Bowl situation still unclear
Hello all,
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I stepped away from the computer for several days to catch a break before we rev up for bowl preparations. I'm back now and will be filing stories and blogs regularly again.
First order is on the bowl situation. A couple of weeks ago with the way things were playing out, I thought the Utes were a virtual lock for the Sugar Bowl. Things are changing and now it's looking more and more like the Fiesta could come into play, not just because Oregon State lost.
Remember the scenario that I mentioned before as the one that didn't exactly make the Fiesta folks ecstatic was a Texas/Ohio State matchup, because those teams have played recently in 2005 and 2006 and bowls like to pair teams that haven't played on a regular basis.
Now, with Oklahoma jumping Texas in the BCS (which on a personal note I think is stupid) Texas could be the at-large pick for the Fiesta if Oklahoma wins Saturday and goes to the BCS title game. I doubt the bowl would take Texas Tech over the Longhorns, which would create even more of an outcry in Austin.
A Utah/Texas matchup could be seen as more attractive for the Fiesta than Ohio State/Texas for its uniqueness. The last time the teams played was in 1982, when Utah lost 21-12 in Austin.
Also going against the Buckeyes' favor in the Fiesta's eyes is that Ohio State has been a frequent visitor to Arizona, playing in the Fiesta Bowl three out of the last six times (the 2003 game was designated as the national title game, which the Buckeyes won with a 31-24 win over Miami). The Buckeyes also lost to Florida in the BCS title game played in Glendale that gave the Gators the 2006 national title, the first championship game held separate from the bowls.
I know there is some concern that Ohio State wouldn't travel as well to the Fiesta as Utah would because of the frequent trips, especially if it is matched up with Texas.
On the other hand, Ohio State probably would bring better TV ratings than the Utes because of its larger national fan base.
The Fiesta has a lot to think about this week.
One thing I guarantee you it isn't thinking about too much this week is a possible Utah/Boise State matchup. I know president John Junker has been quoted as "mulling" that possibility, but realistically he probably thought about it for five seconds.
No way will the Fiesta turn its back on the Big 12 and take two non-BCS teams. As Junker has told me several times in the last couple of weeks, the Fiesta wants to honor its ties with the Big 12 whenever possible, especially after a season such as this when it had several teams at the top of the rankings and plans to have a Big 12 team in its bowl. Sorry, there won't be a Boise State-Utah matchup.
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I stepped away from the computer for several days to catch a break before we rev up for bowl preparations. I'm back now and will be filing stories and blogs regularly again.
First order is on the bowl situation. A couple of weeks ago with the way things were playing out, I thought the Utes were a virtual lock for the Sugar Bowl. Things are changing and now it's looking more and more like the Fiesta could come into play, not just because Oregon State lost.
Remember the scenario that I mentioned before as the one that didn't exactly make the Fiesta folks ecstatic was a Texas/Ohio State matchup, because those teams have played recently in 2005 and 2006 and bowls like to pair teams that haven't played on a regular basis.
Now, with Oklahoma jumping Texas in the BCS (which on a personal note I think is stupid) Texas could be the at-large pick for the Fiesta if Oklahoma wins Saturday and goes to the BCS title game. I doubt the bowl would take Texas Tech over the Longhorns, which would create even more of an outcry in Austin.
A Utah/Texas matchup could be seen as more attractive for the Fiesta than Ohio State/Texas for its uniqueness. The last time the teams played was in 1982, when Utah lost 21-12 in Austin.
Also going against the Buckeyes' favor in the Fiesta's eyes is that Ohio State has been a frequent visitor to Arizona, playing in the Fiesta Bowl three out of the last six times (the 2003 game was designated as the national title game, which the Buckeyes won with a 31-24 win over Miami). The Buckeyes also lost to Florida in the BCS title game played in Glendale that gave the Gators the 2006 national title, the first championship game held separate from the bowls.
I know there is some concern that Ohio State wouldn't travel as well to the Fiesta as Utah would because of the frequent trips, especially if it is matched up with Texas.
On the other hand, Ohio State probably would bring better TV ratings than the Utes because of its larger national fan base.
The Fiesta has a lot to think about this week.
One thing I guarantee you it isn't thinking about too much this week is a possible Utah/Boise State matchup. I know president John Junker has been quoted as "mulling" that possibility, but realistically he probably thought about it for five seconds.
No way will the Fiesta turn its back on the Big 12 and take two non-BCS teams. As Junker has told me several times in the last couple of weeks, the Fiesta wants to honor its ties with the Big 12 whenever possible, especially after a season such as this when it had several teams at the top of the rankings and plans to have a Big 12 team in its bowl. Sorry, there won't be a Boise State-Utah matchup.
9:13 AM
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2 Comments:
Why is it stupid to pick Oklahoma over Texas and Texas Tech? It's a three way tie with the head-to-head-to-head split three ways, so no matter who you pick, you will be unfair to the other two. They really should just draw straws.
Wish the Utes could come to New Orleans. It's 1000 better destination than Tempe. Thanks for nothing, Oregon St.
The two most likely scenarios are both great for the Utes in my opinion. Texas in the Fiesta would bring a huge Ute crowd, and Alabama (sorry Tide, FL's going to "roll" you) in the Sugar would also be a lot of fun.
I personally would love to get back to New Orleans, one of the few cities left in the U.S. with some character. But, many more family and friends can swing the Fiesta, so either way I'm good.
Go Utes!
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