Post Compass Bowl (1/5) Update

..and the field narrows...officially to seven, mathematically and logically to three.

Eight weeks ago, in the second of three overtimes, Pitt failed to ruin Notre Dame's dream season in South Bend when they missed a chip shot field goal and the Irish continued to march to the BCS title game.  On Saturday in Birmingham, the Panther had a much less meaningful drive that gives iBlink an opportunity to march to the CFGL Bowl Season title.  Ironically, it his pick against the Fightin' Irish in the Championship that will determine whether he takes the crown or ends up a forgotten runner up.   

A Wannstedt (eg. cheap and meaningless) touchdown pass with less than 2:00 to go against Ole Miss didn't help them cover, but did put enough points on the board for iBlink to cash in a 33 point win on the OVER, pulling him within 19 points of first place, and more importantly, two wins away from the CFGL crown.  An under game would have killed his chances and left us with only two with a chance to win. 

The Panther Pride (excuse the oxymoron) score leaves the CFGL with just three players left in contention for the title.  iBlink, currently trails The Juice, and Nittany Lyin, but all three have the same chance to win with two games left. 

For the third straight game, it is Nittany Lyin who sits atop the standings with a 16 point lead over veteran, Juice.  Nittany Lyin benefits from a 15 point win on Ole Miss and a HUGE 30 point loss on Pitt for Juice.  Nittany Lyin has the least points left to risk of the top 3, but his selections of Kent State and Notre Dame will keep him in it until the end.  He is the only one of the three to have ND to cover and will win it all if the Irish do...or if they lose by single digits. 

The Juice was, well, 'juiced" by Pitt, but has a 27 point game on Kent State and a 32 point risk on the UNDER in the National Championship.  It was a good time for a risk as only 10% of points were put on Pitt, making it one of the least popular picks of the season.  Had the Juice cashed in, this thing would be just about over.  But remember, he picked PITT.  Enough said. 

How is it that we are down to three?

• The Locksmith sits at #14 but has 78.5 points remaining with his $line pick of the Irish...unfortunately for the Commisioner, he has the same final picks as #6 The Guy Behind The Guy, and with wins, TGBTG would finish 1 point ahead of him.  That, and an Irish win would mean that the Nittany Lyin beats them both.  ELIMINATED.
• Hollywood Hussion cashed in on the Wannstedt for 22 points and #5 on the big board.  An under pick for Sunday keeps him flexible, however picking the Irish means that he will come up quite a bit short because of the current margin.  ELIMINATED.
• Air Raid is currently #4 and just 20 points out of second place.  His $line pick on tomorrow closes some of the gap, but ND for 35 helps others too much in the process.  Air Raid will most certainly look back at his $line risk on Michigan and wonder what would happen if he took the points...he would have won 24 points and lasted one more day.  

In the end, it is now the National Championship that will determine the winner of the CFGL.  Regardless of what happens tomorrow, this season's winner will be crowned with the winner (coverer) of the Alabama/Notre Dame game.

We will provide another update tomorrow evening and the final standings and write up will be released Tuesday night. 

Until then, remember The League in your heart.