As the college football regular season came to close last Saturday and the final bids were extended for bowl games, eight Big Ten teams were delighted to find an absence of coal in their stockings. With only Illinois, Indiana, and Penn State being left out of the bowl picture; the remaining Big Ten teams found out 'tis the season to be bowling as well as being jolly. With the Badgers heading to the Gaylord Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tenn. to face the Auburn Tigers, here is a look at the rest of the Big Ten bowl representatives and their match-ups.
Northwestern vs. Bowling Green - Motor City Bowl, Detroit, Mich. Dec. 26
The Wildcats (6-6, 4-4 Big Ten) have a big challenge in taking on the Falcons (10-3, 7-2 MAC), the runner-up in the deep Mid-American Conference. Northwestern has not played since the end of November and the Motor City Bowl will come over a month since the Wildcats season finale win over Illinois. Bowling Green, on the other hand, just came off a stinging loss to Miami (OH) in the MAC championship game, a loss that might still be festering when the Falcons take the field in Detroit.
The key to watch in this game is Northwestern's defense versus Bowling Green's phenomenal senior quarterback Josh Harris. The Wildcats' ranked ninth in the Big Ten in total defense this year and Harris has been a one-man wrecking crew through the air and ground, throwing for 24 touchdowns and almost 3500 yards this year along with rushing for over 760 yards and 12 touchdowns. Northwestern will rely on senior running back Jason Wright to establish a running game to keep the ball away from the electric Harris.
Minnesota vs. Oregon - Wells Fargo Sun Bowl, El Paso, Tex. Dec 31
The No. 20 Gophers (9-3, 5-3 Big Ten) and the Ducks (8-4, 5-3 Pac-10) are in similar boats, as both played their final regular season games before Thanksgiving. However, each team is coming off an emotional home victory over conference rivals and that momentum certainly could make the plane trip to El Paso.
The match-up to watch is Minnesota's rushing offense versus Oregon's rush defense. The Gophers have the third-ranked rushing offense in the nation this year, averaging over 293 yards per game. The Ducks come into the game with the Pac-10's fourth best rush defense, allowing just under 96 yards per game. If Oregon can stifle the powerful running attack of the Gophers, look for senior quarterback Asad Abdul-Khaliq, the nation's fourth rated passer, to attack a Duck defense that gave up over 270 yards per game through the air this year.
Michigan State vs. Nebraska - MasterCard Alamo Bowl, San Antonio, Tex. Dec. 29
Despite otherwise promising and hopeful starts, both the Spartans (8-4, 5-3 Big Ten) and the No. 21 Cornhuskers (9-3, 5-3 Big Twelve) had disappointing finishes. Michigan State fell apart late in the Big Ten season and Nebraska, despite defeating rival Colorado in the last game of the year, fired head coach Frank Solich.
Nebraska and Michigan State have opposite offensive strategies, but both of their late season mishaps can be accredited to the fact that they featured mostly one-dimensional offenses. Nebraska average over 230 yards per game on the ground, but barely averaged 100 passing yards per game. Michigan State led the Big Ten in passing yards per game as senior quarterback Jeff Smoker threw for over 300 yards in six games, but were dead last in rushing yards per game. The key is how the Huskers defense, third overall in the Big 12, defends the potent spread offense of the Spartans.
Iowa vs. Florida - Outback Bowl, Tampa, Fla. Jan. 1
The meeting between the No. 12 Hawkeyes (9-3, 5-3 Big Ten) and the No. 17 Gators (8-4, 6-2 SEC) could prove to be one of the more intriguing bowl games this season. Both Florida and Iowa had impressive seasons despite losing key starters from a year ago. Florida head coach Ron Zook kept a young team, led by freshman quarterback Chris Leak, together after a shaky start while Iowa's Kirk Frentz finished tied for third in the Big Ten after losing Heisman runner-up Brad Banks and four offensive linemen to the NFL.
The key match-up to watch will be between the Chris Leak-led Gator offense and the stout defense of Iowa. Iowa ranked fourth in the Big Ten in total defense and third in points allowed, but Florida was third in the SEC in scoring, putting up over 31 points a game while averaging almost 400 yards of total offense per game. Look for Iowa to attack Florida's soft run defense, which gives up over 150 yards a game, by running senior running back Fred Russell early and often. Iowa will look to control the clock and force Leak to throw the ball and make tough decisions late in the game.
Purdue vs. Georgia - Capital One Bowl, Orlando, Fla. Jan. 1
The No. 13 Boilermakers (9-3, 6-2 Big Ten) and the No. 11 Bulldogs (10-3, 6-3 SEC) also provide one of this year's more interesting bowl games. Purdue features one of the more potent spread offenses in the country, led by junior quarterback Kyle Orton and senior wide receiver John Standeford. Georgia is no slouch on offense either, led by senior quarterback David Greene, but Georgia's biggest obstacle may prove to be getting over the whooping they received from LSU in the SEC title game.
But it is defense that will most likely decide the outcome of this game. Purdue gives up 16 points a game to Georgia's 13. Both are top three in their respective conferences in yards allowed per game. Purdue likes to throw the ball, but Georgia only gives up 170 yards through the air, tops in the SEC. One key to watch is Purdue's defensive line versus Georgia's offensive line. The Bulldog big boys have given up 40 sacks this year and Purdue generates most of their pressure simply from the defensive end spot. Whichever defense can harass the opposing quarterback more should have an inside track to a victory.
Kansas State vs. Ohio State - Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Tempe, Ariz. Jan. 2
With the No. 10 Wildcats (11-3, 7-2) fresh off their upset of Oklahoma and first ever Big Twelve title for head coach Bill Synder, emotions will be riding high against the No. 6 Buckeyes in Tempe. The defending champions survived most of the year by the skin of their teeth, but luck finally ran out on the Buckeyes as they could not secure a Big Ten title in the final game against Michigan. Emotion will also be a factor for Ohio State as they return to the site of last year's thrilling overtime win in the national championship game.
The biggest factor to the Fiesta Bowl will be the match-up of Ohio State's top rushing defense versus the potent Kansas State backfield of junior running back Darren Sproles and senior quarterback Ell Roberson. The Buckeyes surrender just over 60 yards per game on the ground, but Sproles and Roberson have combined for almost 3000 yards on the ground and 28 touchdowns this season. Roberson was masterful in the game against Oklahoma, throwing four touchdowns to no interceptions while breaking down Oklahoma's vaunted defense.
USC vs. Michigan - Rose Bowl, presented by Citi, Pasadena, Calif. Jan. 1
Although head coach Pete Carroll and the players will not admit it, USC (11-1, 7-1 Pac-10) still has a sour taste in their mouth losing their chance to play for the national title. Unfortunately for Michigan (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten), the Wolverines may be the punching bag the Trojans are looking for. Even though the Rose Bowl is not the national championship game, the Trojans are treating the game as such and are dying to prove the BCS wrong. The Wolverines will have a tough test in matching the intensity of the Trojans, especially in southern California.
The key to watch in Rose Bowl is how well the Wolverines can run against the nation's number two rushing defense. The Trojans give up only 61 yards a game on the ground, but senior running back Chris Perry was fourth overall in the nation in rushing yards and torched Ohio State's vaunted run defense for 154 yards and two scores. The Trojan offense has played better than anyone expected behind sophomore quarterback Matt Leinart, but they face their toughest test in Michigan. This could end up being a Rose Bowl for the ages.
