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.