Each week of the 2009 college football season, I will be examining all the games in which a Big Ten Team plays. All kickoff times are ET and all poll numbers are from the BCS rankings as provided by ESPN. All records are for the entire 2009 season, both in and out of conference, and all bowls are listed in order of when they will be played, starting with the earliest. The Bowl Games are as follows:
#25 Wisconsin (9-3) vs. #15 Miami (FL) (9-3) in the Champs Sports Bowl
While I am still surprised that Wisconsin wasn’t picked for the Outback Bowl, I feel as though they are a great match up against Miami (FL) in the Champs Sports Bowl. Both teams have potent offenses, and both have shown that they are able to shut down on defense if need be. The Hurricanes’ 95 rushing yards allowed to Georgia Tech shows that they have the potential to keep the Badgers at bay. Their 287 against Virginia Tech, however, shows that their defense is too random to count on. Wisconsin should be able to keep Miami (FL) off balance, as their 200 ypg in both passing and rushing is a nice mix. As long as John Clay keeps eating up the clock with his 4 YPC, the Badgers should earn the victory.
Wisconsin 24, Miami (FL) 17
This game will be televised on ESPN at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, December 29.
Minnesota (6-6) vs. Iowa State (6-6) in the Insight Bowl
Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
Matchups against two SEC teams and Miami, which might as well be considered one. And here we go again!
I'm quite surprised at how big a favorite Auburn opened up as (eight points), but maybe it's because they almost beat No. 1 Alabama, whereas Northwestern almost lost to No. 120 Eastern Michigan.
2 - Robert M. Barga
But beat a #4 team?
The SEC is going to do Okay against the Big Ten, but not too well. ACC is toast