Full Court Press

Shame LSU and Oklahoma arent playing for the title....but every year is a shame with the BCS

I hope Hawaii feeds it to Georgia, too

So...LSU feeds it to Ohio State and Miles goes to Michigan

Key to outcome will be Juice...if he plays like at Ohio State, game will be competitive. If he plays like at Iowa, it will be blow-out loss.

My gut feeling is he will rise to occasion, throw no interceptions, and make it a thrilling game...much like Vince Young did 2 years ago.

No, LSU shouldn't have made it. They had several narrow victories to lesser and currently non ranked opponents. Plus, they lossed to teams with a combined 9 losses. Both of whom are currently not ranked. And the team they beat for a championship has now 4 losses.

My question, had only one of the top two loss would you have jumped LSU all the way to number two or three, of course not.
Here is my other argument. LSU jumped over 3 teams who didn't lose this week. Including Va Tech who also won there conference but by beating a higher ranked team than Tennessee and that team featured a Heisman candidate. Did I mention that LSU beat Tennessee only by 7. And if you rebuttle is that LSU trounced Va Tech earlier in the season. Then my question to you would be why did you rank Va Tech in front of LSU last week. Apparently, you that Va Tech was better then-so what happen in a weeks time. I mean Va Tech did beat a higher ranked opponent by a larger margin. Plus, if you want to stick with the LSU beat Va Tech reasoning-well didn't Mizzou beat Kansas yet Kansas not Mizzou is going to a BCS game.

Lastly, how is it that you jump LSU 5 spots, but USC (who was only a spot behind LSU last week) which also won this week only moves up one spot. Better question is if you are going to move the #7 team 5 spots for beating the #14 team; how is that Oklahoma, who was the #9 team who also won there conference, but beat the #1 team in the nation convincingly only jumps only 5 spots. Combined that with the fact that Oklahoma only lost to a Colorado team (who is bowl bound) at Colorado in narrow fashion and lost to Texas Tech team that is just as good if not better than Arkansas (Oklahomas starting QB didn't play for 3 quarters because of injury)plus the game was on the road. I would have to say although it is pretty even I would give the edge to Oklahoma for two reasons. Reason 1 Oklahoma hasn't lost in Two weeks, LSU is 1-1 in the last two weeks of the season. Reason 2-Oklahoma beat the #1 ranked team this week, LSU beat the #13 team. 2a-Margin of victory Oklahoma won in Convincing fashion and LSU didn't.

My point being, if you are going to simply move OSU in the game and they didn't play last week. Then be fare move Georgia up one. You can't teams jumping alround with know legit reason. LSU didn't beat a top 5 team which warrant such a massive jump. And if want to argue how strong the SEC is well ask Cal who is an average team-because they smash Tennessee who made it to the SEC championship game. Bottom line the Coaches put LSU in and in the procress lost the integrity of the Polls. After all whats the purpose of the polls if after season you can just but in the BCS title game who you want regardless of where they were ranked the week before. The truth is LSU made it because the Game is in New Orleans- so its basically a home game. And because its a home game the game, local economy and events surrounding it will prosper because of it. From and emotional, pride and economical standpoint it will help the raise the morale of the plighted locals and state as an whole from the Katrina devastated region. Just as the Saints playoff run did last year.

Illinois will lose by 20. Not their fault, USC is that good right now. The Mizzou-Illinois game will finally have the pizzazz it's been looking for. Espeicailly, next year.

This is a young Illinois team and one of two things could happen. USC blows them out early or they play with nothing to lose and make this a ball game... Remember Oregon (in Eugene) was able to spread the Trojans out.
BTW why does the Sun Times have a Notre Dame tab under College Football, but no Illinois schools? Editor where does 80-85 percent of your readership hail from?

Roman responds: I just became the online editor. That will be corrected. Thanks for pointing it out.

I think IL will put up a better fight than MI did last yr but the heavily favorite USC will still win at home (the RB).

When the BCS realizes that conference championship games mean more than divisional winning games which mean more conference which mean more than non-conference play we'll have a more legit Natl Champ game.

The BCS voters/comp need to respect the conference rankings.
SEC: #1 LSU, #2 TN. TN beat GA & lost to LSU in the title game.
B12: #1 OK, #2 MO MO beat KS & lost to OK in the title game.
ACC: #1 VT, #2 BC
P10: #1 USC, #2 ASU
B10: #1 OSU, #2 IL
BEA: #1 WVU, #2 UCONN
OTH: #1 HAW, #2 BYU - Arguably the 2 best teams outside of the big 6 conferences.

BCS & NY day: NC: LSU vs OSU, USC vs OK, VT vs HAW, WVU vs TN, MO vs ASU, BC vs IL, UCONN vs BYU.

Regardless of the outcome these 14 teams should be ranked 1-14 because of what they acheived to get there. We don't rank the SB loser 3rd & we shouldn't rank the NC loser 3rd either.

While it's true Clemson, KS, Texas, FL, WI might be better than the 2 best teams outside the big 6 they are still only 3rd best in their respective conferences. There are weak divisions in MLB, NFL, NBA, & the NHL. There are weak conferences in NCAAB. Yet that doesn't stop them from being represented in the post season. It's the price you pay for being 3rd best in a strong conference. Since the conferences share all the bowl money anyways it's no big deal.

They will do what the Big Ten usually does in the Rose Bowl:Get their ASSES KICKED!!!

Wow Illini in the Rose bowl! Pretty impressive turnaround for the zookster. I think they have a good chance too. Illini may actually have more firepower and it will be fun to see zook coach against carrol. Fun football instead of the lame efforts of the bears.

Illinois chances are real....Good....Hope the kids have fun and Win!
Ron Zook and staff has worked hard,especially in the city area,
they deserve to represent the state of Illinois.
Go Illini!!!!

There have been a ton of outrageous upsets so far this season, and Illinois will need one of Pittsburg's magnitude in order to defeat USC in their own back yard.

But if Stanford has taught us anything, it's that anything is possible.

Go Illini!

There are a lot of pissed off Sun Devils this morning (and rightfully so).

There are a lot of pissed off Sun Devils this morning (and rightfully so).

I wll just be happy to see ILLINOIS on the map and representing. Its a good story and it sets up a great chance for an upset. USC is a great program and they are hot now, but there is a lot of time. Go JUICE !!!!!

Juice will toss a flock of picks and McGee will finish up.

USC 45-14

A big key for Illinois will be avoiding an early knock-out punch. If they do that, then they can get some confidence going and they have a shot. USC can be beaten (Stanford). But if Illinois gets hit hard early in the game like they did several years ago in the Sugar Bowl against LSU, then it could get ugly. This Illini team has a lot of character, so I expect them to come to play. Avoid turnovers, and they'll avoid that early k.o. punch which USC is capable of giving to any opponent. If the Illini get on the board early and get into the 2nd quarter or to halftime in a close game, then they'll have a chance to pull it out. I'd expect them to be 8-12 point underdogs going in, but this team has been there before.

I'm a transplant living about 45 minutes from USC.See allot of them on the tube. Illini has a chance but must play turnover free & keep pressure on Booty. USC is very good but not unbeatable. USC is full of excuses about two loses they had.10-2 ,could easily be 8-4.Illini must play without taking in all the going ons around them.If not it could be a blow out in favor of USC.

i'm not going to complain about the illini playing in the rose bowl,only because i'm a illini fan. if i wasn't, best believe i would be making all kinds of stink about mizzou and how hawaii got robbed.yes hawaii is in a bcs game but it should of been in the title game.i have no gripes about ohio sate but living in new orleans and seeing how these people are so passionate about lsu (they are way more popular then the saints here)i wish they would of went to a different game.they the home field advantage and thats not far for a 2 loss team to play for the title in their own backyard.

Illini fans have been wanting to go the Rose Bowl, well careful
what you wish for..you just got the best team currently in the country USC. Rose Bowl will be just like last year for Big Ten.
Go Trojans...

This is a great accomplishment for Ron Zook and his Illini. USC is a powerhouse team but if Illinois wants to restore glory to Champaign, this is a great test!

As far as the National Title goes, I hope OSU destroys LSU. OSU lost to a team heading to the Rose Bowl. LSU lost two games to teams with a combined 9 losses. Hawaii should've been considered. It's not their fault that nobody wanted to play their dangerous offense.

I remember the last time the Illini played in the Rose Bowl. UCLA killed them. It looked like the Illini were wearing lead boots. They were soo slow. I said at the time that the Illini would never be competative on the National level until they improved their speed. I was pleased to hear what Ron Zook said after his first session of practice when he came to Illinois, " We need to recruit some speed ! ". I am not saying we are there yet, but the Program is headed in the right direction. I read an artricle written by a pundent who had attend several Camp Rantol's and he said this year it struck him that he was looking at players who were premier athletes like he had never seen before in an Illini Camp. Let's also remember that USC has not shown well against the spread and mobil quarterbacks. Go Illini !!!

Illinois is a good young team but will get blown out by at least 3 touchdowns. If Illinois keeps up with the good recruiting they will own the weak Big-Ten in the future. Anyway Ohio State will get blasted by 28 points in the Championship game. Football is played in the south, better players to much speed and dont mention OSU beat Miami for the title a few years back. The refs and media gave that to OSU.

I know i do! I love the underdogs and will be rooting for the big 10 all the way. Go JUICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone's talking about USC's defense...don't forget Ohio State only allowed around 60 yards a game before Illinois ran all over them to the tune of over 250 yards. Plus Illinois has a good rush defense. Limit what Booty can do in the air, and Illinois can pull off the upset. Remember there will be more Illini fans there than at Ohio State, should be a good game.

Believing anything else than USC destroying Illinois in the Rose Bowl is just wishful thinking. Yeah, USC lost to Stanford and Oregon but Booty had a broken finger and threw four INT's in the Stanford game and they still only lost by a point. In the Oregon game, and inexperienced Mark Sanchez had a horrible game, was protected by an injury plagued offensive line, and the Trojans only lost by a touchdown.
All the Trojans are going to be healthy and ready to play for the Rose Bowl.
Fight On!!!

USC has only beaten 2 teams with winning records. Plus they are unsure about who is the starting running back and Booty has been just good. Illinois is playing great and QB and RB are strengths. Illini to win this going away.

Rose Bowl Headline...

"Juice Murders USC"

The QB/RB tandem for the Illini are no joke...and they're better than USC's...

Win the battle at the line....Illini will win

Once again, the Juice is loose...

OnLine Editor...Congrats....Did that come with a pay raise? or just more responsibility?

Roman responds: Just having to deal with you got me a raise.

I knew I was good for something!

No chance...USC is the hottest team in college football. A healthy John David Booty and his big fast receivers will absolutely dominate the Illini secondary, and the diverse running attack of the Trojans will blow by the Illinois defense with ease. Sure, Juice Williams and Rashard Mendenhall make for a great ground attack that has shown it can succeed, but the Trojans entire defense is way to strong and way to fast. The Illini will see an offense and defense they have not seen this year within the horendous Big Ten resulting in them leaving the field with their tails between their legs. Illinois' big win came against a mediocar Buckeye Football team that is in a huge down year. The only reason they are in the title game is because of this wacky football season and their equally easy schedule to U of I. Not only will OSU, yet again, be blown out in the title game by an SEC team, but the Illini will also be thoroughly embarrassed by the Trojans. 41-7 USC

I dont want to do your job...

But should'nt that be "getting to" instead of "having to"?

Shouldnt the Winner of LSU v OSU play the winner of IL.USC for the championships? in all reality?

Oh, great, another slow, fat, overrated Big 10 slug comes to Pasadena to be crushed. What else is new?

If the Illini play like they were playing at the end of the year they have a shot. My question is, is USC over rated? They do not seem as tough as they were in previous years.

S. Nash; Good point. It doesn't seem to matter which Big Ten Team goes in, but rarely do they ever come out with a win. It must have something to do with the lay-off and the fact that it's a home game for the Pac-Ten. In any event I say USC by at least 21.

"Football is played in the south, . . ."

Really? I hear people also date their cousins down there, but I don't hear you bragging about that . . .

Roman, as a sportswriter would you consider LSU the NC if they beat the Buckeyes in OT & Hawaii beats Georgia in regulation? LSU would finish 12-2 & Hawaii would finish 13-0.

Has that kind of scenario ever happened before?

This is why the +1 idea makes sense. When there is an obvious dispute just let them decide it on the field.

Roman responds: I'm a big believer in a playoff. There have been unbeaten teams that have not won the NC.

Fact is USC lost to Stanford. How embarrasing. Nuff said.

With U.S.C. playing their best ball all year this will be a good measuring stick to see what type of coaching staff we have and where the Illini rank with the elite. We totally outplayed and outcoached the Buckeyes(something I thought we could never do against The Ohio State staff), but I knew from the get go they were beatable. Now on to another great staff, the Trojan home field advantage will hopefully give way to a second Juice Williams coming out party. I believe U.S.C. is faster and more accomplished on both sides of the ball but I also believe The Illini will keep it much closer than the experts are expecting.

I also believe L.S.U. is one of the top five teams in the nation. Injuries have played a major part in this college season and I've not seen a clear 1 or 2. To date, injuries included, the top teams are L.S.U., Oklahoma, U.S.C., Ohio State and Georgia. If Pat White recovers from his injury by bowl time W. Virginia is DEFINITELY in the top five ahead of Georgia and The Ohio State. And anyone who thinks L.S.U. doesn't have the most overall talent is not aware of their deep roster. Their only harness has been the coaching staff, which I think may be the most overrated in college football. I assure you, Pat Carroll and his staff would be undefeated behind the wheel at L.S.U. My biggest regrets are the key injuries to Q.B.s at Oregon, W. Virginia, and Oklahoma at key periods this year or I'm sure two of these three are in the Big Game.

With their speed, super-touch frosh Q.B. and coaching staff, I would choose Oklahoma as the best team right now on a neutral field.

Chances are slim to none, with none a huge lead!!

bcullz - Illinois was considered to have the 9th hardest schedule preseason.

One thing I found very interesting is how the Illini matured throughout the season. After some tough losses in games they arguably should've won, they finished strong and showing the capability that some other teams have worried about. Unlike what some may think, I think this Rose Bowl will be a very interesting and very possibily a close/good game.

As an Illini, I'm rooting for my school, but I hope to be witnessing a good football game period, and having a beer with a good USC friend after the game.

I would love to see the Illini win this one, but it's going to be hard to win against a seemingly professional team (the only one in L.A.) at their home stadium. The key seems to be the running game and not going down too early. If we have to rely on Juice passing 35 times, then we're going to lose. If the Illini aren't down more than 2 touchdowns at half-time, then we'll have a good chance at winning.
But, once again, the Illini are playing a home team in a BCS bowl game.
I still don't see any reason (besides commercial) that LSU is in the title game or is playing at home AGAIN in a bcs bowl game. Overrated team that will have the 12th man working for them for at least the 4th time this decade. Something is very fishy. Go OSU, Go Big TEN!
BTW, Illini fans can take heart from the Sugar Bowl disaster in 2001. We were outnumbered at the Superdome, but we represented at Bourbon Street. Way to go Drinking Illini, see ya in Hollywood! And don't throw shade on the corn!

Fact is USC lost to Stanford. How embarrasing. Nuff said.
Posted by: bculiz | December 3, 2007 06:06 PM

OK, I agree...but this isnt the real BCULZ...something is amiss??

Rome...who is pretending to be me? or is there a new bculiz in the mix? thats gonna get hairy if there is.

Roman responds: Let me check. Hmm, seems we have a faux culzie.

Well....you know what they say about "IMATATION"

The "Only" thing that the Illini might win in SoCal is "Laury's Beef Bowl!" It's a great tradition here in LA for the two schools participating in the Rose Bowl to eat as much Prime-Rib as possible - and Laury's has the best this side of the Mississippi!

As for the game? Let's just say that we don't complain a lot about not having a pro football team - we have the Trojans! Can the Bears put 93,000 fans in the seats everytime they play a home game? SC can!!!!!!

"Fight On!"

Until the Faux Culzie insults someone with a differing opinion, turns their name into some form of "retarded," and then quotes The Breakfast Club, we will not be confused.

Anyway, you have your own distinct Culzie-style grammar that is only partially correct some of the time, and always recognizable to me. You'd also never say something as stupid as "nuff."

I am cracking up! Culzie has managed to clone himself! They say immitation is the sincerest form of flattery! I am having a good chuckle.

Congrats Roman!

Culzie and Keith - it's "imitation" - and don't flatter yourself.

Is that how you spell immitation?