[NU Sports] bowl games/Saturday

[Jonathan Hodges]

I would say that a 2nd Big Ten BCS berth IS likely given the PSU victory.
While Penn State must still travel to Iowa and play MSU at home, those tests
are nothing compared to what Texas (Texas Tech, Big XII championship) and
Alabama (LSU, Auburn, SEC championship) will face - so if one of those teams
stumbles, PSU will likely find itself in the national championship game (and
if one looks at the way they're playing, it's not a surprise).  If that
happens it will all depend on if OSU can get in the top 12 in the BCS
standings because they haven't been to Pasadena this decade and without a
doubt the Rose Bowl will scoop them up if given the chance, rematch with USC
or not (plus I'm sure many will want to see OSU face them with Wells healthy
and Pryor starting).  Even if it's PSU in Pasadena, there will be BCS slots
open for the taking and OSU fills seats - so a top 12 finish and they're in.

That would, of course, open up 8 total bowl slots for Big Ten teams.  Either
Michigan or Purdue will be officially eliminated this week.  The other will
likely be eliminated before too long.  Indiana will also likely be dumped,
needing only 2 losses to make it official, and they still face some
challenges.  That would mean there are 8 Big Ten teams, virtually
guaranteeing everyone that is bowl eligibile a spot.

Of course, there seems to be a potential backlog of teams that may end up at
6-6: at least Wisconsin and Illinois seem to be heading in that direction
(along with NU if the 'Cats don't get their act together, although I fully
believe NU will win at least one more, if not more than that).  The key for
Northwestern will then be to get that 7th win.

The reason is that bowls must select teams with a winning record (7 or more
wins) over teams with a .500 record.  So, with Wisconsin and Illinois
reeling right now, a 7-5 record (minimum) would likely keep NU out of
Detroit.

Then again, this is college football, and crazy things can always happen.  I
suspect we won't get a clear picture of where Big Ten teams will end up
until the regular season is over for all of the teams, and may even have to
wait until the final BCS standings are out and the BCS bowl pairings are
announced.

Go 'Cats!!!
Jonathan

On Tue, Oct 28, 2008 at 11:40 PM, Brad Wilson <bwdolphin146 at yahoo.com>wrote:

> Well, with Ohio State losing it would appear less likely that the Big Ten
> will get 2 BCS spots. That makes it harder for 6-6 NU to get a spot.
>
> OSU is more likely to get a spot if Utah and/or Boise State lose so root
> against those two, would be my advice.
>
> Also, how many BT teams will be bowl-eligible? Indiana, Perdoo and Michigan
> no, I would think. Then:
>
> Illinois could surely not be at 4-4 with this: Iowa, Western Michigan (at
> Det.), Ohio State, NU upcoming
> Iowa, maybe, at 5-3 with: at Illinois, Penn State, Purdue, at Minnesota,
> though I suspect they will be.
>
> Iowa should beat Purdue so I guess we want Iowa to beat Illinois to help
> the most. (I root for Illinois to lose every week, of course.)
>
> Also, there's a QB element Saturday that may help: if NU is uncertain who
> will start at QB Minnesota surely will be. The Gophers will have to practice
> against two very different QB's and different approaches to the spread. That
> can only help.
>
> bw
>
>
>
>
>
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-- 
Jonathan W. Hodges
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