[NU Sports] Big Ten and the BCS

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

Well, looks like an endless media campaign
(interrupted only by Brady Quinn's press agent, Mr.
Musburger) will get its wish and have SC join OSU out
here in the Valley of the Sun to determine the title.
Should be a good game and I guess it's hard to argue
too much, but it's just a shame the way Michigan's
been cast aside the last couple weeks. Consider ...

* Both have routs of ND on the resume, Michigan's in
South Bend and a better performance overall
* Michigan will have the higher quality win (Wisconsin
vs. Arkansas or Nebraska)
* Michigan has the "better" loss (@ OSU ... and not
the OSU where USC lost).

But I guess the powers that be aren't as worried about
repeating a blowout from September in ND-Mich as they
are about a close game from November in the B(C)S.

And while we're on the subject, should Notre Dame be
going to a BCS bowl at all yet alone defiling the
Granddaddy of 'em All? They were blown out in their
only two games against top 20 teams ... beat a couple
teams in the 20-30 range (GaTech, PSU) early in the
year and didn't do much else besides win the CiC
trophy.

It's just sickening to see the special exemptions the
Evil Empire gets when an 11-1 Wisconsin team that will
likely be in the top 5 (and maybe top 4 is there's an
upset or two next week) will be on the outside of the
BCS. And I'm not a Wisconsin fan either, by any
stretch.:)

Oh well - maybe we can have OSU crush SC, Michigan
rout ND again and Wisky win big in Orlando and finish
1-2-3 in the final polls.:)

An updated guess at BCS and Big Ten bowls ...

BCS TITLE GAME: Ohio State vs. Southern Cal
- Two great coaches, two stacked rosters ...
difference has gotta be Troy Smith at QB for the
Bucks.

ROSE: Michigan vs. Notre Dame
- Ick. Double ick. Well, when the Maize and Blue
trounce the Irish yet again (the 2nd meeting of 3 in
just over a year for these two) and the TV sets click
off, the Rose committee will get what it deserves.

FIESTA: Oklahoma vs. Boise State
- It's a nice story, but even with a so-so Big XII
champ across the field, the Broncs will get blown out
of the building.

SUGAR: Florida vs. Louisville
- Offense, meet defense. I smell Gator bait. Zzzzzz.

ORANGE: LSU vs. Wake Forest
- Another terrific bowl game, brought to you by the
B(C)S. If the ACC-SEC challenge today was an SEC rout
despite more games at ACC stadiums, this one could be
ugly despite Wake's good story run. Yawn.

CITRUS: Wisconsin vs. Tennessee
- Could be the best matchup on New Year's Day.

OUTBACK: Penn State vs. Georgia
- Could be Auburn if the Peach takes UGa, but either
way the PSU D will hang tough provided the O hangs on
to the ball.

ALAMO: Iowa vs. Texas A&M
- How did the Hawkeyes get here again? Could be ugly.

CHAMPS: Purdue vs. Clemson
- Will either team even bother to bring the kicker?

INSIGHT: Minnesota vs. Kansas State
- K-State will travel well to make up for Minny's low
turnout (and yes UM fans, you got jobbed by Iowa in
the Alamo) ... but hey Gopher fans, Phoenix is MUCH
better than Nashville again!

Can't wait until next year when we'll be in the mix
again.

GO CATS!!!
-SjT

* * * * * * * * *
STEPHEN J. TRUOG
sjtruog at yahoo.com
GO CATS!!!


 
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