[NU Sports] Evening report ...

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

Well, a clunker of a game in Happy Valley. It had to remind PSU fans of the Iowa game earlier -- the Lion offense disappears in the big game, it's close late until one play (a blocked punt against Iowa, a big pass vs. OSU) breaks open the floodgates and the Nits can't recover. Not sure what the problem is for JoePa in big games recently - he's usually at his best in the big games.

As for the evening games, it was interesting to watch much of the USC/ASU game here. After last week, it seems like SC has lost some of their aura -- teams just aren't afraid of them anymore and the Devils took it right to the Trojans and outplayed them. But SC survived where others didn't today, so that keeps them in the BCS hunt.

Speaking of this joke of a postseason college football has, here's how the bowl picture looks after today ...

TITLE BOWL: Florida vs. Texas
- I just can't see punchless Bama beating the Gators and the Horns don't have any threats left on what has to be one of the cushiest schedules in the nation ... who was their biggest test? #15 Okie State???

ROSE BOWL: Oregon vs. Ohio State
- Believe it or not, Buckeye fans haven't been here since 1997 and they will hopefully learn that Pasadena is NEVER a consolation prize ... the Ducks will appreciate it as well and it should be a heck of a game

SUGAR BOWL: Alabama vs. TCU
- The Bama/Gator loser heads here, but the opponent is a crap shoot after today's upsets. I just don't see how the BCS can leave out an unbeaten, top five team even if it isn't a big name.

ORANGE BOWL: Georgia Tech vs. Cincinnati
- The Orange committee won't have many choices either and Tech is locked in, so they go with the best of the three "also unbeatens" in Cincy.

FIESTA BOWL: Southern Cal vs. Boise State
- The Trojans are a lock to be gobbled up for Texas' spot if they win out, and Boise has a nice history in Phoenix, so it could be a heck of a game.

CITRUS BOWL: Wisconsin vs. LSU
- Tough to see how the Big Ten's 2-4 spots are going to sort out, but Wisky looks like they'll be the hot team finishing the year on a roll, so they leap over moping PSU and injured Iowa to snag this spot.

OUTBACK BOWL: Penn State vs. Tennessee
- The Nits are a bigger name than Iowa so they go to Tampa unless they lose to MSU -- as for their foe, the SEC is a mess after the top 3-4 teams so let's just say Tennessee's fans and PR Zooker-like coach get them the invite here.

CHAMPS BOWL: Iowa vs. Clemson
- The Hawks don't stand much of a chance next week in Columbus without Stanzi and if they're not careful, they might look bad against Minny in the finale. Either way, they're not finishing strong and fall here.

ALAMO BOWL: Northwestern vs. Nebraska
- I'd LOVE to see a Purple Paradise game against K-State, but I think the Huskers squeak by for the north title. If the Cats beat the Illini on Saturday, they're virtually locked into this bowl because they won't be chosen ahead of the Big Four in the league, yet none of the 6-6 cluster behind them can jump the Cats (about time we don't get jumped!).

INSIGHT BOWL: Purdue vs. Kansas
- The Boilers are the best story of the possible 6-6 bunch and if they can beat Sparty at home next week and win the bucket the last week, it would be an amazing first year for Coach Hope after the tough start to finish 6-6. That gets them a nice trip to Arizona.

MOTOR CITY BOWL: Minnesota vs. Central Michigan
- Break out the burgundy and gold! The Gophers SHOULD get a sixth win this week against SDSU, but unless they can upset Iowa in the Bacon Bowl, they'll probably be relegated to Detroit.

OUT OF THE BOWLS
- Michigan State ... you gotta like the Boiler momentum at home next week, so Sparty must beat moping PSU at home (which could be the case, and would make Detroit's day) to go bowling.

- Michigan ... they really blew it today, now they have to win at Madison and beat their sweater vest nemesis to dream of Detroit.

- Illinois and Indiana ... unless they run the table.

Of course, we'll see what happens next week. But for now, WE BEAT IOWA so all is right in Big Ten land. Shuck some corn, turn the clock tower purple and wave goodbye to the bumblebee RVs.

GO CATS!!!
-SjT

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