In My Opinion: Top 5 Non-BCS Bowls

Everyone talks about the 5 BCS bowl games.  They are the lead on College Football Live every day during the season, and are the talk of Bowl Season.  But until those games happen, there are plenty of intriguing matchups and great games worth watching (and visiting) during this bowl season.  Here are my top 5 non-BCS Bowls.

1)      Konica Minolta Gator – West Virginia v. FSU

-Not as much for the game as for the man.  Bobby Bowden has meant more to Florida State and college football than anyone else in the game.  When he started at FSU the team had won 3 games in 2 years.  He turned them into a powerhouse and led them to one of the greatest runs in the history of sports (14 straight top 5 finishes).  Something that will never again be topped (Just ask SC).  Bobby will look to go out with a bang where his Seminoles take over his old team the West Virginia Mountaneers.  While his team is nowhere close to those of the past, look for them to come out inspired and play like his 1993 and 1999 National Championship teams.  With famous FSU alums in the stands, I’m not sure how they couldn’t be inspired.  I expect this one to be high scoring, as both teams have pretty weak defenses and expect FSU to will their way to victory.  If anyone can inspire them Bobby can.

2)      MAACO Las Vegas – Oregon State v. BYU

-Vegas baby, Vegas.   That alone is the reason to go to this battle between two ranked teams in the desert.  Don’t be fooled, however, the weather is not warm but the stakes are high.   BYU may not be excited to be in their 4^th straight Las Vegas Bowl but their fans travel well.  Oregon State put up a heck of a fight against one of the best teams in the country, on the road, in a rivalry game, on national television.  I look for them to do the same tonight.  Win or Lose fans will have a good time at this one, the stakes are always high in Vegas.

3)      Capital One – Penn State v. LSU
-Before the season, these two teams hoped to face off in a bigger game with National Championship implications.  Still, they should be excited for a January 1^st bowl against another powerhouse.  I’m excited to see how Penn State’s offense faces off against a strong LSU defense.  In their only two tough games of the season (against Iowa and Ohio State) Penn State’s offense went missing and they fell badly.  Les Miles may need this win to try and win some recruits over Nick Saban and Urban Meyer.  I like LSU

4)      Chick-Fil-A Peach – Virginia Tech v. Tennessee

-This is always a big game and this year it hasn’t changed.  Don’t think Lane Kifflin isn’t going to get his Volunteers excited for this December 31^st bowl.  Virginia Tech started here, and hopes to leave with a better taste than last time, when they lost a tough game to Alabama.  Tennessee isn’t that talented, but they will play hard.  Look for Tyrod Taylor and Ryan Williams to establish the running game and slowly end Tennessee’s excitement.

5)      Pacific Life Holiday – Arizona v. Nebraska

-The chance to spend Late December in San Diego is enough for me.  Then take two awesome teams, a Heisman trophy finalist a high powered offense and a tough defense and you have yourself a fantastic game.  I look for a low scoring one as I feel Ndamukong Suh and his defensive teammates have a chance to shut down Nick Folds and the Arizona offense.  Look for a fun one though, and enjoy wearing a T-shirt in December.

Honorable Mention –Emerald Bowl – USC v. Boston College

-Okay, so maybe I’m adding this as a recent BC grad and future fan in attendance, but there are plenty of storylines.  Will Joe McKnight play?  Whether he does or doesn’t, will USC really get up for a game against Boston College?  Are they really as bad as they have been playing all year?  This game could go either way.  I look for BC to play an inspired game in a low scoring battle.  IF they can hold off SC and gain some confidence, this could be one of the upsets of the bowl season and could be the biggest win for the ACC in a long time.

College Gameday Look: BYU

This week College Gameday takes us to Provo, UT where the #16 BYU Cougars take on the #8 TCU Horned Frogs.  This is the going to be the most highly touted "non-BCS conference" game as both these teams have a chance to burst the BCS bubble once again.  This weeks guide takes you to Salt Lake as well as its neighbor Provo.   

The City
Set against the snowy backdrop of the Wasatch and Oquirrh mountains, Salt Lake City raised its visibility as a top destination for winter sports addicts after hosting the 2002 Winter Olympics. Area resorts boast of "the greatest snow on earth," and skiers flock to world-class getaways like Snowbird, Alta and Brighton. During summer months, resorts open their lifts and runs to mountain bikers in what is becoming a booming business.

The city also is renowned as the original settlement, and now headquarters, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with Temple Square and the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir among the many attractions evocative of LDS history and culture. The arts scene is packed with theater, symphony and opera events, as well as a variety of downtown galleries. And annual events, like Pioneer Day, bring residents and visitors alike out for a week's worth of celebrations and festivities.

The Stadium
The big game takes place in Provo, about 45 miles away from Salt Lake at LaVelle Edwards Stadium.  LaVell Edwards Stadium, with its 64,045-seat capacity, huge video scoreboards and immaculate press boxes, is home to legendary BYU football.  This emmaculate stadium is one of the most beautiful and loudest in the country.  Surrounded by vast mountains and wild crowds, an old Air Force coach called it the loudest and prettiest stadium he had ever been to, noting the loud noise the seats make when the fans are banging on them

Originally known as Cougar Stadium, the stadium was renamed with the retirement of legendary head football coach LaVell Edwards at the conclusion of the 2000 season.  Edwards Stadium was built in 1964 with a seating capacity of 45,000 (including temporary bleachers placed at each of the end zones). As a result of increased seating demands, BYU made another renovation in 1982, adding stands to the north and south end zones, lowering the field eight feet and removing the track surrounding the field (home to the 1967 and 1975 NCAA Track and Field Championships).

The stadium expansion increased the seating capacity to over 65,000. The crowd of 64,253 that gathered for BYU's first game in the expanded stadium on September 25, 1982 was reported at the time as "the largest gathering ever in Utah history." Since its expansion in 1982, the stadium has consistently ranked among the nation's top 25 in attendance.

Some of the stadium's well-known features include a box-bowl seating configuration, a grass playing surface and a four-level press box

Not going to find much drinking near a Mormin college, but there are good restaurants near by.  Try China Lily, considered by many to be the best Chinese in Utah Valley.  When there, try the Salt and Pepper Chicken or the Ginger Beef.  This place is a little pricy but the locals make it sound like it is worth it.  If you are not in the mood for Chinese, try Tucanos Brazilian Grill.  With their fantastic selection of meats, poultry and seafood you are sure to find something that fits your fancy.


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