12-07-2015, 10:12 PM
The kids (emphasis on kids) are human, they are allowed to prefer one opponent over another just like most of us fans do/did at some point in time. That doesn't mean they don't want to go to the Rose Bowl or don't want to win...I would say it is more akin to what others have said, i.e. it would be awesome to play and beat Ohio State, show their mettle against a bunch of future NFLers (who among us didn't want to see our O-Line take on Joey Bosa?) but in no way would the players slack off and risk losing to an Iowa team. They all hate to lose, but would take more pride in beating OhState than Iowa.
Also, these players have a different set of expectations nowadays given that winning has become more of an expectation than a hope. They don't give a damn that 100 other teams would love to be in our position. For them, the Rose Bowl is awesome, but they all had their expectations at the CFP level and the Rose Bowl is a consolation prize.
Frankly, I like that attitude - never be satisfied, not even with a Rose Bowl.
Also, these players have a different set of expectations nowadays given that winning has become more of an expectation than a hope. They don't give a damn that 100 other teams would love to be in our position. For them, the Rose Bowl is awesome, but they all had their expectations at the CFP level and the Rose Bowl is a consolation prize.
Frankly, I like that attitude - never be satisfied, not even with a Rose Bowl.