Orange Bowl Prediction Thread

[Kazak]

OU is going to MURDALIZE USC by 21!

OU 42
USC 21

Book it.

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. Only 42 - 21????

OU will win.

Go Sooners!!!!

[BamaLefty]

2. I'll be pulling for the Sooners

but USC will win a squeaker.

ROLL TIDE AND BOOMER SOONER!

[Jackpine Radical]

3. Prediction:

It will be held.

So will the Rose Bowl.

God knows why.

[argyl]

4. Adrian Peterson of Palestine, Texas: 3 TDs, 180total yds.OU wins

[goodbody]

5. the OU team's Jason has played with

have left him crippled for 2 (two) of his six (6) years of college ball. Injuries.

But now that Jason is almost 30, he may be unbeatable. Old-age may have its benefits in college ball. Then again, maybe not.

[RoyGBiv]

6. It's okay ...

Just drink another beer and all will be well. :-)

FYI: White is 24, FWIW.

[goodbody]

12. It's okay

to root for another team besides Oklahoma.

By the way, I was very impressed with Jason White -- until the Sooners choked their last two games last year. Lot's of people who don't even drink beer saw them choke. For an aged player (for college ball) I expected more from Jason. But everybody has bad days and games.

There's a reason Jason has had season-ending injuries. Injuries are not desireable any way you look at it.

[RoyGBiv]

14. Booooooooring ...

The whole picking on White thing because he tanked at the end of last season is getting old. So is the "there are reasons" bit when those reasons aren't spelled out.

If you're insinuating that White's injuries are somehow due to his age, I admit I'm at a loss of how to respond to that since, as I said, he's 24. It leaves one wondering how people even play in the NFL.

But, anyway, it should be a good game since White is in fact healthy this year. Then there's Peterson. I actually think he'll be more of a factor in the game than White will.

[goodbody]

17. I was trying to be delicate, but why bother now...

Jason, a quarterback, was injured because his teammates didn't protect him.

And I'm not picking on White; I'm pointing out that he was injured because his line didn't protect him. Regardless, can you think of any good that has come from White's season-ending injuries? Anything at all?

So how has OU benefitted from White's injuries that extended his playing career? Any ideas?

BTW, White tanked at the end of last season. Nothing to get "old" there; just the facts. Because you are his fan doesn't mean that others didn't observe his inabilities.

[RoyGBiv]

18. Last Season

This is the first time I've addressed a straw man argument in a discussion about sports.

But anyway, the thing I'm not getting here is how what happened last season has any application to a current Orange Bowl prediction thread. I know that's the way some national media outlets are playing it, but we're dealing with a different set of circumstances and in many respects a different team. (Tangent: this is why I prefer college ball to the NFL.

With regard to last season, you're absolutely correct. He came into the season less than 100%, due to deficiences in the team he was forced to do too much, and his line didn't protect him well.

His line protects him much better this year, in part because OU has an actual running game that keeps opposing defenses less focused on White specifically.

And, he's healthy.

[goodbody]

20. Well, to me last season matters when judging him overall

His performance last season does have an affect on how he is perceived overall. I heard some commentators on ESPN (or some such) say the same thing: White lost the confidence of quite a few of his admirers because of last season.

Regarding this season, he is doing well, there is no doubting that, and he hasn't been injured. I just don't have the same interest or confidence in him, mostly because of last season; that's all.

Having said that, there is a seed of doubt being a USC fan that White might have the overall experience because of his protracted college career to best Leinart. Leinart is good, but he hasn't played as long as White, and that may help Oklahoma.

[Kazak]

8. Just don't tell Chris Weinke!!

You DO NOT want to play OU in the Orange Bowl.

[goodbody]

13. that's what they told LSU last year too

LSU won.

Michigan was supposed to crush USC in the Rose Bowl. They didn't; USC won.

[RoyGBiv]

15. That wasn't the Orange Bowl ...

The reference is to 2000, in case you didn't realize it.

[goodbody]

16. you are comparing teams to 2000?

why bother? Last year's comparisons are relevant, for the most part. Four years ago? Who cares...

Hmmm.

[RoyGBiv]

7. Squeaker ...

I think it's going to be a close, high scoring game.

Either that or one of the teams will forget to show up, and we'll have a lopsided blowout.

I'd place bets on neither.

[Search Party]

9. OU 28 - USC 17

Peterson will prove to the country who should've won that stiff arm trophy.

[Kazak]

10. USC has no answer for AD.

OU will reasonably contain Bush.

Only guessing, of course.

[Mojambo]

11. Should be a GREAT game

I'll go on record with a score of 34-27.
Could go either way, but I'll take USC.

[ThorsHammer]

19. Cal and ND have provided the blueprint on how to beat USC

Cal had a great QB who didn't make mistakes, but was let down by special teams and defense. ND was able to pound them on the ground early, but then got cute, was unable to adjust, and also didn't have a secondary capable of stopping Leinart & friends. OU has both the star, experienced QB and the best pure RB in the country (IMO Bush is more of a hybrid player). USC should be able to attack OU's secondary, which has been weaker than past years, and also has Bush as a wildcard, as he's capable of scoring from anywhere. IF OU can control the ball with Peterson, they should win, but a shootout favors USC. I'm going with OU in a close one.