I'm writing this as the Wisconsin-Hawaii game is wrapping up. Wisconsin is up by more than two touchdowns in the 2nd Quarter, and I don't think that it makes a difference whether they win or lose. I think their slot is set. In fact, after Texas held on to beat Nebraska (despite, not because of Colt McCoy), the Big Ten and BCS bowls seem pretty well set.
Which was the only conference that couldn't deliver a close championship game?
In the six BCS conferences, we had official title games in three conferences and de facto title games in three conferences. The margins in the six games? 1 (Cincy over Pitt), 1 (Texas over Nebraska), 3 (Ohio State over Iowa), 4 (Oregon over Oregon State), 5 (Georgia Tech over Clemson), and 19. Only the "Game of the Century" failed to be a classic. Here are the final projections for the BCS and Big Ten Bowls.
Remember the rules.
- The best teams don't always go to the best games. In the end, butts in the seat and eyes to the television are the biggest factors.
- The order of BCS selection is 1) Replacement for #1 Team; 2) Replacement for #2 Team; 3) Orange Bowl; 4) Fiesta Bowl; 5) Sugar Bowl.
- The Champs Bowl picks its Big Ten team ahead of the Alamo Bowl this year.
- For the full rules on BCS selections, look here.
My guess is that when the rankings come out tomorrow, it will be Cincinnati, and not TCU that ended up :01 away from a shot at Alabama. | |||
The Orange Bowl is really hoping that the Fiesta passes on a Big Ten team to match up two undefeated teams in Arizona (it is a hip rumor), but... | |||
that's not happening. The Fiesta takes Iowa over Penn State. They're the better team. | |||
What are the odds the Ezekiel 25:17 is written on Tebow's eyeblack at the Sugar Bowl? | |||
The Big Ten is winning the Rose Bowl this year. It's going to win at least 4 of 7 bowl games. | |||
The weakness of both teams is in the trenches. Should be a fascinating game. | |||
So instead of facing a Monte Kiffin defense with a month to prepare, the Badgers get a team that won one of their last six games against 1-A competition? Thank you, Mr. Bloomin' Onion! | |||
Did you see what CJ Spiller did? Dear God, that's scary. | |||
Could the Alamo pick Minnesota to avoid a Spartan squad weakened by suspensions? Yes, but it won't. I'm also thinking that it won't miss out on its first chance to host Oklahoma. That means jumping the Sooners over Texas Tech and Missouri. | |||
Neither fanbase 1) travels exceptionally well and 2) is overly excited for the game. This crowd could be very small. | |||
Like Notre Dame would ever sully itself by playing a MAC team in a bowl game in Detroit... | |||
Only Illinois could lose that way to Fresno State. If you're going to finish with a Zook-like record, you'll end up On the Couch with the Queso Bowl (now sponsored by Ro*Tel). |