We’re back with a brand new view of arguably the ugliest bowl of 2022. These two schools got the Blues, but it’s okay cause I love Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and you probably do too. But do we love a bowl game with two interim coaches that will be replaced to start 2012? Here is a look at the whoever cares wins bowl of 2011.
The Basics: Saturday, December 31st, 2011, 3:30 PM EST on ESPN/ESPN 3, from AT&T Field (San Francisco). Illinois (6-6, 2-6 B1G) and UCLA (6-7, 5-4 PAC-12).
History: Moving from one of the last bowls of the year last year to New Years Eve, The Kraft Bowl has been in existence since 2002. Last season, it was the Nevada Wolfpack pulling out the victory over Boston College. In 2009, it was the USC Trojans yet again beating the Boston College Eagles. Before it’s run as the Kraft Bowl, it was known as the Emerald Bowl (Yes that Emerald…). What used to be an ACC/MWC affiliate bowl has now become a PAC/WAC/B1G game for the masses to enjoy.
Illinois: The Fighting Zookers have lost six straight ball games and head into San Fran with wins over Indiana, Northwestern, Arizona State, Western Michigan, Arkansas State, and South Dakota State. Yeah. It was that kind of year that found the Illini eligible. Despite hiring Tim Beckman to take over the reigns, it will be interim head coach Vic Koenning making the calls on New Year’s eve. Leading his squad will be dual threat quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase, who threw for nearly 2000 yards on the year and rushed for 500 yards. Leading running back Jason Ford has been ruled ineligible for the Bowl game. Most of what Illinois does though will be based around their defense. Despite their struggles, this team has put together a solid top three Big Ten season on the defensive side of the ball. The Illini were second in the conference in sacks and a lot of that has to do with pro defensive end prospect Whitney Mercilus.
UCLA: Did you know the Bruins were in the PAC-12 championship game? Okay, a little bit inside of me belly laughed like an NCAA infractions committee member on hot Saturday. Have you ever seen a team in a bowl game that is under .500? Yikes. The reason that Dennis Erickson “retired” lies in this bowl game. Not only did Illinois defeat the Sun Devils, the lowly team from Los Angeles was able to do so too. Rick Neuheisel’s former squad heads in to San Fran for the second time in Kraft Bowl history. Gone are the days of laying down to USC, playing guitar on the radio, and accepting lowly bowl bids. Interim Coach Ben Johnson will keep the seat warm for Jim Mora. The Bruins will be led by receiver Nelson Rosario, who has made some big plays at certain times. Defensively, UCLA matches up well with Illinois as well. That is, if they want to play.
Fun Facts: The 2009 Emerald Bowl was the third highest rated bowl on ESPN in 2009; Former coach Tyrone Willingham is on the Board of Directors; The Buckeyes have never played in this bowl, but former Buckeye Linebacker Anthony Schlegel played for Air Force in the inaugural game, before transferring to Ohio State.
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