When time on the clock struck zero ending the game between Hawaii and Washington in the wee hours of Sunday morning, the craziest most unpredictable and without a doubt, most enjoyable college football regular season came to an end. And on that final day, Saturday, Dec. 1, the ending was just as unpredictable as was the beginning back on September 4th when Michigan lost its opener to Appalachian State. Now with the season behind us, it’s time to bring on the Bowls and BCS Championship game and see who is left standing on January 7.
The Ohio State University Buckeyes have finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the BCS poll as well as the AP and USAToday/Coaches polls and will play the consensus No. 2, LSU Tigers in the BCS Championship Game at the New Orleans Superdome. Offshore odds for the game have not been released; however, Las Vegas Sports Consultants has installed LSU as a slight 4 ½ point favorite with a game total of 48 ½.
The Tigers chances of playing for the national title appeared to be doomed following last week’s loss at the hands of Darren McFadden and the Arkansas Razorbacks but unforeseen events, both No. 1 Missouri losing to Oklahoma and No. 2 West Virginia losing at home to Pitt, opened the door for once beaten Ohio State to slide into the top-spot and twice-beaten LSU to leap frog over Georgia and Kansas to nail down the No. 2 spot and a berth in the title game.
Pitt was installed as a +28 ½ point underdog prior to its win at West Virginia according to oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com.
By virtue of Mizzou’s loss, Kansas…a team the Tigers beat to clinch the BIG XII North a week ago, gets selected to play against Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl on New Years Day while the Tigers are relegated to the Cotton Bowl in Dallas to play Arkansas.
LVSC has installed Virginia Tech the Orange Bowl favorite by a -1.0 chalk over Kansas with a 55 total. Some Las Vegas books have the Hokies favored by as much as 4-points.
With OSU’s jump into the BCS title game, Illinois benefits by being selected to represent the BIG TEN in the Rose Bowl at Pasadena, Calif., and face the USC Trojans. The Illini are +14 point underdogs to the Trojans while the game total opens at 50 ½.
The Georgia Bulldogs have the privilege of playing the only undefeated team in the nation when they face Hawaii on New Years day in the Sugar Bowl also in the New Orleans Superdome.
Georgia is an 8 to 10 point favorite in the Sugar Bowl at most Las Vegas books with a 68 ½ total.
West Virginia must overcome its hangover from the Pitt loss before traveling to Glendale, Ariz., to play BIG XII Champs Oklahoma Sooners in the Fiesta Bowl. OU is a touchdown favorite by most Las Vegas sportsbooks and is installed -4 ½ point favorite by LVSC with a 63 ½ total.
