Talked to Meineke Bowl executive director Will Webb and both UConn and Cincinnati are in play for the Car Care Bowl and if the Sun goes a different way (no USF), then USF is in the mix. He never brought up Rutgers. I don't think Rutgers is in play, though he didn't say it outright. It could be all done Tuesday before Rutgers even plays.
Here is what Webb said about the Huskies 66-21 loss to West Virginia:
"The team No. 6 in the BCS (Virginia Tech) got clobbered (by LSU earlier in the season). It happens, it was an emotional day for West Virginia, they were playing to get for a spot in the national championship. They (UConn) were a little nervous and it was the biggest game they played in. They are high on our radar. This would be a good bowl if it works out."
On Cincinnati being a higher ranked team than Connecticut and the polls and BCS, though it is very slight.
"We have different opinions on committee and staff. How they finished is important. Cincinnati is ranked higher, but UConn finished higher in conference. They were outright second in conference. How does that balance or counter balance each other?"
Webb said a decision could come early this week but Monday wouldn't be practical. They have to wait until the Sun Bowl goes to make anything official. It could come as early as Tuesday (there is a BCS conference call) and will be no later than Sunday.
On the ACC side it's unclear. Ga Tech, Maryland, Florida State or Wake Forest.
Edit: Promise to get Meineke spelled correctly.
Update Monday PM: I do have a story in today's paper, but it's not up on our website, as is anything the past couple of days.
5 comments:
John,
M-e-i-n-e-k-e.
Learn it. Live it. Love it.
You've it spelled wrong about 30 times.
LOL. I hate cars. Meineke. No I.
I think I spelled it wrong more than that.
That's OK.
We'll see you Dec. 29
yes, uconn did finish higher in the big east standings, but cincinnati has much higher quality wins. uconn only beat one top 25 team, while cincy beat 3, and two were on the road. uc also beat uconn at home by 24 points, while holding the huskies out of the endzone. cincy should get the better bowl game
I don't disagree. But, does 5-2 in the conference mean anything?
Cincinnati has a strong case, and they did whip UConn. But, they finished a game behind them in the standings. If UConn played WVU closer, would that make people feel better?
Probably, but what does that say about a conference where the clear cut second place team, that has an equal record to teams 3 and 4 in the league, goes to the 5th bowl game?
If standings and wins and losses don't mean anything, then just have an LSU-Florida game for the national title.
The thing that makes this difficult is that both teams deserve the bowl. And, it's just table scraps after that.
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