[NU Sports] Evening report ...

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

Great day of football ... who needs these silly league title games when you have games like Iowa/OSU last week and Oregon/Arizona this week (and Oregon/OSU later)?! Heck, most of the time the two best teams aren't even in these league "championship" games and in the ACC's case, a good high school football game outdraws 'em in the state of Florida!

I dunno about you, but I'm starting to like the tradition of finishing the season under the lights in Evanston with a big win over a rival to secure a better bowl game. Those purple helmets looked sharp vs. Illinois last year and great again this year. We had a November to Remember with HUGE wins over our three biggest rivals, two upsets over ranked teams. Aside from an injury-hampered game against PSU, we've finished the year strong and hopefully can carry that momentum into a bowl game.

Where we go is still up for grabs, I guess. Orlando seems most likely, but if Wisky has a sluggish showing against Hawaii, THE OUTBACK FOLKS OWE US ONE (AT LEAST)! The SEC foe in Tampa might be a better draw than the ACC one in Orlando. But who cares? We're bowling again and Fitz has done an outstanding job this season.

Latest bowl picture guess ...

TITLE: Florida vs. Texas
- The Horns are looking hot and the Gators will Tebow Bama to death

ROSE: Ohio State vs. Oregon
- Should be one heck of a game! But both teams must get their uniforms checked before hand (ditto for Musburger's tie choice) by fashionistas

SUGAR: Alabama vs. Cincinnati
- Yawn #1 for Fox - Go Bearcats!

ORANGE: Georgia Tech vs. TCU
- Yawn #2 for Fox - two well-coached teams

FIESTA: Iowa vs. Boise State
- Yawn #3 for Fox - but it could be a pretty good game

CITRUS: Penn State vs. LSU
- Could be a good matchup of Ds with suspect offenses

OUTBACK: Wisconsin vs. Tennessee
- Again, I like the matchup for the Big Ten

CHAMPS: Northwestern vs. North Carolina
- The Heels are hot and beat Miami ... but we're hot as well

ALAMO: Michigan State vs. Texas Tech
- Two teams where you never know which one will show up

INSIGHT: Minnesota vs. Missouri
- Can they battle for Floyd of Iowa?

Thank you seniors and thank you coaching staff for a terrific season. We knew it would be hard at the start losing most of our offense and when we started 2-2 and had all the defensive injuries, it didn't look good. But you fought back for a fantastic finish for a second straight 5-3 season and a 4th place finish in the Big Ten. Now let's get that bowl win!

GO CATS!!!
-SjT



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