Monday, November 19, 2001
BCS bowl picture taking shape
'Canes, 'Huskers appear headed to Rose Bowl
By Mike Lopresti
Gannett News Service
Ah, the whims of college football fate.
The fog is lifting on the race for the major BCS bowl spots. But last Saturday could have made early January so different.
Maryland is in as ACC champion, probably headed for the Orange, its first major bowl in 24 years ...
But only because the Terps threw a pass they hadn't tried since fall camp for the winning touchdown with 41 seconds left to beat North Carolina State.
BYU is 11-0, hoping perfection can overcome a weak schedule and possibly get the Cougars into the Fiesta against Oregon ...
But only because they came from 21-10 behind in the fourth period to beat Utah 24-21.
Michigan needs only to defeat beleaguered Ohio State this Saturday in Ann Arbor to win the Big Ten spot ...
But only because Wisconsin freshman Brett Bell was blocking downfield on a punt even though the Badgers had nobody back to return it in the final seconds of a 17-17 game. The punt took a hard left when it bounced, and brushed Bell's leg. Michigan recovered and kicked the winning field goal.
The Badgers also had two punts blocked for 10 points, and missed a 36-yard field goal with 1:26 left in the game, doomed by their not-so-special teams.
Throw in, as best guesses, Florida from the SEC and the Oklahoma-Nebraska loser from the Big 12 title game, and the BCS spots are filling up.
That leaves Miami and Nebraska for the Rose Bowl. If no one swerves off the road.
STORM WARNING:
Miami is storming toward the Rose Bowl with defense, after a 59-0 dismantling of Syracuse erased any bad aftertaste from the near-miss at Boston College.
“There are a lot of doubters around the country and I think we quieted them a little bit,” said coach Larry Coker. “We are for real.”
The Hurricanes have allowed 10 points in their last four games, and have given up one touchdown all season at home.
Poor Syracuse. It is never a good idea to make Miami mad. Four years ago, the Orangemen enjoyed a rare rout of the Hurricanes, 66-13.
Miami has beaten them three times since by a combined score of 130-13.
“This team is a little scary,” Coker said, “when it hits on all cylinders.”
COMING ATTRACTIONS:
Washington faces the scary team next, going to the Orange Bowl this Saturday. The 8-2 Huskies got 371 passing yards from Cody Pickett in beating Washington State.
• Michigan has not lost at home to Ohio State since 1987.
• Nebraska's last hurdle to the Big 12 championship game is a dangerous trip Friday to 8-2 Colorado.
THUMBS OF THE WEEK:
Up to Alabama. How to stop the bleeding from a 4-5 season? Beat Auburn 31-7.
Up to Michigan. Never mind the lucky bounce. The Wolverine defense has 45 sacks, by 13 different players.
Up to Rice. Owls clinch first eight-win season since 1953 before “throng” of 11,535.
Down to basketball powers. Life is hard when the ball is oblong. Duke has lost 22 in a row, and Kentucky, Kansas and Indiana are a combined 7-22.
Down to Rutgers. Scarlet Knights take basement door into record book by scoring only 36 total points in 0-7 Big East season.
Down to UCLA. Last year: Loses five of final eight. This year: Fades from 6-0 to 6-4. Bruins like leaves in fall. First beautiful, then dead on the ground.
Down to Steve Bellisari. Profiles in leadership? Ohio State quarterback leaves team in lurch for stretch run with charge for drunken driving.
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