Half of my case is already closed, as Ohio State locked up the Big Ten's automatic BCS berth on Saturday by beating Iowa in overtime. But the Big Ten remains in good position to send a second team to a BCS bowl for the fifth consecutive season.
There are four BCS at-large berths available, and right now I see three virtual locks. Either TCU or Boise State will earn an automatic at-large berth by finishing undefeated, while the other not only deserves a berth for achieving perfection, but it should get one. And the loser of the SEC championship game (Florida vs. Alabama) will certainly earn one, most likely to the Sugar Bowl.
That leaves the fourth at-large berth. Surveying a bleak national landscape, the Big Ten is in excellent shape to take it. Big Ten fans travel better than any others in the country, and the bowls love butts in seats.
So which team should represent the Big Ten in the Fiesta, Orange or Sugar bowls?
Iowa has by far the strongest résumé of the three contenders. The Hawkeyes have beaten both Penn State and Wisconsin on the road and own arguably the Big Ten's best nonconference victory against Arizona, a team ranked 17th in the BCS standings last week. Despite Sunday's surprising drop in the polls, Iowa earned a lot of respect around the country for taking Ohio State to overtime despite playing its backup quarterback (James Vandenberg)
Starting signal caller Ricky Stanzi is expected back for a bowl game, and Iowa fans travel extremely well. The Hawkeyes must beat Minnesota this week, but if they do, they would be a good bet for a BCS bowl.
Penn State and Wisconsin both remain in the mix, and while Wisconsin has a slightly stronger résumé, Penn State has a national following and the Joe Paterno factor, which shouldn't be underestimated. The Lions lack many solid victories, but you can bet the Orange Bowl would love to have them.
Unless Texas falters or Pitt beats an undefeated Cincinnati team on Dec. 5, the Big Ten almost certainly will get a second BCS team, as long as Iowa, Penn State and Wisconsin win this week. Case closed.
There are four BCS at-large berths available, and right now I see three virtual locks. Either TCU or Boise State will earn an automatic at-large berth by finishing undefeated, while the other not only deserves a berth for achieving perfection, but it should get one. And the loser of the SEC championship game (Florida vs. Alabama) will certainly earn one, most likely to the Sugar Bowl.
That leaves the fourth at-large berth. Surveying a bleak national landscape, the Big Ten is in excellent shape to take it. Big Ten fans travel better than any others in the country, and the bowls love butts in seats.
So which team should represent the Big Ten in the Fiesta, Orange or Sugar bowls?
Iowa has by far the strongest résumé of the three contenders. The Hawkeyes have beaten both Penn State and Wisconsin on the road and own arguably the Big Ten's best nonconference victory against Arizona, a team ranked 17th in the BCS standings last week. Despite Sunday's surprising drop in the polls, Iowa earned a lot of respect around the country for taking Ohio State to overtime despite playing its backup quarterback (James Vandenberg)
Starting signal caller Ricky Stanzi is expected back for a bowl game, and Iowa fans travel extremely well. The Hawkeyes must beat Minnesota this week, but if they do, they would be a good bet for a BCS bowl.
Penn State and Wisconsin both remain in the mix, and while Wisconsin has a slightly stronger résumé, Penn State has a national following and the Joe Paterno factor, which shouldn't be underestimated. The Lions lack many solid victories, but you can bet the Orange Bowl would love to have them.
Unless Texas falters or Pitt beats an undefeated Cincinnati team on Dec. 5, the Big Ten almost certainly will get a second BCS team, as long as Iowa, Penn State and Wisconsin win this week. Case closed.
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