Me, I like Miami vs. Nebraska.
I understand Oregon’s position. At 10-1, the Ducks make a great argument that they should be in the Rose Bowl for the BCS title game.
Of course, I also understand that they blew a two-touchdown lead and lost to Stanford, barely beat an average Wisconsin team, sweated out a win over (ugh!) Utah State and sputtered against Utah.
Of course, coach Mike Bellotti’s comparison of his team’s “snub” to cancer was a tad over the top, but hey, it isn’t the first time a coach has stuck his molars into his size 9s.
And sure, Colorado coach Gary Barnett can legitimately make the claim that the Buffs are the nation’s best team right now. Really, the compelling argument begins and ends with the 62 points his team rang up on the Cornhuskers.
Of course, the other compelling argument is whether a team with two defeats (one 24-22 to Fresno State, the other 41-7 to Texas) deserves to play for the national title. Like it or not, a strength of the BCS is that regular-season games count. Not just a select few at the end of the season. All of them.
Sit down, Gary.
For all its faults – and there are many – the BCS, for my money, gave us the best matchup possible for the national championship. If we can’t have a playoff – and the networks (armed with their billions of rubles) are going to fight a playoff every step of the way, despite the outrage – at least it gave us a great game.
And it will be. We promise.
Why not Oregon? Why not Colorado?
Simply this: The Cornhuskers deserve to be in the Rose Bowl because they have the best shot at beating the Hurricanes. Better than the Ducks. Better than the Buffs.
Miami has never seen anyone like quarterback Eric Crouch, the Heisman Trophy winner, who will give the ‘Canes a different look and more problems than anyone because of his stunning running ability.
In the wildest season ever among teams in the top five, Nebraska deserves to play for the national title. Yes, some of it is by default. Yes, in a favorable schedule, the Cornhuskers’ 20-10 win over Oklahoma at home was the clear highlight.
But Texas had a chance and blew it. So did Florida. So did Tennessee.
Don’t mistake this for a ringing endorsement of the BCS system. Clearly, a playoff is in order. Take the top four bowls and let them go at it. It’ll be great fun, it won’t cheapen the current bowl system and it will lessen the whining.
Maybe.
In the meantime, live with the flaws.
It’s not cancer, after all.
Here’s a look at the season’s bowl games:
New Orleans Bowl, North Texas (5-6) vs. Colorado State (6-5), today: Fans should be infinitely more incensed that a 5-6 team gets into a bowl game than whether Nebraska, Oregon or Colorado plays Miami. Pick: Colorado State, 35-7.
GMAC Bowl, Marshall (10-2) vs. East Carolina (6-5), Wednesday: If you’re stuck in Mobile, Ala., with nothing else to do, take in this one. On second thought, maybe not – unless it’s to watch Marshall quarterback Brian Leftwich, who threw for 37 TDs and more than 4,000 yards this season. Pick: Marshall, 28-27.
Tangerine Bowl, North Carolina State (7-4) vs. Pittsburgh (6-5), Thursday: This isn’t as bad a matchup as you might expect. Pitt won its last five games. NC State lost wideout Koren Robinson to the Seahawks, but the Pack has a great quarterback in Philip Rivers and one of the best linebackers in the country in Lavar Fisher. Pick: NC State, 42-35.
Las Vegas Bowl, USC (6-5) vs. Utah (7-4), Dec. 25: The Trojans came on strong at the end, winning their last five games. Not only that, but they lost three early-season games by a combined 14 points. Pick: USC, 27-20.
Seattle Bowl, Stanford (9-2) vs. Georgia Tech (7-5), Dec. 27: Watch Teyo Johnson have a big game for the Cardinal, mostly because the Yellow Jackets don’t have any secondary guy taller than 5-11 to match up with the 6-foot-7 wideout and former Mariner High School star. Pick: Stanford, 47-34.
Independence Bowl, Iowa State (7-4) vs. Alabama (6-5), Dec. 27: ISU tailback Ennis Haywood finished with 1,169 rushing yards and 14 TDs, while ‘Bama quarterback Tyler Watts averaged 230 yards of total offense a game. We give the Tide the edge because of ISU’s inconsistent defense. Pick: Alabama, 27-24.
GalleryFurniture.com Bowl, Texas A&M (7-4) vs. TCU (6-5), Dec. 28: You have to like (well, you don’t, but I love it) a matchup of former Southwest Conference foes that are playing in the final major football game in the Astrodome. Despite a lackluster offense, the Aggies get the nod because of a defense that allowed powerful Texas just 138 yards. Pick: Aggies, 20-14.
Music City Bowl, Boston College (7-4) vs. Georgia (8-3), Dec. 28: BC tailback William Green led the Big East Conference with 1,559 yards and 15 touchdowns. He’ll be the difference in what should be a great game. Georgia wanted a better bowl and probably deserved it. So get in line, Bulldogs. Pick: BC, 28-24.
Holiday Bowl, Washington (8-3) vs. Texas (10-2), Dec. 28: The Longhorns were one minute away from going to the Rose Bowl. They’re quality. Great talent. Great coaching. Spoiled fans. Texas can spout off all it wants about being overjoyed at its second straight trip to San Diego, but the fact is that the ‘Horns had a legitimate shot at much bigger things. How much that boosts Washington remains to be seen. Pick: Texas, 31-28.
Motor City Bowl, Toledo (9-2) vs. Cincinnati (7-4), Dec. 29: The Bearcats are making their second straight trip to Pontiac, Mich. Haven’t they suffered enough? Still, Toledo has played great all year, kicking around Minnesota and beating Marshall in the MAC title game. Pick: Toledo, 24-21.
Alamo Bowl, Texas Tech (7-4) vs. Iowa (6-5), Dec. 29: The major storyline here is Texas Tech quarterback Kliff Kingsbury, who returns to San Antonio to play in front of his hometown fans. Fact is, he’s just plain good, with 3,502 passing yards, 25 TDs and a 69 percent completion rate this season. Pick: Texas Tech, 35-21.
Insight.com Bowl, Kansas State (6-5) vs. Syracuse (9-3), Dec. 29: It’s a down year for the Wildcats, but considering how hard graduation hit them, it’s impressive they even reached a bowl. The Orangemen, on the other hand, have more talent and should win. Defensive end Dwight Freeney finished with 17 1/2 sacks and got some Heisman votes. Pick: Syracuse, 27-17.
Sun Bowl, Washington State (9-2) vs. Purdue (6-5), Dec. 31: The Cougs are hungry in their first bowl appearance since 1998. This is the worst Purdue team in Joe Tiller’s reign and will not remind anyone of last year’s Rose Bowl squad. Pick: Washington State, 45-20.
Humanitarian Bowl, Louisiana Tech (7-4) vs. Clemson (6-5), Dec. 31: How many fans from each school will go to Boise for this one? Clemson quarterback Woodrow Dantzler is class, having become the first quarterback to throw for 2,000 yards and run for 1,000 in a season. On the other side, Louisiana Tech QB Luke McCown threw for 3,337 yards and 28 TDs. Great game. Bad location. Pick: Clemson, 44-36.
Silicon Valley Classic, Fresno State (11-2) vs. Michigan State (6-5), Dec. 31: The Bulldogs flirted with a major bowl after victories over Oregon State and Colorado. This isn’t where they wanted to be, but at least they’ll have a ton of fans coming into San Jose. Not only that, but quarterback David Carr passed for 4,299 yards and 42 TDs. He should have gotten more Heisman votes. Pick: Fresno State, 56-34.
Liberty Bowl, BYU (12-1) vs. Louisville (10-2), Dec. 31: Hey, BYU! Sue this! Pick: Louisville, 72-14.
Peach Bowl, North Carolina (7-5) vs. Auburn (7-4), Dec. 31: The Heels started 0-3 and rallied behind a defense featuring Lombardi Award-winner Julius Peppers. He could be the first player taken in the NFL draft. Auburn’s claim to fame is a win over then-No. 1 Florida. The Tigers will miss tailback Cadillac Williams, who broke a collarbone and probably won’t play. Pick: Carolina, 34-30.
Outback Bowl, South Carolina (8-3) vs. Ohio State (7-4), Jan. 1: A rematch of last year’s Outback Bowl. The Buckeyes whipped up on Michigan enough early and held on, but they still have question marks on offense, where they are unsettled at quarterback. Pick: South Carolina, 24-20.
Cotton Bowl, Arkansas (7-4) vs. Oklahoma (10-2), Jan. 1: Two great defenses. The Hogs have improved dramatically, winning six of their last seven games. But the Sooners have better overall talent. Although their offense was inconsistent, the defense, led by the best defender in America in safety Roy Williams, is a terror. Pick: Oklahoma, 24-9.
Gator Bowl, Virginia Tech (8-3) vs. Florida State (7-4), Jan. 1: Wow. The Seminoles won’t be in the title game for the first time since the BCS started. FSU quarterback Chris Rix has been inconsistent and figures to have a tough time against the Hokies’ defense. Pick: Virginia Tech, 34-17.
Citrus Bowl, Michigan (8-3) vs. Tennessee (10-2), Jan. 1: Tennessee figures to take out a lot of frustration on Wolverines quarterback John Navarre, who struggled and was benched late in the year. Pick: Tennessee, 21-17.
Fiesta Bowl, Colorado (10-2) vs. Oregon (10-1), Jan. 1: Can Colorado handle Joey Harrington? Probably not. Can Oregon’s defense deal with tight end Daniel Graham and tailback Chris Brown? Probably not. Pick: Colorado, 34-31.
Sugar Bowl, Illinois (10-1) vs. LSU (9-3), Jan. 1: Surprising LSU will miss tailback LaBrandon Toefield (knee injury) and perhaps quarterback Rohan Davey (internal injuries). Still, the Tigers won with backup quarterback Matt Mauck, a 22-year-old washout from the Chicago Cubs organization. If you believe in destiny, you love the Tigers. Pick: LSU, 30-28.
Orange Bowl, Maryland (10-1) vs. Florida (9-2), Jan. 2: At 16 points, the Gators have the widest spread of any bowl team. The Terps, though, make few mistakes on offense and are out to prove that the season wasn’t a fluke. They remind me of Washington last year. Not pretty, but they play their heinies off and stick together. Pick: Maryland, 28-27.
Rose Bowl, Miami (11-0) vs. Nebraska (11-1), Jan. 3: I don’t care what anyone says. This will be a great game. The ‘Canes aren’t perfect. They came within a dropped two-point conversion of going into OT with Virginia Tech and barely got out of Boston College alive. They haven’t seen an offensive line as good as Nebraska’s and are vulnerable against the run. Crouch isn’t John Elway, but he can throw underneath a zone defense, where Miami can be had. Pick: Nebraska, 31-30.
Result: Miami, Nebraska, Oregon, Colorado and North Texas share the national title.
John Sleeper is The Herald’s college sports writer.
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