[NU Sports] A bowl too far?

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

I'm not sure we really have a choice anymore - the Big Ten's bowl ties all seem to put us at a disadvantage (playing SC in LA, Florida in Orlando, Texas A&M in San Antonio, etc.) and that's usually made worse when we get an extra BCS team (though this year, the SEC and Big XII - our primary bowl foes - should also have that).

As for the MAC, Central Michigan and Ball State are tough foes and the Detroit game is always a "lose lose" matchup (win and it's no big deal, lose and it's embarassing for most fans who don't know football and realize that the MAC team is good).

Plus, I'm not sure we're in a position to look down on any bowl bid until we win one.:) 

I don't think we're heading to Florida or Pasadena unless we win out this year because others will be selected ahead of us (even Minnesota as they'll have the cinderella story this year and hungry bowl fans) and by the time it gets to the Champs Bowl, they'll want a somewhat recognized name like Illinois or Wisky who snuck in over us.

I'm hoping we head west this year - obviously nothing beats Pasadena, but Phoenix is a pretty good runner-up prize. It could be a fun matchup with a mid-level Big XII team (and unlike the Alamo Bowl, you won't have to play them in Texas) in the warm weather of the Valley of the Sun. 

Plus, then I'd finally get to see the Cats this year.:)

GO CATS!!!
-SjT

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

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