The Other Shoe?

So, the big one is tonight. Notre Dame playing the Trojan Horse to Southern Cal's Troy. Before I get to that, some good news about Texas Quarterback Colt McCoy. The freshman had a severely pinched nerve in his neck following a hard hit to the head late in yesterday's loss to Texas A&M. He is fine, and left the hospital already. No word on if he plays next week in the Big 12 Title game, but they need Oklahoma State to win today in order for that to happen to begin with. Arkansas' small shot at the title game is gone, after losing to LSU at home, 31-26. They must beat Florida next Saturday to go to the Sugar Bowl. Most beat writers had LSU penciled in to get the second BCS slot from the SEC if Florida beats Arkansas. That looks more likely the scenario now as Arkansas looked sloppy and very unsure in their game yesterday. One more bit of news. As predicted by our own Swaggs, Barry Alvarez is the top name on the list of candidates to replace fired Miami head coach Larry Coker. Others include West Virginia's Rich Rodriguez and Rutgers Greg Schiano according to USA Today. Notre Dame at Southern Cal- There are lots of uncertain things in life and if you were to really believe that whoever wins tonight is blessed to play Ohio State for a trip to Glendale, I have a bridge to sell you. Let's assume that Notre Dame wins tonight. Do you honestly think that a team that was blown out at home by Michigan deserves a shot than the team that lost to Ohio State by only three points on the road? Which was Michigan, oh by the way. Let's assume Southern Cal wins tonight. Honestly, who has had the tougher schedule? The better loss? Southern Cal or Florida? Hands down if you said Southern Cal. A one loss SEC team is better than a one loss Pac 10 team. I'll take a botched punt at Auburn over a choke job at Oregon State. Oh yeah, UCLA lurks next week regardless of what happens tonight. Nothing is clinched tonight. That doesn't mean that this won't be an exciting, well played, well coached football game. The loss to Oregon State woke the Trojans out of their slumber and they are looking the part of best team in the country now. For John David Booty and the rest of the unrespected Southern Cal offense, this could be their coming out party as there is a ton of firepower on display wearing red and yellow. Add this is senior night for Steve Smith and Dwayne Jarrett and you certainly have some emotions coming through as well. Notre Dame features Brady Quinn, so elegantly coached by Charlie Weis. They really are deluding themselves if they think this gets them in with a win, but they will have a very good BCS game waiting for them none the less. The swagger is back in South Bend and the Irish are a very confident bunch. This should be an explosive game with the scoreboard and yardage totals being very high. I think that USC has more talent on both sides of the ball. If you pressure Quinn, you can beat him. A wild one tonight, but the home team hangs on by 3. Setting up a who can impress more victory for the title game, next Saturday night.