There have been many comments on UTR that the Big Ten has been unjustly ripped into by the national media. The only way to settle these arguments is on the field, so below are the eight teams from the conference that will play in various bowl games and who they are playing. In short, the Big Ten has one game against the MAC, one against the ACC, one against the PAC 10, two against the Big 12 and three against the SEC. A possible disadvantage for the Big Ten is five of the eight schools bowl opponents will be playing in their home state, just something to keep an eye on.
(Note: I did not write anything down on the Indiana - Oklahoma State match, that game will obviously be dissected a million ways on UTR before the game is played, don't worry.)
DECEMBER 26TH, 2007
Purdue (7-5) vs. Central Michigan (8-5) MAC
Motor City Bowl - Detroit, Michigan
This is the second meeting of the year between the two, Purdue stomped Central Michigan 45-22 in week three in West Lafayette. However, Purdue has lost its last three games and Central Michigan has won four of five, including the MAC championship game which was played in the same stadium the Motor City Bowl is in.
DECEMBER 28TH, 2007
Michigan State (7-5) vs. #14 Boston College (10-3) ACC
Champs Sports Bowl - Orlando, Florida
A battle of teams with first year head coaches, Boston College is an experienced team led by senior quarterback Matt Ryan. The Golden Eagles lost in the ACC championship game to Virginia Tech. The Spartans will look to counter with their two headed running attack of Javon Ringer and Jehuu Caulcrick, who combined for over 2,000 yards rushing and 27 touchdowns.
DECEMBER 29TH, 2007
Penn State (8-4) vs. Texas A&M (7-5) Big 12
Valero Alamo Bowl - San Antonio, Texas
The Aggies are coming off an emotional upset victory over 19th ranked Texas, where their coach resigned after the game. On the other side, Penn State coach Joe Paterno will be coaching in his 500th game. Texas A&M figures to have a favorable crowd in San Antonio.
DECEMBER 31ST, 2007
Indiana (7-5) vs. Oklahoma State (6-6) Big 12
Insight Bowl - Tempe, Arizona
A lot more to come on this game... But we did learn that officially the NFL Network has allowed local Indy Fox 59 to air the game on New Years Eve. To read an article on this CLICK HERE
JANUARY 1ST, 2008
#18 Wisconsin (9-3) vs. #16 Tennessee (9-4) SEC
Outback Bowl - Tampa Bay, Florida
Tennessee is led by senior quarterback Erik Ainge's 29 touchdown passes. The Volunteers came up just short in the SEC title game against LSU. Wisconsin is playing in its fourth straight New Year's Day bowl game, and the last two years they have defeated SEC schools Auburn and Arkansas.
Michigan (8-4) vs. #12 Florida (9-3) SEC
Capital One Bowl - Orlando, Florida
For the Gators - last years BCS champions - it's all Tim Tebow all the time. Tebow became the first sophomore Heisman Trophy winner of all time with his 29 touchdown passes and 22 rushing touchdowns. How big of a deal is Tebow? He even got a congratulatory letter from Chuck Norris. For Michigan, it was a season of disappointment. The week one loss to Appalachian State all but ended their preseason hope of getting to a title game, and the year ended with two more losses to Wisconsin and rival Ohio State. It will be Michigan coach Lloyd Carr's last game, as well as the last game for seniors Chad Henne and Mike Hart, who have had a lot of success but are currently 0-7 in Bowl games and games against Ohio State. Because of the state, i'd expect a pro-Gator crowd.
# 13 Illinois (9-3) vs. #7 USC (10-2) PAC 10
Rose Bowl - Pasadena, California
The Illini reeled off four straight wins to end the year, including a 28-21 upset at #1 Ohio State to get into the Rose Bowl, an amazing turnaround from the 2-10 year they had a year ago. Illinois will be led by Big Ten player of the year Rashard Mendenhall, who averaged over six yards per carry. USC on the other hand has been the measuring stick for other college football programs recently and this will be their third straight year in the Rose Bowl. Last year they dominated Michigan 32-18.
JANUARY 8TH, 2008
#1 Ohio State (11-1) vs. #2 LSU (11-2) SEC
BCS Championship Game - New Orleans, Louisiana
The Buckeyes are in their second straight BCS title game, but hope to make this year's trip more successful. Ohio States strength is its stout defense which has allowed only two rushing touchdowns all year and has given up an average of just 10.6 points per game. LSU got into the title game by defeating Tennessee in the SEC championship game and are led by consensus all American defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey on defense. The Tigers play two quarterbacks, senior Matt Flynn and sophomore Ryan Perrilloux. LSU expects to have the crowd in their favor as it is in their home state, but the Buckeyes are undefeated on the road this year.
What's going to be the Big Ten's record this year in bowl games? What games are the most important for the image of the conference? What teams do you have the most confidence in? What team do you have the least confidence in? How will the Big Ten's record in bowl games compare to the other power conferences?
