Goal!!! It's an exciting time in college sports!
If you asked me to tell you what my favorite time of year is in college sports, it would be tough for me to decide between the basketball tournament in spring, or the college bowl season in winter. They are equally exciting times for any number of reasons. Probably the one thing they share is the potential for upsets.
If you know me, you know I am all about the upsets. Unless it's my favorite team getting upset!
I can't say as though we have seen a lot of upsets during this college bowl season so far, but there have definitely been some interesting games.
In fact, @mrsbozz and I were out to dinner earlier this week with my side of the family and my dad who doesn't watch sports found himself engrossed in a particular game that was taking place.
It was Minnesota versus Bowling Green, which by all rights should have been a runaway win for the Golden Gophers. Then again, you never know what is going to happen come bowl season. Teams often play past their potential and have been known to stun some of those power conferences in the process.
My dad said "man, these two teams must really hate each other". Apparently, there had been a number of extra curricular scuffles that had taken place after the whistle. The fact was, Minnesota and BGSU have potentially never faced each other in their history. If they have, it was likely a long time ago.
It's just one of those things that emotions run high when you are playing a game on a national stage. There is a lot to be won and a lot to be lost in these bowl games. Sure, the lesser ones aren't quite so big of a deal, but for some of these players, it might be their last time hitting a field.
I think we can acknowledge that not all of them will be going on to play at the professional level.
I was watching the game between Tulane and Virginia Tech last night and it started out as a pretty close game in the Military Bowl. Then about halftime the skies opened up and it was pouring rain. I'm talking deluge. The players were doing everything they could to hold onto the ball, and eventually, Virginia Tech started to pull away.
It was a fun game to watch, simply because the conditions were so extreme.
Probably the biggest upset we have seen so far also happened last night. USC had their final hurrah in the shuttered Pac 12 and they took down #15 Louisville in grand fashion 42 to 28. It was a Holiday Bowl to remember no matter what side of the field you were on.
I watched a little bit of that game at the beginning and The Cardinals weren't looking too bad. It's interesting how things can turn on a dime though.
As of right now, we have 17 games left to be played in the college bowl season. Actually, 18 if you consider the championship game.
Things are only going to get more exciting as top 25 team takes on top 25 team.
Looking at the odds, the closest games are all taking place today with there only being a two point differential between many of the teams playing. I think we all know the odds aren't set in stone though.
Even if you aren't from the US, I hope you get the chance to take in at least one of the college football bowl games this season. It's the culmination of hard work and dedication for many of these student athletes. It deserves to be celebrated.
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I love bowl season as well because there are so many of them. While I cannot recall from my childhood exactly, I feel as though a ton of bowl games have been introduced over the years and while I realize it is purely for money-making reasons, I am glad it is that way. I recall once that my team made it to the "Galaxy Furniture dot com" bowl and well, needless to say this is not an exceptional bowl to be invited to.
Yeah, there are a bunch more now than there used to be. I think some cities are even sponsoring them now to help drum up tourism. The Savannah bowl etc. Myrtle Beach bowl, things like that. It's interesting.
I can't see any reason to not do it. The lower ranking teams get to be involved in something that might not be prestigious to the top teams but it is a lot of fun and gives the middle of the table teams something to look forward to. There are so many bowls these days that it is difficult to keep up with them all but everyone knows which bowl games really matter. No harm, no foul!
Yeah, I quite enjoy the fact that there are more than just a handful of bowl games played each year. I would imagine it also brings a lot of tourism dollars to the respective areas.