Sunday, September 20, 2009

Since Mt. Carmel and USC...

...both lost this weekend, I've been literally inundated by e-mails and calls from readers (okay, maybe just one; and come to think of it, it was just a text message). The burning question: Do I want to change my predictions for the Illinois high school and BCS championships? In a word: No.

Mt. Carmel (3-1) only needs two more victories to qualify for the playoffs. Although they have a brutal schedule from here on out--including games against St. Rita, Brother Rice, and Providence--I still think the Caravan can manufacture at least two victories against DeLaSalle this week and St. Laurence in Week 8. Once they make the playoffs, Mt. Carmel's record is the same as everyone else's, 0-0. And they have the added benefit of a tough schedule to prepare them for the post-season.

As for Southern Cal, they are still very much in the hunt for the National Championship. The last three BCS champs were Florida in 2008 and '06 (both 13-1) and LSU in '07 (12-2), so one loss needn't disqualify the Trojans. A quick glance at their remaining games turns up California as their biggest remaining hurdle. And there's no pesky conference championship to worry about, either.

So I'll stick with my original predictions (for now): Mt. Carmel vs. Maine South in the 8A finals and USC vs. Florida in the BCS.

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