SI.com - SI On Campus - The Vent: 01/07/2007

1/11/2007 12:06:00 PM

Who's in your Magic Eight?

Florida is not only part of our Magic Eight, but also our pick to win it all in April. Who's in your Magic Eight?

David E. Klutho/SI

SI.com's Grant Wahl revealed his Magic Eight on Wednesday – a pool of eight teams from which he guarantees the national champion will come from. Wahl is an expert on these matters; six times in seven years he has correctly predicted the champion from his list (the lone exception being the 2003 Syracuse squad). His eight teams: Arizona, Florida, Kansas, UNC, Tennessee, UCLA, Washington State and Wisconsin.

While we agree with Arizona, Florida, Kansas, North Carolina and UCLA, we're not so sure about Tennessee and Washington State. We were on the fence with Wisconsin, but after the Badgers completely outplayed Ohio State on Tuesday (the game wasn't nearly as the 72-69 score indicted), we think they have a good shot. But Washington State and Tennessee? We don't see either making it past the Sweet 16.

Our Magic Eight would've included Ohio State and Oklahoma State in place of the Vols and Cougars. When all is said and done, Greg Oden and his fully healed right wrist will lead the Buckeyes into the national championship against the Gators, and just like Glendale on Monday night, Florida will be left holding the hardware.

Who's in your Magic Eight? Who did we leave out? Who are we overrating? Who will end up winning it all?

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1/09/2007 10:09:00 AM

Next Year's CFB Top 10

Will the Gators repeat as national champions next year or will Pete Carroll and USC its third national championship in five years.

Robert Beck/SI

It looks like SIOC got one right last night when we predicted a Florida win. Frankly, however, we've been talking about the national championship game for two months now and we're sick of it. It's time to look ahead to 2007. SI.com's Stewart Mandel posted his Top 10 for next season. Despite Florida's triumph last night, Pete Carroll's boys own the top spot. Here's how Mandel's rankings look:

1. USC
2. LSU
3. Florida
4. Ohio State
5. West Virginia
6. Wisconsin
7. Michigan
8. Louisville
9. Texas
10. Virginia Tech

Now it's time to hear from you. Who is ranked too high? Too low? Who do you think will be national champions this time next year?

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1/08/2007 12:23:00 PM

Florida v. Ohio State - Who's Gonna Win?

Percy Harvin and the rest of the Gators receivers will need to have the game of their lives to defeat Ohio State in the BCS Championship Game.

Photo by AP

We're not saying that we're superstitious, but we can't help but think there's something in the air in Arizona. First it was the Insight Bowl in Tempe in which Texas Tech rebounded from a 31-point, third-quarter deficit to stun Minnesota, 44-41, and complete the largest comeback in bowl history. A few days later in Glendale, Boise State blew an 18-point third-quarter lead before twice overcoming touchdown deficits (in the final minute and overtime) to prevail over Oklahoma, 43-42. And we didn't even mention the Broncos three trick plays and post-game marriage proposal.

So of the 31 bowl games played thus far, the best two were played a mere 21 miles apart -- which brings us to tonight. Ohio State is a seven-point favorite and many feel Florida doesn't deserve to play in this game, much less win. But stranger things have happened. It was only four years ago that a Miami team -- which was favored by 11.5 points -- fell to these same Buckeyes 31-24 in overtime.

Though Florida is a heavy underdog, we think the Gators can pull it off. They have a superior defensive line that can contain Troy Smith, athletic receivers who can break plays (see Percy Harvin and Jemalle Cornelius) and a freshman named Tim Tebow with a few big plays in him. Ohio State is the more talented team, but talent doesn't win games, players do, and we like the Gators more than the Buckeyes. Who do you like?

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