We're down to the Bowl Games in this exciting 2007 College Football Season. I have to say that this has been the most exciting and chaotic season I have seen in a while. If you had told me before the season started Illinois and Kansas would be in BCS games, and Notre Dame and Nebraska would be sitting at home, I would have called you crazy.
How crazy is it that Illinois is in the Rose Bowl? Before the victory at the Horseshoe, Illinois was heading towards the Champs Sports Bowl. Now, they are going out to Pasadena for the fifth Rose Bowl in the school's history. Sure they'll probably be beaten by ESPN's favorite college team, but its a victory just to be there.
To those griping about there sneaking in, stop it please. Illinois is #13 in the BCS rankings. Two teams (Missouri and Florida) were ineligible due to the two conference rule. Yeah, Mizzou should have made it ahead of the Jayhawks, but either way, one of them goes elsewhere.
Arizona State has a case, although they were only two ahead of Illinois, and the matchups didn't favor them. It is too bad that the Pac 10 doesn't have a New Year's Day 2nd tier bowl. Instead, the Pac 10 #2 has to go to the Holiday Bowl.
As for the BCS Championship game, I'm not surprised at the result. Ohio State went 11-1, with its only loss to a fellow BCS team. Sure, Georgia is hot right now, but they didn't win their division. Like it or not, that played a role in the polls. As for Virginia Tech, I bet they wish they had the BC game back. USC may be able to beat all comers, but the discussion is moot if they beat STANFORD. Oklahoma should have taken care of business vs. Colorado, and Hawaii has a n argument for (the only unbeaten) and against (weak schedule). Unfortunately for June Jones and Co., the cons outweigh the pros. Beat Georgia convincingly, and maybe the AP will take pity on you.
So to those who got an early Christmas, I wish you good luck. To those relegated to the week before New Year's Day, try to have a good time. And to those who deserve a trip to the Natural Light Toilet Bowl presented by Charmin (Notre Dame vs. Minnesota), better luck next year. Only 18 days until the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. I'm literally on pins and needles. *
* Not literally.
