(01-21-2020 09:15 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(01-20-2020 09:11 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  If Cincy ever has even a poor man's Big Ten-like team, it will dominate the AAC, which is not known for its strong defenses. I do like what L. Fickell is doing with the Bearcats.

Not so sure. Usually, in bowl games, the SEC beat the B1G, their speedier style beats the more corn-fed bulkier style of the B1G. Not always, as Minnesota proved vs Auburn, but usually. So southern AAC teams that emulate a SEC/FSU/Clemson approach might have an advantage.

Of course, it boils down to athletes more than style. If Cincy can recruit close to B1G-level athletes and the southern AAC teams can't do the same then yes, Cincy will dominate.

Big 10 teams face two big disadvantages in bowl games versus SEC teams

First, bowl games are often de-facto home games for the SEC team. Home field advantage is worth between 2 to 5 points in CFB.

Second, Big 10 teams are built to succeed in cold weather. 3 yards and a cloud of dust has an advantage when it's 20 degrees out, but is at a disadvantage when it's 60 degrees out. Bowl games are usually closer to 60 degrees, so it's an advantage to the SEC. If bowl games were played in Soldier Field, the results would be very different.