Ohio State is guaranteed a slot in the Rose Bowl this season, however, a second possible at-large BCS bowl bid for the conference is still up for grabs, if at all. Despite its prestige (some would say old-time prestige), the Big Ten is not guaranteed a second slot in the BCS, despite the fact that it has secured a second slot in seven of the past eight seasons. However, thanks to losses by USC, Miami (Fl.) andVirginia Tech in recent weeks, the likelihood of a second slot for the conference is looking better. For that slot, Iowa, Penn State and Wisconsin are still in the running.
For that second slot, the BCS should award it to the Iowa Hawkeyes.
While Penn State fans would certainly enjoy its team spending the holidays at the Fiesta or Orange Bowl, this fact remains: the Nittany Lions lost to both Ohio State and Iowa and in the end, have secured no ‘signature’ wins that it can speak of. Despite its 9-2 record, Penn State has only defeated three bowl game-bound teams: Northwestern (7-4), Minnesota (6-5) and yes, Temple (8-2). On the other hand, Iowa has beaten Arizona (6-3), Wisconsin (9-2), Michigan State (6-5) , Northwestern (7-4) and of course, Penn State.
And Wisconsin? Like with Penn State, the Badgers’ standing begins and ends with the fact that it was defeated by the Hawkeyes.
Therefore, short of Iowa losing on Saturday to Minnesota, the Hawkeyes deserve a BCS bowl slot, while Penn State and Wisconsin (assuming that both teams win on Saturday), will be fighting it out between going to the Capital One or Outback Bowl.
Case closed.
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