[NU Sports] Early Bowl Predictions

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

> Not sure if Coach Roy posted this or not, but
> CBSSPORTSLINE.com has the  
> Sadly, at this point NU is not forecast to be in a
> bowl game, as these  are 
> the predictions:

Interesting read - I just find it hard to believe that
with four open BCS slots, the Big Ten will be denied a
second bid in the BCS. We know the SEC will have two,
and the Pac 10 is likely to have 2 as well. 

If Hawaii takes one - which may not be a given with
Brennan hurt - then there's one more left thanks to
Notre Dame. The Big XII will be hard pressed to get it
unless OU runs the table, looks great and slips up in
the title game. The ACC is out and despite the
inflated records of the Big East, I just don't think
that a Cincy or even WVU has the pull for the bowls of
a Michigan, Wisconsin or Penn State.

> Rose--tOSU

... hard to argue except that if OSU wins out, they
will be in the national title game. Cal won't win out
and if the Bucks can beat a final four of Illinois,
Wisky, PSU and Michigan, they'll have earned it.

As for the second BCS slot, Illinois would be hard to
ignore if they finish 10-2 with a great story - but I
think they'll lose to OSU and Michigan. If PSU wins
over Wisky and OSU, they'd be hard to ignore at 10-2
as well.

But let's look at this scenario. Michigan and OSU win
out until the end and Lloyd goes out with a rare W
over Tressel. Leaving Michigan at 10-2 and in the Rose
Bowl and an 11-1 Ohio State as a shoo-in for the
second BCS bid.

Bottom line, I think we get two.

> Cap One--Illini
> Outback--Bucky

These two are probably right. Illinois beat Bucky and
the Badgers visited Orlando last year. Let's go for a
full on orange Citrus Bowl with an Illini-Vols game
and Syracuse on the sidelines. My eyes hurt just
thinking about it!:)

> Alamo--Joe Pa

Assuming two of the OSU/PSU/UM trio gets in the BCS,
the third probably drops here. PSU has a chance to
play its way back up, though, with OSU, Wisky and
Purdue all visiting Happy Valley in the latter half of
the season.

> Champs--Wolverines

Tough to see them dropping here unless they lose to
Wisky, OSU and the Illini. Even an 8-4 Michigan team
is too irresistible for the Alamo or Outback.

Moo Moo seems more likely to get the second Orlando
spot. Or Indiana if they win the Bucket.

> Motor City--Hoosiers

Sounds good with me. MSU could go here as well.

Insight = CATS!!! C'mon, I can dream!:)

We should know more about NU's chances in the next
couple weeks. Gotta win the gottawins and that means
no more slip ups against the Gophers or EMUs.

GO CATS!!!
-SjT

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


       
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