Banner Day for the Big 10

Watched at least a quarter of each of the four early games thanks to my Michigan State Spartans going completely in the tank and freeing up the TV for Michigan and Penn State to lose as well.  

But we start with Northwestern taking on Texas Tech in the TicketCity Bowl. 

That's a crazy strong logo for a new bowl game from a company no one's ever heard of before.  The company CEO came on to explain they were like StubHub but with people, people who like dogs.  Or something to that effect.  Texas Tech jumped out to a big lead in the mostly empty Cotton Bowl, Northwestern rallied late but came up just short 45-38.  Hey, at least it was competitive, unlike the next game. 

No. 9 Michigan State (my alma mater) against big bad No. 16 Alabama.  To say my Spartans were over ranked is a slight understatement.  There was some question if Alabama would be motivated after playing for the national title last year.  Yup.  Total destruction.  Men vs. Boys.  Giant screaming eagles versus baby chicks - sorry can't get the TicketCity bowl logo out of my mind.  

Alabama was far better in every facet except punting and that's because we didn't see them punt until the third quarter.  49-7 the final, but hey, at least it wasn't a shutout.  I didn't see MSU score their only touchdown but I'm assuming Nick Saban had the cheerleaders playing at that point.  

I guess all that babbling by the MSU faithful about not getting a BCS bowl game was a waste of time.  Long way to go before the football program is in that class.  And how exactly did Alabama lose three games this season?  Huge Alabama crowd at the game as well - Bama fans do travel well.

And just in case the state of Michigan wasn't humiliated enough, UofM made sure the RichRod guessing game stays very much alive.  

Michigan hung with Mississippi State for most of the first half before the Bulldogs took them to the woodshed for a 52-14 beating.  At least Michigan was consistent with horrible defense just like the regular season unlike Michigan State which actually played some D.  Normally I take great satisfaction in the Wolverines getting the crap kicked out of them but MSU getting curb stomped took all the vitriol out of me.  

Speculation will be running wild about Michigan keeping or firing Rich Rodriguez.  He may be back but no way can defensive coordinator Greg Robinson return to Ann Arbor next season.  I've never seen a Michigan team with a worse defense, usually the backbone of their team.  

One more opportunity for the Big 10 to grab a win...

And no.  Penn State and Florida, two teams accustomed to playing in better games were close for a while until the Gators overpowered a very young Penn State squad.  37-24 the final and the Big Ten is 0-4 for the day with only Wisconsin left to give any pride to the conference today.  I switched over to this one after Michigan State's quarterback had to be scooped off the turf.  

Joe Paterno looked confused every time they showed him on the sideline and it appeared he was smuggling a pizza box under his sweater.  I know he's a legend and will decide for himself when he retires but those involved in the Penn State program really should sit him down and convince him it's time to let someone else take over.  The Big 10 Network was showing a Penn State bowl game from the mid 90's last week and the PSU assistants were mostly the same guys that are still assistants now.

I'm completely un-enthused for the Rose Bowl Game (their title, not mine) so I'll probably catch the 3rd or 4th quarter before the Fiesta Bowl later on.  And if you're wondering if I'm sick of college football, yes, yes I am. 


3-1 in the ESPN Bowl Mania for these four so I'm up to 13 points and the 84th percentile.