[NU Sports] Big Ten bowl picture ...

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

Not much surprise at the top of the heap today, but some surprises on the bottom - most notably Iowa plummeting perhaps out of a New Year's Day bowl.

The B(C)S picture is getting interesting as well, as we'll have to see if both TCU and Stanford get into that top four automatic-bid slot ... then if the Rose Bowl can work out some desperate deal to keep Stanford out west instead of getting TCU, as neither team promises to bring many fans but at least the Cardinal would bring some to Pasadena (not like it will be needed with all of Wisconsin making the trek west).

As of tonight, the best guess ...

BCS TITLE: Oregon vs. Auburn
- Lots of scoring, lots of missed tackling and for the love of the rest of the nation, PLEASE go Ducks so we don't have to have another SEC champion rammed down our throat, especially one with such an awful defense

ROSE: Wisconsin vs. TCU
- Not sure if Pasadena can get out of taking the Froggies, which is just wrong. Also not sure if anything can stop Wisconsin right now. Unfortunately, we can't see Bucky vs. Oregon. Thanks, B(C)S. You suck!

SUGAR: Alabama vs. Ohio State
- With essentially the first two picks, they can at least get a good matchup and take another SEC team (Bama beat the Hogs) vs. the Big Ten to get a preseason #1 vs. #2 showdown.

ORANGE: Virginia Tech vs. West Virginia
- With the choice between Stanford traveling cross country or the Big Least team, suddenly the folks in Miami are big South Florida fans to see the Mountaineers (who actually travel well) come south for a border war

FIESTA: Nebraska vs. Stanford
- A Big Ten vs. Pac 10 game of two tough-nosed football teams and coaches - and Nebraska's fans will make up for Stanford's unsold seats

CITRUS: Michigan State vs. Louisiana State
- The Spurned-by-Saban bowl should be hard-hitting and give Sparty their best chance for a big bowl win in years

OUTBACK: Penn State vs. South Carolina
- With Iowa's fall, JoePa's and PSU are the bigger name here to face off against Spurrier in a battle of coaching legends

GATOR: Michigan vs. Florida
- Again, Iowa's loss opens the door for Big Blue's name to pass 'em up and for the Gator to get a game with teams people actually care about for once

INSIGHT: Iowa vs. Oklahoma State
- Should the Cowpokes lose tonight, they slip behind bigger names ATM and OU in the Big XII pecking order, leaving them to take it out on Iowa ... unless Illinois wins big and makes their claim for Phoenix next week

TEXAS: Illinois vs. Texas Tech
- Could be a fun offensive duel in Houston, but Iowa could slip here as well if the Illini finish strong and bring out their supposed Chicago media market ties.

DALLAS: Northwestern vs. Kansas State
- Here's hoping for a purple paradise in the old Cotton Bowl on January 1 ... and for an NU Wildcat WIN!

GO CATS!!!
-SjT

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