Big 10 Bowl Season Begins
Well, the Big 10 will either begin reshaping or continue to bury its reputation this evening.
Wisconsin goes off the board tonight, playing the first Big 10 Bowl Game of the season. They are taking on the mighty Miami Hurricanes.
Canes are -3.5, the O/U is 57.5
The undercard is Temple/UCLA.
But, lets focus on Wisco. How do you guys feel about their chances.
For those interested, I touch on both games during whats been an up and down Bowl Chronicle season over at the JCB
December 29th, 2009 at 2:18 PM ^
As much as I dislike the "Meathead", I'm rooting for Bucky Badger. The only non-Big10 team I am supporting, this bowl season, is Oregon.
December 29th, 2009 at 3:31 PM ^
for Texas Tech something fierce. You don't need to be clairvoyant to predict the local headlines if MSU somehow manages to win that game.
December 29th, 2009 at 2:23 PM ^
I think Wisconsin is going to get killed...IME.
December 29th, 2009 at 2:24 PM ^
I think if they run the ball well they should be able to control the game and win, as well as keep Miami's stellar athletes in check.
December 29th, 2009 at 2:24 PM ^
..... that wisky is going to get slaughtered.
And that's not going to trouble me one bit....
December 29th, 2009 at 2:26 PM ^
Yeah I'm rooting for all Big Ten teams not named OSU and MSU. Hopefully they all win, seeing how at least two of the teams are playing SEC opponents and another two are playing ACC. Those would be big wins IMO
December 29th, 2009 at 3:47 PM ^
Only bad part is that if everyone else wins and OSU and MSU lose, it does nothing for the Big Ten reputation but make it worse. I hate to say it but OSU is the best team in the conference and in order for our conference to get any respect, our best team has to win. This fact does nothing to change my hope for the game, however. GO DUCKS!
December 29th, 2009 at 4:50 PM ^
I'll tell you that OSU's winning or losing won't change perception of the conference much around here, and won't garner OSU or the conference much respect (or less respect if they lose). Winning would be a decent start, but it will take several big wins by several B10 teams over multiple years to change national perception, I suspect. For example, most SEC people I know begrudgingly admit the B12 had depth and quality last year. They're laughing at the B12 this year.
You're right about the other schools. Those games could all go in the B10's favor and it won't register much of a blip.
December 29th, 2009 at 5:28 PM ^
I disagree that the bowl games played by the other Big Ten teams wouldn't matter much to public perception. Penn state, Iowa, and Wisconsin all play big name teams from legitimate conferences and that had good seasons.
I believe it starts with the Big Ten's overall record in bowl games and posting consistently good records year-in-and-year-out will do good for the reputation. Having a top heavy conference does nothing to help Michigan or any other Big Ten school. Look at Boise St and how they've struggled to make a case for championship consideration based on strength of schedule.
The strength of a conference starts with overall OOC play and bowl games. OSU and MSU losing won't be a problem.
December 29th, 2009 at 2:31 PM ^
Wisconsin does surprisingly well in the bowl games. Most teams out of conference have a difficult time with the physicality of their lines. I think if they can defensively control U's qb they should have a very good shot at getting the upset. I think they will have sucess running the ball, so control the D-line and limit turnovers and I'd probably take Wisconsin in this one.
December 29th, 2009 at 4:16 PM ^
I would agree with this if I didn't watch Wisky's line get man-handled last year by smaller FSU squad on the way to a 42-13 rout.
But I'll still be pulling for Wisconsin to pull out a win tonight and earn some conference respect!
December 29th, 2009 at 2:42 PM ^
Jacory Harris gave me nightmares this year and we didn't even play the U.
December 29th, 2009 at 3:24 PM ^
That's right, he places for the 'U'. maybe i'm wrong here, but I always thought the "U" meant Miami.
December 29th, 2009 at 3:47 PM ^
he was saying that even though we didn't play Miami, jacory harris is so good that he feared us playing him and Miami.
December 30th, 2009 at 8:58 AM ^
You're right, for some reason I completely misread that.
December 29th, 2009 at 2:53 PM ^
I took the points and put a little extra on a Wisco outright. I think Harris will be hit and bothered all evening and Wisco/Clay will control the ball putting even more pressure on Harris to produce in the 4th quarter. Close game, Wisconsin up 4 at start of 4th, Harris pressured into bad throws. Wisconsin holds on winning by 4-7.
December 29th, 2009 at 2:59 PM ^
due to their close proximity. This team is a complete Jekyll/Hyde. It will all depend on who shows up. That said, Wisky should be able to control clock with their running game. They've got as good a shot as any other B10 team this year.
December 29th, 2009 at 2:59 PM ^
I'll take the Canes and give 3.5. I'll also go with the under. I'm thinking 28-21 or something in that ball park.
December 29th, 2009 at 3:00 PM ^
Wisconsin has a good shot at winning I believe. Miami is an interesting team that everyone had high expectations for at the beginning of the season, after their OOC games, but then somewhat tapered down during the rest of it. They're definitely a good team that is on the rise under Shannon.
I think Wisconsin will play hard though and run the ball like they're accustomed to and it won't be a barn-burner of a game, definitely fought out in the trenches, but it will be somewhat close. I think Miami wins all said and done, but it could go either way.
The way the bowl season has turned out so far, it wouldn't surprise me either way who wins.
December 29th, 2009 at 3:08 PM ^
This is two different styles of everything. Wisky is the cold weather run behind the big boys where UM is the swagger althetic boys from the big city
December 29th, 2009 at 3:39 PM ^
"Stereotype, NO, we'd NEVER do that... We think for ourselves around these parts."
December 29th, 2009 at 3:32 PM ^
I'm usually a homer for all the Big Ten teams during bowl season, but I could really care less after this year. That said, I just dislike Miami. Not for any good reason except for watching Bo blow that huge 4th Q lead to them back in my freshman year.
December 29th, 2009 at 3:46 PM ^
Killing Miami and cough up a big lead to them, a week after Gillette misses the game winner against the Domers. The Horror!
We did redeem ourselves by Beating tOSU and USC in the Rose Bowl however.
December 29th, 2009 at 6:22 PM ^
Is that a picture of Omar Little?
December 29th, 2009 at 3:41 PM ^
I think that as long as Jacory Harris limits his turnovers (he is very turnover prone) Miami will take this one easily. They are just much quicker and much more talented at all the skill positions.
December 29th, 2009 at 3:44 PM ^
Good points, everyone.
I am sticking with Wisco +3.5
I think the Canes will have trouble slwoing down Clay
I like Wisco's ability to run the ball and stop the run better in this game; like their Dline to beat the Cane OLine.
And, Nick Toon is the best kept secret in the Big 10. I do think he's a star. Canes vulnerable on their back 4. Toon has a big day.
I think Wisco wins the game outright, but I am taking the 3.5 points anyway.
December 29th, 2009 at 4:23 PM ^
C'mon, guys. Miami stopped Georgia Tech who has a much more powerful rushing attack than Wiscy. Jacory Harris has a better chance to pick apart the Badgers than Tate did, with his supporting cast and Offensive line. I'm going with the Canes.
December 29th, 2009 at 4:27 PM ^
I think Minnesota is the only Big 10 team that will win a bowl game this year. I would like to see Penn State, Northwestern & Iowa win but I don't think it will happen.
It's hard to root for the BIG 10 in bowl games when MICHIGAN isn't in a bowl. I feel conflicted. I want the BIG 10 to do well so they stop getting killed by the media. Plus that may in a wierd way also justify some of Michigan's losses. However, I don't think recruits need additional reasons to choose PSU or OSU over MICHIGAN. It's like wanting your ex-girlfriend to be happy, but not too happy, after you breakup.
December 29th, 2009 at 5:08 PM ^
I agree that it doesn't really matter what happens in the bowl games, just the fact that Michigan is not doing well is enough to hurt the Big Ten's perception. I generally do not like Miami so I will be cheering for Wisconsin based on that.
December 29th, 2009 at 5:12 PM ^
hate them even more since they have beaten us 3 out of 5.
Hate them even more with Meathead running the show.
Go Canes.
December 29th, 2009 at 5:20 PM ^
Im taking the over on the points, i dont like wisco and hate the U, i hope they score a whole bunch of points and keep me entertained.
December 29th, 2009 at 7:13 PM ^
Wisconsin will be more physical and control the clock with their run game. Miami's athletes should keep it close, but I see the Badgers pulling out the win.
December 29th, 2009 at 8:10 PM ^
... hopefully, this doesn't get ugly.
December 29th, 2009 at 9:40 PM ^
If it does get ugly, it will be for Miami, not Wiscy.