- Big XII
- Mtn. West
- Other Colleges
By Adam Thompson
Denver Post Sports Writer
Nov. 27 - BOULDER - Big 12 commissioner Kevin Weiberg admitted Friday that despite being No. 8 in the Bowl Championship Series standings, Kansas State would be hard-pressed to earn a wild-card selection for a BCS game.
And that could have a negative trickle-down effect on Colorado.
With the Orange Bowl's announcement this week that it would extend an at-large bid to Michigan of the Big Ten, the only remaining at-large bid belongs to the Fiesta Bowl, which will take the winner of the Big 12 championship game unless Nebraska sneaks into the Sugar Bowl national championship.
If the Cornhuskers don't play for the title on Jan. 4, they or Texas would go to Tempe, Ariz., as the Big 12 champion. The remaining at-large bid would not go to a Big 12 team in that case, leaving just five bowl spots for six Big 12 teams, and possibly seven if Oklahoma State wins Saturday.
What could turn out frustrating for Kansas State (10-1) is that Michigan has landed an Orange Bowl berth despite being ranked only 10th in the BCS standings.
"It's not that different really from the traditional bowl systems," Weiberg said. "It's a bit of a beauty contest more than it is the idea of matching the best teams."
Regardless of the outcome, Weiberg said the Big 12 would try to work out contingency plans for the bowl lineup, based on whether the Huskers or Longhorns win the league championship next Saturday at San Antonio. He added that Houston is close to establishing a bowl for next year that would make room for a seventh bowl-eligible Big 12 team to avoid problems like this in the future.
Representatives from the Fiesta, Sugar, Insight.com and Independence bowls attended Friday's game at Folsom Field.
Steve Horrell, a board member for the Fiesta and Insight.com bowls, said a possible meeting of Boston College and Colorado would not be helped by both teams losing their last game. The Eagles lost Friday at Virginia Tech.
But Horrell also said, "Colorado's been to the Fiesta Bowl twice, and both times (the crowds) were awesome."
Weiberg said if Oklahoma State were to qualify, it would have the disadvantage of qualifying later than anyone else. Other possible candidates for exclusion include Texas Tech (6-5) and Oklahoma, which would be 6-6 if the Cowboys beat the Sooners.
Hold that trophy
Big 12 officials sent the Big 12 North championship trophy to Boulder this week, a bit presumptuous, considering Nebraska had not won it before Friday's 33-30 escape. If CU had won, Kansas State would be representing the North at San Antonio.
CU coach Gary Barnett used that to his advantage. He propped the trophy in its box in front of the Buffaloes on Thursday and asked the seniors to come to the front of the room and tell their teammates what they saw.
"It was the Big 12 trophy with Nebraska's name on it," said tailback Cortlen Johnson, who was inspired to a 135-yard day. "You could feel the emotion. Everyone was cursing and (ticked) off."
Said guard Brad Bedell: "That's tacky, I think. Send it to their school. Don't send it to us."
Aldrich reaction
Most of the Buffs spoke in support of kicker Jeremy Aldrich, whose missed 34-yard field goal attempt kept CU from completing Friday's upset.
Bedell pointed to the Buffs' 20-19 win over Wyoming in 1997, when Aldrich kicked the game-winning field goal. Aldrich also put the Buffs ahead with less than two minutes remaining in their 18-16 victory over Baylor last season.
"Jeremy set the school record (for scoring by a kicker) when the offense couldn't get into the end zone," Bedell said. "We rely on Jeremy a lot. Hey, things happen. He's a hell of a kicker."
Said defensive end Brady McDonnell: "He missed the field goal, but we let them score twice early in the ball game."
Not all CU players supported Aldrich. Linebacker Andy Peeke declined to comment when asked what he could say to support the senior, and quarterback Mike Moschetti said: "Any time you miss a 20-yard field goal with no time left ... win or lose, the rest of your life, it will stick with you."
All-Big 12
Offensive tackle Ryan Johanningmeier and kick returner Ben Kelly were the only CU players selected to the all-Big 12 first team.
Johnson, defensive lineman Justin Bannan, linebacker Jashon Sykes and cornerback Damen Wheeler were on the second team.
Aldrich, Moschetti, Bedell, wide receiver Javon Green, linebacker Fred Jones and safety Rashidi Barnes made the third team.
McDonnell, tight end Daniel Graham, offensive linemen Shane Cook and Andre Gurode and wideout Marcus Stiggers were honorable mention selections.
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