Big Ten football goes bowling
Every year the link between Big Ten teams holds firm as each team heads into its bowl game. Teams cheer for each other, as each win is a win for the conference itself. With that being said, here is a breakdown of the bowl games this season that will host a Big Ten team.
BCS National Championship Game When: Jan. 7 Where: Louisiana Super Dome, New Orleans Teams: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. LSU Tigers
After getting trounced 41-13 by Florida in last year’s national title game, the Buckeyes have a chance at redemption, but taming the Tigers will not be easy. Sophomore quarterback Ryan Perrilloux’s mobility might give Ohio State flashbacks of Illinois sophomore signal caller Juice Williams, who ran out the clock in the Buckeyes’ only loss this season.
Ohio State’s best defense against the Tigers may, in fact, be its offense. Chris “Beanie” Wells rushed for 222 yards on 39 carries in the Buckeyes’ regular season finale at Michigan. A similar performance will be needed to keep the LSU defensive line off of junior quarterback Todd Boeckman.
The Buckeyes gave up more than 20 points only once during their 2007 season. If they can keep LSU in a low scoring game, they will keep the score close. If they give up the big play there might be a rout in the national championship for the second year in a row.
Rose Bowl When: Jan. 1 Where: Rose Bowl Pasadena, Calif. Teams: USC vs. Illinois
The Grandaddy of them all could not feature two more differing programs. The Illini are playing in their first Rose Bowl since 1983. USC will be playing in the Rose Bowl for the fourth consecutive year.
Under head coach Pete Carroll, the Trojans have established themselves as one of the most prominent programs in college football, consistently playing in BCS bowl games and national championships. Illinois only won two games a season ago and entered the season as the worst team in the Big Ten over the past three years.
With seasoned quarterback John David Booty, senior tight end Fred Davis and a plethora of talented athletes on both offense and defense, the Trojans, look like the clear favorite, on paper at least.
Nevertheless, Williams and Rashard Mendenhall lead a potent Illinois rushing attack, and the Illini showed they could beat anyone anywhere when they defeated No. 1 Ohio State at the Horseshoe.
Capital One Bowl When: Jan. 1 Where: Orlando Teams: Florida vs. Michigan
The Wolverines would like to send head coach Lloyd Carr out with a victory, but Heisman frontrunner Tim Tebow might destroy those plans.
The sophomore signal caller has passed for 3,132 yards and 29 touchdowns and rushed for 838 yards and 22 touchdowns this season.
Seniors Chad Henne and Michael Hart came back for their senior seasons at Michigan with hopes of competing for a national championship. These dreams were shattered in the first game of the season, but a win over No. 12 Florida would put the icing on the cake for these two.
Outback Bowl When: Jan 1 Where: Tampa, Fla. Teams: Tennessee vs. Wisconsin
G’Day mates, let’s head down to the Outback, and by that we mean Florida.
Wisconsin heads to the sunshine state to take on the Tennessee Volunteers. Senior quarterback Erik Ainge will try to lead a young Volunteer team against an equally young Badger squad. The key matchup could be Erik Ainge versus UW’s secondary, mainly sophomore Shane Carter.
Carter led Wisconsin with seven interceptions this season, and could add to that total against Erik Ainge and the Volunteer offense. However, the Badgers’ defense is young, and Erik Ainge could have his way through the air.
Tennessee comes in with an equally young defense, and UW senior quarterback Tyler Donovan may need to use his feet as well as his arm to escape the Vols’ defensive line.
Alamo Bowl When: Dec. 29 Where: San Antonio, Tex. Teams: Texas A&M vs. Penn State
Penn State and Texas A&M butt heads this year and should make for an interesting game. Penn State head coach Joe Paterno will be coaching his 500th game, while Aggie head coach Gary Darnell will be coaching his first. Talk about different ends of the spectrum.
Junior quarterback Stephen McGee is a dual threat for Texas A&M, leading the team in both passing with 2,147 yds and rushing with 858 yds, with 17 total touchdowns. But the Aggie workhorse is Jorvorskie Lane, the 263 lbs. junior tailback, who racked up 746 yds and 16 touchdowns.
The Nittany Lions’ most explosive player, junior wideout Derrick Williams, is dangerous enough in the return game to give PSU a much needed boost.
Insight Bowl When: Dec. 31 Where: Tempe, Ariz. Teams: Oklahoma State vs. Indiana
The Indiana Hoosiers will make their first bowl appearance in 14 years.
Sophomore quarterback Kellen Lewis is as much of a threat throwing the ball as he is running it for IU. Lewis has thrown for 2839 yards, along with 26 touchdowns. He has also added 653 yds and eight touchdowns on the ground.
Oklahoma State scored at least 39 points in its six wins, which should make for an interesting game.
Senior running back Dantrell Savage leads a prolific rushing attack, gaining 1,172 yards and eight touchdowns on only 200 carries.
Champs Sports Bowl When: Dec. 28 Where: Orlando, Fla. Teams: Boston College vs. Michigan State
The Spartans were the schizophrenic team of the Big Ten this season. They started off 4-0, then went 1-5, and finished the season with two straight wins.
The Eagles are led by former Heisman frontrunner Matt Ryan. The senior from Exton, Penn., threw for over 4,000 yards and 28 touchdowns as BC went deep into the season before losing its first game.
It should be an interesting matchup as the aerial attack of BC meets the ground game of MSU.
Motor City Bowl Where: Detroit, Mich. When: Dec. 26 Teams: Central Michigan vs. Purdue
Central Michigan won at Ford Field Saturday to clinch the MAC Championship. If the Boilermakers take dual threat quarterback Dan LeFevour and the Chippewas lightly, it will be a painful drive back to West Lafeytte, Ind.
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