Friday, December 14, 2007

College football playoffs semi-finals

After the opening round of the Illinois Hoosier playoff provided some great games, we move to the semi-finals. These games are played on neutral fields in BCS bowl stadiums.

Game 5 (scheduled for 3 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Sugar Bowl)

(1) Ohio State v. (5) Georgia

The Buckeyes come into the Super Dome in New Orleans on a high after beating Kansas, the feel-good story of the season. Meanwhile, Georgia went down to the wire in Norman, Okla. to advance. This is where Georgia fans traditionally hope to be playing on Jan. 1.

It may seem like a home game for Georgia, but Ohio State may be good enough to overcome it. The OSU defense will contain Georgia's running game, and the Bulldogs are not playing the spread offense that gave them fits against Illinois. Georgia hangs in there, but the Buckeyes win 24-17 and advance to the Orange Bowl and the national championship.

Game 6 (scheduled for 8 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Fiesta Bowl)

(7) USC v. (3) Virginia Tech

The Hokies are the home team in this match-up because of the higher seed. But the Trojans will bring more fans to University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. USC also has all pistons firing at this point. A healthy offense and nasty defense will give Tech fits. The Tech offense was never that impressive throughout the year, leaving them susceptible.

USC looks like a No. 1 team and stomps Virginia Tech 28-7.

The national championship game is set: (7) USC v. (1) Ohio State at 8 p.m. Jan. 1.

See how easy that was? The remaining bowl games will go on as scheduled throughout December and on New Year's Day. The number of teams in the big games does not change and the number of teams in the lesser games doesn't change.

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