With that said, the wise guys are saying that the Ducks are the way to go this year:

In the latest set of Bovada.com odds, top-ranked Oregon is the new scratch favorite to win the 2012 BcS championship at 1/1. The Ducks were 3/1 last week after beginning the 2012 season at 10/1.

Last night the game was decided by who could get across the 50 yard line more and attempt more field goals. Ultimately, that ended up being the Tide who prevailed after having an early kick blocked and missing another. Despite the pretty good play from LSU’s defense their offense just could not manage yards. Courtney Upshaw and Donta Hightower proved why they are two of the most coveted defenders in the 2012 NFL Draft. There was no where for LSU to run, and there was no where to go deep with the football.

Oddly Jordan Jefferson still finished a respectable 11-17 but only managed 53 yards. People were clamoring for Jarrett Lee but after seeing his very “Tebow like” stat line (below 50% passing and 1 td to 7 ints) I don’t think Coach Miles really had a chance either way.

Coach Nick Saban is one of the best recruiters in the nation, and that was very apparent last night. His defense is stocked with NFL talent on all three levels, and his running back is probably the best in the nation at the position right now. With two out of three titles in three years the discussion for “best coach in America” might can start and end at Alabama.

News and Notes:

• Robert Griffin III is reportedly going pro
• Peter Knoz is going pro
• Knile Davis will return to Arkansas for a Senior Season
• Auburn RB Michael Dyer will transfer to Arkansas State

Beginning today, the Heath Evans Foundation is raffling a fantastic package for football fans featuring four premium tickets to the sold-out BCS Championship Game between LSU and Alabama in New Orleans on Monday, January 9, 2012.

Raffle tickets are only $2 each and a minimum purchase of 5 tickets is required.

For more information about the raffle and purchasing tickets, please visit www.HeathEvans.org. Sales end at noon EST Tuesday, January 3, 2012 and the drawing for the winning ticket will be held shortly thereafter.

The package includes up to $3,500 for travel expenses (not including airfare), two rooms for two nights at a local hotel and dinner at one of Chef John Besh’s renowned restaurants. The package is valued at more than $10,000.

Proceeds from the raffle will benefit the not-for-profit 501(c)(3) Heath Evans Foundation, which is dedicated to fostering hope and healing in the lives of children and families affected by childhood sexual abuse.

“This is a great opportunity for college football fans to see the best game of the season and to help victims of childhood sexual abuse, which has been brought to the forefront in light of the scandals at Penn State and Syracuse,” said Evans, a fullback who played 10 years in the NFL, including the last two with the New Orleans Saints. “This is a win-win for the fans, the Heath Evans Foundation and the victims we help.”

Evans said the money will help his foundation provide a variety of programs, treatments and services to victims with great need and scarce resources, including New Orleans, LA and Palm Beach County in Florida, where he grew up and attended high school before going to play at Auburn.

“The Foundation is very involved in the West Palm Beach area and the Greater New Orleans community,” said Evans. “There is a great need in both places and we will do our best to help as many people as we can.”

Evans is personally committed to the Foundation because his wife, Beth Ann, was sexually abused as a third-grader.

“We bring hope and healing to victims of childhood sexual abuse,” said Evans. “This is personal for Beth Ann and me and something that we are totally committed to. We want to break the cycle of abuse through healing the psychological, physical and spiritual wounds.
“Being in the NFL gave me a platform,” added Evans. “When people hear about it and learn more about it, hopefully they become motivated to help sexually abused children and their families. This is an emotional cancer that can affect victims their entire lives if they don’t receive help.”

For information about the Heath Evans Foundation, visit the website at www.HeathEvans.org.

Brandon Weeden threw three interceptions as #2 Oklahoma State committed five total turnovers in a loss to Iowa State Friday night.  A lot of people had Weeden as the Heisman front runner mainly due to the fact that his team was undefeated, but all of that is a wash now. Here at Mock Draft HQ Weeden was #2 on our Heisman rankings behind Andrew Luck, and likely that won’t change.

As far as the big picture goes, Alabama, Boise State, Oklahoma State, Stanford, and Oklahoma all have a claim to the #2 BCS position now.  It is going to be very interesting how this plays out!