Comments on: Big Ten FTW, 2009 Edition

By: kr

kr — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:33:35 +0000

FWIW — vegas only has 2 B11 teams favored in their bowl matchups – PSU and Minny – and both of those by only a figgie

By: jc

jc — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 01:06:31 +0000

Very nice analysis. One of the things that irks me–year after year–is how the Big Ten gets “bumped up,” sends two teams into the BCS and asks everyone else to step up a slot, and then the media jumps all over the conference when we come out the backend with a losing record. The SEC may be the only conference deep enough to carry water in two BCS games. This year’s match ups, again, seem to point to a black eye. I would have loved to see Iowa take on LSU, and Penn State face Auburn. Two games that seem fair, on paper. Wisconsin is always a good bowl bet and they may have the only attractive game, although, they ‘re asked to play a Florida team in Florida. What else is new? I know there’s some hand-wringing in Buckeye land over the Rose Bowl, but the more I think about this game, look at the stats, and consider the many times I’ve seen Oregon play, the more I come to believe the Buckeye defense is going to step up at teach these Ducks a lesson. Maybe a .500 bowl season is all we can hope for this year.

By: 2009 Bowl Games

2009 Bowl Games — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:08:58 +0000

Awful lot of BCS games. They really wimped out this year putting those two teams in the Fiesta Bowl to “protect” Florida from humiliation.

Anyway, Iowa, Penn State, and OSU NEED to all show up. I’m confident in Iowa and PSU, but honestly not so sure about our Bucks though.

The double-edged sword for Penn State is that if they win, LSU will have the lame “we don’t have our running back” excuse, but if LSU wins, it’ll be all about the dominance of SEC over Big Ten once again. Ugh.

By: Nick

Nick — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:55:48 +0000

I am a big BCS fan, in terms of what they want. Big bowl games, and number 1 against number 2. I don’t like the changes they keep doing, such as taking out strength of schedule. That is why Cincinnatti is in.

I disagree about TCU and Boise State being upper echelon. Lets watch Oregon and Boise State line up again. The only difference between that game BSU won, and OSU-Navy, is OSU slipped out with a win in a game in which they slept walked. I don’t think it would be close.

For my personal choice, I would have put Boise State against Iowa, and Georgia Tech against TCU. I can better handle TCU finishing undefeated. But that gives a very good chance of both teams taking a loss, and only one undefeated. Floridas offense has been questionable all year, and a good defense exposed them. The Natti plays no defense, that will even it out. I think Florida will handle them comfortably. I sometimes think bowl games are drawn to make the Big 10 look bad. Northwester and Auburn? I don’t care how down they are. Evil Jim Tressel knows how to handle the nerds, and it isn’t much. Punch them in the mouth. It should have been Wisconsin, no doubt about it.

By: Ken

Ken — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:13:19 +0000

Yep, that about sums it up. Your best line of the article; “Moving down one level, the Nittany Lions…”. Well played, Vico, well played. Below is short version; I don’t have anything interesting to add.

?Rose Bowl: Ohio State v. Oregon
A good contrast in styles; west coast (northwest, I guess) version of zone read offense and ‘why bother’ defense vs midwest rock-ribbed defense and ‘try to stop our off tackle offense’. A win for the Good Guys.

?Orange Bowl: Iowa v. Georgia Tech
Kind of similar to above. I think Iowa has to bring their A-game to this one.

?Capital One Bowl: Penn State v. LSU
I haven’t been to PSU boards yet, but I imagine there is a good bit of whining and bitching going on. A couple underperforming teams; our best bet is for PSU to have a late lead and let Les Miles’ clock mamagement do the rest. Take the Under.

?Outback Bowl: Nerdwestern v. Auburn
If “good” Nerdwestern shows up, it could be an entertaining game. If not, well..

?Champs Sports Bowl: Wisconsin v. Miami (FL)
I think Wisky does well here. Pounding ground game, and pretty good D carries the day.

?Alamo Bowl: Michigan State v. Texas Tech
This will get ugly as soon as TT starts throwing the ball.

?Insight Bowl: Minnesota v. Iowa State
It’s broadcast on NFL Network, which means nobody will watch. Which is good for Minny.

By: JohnBoy

JohnBoy — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:34:12 +0000

Good write up Vico. We don’t match up well in the Capital One bowl. LSU is very athletic (I think they are very much like our Buckeyes. Scarily so in fact.) and they have the weapons and team speed to beat PSU soundly, but you never know. Auburn vs. The Nerds bothered me as well…I don’t see it happening…again Auburn is too athletic and fast IMHO….but you never know. Wisky might surprise but do not hold your breath. I am concerned about us as well against the Ducks. Iowa versus Georgia Tech I cannot call. I like our chances in the lower bowl games actually. The Spartans have a good shot against ISU. Minnesota could surprise against Texas Tech.
Recap: the SEC comes out looking good again unfortunately. The Big Ten looks slow, uninspired and lost in antiquity again I’m afraid. God, I hope I am wrong. For my sanity and well being at my office….God I hope I am wrong.
On a more troubling note, the Big Ten was not even THOUGHT about during championship weekend! All those great games and conference titles….all that exposure to recruits and revenue generated! Can anyone explain to me how our conference schools and Delany can sit back and be okay with missing that opportunity? Even the PAC-10 is in on it! We have got to add the 12th team and modernize with a championship game. No more yadda, yadda, yadda about how it hurts the student athletes and finals and we wanna be home for Thanksgiving…..blah, blah, blah. Let’s get serious about the most important thing in college: winning football games and bringing in the best athletes! Speed does kill.
Rant over.

By: Eric

Eric — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:47:55 +0000

Great writeup Vico!

I’m liking our chances in the upper 3 bowl games. Penn State’s passing game may be in trouble, but they might finally find some traction on the ground against LSU. We’ll have to see.

Definitely not liking Wisky against Miami, though. Miami has been kinda hit-or-miss all year, but they’re still a pretty solid team with lots of weapons, especially in the throwing game. That seems to directly attack Wisconsin where they’re weak, so I don’t have my hopes too high. This is especially true since Bielema is still their coach, and they had that epic disaster last year against Florida State (seriously? 42-13? ouch…)