Champs of the Citrus

Before continuing his non-stop coverage of the 2008-2009 college football bowl season, sponsored by Champs Sports, which apparently is where sports live, Barney must apologize for not covering the previous two bowl games (the Motor City Bowl and the Meineke Car Care Bowl). A combination of traveling to Utah and the time difference prevented him from posting. But now, he's back, and ready to preview a run-heavy battle between the Badgers of Wisconsin and the Seminoles of Florida State. 

Champs Sports Bowl

Wisconsin vs. Florida State


4:30 p.m., Dec. 27 (ESPN)


Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Fla.

Why watch: Both these teams started the season with conference championships expectations. Now, they are limping into Orlando and the Champs Sports Bowl. Wisconsin struggled to beat Cal Poly 36-35 in its finale and FSU lost two of its last three games, including a 45-15 rout at the hands of archrival Florida. But, this game could still be exciting and fun to watch, as both teams are playing for something worth fighting for. Wisconsin wants to finish strong after an 8-5 season that saw the Badgers drop from a No. 8 national ranking to out of the AP poll after losing their first four Big Ten games. Florida State is trying to win nine games for the first time in four seasons and give Bobby Bowden redemption. The story of this game, on the field, will be each team’s running attack. Florida State must stop a Wisconsin rushing attack that ranked first in the Big Ten and 14th nationally with a 212-yard game average. The Seminoles also have a strong running attack, led by Antone Smith, who rushed for 753 yards and 14 TDs on the season. If Wisconsin can stop Florida State, then look for the Badgers to prevail, provided they get a consistent performance for QB Dustin Sherer. Likewise, if Florida State’s run D comes up big, expect the Seminoles to roll. In any event, while the game may not look good on paper, it could be a physical, fun battle to watch.

Why not watch: If you can’t handle the big dose of football that is being provided today (three bowl games in 7 hours), this may be the one to skip. Both teams, especially the quarterbacks, are turnover prone. Badgers QB1 Dustin Sherer has 5 INTs in 7 games, and FSU’s Christian Ponder has more INTs (13) than TDs (12). Also, any team who beats Cal Poly by only 1 can’t be guaranteed to play mistake free football against a team like FSU.

Randomness: Some interesting tidbits about the history of the Champs Sports Bowl: The bowl has had 8 different names in its 18-year history. The most points scored in Champs Sports Bowl history was 63, by Illinois in 1999. North Carolina State has made the most appearances in the Champs Sports Bowl, with 4. Their record in those 4 games is 2-2. Of all pre-New Year’s Eve bowl games, the Champs Sports Bowl payout of $2,250,000 is tied with the Valero Alamo Bowl for the highest.  

Pick: Wisconsin 35, Florida State 30