Blogs › Buffzone Blog
Could be Hawk against the Hawkeyes
Posted November 26, 2007
![KYLE RINGO373[1]](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1282/1339606186_8edb1020c0_t.jpg)
Coach Dan Hawkins could face one of his good friends in the coaching ranks if the Buffs are invited to play in the Insight Bowl on Dec. 31 in Tempe, Ariz., against one of the teams from the middle of the pack in the Big Ten Conference.
That team is Iowa and that coach is Kirk Ferentz.
The Hawkeyes are one of several Big Ten Conference teams being mentioned as candidates to fill the Big Ten slot in the Insight Bowl. Ten of the 11 Big Ten teams are bowl eligible, which means the Insight could have its pick of four teams with the sixth pick in the Big Ten bowl pecking order.
The Hawkeyes would be a pretty interesting matchup for the Buffs. They have had an up-and-down season just like CU, very inconsistent. And the fact that Dan Hawkins and Ferentz are good friends, I'm sure, would make for some interesting stories.
Other Big Ten options could be Indiana, which has the heartbreaking and simultaneously uplifting story of a team playing for its fallen coach. Terry Hoeppner died in June from a brain tumor.
Indiana announced today that it has given Hoeppner's successor, Bill Lynch, a four-year contract after leading the Hoosiers to bowl eligibility.
Purdue could be another option for the Insight, which pays out $1.2 million.
From a fans' perspective, I think I'd be rooting for the Insight Bowl because of the weather, the chance to be outdoors and comfortable on the last day of the year sounds nice. But Tempe is also home to one of the top-10 New Year's Eve celebrations in the nation, according to USA Today.
You can check out a Barenaked Ladies concert as part of the festivities this year at the Insight Fiesta Bowl Block Party. Here is a link to what is planned INSIGHT BOWL
Here is more mishmash of bowls and cash:
The Buffs could go to the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La., and play either Alabama, Mississippi State, Kentucky or South Carolina. I really think Mississippi State might be the team here because Alabama was just in this bowl a year ago and Kentucky figures to go earlier in the selection process as the hot up-and-coming team. South Carolina played here two years ago, but it's not unusual to have a team back so soon.
In fact, if you really look at the history of some of these bowls, it's not all that unusual for teams to go to the same bowl two years in a row. The Independence Bowl could get a rematch from last year if it wanted with Oklahoma State and Alabama.
The Independence pays $1.1 million, but as Hawkins said last week, the bowl payouts really don't mean anything. Once you pay to get down there and stay for a few days, there isn't much money left over.
You have to remember schools use bowl games in the fundraising and relationship building game. They host a lot of alumni and boosters. It's not a money-making deal unless you're in a Bowl Championship Series game, each of which is expected to pay out $17 million this season.
Here are a few links to some interesting blogs around the Big 12 Conference and the rest of college football, including coach Dan Hawkins' blog.
This site does not necessarily agree with comments posted below -- responsibility lies with the relevant reader alone. Read our privacy agreement.
Posted by NJBuff on November 27, 2007 at 7:19 a.m.
It has to be less expensive for the team to stay in Shreveport than Tempe. My vote is for Insight and I actually might go!
Please pick us to lose again. :)
Posted by KyleRingo on November 27, 2007 at 9:10 a.m.
NJBuff, I'll consider it, but I think I get a bad rap for my picks. I picked the Buffs to lose to Oklahoma and they won. I picked them to lose to Colorado State also. I also picked them to beat Kansas, Miami (Ohio), Kansas State and Iowa State. But, if it makes you feel better, I'll see what I can do. I wouldn't want to upset the Karma of the whole deal.
Posted by kyle.senescu on November 27, 2007 at 9:25 a.m.
don't forget that you also picked the buffs to lose to nebraska in the buffzone video
Posted by SnowBuff on November 27, 2007 at 9:51 a.m.
picking to lose to nebraska AND CSU in the same season? Lynch mobs have been organized for less!
thanks for the info kyle, I love the improptu "blogroll" at the bottom of these posts now.
Posted by Saheeb on November 27, 2007 at 10:51 a.m.
Scout.com has named Kai Maiava a first team freshman All-American. Pretty good for a kid to whom they gave one star and who wasn't offered by most of the big programs and CU at the last second. http://colorado.scout.com/a.z?s=148&a.... Starts and gets tabbed a top freshman in the country to boot. They also named Ryan Miller to their second team All-American list. Per bowls, I hope we get matched up against a name program or name coach like an Alabama, Kentucky, S. Carolina or Iowa. Just not Indiana, please... I want a national audience to tune it/pay attention. That will help recruiting if we win. But, hey, just happy the Buffs HAVE bowl options!
Posted by archalon on November 27, 2007 at 11:39 a.m.
Insight Bowl would be best for recruiting - alot of SoCal ( hello, Darell Scott),and West US kids good get a look see at the program for recruiting.
Posted by buff_lover6236 on November 28, 2007 at 8:55 p.m.
You know i do agree that Tempe would be a nicer place to go but id much rather see CU in the Independece bowl playing Alabama or S.Car. plus the insight bowl is on the NFL network channel and wouldnt get a big TV adience
thanks for all the updates kyle keep them comin
Posted by noslackbc on November 30, 2007 at 7:18 a.m.
Thanks for the links Kyle. It gives breadth to the national view of college football. Your blog comments on recruiting rumor/fact are great, please continue.