Ohio State, or, The Ohio State University, will be the First National Champions under the new system. I have somewhat predicted that since the beginning of the season, or, at least after they started winning, after their loss.
When TV decided on this format, their first decision,, who, should be the first to win?
Notre Dame was the first on the list, then Michigan, then Ohio State. These were the oldest, with a tremendous "fan base" that had a chance and were most deserving. Then, OSU lost, Michigan was out and it looked like ND was also out of the running. Their only hope was that OSU could turn their season around, with Urban Meyer and the talent they had, this was a possibility.
The end of the season, the lopsided wins, "YES" ..... move them up, get them in the final four, which happened, and now they are playing ...... ah ..... from out West ....... the Northwest, trees .... Oh, yea, Oregon, and, the cherry on the top of the Sunday, they are the Ducks, and OSU is ..... the Bucks. A match made in heaven, no, not really, it was made in the executive office of some very articulate television executive, who has already received his bonus and is in Antigua, basking in the sun.
In my opinion, this was a "done deal" .... months ago.
And, the Michigan - OSU rivalry was petering out a bit .... that same TV Executive made a call to California, chatted for a while .... and ..... Harbaugh goes to Michigan .... and, the rivalry lives, soon, as bright as when Woody and Bo were at it .... who wins ........... TV, again.
Do I think that TV, who gives BILLIONS of dollars to the academic world has any say in what happens. You bet I do .......... remember that guy down on the field, when his arm is raised ..... the football stops .......... when it comes down ............ the game resumes.
I don't even want to get in to the world of Professional Athletics. I remember years ago, in Tijuana, watching Jai Ali matches .............. during the "warm ups" the participants are watching the tote boards to check out the odds ..... I learned early, money talks.
