The most interesting game of the Bowl Season isn’t the National Championship. I’m sure that’s what Tom Starr thinks, too.
Oh, I’m sure Starr respects the Auburn Tigers and Cam Newton. And I bet he thinks the Ducks uniforms always entertain.
But his interest – and mine, as well – are at 1300 Robert B. Cullum Boulevard. At the Cotton Bowl.
The TicketCity Bowl marks the return of a bowl game to the Cotton Bowl – thanks to Starr. It’s the 74th time two teams have kicked off in hope for a bowl victory. Only the Rose Bowl has watched more games conclude with a Bowl winner.
The game will be specail. It’s the first meeting between Texas Tech (7-5) and Northwestern (7-5). Two teams that are undefeated in non-conference play. Two teams with young talent. Two teams with new(ish) coaches.
Texas Tech is winning still despite a new coach, Of course Tommy Tuberville is no Paul Wulff, that is to say, Tuberville can win games. And he can finish the season on a three-game win streak. And he can do it without a defensive coordinator.
James Willis, the Red Raiders defensive coordinator was relieved of his duties.
It shouldn’t hurt the Red Raiders, a team known for it’s offense. Tech is still favored by 9.5. Probably because Tech scored 99 points in its final two games of the season and Northwestern gave up 118 during that same span.
It might end up being a one-sided shoot out. The last time the Red Raiders played in this stadium Taylor Potts threw for 462 yards – the most since the stadium opened.
And Northwestern might have trouble keeping up.
The Wildcats’ were forced to use Freshman QB Evan Watkins to finish the season. In his two games of work, he tossed four interceptions. For Northwestern, the premier pass rushers DE Vince Browne and DT Corbin Bryant need to apply pressure to Potts.
But Northwestern has something extra to play for, should they win it will make the 35th victory for the senior class – the most by any class since before the Great Depression.
Almost poetic, given the current economic times and the stadium the game is being played. The Cotton Bowl was erected in 1930 with a capacity of roughly 40,000 seats.
Which is how many seats Starr needs to sell in order to break-even.
Leave a Reply