Written by Lloyd Ribner III (@Ribner3)
The last time the Hoosiers went bowling was down in Arizona back in 2007.
While we are just 15 days away from the start of the college
football season, the goal on the other hand lies four months ahead. The 2013
season is the first time in a long time that the Indiana program has any
expectations whatsoever heading into the season. The coaching staff, players
and fans all know that is the case and there is a general sense of optimism
concerning the program.
Interestingly enough, the national media has agreed with the
sentiment of the Hoosier faithful, and have jumped onto the bandwagon with both
feet. As I am sure many of you have, I have scoured through the websites and
magazines alike in the hope of finding good news regarding winter travels based
around Indiana football. Much to my delight, and I am sure many of yours, just about
every publication out there has the Indiana Hoosiers going bowling at the
conclusion of the season. Yes, that is correct, the Hoosiers are predicted to
“Play 13” in 2013.
So I figured what better way to get your juices flowing on
“hump-day” just over two weeks away from kick-off than to look at the success
projected by the national media outlets.
First of all I figured a breakdown of the current Big Ten bowl tie-ins was in
order. With much ado about the changes to the college football landscape, especially
the new tier system that the Big Ten is using for bowls in the future, this
year however; it stayed with the status quo.
Big Ten Champion: BCS
(If Ranked #1 or #2 National Title Game, otherwise Rose)
Big Ten #2: Capital
One Bowl vs. SEC #2 (Orlando, FL)
Big Ten #3: Outback
Bowl vs. SEC #3/4 (Tampa Bay, FL)
Big Ten #4: Buffalo
Wild Wings Bowl vs. Big 12 #4 (Tempe, AZ)
Big Ten #5: Gator
Bowl vs. SEC #6 (Jacksonville, FL)
Big Ten #6: Texas
Bowl vs. Big 12 #5 (Houston, TX)
Big Ten #7: Heart of
Dallas Bowl vs. C-USA #2-5 (Dallas, TX)
Big Ten #8: Little
Caesars Pizza Bowl vs. MAC #2 (Detroit, MI)
With that all settled, let’s jump into the predictions. I
looked at seven different websites and magazines and only one decided Indiana
was not worthy of a preseason bowl prediction, that site was CBS Sports. We
will now continue with the other six who have the Hoosiers playing an extra
game this coming holiday season.
Phil Steele: Texas
Bowl vs. Kansas State
In Mr. Steele’s magazine, the great prognosticator has
determined that the Hoosiers will be heading down to Houston where they would
be taking on the Kansas State Wildcats. The Texas Bowl pits two midlevel teams
from the Big Ten and Big Twelve against each other in the lone star state.
Athlon: Texas Bowl vs.
TCU
One of the preeminent college football preview magazines on
the market, Athlon has Indiana facing off against a talented TCU team in the
Texas Bowl. This is the type of matchup that has made the Big Ten shy away from
Texas as a bowl state and move more matchups out west.
Sporting News: Little
Caesars Pizza Bowl vs. Bowling Green
While this might not be the warm weather vacation that most
Hoosier fans are hoping for when dreaming about a bowl trip. It will be rather
light on the wallet as it is just about a five-hour drive from campus or
Indianapolis. This particular matchup against the Falcons would be a regular
season rematch, which is always fun.
ESPN: Texas Bowl vs.
Kansas State
The guys over at the World Wide Leader also have Indiana
taking on Kansas State down in the Houston Texans home field. While the trip
will be easier for any Big 12 team, matching up against a non-Texas opponent
would be a plus if playing in Reliant Stadium.
SB Nation: Heart of
Dallas Bowl vs. Toledo
While again the Hoosiers would be heading down to the Lone
Star State, they would be spending their time in Dallas as opposed to Houston.
Played in the historic Cotton Bowl, it would be a great way for Indiana fans to
cross a game off of their college football bucket lists.
Bleacher Report: Texas
Bowl vs. Southern Mississippi
Columnist David Fitzgerald apparently doesn’t think that the
Big 12 will have enough teams that would be bowl eligible to fill the slot so
Conference-USA representative Southern Miss takes the spot.
Well, its pretty obvious that the powers that be feel that
you should be booking your flights down to Texas, most notably Houston. While
games such as the Texas Bowl and the Heart of Dallas bowl might not be steeped
in tradition, the fact that so many outlets believe that the Hoosiers will be
going bowling is an indication that the program under Kevin Wilson is moving in
the right direction.
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