Cotton and Orange Bowls on Friday night!

Cotton Bowl :
Missouri vs. Oklahoma State at 7:00 p.m. on FOX (HD)
Two former Big 8 rivals square off in Arlington, Texas in the new Cotton Bowl

Orange Bowl :
Clemson vs. Ohio State at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN (HD)
Woody Hayes last game came in this match up back in the late 1970s... hopefully no punches are thrown in this year's re-match in the Orange Bowl.

BCS Revisited: #1 LSU vs. #2 Alabama for the 2012 BCS Title Game

They played once in the regular season. The highly anticipated game was short on scoring, but long on defense, poor special teams and physical play.

Unlike the Game of the Century played 40+ years ago in the Orange Bowl, this rematch has the BCS title on the line.

For many, the 2011-12 bowl season has gone on forever. Unlike most seasons, when New Year's Day is for bowl games, the NFL had the spotlight, since the first landed on a Sunday.

The BCS Title Game should be a good game. Game of the Century? Not likely, with the lack of buzz for many.

New Orleans will play home for the BCS Title Game. The game should allow for plenty to celebrate in the Quarter, after this game is completed.

The 2011 season BCS title will be won by an SEC program again, for a record sixth season in a row.

• 2006 season - Florida Gators


• 2007 season - LSU Tigers


• 2008 season - Florida Gators


• 2009 season - Alabama Crimson Tide


• 2010 season - Auburn Tigers


• 2011 season - LSU or Alabama

The game will kick off on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. on Mo nay, January 9Th- watch live Will it be payback for Bama or will the LSU Tigers finish 2011 undefeated. We shall see!

The 2011 BCS Championship Game would help resolve matters over the 1958 trophy awarded by the Football Writers Association of Amercia

Should Iowa be considered a National Champion in Football ever?

Look at the 1958 listings per HickokSports.com on the subject of College Football National Champions.

In 1958, the Football Writers Association of America awarded the University of Iowa with the Grantland Rice Trophy, as national champion. The trophy is still awarded each year by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), along with other various Football Writers Annual Awards and all-American teams. The 2009 team included LB Pat Angerer, from Iowa.

News on the Grantland Rice Trophy

"Thu., Aug. 26: USC's 2004 Grantland Rice Trophy, awarded to the Trojans for their national football title, will be revoked and the team barred from consideration for the award following the 2010 season. In addition, the FWAA declined to name a replacement for USC's vacated spot. USC will remain in the Grantland Rice Trophy 2010 preseason rankings, it has been determined."

The University of Iowa is 3-3 in major bowl games and 13-10-1 all-time in bowl games. The 2009 Iowa football team won the 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl 24-14 over the ACC Champion Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. It was Iowa's first major bowl win, since the 1959 Rose Bowl.

With Nebraska joining the Big Ten in 2011, there is some jawing going back and forth on various message boards regarding National Champions. For example, did Nebraska win a MNC in 1977? Does Iowa have the right to a lay claim for a MNC in football ever? How many?

If you want to water things down, wikipedia is likely the right source. If you want to answer the question on Iowa, than HickokSports.com is likely a fair source for University of Iowa fans. After all, the Grantland Rice Trophy is awarded each year, since 1954 and the news out of Southern Cal merits notation, regarding the 2004 trophy.

If the University of Iowa fan base really wants to close the book on the National Championship debate in football, the Hawkeyes would be wise to have a strong 2010 college football season and find a way to win the 2011 BCS Championship Game. Of course, getting there is another story, as the Hawkeyes open the 2010 season on Saturday in Kinnick Stadium and face a challenging FBS schedule and Big Ten conference race.

Will the University of Iowa be successful in 2010 earning their second Grantland Rice Trophy in school history? Alabama won their fifth trophy in winning the BCS Championship Game last season. The 2010 College Football season kicks off on Thursday, September 2, 2010.

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

Iowa stats

Team stats
GT Blog: Jackets to wear new uniforms tonight

Tony Barnhart » Five burning questions about the Orange Bowl

Iowa Hawkeyes prep for Orange Bowl

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

LIVE CHAT: Starts at 6:30 p.m.
Morehouse's keys to Iowa victory
VIDEO: The Hawkeye Hummer
Hawkeyes need to seize this night in Miami
PHOTOS, VIDEO: Hawkeye Huddle
Almost as important as the Rose Bowl

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

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.

Tostitos Fiesta

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.

Next: FedEx Orange

Iowa vs. Georgia Tech

peace

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

Happy New Year 2009 everyone: Bring on the 2009 Outback Bowl and four others: Capital One, Gator, Rose & Orange

Bring in the New Year with a little College Football in 2009!

First up, the 2009 Outback Bowl: Iowa (8-4) vs. South Carolina (7-5) kicks off the New Year on ESPN. The Outback Bowl is a classic Big Ten vs. SEC match up.

The Iowa Hawkeyes, finished tied for fourth in the Big Ten in '08, while the South Carolina Gamecocks finished third in the SEC East. Iowa's coach Kirk Ferentz is 3-3 at Iowa in bowl games as head coach, 1-1 in the Outback Bowl. The Ole Ball Coach, Steve Spurrier for the Gamecocks, is 1-1 in bowl games, after returning to college football from the NFL experiment in '05. The Gamecocks are 4-9 lifetime in bowl games.

Neither team played in a bowl game during the 2007 season. Each team was bowl eligible at 6-6. We agree that the intangibles favor Iowa, since they are coming off a strong finish in '08.

Cidsports' prediction for the 2009 Outback Bowl:

Iowa 30
South Carolina 17

3 Keys to the Outback Bowl Game:

1. Iowa junior RB Shonn Greene, Doak Walker award winner, vs. a South Carolina defense that gives up 129 yards per game
2. Quarterback play: both teams have young quarterbacks: turnovers are always big in bowl games. Who plays a stronger game? Iowa's Ricky Stanzi, a sophomore, or South Carolina's Stephen Garcia, a redshirt freshman?
3. Special teams - momentum and field position can always come up big in this phase of the game.

*** ****

While the 2009 Outback Bowl is in play, three more bowl games will kick off:

The 2009 Capital One Bowl: Georgia (9-3) vs. Michigan State (9-3) in another classic Big Ten vs. SEC match up on ABC. The Georgia Bulldogs finished second in the SEC East, while the Michigan State Spartans finished third in the Big Ten.

The running game plays a big role for both clubs. Bowl success is on the side of the Bulldogs. Both teams lost three games and both team lost to the top teams in their respective conferences.

Cidsports' Prediction in the 2009 Capital One Bowl:

Georgia 30

Michigan State 18

*** ***

The 2009 Gator Bowl: Clemson (7-5) vs. Nebraska (8-4) in a ACC vs. Big 12 match up on CBS. The Clemson Tigers finished tied for third in the ACC Atlantic Division and changed coaches in the middle of the season. The Nebraska Cornhuskers finished tied for first in the Big 12 North.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney won the coaching job permanently after leading the Tigers to four wins in the final five games, including three in a row. Nebraska coach Bo Pelini is in his first season, but his second bowl game, since Pelini served as interim coach for the Cornhuskers in the 2003 Alamo Bowl win for Nebraska.

Cidsports' Prediction for the 2009 Gator Bowl:

Clemson 27

Nebraska 21

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The Granddaddy of all Bowl games

The 2009 Rose Bowl: Penn State (11-1) vs. Southern California (11-1) in the traditional match up of the Rose Bowl, the Big Ten champion vs. the Pac 10 Champion, on ABC. The first BCS bowl game of the 2008-09 bowl season. Note to the BCS: implement a +1 system and allow the classic Rose Bowl every year.

The Penn State Nittany Lions and coach Joe Paterno suffered only one defeat in 2008. A 23-24 loss at Iowa on a final second field goal by the Hawkeyes. Like Penn State, the USC Trojans and coach Pete Carroll suffered only loss during the regular season in the Pac 10 conference opener. Again, on the road in the conference, for the Trojans it was a 21-27 loss at Oregon State. Ironically, the Beavers had lost to Penn State in Happy Valley earlier 14-45.

Defense does wins championship, so for the Rose Bowl title in 2009: defense should be the spotlight. Joe Paterno at 82 vs. Pete Carroll in eighth year at USC, the dean of consistency with seven straight BCS bowl games.

Cidsports' prediction for the 2009 Rose Bowl:

Penn State 19

USC 17

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The January 1, 2009 bowl line up concludes today with the 2009 Orange Bowl: Cincinnati (11-2) vs. Virginia Tech (9-4) in a BCS match up of the Big East champion vs. the ACC Champion, on FOX.

Cidsports' prediction for the 2009 Orange Bowl:

Cincinnati 26

Virginia Tech 24

peace