I was very excited last night to learn that the NIU (Northern Illinois University) Huskies made it into the top 16 football teams. Even more exciting was the fact that this made them bowl eligible and would, in fact, be playing against FSU (Florida State University) in the Orange Bowl. Now, aside from the fact that this match up will cause friction in the Wiegman house, as I am an NIU alum and my husband is a big FSU fan, I was and still remain overjoyed that NIU earned the right to play.
However, as the “BCS Bowl Selection Show (as presented by Discover Card)” continued, I was subjected to the nonsensical ramblings of “sports professionals” who were incensed that NIU was given the bid. On and on they rambled about more “deserving teams” and the rules that excluded the powerhouse teams that have to settle for a “lesser” bowl because NIU had the gall to win the MAC championship and gain a spot in the Orange Bowl. “Nothing against NIU” I heard over and over and over again; as the “professionals” railed against the system that finally allowed a non-SEC/BIG10/BIG12 team into the upper echelons of “Bowl-dome.”
Was it really necessary for the ENTIRE show to revolve around the NIU/FSU match-up?? No. Perhaps it would be more beneficial to wait and PLAY THE GAME to see how it turns out. I would really love to see NIU win the game and silence all of the talk-boxes who say that they don’t belong in an FCS bowl game. But, the realistic side of me knows that this will be a rough game for them. Either way, I am looking forward to being able to watch a good game and to cheer on my Huskies (and let’s face it…for the ‘Knoles too…) on game day.
GO NIU!!!
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