*Mythical* national champion, of course.

Earlier today I predicted the BCS conference champions, now it's time for the national champion.  To be consistent, it makes sense to narrow the field to any of the conference titleists assuming some non-BCS team doesn't insert itself into the title picture.

Those expected conference finalists are:

ACC-Miami
Big East-Louisville
Big Ten-Ohio State
Big 12-Texas
Pac 10-California
SEC-Auburn

It's a bit innane to single out specific games where all these teams will trip up and anticipate voter behavior, so I won't do that to you.  I can look at that list, however, and tell you that Louisville and California are not strong contenders given the various biases inherent in college football that make it difficult for teams like those to play in a title game.  That said, I don't anticipate them being that good so as to make a legitimate case, anyhow.

Texas has history working against it with the frosh quarterback(s), so they're not a strong possibility, all things considered, particularly in having to win a title game.

That leaves Notre Dame, Miami, Auburn and Ohio State.

I believe USC will trip Notre Dame up in November, if the Irish haven't already recorded a loss before then.

Miami should be very strong but with a questionable run game and Kyle Wright not (yet) as good as he should be, they're bound to look a little weak in voters' eyes and might not be able to put together a strong title game performance.

Which leaves us with two teams, Auburn and Ohio State.  Sounds like a great championship battle, doesn't it?

Ohio State is my preseason No. 1 team this year so you know where I stand with them.  If they can survive a rough Big Ten slate it'll mean they've capably patched up their new faces in all the places defense.  They're 1-0 in championship games, and nobody plays close games better than them.  In what could be an epic game, I'm predicting a Buckeyes national championship at the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, scene of their last championship in January of 2003.

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Please take this with a grain or two of salt, the only definitive answers will come once the season is played.

Today is the first day in that championship quest.  Welcome to college football 2006!