Maybe Minnesota at Music City for Bama Monday, November 29, 2004 STEVE IRVINE News staff writer
The University of Alabama's bowl game destination won't be officially confirmed until after Saturday's SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. But the Crimson Tide did learn on Sunday that if the Music City Bowl in Nashville is the destination, then Minnesota out of the Big Ten will be the opponent for the New Year's Eve game.
Minnesota accepted the bid after Northwestern was knocked from bowl contention with a 49-41 loss at Hawaii on Saturday. Minnesota (6-5) would have played in the Motor City Bowl if Northwestern had beaten Hawaii. But Northwestern is not bowl eligible after finishing 6-6 and the Golden Gophers slid up one position in the Big Ten bowl game pecking order.
The Golden Gophers, who beat Arkansas 29-14 in the 2002 Music City Bowl, are waiting to see if Alabama will be their opponent for the 11 a.m. game on Dec. 31 at The Coliseum in Nashville.
At this point, Alabama has its choice of playing in the Music City Bowl or the Independence Bowl on Dec. 28. UA Athletics Director Mal Moore gave no indication which game the Tide will choose but said he plans to meet with SEC Commissioner Mike Slive today. Sources in the Alabama football program said the preference is to play in the Music City Bowl.
There is a difference in payout, though. The Independence pays each school $1.2 million and the Music City about $800,000.
Alabama could also work its way into the Peach Bowl picture and its $2.2 million payout if two SEC schools play in BCS bowl games. The only way that could happen is if Tennessee upsets No. 3 ranked Auburn in Saturday's SEC Championship Game.
No matter what happens, it's a nervous time for the bowls, say bowl scouts.
"I'd say gut-wrenching is mildly putting it," said Music City Bowl Executive Director Scott Ramsey.
Ramsey said Music City Bowl officials have to "wait until the (SEC) office gives us the go-ahead to move through the process."
He added that having Alabama come to Nashville would be exciting for the bowl.
"It would mean a lot of things, this year in particular," Ramsey said. "The excitement level of fans, the performance of the team, not only coming off probation and scholarship reductions, but also injuries to the quarterback and running back. They are a few plays away from winning eight or nine ball games. I think to have Coach Shula's first bowl game would be a great notch in our belt."
If Alabama does play in Nashville it will face a Minnesota team which was undefeated and ranked No. 13 after five games. But a 27-24 loss at Michigan triggered a nightmarish ending to the season, with the Gophers winning just once in their final six games.
Minnesota is led by running backs Laurence Maroney and Marion Barber III, who each eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark the past two seasons. Maroney and Barber combined for 2,325 yards and 22 touchdowns this season.
Alabama and Minnesota have never played in football.
-- ROLL TIDE!! Rick
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