By Brian Rexroth

The 2009-2010 College Bowl Schedule was recently announced and absent from that list were two schools that have been mainstays for many consecutive years.  Michigan is absent for the second year in a row, something that has not happened in my thirty years of life on this planet.  Say what you will about Lloyd Carr, Gary Moeller, and the legend that simply goes by Bo and their combined 15-20 record in postseason games but, they did get us there and from a fan’s perspective they gave us one more game to look forward to.

Notre Dame’s bowl history also shows more L’s than W’s but they have also had some great victories that have sealed national championships for the program.

For me, like a kid on Christmas Morning, it was never the presents, it was the anticipation of the presents, the anticipation of one more game, the banter back and forth of why we will win that game, of spending the day watching football with family or friends waiting for “your team” to play.  Neither Michigan nor ND fans have a chance to feel that anticipation and all we are left with, given the coaching situations at both schools, are somewhat gloomy thoughts of what is going to happen next year.

Another Bowl Season without the NCAA D1’s two most winning programs.

Which brings us to the semi-good news.  Although disappointing is not even close to a strong enough word to describe it, Michigan State University will be playing in the Alamo Bowl on January 2nd against Texas Tech who finished 8-4 prior to the bowl game.  Tech should wrangle the Spartans with their high powered passing offense that ranks #2 in the country against MSU’s sad defense that is ranked near the bottom of all statistical defensive categories.  Not to mention this is basically a home game for Texas Tech which is located a relatively short six and a half hour drive from the Alamo Dome.

Another Michigan team will also be bowling, that being the Chippewas of Central Michigan University.  This one to take place in the GMAC Bowl against Sun Belt Champion Troy Trojans.  CMU won their third MAC Conference Championship in four years and is going to their fourth consecutive bowl.  This program has truly turned around and I believe will beat Troy handily in what is a great nationally televised appearance for the Chips being that this is the sole game of the night on January 6th.  Fire Up Chips!!

Well, everybody have a safe and merry holiday season and despite the fact that only two state of Michigan teams are bowling, remember, there is always next year and you can always fill that empty void in your gut with no Michigan or Notre Dame games with your own form of holiday cheer.

Posted 11:30 p.m.

Brian Rexroth

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