Let me preface this post by saying that I'm still bitter about Nebraska choking away what would have been an epic Big XII Championship upset. The Huskers took the lead, and apparently forgot about fundamentals, which left the window cracked for the Longhorns to sneak in and steal the game back. To be honest, I'm not a Cornhusker fan, but I wanted them to win for two reasons. First, it would have screwed over Texas, and I'm always in favor of that. It would have also thrown a massive monkey wrench into the whole BCS system. Instead of having TCU or Cincinnati face Alabama, we get the boring Bama-Texas match up.
Last night, the rest of the BCS and college football bowl games were announced, and I thought I'd share my two cents on the matchup.
BCS National Championship Game: (1) Alabama vs. (2) Texas
I'm glad that Alabama was able to get into the National Title game over Florida, but other than that, I really could care less about this game mostly because the matchup was so predictable. We knew going in that the SEC Champion would take on Texas, but the possible matchups would have been more interesting had Texas lost. We could have seen the underdog Horned Frogs or Bearcats take on the big boys to prove that it can be done. Potential flaws in the BCS could have been exposed (yet again), and maybe we would be one step closer towards a playoff. Instead, we get the same old stuff.
Like I said earlier, I really don't have much interest in this game because I'm not invested in either team. Since I'm so anti-Longhorns, I'm naturally going to pull for the Crimson Tide, but that's more out of hatred than loyalty. With that being said, I'm predicting Texas to win the game and the National Championship.
Orange Bowl: (9) Georgia Tech vs. (10) Iowa
This has to be one of the most boring BCS games this season. Both the ACC and the Big Ten are mediocre conferences, and this matchup doesn't have much draw for those that are not Yellow Jackets or Hawkeyes.
If I had to pick the winner, I'd go with Georgia Tech just because I've heard the analysts slurp on them more than they have Iowa. Regardless, this is going to be another Orange Bowl that I skip due to indifference.
Fiesta Bowl: (4) Texas Christian vs. (6) Boise State
One of the best bowl games last season, the Poinsettia Bowl, gets a rematch but this time the venue is much grander. The two Cinderellas have the chance to prove to the BCS that they belong, but unfortunately they have to take on one another. Some think this matchup is great because we get to see two non-automatic qualifying teams in a BCS game, while others would have preferred to see TCU and Boise State in two different BCS games (the Fiesta & Sugar for example). The latter scenario could have ensured that four teams could have finished the season with perfect records, which could have added fuel to the anti-BCS fire. This matchup pretty much cuts that number down to three, and a lot less controversy.
This is the only BCS bowl game that I care about, mostly because I've been pulling for TCU all season, and have been a fan of Boise State since they upset Oklahoma a few years back. It's a shame that they'll be taking on one another rather than playing with the big boys, but I'm sure the fat checks they'll be earning will ease some of their pain. While I love both teams, I'll be rooting on the Horned Frogs this time around.
Sugar Bowl: (3) Cincinnati vs. (5) Florida
I guess when it comes to the big picture, Texas' win wasn't a total disaster because it looks like Cincy would have snuck into the BCS Title Game had the Horns lost instead of TCU. While I'm a fan of the little guys, I'd much rather see the Frogs take on the Tide than the Bearcats. The main reason I would've been anti-UC is because the Big East is an overrated conference that should have left the BCS once Miami, Virginia Tech, and Boston College left for the ACC. The Big East hasn't been a major BCS factor once the Canes & Hokies switched conferences, so they should have their AQ status revoked.
The only highlight for me in regards to the Sugar Bowl is the fact that Florida was knocked off their pedestal, and will not be playing for their 2nd straight National Title. Really, it's nothing against Florida as a school or program. I'm just tired of hearing about them and Tim Tebow. UF is going to stick around as a dominant football program, and I see them beating Cincy pretty easily.
Rose Bowl: (7) Oregon vs. (8) Ohio State
I'm glad that we're getting a traditional Big 10 vs. Pac-10 Rose Bowl since it's this game that's really keeping us from a playoff system. The Rose Bowl is always a fun game to watch mostly due to the tradition and pageantry, and this year's game should be a good one. It's also the only other game that I have a horse in, and I'm hoping that Oregon will destroy the overrated Buckeyes. Seriously, the only school I dislike as much as Texas is Ohio State, and I'm glad that they were not able to sneak into another BCS Championship game.
While I was living up in Oregon, the Ducks were the team I cheered for more often than not, and I don't see that changing this time around. I'm impressed with how UofO was able to rebound from a devastating start in Boise, and they really deserve being in the Rose Bowl. Let's hope the Quack Attack stops on some nuts on January 1.
Other Notable Bowl Games
Poinsettia Bowl - Utah vs. California: Two really good teams on the cusp of being great teams, and this game should be a fun one to watch. My loyalties are kind of torn because I tend to be a Golden Bear fan, but I love it any time Utah beats a major conference team. It seems like the Poinsettia Bowl is becoming a pretty decent minor bowl game when you combine this year's game with last season's TCU/Boise State matchup.
Independence Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Georgia: I'm happy that my Aggies became bowl eligible this season after last year's disappointing record. Unfortunately, Texas A&M has never been a strong bowl team since I've been a fan, and I don't think that's going to change this year. I'm expecting for UGA to win this one. I just hope it's not a blowout.
Holiday Bowl - Arizona vs. Nebraska: The Holiday Bowl is another one of those non-BCS bowl games that is usually a good game to watch. This year's Arizona/Nebraska matchup should be no exception. It's not as glossy as some games in the past, but it should be a good one. As always, I'll be rooting for the underdog, which could be hard to determine between these two, so I'll just stick with the Wildcats.
I know that the hopes for a playoff system will never come to fruition, but that doesn't stop me from playing "what-if", and putting together a mythical playoff bracket that I may post here later. Then again, bowl games can be fun to watch. It's just too bad that big time college football refuses to join the times.
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