[NU Sports] Maybe the Big Ten ...

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

... oughta get one of those championship game thingys.

If it's anything like the SEC's, those things are
magic! Consider ...

* Last year, a Florida team ranked #4 barely beats an
Arkansas team that isn't even in the SEC's three best
teams that year to magically leap two spots over a
Michigan team that didn't even lose into the title
game!

* This year, LSU again squeaks by a Tennessee team
that isn't even one of the SEC's top three teams and
vaults up FIVE spots, leap frogging THREE teams that
didn't even lose to get into the title game.

Wow - there must be some magic in that game. This is
even more of a joke than when the B in B(C)S stood for
Bowden or Big XII a few years back when FSU or a Big
XII team that didn't win their league title would
magically jump into the title game. Unbelievable.

I'd like to see the B(C)S reps at least try and defend
their system to ...

* Georgia. You were #4 and #1 and #2 lost. Normally
that would mean you're in the title game ... but
instead you even DROPPED a spot.

* Kansas. You were #5 and 11-1, just like the team we
moved up from #3 into the title game, but again, you
dropped a spot.

* Virginia Tech. You were #6 and won your game
Saturday  - even moving into the top spot on the
computers, but no title game for you either.

* Oklahoma. You destroyed #1, looked far more
impressive than LSU and had the same number of losses,
but they get to vault in, you don't.

* USC. You were the preseason #1, had more key
injuries than LSU and were playing better than anyone
in December - looking more impressive than LSU as well
- but we buried you long ago, unlike the Tigers.

* Missouri. In perhaps the cruelest cut of all, you
beat two BCS teams on neutral fields, finished #6 and
only lost to #3 all year ... but you're not even in
the game.

* Arizona State. You were 10-2 and didn't even get
picked by the bowl in your own back yard. A bowl that
got its start because other bowls were snubbing you. I
guess they too have forgotten their roots.

I guess we can't complain too much in the Big Ten. We
seem to be the only other league besides the SEC to be
happy with how it shook out (though we were screwed by
Urban's whin, er, politicking, last year). Although
it's not all good. Yeah, OSU moved up and got a shot
at redemption for last year's rare Tressel screw up,
but they get to face LSU in a home game (the Tigers
should at least have to EARN home games!). And while
it's nice to see the Illini get to Pasadena since
their 2001 title didn't get a Rose Bowl berth, they
get to face a red hot USC team, again in the
opponent's back yard.

I think our two BCS reps will be much more competitive
than last year, but still falter. Hopefully it won't
damage the league's rep too much. BTW, have you
checked out OSU's roster? They're loaded with
sophomores and juniors and could be poised to be the
Buffalo Bills of college football with a return trip
next year.

As for our other bowl matchups ...

* CITRUS: Michigan plays Florida - again, we're
virtually playing a road game. This could get ugly.

* OUTBACK: Wisconsin vs. Tennessee - this one's
winnable as Bucky has been a bowl force lately.

* ALAMO: Penn State vs. Texas A&M - another road game,
but winnable with JoePa almost unbeatable when having
time to prepare.

* CHAMPS: MSU vs. Boston College - Hopefully the good
Sparty team shows up. If so, this could be a nice
upset for the league.

* INSIGHT: Indiana vs. Oklahoma State - Could be the
most fun of the Big Ten bowls and another high scoring
game like last year's TT-Minny game. I see a win here.

* MOTOR CITY: Purdue vs. Central Michigan - Boilers
better win this one for league pride.

GO CATS!!! Go Big Ten!!!
-SjT

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


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