Eight teams, including your Iowa State Cyclones will be representing the Big 12 Conference in bowl games this holiday season. Here is a look at the conference’s bowl schedule, along with my brief, initial thoughts on each game. I’ll tell you right now, I think that the Big 12 got some great draws. It could be an impressive postseason for the conference.
AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Georgia – Dec. 28, 4 p.m. on ESPN – I like Texas A&M’s chances, basically because I’m not sure how much Georgia will want to play in this one. The Aggies can put up a lot of points but they’ll see a quality SEC defense as the Bulldogs are ranked 30th nationally. Still, Georgia’s offense isn’t very good, ranked 73rd.
Pacific Life Holiday Bowl: Arizona vs. Nebraska – Dec. 30, 7 p.m. on ESPN – This one is going to be a dogfight. I already plugged this one into my phone calendar. The Wildcats are just a solid football team from every angle. Nebraska’s stout defense will keep the Huskers in any game. I like Nebraska’s chances but it will not be easy.
Brut Sun Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Stanford – Dec. 31, 11 a.m. on CBS – How excited will the Sooners be to play in this one? I don’t know. If they show up in full force, they should win. They have more talent than Stanford. But Oklahoma is traditionally terrible in bowl games. That Stanford team is awfully chippy too. This will be a classic football game between a great offense and one of the nation’s best defenses.
Texas Bowl: Navy vs. Missouri –Dec. 31, 2:30 p.m. on ESPN – I really think that Navy will give the Tigers fits in this one. Missouri is going to be ticked off about dropping all of the way down to this game, so that could come into play. Who knows if that motivation will have a positive or negative impact. I’m looking forward to watching Missouri’s 12th ranked rush defense going head-to-head with Navy’s third-ranked rushing offense.
Insight Bowl: Minnesota vs. Iowa State – Dec. 31, 5 p.m. on NFL Network – The main event…What do you expect me to write? I’ll take the Clones. No bias or anything either.
AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic: Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss – Jan. 2, 1 p.m. on FOX – Another good match-up for the Big 12. This one features two teams that had disappointing regular seasons.
Valero Alamo Bowl: Michigan State vs. Texas Tech – Jan. 2, 9 p.m. on ESPN – I think that this is another great draw for the Big 12. Michigan State will be playing without a bunch of their players and the Raiders are a horrible match-up for Sparty.
City BCS National Championship Game: Texas vs. Alabama, 7 p.m. on ABC – This is the one game where I will go ahead and write the Big 12 out of already. Alabama is the best team in the country. Period.
