i'd reply to a post, but everyone here is apparently from the south or east and favoring the SEC.
Oregon lost to Ohio State on a Blount fumble, he kicked out of the end zone, a real fluke play. If he scores there, he likely turns the game around, Oregon takes the lead and wins the 2010 Rose Bowl. If any of you actually watched the game or were at the game like I was you would know that play changed the outcome.
The Oregon/Auburn game was a lot closer than you SEC biased people believe. I put the farm on Auburn ML, as an Oregon student, thinking we'd get blown out. Nick Fairley and Cam Newton scared the hell out of me, and I got lucky. If Cliff Harris picks off that Newton ball... which he did, but the refs mistakingly called it by the NFL rule and not the NCAA rule, Auburn kept the ball and he threw a 40+ yard touchdown on the next play. Sure, it saved my senior year tuition but it was a big momentum changer in a still close game. LaMichael's safety and the tackle on Tuinei when he thought he could coast to a touchdown to take the lead, mental errors, not physical errors lead to an Auburn title.
The LSU game. DeAnthony's 2 fumbles and Barner's fumbles were huge momentum changers for the Tigers. DeAnthony may be the Ducks best player in 2012, and if any of you disagree, re watch the 2012 Rose Bowl. He drops a punt because it was one of his first play on the field as a true freshman. It's understandable. But if he plays like he did in the Rose Bowl in that game... more importantly, if LSU plays how they did in the national title game in that game, Oregon walks to a victory.
Also, I'd like to see the SEC make a trip out west to Autzen.
That game against LSU was basically a road game. A short drive for the tigers or a spendy vacation for duck fans.
By saying this, I'm no homer either. I graduated from Oregon in June, and don't think that offense is unstoppable. LSU and Auburn made key stops against the spread that helped them win. USC as well, USC may very well be the best team in the country next year. And whoever said that if Oregon splits with them the conference is terrible? Look for Oregon to split with USC next year and there to be the biggest debate in BCS 2013.
When Oregon, USC, Bama, LSU and maybe even Arky all have 1 loss if the round robin works out that way.
Alabama, however, has many key losses. They'll have to go through hell next year playing Michigan in Cowboys Stadium, which they'll probably win. But go to Arky, go to LSU and play a tough Texas A&M offense at home. I only call it tough because of all the defense Bama loss. I'm sure Saban will have the defense ready to shut down A&M by then.
LSU has a few mediocre games on their schedule, going to A&M, Florida and Arky but it's all late and I'm sure they'll be ready. If they win at Arky it could be another undefeated season for the Tigers.
Arky, it's just hilarious some of the SEC non conference schedules play out. Jacksonville State and ULM ... great way to start the season 2-0. Oregon has cake ones this year but look at the past with Houston's big offense, Fresno State goes to bowl games more often then those powderpuffs, The Citadel and the rest of the weak SEC non conference schedules- Georgia does play a tough schedule most of the time. But Arky won't run the table. Their November schedule is extremely tough going to SC, Miss St, playing LSU at home and then the SEC championship game. Plus the Bama game thrown in there earlier.
If any SEC team does run the table, I expect it to be LSU or Georgia. But karma will reign on Georgia because they backed out of a home and home with my Oregon Ducks, because they don't want to lose the chance to go undefeated by not playing any non conference games outside of the SEC area and still getting to play 7-8 games at home. The whole SEC is notorious for that. Florida hasn't played a non conference away game outside the state of Florida in like 40 years.
Last year Florida beat Furman, UAB and Fla Atlantic at home. Come on, really?
With those weak offenses, I'd like to see any of the SEC teams come to Autzen and leave with a win. They're no USC.