CollegeBowlProjections.com

Question: What does a 10-37 record as head coach at Syracuse get you?

Answer: The defensive coordinator position at the University of Michigan.

Wolverine fans are probably wincing at the thought of Greg Robinson joining their staff but Rich Rodriquez has hit a home run with this hire.  Although he failed as head coach, Robinson has a great track record as a defensive coordinator.

Let’s look at his defensive coordinator accomplishments:

• 2 Super Bowl Rings with the Denver Broncos (1997 & 1998)

• 8-0 record in bowl games

• 11-1 record with the Texas Longhorns (2004)

Coming off the worst defensive season in Michigan football history, the Wolverines needed a change and this hire will be a great addition to the staff.  Robinson has no where to go but up and he should have an immediate impact.

Smile Wolverine Fans… Robinson is the answer at defensive coordinator!

Popularity: 28% [?]

Popularity: 8% [?]

Congratulations to the Iowa Hawkeyes for getting the one and only victory for the Big Ten conference during the 2008-2009 bowl season.  The Hawkeyes were led by running back Shonn Greene and were the only Big Ten team to get pass another conference bowl team.

The conference has been in the spotlight since Ohio State was in the national championship game the last two years and lost by double digits in both games.  Poor results caused debate if the Big Ten was strong enough to warrant their best team to be in the final game the last two years.  Penn State almost made the national championship game this year but were fortunately upended by Iowa.  It comes as a relief to college football fans after Penn State couldn’t keep up in the Rose Bowl with USC this year.

Many fans complained the Big East and ACC were down this year and didn’t deserve a guarantee spot in the BCS this year.  The Big Ten received two invitations in the BCS.  Did they deserve it?  Here are the records of the Big Ten in bowl games the last three years:

2006   2007   2008
2-4      3-4     1-6

2008 Bowl Results:
Florida State 42 Wisconsin 13
Missouri 30 Northwestern 23
Kansas 42 Minnesota 21
Iowa 31 South Carolina 10
Georgia 24 Michigan State 12
USC 38 Penn State 24
Texas 24 Ohio State 21

Instead of looking at the Big East and ACC this year, the obvious conference to be concerned about is the Big Ten.  While smaller conferences are begging for respect we continue to watch the Big Ten receive BCS bowl invitations and notch another loss in them.  The Big Ten will have alot to prove in 2009.

Popularity: 3% [?]

The Big Ten will be represented in seven bowl games this holiday season. The conference will have the opportunity to prove the critics wrong and show their conference was one of the best this season.

Las Vegas doesn’t seem to think it’s going to be a jolly season for the conference.  Iowa is the only team favored to win their game.  The Fiesta Bowl point spread started at Texas winning by 11 points.  It’s dropped down to 8.5 points since the betting opened.  It won’t look good if Ohio State drops another BCS game by double digits for the third consecutive season.

Big Ten Bowl Games

Champs Sports Bowl

Wisconsin vs. Florida State -5.5

Alamo Bowl

Northwestern vs. Missouri -12.5

Insight Bowl

Minnesota vs. Kansas -8.5

Outback Bowl

Iowa -3.5 vs. South Carolina

Capital One Bowl

Michigan State vs. Georgia -7.5

Rose Bowl

Penn State vs. USC -9

Fiesta Bowl

Ohio State vs. Texas -8.5

Popularity: 3% [?]

Popularity: 9% [?]