It’s time to get it going: Bowl Season! It’s like a month long Hanukkah, but with better gifts, wrapped and opened every day. Don't light the candles, just turn on the TV. I also don’t know anything about Hanukkah, except for dradles and candles. But I sure can vow for bowl season.
Although we get to witness a few – Baylor, San Diego State and Army – for the first time this decade in bowl season, we got used to seeing the Longhorns, Beavers and Golden Bears strut their stuff on a Wednesday night with a plate full of Christmas cookies.
Unfortunately, we won’t be seeing these fans or their teams. Below is a list of teams we won’t be seeing in one of the 35 bowls this year. A lot, we’ve gotten familiar with over the last decade, some, over their program’s history.
Texas Longhorns
2008: 12-1, 2009: 13-1, 2010: 5-7
Last Time Missed: Had to dig into the achieves for this one. The last time the Longhorns missed a bowl was in the 1997 season. The ‘Horns went 4-7 in ’97, but at least had future Heisman winner Ricky Williams, who had 1,878 yards, to build upon.
This Decade: Texas has been one of the most dominating teams in college football this decade. The ‘Horns had put together nine straight years with at least 10 wins. Last season, Texas made it to the National Championship, losing to No. 1 Alabama.
Down the Road: The Longhorns need help at quarterback. Sophomore Garrett Gilbert was way too inconsistent and failed to live up to expectations. One more thing the Longhorns now need; a defensive coordinator. Even with the loss of Muschamp, I think it’s highly unlikely Texas misses a bowl again next season.
Oregon State Beavers
2008: 9-4, 2009: 8-5, 2010: 5-7
Last Time Missed: The Beavers haven’t always been an above average PAC-10 team. They were actually a doormat at one point. The last time they missed, though, was a 5-6, 2005 season.
This Decade: It’s been the Beavers decade. The other team in Oregon had made four straight bowls, going 3-1 in those games. All together, they’ve made eight bowls this decade.
Down the Road: The Beavers were hit by the injury bug this season. Losing one of their top offensive weapons in James Rodgers definitely hurt. Both Rodgers brothers are back next season, though, as is quarterback Ryan Katz. With 15 starters returning, the Beavers should be able to give the Ducks better competition next season.
California Golden Bears
2008: 9-4, 2009: 8-5, 2010: 5-7
Last Time Missed: Golden Bears fans don’t want to think of the last time Cal missed a bowl because of how bad that team was. It was in 2001, in a 1-10 year for the Bears. Quarterback Kyle Boller had a season to forget.
This Decade: The Bears, often picked as preseason PAC-10 champs, have often not lived up to their expectations. The Bears have competed in just 20 bowls in their history, though, eight of them coming this decade, winning four out of their last five.
Down the Road: Cal has some work to do. The Bears were a fairly veteran team this season, but played like a bunch of freshman at times. Head coach Jeff Tedford continues to recruit well, though. With Stanford taking over as the best team in California, and the PAC-10 in for change, the Golden Bears could turn into the Bad News Bears.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
2008: 8-5, 2009: 9-4, 2010: 4-8
Last Time Missed: One doesn’t have to dig too far to check on the Scarlet Knights bowl history. Head coach Greg Schiano has worked wonders for the Knights, but their success is recent. The last time the Knights weren’t bowling: 2004 after a 4-7 year.
This Decade: The birth place of college football has found a rebirth this decade. The Knights have been to just six total bowls in their 100+ year history. Five of them have been this decade. They’ve also won their last four bowls they’ve been to.
Down the Road: Schiano has a decent team around him. It’s young, though, real young. Sophomore quarterback Tom Savage went through quite a bit of injury problems this season, but will be fine for next year. The Knights had success at time this year, and I would expect another possible eight win season for state University of New Jersey next year.
Cincinnati Bearcats
2008: 11-3, 2009: 12-1, 2010: 4-8
Last Time Missed: Bowling is something relatively new for the Bearcats. They’ve only been a member of an upper level conference for half a decade. Before the resurrection of their program though, the Bearcats went 4-7 in 2005.
This Decade: Brian Kelly went to Cincinnati, installed the spread, and brought in three straight 10+ win years. Then he left. Before this season, Cincy visited two straight BCS bowls, however getting blown out in both.
Down the Road: Quarterback Zach Collaros actually played better as a backup, off-the-bench QB last year, than he did as a starter this season. The Bearcats have a solid group returning next season, including Collaros, but another BCS bowl may be out of reach for some years. Another bowl, that’s reachable next year.
Central Michigan Chippewas
2008: 8-5, 2009: 12-1, 2010: 3-9
Last Time Missed: Believe it or not, the Chips had made it to four straight bowls before this season. The 2005 season the Chips became bowl eligible at 6-5, but missed out on an opportunity to play in one.
This Decade: Central has been one of the better teams in the MAC this decade, actually finishing the season ranked No. 25 last year. Most of the success can be credited to the arm and legs of quarterback Dan LeFever, though. Central has made it to six bowls in their history, four in the last five years.
Down the Road: CMU continues to get the left-over’s in the state from Michigan State and U-of-M, and that hasn’t been so bad. Wideout Cody Wilson was the MAC’s top receiver this season, but he was often the lone exciting player for the Chips. More consistent play out of quarterback Ryan Radcliff needs to come, especially limiting his turnover, if he doesn’t want to be passed by freshman Kyle Smith. I’d expect the Chips to be another year off of a bowl next season, though.
Photo Credit:
Cincinnati – Doug Murray/Icon SMI
Texas – Bruce Yeung – Yeung Photography
No comments:
Post a Comment