Florida should be playing for title…fiction!

The BCS selected the right team in the Florida Gators to play Ohio State in the National… The BCS selected the right team in the Florida Gators to play Ohio State in the National Championship game.

Jeff Greer: Fiction. Michigan should be playing Ohio State again. I know Florida won the SEC and its only loss came at then-No. 11 Auburn, but Michigan’s loss was on the road at Ohio State.

Sure, it’s unfair to Ohio State to make them beat Michigan twice, but it’s unfair to Michigan to judge them by a road game against the No. 1 team in the country and then send them to Pasadena to play a virtual road game in the Rose Bowl against USC — what a slap in the face for the Michigan program.

This is another case for the playoff in college football. Put USC, Florida, Michigan and Ohio State in a four-team playoff and see how it shakes out. Regardless, it doesn’t matter who plays the Buckeyes Jan. 8 — arguing over the cannon fodder is pointless.

Dave Thomas: Fiction. I understand that it would have been an injustice to the SEC if the BCS would have the two Big Ten teams in a rematch, but I just can’t justify the Gators being the second best team in the country.

Everything I’ve heard has been started with “Michigan already had their chance” or “you can’t win the national championship if you don’t win your conference.” While I hear all that, I don’t buy it.

If two teams from the same conference make the Final Four in hoops, we all look and say, “Wow, what a great conference, look how strong they are.” So that takes care of that side of it. In terms of not winning your conference, look at how many wild-card teams have won the World Series, and also, remember the Steelers last year — they won the Super Bowl but were second in the AFC North.

With all that said, there is no reason why Michigan shouldn’t be in that title game this year.

The Bears, who clinched the NFC North with a win Sunday, will represent the weak NFC in the Super Bowl come February.

JG: Fact. Rex Grossman might be garbage, and the Bears might stumble into the playoffs, but the rest of the NFC is even worse. The Cowboys and Seahawks present the best challenge (you really think New Orleans can do anything in the playoffs?), and neither of those teams seems to be on the Bears’ level defensively.

If the Cowboys ride their current hot streak into the playoffs, I might be willing to change my answer, but right now the Bears are the team to beat in the NFC.

DT: Fact. I just think that there has been no team whose play can make you think otherwise. Sure, maybe the Cowboys, but let’s remember they are starting an unproven Tony Romo at quarterback.

And while the Giants seemed like they might have been able to contend, they have totally fallen off the radar and are on the brink of a total collapse. Other than the Bears, I think the Seahawks have a chance, especially if Matt Hasselback and Shaun Alexander can stay healthy, but even still, if I were betting, my money would be on Chicago.

The Pitt basketball team, after a close call on the road with Auburn, won’t lose a game until they play a conference opponent.

JG: Fact. Wisconsin will pose the biggest threat. Pitt should handle Buffalo, Oklahoma State, Dayton and Florida A’M, and Wisconsin will need both Alando Tucker and Kammron Taylor to have big games to counter Pitt’s depth.

The Panthers possess the toughness, experience and solid guard play needed to win on the road from December to April. The main problem with the Auburn game was late-game free-throw shooting, but don’t let the final score fool you — Pitt controlled the entire game and should’ve won by closer to 15 points.

But make sure you tune in to that Wisconsin-Pitt game on ESPN Dec. 16 at noon — it’ll be a great indicator of Pitt’s potential this year.

DT: Fact. But I think there will be a few more close calls like the Auburn game than people think. Most people are used to seeing Pitt 15-0 by Christmas because of a cupcake schedule, but this year their schedule is tougher and I still think they will succeed.

It shows just how legit this team is. They have already played a tough stretch — remember those four games in six days — and still have to travel to Oklahoma State and Wisconsin. I think those will be tough games and close ones, but head coach(l/c2wdsSK Jamie Dixon will have his squad ready and unbeaten when Syracuse hosts the Panthers on Jan. 4.

After winning two consecutive Rookie of the Month honors to start the season, the Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin is a lock to win the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year.

JG: Fact. This guy is just plain nasty. Everybody knew Malkin would be a great player and he’s living up to his potential. It helps that he gets to play with young studs like Crosby and Jordan Staal and has the chance to grow with Pittsburgh’s other two stars.

But more importantly, the youthful talent on this Penguins team should create buzz here in Pittsburgh for years to come. Malkin, if the Pens can keep him around with Crosby and Staal, should make for one of the best players the NHL will ever see. Is there a better way to rebuild a fan base than with young stars capable of breaking records and winning championships?

DT: Fact. I think because the league was spoiled last year with two sensational rookies, Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin (which only happened because of the lockout season and essentially cheated Crosby out of a ROY trophy), we aren’t that impressed with Malkin.

The fact of the matter is that these three are going to revolutionize the game and are going to be the league’s marquee stars. There is not another rookie talent in the league like Malkin, and if he stays healthy, he might be the Rookie of the Month every month and definitely the winner of the Calder trophy.