College Bowl Match-ups

College bowl match-ups were announced today.  I'll probably break the picks up into before and after New Year's Day games.  Before that, here are a few first impressions from looking at the schedule.


1.  Boise State and TCU both get pretty craptacular consolation prizes for losing a game as a member of the non-BCS Mountain West Conference.  TCU vs. Louisiana Tech in the Poinsettia Bowl and Boise State vs. 6-6 Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl.

2.  Meanwhile Virginia Tech and Michigan meet in the Sugar Bowl.

3. Speaking of the Sugar Bowl, Arkansas was not eligible to participate despite being ranked #6 because LSU and Alabama (who both beat the Razorbacks) claimed the conferences BCS bids.  Arkansas, who played in the Sugar Bowl last season (losing to Ohio State, who should have been ruled ineligible).  Arkansas meets Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl.  A very good match-up.

4.  The BCS got the top two teams right.  LSU and Alabama are the two best teams and should play again for the BCS Championship.  Being a conference champion, which Alabama is not, does not outweigh other factors.  Anyone who argues differently is wrong.

5.  Oklahoma State vs. Stanford is a compelling game.

6.  Houston, who lost a chance at the Sugar Bowl, plays Penn State in the Ticket City Bowl.  Both teams have an opportunity to overcome disappointment and end the season with a win over a quality opponent.

7.  UCLA (6-7) plays Illinois (6-6 after starting 6-0) in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, aka, the "We already fired our coaches bowl", aka the "We don't belong in a bowl, bowl".  I could keep going...No chance I watch this game.

8.  Florida (6-6) faces Ohio State (6-6) in the Gator Bowl, aka the "Oh, how the mighty have fallen bowl".

9.  Baylor gets the Alamo Bowl  against Washington.  Baylor had a couple of ugly losses, but it would have been nice to see them in a better bowl.  San Antonio should be happy to have them.

10.  The Orange Bowl must be getting tired of getting lousy ACC vs. Big East match-ups.

11.  Oregon vs. Wisconsin is a good Rose Bowl matching conference champions.  Georgia vs. Michigan State is a good Outback Bowl matching conference runners-up.

12.  I don't have a significant quarrel with the final BCS Rankings (link).  Although I would like to see a four team playoff, that would be LSU vs Stanford and Alabama vs. Oklahoma State in two of the BCS Bowls for the right to advance to the BCS Championship Game.

Someday...