Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, January 2, 2014

Great win for Michigan State in the Rose Bowl, as the Spartans punctuated a 13-1 season with a dominating 24-20 triumph over Stanford in the 100th ?Granddaddy of them All.? What?s next for the Spartans? A national championship run, of course. Hey, it could happen.

Spartan boss Mark Dantonio is about to be rewarded for his run of excellence by becoming one the Big Ten?s top-paid coaches. It makes sense, considering what he has done in seven seasons in East Lansing. Remember the John L. Smith era? Exactly.

Aside from a 7-6 clunker in 2012 that included five losses by 13 points, the Spartans have been on a roll the last four years, going 11-2 in 2010, 11-3 in 2011 and 13-1 this season with two Big Ten titles. Not bad. Dantonio makes $1.9 million, making him a bargain-bin coach.

Ohio State's Urban Meyer leads the way with a $4.6-million salary followed by Michigan's Brady Hoke ($4.1 million) and Iowa's Kirk Ferentz ($3.9 million), according to USA Today.

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Nice win for Nebraska in the Gator Bowl. Yes, this was a depleted Georgia team on offense, but the Cornhuskers also had to deal with injuries. More than anything, the win bodes well for the Nebraska offense in 2014. How good can Tommy Armstrong be?

And this young defense should be much better next fall, as the front seven has a chance to be special. Can?t wait to see all of these young studs mature.

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Iowa?s loss to LSU in the Outback Bowl was a bummer. The defense played well. The offense? Uh, not so well. But, take heart, Hawkeyes fans: The 2014 season shapes up to be strong.

Yes, even without a stud trio of linebackers. But that offense has to become better at stretching the field with a passing game. Where have you gone, Chuck Long? Heck, at this point, Hawkeyes fans probably would settle for Kyle McCann.

Maybe the most dubious play from yesterday?s bowl bonanza was when Iowa?s John Lowdermilk intercepted a pass and sprinted toward pay dirt only to prematurely drop the ball before crossing the goal line. He calls it a ?just an embarrassing play.? Yep, sounds about right. Watch and listen to him discuss his infamous moment.

So much for Lowdermilk being able to tell his grandkids about the time he had a pick six in the Outback Bowl. Damn you, Fate!

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In the Orange Bowl, Ohio State?s maligned defense will be without end Noah Spence, who has been suspended for three games for a rule violation. Too bad, as he led the Buckeyes with eight sacks. But news that OSU also will be without corner Bradley Roby is a bigger bummer.

The redshirt junior sustained a bone bruise in his knee against Michigan State in the Big Ten championship game played on Dec. 7.

?I thought he would (heal in time), but it just didn?t accelerate the way we hoped,? Urban Meyer said.

Who will cover stud Clemson wideout Sammy Watkins? It?s time to start worrying, Buckeyes fans.

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Wisconsin?s loss to South Carolina in the Capital One Bowl already has some looking introspectively. Take Tom Oates of Madison.com. He says Wisconsin won?t beat the big boys without more playmakers.

There are plenty of playmakers in the backfield. But, yes, the Badgers need some special talent at quarterback and receiver. The receiving corps is pedestrian, at best, aside from Jared Abbrederis-who arrived as a walk-on. And quarterback Joel Stave? He must get better-or an alternative is needed.

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It was sad to see ex-Michigan coach Johnny Orr pass away recently. He was one of the all-time best. A great coach-but a better person who touched a lot of lives. Here is a nice story on the legendary Orr.

If not for those great Indiana teams of the mid-1970s, Orr?s Wolverine clubs may have won a couple national titles.

THE REST OF THE HEADLINES

What is the national media saying about Bill O?Brien?s departure? Here you go.

Who will take over for O?Brien? Sounds like Al Golden and James Franklin are on the list.

What did O?Brien do that no other Penn State coach has since 1915? Leave for another football program.

Oh, and why did O?Brien bolt? Sounds like he was fed up with politics-namely a pain-in-the-backside faction of Paterno loyalists.

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TWEETS THAT MATTER

My take: You see, he can think outside of the box.

My take: LOL

My take: Would have balanced out power a bit better.

My take: No Luke Fischer for Wisconsin.

My take: This is too bad.

My take: Does Meyer know student-athletes in Division II, III and FCS have been participating in a playoff for years with far less academic support and resources? And, the world hasn?t exploded.

My take: New Year?s Day was good. But the Big Ten is still 2-4 in bowls with one left. Ohio State must win in the Orange Bowl on Friday, as 2-5 would be ugly.

My take: The Wisconsin pass defense got shredded the last two games. Guess what the Badgers will work on this spring?

My take: Yes, it is too bad. That loss at Notre Dame still stings.

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About Tom Dienhart BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart is a veteran sports journalist who covers Big Ten football and men's basketball for BTN.com and BTN TV. Find him on Twitter and Facebook, read all of his work at btn.com/tomdienhart, and subscribe to his posts via RSS. Also, send questions to his weekly mailbag using the form below and read all of his previous answers in his reader mailbag section.

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