Over on the Hawkeye board, there is much speculation (and surprise) that Iowa was picked over Mighty Michigan for the Outback. Your name came up... and I quote: "I think Iowa got the nod because there is an aura around Kirk Ferentz and the Hawks right now that crybaby Lloyd doesn't enjoy. Who wants to watch Michigan lose another bowl game, then watch Carr cry about it? Bowls are all about momentum and storylines. Take LSU, for example, Saban was an icon, a draw upon himself. If he was still at LSU and had the exact same season as Miles, LSU would be playing in Florida in January or in the Cotton Bowl, but he ain't, so they're not." Do you guys agree with that statement?
Told somebody the same thing yesterday after hearing about the Peach Bowl invite.........how we fell all the way to the Peach. I agree. Saban, like Ferentz, has an aura of being one of the leading coaches in college football. They carry a certain amount of weight. We would be in the Outback or at least Cotton. I'd go so far as to say if Miles hadn't flown to the Dallas to ask if we could go to the Cotton Bowl, when we lose the SEC Championship game, we'd be in the Cotton. I think that was a weird thing to do..........you can't have Bertman make a phone call? I mean, does the coach usually fly over and try and setup a game as if he's counting on his team to lose? To me, only a loser does that. Crazy crap.
I understand the intention of the statement - but I think the implication is that we'd be in a better bowl game. It certainly wouldn't be LSU vs. Florida (same conference) in the Outback - so that was poorly reasoned. With Saban (and the same record) we still wouldn't be going to the Capital One again, since bowls like to keep things fresh. As it stands - we're going against Miami in the only non-BCS top ten match up. I'll take it...
Nah. Saban probably wouldn't have been a factor. The main factors are that (1) Auburn in hot as a firecracker (2) The Cotton was set on Bama because of its name and because they haven't played in Dallas in 23 yrs. (3) Outback always picks a team from the SEC East to be sure fans will travel (4) LSU looked terrible on national TV Saturday night.
I think the coach is one component of the equation. The main component, however, is how well the team travels and how they finished the year. From what I understand, Iowa travels very well which translates to big $$$. Plus the fact that Iowa played a very exciting game last year which means a large TV draw which translates into $$$ from advertising. Also, for some reason, Outback bowl seems to favor either UT or UF. These are just my ramblings.
This season has been great if you are a LSU fan as W/L's go. I fell the team was more fun to watch under Saban. The D was on the move all the time and it was just fun to watch. I think the bowls want a team that will draw the most people.
I think the post was pretty accurate relative to the Iowa/Michigan comparison. Not QUITE as sure about the LSU comparison, but the buzz around the coach is certainly a factor, IMO.
