FINAL Official Rankings by MaIlard:
1. UM 9-1
2. LSU 7-3
3. UCLA 7-3
4. ASU 5-5
5. MU 5-5
6. OSU 5-5
7. UA 2-8
8. OU 0-10
Predictions:
Game: OU at MU
Prediction: MU over OU
Reasoning:
Oh man, if I haven't seen any team rage harder about not getting into playoffs, it would be MU. Not to mention everyone else despises ASU in the playoffs (scared or nah?), even though MaIlard posted a great post with good explanations on his rankings. Now, onto the match up... OU is still in shambles after being the first 0-10 team in the league's history, and possibly the worst team in existence. The team never took off and has struggled since day 1. MU, despite beating ASU twice, had it's only 3 other wins from a terrible OU team, and those games were even close! Either way, OU will still continue to be the league laughing stock while MU uses it's missed-out-on-playoffs rage on OU.
Game: UA at OSU
Prediction: OSU over UA
Reasoning:
UA was a decent team, then somewhere midseason, they collapsed and lost the motive to win anything. OSU, on the other hand, had a good game against UM (which they lost) and decided to give up and not care against LSU. See the common thing between these 2 teams? It's the "don't care" attitude. If they had the mindset of wanting to win something, they could easily been a very difficult team to win against. But no, they decided to go bad and get put in the lower brackets. At this point, I believe OSU is more complete, unless UA pulls off some miraculous stunt and decides to win a game.
Game: UCLA at LSU
Prediction: LSU over UCLA
Reasoning:
Look, I had a really tough time trying to decide this match up. Both teams have seemed to bounce back from early on the season and pose a severe threat to anyone who goes to the Triumph Bowl. There isn't much to say about either team other than they are both really, really good. This game will not be a simple "gimme", each team has a fair chance of winning. It's really as simple as flipping a coin to see which team wins. Expect this one to be really good and close.
Game: ASU at UM
Prediction: The "Don't crucify me" UPSET PICK! ASU over UM
Reasoning:
WOAH, PUT DOWN THE PITCHFORKS AND TORCHES! I know you guys are really salty about ASU making it in (MaIlard had good reasons, so don't be mad), but ASU has a chance to either make this a really good game or one of their inconsistent bad ones. UM is just... scary. That's probably the bluntest I can be about them. No one wants them to win, but we know they will win. Why choose the upset? Well (a) I am heavily biased and (2) they had the chance to give UM their second loss in 2OT, but fell short. ASU has improved each time against UM. Will this trend continue and lead them to winning? Possibly, but I am going to pick the upset anyway. (Plus, it's funny watching you guys rage at my picks.) |