Alright this is when the Cup officially gets good. By this point, all the riff-raff has been sorted out and all that we are left with are the cream of the crop. Lets take a look at the 8 remaining teams and how they got here.
North Final: Michigan State vs. Auburn
What we learned about Michigan State:
Defeated:
Round 1- Washington State
Round 2- Cal
Round 3- Boston College
Round 4- Nebraska
Weasel knows his Spartans, he is a dynasty coach and has had moderate success in the cup with deep runs. His draw featured no real cupcake but he didn't really face a tough challenge until his Round 4 match-up with Nebraska. The Big 10 in general is usually well represented in the Cup at this stage but this is a down year for them. Luckily, both Big 10 teams face winnable games.
What we learned about Auburn:
Defeated:
Round 1- Syracuse
Round 2- TCU
Round 3- West Virginia
Round 4- Houston
Huskerskev is a journey coach, switching teams, mostly in hope that his Cornhuskers will be available at some point. He is having a fantastic season in the NDL, but is the lowest ranked team left in the Cup. His journey featured two non-BCS teams, but they were two dynasty coaches in TCU and Houston, although TCU has lost his luster is recent seasons and Houston is prone to choking late in the Cup. Still his road was eeriely similar to his counterpart Michigan State. Both faced useless BCS teams to start, followed by above average opponents before finally being challenged.
Who will win?
This is a toss-up in the true sense. Weasel has the slight edge in ability as he has become red hot in NCAA 11, but Huskerskev is no slouch and he will have the home field. Still I like the Spartans in a battle, 23-21.
East Final: Arkansas vs. Ohio State
What we learned about Arkansas:
Defeated:
Round 1- Air Force
Round 2- BYE
Round 3- Rutgers
Round 4- Northwestern
Steamrollr would have been the pick for easiest road if Shel hadn't been gifted 4 cupcakes on his road. Arkansas was about to relish in the rare bye after dispatching Air Force. He then faced two low end BCS teams. In reality, Steamrollr was privy to the eggs layed by Florida State and Penn State which allowed him to waltz to the Elite 8.
What we learned about Ohio State:
Defeated:
Round 1- Oregon
Round 2- Kentucky
Round 3- Texas Tech
Round 4- Arkansas State
Buckeye's road seemed to get progressively easier as the cup has progressed. He faced his toughest game first, and then was very lucky to draw Cinderella last round. This is another dynasty coach, and if we have learned one thing, it is that dynasty coaches do well in the cup. It is one of the laws of the cup.
Who will win?
Arkansas has had a nice run, but he hasn't really been tested and was the benefactor of some huge upsets in his half of the section. The major problem in this matchup is we have two slacker coaches who may be a lot better or worse in the NDL if they had played more games. But as of now, they each only have 1 loss which means they are highly ranked. I like Ohio State here though. He is the home team and has a better history in the NDL, Ohio State 31 Arkansas 17.
South Final: Alabama vs. USC
What we learned about Alabama:
Defeated:
Round 1- Washington
Round 2- Minnesota
Round 3- Oklahoma
Round 4- Clemson
Biffy has lead Alabama down the hardest road in the Cup, In fact, the upper section of the South was by far the hardest area to survive. He was lucky that a few upsets happened here and he was able to go into each game favored, he never the less did everything on the road. The SEC is looking for an all SEC Final Four but this may be the toughest matchup for them to win, but if anyone can do it, it is Biffy with the firepower he has behind him.
What we learned about USC:
Defeated:
Round 1- South Florida
Round 2- Rice
Round 3- Cincinnati
Round 4- Notre Dame
Walker wants a championship. He is back at USC to win one. A Cup Championship would be icing on the cake. His road featured some quality opponents, especially Weiser who has been known to take Cinci deep in the cup, but none of those teams can hang with USC. He will finally have to play the underdog role when he goes up against Alabama.
Who will win?
Alabama is the best team in NCAA 11 and Biffy has proved to be a worthy coach, but Walker has been on a war path this season. He is only one of 2 coaches to not have lost in the season/cup combo and shouldn't be bothered by an Alabama team that has been vulnerable at times, Alabama 10 USC 28.
West Final: LSU vs Miami (FL)
What we learned about LSU:
Defeated:
Round 1- Iowa
Round 2- Illinois
Round 3- FIU
Round 4- SMU
What have we learned about Shel in this cup? not much. He did exactly what he was supposed to do, beat inferior teams. Iowa was the only team that could have challenged him, but that early, he was still on the high from his 2nd straight NDL championship, unknown to him that he would be knocked out of that race by mid season. This will be the first time in 3 seasons that Shel will not partake in the BCS championship, even the Shel rule can't save him now.
What we learned about Miami (FL):
Defeated:
Round 1- Vanderbilt
Round 2- Fresno State
Round 3- BYU
Round 4- Oklahoma State
BigMike has taken the Hurricanes farther than they've ever been in recent memory. Undefeated in the season/cup and unseemingly on a collision course with USC in both. (Apologies to Texas A&M but they aren't likely to lose this season) What he's done, doesn't seem to tough, but he did it on the road which adds a few points to stay above Shel and Steamrollr.
Who will win?
The toughest game to pick. On one hand you have Shel, the two time reigning NDL champion but having a down season. On the other you have a very capable BigMike who is looking to win another championship himself. Both teams are equally matched and a win here by either would not be a surprise. I have to go with the hot hand though, LSU 24 Miami (FL) 27.
-Uuaww
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