Five worst BCS bowl games ever

When Connecticut earned a BCS berth by winning the Big East title, they earned a spot in the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma. On paper, it looks like it could be the worst BCS bowl game of all time. UConn has a mediocre record and didn't look like a good team all year long. However, the system put them in the game much to the chagrin of college football fans. Part of the biggest problem with the BCS is the poor games it creates. Here is a look at the five worst BCS bowls since the system started with the 1998 season.

1. Rose Bowl - January 1, 2008 - USC vs Illinois

The Rose Bowl is often cited for its stubbornness to change. It is staunchly loyal to the Big Ten and Pac-10 match-up. That is admirable in some ways, but it really cost them this year. Instead of taking a red hot Georgia team to face USC, the Rose Bowl selected a mediocre 9-3 Illinois team. Illinois had a win over Ohio State that season, but they never looked like a BCS team. USC blew them out 49-17 in one of the ugliest bowl games in recent memory. Worst of all, fans were denied the chance to see a special game had the Rose Bowl selected Georgia instead.

2. Orange Bowl - January 2, 2007 - Louisville vs Wake Forest

Since the Big East and ACC have been woefully underachieving over the years, the Orange Bowl is no stranger to ugly games. This was the case following the 2006 season. Wake Forest surprised everyone by winning the ACC. Meanwhile, Louisville won the Big East and were ranked 6th in the nation. Both teams had 11 wins, but that didn't attract any viewers. Louisville won 24-13 in a game that might be the most forgettable BCS game to date.

3. Fiesta Bowl - January 1, 2005 - Utah vs Pittsburgh

This was another case of a mediocre Big East champion earning a BCS bid. Pittsburgh was 8-3 and ranked number 21 when they entered this game after winning a watered down Big East. Utah was unbeaten and ranked number 6. It was the first time a non-BCS team had reached a BCS bowl. Instead of facing a highly ranked opponent like Texas, Utah was forced to play Pittsburgh. They swiftly crushed the Panthers 35-7.

4. Orange Bowl - January 1, 2004 - Miami vs Florida State

This was a rematch that nobody outside the state of Florida wanted to see. Bowl games that serve as rematches of regular season games are rarely a good idea. This one was no exception. Miami beat Florida State in a dull 16-14 game. They would meet to open the season in 2004 again. That's too much for even a good rivalry like this one.

5. Sugar Bowl - January 1, 2008 - Georgia vs Hawaii

This game was a product of the Rose Bowl failing to do the right thing as mentioned above. After the Rose Bowl picked Illinois, Georgia wound up with a less than exciting game against Hawaii. Hawaii had a spectacular quarterback and were unbeaten, but they were never as regarded as recent teams at schools like Utah, Boise State, and TCU. Georgia was one of the hottest teams in the country entering this game. They pounded Hawaii 41-10 and dealt a major blow to non-BCS schools everywhere.

SOURCES

USC-Illinois Box Score

Louisville- Wake Forest Box Score

Utah - Pittsburgh

Miami - Florida State Box Score

Georgia - Hawaii Box Score

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