End of a Sponsorship Era

After 21 years, Fed Ex has decided to cut it ties with the famed Orange Bowl game in Miami. With this breakup it made me wonder if Fed Ex was the first to become a title sponsor for a bowl game. Since Fed Ex signed on, many bowl games followed suit and some (Outback, Capital One) became the sole name on its featured game. Until a new sponsor steps forward, this will most likely be the look of Miami's BCS game.

Bowl Practice Begins

Iowa Football began its on-field preparation for their upcoming bowl game on Thursday and it will continue into the weekend. The opponent and site have yet to be determined, but time does not wait for the Hawkeyes. A big question is the health of quarterback Ricky Stanzi who was injured November 7 against Northwestern. As you see from the pictures below, Stanzi is back at practice and fully participating.

One Month from today is the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, one of the many possibilities for the Hawkeyes.

The Decision

Fiesta....Orange....Capital One....For Iowa fans any one of these bowl games is a welcome escape from the blustery, wintery cold of Iowa. But for the Iowa Football team it is about placing themselves in the best bowl possible. Since the advent of the BCS the goal for each team is to play for the National Championship or participate in one of the BCS bowl games. With one week to go many teams are still in the hunt for one of the coveted bowl spots, and among them are two from the Big Ten--Iowa and Penn State. Each team has done their share of lobbying either in public or behind closed doors. They are both 10-2 and are known for their legion of fans who will sell out the stadium. If it was decided on the playing field, Iowa would recieve the bid. The Hawkeyes defeated the Nittany Lions in State College 21-10 the last weekend of September. But bowls aren't necessarily decided that way. Iowa fans have benefitted from having the intangibles go their way in the past, but that may not be the case in 2009. Penn State boasts the largest living alumni in the world, a traditional football power, and a Hall of Fame coach who is nearing the end of his career and the opportunity to have him at your bowl many not happen again. Iowa, for good reason boasts their large fan base who travels very well to bowl games as well as a large amount of Iowans who winter-specifically in Arizona, the win over Penn State with a more impressive 10-2 record based on their demanding schedule, and the higher BCS ranking. As long as the favorites win their remaining games this Championship weekend, the Fiesta Bowl will have the first option to select an at-large team--most likely either Penn State or Iowa. The lobbying may continue between now and Sunday afternoon, and for what its worth, here are two videos produced in 2006 that support Iowa's bid to the Fiesta Bowl.

College Football Week 14

The Big Ten may have 11, but it's not as screwed up as the Big 12--I'm looking for some one's take on the Big 12 South. What did Texas do to lose the right to play for the championship? Their only loss is at Lubbock on a last second play to Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are also tied for the league lead, but lost badly at Norman. Oklahoma's one loss is to Texas, by ten points on a neutral field. The argument for the BCS is that the regular season is the playoff. Then Texas beat Oklahoma and the Longhorns should be on their way to play for Missouri and beat them for a second time this year. Sure, I'd rather see Oklahoma play for the conference and national title, but Texas has earned the right more than the Sooners.

Georgia drops the ball--Not only have the Bulldogs underachieved against the top teams of the conference, and now state, but the Georgia Radio Network may have had the biggest disappointment of the day. On a day that found in-state rival Georgia Tech win for the first time in seven years over the Bulldogs, but it was disappointing to hear (or not hear) the in-game ceremony for former Georgia radio announcer of 43 years, Larry Munson. At the end of the first quarter Munson was brought to the field to be honored with a video tribute in front of the sell-out crowd. However for those of us listening to the network that so many had enjoyed his calls, we were treated to the usual three minutes of commercials. What made Munson famous were his calls on the radio, and for the network that he worked for not to listen in and sell-out to advertisers was uncalled for.

Big Ten, not Penn State thanks Oregon--Oregon's win in the Civil War over in-state rival Oregon State will most likely send the Southern California Trojans to play in the Rose Bowl for the fourth consecutive year. Had the Beavers won, they would've received the invite to play Penn State and USC had gone to another BCS bowl game. Penn State would've been heavily favored over Oregon State in a re-match the Nittany Lions won by 31 in week 2. But it will be a home game for the Trojans and look for another USC win over the Big Ten in the Rose Bowl.

Faster, Stronger, Bigger Ducks--Did anyone else think it was a men versus boys match-up between Oregon and Oregon State. The Ducks were faster, stronger and bigger than the conference leading Beavers. Oregon State looked more like the team we've seen over the last five years than the team that beat Southern Cal.

Bowl Predictions--My bowl predictions with one week to go. Look for the Big Ten to lock their teams in this week.

Rose Bowl--Penn State v USC
Fiesta Bowl--Ohio State v Texas
Capital One Bowl--Iowa v Georgia
Outback Bowl--Michigan State v South Carolina
Alamo Bowl--Northwestern v Missouri
Champs Sports Bowl--Minnesota v North Carolina
Insight Bowl--Wisconsin v Kansas

The Capital One is very interested in bringing the Hawkeyes back to Orlando. The match-up with Georgia would showcase two of the best running backs in college football. Shonn Greene of Iowa and Knowshon Moreno of Georgia. The Outback is another possibility for the Hawkeyes and look for LSU to be the opponent if Iowa lands here. South Carolina also has a large fan following, but it wouldn't be necessary if Iowa is invited to Tampa. LSU has a bigger name and will be a good draw for ESPN.

Finally, I'm watching the Bears and the Vikings while writing this up. It sure is nice to see the retro uniforms of Minnesota. Except for them playing indoors, these unis are reminiscent of the Bud Grant, Purple People Eaters era of the 70s and 80s. Or where have you gone Tommy Kramer?

Floyd Stays Home; Hawks Down Gophers 55-0

The final college football game for the Minnesota Golden Gophers at the Metrodome was one their faithful will like to soon forget as their border neighbors from the south, the Iowa Hawkeyes destroyed the home team 55-0 and held onto possession of Floyd of Rosedale for the seventh time in eight years. The 55 point difference is the greatest in the 102 year history of the series. Iowa now waits their bowl destination but most roads point to a New Year's Day battle in either Orlando (Cap One) or Tampa (Outback).