With the MCR firmly established it’s time to put it to good use. Now that the season has ended and the bowls have sorted themselves out we will first apply our MCR to the major BCS bowls, why not start at the top? Here are the five major BCS bowls and their MCR…
Sugar Bowl
Notre Dame (10-2) vs. LSU (10-2)
The only thing keeping this game from being rated a 1 is the star power of Notre Dame. There will be plenty of fans tuning in for the shear enjoyment of Schadenfreude. LSU’s offense is statistically equal to Notre Dame’s but that’s where the similarities end. The Tigers finished the season ranked second in total defense and boast a bad ass defensive line. The last two times Notre Dame played teams with good offenses and stout defenses they got creamed. The Fightless Irish have yet to beat a ranked opponent, it’s not going to be pretty unless you like carnage. An added bonus may be the Charlie Weis factor; during the USC game Weis came dressed as if he was heading to his couch with a beer in hand. It will be interesting to tune in just to see what the Fat Bastard will wear this time; perhaps a tent?
I don’t know about you Pete, but I’m going for a beer and a family-sized bucket of chicken
+1 Star power
+1 Schadenfreude potential
- 1 extreme blowout potential
+1 Charlie Weis in a Muumuu
MCR 2 (Microwave Dinner)
Orange Bowl
Louisville (11-1) vs. Wake Forest (11-2)
Even more of a mismatch then the Sugar Bowl is the Orange Bowl with super offense Louisville against big underdog Wake Forest. The Cardinals boast the third highest scoring offense in the country and one of the best Quarterbacks in Brian Brohm while the Wake Forest defense has relied on turnovers to win games. The Demon Deacons' turnover ratio was sixth-best in Division I-A. Wake won their first ACC title in 36 season without the services of their starting Quarterback and Tailback. It will be fun to root for the underdog but if Wake doesn’t control the ball and get some turnovers, it could get ugly real fast. An added bonus is the flexbone misdirection scheme that Wake Forest runs, it’s always fun to watch unconventional offenses.
+1 extreme underdog
+1 Flexbone offense
- 1 extreme blowout potential
MCR 1 (Woman’s Heart)
Fiesta Bowl
Boise State (12-0) vs. Oklahoma (11-2)
Party crashers are always fun to watch and Boise is just that after finishing the season undefeated and throwing a monkey wrench into the BCS. Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops has done an amazing job considering he lost his starting Quarterback to a car dealership before the season started and his All-American Heisman candidate running back six games in. The rumor is that Adrian Peterson may return for the game which may be worth the price of admission. The Broncos boast an explosive offense that ranks 11th in total yards with a strong Quarterback and explosive running back in Ian Johnson who is third nationally in rushing yards per game. Although known for their offense, Boise ranks eighth nationally in rushing yards allowed per game. Oklahoma ranks 17th in total and scoring defense and is overall more athletic then Boise. OU Wide Receiver turned Quarterback Paul Thompson has completed 60% of his passes for 20 touchdowns with only 8 INT’s.
+1 BCS embarrassment potential
+1 undefeated/uncrowned team potential
+1 Heisman candidate return after injury for final game
+1 two good statistical offenses against two good statistical defenses
-1 validity of undefeated team (Boise’s only ranked opponent was #25 Oregon State)
MCR 3 (Jessica Simpson Sex Tape)
Rose Bowl
USC (10-2) vs. Michigan (11-1)
What could be a better matchup then two teams with recently dashed nation title hopes? USC is coming off an embarrassing loss to unranked UCLA with the national title game so close they could smell it. Michigan sat around and watched the following take place: USC pass them in the BCS rankings, then loose, then Florida pass them to go to the national championship game. Let’s just say Michigan is a tad miffed at this point. On the field, it’s a great matchup two solid defenses and two, well balanced, explosive offenses. I would easily take Michigan in this game but it’s hard to shake the memory of their once immovable defense getting torn apart by the Ohio State offense like a wet piece of tissue paper through a Troy-built industrial chipper/shredder. Throw in the contrasting spice of poodle-boy Pete Carroll and super curmudgeon Lloyd Carr and you have the makings of a dandy. This game could easily be the best of the BCS.
+1 jilted coaches/players/fans
+1 revenge factor (Michigan will be looking for someone to kill)
+1 two completely solid teams
+1 coaching eccentricities
+1 top notch athletes on both sides of the ball
-1 letdown potential (USC could come in flat)
MCR 4 (Viper/Cobra)
BCS Championship Game
Florida (12-1) vs. Ohio State (12-0)
Florida had to have help to make it here, but they got it; Ohio State just dominated the entire season. Without a doubt the Buckeyes will be favored but Florida has proven it can play with anyone. The Gators have the sixth-best rush defense and despite Urban Meyer’s offensive propensity, have relied on the defense through most of the season. The only defense OSU has faced similar to Florida’s was Michigan’s, which they lit up. Ohio State’s team can be described in one word: balance. They have balance in every aspect of the game; on offense and on defense, there are no glaring weaknesses. Florida has a suspect running game and an offense that has the tendency to disappear for long stretches. Do you think Ohio State will be watching copious amounts of film on Tim Tebow?
+1 national championship game
+1 thoroughbred team
+1 two defensive powers
+1 tough schedule bonus for both teams
+1 sweater vest factor (Jimmy historically has his boys ready in big games)
-1 urban legend (how will Meyer handle a game for all the marbles?)
MCR 4 (Viper/Cobra)
There you have it, our fist installment of the MCR – check back in later as we will run down some of the other, non-BCS games.
This has been a public service announcement, you may now return to your regularly scheduled avoidance of work.
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