Sugar Bowl: Sweeter times for Michigan football this year

A year ago today, the Michigan football program is in limbo.

Coach Rich Rodriguez was waiting for his meeting with Athletic Director Dave Brandon, leading to its incineration. A week-long coaching search will follow, ending with the hiring of a Brady Hoke.

The final dagger for Rodriguez came two days ago, when Michigan was pounded by Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl, a game that only his left hand in the worst bowl TV box per month.

Today it's all a distant memory and werewolves will have national spotlight one of the Sugar Bowl Allstate of Mercedes-Benz Super Dome. They are three points favorite against Virginia Tech.

The striking difference in this bowl season begins after the regular season finale, when Hoke started talking about this is on a mission, werewolves found mantra for the last three weeks.

A year ago it was all lip service. This year, it is reality.

"This year, we are more focused on winning the game," Michigan tight end Kevin Koge said. "Last year we had not done it in a bowl game for two years and think they are happy to be there and that's good enough for us Coach Hoke instilled in us." Yes, it's good to be here, but we are here to win the game first. "And I think that was all."

It is that time and again last week. Older Michigan Marriott used only as Schembechler Hall to take a break outside film studies instead of wandering the French Quarter. Hoke also insisted that the team hit the practice and be natural, unlike most teams bowl.

"This can not be more different," captain and center David Molk said. "The focus of the team, practice guidance and practical exercises. Everything is more directly to work. It could not be more different, and I like the way it is."

The 2011 Gator Bowl is not a complete wash, though. She served as a lesson in this group about what to do in prep bowl and how to use the site this week to the best advantage.

A large part of compartmentalizing. When you exercise, be treated as any practice throughout the season, with enthusiasm.

Thus, when the activities take place - bowling, dancing with the New Orleans Saints Cheerleaders, paddle boating, wandering Bourbon Street and catch beads thrown from the balcony - this is fun.

We will translate it in?

"Our game will show that they were well prepared as we were all season," defensive striker Ryan Van Bergen said.

Which led to 10 hours during this period.

BCS Decision Day: Alabama or Oklahoma State

Alabama and Oklahoma State awaiting word on which team will play LSU in the BCS national title game on Jan. 9, New Orleans.

The return took place on Sunday, and so far Crimson Tide seems to be at the forefront.

A USA Today survey, coaches, Alabama was No. 2, but the difference is in the past week, now up to 22 points. Coaches Poll and Harris voted number 2 / 3 BCS team score.

Harris survey due later Sunday.

Compilation of six computer ratings to determine the last third of the BCS score. Sagarin ratings released early Sunday, Alabama No. 2 and No. 3 Oklahoma State.

LSU is the best undefeated team in the polls so far, including the AP top 25, which is independent of the BCS rankings.

The game between LSU and Alabama in the national title game seemed almost certain to head to the conference championship weekend.

But idle Alabama Oklahoma last great pressure by beating Oklahoma 44-10 to win the Big 12 title.

And now, instead of being crowned on Sunday, there's another discussion PPS: If you get a chance to Alabama only team that beat the Tide, even if it means that the all-SEC title game and a matchup that is sure to play much better in the south than elsewhere? Or the Cowboys, who defeated five teams ranked in the final BCS rankings, and whose only loss in two overtime upset on the road to Iowa, the Nod?

"If you want to have the two best college football team, you will be playing in a format that" Alabama coach Nick Saban told ESPN on Saturday, when he assured the Tide is not forgotten, and the other top teams played. "The regional game, which is suited to people in different parts of the country, you can not say,` Let's look at the two best teams are playing. "It's really up to me. My goal is here. I have a dog in the hunt. That's my opinion. "

Working next to the Alabama Crimson Tide dominated the whole season - all of his victories were at least 16 points - and the fact that other teams attacked LSU this season.

Tide and the Tigers played what billed as a game on Nov. 5 century, the Tuscaloosa, Ala. Tigers won 9-6 in overtime, hard defensive slog, it's not just the fans around the country calling.

Rose Bowl Is a Thorn for Michigan State

Michigan State Saturday in the Big Ten title game bookies Wisconsin in the conference title when he was denied the Spartans. Rose Bowl, and so lose it was a cruel place perfect.

Michigan State Rose Bowl because the champion in 1987 Big Ten football season is typical for the award. However, the previous one, the Spartans' last visit in 1965 season.

The big and Pac-12 schools except Indiana, and Oregon State Rose Bowl drought of Minnesota-it-but even in those cases in schools, who was 40 years, half a century. On the contrary, the Spartans started the game in Nebraska this season aside, the Big Ten Conference games, the fourth highest winning percentage (.551) are available.

But Michigan State has repeatedly found a way to spend New Year Pasadena. From the 1966 Big Ten team back into the team after the Rose Bowl in a row would not let go because it could go to Notre Dame, shared the national title. In 1978, the team was in compliance with sanctions.

Spartans are the name of the conference in 1990, but lost a tiebreaker. The first is based on the 2010 team, but one of the masters (Wisconsin) and slugging (Ohio State), the other plays, even when he lost a tiebreaker. (In Wisconsin).

The Spartans opened the season in the Big Ten said that for the first time since 1987, he said. However, there was a Big Ten title game was launched.