Illini Bowl History: Mixed Results, Lots of UCLA for some Reason

This year marks Illinois’ 17th bowl appearance, where they are 7-9 all-time. The Big Ten has had to play 16 bowl games in the state of their opponent since 2005. That’s more than double that of any other conference, and extremely unfair. And that number will increase by five this holiday season. By appearing in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl in San Francisco versus UCLA, the Illini are facing a bowl opponent in their home state for the 4th consecutive time. For some reason, they’ve drawn UCLA in 4/17 appearances, nearly one quarter. In this match-up of two traditional college basketball powers, the Bruins hold a 3-1 advantage over Illinois. Let’s take a look at Illinois’ bowl history: 1947 Rose Bowl, UCLA, W, 45-14: The first bowl game on national television, according to the history books. 1952 Rose Bowl, Stanford, W, 40-7: 1964 Rose Bowl, Washington, W, 17-7: I refrained from commenting too much on these games because they happened decades before I w...