2009-2010 predictions

It's time to predict this season's tourney.

First round:
Seattle: First glance, it seems like #7 Oregon should have their way with #10 Iowa. After all, isn't that Pac 10-Big Ten tradition? Plus, haven't the Hawkeyes kind of stumbled in after their charmed start to the season? I would have said Oregon in a no-brainer, but the Pac 10 has looked a little weak in the bowls so far. So, I will stick with the Ducks, but not with the confidence of a few weeks ago.

Cincinnati: This one should be good. Of course, #8 Ohio State will give a workman-like, Tressel-esque performance, so the deciding factor will be which version of #9 Georgia Tech shows up. The Jackets who General Sherman-ed their way through the ACC, or the team that was stung badly by Georgia in Athens. I think Tech will pack their slide rules and find a way to beat the Buckeyes to move on to meet Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.

BCS Bowls (quarterfinals):

Sugar: Be it Georgia Tech or Ohio State, #1 Alabama will either swat or plant them. 'Bama can start ticketing their semi-finals trip to Syracuse. The Sugar Bowl will be competitive at best, and not too pretty at worst.

Rose: #4 Texas Christian fell one seed at the last second, so they get #5 Florida rather than #6 Boise State. After Urban Meyer's resignation, this was a no-brainer: Florida in a rout of routs. But after the roller coaster ride the Gators have been on, the tranquility of being a Horned Frog may have its benefits. It is a tough call now, but I'll stick with Florida winning this Herpetology Bowl.

Fiesta: After the underwhelming Big XII championship performance, it seemed like cake to predict how the #2 Texas part of the bracket would work out. #7 Oregon would travel north to beat Iowa in Seattle, then remain in Pac 10 country and fly south to Arizona to beat Texas in the Fiesta. As noted before, the Pac 10's performance has lowered my Duck stock price, but I will stick with my gut and predict Oregon will find its way to Syracuse.

Orange: #3 Cincinnati moved up a seed at the last moment, but lost their coach, who did not change his mind. #6 Boise State has been successful before in BCS bowls. I say the Broncos will prevail.

So I predict two re-matches of regular season games in the Carrier Dome semi-finals. I see Alabama and Florida meeting again on the way to Pasadena. My other side of the bracket pits Oregon and Boise State, a rematch of a game with more fireworks afterwards than during.

Keep your helmets on boys, its going to be a bumpy ride.