Texas' season may have been saved thanks to the clock management of the Big 12 officials, but it also paved the way for a new brand of allegations of BCS collusion with the Boise State-TCU Fiesta Bowl matchup.Maybe the Fiesta was willing to look beyond the non-Automatic Qualifier label and take the best matchup it could, but with two non-BCS teams, this feels like something entirely different than a landmark moment for the mid-majors.
On paper, it looks like a pretty natural, and to hear Fiesta Bowl director John Junker discuss it, viewer-friendly matchup, with the nation's best defense against its highest-scoring offense. But considering the way Boise State stunned Oklahoma in '07 and Utah left Alabama shell-shocked in January, it makes you wonder if the two schools were put together out in Glendale to save Georgia Tech, Iowa and Florida the possible embarrassment.
That conspiracy theory does take a hit when you consider that the whole role of the bowl selection committees is to bring in fans to give an economic boost to the community and drive up TV ratings, but still, when you consider that two teams who could potentially earn a share of the national title (the AP voters aren't obligated to ascend the winner of the BCS title game to the No. 1 spot), it does make you at least entertain the possibility.
Boise State and TCU are truly among the top four teams in the nation this season and it's pretty sad that their seasons have to end with the Poinsettia Bowl East. They weren't going to play for the national title, but at least they could have ended their season without having to play another non-AQ. They at the least deserved that much.
As for quick reactions to the other matchups.
BCS National Championship GameNo .1 Alabama vs. No. 2 TexasDoes anyone give the Longhorns a shot at this point? Considering the way they struggled against Texas A&M and Nebraska, it's a somewhat scary proposition think about them trying to 1) Slow down a, pardon the pun, rolling Tide offense and 2) Score on a 'Bama offense that can put pressure on Colt McCoy without having to add any additional rushers because of Texas' lack of a running game. The knee-jerk reaction is this will get ugly. But, of course, I've got almost a month to teeter back and forth.
Sugar BowlNo. 4 Cincinnati vs. No. 5 FloridaTim Tebow will play his Gators swan song against coach Urban Meyer's alma mater, a Cincinnati team that could be either distracted over the continued talk of Brian Kelly leaving for Notre Dame or royally ticked off because he bailed on them amid an undefeated season. Either way, the Bearcats' complete lack of a defense will probably cost them against a Gators team that can eat up clock and yardage.
Rose BowlNo. 7 Oregon vs. No. 8 Ohio StateThe Buckeyes are back in the BCS for the fifth straight year and the seven time in eight seasons under Jim Tressel, while the Ducks are in Pasadena for the first time since 1995. It's maybe the best strength vs. strength matchup, with Ohio State's fifth-ranked rushing defense vs. Oregon's sixth-ranked rushing offense. It's also Terrelle Pryor's chance to see what a dual-threat QB who's confident in his offense and abilities can do in Jeremiah Masoli. Take notes, TP, take notes.
Orange BowlNo. 9 Georgia Tech vs. No. 10 IowaThe Yellow Jackets' biggest issues this season have been with team that have been strong in the interior of the defensive line. The Hawkeyes' best D-linemen are their ends in all-Big Ten selections Adrian Clayborn and Broderick Binns. Iowa will have QB Ricky Stanzi back and it may need all the offense it can get it trying to keep pace with the nation's second-ranked rushing attack.
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