FSU won a bunch of close games against mediocre teams and got embarrassed in their semi-final. The committee can do what they want but no way do I see most people believing they are ahead of TCU. And if OSU takes the same hit they probably should drop to #3. Regardless, the damage is already done and we just won't know what they might have accomplished in the playoff. I think OSU is going to have a really tough time in this game. Maybe not physically but pace and speed.
Ok. Meanwhile I distinctly remember OSU and Oregon each playing MSU, and more than most believe OSU had the better performance, in terms of speed and pace as well. OSU is definitely the more physical team. Sure the score difference wasn't the same, but going into East Lansing in damn nasty weather is not easy, especially for a fast team. And boy did OSU let off the gas in the 4th, Oregon never let off the gas, they couldn't - they had a closer ball game going into the 4th.
I don't like FSU, nor Winston, but if Oregon couldn't take advantage of 4 or 5 tos, I lost count, then shame on them. FSU was moving at will when this inexplicable, though very relevant part of the game, exploded on them - damn if that wasn't bad coaching as well. It happens - see OU vs Clemson, WVa vs Clemson a couple years ago. But ultimately Lobster Legs was mostly right, albeit horrible tact, it was more FSU shooting themselves on their feet than Oregon playing unstoppable D, which they didn't. So many teams moved on Oregon with too much comfort this year. They are about to play the fastest, strongest, best coached team they've faced this year - a team with more paper talent as well. OSU has had nothing but top 10 classes since Meyer has arrived, actually top 5 - so them winning shouldn't shock you.
One thing is for certain, OSU finally broke through against the SEC, without violations this time (beat Arkansas in the 2011 Sugar Bowl). Oregon may be due because they have never beaten OSU in football - 8 tries - including a recent Rose Bowl (2010) where the Duck's speed was supposed to wipe them off the face of the earth. These aren't the same Bucks of the Tressel, post-Miami upset, era - which went from recruiting more speed for size and situational football. These Bucks are damn fast and continue to get better each time I see them. I saw them up close against Minnesota and if not for wicked cold temperatures, Minnesota would have lost that game by at least 30 points.
The BIG has a fine history against the Pac12 in bowl games, esp the Rose Bowl or neutral locations, once USC is out of the equation. And damn if USC doesn't have a losing bowl record once hey leave Ca. So I'm reaching some here and putting some emphasis on past history, long term.
But back to the game next Monday, I foresee a close one & would not be remotely surprised to see OSU pull away big, in other words: Bucks win big or Oregon in a close one. I've been wrong plenty. So rub it in if I'm wrong.
