And finally, the top 3 reasons why you should watch the Big Ten this bowl season.

Capital One Bowl: (18) Michigan State v. (15) Georgia
January 1, 2009 12:00 pm CST ABC
3. Javon Ringer v. Knowshon Moreno is a heavyweight running back bout with NFL Draft implications

This matchup features the two finalists for the Doak Walker Award (nation’s top running back) who ended up losing out on the award to Iowa’s Shonn Greene. The story of the Big Ten this year has been the strong play of their running backs. Between PJ Hill, Shonn Greene, Javon Ringer, Tyrell Sutton from Northwestern and Beanie Wells from Ohio State, most of the Big Ten’s best offenses have revolved around the running game. Michigan State is no different, relying on Javon Ringer for about 40 percent of their offensive production. Both he and Georgia's running back Knowshon Moreno will be going shot-for-shot in this game, hoping to both win the game and heighten their stock for the 2009 NFL Draft.

Though I love watching dominant running games and think they are essential for a good offense, the reliance on running the ball is a reason why the Big Ten has struggled on the national stage in recent years. Conferences like the Big 12, SEC and Pac-10 have much more high powered passing games that simply overmatch anything the Big Ten has to offer.  Big Ten teams tend to be less comfortable with throwing the ball 35-45 times, which leads them to get overwhelmed by other high scoring conferences.

The highest ranked Big Ten bowl team in passing yards this season is Penn State at 35th in the country. There are 24 bowl teams ranked higher than the Big Ten’s highest passing team, including six teams from the Big 12. During the bowl season, the Big Ten style of play is the equivalent to bringing a sword to a gun fight. It can win some times, but they’re starting at a severe disadvantage. In a fight between Beatrix Kiddo from Kill Bill (Uma Thurman's character) and Doc Holliday the old school gunslinger from the Wild West, I would take Holliday. Even though Kiddo is a martial arts expert with the sword and knows the "Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique", all Holliday needs is one bullet to win the fight. Javon Ringer is a nice sword, but Michigan State may not have the necessary artillery to win.

Rose Bowl: (8) Penn State v. (5) Southern California
January 1, 2009 3:30 pm CST ABC
2.  Joe Paterno

Joe Parterno has now become a mythical figure worthy of consideration as the eighth wonder of the world. After signing a three year contract extension this week and winning Big Ten Coach of the Year, I’m convinced that he is capable of anything. The reason being… he doesn’t even have to coach to be considered a good coach. How does a head coach who sits in the press box without a headset on earn Coach of the Year status? The way things are going, he’ll be coaching Penn State in 2011 from his living room while flipping the channels between the Penn State game and Antiques Roadshow on PBS.

He’s merely a spectator on game day. He has no contact with his players, the coaches on the field or the referees. I’m not even convinced he knows the names of every player on his team. In fact, I’d be willing to bet $1000 that he couldn’t name every freshman on his team. And if he can, he truly is the eighth wonder. Anyone who is 82 years old and can remember that many names is basically Rain Man.

The player-coach relationship in college sports is interesting because the coach becomes your surrogate father for four years. They demand a lot from their players, but are usually very grateful and proud of their players for succeeding. My question is whether or not Paterno is capable of holding relationships with his players anymore. He has grandchildren that are older than most of his players. Honestly, what does Paterno say to a 19-year-old sophomore cornerback from West Philadelphia? I really wish there was more investigation as to what it is that Paterno does that allows him to remain the coach at such an advanced age. It boggles my mind.

PS. The Nittany Lions are playing against the best defense I’ve ever seen in the Rose Bowl. USC has allowed more than 10 points only twice this year and are giving up around 7 per game. Yikes! The Eight Wonder will have his work cut out for him.

PPS. These two teams, ranked fifth and eighth, have as much a right as Florida and Oklahoma to play in the championship game. As a matter of fact, those four teams along with Alabama, Texas, Texas Tech and Utah could all argue that they deserve to be ranked either No. 1 or 2. All those teams had one loss this year, except for Utah who was undefeated. Interestingly enough, that makes eight one loss or undefeated teams. That seems like a perfect amount of teams to have in a playoff. Hmm…

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: (10) Ohio State v. (3) Texas
January 5, 2009 7:00 pm CST Fox
1. The integrity of Ohio State football is at stake

Here’s a recap of the Buckeye’s big non-conference games from the last three seasons.
2006 National Championship – (1) Florida 41, (2) Ohio State 14
2007 National Championship – (2) LSU 38, (1) Ohio State 24
September 13, 2008 – (1) USC 35, (5) Ohio State 3

The last three marquee games Ohio State has played have been complete disasters. I still remember Ted Ginn Jr. returning the opening kickoff two years ago against Florida and thinking they had a chance. Shortly afterwards, Troy Smith introduced the 17-step drop to the nation while Florida defensive linemen were running untouched into the backfield.

I also remember Beanie Wells breaking off a 65 yard run in the first quarter against LSU last year and thinking they had a chance. Shortly afterwards, Glenn Dorsey and the LSU defense destroyed the OSU offense.

I also remember earlier this season when OSU was battling USC tough for most of the first quarter and took a 3-0 lead. Ohio State almost lured me into believing again, but I remained skeptical. I proved to be right because shortly afterwards, Mark Sanchez turned into Brett Favre in the Wrangler Jeans commercial. He was throwing darts all over the field and everyone on USC was laughing and smiling like this was the easiest game they've ever played.

Now, in 2008-09, this Fiesta Bowl is the BIGGEST game in Ohio State’s history. For the sake of their program and the millions of insufferable Buckeye fans across the country, they have to be competitive in this game. They don’t even have to win. They just can’t get run off the field like they have their last three big games.

If they do, Ohio State and the Big Ten will take a huge hit. It’s possible that AP voters will start to view the Big Ten as more comprable to the Mountain West than the Big 12. If they lose big in this game, Ohio State in particular should be nowhere near the BCS for a minimum of five years. They should be treated in the rankingst the way Utah, BYU, Boise State, TCU and Hawaii are treated. I don’t care if Ohio State goes undefeated and the rest of the teams in the country have two losses, they should now get mid-major treatment and have to play in the Poinsettia Bowl.

This is the Big Ten bowl game that is a must-watch because the integrity of the league’s most storied program is on the line. This game will either be a night of redemption or a funeral for the ol’ Buckeyes.

Javon Ringer picture, Joe Paterno picture, Ohio State picture

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ChiChi Madu
ChiChi was born in New York City and instantly became a fan of the Giants, Knicks and Yankees. More