Sure, it's the name of a magazine for teenage girls...not sure how I know that, but I digress...it's also the theme of LSU's magical year.
The Tigers have been the cardiac kids of 2007, which is ironic, since their first game of 2008 was anything but a nail-biter.
When Ohio State quarterback Todd Boeckman was sacked in the second quarter, it was 7:49 P.M. However, you could say, at that moment it struck "midnight" for the Buckeyes.
After watching the game, I could only think that Georgia, Tennessee, and even Florida and Kentucky on a good day could have easily been better opponents for the Tigers, and dare I say, in some cases, with the exception of the Wildcats--would be more deserving.
In fact, Kentucky defeated LSU in triple overtime this season. In fact, both of LSU's losses came in Double OT. In fact, they were the first team with two losses in the BCS era to play for the National Title, but you could argue, that the effort the Tigers put forth in two defeats, was still more impressive than Ohio State's lone loss to Illinois. LSU lost twice in heartbreaking fashion, on the road, in hostile environments. The Buckeyes lost once, at home, in a blowout, to Illinois.
To me, the plight of the Buckeyes was similar to that of Hawaii. Sure, the Warriors were 12-0 during the regular season, but against mostly middling competition. They had never seen anything like their opponent, Georgia, all season long. In addition, there is no way to replicate the speed of the Bulldogs or teams of their athletic ilk, in practice. It seemed like an easy call to make: Georgia, all the way. The talent disparity was so great and the roads traveled by each team were so divergent, you wondered how Georgia wasn't insulted they had to share the field with Hawaii. Or put another way, how long a night the Warriors knew the Sugar Bowl had the potential to become.
To me, the situation last night, was more or less the same. Ohio State played the part of Hawaii and LSU came dressed as Georgia, figuratively speaking, of course.
The Buckeyes weren't as fast and even with a 10-point edge early could not sustain much--as evidenced by the 24 straight LSU scored after that to take a commanding lead.
Ohio State spent the season playing mediocre competition. Not their fault, it was a down year for the Big 10, but pick up the phone and give me a ring the next time there is a down year in the SEC. I won't be expecting your call for years.
The Tigers earned their way to New Orleans. To me, Ohio State, got in by default. One by one, the contenders fell--USC lost, Oregon lost Dennis Dixon, and West Virginia lost in their final regular season contest. To me, Ohio State didn't play themselves in, they merely got here because everyone else played their way out.
The only problem I have today is, what precisely will be the fallout next season? I think every year, each team should be judged upon its individual merits, but voters have long memories. I mean, after all, the Preseason Poll is essentially determined, in large part, by the finish of the previous season. That said, if Ohio State is 11-1 again in 2008 and there are a bunch of two-loss teams once again, what are the odds OSU slips past them one more time? In my mind, not good.
Sure, next year, the Buckeyes could finish first in what looks to be a strong Big 10 Conference, but I just think after getting burned two times in a row by Ohio State as an overmatched opponent, the voters will think longer and harder about the way they rank the Buckeyes. In essence, their standing as a national title contender in 2008, could be determined by their Championship Game woes in 2006 and 2007. Fair? Not at all. As I mentioned, each year should based on the achievement of that particular team. That would make sense.
Although, in a year where four teams were ranked number one and 17 programs were ranked in the top five, has much of anything in college football this season made sense?
-"Z"
