Alamo Bowl Sticks It To Minnesota One Last Time

Hold on to your hats Gopher fans.  The wonderful folks in San Antonio have decided to spit in the collective face of your fanbase once again. 

Despite a resume that's comparable or better on all fronts, the Alamo Bowl has selected Michigan State to travel into the heart of Big 12 country as the Big Ten's representative in this year's Valero Alamo Bowl.

The Alamo Bowl's selection of the Spartans sends the Gophers to Tempe for yet another Insight Bowl appearance, this time against the Cyclones of Iowa State.  Truth be told, it's probably a better destination for the Gophers, as they have a better chance of defeating Iowa State than they would have had against the Red Raiders in their home state.  Still, you can't help but feel that the Gophers deserved to play in a better bowl, despite their record.

You can't hide the facts.  Both the Gophers and the Spartans finished the year at 6-6.  Nothing to write home about.  The Spartans beat one team that's bowl eligible—Northwestern.  The Gophers also beat Northwestern.  The Gophers beat Northwestern in Evanston, the Spartans beat Northwestern in East Lansing.  Advantage:  Minnesota.

While the Spartans only beat one bowl-eligible team on their schedule, the Gophers beat three:  Northwestern, Air Force, and MICHIGAN STATE.  What's the best way to decide which team is better?  I'd say on the field.  Advantage:  Minnesota (again).

Of course, the Alamo Bowl doesn't always choose the program with the most compelling case.  Just because the Gophers played a tougher schedule and beat the Spartans head-to-head doesn't mean that the Gophers earned the right to go.  The Gophers have had a couple of players suspended this year, so they definitely aren't the type of program you want coming to San Antonio.

Hold on.  I've just been handed a note.  Turns out last week Michigan State had to suspend and or dismiss a few players for their role in a fight.  More than a handful of Spartans (some wearing ski masks) stormed into a fraternity gathering and proceeded to administer a severe beatdown.  That's the kind of program you want to invite to your bowl.  What, were Paul Crewe and the Mean Machine unavailable?

If you're starting to think I'm a little bitter, you're on the right track. This is the fourth time in the Alamo Bowl's history that they've given the Gophers the bowl equivalent of a lump of coal.

Ten years ago, the Gophers and Penn State finish with the same record.  The Gophers beat Penn State head-to-head.  Penn State finshes the season with a three-game losing streak. The Alamo Bowl selects Penn State over the Gophers, stating "How often do you get a chance to take a program with the stature of Penn State?" 

In 2003, the Gophers and Michigan State were both under consideration from the Alamo Bowl.  The Spartans had beaten the Gophers that year, but the Gophers finished the season 9-3, while the Spartans were 8-4.  The Spartans went to the Alamo Bowl and fell to Nebraska by a score of 17-3.  The Gophers went to the Sun Bowl in El Paso and beat Joey Harrington and the Oregon Ducks 31-30.

The Alamo Bowl kicked the Gopher football program in the teeth once again in 2006. The Iowa Hawkeyes and Gophers both finish at 6-6.  The Gophers beat Iowa.  Iowa ends the season on a three-game losing streak while the Gophers win their last three.  Iowa gets to go to San Antonio, Gophers go to Tempe (where Glen Mason loses his job). 

I guess I knew all along that the Gophers weren't headed to San Antonio.  They probably don't deserve a bowl berth, but more bowls equal more money, so they're going to a bowl.  The upside is Gopher fans will get a semi-rivalry game with their lesser-known neighbors to the south.  Hopefully it turns out better than last year's trip to Tempe.

It shouldn't come as a shock that the Alamo passed on the Gophers.  I just felt that they owed Minnesota one (or three). Again, it comes down to money.  The Gophers don't have a reputation as travelling well. With the robust Michigan economy, I'm sure the Spartan faithful will pump millions of dollars into the San Antonio hotels and restaurants.  Good choice, Valero Alamo Bowl.