More evidence we need a playoff. Iowa at the Alamo Bowl.

**URBCLONE** · 11-19-2006, 11:26 AM

A team which is going to finish 9th in its conference with a 2-6 record and 6-6 overall is heading to San Antonio. The bowl system is flawed. 32 bowl games this year? I appreciate the tradition and honor of bowls like the Rose, Cotton, Sugar etc. I believe those bowls could be incorporated into a true playoff system. But can anyone argue that we need bowls like the Humanitarian Bowl or the Poinsetta Bowl? When you have teams with a .500 record and 6 losses in conference being 'rewarded' for their seasons, you know that it is time for a change. If we must continue with the bowl system, several of the bowls should be decertified. Bowls should be a reward for excellence, not mediocrity.

**j4state** · 11-19-2006, 11:38 AM

Is that speculation or are they really going to the Alamo Bowl?
Makes me sick thinking about it.

**URBCLONE** · 11-19-2006, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by joskvig

Is that speculation or are they really going to the Alamo Bowl?
Makes me sick thinking about it.

That is coming from the DM Rag and Jon Miller. Not exactly unbiased sources, nonetheless that is what they are saying.

**knockando** · 11-19-2006, 11:45 AM

It's all about the benjamins. That is it. Period. No discussion needed on why they have all the bowls they have.

**DevilDog** · 11-19-2006, 11:46 AM

You've got to be kidding me. Has there ever been a more hyped team that is nothing but a mirage?

**G-Rock** · 11-19-2006, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by knockando

It's all about the benjamins. That is it. Period. No discussion needed on why they have all the bowls they have.

Yup. And outside of the big bowls, its all about fan support and $. Thats why Iowa will probably go to the Alamo over some other Big10 teams that are higher in the standings.

**isucy86** · 11-19-2006, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by joskvig

Is that speculation or are they really going to the Alamo Bowl?
Makes me sick thinking about it.

Before yesterday's game, the Iowa AD said the farthest the Hawks would slide was the Alamo Bowl based on his conversations with the Bowls. Its all about putting butts in the seats and the the Hawks have a great rep based on prior bowl games.

It seems pretty silly a team going 2-6 in their conference could be bowl eligible.

**9seven** · 11-19-2006, 11:55 AM

I think it is rediculous! The Big 10's bowl package is so much better then the Big 12's!!

**Al_4_State** · 11-19-2006, 11:55 AM

I hope they just get **** slapped by whoever the big 12 sends... this is pathetic...

**johnsonjj** · 11-19-2006, 11:56 AM

Unfortunately, that level of mediocrity looks halfway decent from where we sit at the moment.

**Prone2Clone** · 11-19-2006, 11:58 AM

Unbelievable.

**GoShow97** · 11-19-2006, 12:03 PM

I agree the current bowl atmosphere is a former shell of itself. In my mind I can’t justify a .500 team going to any bowl. However, the current bowl situation did allow ISU to go to 2 or 3 bowls that just 10 years prior they would not have gone.

**j4state** · 11-19-2006, 12:19 PM

I get the putting butts in seats thing but it is simply unfair to the less reputable schools in the Big 10.

Conference records:

Ohio St (8-0)---Nat'l Title Game
Michigan (7-1)---Rose or Nat'l title game. I'll assume Rose for now
Wisconsin (7-1)---Capital One
Penn St (5-3)---Outback
Purdue (5-3)---?
Minnesota (3-5)---?
Indiana (3-5)---Non bowl eligible
Iowa (2-6)---Alamo?!?!?

How does Iowa leapfrog teams with a BETTER conference record??? I wouldn't care if they had the same record but they are potentially jumping over a team with 3 more conference wins.

**BryceC** · 11-19-2006, 12:28 PM

They would only leapfrog Minnesota, who they have the same overall record with. because both OSU and Mich are going to BCS Bowl games, that would put them in the fourth spot which is the Alamo Bowl tie-in for the big 10.

**Cyphor** · 11-19-2006, 12:36 PM

What I find laughable is that without the new 12 game schedule, Iowa would be staying home for the hollidays. 2-6 in Big 10 = 5-6 overall in last years 11 game schedule. They had to add another cream puff just to be bowl eligable.