Monday, January 5, 2009

January 5, 2009: Fiesta Bowl and News of note

2009 Fiesta Bowl: Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2) vs. Texas Longhorns (11-1)
We see Ohio State is a +8 point underdog in this third and final Big Ten vs. Big 12 match up in a 2008-09 bowl games.

Experience would clearly be with Mack Brown's Longhorns at quarterback, with junior Colt McCoy, vs. Jim Tressel's Buckeyes at quarterback, freshman Terrelle Pryor. In the NFL, it clearly was the Arizona Cardinals beating the Atlanta Falcons, due to great part by the difference in experience at the quarterback position.

Ohio State's defense vs. Texas' offense... how much of a factor will defense play in this game? In the Rose Bowl, Penn State couldn't shutdown USC, until it was far too late. Does Ohio State have the offense to keep up with Texas?

Ohio State has won three of four Fiesta Bowls they have played in and only loss was to Penn State in the 1980/81 season. Still, Texas is the team to beat, but historically Ohio State plays the Big 12 far better than SEC bowl opponents. Frankly, Ohio State has never beat a SEC team in a bowl game. Will Texas be Ohio State's first loss to a current Big 12 opponent in a bowl game?

Cidsports' prediction for 2009 Fiesta Bowl

Ohio State 35

Texas 28

The Big Ten isn't going to finish 1-6 in bowl games this year are they? Is Iowa's 31-10 win over South Carolina the only win the Big Ten will have in the 2008-09 bowl season?

In other news, ESPN reports:

Packers fire 6 coaches, including D coordinator - http://tinyurl.com/8n4cs5

peace

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