Big Ten in the BCS

Now that the bowl games have been announced the Big Ten ends up with two teams in the BCS like most suspected. These match ups look like two opportunities to restore the Big Ten's image or get completely blown away.


Lets take a look at the Rose Bowl match up of Penn State vs USC.

USC has looked absolutely dominant since their let down against Oregon State. However, the Pac 10 is not a very strong conference. Therefore Penn State could pose a few problems. For example, USC's offense isn't very explosive and Penn State boasts an excellent defense. Penn State also has an offense that is capable of moving the ball through the air as well as on the ground which will be a very tall task against a USC defense that some are ranking with the best ever.

A huge problem for Penn State is that the game is played in USC's backyard and as Illinois experienced last year it's not easy and definitely not fair. Hopefully Evan Royster can watch and take advantage of how Jacquizz Rodgers was able to run all over that USC defense. That may be Penn State's best chance is holding on to that ball and controlling the clock. I don't believe USC's offense will be very affective so it will definitely come down to their defense and Penn State's ability to hold on to the football.

Next is the Fiesta Bowl match up of Texas and Ohio State.

This game is interesting because Ohio State is a completely different team since they played USC and are much more powerful with Terrelle Pryor at QB. But how will the freshman quarterback play in the big game against and extremely talented opponent? Texas in my mind has every right to be in the championship game and will be extremely pissed off. That could mean Ohio State gets blown out and the Big Ten has to listen to all of the talk on how we suck because Ohio State can't win the big game. Texas is one of the few teams in the Big XII that has a legit defense and this game could end up being trouble for Ohio State.

Ohio State will have to rely on their defense way too much in this game. They can't slow down Colt McCoy and that offense forever. On the other side of the ball Chris "Beanie" Wells can't do everything. That's pretty much what Ohio State will have to hope for however. Since Pryor has been the starting quarterback they have relied on the run way too much to beat a solid opponent. He did nothing in the Penn State game and they lost. That could be the same story here. I hope not because the Big Ten needs this one. Knocking off a team that many think is the best team in the country would be a huge boost!

Come back later when I pick every Big Ten bowl game.