I would think the Rose Bowl would take another Pac12 team, they seem pretty determined to keep it a Big10/Pac12 game.
I don't actually think this Irish team is one that people would fear like they might Alabama. We're good on defense, and our young players in the secondary are doing well, but still you have to believe that a QB looks out there and see's 3 freshmen and figures he can make some yards. On offense we really have struggled to score points. We have moved the ball both running and passing but have stalled in the red zone and settled for FG. So I doubt if many DCoord look at us on film and fell like they are going to have to play their best game to stop us, like they would if they faced an offense like Oregon. Our defense has been tough and kept us in games and our offense has produced just enough to win them all. Just don't think we are a team that the opposition would fear.
I was in a conversation wherein I opined that we are a work in progress, and we're not "there" yet. If we remain undefeated and two of the three teams ahead of us also remain undefeated, I will have no problem if we are not chosen for the national championship game.....this year. On the other hand, if two of the three teams ahead of us lose, and we remain undefeated, we're in. As good as Alabama is, a one-loss SEC team - this year - definitely would not deserve to be in the final game.
:wink: IMHO... It depends on who the 12Pac #2 is. If the Duckies go to the NC game, the 12Pac would almost certainly pick UCLA, if the Bruins are the #2 who is defeated by Oregon in the 12Pac CG. If the #2 is not UCLA or USC, then Notre Dame might be chosen over the others. That's the way we think out here... The most likely outcome is a Nebraska-UCLA rematch...