The picture gets a little clearer

So my scenario didn't quite work out as planned, but Virginia Tech did take care of business with a 33-21 win in Charlottesville for the ACC Coastal title. The Hokie offense looked great, as their offense moved the ball as well as they have all season. It was a little disconcerting to see 4 drives stall in the red zone, but Branden Ore showed flashes of why he was first-team all ACC last year, and the two-headed quarterback system worked perfectly. I really was not in favor of the Spurrier-esque plan, but the change of pace between Glennon's pocket presence and Taylor's athleticism really throws off opposing defenses, as the Hokie offense has scored at least 33 points in their last 3 games. The defense gave up a few big plays, but their speed makes it so difficult to sustain a long drive. Next week's match-up against BC in the ACC Championship game is particularly intriguing as Tech looks to avenge its heartbreaking loss to the Eagles from earlier in the season. I'm very optimistic about this game, as Tech's offense is light years better now than it was a month ago, and Vince Hall and Tyrod Taylor will both play this time. The winner likely gets the Orange Bowl, facing one of the at large teams.

After West Virginia manhandled UConn, dropping 66 points on a supposedly tough defense, it appears as if they are headed to New Orleans for a chance in the title game. They still need to get past a weak Pitt team in backyard brawl, but it would appear they control their own destiny at the moment. I still think they're defense is weak and a team with a few quick linebackers, like the pair in Blacksburg, could neutralize the shifty backfield of White, Slaton and Devine. Nevertheless, you can only beat who's on your schedule, and the Mountaineers earned lots of style points tonight.

The national picture seems clear now, as it appears only 4 teams are realistically still alive.

Missouri now has the inside track to New Orleans, and likely the #1 seed tomorrow morning. I was extremely impressed with Missouri tonight. Its tough to tell how good Kansas actually is, but Missou played such solid football on both sides of the ball for 3 quarters. They did let the Jayhawks back into the game in the 4th, a sign of a team inexperienced in big games, but managed to put the game away with a safety to seal the deal for a 36-28 win.

Assuming the Tigers beat Oklahoma next week in the Big XII title game, they are a lock for a spot in the title game. West Virginia gets in with a win over Pittsburgh, but would be out should they be the next fall victim to the curse of #2. Ohio State is next in line, and would sneak into the title game with either a Missouri loss next week, or a West Virginia loss.

In the unlikely event that West Virginia and Missouri lose next week, your guess is as good as mine as to who Ohio State would play. Georgia, Virginia Tech, LSU, Oklahoma, Kansas, and even Hawaii could be possibilities.

Here's my top 10 and bowl projections after this weeks action:

1. Missouri
2. West Virginia
3. Ohio State
4. LSU
5. Virginia Tech
6. Georgia
7. USC
8. Kansas
9. Oklahoma
10. Hawaii


National Championship: Missouri v West Virginia
Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech vs Georgia
Sugar Bowl: LSU vs Hawaii
Rose Bowl: Ohio State vs USC
Fiesta Bowl: Arizona State vs Kansas