Guest Panel-Bowl Games-Final Standings

Congratulations to SPAM on his victory in the bowl game competition. Both SPAM and Hudy had 22 picks correct, but SPAM was only 4 points off on the tiebreaker, while Hudy was 5 points off on the tiebreaker. SPAM will get a certificate and a Buckeye t-shirt for winning the competition. Also joining SPAM and Hudy on the podium is Carl at third place. Thanks to the entire guest panel for providing picks and commentary for the bowl games. Check back in August for the next season of the Guest Panel.

 

1. SPAM Sandwichsan (22-13)-4 point tiebreaker

2. Hudy Delights (22-13)-5 point tiebreaker

3. Carl (21-14)

4. Mel Kiper (20-15)

4. Batman (20-15)

6. Pat Head (19-16)

6. Dr. Funkenstein (19-16)

8. Old Bag (18-17)

9. Philly Cheese (16-19)

What to Expect

It is hard to predict if the NCAA suspensions next season will be a distraction for the bowl games. It is quite possible the team will rally around the adversity and come out strong. Arkansas had one the top-ten strongest schedules this season, but they did lose two of the three biggest games of the season, against Alabama and Auburn. Alabama was a close game 20-24, while the Auburn game was an offensive shootout with Auburn winning 65-43. Arkansas depends on the air attack of QB Mallett, but the running game does pretty well. OSU will limit Arkansas to 110 yards on the ground and 240 yards in the air. I have been concerned about the OSU secondary for most of the season, as I see this as the one potential weakness on the defense. OSU had many injuries in the secondary, but the team has done well against the pass limiting teams to 229 yards. OSU will get 230 yards on the ground and 220 yards in the air. The OSU running game will get things going early and will be the main choice of attack in the second half. The passing game for OSU will mostly be some big passes and some critical first downs, along with a touchdown or two. OSU will win 31-21.

Don't Worry About Big Ten Bowl Record

Bowl Games are Just Bowl Games

There are a lot of reasons you shouldn't worry about the Big Ten bowl record this year. First off, the bowl games are not the most ideal measuring stick, as teams have many distractions: including almost a month between games; players going home for the holidays; players distracted by the NFL; players making the banquet circuit with season awards; and of course final exams in December. Another factor to consider is the travel involved for teams, as many teams are far far away from home while others are practically in their own backyard. Some players didn't travel across the country in high school, so these trips can be overwhelming. The cards were stacked against the Big Ten this year, so it should not be shocking that many teams lost.

 

Tough Matchups for Big Ten

Let's look at the results so far this year:

1. Iowa beat Missouri-In Arizona so there was no location advantage, but Missouri was favored

2. Illinois beat Baylor-In Houston so Baylor had an advantage with the location, and Baylor was favored

3. Northwestern lost to Texas Tech-In Dallas so TTU had an advantage with the location, and TTU was favored

4. Michigan State lost to Alabama-In Orlando so Alabama had a slight advantage with the location, Alabama was favored

5. Penn State lost to Florida-In Tampa so Florida had an advantage with the location, Florida was favored and it was Meyer's last game (we think)

6. Michigan lost to Mississippi St-In Jacksonville so Miss. St. had a slight advantage with the location, Miss. St. was favored

7. Wisconsin lost to TCU-In Pasadena so there was no location advantage, TCU was favored

 

Let me sum that up for you the opposing team had a location advantage in five of the seven games, and all of the opponents of the Big Ten were favored. Three of the opponents not only had a location advantage, but the games were in their home states! It was indeed a stacked deck this year.

 

Only OSU Favored to Win

The only team favored to win in all of the eight Big Ten bowl games is OSU over Arkansas. OSU is only favored to win by a field goal, and Arkansas has a location advantage as the game is in the neighboring state of Louisiana.

 

I want the Big Ten to do well and succeed, but the analysts are not fair in their assessments of the Big Ten results. The Big Ten was not favored to beat any of the SEC teams on January 1st. The Big Ten was strong this season, and the Bowl Games are not a fair way to judge a conference.