Ranking the Humanitarian Bowl

[Dayons_Den]

Our local newspaper, The Post and Courier, ranked all of the bowls and gives a little capsule on each game. The rankings were done by the long-time sportswriter. The rankings range from 1-star (sleeper) to 5-star (can't miss game).

To my surprise he ranks the BG-Idaho game a 4-Star, ahead of our local matchups (South Carolina-UConn, Clemson-Kentucky) as well as such games as Florida-Cincinnati, FSU-WV, and Cal-Utah.

In the capsule it says:
"Bowling Green's explosive offense vs. the Vandals' almost-home field Boise advantage. PICK: Bowling Green"


I was glad to see this in my paper this morning!

[hammb]

What that is, in my opinion, is solid unbiased reporting. Obviously the national appeal of either team in this game isn't going to be real high. Obviously neither of them are world beaters based on their records. For most people who just take a glance at the teams and their records they're going to say this is a nothing bowl against two nonBCS schools who only got bids because there are so many bowls to go around.

However, obviously this reporter has taken the time to look at it more in depth than just the surface. When you actually look at the matchup it really should make for an exciting football game between a couple of good offenses. It also highlights a Biletnikoff finalist who has had one of the best seasons of any player in college football this year.

Kudos to the writer for actually taking the time to look and realize that this has the potential to be a damn fine football game. Is it a game that's going to get national headlines because of the meaning? No. But it definitely has potential to be a great game.

[MarkL]

First time I've seen a national writer give the bowl props:

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootbal ... a-to-pizza

Dennis Dodd ranks the Humanitarian Bowl 6th:

6. Dec. 30, Idaho vs. Bowling Green, Humanitarian Bowl

Idaho returns to the place where it was bombed 63-25 by Boise State. Oh well, a bowl game is a bowl game especially when you haven't been to one since 1998.

The Vandals are one the season's better stories. Midway through the season Robb Akey was my national coach of the year. Idaho finished 1-4, but Akey is finally building a program in one of the sport's Godforsaken outposts. Guard Mike Iupati became an All-American.

This game is worth watching if only for a look at the most productive receiver in the country, Bowling Green's Freddie Barnes.

[TG1996]

On ESPN(insert version here)'s CFB show last night, Andre Ware picked Freddie as one of his six or so "under the radar players to watch" in the bowls. I don't know if the nation's leading receiver can be considered "under the radar", but it's great to get press for #7.

[Falconfreak90]

Good to see the press. GO FALCONS!!!!!!! BEAT THE VANDALS!!!!!

[goofyeuph]

On ESPN(insert version here)'s CFB show last night, Andre Ware picked Freddie as one of his six or so "under the radar players to watch" in the bowls. I don't know if the nation's leading receiver can be considered "under the radar", but it's great to get press for #7.

He's only "under the radar" because he wears the orange and brown, and plays in the MAC. If he was at Florida, Ohio State, USC, Texas, Oklahoma, [insert your favorite BCS Team here], ESPN and the rest of the sports writing community would be lining up to...well, this is a family forum, so I'll stop short of what I was going to say.