The Great College Match-Up, Part 2
The list continues. Man, I could write a book on this.
INDIANA BBALL = ALABAMA FOOTBALL
Rich in tradition, numerous national titles and legendary coaches (not to mention ugly coach firings in recent years) make these schools a perfect match.
FLORIDA BBALL = TEXAS FOOTBALL
Call them the elite underachievers. Both teams have had top recruiting classes in past five years, but haven’t been able to reach full potential on the field. These teams both start the season in the top five but always slip-up and fail to win the conference. And both teams just lost their embattled senior leader (Chris Simms for the Longhorns and Brett Nelson for the Gators)— and may end up better for it. Addition by subtraction?
MICHIGAN ST. BBALL = OHIO ST. FOOTBALL
These programs have long had big success in the Big Ten, but nationally, they’ve been juuust outside the very top tier. However, young new coaches have come in, quickly won a title and have these programs in very strong shape.
SYRACUSE BBALL = USC FOOTBALL
A long list of great players and a history great conference success make these two a good match.
UCONN BBALL = TENNESSEE FOOTBALL
Marquee players Ray Allen and Peyton Manning couldn’t quite win it all, but both schools’ big name coaches finally came through with a title in 1999.
GEORGETOWN BBALL = PENN ST. FOOTBALL
Two programs that were huge from the early ‘80s through the mid ‘90s. But now that we’re past the heyday of John Thompson and Joe Paterno, both schools have struggled to reach their past heights.
STANFORD BBALL = VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL
Both schools were far off the national landscape until the mid ‘90s. But thanks to underrated coaches (Monty and Frank Beamer) and previously unsung stars (Arthur Lee and Michael Vick) both programs vaulted into the national spotlight with runs to the Final Four and Sugar Bowl, respectively. And despite having higher profile rivals in their conference, both of these schools have remained top-flight programs over the past few years, consistently surpassing expectations.
