It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year: 2005 Bowl Preview

By Big12-Fans Writer Mike Archiopoli

I took my first law school exam yesterday and if you’ve never taken a law school exam before, first of all I don’t recommend it. Second, of all it’s like taking a kick to the crotch by Mason Crosby wearing a steel toed boot (or Jordan Congdon for my Nebraska friends). But enough about me, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. That’s right bowl season is upon us once again and the Big XII has a major opportunity to make a statement.

The 2004 bowl season was filled with ups and downs for the conference on the way to an overall 4-3 record. On the heels of the 2003 bowl season, in which the Big XII went 2-6, losing all but the Houston Bowl (Texas Tech) and the Alamo Bowl (Nebraska), anything would be an improvement. Obviously Texas besting Michigan in the Rose Bowl was one of the finest games of the season and was a major boost for the conference and a telling sign of things to come for Longhorn fans. In addition, Texas Tech defeating a one-loss California team that had a good case for a BCS game was an important victory for not only the conference but for the Red Raiders gaining a degree of nation wide legitimacy. However, Texas A&M fell flat on its face against Tennessee in the Cotton Bowl and perhaps most of all, the conferences national championship game representative, Oklahoma, was maimed by USC in the Orange Bowl.

The 2005 bowl season provides many interesting match-ups that will give the conference a chance to silence its critics:

Rose Bowl: Texas v. USC
This game has it all; the top 3 Heisman Trophy candidates, the number one and two scoring offenses in the country, USC looking for it’s 3rd consecutive national title (though 2003 was a split title), and Texas looking for its first national championship since 1970. In addition, this game could show that USC isn’t as far ahead of the rest of the country as the major media thinks or make them a dynasty. The offenses in this game appear to be nearly a wash with both teams averaging over 50 points a game. However, for all its offensive firepower with Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, and LenDale White, USC doesn’t have a dominant defense. The Trojans rank 39th in total defense to Texas’ 6th in the nation. I see that as the difference in what will be a 38-31 Texas win.

Cotton Bowl: Texas Tech v. Alabama
The ultimate offense versus defense match-up as Alabama, the nation’s number one scoring defense at 10.7 ppg, battles the nation’s top passing offense, Texas Tech. This is the top bowl Tech has played in during the Mike Leach era and I don’t see how they are going to squander it. Alabama has had an anemic offense since the injury to WR and sparkplug Tyrone Prothro and they haven’t played an offense that can sling it quite like the Red Raiders. The Crimson Tide can only hope to contain as Tech wins 35-21.

Holiday Bowl: Oklahoma v. Oregon
Another major litmus test for both the conference, and a major test for just how far Oklahoma has come this season. Oregon is 10-1, losing only to USC, and they were a viable candidate for a BCS bowl had Norte Dame not been a ratings and media darling. But Oklahoma has 3 major things playing in their favor. First of all, Oregon has been playing without QB Kellen Clemens for several weeks and although Dennis Dixon is highly touted, he isn’t quite at Clemens level yet. Second, you have to question what kind of motivation Oregon will bring to this game. In the past two seasons the 9th BCS team (Cal in 2004 and Texas in 2003) has played in the Holiday Bowl and both have suffered surprising losses. Finally you have to look at Oklahoma itself. After a disastrous 2-3 start to the season, Oklahoma has rebounded in a big way, winning 5 of their last 6 and ending about a millimeter short of beating Texas Tech. As my colleague Josh Cline pointed out yesterday, Rhett Bomar is developing into what was expected of him as one of the nation’s top recruits at quarterback. Bomar, coupled with a healthy Adrian Peterson will lead the Sooners to a statement victory and a springboard into 2006. Oklahoma wins 30-20.

Alamo Bowl: Nebraska v. Michigan
In a year of “name team” bowl match-ups, this game has to be towards the top. However, neither team is near at the level they were when they split the national title in 1997. The way Nebraska has looked over the entire season; I view their dominating win over Colorado as taking advantage of a team in turmoil instead of a turning point. Outside of that win, it has been a fairly unimpressive season for the Huskers, even though they did return to bowl eligibility. As for Michigan, they aren’t near as bad as their 7-4 record would indicate. After getting off to a 3-3 start, they were the only team to defeat Big 10 champion Penn State and were a drive away from beating Ohio State. In addition, running back Mike Hart is finally completely healthy. The Wolverines were ranked as high as they were for a reason and will show it at the Alamo, Michigan wins 33-20.

Houston Bowl: Iowa State v. TCU
You have to wonder what the Iowa State state of mind is at this point of the season. They were one good quarter away from winning their first Big XII North title before squandering a game to Kansas. It has been an up and down year for the Cyclones, starting 3-3 before winning 4 straight and then blowing their second consecutive shot at the North crown. They made a nice recovery last season, beating Miami of Ohio in the Independence Bowl. But TCU is no Miami of Ohio; the Horned Frogs were only a 2nd game loss against SMU away from an undefeated season. Both teams rank top 5 in turnover margin so something has to give, Iowa State will once again fail to win the big game as TCU wins 27-20.

Independence Bowl: Missouri v. South Carolina
In what is the final game in the collegiate career of Brad Smith, it may be the announcement of Steve Spurrier and South Carolina becoming a contender in the SEC. Spurrier seemingly willed the Gamecocks to a 7-4 record, somehow getting that many wins out a team that ranked 104th in total offense and 43rd in total defense. It makes me shutter at the thought of what this program will be like once Spurrier gets an infusion of talent into it. But this game is about this year and not future years. Mizzou lost its final game of the season, although they did have to go on the road and play Kansas State in Bill Snyder’s final game. Brad Smith has had a wonderful career, but even he hasn’t been enough to take Missouri to that next level, call it a hunch but I see Spurrier squeezing out one more win. South Carolina wins 28-17.

Champs Sports Bowl: Colorado v. Clemson Tell me how this isn’t the worst named bowl game of them all, with competition from the MPC Computer Bowl and the Meinke Car Care Bowl. The game itself also doesn’t seem all that desirable. Colorado is reeling; they have lost their last 3 games and have been outscored 100-6 in their last two. Just take a look at that number; they have surrendered 100 points in their last 2 games. If Gary Barnett can somehow peel Colorado off the mat he might deserve that contract extension he has been after. However, I don’t care if Clemson is an I-AA team; anybody would have an emotional edge over the ‘Buffs at this point. Clemson wins 24-13.

Fort Worth Bowl: Kansas v. Houston
Kansas is back in a bowl game for only the 2nd time in the 10 year history of the Big XII conference. They are searching for their first bowl win since 1995; luckily Houston hasn’t won a bowl game since the historic 1980 Garden State Bowl. Houston can throw the ball all over the field with QB Kevin Kolb, ranking 14th in the nation in total offense, but they haven’t seen a defense that is quite as good as Kansas. However terrible the Kansas offense performs their defense should get them that elusive bowl victory. Kansas wins 20-17.

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