COLLEGE FOOTBALL POWER PLAY

            BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME  ROSE BOWL   PASADENA, CA

                           *** AUBURN +9   vs    FLORIDA ST

The last two BCS Championship games were really just God awful, and I think just by coincidence it will definitely make up for those this year.  I just don't see how this couldn't be a really close game that comes down to the wire, and phenomenal to watch.  I love the match up here, which seems to me as one of the best in a while.  You got Florida St's high powered, but balanced offense going against an unfamiliar animal of a rushing attack that Auburn brings.  No one is forgetting the defense of the Seminoles, which is very athletic, but don't forget the defensive front four of the Tigers, and the fact that new defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson has been around for a while and become one of the top 10 defensive minds in college football.  I believe Jimbo Fisher is a good, solid coach, but an even better recruiter.  He now has a powerhouse of talent, including red shirt freshman standout Jameis Winston, who I think is a sensational player.  I think Fisher has done an excellent job at Florida St, but there is a reason why Gus Malzahn was this year's Coach of the Year.  This guy really was the brains behind the championship Auburn won in '10 when he was the offensive coordinator there, and they won with offense, not defense.  Most are questioning the defense of the Tigers, because of all the points they have given up this year.  The team in 2010 was much like this on defense, but was able to make key stops.  This Tiger team also had 6 come from behind victories this season, just like in 2010, and looked like they got lucky a lot, which made a lot of people go against them several times, just like 2010, once again.  They also had one great player on offense in '10, Cam Newton, which I believe they have this year in Tre Mason.  Now, granted Tre is not as good as Cam was, but if you don't think he's that great, you will after this game, because he's very hard to tackle.  He shares carries with a few different people that run the ball for Auburn, and don't forget the Tigers had 545 yards rushing, which Mason had 304 of, against one of the nation's top rushing defenses.  It may help the Noles having a month to prepare for it, and an athletic defense, but I don't see anybody shutting this attack down.  You can only hope to get some key stops, which will probably be the key to this game, and I think Auburn is capable of doing so as well.  I definitely see Winston and the Seminoles being able to score some points, but Auburn can rush the passer a decent bit, so they have a chance.  Florida St has looked dominant all year, but I'm not sure they have been challenged all that much in the conference they played in.  When they beat Clemson on the road, Clemson had some key injuries, and you're never as good as your best game, and that was theirs this year.  The only stout running game they faced all year was Boston College, and they gave up 200 yards rushing and 34 points in that meeting.  Now, just think what Auburn could possibly do to them on the ground.  The SEC is still one of the best conferences, if not the best, and I think the way Auburn has found ways to win, they just might be a team of destiny.  Malzahn is really an offensive wizard, and can prove he is really great by winning this championship.  I think this is going to be one for the ages, and I find it very difficult to go against either team here, although I lean towards Auburn, because I find they're the most difficult to pick against.

PREDICTED SCORE : 33-30   EITHER WAY