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Oates: Insight the better bowl for UW
By TOM OATES
608-252-6172
608-252-6172
12/2/2008
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PrintIt's not going to be the Bowl Championship Series title game in sunny Miami. That dream died at Michigan.
It's not going to be the Rose Bowl in sunny Pasadena, Calif. That dream died against Ohio State.
It's not going to be a New Year's Day Bowl in sunny Florida. That dream died against Penn State and Iowa.
It's not even going to be the Alamo Bowl in sunny San Antonio. That dream, such as it was, died at Michigan State.
Indeed, of the grandiose postseason dreams for the University of Wisconsin football team, about all that remains is that it will be sunny wherever the Badgers play their final game.
So where have the Badgers' dreams taken them this season? At this point, there are two possible destinations — the Champs Sports Bowl on Dec. 27 in Orlando, Fla., and the Insight Bowl on Dec. 31 in Tempe, Ariz.
If, as expected, USC beats UCLA Saturday and Ohio State joins Penn State as Big Ten teams in the BCS bowl rotation, it will be a simple enough matter for the bowls near the end of the conference pecking order: UW and Minnesota will be the only teams available to play in the Champs and the Insight bowls.
Since the Champs has the, um, pick of the litter, it would seem to be a no-brainer. Even though UW only beat Minnesota by three points, there is no comparison between the Badgers and the Gophers. UW has a slightly better team, considerably more fan support and much greater national drawing power, which is important since bowl games are little more than holiday programming for sports television networks anyway.
The final call rests with the Champs people, of course, and they have their own objectives in finding a suitable matchup for their game. But as the good people in Orlando weigh the merits of UW and Minnesota, here is one bit of advice:
Don't do it. With all due respect, don't pick UW. Let the Badgers get their tans at the Insight Bowl this year.
This is nothing against Orlando, mind you. The Badgers went to the Capital One Bowl twice in the last four years and had a wonderful experience both times. The city, the stadium, the weather and the proximity for UW fans were all excellent.
It's just that Badgers fans, already disillusioned by a UW's 7-5 record, will yawn collectively at the prospect of another bowl game in Florida, especially if it's not on New Year's Day. That's true even if the opponent is the ever-attractive Florida State.
So while the Champs is a better bowl destination — bigger payout, more television exposure and a closer drive — than the Insight for UW fans, it simply isn't as appealing in 2008 as it would be in other years.
A trip to the Insight would benefit UW more than returning to Florida for the fifth straight year. That's because the Badgers haven't played in an Arizona bowl in 10 years and a game there would hold considerable appeal to the many UW alums and former Wisconsin residents who live within driving distance in Phoenix, Las Vegas and southern California.
If the Badgers have a choice — and they do have a voice in the discussion — they should go to the Insight and play a team from the hottest conference in the nation, the Big 12.
33 comment posts
Last Reply: 12/6/2008 7:03 PM
Oates: Insight the better bowl for UW
(12/6/2008 7:03 PM)
SF Badger says:
The bowl game in FL against an ACC team must be MUCH more attractive to BB and BA since we'd probably draw Kansas in the AZ and...they'd roll up 500-600 yds or total offense via their passing game. Look what they did to Mizzou a week ago. We couldn't keep up with that type of game...Beyond that, its tough to believe our 3-5 conference record is all that interesting to these Bowl committees... Anyone see the 2008 highlights show during the SEC game halftime? It showed the PSU player returning that punt to the (our) house...an a nice pic of him crossing over the W at midfield...
(12/4/2008 7:42 PM)
rak says:
is the insight bowl only on the nfl network?
(12/4/2008 11:23 AM)
tim says:
I live in Southern California, and driving or flying to Arizona to watch a 7-5 Badger team holds LITTLE appeal, let alone considerable appeal. I deal better with possible heartbreak at home than in the stands.
(12/4/2008 9:11 AM)
tony says:
BowlBound says:
There are a lot of dumb comments on here, so let me clear things up.
The Insight Bowl is always played at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ.
BowlBound is pretty dumb - this game had been played in the baseball stadium in downtown Phoenix for the 6 or 7 years only until the past couple of years did it move to the ASU home field. Also the Badgers have played in the bowl before when it was the Copper Bowl and it was in Tucson.
So don't take any thanks for clearing things up rather credit only confusing the facts. Kind of like those who say the Badgers a couple of plays away from being a 9-3 or 10-2 team going to a New Years Day bowl game.
There are a lot of dumb comments on here, so let me clear things up.
The Insight Bowl is always played at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ.
BowlBound is pretty dumb - this game had been played in the baseball stadium in downtown Phoenix for the 6 or 7 years only until the past couple of years did it move to the ASU home field. Also the Badgers have played in the bowl before when it was the Copper Bowl and it was in Tucson.
So don't take any thanks for clearing things up rather credit only confusing the facts. Kind of like those who say the Badgers a couple of plays away from being a 9-3 or 10-2 team going to a New Years Day bowl game.
(12/3/2008 11:18 PM)
lars says:
I am in total agreement with PTD. I would only add place major focus on recruiting a top double threat QB. Spend extraordinary time to read the potential talent such as a sleeper like Tony Roma.
(12/3/2008 10:13 PM)
PTD says:
Let the fans have a change of scenery --- AZ over FL. Why worry about recruiting Florida----- what has anyone seen on the UW roster other than Florida's leftovers? Zack Brown is now 3rd string --- who from Florida has made a difference? Also, get used to bowl choices like this year's. Until we totally change our style of offense to a spread type we're doomed to Champs or Insight Bowls. Michigan has taken their lumps --- but they will be back in a big way & soon.
(12/3/2008 5:02 PM)
Matt says:
The payout of the bowl game is irrelevant since the Big Ten shares the proceeds evenly. Regardless of recruiting exposure, it would be more beneficial to match up against a team from the Big 12 rather than the ACC as the Big 12 is considered a much stronger conference.
(12/3/2008 3:43 PM)
Ethan says:
Go Insight Bowl. AZ blows away Florida on just about any criteria. You haven't lived until you've celebrated New Years Eve on Mill Ave. plus because of the Fiesta Bowl going on it has a big bowl feel. Not to metion the options that Scottsdale and Phoenix give you (or Vegas just down the road!)The game itself is played in Sun Devil Stadium which is one of the best party locations for a football game in the entire country. Even with the recruiting advantage going to FL, AZ wins out. If you're selling your program on an appearence in a shitty second tier program we've fallen further than I had thought.
(12/3/2008 3:15 PM)
Madkat says:
I don't think they should go to any bowl game, they suck. A 7-5 record should not merit a bowl game, heck even the Motor City Bowl would be too good for them.
I say hang up the year and start over next spring with a new coach.
I really hate to say it but I think if they go to the Champs Bowl, they are going to get destroyed by whoever they play.
I say hang up the year and start over next spring with a new coach.
I really hate to say it but I think if they go to the Champs Bowl, they are going to get destroyed by whoever they play.
(12/3/2008 2:59 PM)
BowlBound says:
There are a lot of dumb comments on here, so let me clear things up.
The Insight Bowl is always played at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ.
While it would be nice to go to a new location like Arizona, the better bowl is the Champs Sport Bowl because of the national television coverage. It's usually a good crew as well, Nessler does the game as they prepare to do the Captial One a couple days later.
Arizona can sure be nice, but this is about recruiting.....Florida will always trump.
It might be a better bowl for Tom, but for the program it's definitely Florida.
The Insight Bowl is always played at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ.
While it would be nice to go to a new location like Arizona, the better bowl is the Champs Sport Bowl because of the national television coverage. It's usually a good crew as well, Nessler does the game as they prepare to do the Captial One a couple days later.
Arizona can sure be nice, but this is about recruiting.....Florida will always trump.
It might be a better bowl for Tom, but for the program it's definitely Florida.
(12/3/2008 12:56 PM)
Mark of Wellington says:
See blog today by Tom Mulhern. Enough said.
(12/3/2008 12:50 PM)
JamJam says:
The Insight Bowl isn't better for those of us that want to watch the bowl game on cable. No NFLN, so no Insight Bowl for us.
(12/3/2008 12:44 PM)
Ruth says:
Lets go to Tempe! Mickey is boring.
(12/3/2008 12:31 PM)
correctstadium says:
the n:
It is played at Sun Devil stadium, NOT either of the stadiums you listed.
Agree on the Favre article. Absolutely ridiculous. The Packers woes this season have nothing to do with Rodgers' performance. If Favre were here we'd have the same record or worse. The only difference is we'd have more turnovers. Pathetic article Oates. Especially for the front page.
It is played at Sun Devil stadium, NOT either of the stadiums you listed.
Agree on the Favre article. Absolutely ridiculous. The Packers woes this season have nothing to do with Rodgers' performance. If Favre were here we'd have the same record or worse. The only difference is we'd have more turnovers. Pathetic article Oates. Especially for the front page.
(12/3/2008 12:04 PM)
GC says:
There must be some grumbling amongst donors or something. It seems like such a no brainer to me, and the vast majority of Badger nation. Champs has the bigger payout, a better opponent, more tv coverage and exposure. As someone mentioned earlier, we have considerable recruiting interests in Florida that don't exist in Arizona. But I'm not a well heeled fat cat alumni. Are these people feeding Oates talking points because they are tired of Orlanda? I don't care if they are. Let's do what's best for the program and the fans, not a few people who want a different winter vacation location.
(12/3/2008 11:02 AM)
Buckyguy says:
Payouts:
Champs $2.25 million
Insight $1.2 million
enough said...
Champs $2.25 million
Insight $1.2 million
enough said...
(12/3/2008 10:35 AM)
Scott says:
It's played at Sun Devil Stadium, at least according to the Insight Bowl web site which I would think is accurate.
(12/3/2008 9:48 AM)
the n says:
1st of all Dave the insight bowl is played in either the cardinals new stadium or the diamondbacks stadium, NOT sun devil. But whatever bowl we take, we better not get embarrassed. i remember back when wisco played georgia in the outback bowl(i think it was ron dayne's soph year,) we got killed i didnt watch the 2nd half at all. it was horrible!
(12/3/2008 9:48 AM)
the n says:
1st of all Dave the insight bowl is played in either the cardinals new stadium or the diamondbacks stadium, NOT sun devil. But whatever bowl we take, we better not get embarrassed. i remember back when wisco played georgia in the outback bowl(i think it was ron dayne's soph year,) we got killed i didnt watch the 2nd half at all. it was horrible!
(12/3/2008 9:30 AM)
Rich says:
The Tallahassee Democrat sports page this morning said that Steve Hogan, Citrus Sports Executive Director, would view an FSU-Wisconsin match-up as "attractive". A Badger Fan who winters in Tallahassee and would like to see the Badgers beat the Noles!!!
(12/3/2008 9:18 AM)
Bob says:
Headlines:
Badgers accept Bowel Bid
The Hog Bowel
As the Badgers have a "Hog Farmer" for coach they have decided to attend the "Hog Bowel" just outside of Waterloo Iowa.
Give that "hog cry" and we are ready
Badgers accept Bowel Bid
The Hog Bowel
As the Badgers have a "Hog Farmer" for coach they have decided to attend the "Hog Bowel" just outside of Waterloo Iowa.
Give that "hog cry" and we are ready
(12/3/2008 8:36 AM)
Ray45 says:
It seems that far from debating the merits of whether Badger backing fat cats should have to suffer another trip to Florida (yawn) or go to Arizona instead, the discussion should be about whether this 7-5 debacle of a season was acceptable. As usual, the boosters and well-heeled alums will get their trip to the sunshine either way, and the money boys at the Athletic Dept will sit back fat and happy as everyone willfully forgets that, once again, UW football underachieved and failed to advance from the mid-level where it's been comfortably stuck for the last decade.
(12/3/2008 8:24 AM)
Mark of Wellington says:
Oates misses the point -- recruiting. UW recruits virtually no one from Arizona. The current UW team has several players, and some '09 oral committments, from Florida. Hopefully there will be more to come. I'm sure the parents, other family members and friends of the Florida UW players would enjoy attending the game in Orlando -- especially against FSU. Champs Sports Bowl -- it's a no brainer from a recruiting standpoint.
(12/3/2008 8:18 AM)
Bob says:
Some good points but the ones that count nowadays in the sports world: bigger payout, more television exposure and a closer drive, will be key to the Badgers going to the Champs Bowl.
(12/3/2008 6:42 AM)
Bobb says:
How about they just stay home, fire the coach, fire Barry, and watch hockey. Spending 3 hours watching the football team in a dismal performance is not my idea of fun. Pathetic team.
(12/3/2008 6:37 AM)
Badger69 says:
Champs bowl is the better one....especially if against a FSU! Badger fans will go anywhere there is beer, brandy, and brats ......and of course the Badgers.
As to Favre, let him RIP, he is gone, let him be....and how about a little protection for Mr. Leckrone? He deserves better from us...Barry should is coated with WD-40 on things ...so give Mike a a big round of applause!
As to Favre, let him RIP, he is gone, let him be....and how about a little protection for Mr. Leckrone? He deserves better from us...Barry should is coated with WD-40 on things ...so give Mike a a big round of applause!
(12/3/2008 4:09 AM)
Dave says:
Insight one of the best run second tier bowls..run by John Junker and the Fiesta Bowl people...great venue and location, Sun Devil Stadium, block off Mill Ave. Dudley, try the Grand Canyon and Sedona for starters with the sightseeing.
(12/2/2008 8:12 PM)
Mr. Mike says:
First off, the Badgers are very lucky to be playing in any bowl game let alone being considered for these two bowls. They do not deserve either one; and should be playing a good mid conference team around the 19th to 28 of December. In a noname bowl game. Remember the Garden Bowl? Something of that nature. They do not deserve primetime.
Florida is getting boring, lets go to Arizona. There are attractions for the fans, most of which are outdoor activities, but so be it.
Arizona will be a needed change to all that commercialism in Florida.
Mr. Mike
Florida is getting boring, lets go to Arizona. There are attractions for the fans, most of which are outdoor activities, but so be it.
Arizona will be a needed change to all that commercialism in Florida.
Mr. Mike
(12/2/2008 7:42 PM)
dcbadgerboy says:
How many fans will go to either place??? It has to be the Champs Bowl. I agree Steven....very lame article to write on Favre in November. It's over. Move on.
(12/2/2008 4:55 PM)
Dudley says:
I seldom disagre with Oates, but I do this time because it is better for the fans:
1. The Champs gets better TV coverage (ESPN vs. NFL Network).
2. Florida is a much easier drive than Phoenix, 1200 miles vs. 1700 miles.
3. There is more for the fans to do in Orlando. Phoenix is nice and warm, but lacking in the way of sight seeing.
1. The Champs gets better TV coverage (ESPN vs. NFL Network).
2. Florida is a much easier drive than Phoenix, 1200 miles vs. 1700 miles.
3. There is more for the fans to do in Orlando. Phoenix is nice and warm, but lacking in the way of sight seeing.
(12/2/2008 4:51 PM)
JP says:
Sounds like Tom O is looking out for himself and would rather check out the talent on Mill Ave in Tempe instead of @ Disney. Can't disagree there but back to Orlando is the better bowl in this case for several reasons.
(12/2/2008 4:17 PM)
Dave says:
I couldn't disagree more. The better bowl is the Champs Bowl and you should always go to the better bowl period! Especially when it offers up a fairly big name opponent in either Florida State or Clemson.
Besides, the Big 12 is overrated this year and everyone will find that out when they discover that none of the Big 12 powers can play a lick of defense except for perhaps Oklahoma. You put Penn State and Ohio State in the Big 12 this season and they both come out with one loss at most. You put USC, Florida or 'Bama in the Big 12 and they run the table.
I cannot wait until January when the curtain's pulled back on the Big 12 and it's no defense. Yes, it has good offense but all those Big 12 defenses will be exposed big time in January.
Besides, the Big 12 is overrated this year and everyone will find that out when they discover that none of the Big 12 powers can play a lick of defense except for perhaps Oklahoma. You put Penn State and Ohio State in the Big 12 this season and they both come out with one loss at most. You put USC, Florida or 'Bama in the Big 12 and they run the table.
I cannot wait until January when the curtain's pulled back on the Big 12 and it's no defense. Yes, it has good offense but all those Big 12 defenses will be exposed big time in January.
(12/2/2008 4:04 PM)
Steven says:
I couldn't agree more. God I can't believe I said that. Need to see my shrink.
By the way the last Favre article was way off base. He's gone, your wrong, get over it. That Greene from Orlando was right on.
By the way the last Favre article was way off base. He's gone, your wrong, get over it. That Greene from Orlando was right on.
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