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.

My Thoughts: Its The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Its the most wonderful time of the year... and not (only) because of Christmas and New Years.  Its Bowl Season, my favorite time of the year.  Not only is football on (almost) every day from today on, with NFL and College Football games taking turns in the spotlight, but it is a chance to see so many teams, and so many players, get their chance at the spotlight, and get to end their season as winners.  Personally, I am not a fan of the BCS system.  Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of bowl games for teams like Boston College, Central Michigan, Stanford and others.  Its an experience no one would forget (if you haven't been to a bowl game, go).  I personally am going to the USC-BC game in San Francisco this year.  The winning team won't even be ranked not to mention in the National Championship hunt, but boy am I excited.  But to decide the National Champion,something must be done differently

Imagine if we had the chance to see the top 8 teams in a winner take all tournament.  Just look at the first round: #1 Alabama v. Ohio State, #2 Texas v. Oregon, #3 Cincinnati v. Boise State, and the 4-5 Match-up of TCU and Florida.  Who says those wouldn't be exciting.  How about a Final four of Texas v. Cincinnati, and an Alabama Florida rematch.  What if TCU upsets Florida and has the chance to prove themselves vs back-to-back SEC opponents.  The battles could be priceless.  Yes maybe a few BCS memories will be removed.  Stories lilke Ian Johnson proposing to his girlfriend after upsetting Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl and others may be lost, but do you think they wouldn't give that up to know they had a chance at a National Championship?  As soon as Boise won that game they were asked one question "Do you think you should get a shot at the National Championship?"  YES they should, it wouldnt ruin the amazing game they played, or the awesome upsets.  And yes, the regular season is sort of a playoff.  But Cincinnati won all their playoff games, so did TCU and Boise State.  They dont benefit.  And to say there wouldn't be controversy, what would Georgia Tech think if they barely missed out... or what would  Florida say when GT gets in over them because one team from every conference must get in.

Memories and thrill still occur in sporst with a playoff.  In College Basketball we still remember the upsets (even when teams went on to lose by 40 the next week).  I still remember where I was when Hampton beat Iowa State or Bucknell upset Kansas.  I still remember what I was doing when Craig Smith (with ice in his veins) hit two freethrows in overtime with 1 second left to send the game into 2nd overtime vs. Pacific.  Even college baseball, I watched all 27 innings of BC v. Texas on internet TV.  BC lost and was later eliminated, Texas made it to the title game and didnt prevail.  Think that ruins that game for the Texas fans, many of which sat in the stadium for hours on end?  I dont think so.  Give these guys a chance at the title.  There are smart people running the BCS, you can find a way to make more money off this, thats what its all about isnt it?

With controversy or not, enjoy the Bowl Season.  Go to a game if there is one year you, take an extra drive and tailgate, go to the fanfest, and watch the passion.  Join a pool with your buddies and see who really knows the college game the best.  Do it for a few bucks or just pride, I know telling my buddies that I won is more important to me than anything else.  Most of all, enjoy the season, there is nothing better than family and friends, and there is nothing that brings my family and friends together more than the comradery of sports.  Enjoy the season!