Give 'em A Big Hand

Before the 2001 bowl season, former Michigan State wide-out Andre Rison held the record for receiving yards in a postseason game, with 252 in the 1989 Gator Bowl . However, by the time Michigan State and Fresno State finished slinging the ball in the Spartans ' 44-35 victory over the Bulldogs in the Silicon Valley Classic, Rison had fallen to third on the list behind Fresno State 's Rodney Wright (299 yards) and Michigan State 's Charles Rogers (270). Here's a rundown of the receivers who this season set records in their respective bowls for receptions, receiving yards or both.

Big Ten

Top five reasons that the Big Ten went 2-4 in bowl games and looked as pitiful as former Ohio State coach Woody Hayes when he slugged a Clemson player at the 1978 Gator Bowl .

1. In the Year of the Quarterback, the league picked the wrong season to start young defensive backs.

2. The conference's top two teams, Illinois and Michigan , each gave up at least 45 points, 400 yards passing and 500 yards of total offense. (At least Hayes hit somebody!)

3. Why do you think Big Ten teams have embraced pass-first offenses? Their defenses are neither fast nor quick.

4. What's the surprise? Only Illinois , Michigan and Ohio State (above) won at least seven games during the regular season.

5. The Big Ten didn't fare well out of conference during the regular season, going 2-8 against teams that went on to bowl games.

[This article contains a table. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]