[NU Sports] Bowl outlook ...

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

A couple surprises, a couple good games but once again, it's a big B(C)-MESS with a lackluster December and January in store. For a cartel of supposed business people, they seem to miss opportunity after opportunity to make money with ratings or people in the seats.

- Instead of a Big Ten preview Insight Bowl of Iowa vs. Nebraska, they take a repeat of UNL's bashing of Washington in the Holiday Bowl???

- Instead of a Bear Bryant Showdown of ATM vs. Bama ... or a preseason #1 vs. #2 in New Orleans, Bama gets placed in the Citrus Bowl against MSU.

- Stanford takes their 10 fans across country to Miami, UConn does the same to Arizona. Most of the B(C)S games look like a big meh this year ... the title game should be high scoring, but the thought of an SEC team winning again and Auburn having to forfeit the title anyway once the NCAA investigation wraps up in 10 years just turns me off to the game.

- And of course, the Rose Bowl debacle sees a tiny school from Texas in Pasadena over the #1 or #4 ranked teams from the Pac 10.

- Plus as a bonus, we get those classic games like Ohio vs. Troy, FIU vs. Toledo, Middle Tennessee vs. Miami and more. Yippee!:)

Tradition? Nope. Good business? Nope. Playoff? Nope.
It truly is the worst of all worlds.
Thanks, B(C)S!

As for the Big Ten games ...

* ROSE BOWL: Wisconsin vs. Texas Christian
- The Frogs are good and worthy of a bid, but Pasadena's different than other bowls and can be intimidating. Plus you'll have 70,000+ cheeseheads and perhaps the hottest team in the country right now. I dunno if I can cheer for Bielema, but I expect the Big Ten to win this game. Big.

* SUGAR BOWL: Ohio State vs. Arkansas
- If the Bucks are gonna break their SEC jinx, now's the time. They dodged hometown LSU and underachieving but dangerous defending champ Alabama. The Hogs can score and will be excited to be there with their fans, but they have no D and if Pryor plays like he did in Pasadena, the Bucks should get the win. Good game, though.

* CITRUS BOWL: Michigan State vs. Alabama
- No Roses for Sparty, and they might be a bit bummed about winding up in Orlando. Plus, they're facing a team that was the preseason #1 and should roll if they play to their potential. Sparty could put up a fight to get that signature win, but with time to prepare, Bama blows out MSU here.

* OUTBACK BOWL: Penn State vs. Florida
- One of the better matchups here with a lot of young talent from teams who will be challenging for B(C)S bowls next year. Tough call, as Urban's thugs are at home, but JoePa has a good record both in bowls and against the SEC. Flip a coin here.

* GATOR BOWL: Michigan vs. Mississippi State
- Another tough call on New Year's Day, as Robinson and RichRod will thrive in the January 1 spotlight and the Bulldogs will be thrilled to be back on New Year's Day as well. MSU hasn't beaten a good team yet this year ... but Michigan's not exactly a good team. Flip a coin again.

* INSIGHT BOWL: Iowa vs. Missouri
- An almost-Big Ten preview? They really missed a chance for a big crowd and publicity in Tempe, but it should still be a good game of black and gold border teams. If Iowa comes out healthy and motivated, they should win - but the way they tanked the season, it's another tossup.

* TEXAS BOWL: Illinois vs. Baylor
- The Bears will be happy to be here ... the Illini are the biggest mystery in football. Come out and pound it and they could roll, or come out and turn it over and they get rolled. Another guessing game.

* DALLAS BOWL: Northwestern vs. Texas Tech
- I like our chances to pull the upset with time to get Watkins ready, but we will be underdogs here. Could be a fun scorefest like our past two bowls and come down to the wire. Go Cats!

So I guess in a reversal of recent history, I see the Big Ten doing well in the B(C)S bowls this year and not so well in the other games.

And as noted by everyone on the list, getting that extra practice time and experience for the team should be a good boost heading into next year.

GO BIG TEN!
GO CATS!!!
-SjT

* * * * * * * * *
STEPHEN J. TRUOG
sjtruog at yahoo.com
GO CATS!!! GEAUX SAINTS!!!
Super Bowl XLIV Champions!
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