Walters Football Site: NCAA Football Tournament: Elite Eight

Elite Eight - West

What is this?
Since NCAA Football desperately needs a playoff, why not create one? Sixteen teams were chosen (11 conference winners and five at-large bids) and placed into brackets. Dan Biggio, Sim Lucien and I will take a look at each game and decide who we think will win the game. The team that moves on to the next round will be the team that gets two votes to win out of the three predictions. The predictions for each game will be posted during the time listed for each contest (i.e. Michigan-Auburn will be posted 1:00 Friday).

#1 Michigan (11-1) vs. #5 Auburn (10-2).
Saturday, 1:00 ET

Walt's Take:
I'm writing this on Thursday night, so I have to comment on something that's bothering me. I'm convinced that Bryant Gumbel is blind. He always stuff like "The 49ers have the ball near their own 30." The ball was at the 27 � it wasn't near the 30. Or: "It looks like they may have converted the first down," when they eclipsed the first-down chain by about six yards. Has anyone else noticed this?

Anyway, Auburn is probably one of the most inconsistent teams we've ever seen. The Tigers defeated LSU, and were the only team to beat Florida. Yet, they lost to Arkansas and Georgia. However, those two upsets can be explained. Auburn had the Gators after the Razorbacks, and were overlooking the latter. As for the Bulldogs, the Tigers played a string of non-BCS opponents prior to that contest, and weren't prepared for an SEC squad.

Auburn has a great defense, and I think they will put the clamps on Mike Hart, forcing Chad Henne to beat them. Considering Michigan nearly lost to Ball State, that's not a good proposition. Besides, Lloyd Carr has a history of losing big games. A No. 1 seed goes down.

Auburn 16, Michigan 14.

NCAA Dan's Take:
This Elite Eight matchup between Michigan and Auburn should be a dandy. Big Ten versus SEC. Two physical teams going right at each other; this game is definitely a heavyweight fight. Both teams will pound the football and establish themselves in the trenches. Expect both Kenny Irons and Mike Hart to work for every yard they get. The Wolverines have been dominant all season long. They pushed teams around with strong offensive and defensive lines. Auburn, with the exception of an earlier loss against Arkansas and a surprising 20-point defeat to Georgia, has done the same throughout the season. Remember, Auburn is the only team to beat Florida this year. They also beat LSU, in an absolutely thrilling 7-3 game.

Tommy Tuberville's team will not be intimidated by Michigan. A turnover one way or the other could easily decide this game; that is how close I expect it to be. In the end, I am taking Auburn to upset Michigan, and would not be shocked if it took overtime for them to do it.

Auburn 20, Michigan 17.

Sim's Take:
This is my upset special. The Auburn Tigers WILL win this game. Michigan has not beat a quality opponent all season. Handling an overrated Notre Dame team was the peak of their season. Auburn is battle-tested team who fought through the always-strong SEC. They were the only team in the nation to best Florida. They played the game of their players' lives against a tough LSU team. Michigan does not have the pedigree to match that. Mike Hart will be stuffed for less than 80 yards, while Chad Henne will not get time to hit his receivers. This Wolverine defensive line will make life difficult for Tiger quarterback Brandon Cox, but running back Kenny Irons will be the difference maker.

Auburn 24, Michigan 14.

Mike's Take:
Michigan gets caught off guard by an underrated Auburn team and wins on a touchdown in the last 2 minutes in a game closer than the score indicates.

Michigan 28, Auburn 20.

Public Poll:
Michigan 77%

Winner: #5 Auburn.
Auburn 20, Michigan 18.

#2 LSU (10-2) vs. #3 USC (10-2).
Friday, 8:00 ET

Walt's Take:
I can't take credit for this because ESPN radio host Dave Cokin said this a week ago. Imagine this situation: There are three teams. Team A has one loss. Team B is undefeated. Team C beat Team A, and got demolished by Team B. Wouldn't you say that Team B is the best out of those three? Well, they happen to be USC, Boise State and Oregon State. Prior to the Trojans' loss to UCLA, they were slated to play Ohio State in the national championship. Why wasn't Boise State considered? Why weren't they in the mix with Florida and Michigan?

OK, I guess I'm off my soapbox now. Let's make this easy: LSU's only losses were to Florida and Auburn � both on the road. Meanwhile, USC went down to Oregon State and UCLA. Big difference. The other disparity between the Trojans and Tigers is at the quarterback position. John David Booty played well in his first year, but JaMarcus Russell is a seasoned collegiate veteran, and has won big games before. I like LSU in this spot.

LSU 20, USC 17.

NCAA Dan's Take:
The primetime matchup in this game is to see how the speed and athletic ability of USC's offense fares against a revered LSU defense. Expect LSU to be able to score points. The Trojans' defense is not as strong as several the Tigers faced in 2006. Notre Dame was able to put up some points against the Trojans, as was Oregon State. On the other hand, do not expect USC's offense to be completely shut down either. Dwayne Jarrett will continue to impress NFL scouts, but I do not think it will be enough for Pete Carroll's team.

LSU 27, USC 17.

Sim's Take:
What a difference a year makes. LSU was garbage until they throttled Miami-Florida last postseason, and USC was arguably the best team in the nation. While neither squad is anything special this year, I think this game will be one of the better matchups of this round. The deciding factor will come down to which quarterback makes the crucial mistake. LSU gun-sling JaMarcus Russell appears to have straightened himself out after a turbulent 2005 season. Louisiana native John David Booty is finally getting the starting job after the departure of former Heisman-winner and first-rounder Matt Leinart. I know it sounds eery, but i think Russell will win the dual of the quarterbacks as Booty hurls an interception right into the hands of this athletic Tiger defense.

LSU 21, USC 10.

Mike's Take:
These teams go back and forth the whole game with JaMarcus Russell and John David Booty playing great games. In the end LSU�s defense secures the win.

LSU 21, USC 17.

Public Poll:
LSU 67%

Winner: #2 LSU
LSU 22, USC 15.

NCAA Football Tournament 2007
Brackets:
Championship / Final Four
Elite Eight - East / Elite Eight - West
Sweet Sixteen - East / Sweet Sixteen - West

NCAA Football Tournament 2006
Brackets:
Championship / Final Four
Elite Eight - East / Elite Eight - West
Sweet Sixteen - East / Sweet Sixteen - West

NCAA Football Tournament 2005
Brackets:
Championship / Final Four
Elite Eight - East / Elite Eight - West
Sweet Sixteen - East / Sweet Sixteen - West

NCAA Football Tournament 2004
Brackets:
Championship / Final Four
Elite Eight - East / Elite Eight - West
Sweet Sixteen - East / Sweet Sixteen - West