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06 December 2010
As sports fans, there's a few words we're all going to hear way too much of over the next three weeks.
"No. I told you I wasn't interested - go away."
Wait- sorry. That was what I heard this past weekend. No - the complaint we're going to all hear, and eventually get sick of, is that there are too many bowl games. This year, there are 35 bowls, meaning 70 of the 120 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision will enjoy some sort of postseason. And for reasons beyond my grasp, this seems to anger a lot of people. I understand if you don't have a rooting interest in the Beef 'O'Brady's St. Petersburg Bowl - few people do. But really, does it bother you that much that it exists?
Now I'm not saying I'll be tuning into the uDrove Humanitarian Bowl, or calling friends over to watch the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. Chances are, I won't care who wins the AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl, and I don't foresee myself laying down any bets on the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl (I'll leave the gambling tips to Cohron anyway). But that doesn't mean those games don't matter. If it makes the kids on those team feel good, if it serves as some sort of reward after a long season...well I can live with that. I may not watch or particularly care, but who am I to say it's not important? And if it really bothers you that much that 6-6 teams can go to a bowl, then I have a suggestion - don't watch. Deal?
But with all that being said, there's probably only a handful of games that are going to garner national attention. Here's a look at five games you should check out, regardless of who you root for.
Capital One Bowl - Jan. 1: Michigan State vs. Alabama.
Not too many people predicted Alabama would be sporting three losses on their resume, or watching the BCS bowls from home. But such is life in the SEC, where the Tide were stunned by South Carolina, stumbled against LSU and then blew a huge lead against arch-rival Auburn. Still, you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who question's the Tide overall talent, or Nick Saban's coaching ability. The Tide are still loaded with NFL draft picks, and they boast three of the best skill position players in the country in WR Julio Jones and RBs Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson. The Spartans on the other hand, surprised many by riding a power rushing game and veteran QB Kirk Cousins to 11 wins and a share of the Big 10 title. Their upset of Notre Dame with a last-second fake field goal was one of the most memorable moments of the year, and aside from a loss to Iowa, they played the entire season with a confidence and swagger not often seen in East Lansing. But with bowl season comes the age old question...can the power of the Big 10 overcome the speed of the SEC? The Spartans will be looking to gain a measure of pride for their conference, while the Tide are hoping to move past the loss to Auburn and salvage a somewhat disappointing season. Look for Sparty to hang around, but in the end, I think Alabama just has more talent. Prediction: Alabama 31, Michigan State 17
Hyundai Sun Bowl - Dec 31: Notre Dame vs. Miami
I know, I know - why bother? Two 7-5 teams that haven't been relevant on the national stage in years. Two teams that are constantly over-hyped, and who have combined for 32 losses over the last three years. But even for someone who couldn't care less about either team, this is still an intriguing match-up, for a couple of reason. First off, whoever wins will no doubt ride that momentum to lofty spot in next year's pre-season rankings, which will again likely lead to disappointment. But beyond that, there are good storylines for both teams. For Notre Dame, first year coach Brian Kelly hasn't quite found the magic he used to lead Cincinnati to back-to-back BCS bowls, but his problems go much deeper than that. His admitted negligence and poor judgment that led to the death of student Declan Sullivan, who was filming a practice during heavy winds, is a situation that isn't going to go away, and you have to wonder how an image-conscious school like Notre Dame will handle that going forward. For Miami, it's certainly far less serious, but interesting nonetheless. Their open coaching position will have a huge impact on the coaching carousel, and the hire of a big name could have far-reaching effects on recruiting, where former coach Randy Shannon failed to reel in enough five-stars to keep fans happy. No matter what happens, this is a big game for two big-time programs who drastically need something positive to take out of this year. Prediction: Miami 27, Notre Dame 21
All-State Sugar Bowl - Jan. 4: Ohio State vs. Arkansas
Hmm...where have we seen this storyline before? Ohio State, in a BCS bowl, against an SEC team...sound familiar? The last time we saw this, LSU was pounding the Buckeyes for the national championship in 2007, just a year after Florida smoked the Buckeyes for the 2006 national title. But times have changed. The Buckeyes boast arguably the best athlete in the country in QB Terrelle Pryor, although the jury is still out on his future as a passer. They haven't always looked impressive this year, but they still found a way to win at least 10 games for the sixth consecutive year, and they head into the bowl riding a five-game winning streak. Meanwhile, Arkansas may be even hotter, having won six straight, including a huge win over LSU to end the season. QB Ryan Mallet throws the ball was well as any QB in the country, and he has a stable of offensive weapons, plus a solid running game led by sophomore Knile Davis. However, despite the offensive talent of Arkansas, it's their defense that concerns me. Auburn and QB Cam Newton hung 65 points on the Hogs this year, and while Pryor isn't the same caliber of player as Newton, he's still a big, athletic, dual-threat QB that can cause problems. Additionally, Mallet is known to have a bit of a temper, and you wonder if he'll be able to maintain his composure if the Hogs' offense struggles early. Look for a very competitive game, but I expect the Buckeyes to come out ahead. Prediction: Ohio State 28, Arkansas 24
Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO - Jan. 1: Wisconsin vs. TCU
Once again, a mid-major is looking to make a statement in a BCS game. However, the argument is a little dulled this year, since TCU has already agreed to join the Big East in 2012, meaning an automatic BCS bid will be theirs for the taking. Nevertheless, this remains an interesting game, although neither team really has much national appeal. TCU has a veteran offense led by QB Andy Dalton, who won't dazzle you but rarely makes mistakes. However, as is often the case with Gary Patterson's teams, the strength of the Horned Frogs is their defense. They lead the nation in points allowed per game, and held eight of their opponents to 10 or fewer points this year. They'll need every bit of that defense against the Badgers, who put up points like a video game this year, putting up six games of 40 or more points, including three games with at least 70 points. QB Scott Tolzien is a solid passer, but the secret to the Badgers' success lies in their running game, as RBs John Clay, James White and Montee Ball have all rushed for at least 800 yards this year. Coach Bret Bielema drew some criticism this year for the lopsided scores, but there's no doubt the Badgers are a well-coached team who are playing as well as anyone in the country right now. Don't expect the Badgers to hang 70 on the Frogs, but then again, TCU likely hasn't seen an offense as physical as as Wisconsin. Look for the size of the Badgers to eventually wear down TCU. Prediction: Wisconsin 27, TCU 20
BCS National Championship - Jan. 10: Auburn vs. Oregon
One thing we know for certain - both teams will score plenty of points. The Ducks led the nation in points per game this year at just a shade under 50, while the Tigers checked in at 6th with over 42 points per game. Both teams boast a Heisman Trophy finalist, with Auburn QB Cam Newton the likely favorite over Oregon RB LaMichael James. Both teams have a plethora of offensive weapons, as 12 Ducks and 11 Tigers have scored touchdowns this year. And both teams boast second-year coaches who would love the long-term security offered by a national championship trophy. No matter which way you slice it, this game is going to be fun. Despite constantly swirling rumors regarding his recruitment, Newton has been an absolute monster this year, reeking havoc on defenses with both his running and passing abilities. Freshman RB Michael Dyer is a load, while veterans like Onterio McCalebb, Mario Fannin, Darvin Adams and Terrell Zachary have all found the endzone plenty this year. For Oregon, James has proven to be nearly impossible to tackle, racking up over 1,600 yards and 21 touchdowns, despite sitting out the first game of the season. QB Darren Thomas is equally dangerous throwing and running the ball, and the up-tempo attack of the Ducks has left some opponents faking injuries on the field just to catch their breath. The real key will be the defenses of both teams. Neither defense is great, but which one will be able to get a stop when it matters most? This certainly has all the makings of a terrific game, and I expect a close match throughout. However, look for Cam Newton to be the difference, as Oregon simply hasn't seen a QB like him all season. Prediction: Auburn 45, Oregon 37
