[NU Sports] Big Ten bowls ... 0-1

[Tom Maycock]

Perceptions of the impact of the bad officiating probably depend a lot
on who you were rooting for, but there's no question the officiating
was awfully poor. 

But the really sad thing about that was that it overshadowed a *great*
football game. That thing was fun to watch from start to finish. It had
everthing--offense, defense, special teams, "matter of inches" moments,
comebacks, a healthy dose of controversy, and a bizarre finish. 

Both teams have flaws, but there were receivers and running backs
making great plays, very gutsy (if imperfect) performances from both
QBs, and countless big hits and plays by defensive players. 

There are admittedly a lot of crappy bowl matchups, and too many bowl
games in general. But games like that--where a bunch of kids from both
sides play their hearts out for pride--remind me that the whole bowl
thing is worthwhile.

If the NU-UCLA game is anywhere near as fun as that, I'll be happy.

Tom