And, to toot my own horn a bit, this is a comment I made on November 16, predicting Rose Bowl for Illinois:
"I don't see how you get past either Ohio State or Michigan going to the Rose Bowl, but I'm interested. Even if you think OSU could go to another BCS game with an impressive win over Michigan, doesn't that still leave the Rose Bowl to the Wolverines? I think the BCS championship game is off the table."
I think OSU will beat Michigan, and that LSU and West Virginia will each lose, moving OSU into the national championship game against the winner of the Big 12.
In that case, Michigan would have only 8 wins, and so would be ineligible for BCS selection, even though they tied with us for second in the Big Ten. The Rose Bowl wouldn't have to take us, but I think they would want to. All of the attrition also means that we'll move up a few spots in the BCS rankings, getting us into the top 14. One other thing - a conference can only send at most two teams to BCS bowls, no matter how many they have in the top 14. So even if the Big 12 has four (OK, MU, KU and TX) and the SEC has three (GA, LSU, FL) and the PAC-10 has three (OR, ASU, USC) each conference can only send two teams, meaning that Illinois is going to bump up for at-large selection.
It's not as improbably as it sounds - LSU has at least two very hard games left, and West Virginia just isn't very good. And Illinois would be an attractive program for a BCS bowl - lots of hungry fans, and we're ending the season with momentum.
But - we gotta beat Northwestern tomorrow, and Ohio State has to beat Michigan, and then we can sit back and watch as everything unfolds beautifully for us.
Bob Ausmussen still couldn't figure it out as of this morning. :-)
Now I've got to find a way to get to Pasadena.
take me!!
still working on my travel plans. let me know if you book a flight. would love to hoist a few in souther cal with you.
My husband had our flights reserved before the official announcement. We told the kids last night! Now we just need to get tickets to the game!!!!! Hoping to see the Parade of Roses, too!
I was a freshman when U of I went to the Rose Bowl ('84 *edit*). It was a very exciting year of football. I didn't appreciate it as much then as I do now! Go Illini!!!!
Touché. It isn't so much of a stretch to say Ohio State (and Illinois) would have to thank Oklahoma and Missouri for clearing some space in the road to the BCSC game, but Pitt? It has been a long time since I appreciated seeing Dave Wannstadt's mug on the screen. WV laid a dinosaur egg, despite Pat White's dislocated thumb.
Given all the changes over the weekend, one result I really wanted to see was Hawaii-Florida. I wonder if there has ever been an over/under higher than 100?
Hate to bust on ya handymom,
but 1984 was the last time Illinois went to the rose Bowl.. ;-)
I was hoping for the Illinois-Florida match up myself.
Ooops! You are right. I graduated from high school in '83, college in '87. My freshman year started in '83 and the game was Jan. 1st '84. I confused my high school and college graduation years. Must be my aging brain! I've edited the original post.
I didn't mean to be mean handymom, just cheeky :-P.. have fun at the Rose Bowl! GO ILLINI!
And to our team, I'll go with FDR, "you have nothing to fear but fear itself" You're a tough team who should fear NO ONE!!!! Keep the mistakes down, and you can beat ANYONE!!! JUST DO IT!!! You didn't lose one game this year by "lack of talent, and/or skill" you just made a few silly, but crucial mistakes. Cut that out, and you rank with the best in the nation... GO BEAT USC'Ss ASS!!!! WE BELIEVE IN YOU!
If anything this year has proved, is that anyone can beat anyone on any given day. MAKE that YOUR DAY!!! They lost to Stanford!!! That means you have as good a chance as any, just decide that you will not give up, and you won't let down!!! Get up 4 touchdowns, and don't let them back in!!! Your strength is as weak or as STRONG as YOUR WILL TO WIN, DECIDE TO DO IT AND YOU CAN!!! It's NOT good enought to just get there... You MUST give it your ALL!!! NEVER GIVE UP, whether your UP BY 21 or down by 21, KEEP FIGHTING!!!! This team is GREAT because it's NEVER allowed itsef to be dominated!!! ALL YEAR, YOU'VE NEVER BEEN ANYONE'S BITCH!! ( sorry, don't mean to offend anyone, just locker room speak) YOU ARE AS GOOD, OR BETTER, THAN ANYONE AND INFERIOR TO NO ONE!!!
NOW GO BEAT THEIR ASS!!!!
Can I get an AMEN?
Kudos to you IP for your call on the Rose Bowl, although in a post in your previous thread, you also predicted a loss by Hawaii.
50% though, is better than me, (which isn't saying much), and is a lot better than many "professional" sports writers. ;-)
"Kudos to you IP for your call on the Rose Bowl, although in a post in your previous thread, you also predicted a loss by Hawaii."
I did. I also thought that Ohio State would be playing the Big 12 Champion, because I didn't think Oklahoma would lose to Oklahoma State.
Regardless, I'm still thrilled. Back in September, I would have been happy with six wins and the Motor City Bowl.
I hear you and I am X-STATIC to be in a BCS bowl, (although I personally would like to see a playoff system).
Most everyone, including myself, expected Hawaii to lose one somewhere along the way. I never could have made the prediction you made for Illinois to go to the Rose Bowl and you did it before Illinois beat Northwestern!
Thanks also for explaining why Michigan was not selected for the Rose Bowl. I looked in the N-G, but I didn't see an explanation or I overlooked it. Regardless, I appreciate the information.