belt team so don’t be surprised when they give Texas all they want on opening weekend. They also play at Michigan State and at Minnesota and we think they’ll win at least one of their three contests with the big boys. Howard Schnellenberger’s ’08 Owls are his best yet and a second straight league title gets them to a bowl again and closer to an invitation to the Big East after 2010.

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