Sunday, January 24, 2010

The Iowa Hawkeyes win third game in four outings with 58-43 win at Indiana


The Iowa Hawkeyes are beginning to compete in the Big Ten. With a 2-5 record now in the Big Ten, the Hawkeyes are not going to compete for any titles or post-season bids in the 2009-10 season. But, they are getting competitive as the season approaches February.

Iowa wins easily at Indiana, 58-43‎ - San Francisco Chronicle

The Hawkeyes followed up a competitive loss at Michigan State Wednesday night into a solid road win at Indiana Sunday afternoon/evening. The Hawkeyes hit the offensive boards in fueling the win over IU in Bloomington. Coach Todd Lickliter for Iowa wins a game in his home state. It was IU's lowest point total of the season.

Wednesday night's game:

A bounce here and a bounce there and Iowa may have won the previous time on the road. But, the Hawkeyes took care of business coming off a competitive game in East Lansing.

Iowa (7-12, 1-5) continued to fight as when the lead was whittled to 15, the Hawkeyes went on a 14-2 run to make it 64-61 with 2:03 to play. MSU got a layup ...

Iowa dominated inside vs. the Hoosiers on the boards. Further, defense fueled their first road win of the season. For everyone on the Iowa roster, it was their first Big Ten road win ever, since Iowa didn't win on the road in 2008-09.

Iowa returns to Carver-Hawkeye on Wednesday, when the Hawkeyes host Ohio State (14-6, 4-3 in the Big Ten).

peace


Saturday, January 9, 2010

Final look at the Final Top 25 in College Football for the 2009 Season

Congratulations to the Alabama Crimson Tide for winning their first BCS Title. Heck, they even have the reigning Heisman Trophy winner on their roster. The 2009 season was an interesting year in College Football ...

2009 Final Top 25 Teams (taking from the final AP and USA Today Coaches polls):
  1. Alabama (14-0) - Unanimous #1 to close out the 2009 season, after a strong win over Texas, who was playing without the AT&T player of the year, QB Colt McCoy in the title game! BCS Title Game - Beat Texas 37-21.
  2. Texas (13-1) - Life without QB Colt McCoy was on display during the BCS Title Game and everything wasn't alright, but there was still a fight in the Longhorns none the less ... BCS Title Game - Lost to Alabama 21-37.
  3. Florida (13-1) - The Tim Tebow era ends one game away from the BCS Title Game, which is better than the Outback Bowl folks ... was it coach Urban Meyer's last game coaching the Gators? BCS Sugar Bowl - Beat Cincinnati 51-24.
  4. Boise State (14-0) - A great finish for the Broncos with a payback win over TCU in the Fiesta Bowl; this is a young Broncos team and Boise should carry the #1 top non-BCS team banner into the next decade of college football ... BCS Fiesta Bowl - Beat TCU 17-10.
  5. Ohio State (12-2) - Sophomore QB Terrelle Pryor certainly had his best game so far with the 2010 Rose Bowl win; the next two years should get interesting in Columbus with experience at QB for coach Jim Tressel heading into 2010! BCS Rose Bowl - Beat Oregon 26-17.
  6. TCU (12-1) - The Horned Frogs fall in their first BCS bowl ever, but they played well in 2009 as the top MWC team; the MWC is playing solid football again this past bowl season, with the Fiesta Bowl loss the only bowl loss the conference had in two bowl seasons! BCS Fiesta Bowl - Lost 10-17 to Boise State.
  7. Iowa (11-2) - The Hawkeyes closed out the 2009 season with another win in a bowl game for coach Kirk Ferentz, OC Ken O'Keefe and DC Norm Parker, who have all been together for the past 11 seasons ... BCS Orange Bowl - Beat Georgia Tech 24-14.
  8. Penn State (11-2) - The Nittany Lions are the right team for #8 and become the top rated team not to play in a BCS bowl in '09. How many more bowl wins does the all-time head coach Joe Paterno have left in Happy Valley? Capital One Bowl - Beat LSU 19-17.
  9. Cincinnati (12-1) - The Brian Kelly era ended after a 12-0 regular season, then the Bearcats coach bolted for Notre Dame to replace Charlie Wies and much of the staff is either headed for Notre Dame or Buffalo now, a new era of Bearcats football begins in 2010 ... BCS Sugar Bowl - Lost to Florida 24-51.
  10. Virginia Tech (10-3) - The Hokies didn't win the ACC title, but they closed out the 2009 season as the Top ACC team in the final polls ... Chick-Fil- A Bowl - Beat Tennessee 37-14.
  11. Oregon (10-3) - The Ducks enter 2010 with the opportunity to be top dog in the Pac 10, after ending USC's eight year ride at the tip of the conference pecking order in '09, but 2009 will be remembered most for book end losses to open and close season ... BCS Rose Bowl - Lost to Ohio State 17-26.
  12. Brigham Young (11-2) - The Cougars will enter the next decade looking to battle everyone in the up and coming MWC looking for BCS status in the next decade ... Las Vegas Bowl - Beat Oregon State 44-20.
  13. Georgia Tech (11-3) - The Yellow Jackets are headed in the right direction after finishing the second year under coach Paul Johnson with the ACC Title, but work is to be done in finishing strong in bowl games ... BCS Orange Bowl - Lost to Iowa 14-24.
  14. Nebraska (10-4) - The Cornhuskers ended the decade with an impressive bowl win in coach Bo Pelini's second season, raising him to 3-0 in bowl games for Nebraska, but are the Cornhuskers ready for prime time in 2010 and competing with the nation's best? This is a team that lost in Lincoln to Iowa State 7-9 ... Holiday Bowl - Beat Arizona 33-0.
  15. Pittsburgh (10-3) - The Panthers pick up their first bowl win, since the 2002 season and the Dave Wannstedt program in his fifth season completes back to back bowl trips ... Meineke Car Care Bowl - Beat North Carolina 19-17.
  16. Wisconsin (10-3) - The Badgers finish the 2009 season with a bowl win and their first win of the season vs. a Top 25 team. Can coach Bret Bielema in his fifth season in 2010? Champs Sports Bowl - Beat Miami-FL 20-14.
  17. LSU (9-4) - Phil Steele was right picking the Tigers #17 in '09, LSU was young at QB in '09 and had the look of a team not ready for prime time in the #1 SEC this season ... Capitial One Bowl - Lost to Penn State 17-19.
  18. Utah (10-3) - The Utes finished third in the ever improving MWC behind TCU and Brigham Young in '09 ... Poinsettia Bowl - Beat Cal 37-27.
  19. Miami - FL (9-4) - The Hurricanes closed out the third season under coach Randy Shannon with too many ups and downs lead by youth at QB ... Champs Bowl - Lost to Wisconsin 14-20.
  20. USC (9-4) - The Trojans finish the season with another bowl win in the Pete Carroll era, but like the previous decade, could the USC program be entering a new era with a new coach? Emerald Bowl - Beat Boston College 24-13.
  21. Mississippi (9-4) - The Rebels were a team, like Oklahoma State, that was supposed to make noise in the Top 10 in '09, not quite ready for prime time behind senior QB Jevon Smeed ... Cotton Bowl - Beat Oklahoma State 21-7.
  22. West Virginia (9-4) - The Bill Stewart era wraps up his second full season with a loss, unlike the Fiesta and Mieneke Car Care bowl wins the previous two seasons ... will success become more difficult as Rich Rodriquez players exit Morgantown? Gator Bowl - Lost to Florida State 21-33.
  23. Texas Tech (9-4) - Despite the dismissal of coach Mike Leach near the eve of the Red Raiders bowl game, Tech takes care of business with remaining staff, but 2010 will be a new era for Red Raiders ... Alamo Bowl - beat Michigan State 41-31.
  24. Central Michigan (12-2) - The Chippewas' close out their senior season on top in the MAC as the coach Butch Jones era closes and a new era remains an unknown ... GMAC Bowl - beat Troy 44-41.
  25. Navy (9-4) - The Midshipmen deserve recognition at #25 over the final candidates and were clearly the top independent program in the FBS in 2009 ... Texas Bowl - beat Missouri 35-13.

Some final notes for the 2009 College Football Season ...

  1. Florida State (7-6, 4-4 ACC) - Head coach Bobby Bowden and defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews closed out their respective careers on top defeating West Virginia, as both retire to allow the Jimbo Fisher era to begin in 2010 at Florida State ... Gator Bowl - Beat West Virginia 33-21.
  2. Oklahoma (8-5, 5-3 Big 12) - Sooners coach Bobby Stoops saw his season slide right out of the gate, when their 2008 Heisman Trophy QB was injured early in the opening season loss to BYU. A solid offensive line is always important for success in the BCS ... Sun Bowl - Beat Stanford 31-27.
  3. Oklahoma State (9-4, 6-2 Big 12) - The Cowboys were supposed make a run as a Top 10 program in 2009, but they didn't get out of the gate well, after a nice win over Georgia to open the season and closed the season on the decline ... Cotton Bowl - Lost to Ole Miss 7-21.
  4. California (8-5, 5-4 Pac 10) - The Cal Golden Bears never got on track in Pac 10 play, after opening 3-0 with a wins vs. Maryland, Eastern Washington and @ Minnesota ... Poinsettia Bowl - Lost to Utah 27-37.
  5. Georgia (8-5, 4-4) - The Bulldogs didn't compete for any titles in the SEC in '09, but they did beat in-state rival Georgia Tech to close out the regular season and finish better in ... Independence Bowl - Beat Texas A&M 44-20.
  6. Oregon State (8-5, 6-3 Pac 10) - The Beavers didn't close out the 2009 season very well missing a Rose Bowl bid vs. Oregon and now talk begins that with Carroll looking to a move to the NFL, will coach Mike Riley be headed to Southern California in the new decade? Las Vegas Bowl - Lost to BYU 20-44.
  7. Clemson (9-5, 6-2 ACC) - The Tigers finished #24 in the final AP poll, but they slip, losing to in-state rival South Carolina in the final regular season game in coach Dabo Swinney's first full season at the helm... Music City Bowl - Beat Kentucky 21-13.
  8. Notre Dame (6-6) - The Fighting Irish coach Charlie Weis couldn't get it done in '09 and the administration said enough, after five seasons, making the decisions to dismiss and declining a bowl game in '09. Season ended after regular season, no bowl for the Irish.
  9. Arizona (8-5, 6-3) - The Wildcats were in the mix, surprisingly, for the Pac 10 title in '09, but the close of the 2009 season was eye opening, but not in a kind way with a blowout loss and goose egg ... Holiday Bowl - Lost to Nebraska 0-33.
  10. C-USA - While Houston and East Carolina have had some outstanding highlights in '09 and '08, respectively, again the conference was shut out of the final Top 25, with both division winners losing in the '09 bowl season.
  11. Sun Belt - Troy wins the Sun Belt title, but the Trojans lose in the top bowl for conference bragging rights with a 41-44 loss to Central Michigan, from the MAC, in the GMAC Bowl.

peace

Thursday, January 7, 2010

It's time for the BCS Title Game: January 7, 2010


So, will it be the Texas Longhorns, champions of the Big 12, or will it be the Alabama Crimson Tide, champions of the SEC, tonight in the BCS Title Game. Sorry, it's not a National Championship Game, since there is clearly no playoff involved. We would endorse a +2 system for the traditional bowl games and get the BCS back to just influencing #1 vs. #2 at the end of the bowl season.


Citi BCS National Championship Game
BCS #2 Texas (13-0) vs. BCS #1 Alabama (13-0)

Pasadena, California
The Rose Bowl

TV: ABC

ESPN Radio

7 p.m. Central Time


Pick: Texas Longhorns 31, Alabama Crimson Tide 25


BCS Championship pre-game doo-dads: No. 1 vs. 2 - Dallas Morning News (blog)
2 in the final poll and an underdog in this BCS title game, but if recent history is any factor, the Longhorns are in exactly the perfect spot. ...



peace

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

The BCS Title Game is one day away; tonight the final non-BSC Bowl, GMAC Bowl, between two conference champions


GMAC Bowl: MAC champion vs. Sun Belt champion

Central Michigan vs. Troy
from Mobile, Ala. and Ladd-Peebles Stadium
Jan. 6 at 6 p.m. Central Time on ESPN

This game is pretty irrelevent on the FBS scale, but it is always nice to see two conference champions playing in a bowl match up. Will anyone really watch it?

Last night at the FedEx Orange Bowl: Iowa 24, Georgia Tech 14

It was a very good year at Georgia Tech - Atlanta Journal Constitution
Georgia Tech ran into a big, athletic defense that had had over 40 days to prepare. When quarterback Ricky Stanzi was healthy, Iowa was the best team in the ...

Post-game notes on Robinson's health, Tarpinian's stealth - Gazette Online (blog)
Iowa's Adam Robinson (32) leaps over Georgia Tech's Mario Butler (2) in the second half of the Orange Bowl on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010, at Land Shark Stadium ...

Thursday Night at 7 p.m. Central Time on ABC
Citi BCS National Championship Game
BCS #2 Texas (13-0) vs. BCS #1 Alabama (13-0)
Pasadena, Calif.
Rose Bowl


peace

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

It's Great to be a Hawkeye: Iowa wins first ever BCS bowl with 24-14 win over Georgia Tech in 2010 Orange Bowl!


What a win for the Iowa Hawkeyes (11-2 for season) with a 24-14 win over Georgia Tech (11-3) in the 2010 Orange Bowl to win first BCS bowl and finish a 11-2 for the second time in school history (2002 season). Iowa dominated Georgia Tech at the line of scrimmage. The Pick 6 by Iowa's QB Ricky Stanzi kept the game close for the Yellow Jackets to end the 1st quarter.

Iowa dominated on the ground, in the air and defensively by controlling the line of scrimmage.

Some articles on the 2010 Orange Bowl: (10) Iowa 24, (9) Georgia Tech 14

Jackets' Orange Bowl sours - AJC
Stymied by Iowa's swarming defense, Georgia Tech found itself out of options...


Iowa beats Georgia Tech in Orange Bowl, 24-14‎ - Mason City Globe Gazette

peace

Who's picking Iowa to win? We would like to, but when has Iowa ever won a BCS Game?


Time to pick the #10 Iowa (10-2) game in the 2010 Orange Bowl vs. #9 Georgia Tech (11-2) ...

Wow, we would call this game one of the better match ups in the BCS and all the 2009-10 bowls, for that matter. Unless, it turns out one of these teams isn't up to the task.? But, with Iowa's Kirk Ferentz and Georgia Tech's Paul Johnson squaring off, we would be very surprised in this one not going down the wire.

For a good read from the Atlanta paper on the game ...

Orange Bowl: Ga. Tech vs. Iowa
Nesbitt, Dwyer leads Tech's offense against Iowa's stingy defense in tonight's Orange Bowl.
GT stats



If you want the local side here in Cedar Rapids ...


Someone suggested this afternoon that the Line moved, due to Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi being questionable, since he wasn't on The Gazette's two deep? Another rumor has been the health of Iowa RB Adam Robinson. If Iowa is without RB Robinson, we should be really concerned, since Robinson was a huge contributor most of the season and was a clear missing piece in Iowa's first loss.

Keys to the game:

  • Special teams - Hard for Iowa to win without doing well here

  • The Line of scrimmage - offense, as well as defense

  • Either teams rushing attack - can one team control the line of scrimmage?

  • Big Plays - always big in bowl games

  • Coaching adjustments and preparation - two of the finer head coaches in FBS (Iowa's DC Norm Parker deserves mention, as well)

The absolute key of the game would appear to be Iowa's offense vs. Georgia Tech's defense.

  • 69% of those polled by the OrangeBowl organization at 4:14 pm picked Iowa to win.

Of course, if it is based on butts in the seats, it would appear Iowa should be the favorite over Georgia Tech, rather than a four point underdog.

If we played right now, we would say Georgia Tech 28, Iowa 24. Of course, it's hard not to say Iowa by 6 points in a game that should be important for both programs.

The Orange Bowl should be a good football game this evening. It should be competitive and both programs likely will be good candidates to make some noise in 2010, as well.

peace

Monday, January 4, 2010

A little Fiesta tonight, before enjoying the The Orange on Tuesday in the BCS



The 2010 Fiesta Bowl kicks off on Monday, January 4Th at 7 p.m. Central Time on Fox and ESPN Radio in a great match up between two 12-0 conference champions from non-BCS programs from the WAC and the Mountain West.



Boise State vs. TCU
from Glendale, Ariz.

U. of Phoenix Stadium

TCU beat Boise State 17-16 in last year's Poinsettia Bowl. So, this should be an interesting rematch, on the field that Bosie State took out Oklahoma a couple years back.
Iowa vs. Georgia Tech

peace

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Orange Bowl: Iowa vs. Georgia Tech: A look at the match up on Tuesday


The BCS got it right matching Iowa vs. Georgia Tech, two 10-2 teams, in the 2010 Orange Bowl.

Like the Rose Bowl, this should be one of the better bowl match ups, as should the Fiesta Bowl, with TCU vs. Boise State on Monday night. While it was not likely known at the time, but with the Urban Meyer saga, it was poetic to have Florida vs. Cincinnati in the final BCS match up. Of course, Brian Kelly's bolt to Notre Dame, didn't set up things well for the Cincinnati Bearcats.

Back to Iowa-Georgia Tech, just how good of bowl game will this be?

The last time Iowa was in the Orange Bowl, it was all USC, after halftime, with the Trojans cruising to a 38-17 rout in the 2003 Orange Bowl. But, remember, it was a 10-10 game at halftime. The Hawkeyes, like Penn State and Ohio State in the 2010 Capital One and 2010 Rose, respectively, had to settle for field goals in those bowl games. Iowa should have likely had 21 points in the first half, the last time around in the Orange Bowl, but they didn't get it done and went into the half with USC knotted at 10-10.

Unlike Penn State and Ohio State, it would appear Iowa can't settle for field goals in this year's Orange Bowl. Georgia Tech has too good of offense. Like USC in 2003, it is critical to get touchdowns, not field goals, when you are in the red zone.

What would have been, had Iowa lead 21-10 vs. USC in 2003 at halftime?

Maybe, it would been a far more competitive game, like every other bowl game under Kirk Ferentz. Of course, South Carolina wasn't competitive last year, in Iowa's bowl blow out win in the 2009 Outback Bowl. Can Iowa bounce back from the long layoff again in 2010?

So, what are we likely going to see in the 2010 Orange Bowl?

Two well coached football teams, with each team happy to be in Miami, with desires of earning their first BCS bowl win? Iowa and Georgia Tech both have had success and shortcomings in major bowls, but success hasn't been late for either program in the top flight bowls. Actually, Georgia Tech has a bowl draught going, when it comes to winning.

Entering the 2009 regular season, Phil Steele had Iowa #20, with the following preseason comment ...

"Last year I had Iowa #34, which was higher than any other magazine and they
finished #20 coming off a 6-6 non-bowl year. This year they have a great back 7
on defense with my #5 LBs and #11 DBs and I rate their D #8 overall. They do
have to play Ohio State and Penn State on the road (Michigan
State and Wisconsin also) but are a stronger team."
In another section of the magazine, Steele compared Iowa to the 2008 Alabama team. In many ways, Iowa has played like the 2008 Alabama team, falling short at the end of the season, like Alabama in '09.



What did Phil Steele have to say about Georgia Tech?

"28. Georgia Tech: Tech showed LY that they could play with anyone knocking
off 3 ranked teams and that was the first year of HC Paul Johnson's systems.
They have 18 starters back and will have one of the top offenses in the
FBS?"
By the way, last season, Georgia Tech lost its bowl game 3-38 to LSU in the Chick-fil-A. Of course, more is at stake in Miami on Tuesday night.

How does that outcome impact the 2010 Orange Bowl?

Georgia Tech is playing in their 13Th straight bowl game, but has not won a bowl, since 2004. Tech won the Champs Sports Bowl 51-14 over Syracuse.

How much does the senior class of Georgia Tech want to go out a winner?

This could be huge as we have seen with other programs during bowl games. While the strength of each team is Georgia Tech's offense and Iowa's defense, the other phases of the game deserve attention in the keys to the game.

The key to the 2010 Orange Bowl is Iowa's offense or Georgia Tech's defense, for that matter. We already know the strengths of each team, as mentioned. Of course, one cannot discount special teams play in bowl games. But, like the Ohio State - Oregon game in the 2010 Rose Bowl, the ability of the Big Ten teams to be successful on offense can be a real key in defending and taking away an opponent's high-powered attack.

Iowa rolled in the 2009 Outback Bowl with a 31-10 win over South Carolina. The Iowa offense with QB Ricky Stanzi was at full trottle for much of the game. Stanzi had his coming out party of sorts, after starting 2009 as one of two co-starters.

Just how good will Iowa's Stanzi be in the 2010 Orange Bowl?

Will he be rusty from the two month lay off? Is he fully recovered? Like Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor, the QB position has had some questions throughout the season. For Stanzi at Iowa, it has been turnovers. Before the injury vs. Northwestern, Stanzi was leading the nation with interceptions as a starting quarterback. He entered the game at 9-0 though.

Like the Ohio State-Oregon (Rose) and Penn State-LSU (Capital One) bowl games, we expect this game to be just as strong of match up with Iowa-Georgia Tech.

Will it be true in the 2010 Orange Bowl?

Georgia Tech and Iowa are both young teams, to a degree. Who's senior leadership will step up farther in the 2010 Orange Bowl?

Will it be senior leadership that is the difference in the 2010 Orange Bowl?

Right now, we think Georgia Tech is right to be a 4 point favorite over Iowa. However, Iowa is very dangerous as a underdog traditionally. The game at Penn State on the East Coast in prime time was a coming out party for Iowa. Will the Orange Bowl continue Iowa's coming out at the national level?

Who will have the upper hand, Iowa as an underdog or the ACC Champion as a favorite?

For those traveling or already in South Beach, have a safe and enjoyable Orange Bowl. It wll be interesting to see if this is the next win in the Kirk Ferentz era? Kirk Ferentz is completing his eleventh season at Iowa and a BCS win is missing from the resume.

By the way, Georgia Tech is 22-15 in bowl games, but they are not typically in BCS bowls. This is the first major bowl for Georgia Tech, since the 1966 loss to Florida in the Orange Bowl.

Georgia Tech has played in multiple Sugar and Orange Bowls and they even have one win in their only visit to the Rose Bowl in 1928. Georgia Tech beat Cal, as Iowa did in the past in the Rose Bowl. The Rose Bowl was Georgia Tech's first bowl game and first bowl win. By the way, Tech has never lost in the Sugar.

Georgia Tech is 2-2 vs. Iowa common opponents in bowl games. Georgia Tech beat Michigan State in the 1985 All-American and won in 1972 vs. Iowa State in the Liberty. The two losses bowl games vs. common opponents were against fellow a fellow Black & Gold in the 1978 Peach, losing to Purdue. Georgia Tech also played Penn State back in the 1961 Gator and lost.

Could three be an unlucky charm for Georgia Tech on Tuesday night? Will Iowa beat Tech for their third loss in the Orange Bowl hisotry to drop to .500 in the Orange Bowls at 3-3?

Will Iowa make it five straight bowl losses for Georgia Tech with a win in the 2010 Orange Bowl?

On Iowa! Knock or Beat the heck out of Tech! was seen on a local digital sign on First Ave. East in Cedar Rapids.

Iowa's coach Kirk Ferentz and Georgia Tech's coach Paul Johnson are two of the better head coaches in College Football right now. Both were head coaches were previously in the FCS at one time, before finally landing jobs in the FBS. Of course, Coach Johnson had more success in the FCS, than Coach Ferentz. Ferentz spent time in the NFL, before landing at Iowa.

None of that really matters. For the players, Iowa's 2003 visit to the Orange Bowl likely doesn't matter too, but it likely did help the Iowa coaching staff some heading into South Beach.

It should be an outstanding match up and Tuesday night on FOX. Should be must see TV, if you are a College Football fan.

peace

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Not many surprises as we kick off the New Year and the January 1 Bowl Games

Were there really any major surprises on January 1 with the two BCS bowls and other January 1 bowl games?



  • Florida State's coach Bobby Bowden and DC Mickey Andrews go out winners

  • Joe Paterno wins his 24Th bowl game as head coach at Penn State

  • Northwestern still hasn't won a bowl game, since the 1940s, after losing in OT on the final play

  • Ohio State picks up from last trip to Pasadena and wins the 2010 Rose Bowl

  • Florida rolls on Cincinnati in what could be Urban Meyer's final game as the Gators head coach; while the Bearcats were without their coach who faulted to Notre Dame

January 1 Bowl Results:


It's January 2Nd and the tradition of non-BCS bowls still on the bowl landscape is front and center. Ouch? Five bowls on January 2Nd are on tap, with the best non-BCS, after January 1 bowl game slated for January 6Th between two conference champions: the Sun Belt vs. the MAC.


  • January 2, 2010 at 11 a.m. Central Time on ESPN 2
    International Bowl: South Florida vs. Northern Illinois
    from Toronto, Canada and the Rogers Centre

  • January 2, 2010 at 1 p.m. Central Time on ESPN
    Papajohns.com Bowl: South Carolina vs. UConn
    from Birmingham, Alabama and Legion Field

  • January 2, 2010 at 1 p.m. Central Time on FOX
    AT&T Cotton Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss
    from Arlington, Texas and Cowboys Stadium

  • January 2, 2010 at 4:30 p.m. Central Time on ESPN
    AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Arkansas vs. East Carolina
    from Memphis, Tenn. and the Liberty Bowl

  • January 2, 2009 at 8 p.m. on ESPN
    Valero Alamo Bowl: Michigan State vs. Texas Tech
    from San Antonio and the Alamodome

Also today is a full slate of college basketball, while the Iowa Hawkeyes (0-1 in conference) host the Minnesota Golden Gophers from Carver-Hawkeye Arena at 3:05 pm (also on Big Ten Network). On Sunday, the bowl games will take a break for the final week of the NFL (Week 17).

Two solid BCS bowl games for Monday and Tuesday:


  • Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: Boise State vs. TCU
    from Glendale, Ariz.U. of Phoenix Stadium
    January 4Th, 7 p.m. Central Time kickoff on FOX/ESPN Radio

  • FedEx OrangeBowl: Iowa vs. Georgia Tech
    from Miami and Land Shark Stadium
    Jan. 5Th, 7 p.m. Central Time kickoff on FOX/ESPN Radio


    The final non-BCS bowl game between the Sun Belt champion vs. the MAC champion on Wednesday:

  • GMAC Bowl: Central Michigan vs. Troy
    from Mobile, Alabama and Ladd-Peebles Stadium
    Jan. 6Th, 6 p.m. kickoff on ESPN

The final college football game of the 2009-10 season will be on Thursday with the BCS Title Game. Sorry, but drop the National Championship Game in the title ABC/ESPN. We have a BCS System, not a playoff system. While we would suggest the National Championship Game would be fitting in a +2 system, with the traditional bowl line up being reinstated. The #1 vs. #2 in the BCS is scheduled for Thursday.

Citi presents the BCS Title Game: Texas vs. Alabama
from Pasadena, Calif. and the Rose Bowl
Kickoff: Jan. 7Th at 7 p.m.
ABC/ESPN Radio

The 2009 College Football season is winding down. It's been an interesting year in college football, certainly there has been a wide share of drama and intrigue. It's nice to welcome in the New Year and the next decade of College Football and there should be plenty to talk about in the off season heading into the kick off of the 2010 college football season!

peace

Friday, January 1, 2010

We welcome the New Year in with three outstanding bowl game with Big Ten match ups!


The Granddaddy of them all kicks off January 1, 2010

and the New Year

at 3:30 p.m. Central Time on ABC/ESPN!


Ohio State (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten) vs. Oregon (10-2, 7-2 Pac 10)
Pasadena, Calif. in the Rose Bowl

A classic battle between the two champions: the Big Ten vs. the Pac 10!

Our New Year's Day snacks before the Grandaddy of all Bowl Games!


  • at 10 a.m. Central Time, the Outback Bowl : Northwestern vs. Auburn from Tampa, Fla. at Raymond James Stadium, a match up of the Big Ten vs. SEC on ESPN, in a match up against two defensive minded football coach in Pat Fitzgerald and Gene Chizik.

  • at Noon Central Time, Capital One Bowl: Penn State vs. LSU from Orlando, Fla. at the Florida Citrus Bowl, another match up of the Big Ten vs. SEC on ABC, as Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions face Les Miles and his Tigers ... which team will roar?

  • at Noon Central Time, the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl: West Virginia vs. Florida State from Jacksonville, Fla. at Municipal Stadium, a match up of the Big East vs. ACC in coach Bobby Bowden's final collegiate game!

There is of course one more final Bowl Game to celebrate the New Year tonight!

Allstate Sugar Bowl

Cincinnati (12-0, 7-0 Big East) vs. Florida (12-1, 8-0 SEC East)
from New Orleans and the Louisiana Superdome
Jan. 1, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. Central Time
FOX/ESPN Radio

So far in the 2009-10 college bowl games, the 2009 game results:

The MWC and Big East teams are undefeated in bowl play thus far, better than all other conferences. The Big Ten has three games to pick up from the Golden Gophers fall on New Year's Eve. Congratulations to coach Paul Rhoades and the Iowa State Cyclones in finishing 7-6 and winning the Insight Bowl for the second time in school history.

peace