Oh, the irony, E. Gordon Gee. Oh, the irony.
Still, it likely won’t matter that TCU made one more play than Wisconsin, beating the Badgers 21-19 in the Rose Bowl. Outcries of the unworthiness of the TCU’s and Boise State’s of the world is set to begin in earnest.
Why? Well, we’re not really sure. With TCU’s win, non-AQ schools are 4-1 against “Big Six” opponents in BCS games.
We understand fully that, as we speak, message boards and blogs around the country are lighting up with arguments of all the time TCU had to prepare for Wisconsin -- who was one of the hottest teams at the end of the regular season, mind you -- and the Horned Frogs’ likely demise in the event that they had to play in conferences like the SEC week in and week out.
But, in the end, everyone is given the same amount of time to prepare for bowls. Patterson and his coaching staff just did a better job preparing and coaching their team leading up to, and during, the game.
And TCU is a good football team, too. They have a great head coach in Gary Patterson, a good quarterback in Andy Dalton, a stingy defense that led the nation in points allowed and solid special teams. Take away the name “TCU” and most people would probably tell you that is a national championship caliber team.
It’s not like Wisconsin was more physical than TCU, either. The Horned Frogs’ defense often penetrated Wisconsin’s critically acclaimed O-line and kept the pressure on quarterback Scott Tolzien for most of the night.
On the flip side, and maybe even more astonishing, Wisconsin’s loss marks the end of a woeful 0-5 New Year’s day performance for the Big Ten, putting their overall record at 2-5 this postseason.
You’re right, Jim Delany. Your conference has suffered enough.