Everybody has now had a chacne to calm down about the BCS fiasco. We’ve heard everyone’s opinion, probably more than any of us wanted to. But everybody has one, and they can all prove why Nebraska or Colorado or Oregon should be in the Rose Bowl to take on the Miami Hurricanes. But finally the bowls are beginning. In this period of off-time (and why such a long layoff between the end of the season and the bowls?!?), we’ve even had a chance to catch up on a little college hoops. But if you haven’t just yet, don’t fret. Vitale is as hyped up as ever. No need to worry about that guy. He really has a passion for the game, and it shows and makes for good entertainment.

The Rose Bowl has been set, but not everyone agrees with the matchup the BCS computers have given. Miami is in for sure, but Nebraska is the team many people have a problem with. Should Colorado or Oregon be in? Possibly. Colorado is the Big XII Champion, arguably the toughest conference in college football this season. They lost only one conference game, to Texas by 30-something points. They also lost their season opener to Fresno State by a slim margin. Oregon finished the season with one loss, a home defeat to Stanford.

So who do I think should be in? Personally, I think we’ve got the right team in the Rose Bowl. Yeah, Nebraska was third in their conference, but they aren’t as bad as that sounds. The differnence in third and a possible first place finish for the Huskers is one loss, although it was a big one. But it wasn’t any bigger than Colorado’s loss to Texas. Colorado lost two games, and I don’t think you can let them go with two losses while so many other teams who only lost one game are sitting at home on January 3. Oregon lost only one game, but they won several games by a very slim margin. Their only loss was also by a slim margin though. But, a win is a win and a loss is a loss. Throughout the season, Nebraska was the most consistent team, easily putting away their opponents by the middle of the fourth quarter. They also played a tougher schedule than did the Ducks of Oregon. Besides, shouldn’t the Heisman Trophy winner be in the National Championship Game anyway?

So the two teams who feel they were left out now get to play each other to see who’s the best of the not-quite-good-enough. This should be an awesome game. Joey Harrington, QB of the Ducks, always keeps Oregon in the game. They are never out of it and usually have a shot to win it at the end. On the other side, the Buffaloes of Colorado are playing as good as any football team in the country. Not only are they good enough to beat the other team and the refs, as they saying goes, they were also good enough to beat their own coach in the Big XII Championship Game. With Colorado having a commanding lead, coach Gary Barnett tried a fake punt on fourth down. Texas intercepted the pass and took it all the way back for a TD and bringing UT right back into the game. Coach later admitted it was stupid and thanked his players for bailing him out. If Colorado comes out and plays as they say they will, taking out their frustration on Oreogn, they’ll win this game. If they’re upset and frustrated and not concentrating, Oregon is definitely good enough to beat them and will. I’d go with Barnett’s Buffs.