SB XLII Notes: 1 week to go, aka the Worst Sunday of the Year

I think we all can agree that the Sunday of the bye week between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl is the equivalent of pigskin purgatory: not quite as painful as the interminable hell that is the off season, yet not nearly as satisfying as the certainty of being able to watch a football game on any given Sunday between early August and mid-January.

After a week of unending commentary, relentless analysis, continuous comparisons and sorry soundbites, I'm so ready for some football that I had to replay the Pats/Giants game from Week 17 just to remind myself that New England has a chance to win the latest installment of the Big Game.

Because everywhere I go, from my son's Little League field to my office, and everything I watch and listen to, from ESPN to sports talk radio, I am subject to some form of the following phrase:

"granted, New England should win this one, but if the Giants can just...(insert some form of ingenious scheme or gameplan that they assume Belichick hadn't already thought of three years ago here)"

or

"(noticing Pats visor on my head) Patriots...psssssshhhhh, they suck. They cheat and they suck, and the Giants are gonna beat them this time 'cuz they nearly beat em in that last game of the season...(grinning idiotically)"

Which begs a question I've been asking myself after seeing the vitriol directed towards Boston sports fans lately: which is really worse, the Boston fans or the Boston fan bashers?

Check out the Deadspin comment board at any given hour to learn the answer to that one.

But I digress. The three major "news" stories related to the game this off week have focused on Brady's bum ankle, the fact that he brought cheesy flowers to Giselle's pad while flaunting his boot, and Plaxico Burress brazenly (i.e. foolishly) stating that he believes the G-Men have a better receiving corps than New England.

See what I mean. Purgatory.

But I would be a fool, or at least a terrible blogger, if I didn't throw a post into this football vacuum, so here's my takes on the major topics, and my ever-reliable prediction for each:

-Brady's ankle improving, chances of playing remains at 100%
Look, enough already, we get it -- Tom injured his ankle in the AFC Championship Game, which explains why he turned into Kerry Collins for a little bit, and he certainly tweaked it enough to merit some medical concern-- but to sit around harping about the chances of the injury affecting him come Sunday, or whether or not he's good enough to beat Eli Manning even if he's not, is a complete waste of time, words and breath.

In fact, the more everyone talks about it, the more I'm convinced there is absolutely nothing wrong with the man, and he and Belichick and the team are merely playing it up, you know, for shits & giggles. When you think about it Brady has been playing it so coyly, from a public appearance on the streets of New York with the boot then partying at Butter later that night sans said bulky footwear, to no-showing for a couple of practices but then greeting fans at a rally with no signs of a limp, that it makes perfect sense.

My guess: by next Sunday the story will have been so beaten to death even Britney Spears will have tired of hearing about it, and Brady will show no ill-effects of the phantom sprain as he picks apart the Giants d-backs like he chooses the next mother of his love child.

-Plexiglass Burress makes expensive comments his teammates can't cash Hey, Plex, look you had a nice game last week, and you've had a nice season, and you are a tall, tough receiver who can come down with a big catch or strive for that extra yard when you're team needs it...

...but when you say that you believe that your teammates and yourself constitute a better receiving corps than the Patriots collection of Pro-Bowlers and record-holders, well people dismiss your accomplishments and just think you're a fucking idiot.

Forget the fact that statistically speaking the New York receivers come up short in ever major category, (see NFL rankings chart for yourself):

NE/NY
YDS: 4859(1)/3376(22)
REC: 440(2)/302(23)
TDs: 50(1)/23(14)
YPG: 304(1)/211(22)

and focus on the fact that Burress, New York's #1 target, isn't even better than Moss, Boston's primary weapon. In fact, Burress' numbers are more on par with Wes Welker's as far as yards and TDs (although Welker caught 42 more passes then Plexiglass), and the stats of Brady's 3rd & 4th options (Stallworth and Kevin Faulk) or 5th & 6th choices (Gaffney and Ben Watson) are comparable to Burress and his backup band of Armani Toomer, Jeremy Shockless, Sinorice Moss and Derrick Ward.

MY Guess: this boast will blow up in Burress' face in the same way that Anthony 'Memba me? Smith's and Igor the Idiot Olshansky's did this year, and Burress will admit to smoking too much winter green the morning before that press conference.

-Brady bringing flowers was bigger story than the boot
This is what happens when you've got scum-sucking leeches like TMZ dovetailing their coverage of skanky celebs and coked-out starlets into the sports world. Instead of just leaving it at "oh shit, Tom's in a walking boot", now we've got a debate about why he's bringing pansies to his girlie's house, and how come he's always holding little doggie and...oh just shoot me now.

my prediction: this story will still be talked about long after the Super Bowl ends, because after the Pats win their 4th championship, this is the type of shit the haters will have to hold on to.

One. More. Week.

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18-0, one more to go: Pats defeat Chargers, 21-12, to reach SB XLII

It wasn't pretty, and Tom Brady wasn't at his best, but the Pats took care of business and defeated the whining crybabies from San Diego to make it to their 4th Super Bowl in the last 7 years.

Brady threw three picks and was forced to rely on the running game more than usual to seal this win, but with the key Chargers banged up, it was basically a foregone conclusion that New England was going to win this one, it was only a question of 'how'.

The answer was on the ground, as New England relied on the running game for the second week in a row instead of the potent passing attack that has been their hallmark all season. Lawrence Maroney rang up his second consecutive 122-yard game, 116 coming in the 2nd half when the Pats adjusted their gameplan to compensate for the Chargers' decision to take away Randy Moss & the receivers.

Although Moss had just 1 catch for the second consecutive game, the combination of Maroney's herculean effort combined with some clutch catches by unheralded yet invaluable situational back Kevin Faulk provided the Pats with enough firepower to bring send the Chargers home from the playoffs for the second year in a row.

Faulk had 8 receptions for 82 yards, none bigger than his 14-yard grab on 3rd & 3with just over 5 minutes to go in the game and the Pats nursing the 9-point lead. The catch allowed the drive to continue, and New England ran out the clock on San Diego's season after that. In fact, after the Pats got the ball back with 9:13 to play, San Diego never touched the rock again.

Perhaps the Chargers could take a lesson from the Pats backs, as the dynamic duo of Faulk and Maroney outgained the Chargers combo of LaDanian Tomlinson and Michael Turner 221 total yards to 77 total yards. Most of that differential can be attributed to the fact that king crybaby Tomlinson played just one series, carrying the ball twice and recording one catch, before his bad knee forced him to the sideline for the rest of the day.

There he sat like little Dark Helmet, on the bench bundled up and pouting while his teammates tried to pull off the miraculous upset.

Too bad even on a day when Brady (22-33, 209yds, 2TD, 3INT) looked mortal, the Chargers were made up of too many walking wounded players to put up much of a fight against what is shaping up to be the best team in NFL history.

Maybe next year, SD.

So now the Pts will head to Arizona to meet up with those pesky Giants again after the G-Men pulled the upset against the Packers in Lambeau. Get ready for two weeks of stories about how New York "almost" beat New England in the last game of the regular season, and how they have a good shot at upsetting the Pats in the Bowl.

To that I say bring it on, New York.

Cause Boston's ready to make you our bitches in two sports, boys.

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AFC Championship Game: Chargers @ Pats

Quickie Prediction:

Chargers all banged up, had little chance of winning if healthy. Factor in 0-degree temps and the greatness that is Tommy Brady, and what you have is hello, Super Bowl XLII.

MY PICK: Pats 34, San Diego 17



GO PATS!

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Could the latest episode of 'Randy Being Randy' derail Pats?

Answer: Not likely, but it sure could jeopardize his job security and impending payday

By now we all know the details that have made available surrounding the latest strange & scandalous story involving Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss.

But, in case you've been watching too much American Karaoke, here's a brief rundown:

Moss has been slapped with a restraining order by a "longtime companion" of his, who claims that on January 6th, Moss inflicted bodily harm on her and then would allow her to leave her residence to seek medical attention for the (alleged) injuries. The document also states that Moss has a drinking problem, and owns some firearms.

Hmmmmmm.

The episode quickly went from Internet rumor to full-blown scandal after Moss took to time out of his normally media-silent week to defend himself in an impromptu news conference at Gillette on Wednesday that had the feel of a future R. Kelly rape trial presser.

He claims that this companion was slightly injured during an act of "horseplay", and that he never tried to prevent her from taking care of her injury. It was all a misunderstanding. In fact, he professes to have "never laid a hand on a woman in his life", this coming from a guy who tried to run over a meter maid in Minneapolis.

Since then shots have been fired from both camps, with the Moss lawyers stating that he was being extorted by a companion of the companion to the tune of $500 Gs, and The companions firing back that Moss tried to blackmail them to stay quiet.

It's a classic, convoluted case of 'he said-she said', but let's get one thing clear: since no one wants to talk about what actually happened, and the women is being labeled a "companion", and Moss deemed the action an accident, we can all assume that this was some R. Kelly-related form of kinky sexual injury we're talking about, and not a full-fledged attack on a defenseless woman.

In other words, it's just another case of Randy Being Randy, which is evidently the mid-winter equivalent of Manny Being Manny for Boston sports fans.

But the big question is, will this distraction hinder the team's ability to obliterate every team in its path on the way to immortality?

And the answer is no. because nothing, not even the lead QB impregnating an actress and then upgrading to a supermodel, can prevent this team from accomplishing its goals. Especially not a minor flare up like this.

No, the question isn't whether Randy will go on to catch 10 passes for 150 yards and 3 scores on Sunday, the question is what this latest incident--and the pending outcome of any legal decisions-- could do to his status as an unrestricted free agent?

Over the last few weeks word was coming out that Moss, who took a major pay cut and a 1-year deal to play for New England this year, could command, or demand, $10 million a year for multiple years following his record-breaking 23 TD reception season.

But with another character blemish hanging over Randy's cornrows like a nagging bug, the Pats brass will have him right where they like all their star players not named Brady: over the contract barrel.

Good move, Randyman. Now go ring up that 10/150/3 game and continue to pray this issue all blows away.

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2008 AFC Championship Game: Chargers vs. Pats

San Diego stuns Colts, setting up a playoff rematch with the Pats, this time at Gillette Sunday's AFC Divisional Playoff Game was an "either/or" proposition for the New England Patriots and their ever-polarizing fan base:

either the Colts would win, setting up a grudge match rematch of their epic AFC Championship game of a year ago; or the Bolts would win, setting up a grudge match rematch of their epic AFC Divisional Playoff Game from a year ago. Not to mention it would also mean that Peyton's legacy would be back in its proper place -- playoff choker.

Either way, it was a win/win for Pats fans no matter how you sliced it.

Turns out Peyton and the beat up Colts were not as well prepared to defend their title as everyone thought they would be, and the listless Mannings dropped another big home playoff game, falling short of the big prize once again when they gagged to the Chargers, 28-24.

Christmas in January, anyone.

How else can you describe having the irritating, infuriating, self-promoting ADD-riddled quarterback with the goofy family and the toothy smile at home watching this year's battle for the Bowl instead of fucking with the Pats mojo during it?

And how do you explain our team getting another chance to elicit tears from the Whiny Bunch, a.k.a. LT, Merriman, Phillips and the rest of the crybabies from the left Coast, who still haven't stop bitching about New England players mocking Merriman's idiotic sack dance at midfield following that classic 24-21 comeback victory in San Diego last January?

Ho ho ho!

So the teams will meet again, this time in Foxborough, but at this point, does it really matter who lines up opposite the juggernaut that is the 2007 New England Patriots?

They've already beaten 4 of 5 supposed other "best teams" in the NFL this year --Indy, Jacksonville, Dallas and Pittsburgh -- not to mention already dismantled this very Chargers team, one that was chomping at the bit for revenge for that stinging postseason loss, back in Week 2 in Foxborough.

Throw in the fact that the Bolts are more banged up than Courtney Love after a 3-week bender, with QB Phillip Rivers, Tomlinson and TE Antonio Gates all nursing semi-significant injuries, and it shouldn't matter that we all know how hard it is to beat a good team three times in a row, should it?

Well, just ask the Cowboys about that one.

Go Pats. Kick the Chargers right in their whale's vagina.

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AFC Divisional Playoff: Jags @ Pats

Quickest preview Ever:

Pats 31, Jags 24

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Buckeyes blown out in the title game - AGAIN!

AllState BCS Championship Game
LSU 38, Ohio State 24

My Bowl Season Final Record: 15-17

For the second season in a row, the Ohio State Buckeyes went into the de facto National Championship game as the number one team in the country with high expectations and the best record in the land.

And for the second straight season the Suckeyes got rolled like a blunt by a vastly superior SEC school, following the 41-14 debacle in the desert against the Gators in last year's championship game.

This time the drubbing was administered by the LSU Tigers, who put a fitting stamp on this wacky college football season by becoming the first two-loss team to earn the title since the inception of the BCS a decade ago. Granted the two losses were both triple-overtime thrillers, but they came against Kentucky and Arkansas, two barely-bowl-eligible clubs.

Congratulations, LSU, you are officially the best team that the bowl commissioners and television executives thought should be vying for the honor.

That being said, I think we can all agree that the Buckeyes should hereby be banned from competing in the title game for the foreseeable future--as in, for the next decade. Last night's embarrassment stated loud and clear what Big 10 haters have been crowing about for years:

1.) the league is full of big, slow teams that cannot keep up with the speedier teams in the SEC, Pac 10 or even the Big 12 conference

2.) the league MUST implement a championship game in order to weed out potential fluke teams making it to BCS games (hello, Illinois) and to give their schools a shorter break between the end of the regular season and the bowls. I mean by the time Ohio State takes the field it must seem like spring practice to them, not a title match.

At least judging by how they play the game.

3.) I must have been under the influence of some powerful mind-altering substances to pick the Buckeyes to cover, especially after I had been telling everyone all week that they were going to get drilled--and I'm an OSU fan (by marriage)! damn inflated defensive stats against inferior competition!

Hey, I didn't just grab the moniker of World's Worst Gamler, I earned it.

And so one of the wildest college football seasons ever came to a conclusion not with a bang, but with a shrug. LSU are the National Champs--tell me who outside of bayou country gives a rat's ass? The only thing everyone is talking about is how much better Georgia and USC were than some of the other BCS bowl competitors, and how a playoff system has to be put in place in order to avoid disastrous pairings like USC/Illinois and Georgia/Hawaii, or even Mizzou/Arkansas for that matter.

Congratulations, NCAA school presidents and commissioners, you managed to take one of the most topsy-turvy, thrilling, anything goes seasons and turn it into a battle cry for reform that culminated with a yawner of a title game and a twice-beaten national champ.

Only 9 more months until we have to go through it all again.

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It's OSU v LSU for all the beads on Bourbon Street

Recent Results:
-International Bowl
Rutgers 52, Ball State 30
-GMAC Bowl
Toledo 63, Bowling Green 7

My Bowl Season Record: 15-16

BCS Title game
Ohio State (11-1) vs. LSU (11-2)
New Orleans 8:00PM FOX
Line: LSU -4

It's here.

The biggest game of the 2007 college football season has finally arrived. Who cares if it's already a week into 2008?

The Ohio State Buckeyes, who haven't played a down of meaningful football since they won their annual blood feud with the Michigan Wolverines on November 17th, will attempt to avenge their title game trouncing a year ago against the Gators, another contest in which the Bucks had a year and a day between games.

Will the second time be the charm? Or will another loss force the Big 10 powers-that-be to get their heads out of their archaic asses and implement a conference championship game like nearly every other major conference has, in order to prevent the inevitable rust that comes with a 50+-day layoff.

While the Buckeyes are rested and (presumably) ready, the Tigers are chomping at the bit to prove they deserve to become the first 2-loss team to win the title in the BCS era.

After leapfrogging several worthy candidates (USC & Georgia to name two) by beating Tennessee in the SEC Championship Game on the final weekend of the season, many believe that the Bayou Bengals were rewarded based on, well,...no one's really sure why they were rewarded with a berth in this game.

In fact, there has been a major outcry for a playoff system this season (more so than usual) because no one can really figure out why a team that lost twice (albeit both in triple overtime) and surrendered 27 PPG over its last 5 games was rewarded with such an honor.

But the past is the past and we all know the BCS committee members are jackasses, so here we are: a battle royal between the top defensive teams in the country--Ohio State allowed just under 11PPG-- and one of the flashiest offenses in the land for all the marbles.

So as Bobby 'Grandpa' Knight once said, why don't we just lay down and enjoy it?

The Tigers, who averaged nearly 39 points per game, will rely on the two-headed QB tandem of Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux. Flynn is more of a traditional dropback passer, while Perrilloux more of a scrambler. Both have had success running the LSU offense, mainly because they have a solid group of receiver and backs lining up beside them. RB Jacob Hester racked up over 1000 yards and 11 TDs on the ground, while speedster Early Doucette, who had been hampered by a groin injury, leads a trio of talented receivers.

Oh, and don't forget about Glenn Dorsey, LSU's all-everything defensive lineman, who could be the first pick in the NFL draft in April, is the man who makes the LSU defense go.

Ohio State is anchored by quarterback Todd Boeckman, who has been shaky lately but still threw for 2100 yards and 23 TDs, and running back Chris Beanie Wells. Wells, a scintillating sophomore, had 1463 yards and 14 TDs despite missing most of the Kent Stae game with an injury. His ground gains, along with receivers Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline (15 TD combined), will be the main weapon for the Buckeyes.

The offense certainly isn't as dynamic as LSU's, but with a stifling defense, it didn't have to be. They'll need to be more so tonight in order to pull the upset.

Speaking of the defense, it's keyed by linebacker James Laurinaitis, the son of a wrestler who plays like a madman all over the field, and sackmaster Vernon Gholston. Both leader of the D that allowed a mere 88 points this season will be fired up to avenge last year's Gator embarrassment before they jump to the pros.

In short it's an old fashioned matchup of offense vs. defense, with the more superior unit winning out. Which will it be? I think LSU will have a bit too much for OSU to handle, but I like the Buckeyes to keep it close, and cover the number.

Overtime, anyone?

MY PICK: LSU 27, OSU 24

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All hail Mangenius! Jayhawks upset Hokies in Orange Bowl

Yesterday's Bowl result:
Fed Ex Orange Bowl (VT -3)
Kansas 24, Virginia Tech 21
My Pick: Kansas 27-24

My Bowl record: 14-15

Of course I'm referring to myself in the title as well as the coach of the Jayhawks, as not only did Mark Mangino's pesky Kansas squad knock off the mighty Hokies, but I picked the margin within three points of each team.

I know, my arm's starting to hurt again from patting myself on the back. I'm gonna get a sling soon.

But let's just say I needed to pull an upset like that to get me near .500 for this Bowl Season, and all it took was using the age-old philosophy of going against the team everyone was picking, and voila, one upset special, coming right up.

The irony of the game, aside from the fact that everyone outside of the heartland was picking Kansas to get crushed in the game, is that the Jayhawks didn't win by outscoring Va Tech with their high-powered offense, but by burning the Hokies with a taste of their own medicine--with special teams and defense.

Kansas played spectacularly on special teams (aside from allowing an 84-yard kick return for a touchdown), using a blocked field goal, a successful fake punt, and returning a missed field goal to mid-field to stun the Hokies at their own game sprinkled in with booming punts that created poor field position for Tech all night long.

When the special teamers weren't on the field, the unheralded Kansas defense was stifling the two-headed quarterback tandem of Tyrod Taylor and Sean Glennon, holding the two Hokie passers to just 171 yards in the air and forcing three interceptions between the pair. the Jayhawks sacked the Hokies hurlers four times in the first quarter alone, setting the tone for what would be a shaky night on offense for VT.

Not that Kansas was much better. Coming in averaging 44 PPG, the Jayhawk offense produced just 17 points, with the other seven coming on a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown by all-name team member Aqib Talib late in the first quarter.

Although RB Brandon ore led the Hokies downfield for a touchdown just minutes before the first half ended, for some reason Frank Beamer went away from the power running game in the second half and left his QBs to drive the offense, and the plan backfired badly as Taylor and Glennon appeared badly overmatched almost on every play.

So the BCS finally got a competitive game, and for fans of the underdog, something to enjoy other than another whitewashing by a heavy favorite. Actually with West Virginia's mountaineering of the Sooners, the BCS has now had two upsets and two blowouts, with the big game set for Monday night in bayou country.

Until then we've got a couple of turd bowls to pad the schedule with as we sink out teeth into NFL Playoff football this weekend. Whose fucking idea was it to schedule a bowl game in Toronto on the first day of the postseason, anyway? That certainly wasn't a stroke of (man)genius.

What am I complaining about, if I pick those two turds right, I'll be one game over .500 going into the title game, leaving it to the title game to make or break my season.

In that case, bring on the...

International Bowl
Rutgers (7-5) vs. Ball State (7-5)
Sat, Toronto Noon ESPN2
Line: Rutgers -10 1/2

The game has been hyped more for the two schools most famous alums--RU's James Gandolfini and BSU's David Letterman--than for the two teams involved. But what do you expect with a filler game north of the border on the first Saturday of NFL playoff action?

What you should expect is a lot of yards from Rutger's dynamic tailback Ray Rice(1732 yds, 20TDs), who averages 144 YPG and will be facing a defense that allows 200 yards on the ground per game. Can you say "NFL showcase game" for the sure-to-jump junior?

Ball State likes to pass behind QB Nate Davis (3376 yds, 27TDs), but Rutgers is second in the nation in pass defense, so they might be able to contain Davis and the Cardinals attack.

Still, I find it hard to give the Scarlet Knights a 10+ advantage over anyone after their disappointing season, and I'm not inclined to do so here. I like Letterman's boys to hold it close against Soprano & Schiano's goons and make a game of it up north.

The question is, will anybody friggin' see it?

MY PICK: Rutgers 39, Ball State 31

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So close, yet...ah never mind-thanks, Sooners!

Yesterday's Bowl results:
-Fiesta Bowl (OU -7)
West Virginia 48, Oklahoma 28
MY PICK: Oklahoma 37-21

My Bowl Season Record: 13-15

Don't worry, Bob Stoops, the cards are in the mail.

As in the thank you cards from June Jones & Colt Brennan, Ron Zook & Juiceless Williams, and Jim Leavitt & Matt Grothe, showing their appreciation for taking their teams' dismal bowl performances out of the spotlight and helping bestow the honor of the biggest bowl gag job to Stoops' under performing Sooner squad.

How bad was West Virginia's whipping of the previously potent Oklahoma club? WVU interim coach Bill Stewart not only became the first of seven fill-in skippers to win a bowl game this season, but he was also awarded the permanent job directly after the game based on his team's professed love of their humble leader, a fact that was evident in the way they played for the longtime assistant to exiled Rich Rodriguez.

The Sooners, who many experts believed could have staked a claim to best team in the country with a win, laid a gigantic egg against the speedier, hungrier Mountaineers, as WVU rolled up 525 yards of offense, including a staggering 349 on the ground against one of the nation's stingiest run defending teams, and consequently Stoops lost his fourth consecutive BCS bowl game.

Why the fuck didn't I see that one coming?

But I don't feel too bad, as just about everyone had the Mountaineers getting crushed, especially after they blew a shot at the national title by losing to Pitt in their season finale, then watching as their beloved coach Rodriguez bolted for Michigan shortly thereafter.

So instead of leveling my record at 14-14, I stand 2 games below .500 with four more games to go. That's what I get for trusting a pimply-faced freshman QB, who got sacked when a midget cornerback brushed by him and knocked him over early in the first quarter.

Nice performance, Sam Bradford. Pick up some Clearasil and some balls and maybe they'll let you come back next year.

Now it's up to the Orange Bowl to salvage some BCS dignity and give us one competitive game before the championship game Monday. But with the upstart Kansas Jayhawks taking on a veteran and tough-as-nails Virginia Tech team, it looks like BCS blowout #4 could be on the way tonight.

-Fed Ex Orange Bowl
Kansas (11-1) vs. Virginia Tech (11-2)
Miami 815PM FOX
Line: Va Tech -3

Most people believe the newbie Jayhawks, who are playing in their first post-New Years Day bowl game since the Summer of Love, are going to get rolled by the defensively stout Hokies, who allow just 15 PPG and have played in big bowls for the better part of the last decade.

Throw in the fact tha Va Tech is playing with extra determination in the memory of the 32 students & faculty members who were killed in the massacre on campus last April, and this one is shaping up to be a one-sided affair.

But that's what everyone thought about the OU/WVU game, too, where another defensive team was supposed to shut out a high-powered offensive club, and look what happened there.

The key to the Hokies is their perennially solid D and outstanding special teams play, while Kansas' miraculous rise from the dregs of the NCAA was built upon a flashy offense and smart decision making, i.e few turnovers and penalties. Most believe the experienced Hokies will trash the flash-in-the-pan 'Hawks, but the more I think about it, the more I'm saying hold on a minute there.

On the heels of that Fiesta Bowl shocker, I've decided I'm gonna go against the grain here and choose the Jayhawks to pull the upset. Sure they got dissected by Mizzou in the last big game they played, on November 24th in a battle of top 5 teams. And maybe they haven't been to the big dance as many times as Va Tech, and they don't have a coach as well-respected as Frank Beamer.

But what they do have is a potent offense, which averaged 44 PPG, led by QB Todd Reesing (3259 yards, 32 TDs, 6 INTs), and a decent defense as well (16PPG allowed, albeit against inferior competition.) But they do have the Man-genius, coach Mark Mangino, plus they have that "we're not supposed to be here, so what do we have to lose?" attitude that a team needs to overcome the adversity they will face from the fearless Hokies.

But the main reason for my pick is I just want to go against the grain and hope I can look like a mangenius if the upset does come in. It's easy to back the favorite, right?

After all, what do I have to lose?

MY PICK: Kansas 27, Va Tech 24

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Happy New Year indeed!

A 5-1 record on the first day of 2008 brings me one step closer to .500 for the Bowl season

Yesterday's Bowl results:

-Outback Bowl (UT -1 1/2)
Tennessee 21, Wisconsin 17 MY PICK: Tennessee 31, Wisconsin 24
The Vols hung on at RayJay after questionable late-game decision-making by the Badgers coaches cost them a shot at the win

-Cotton Bowl (MIZZ - 3 1/2)
Missouri 38, Arkansas 7 MY PICK: Mizzou 45, Hogs 38
The Tigers, behind 281 rush yds and 4 TDs from Tony Temple, proved they should have been in a BCS bowl with a thorough dismantling of Darren McFadden and the hapless Hogs

-Gator Bowl (TTU - 6)
Texas Tech 31, Virginia 28 MY PICK: Tech 27, UVA 24
The Cavs somehow blew a 28-14 4th quarter lead when they allowed 17 points in the final 3:30; Tech's Graham Harrell threw for 407 yards on 69 attempts

-Capitol One Bowl (UF -10)
Michigan 41, Florida 35 MY PICK: Florida 34, Michigan 31
Lloyd Carr went out with a bang as the departing Michigan coach out-tricked his Florida counterpart, and the Wolverines held Heisman winner Tim Tebow to a mere 211 toal yards

-Rose Bowl (USC -14)
USC 49, Illinois 17 MY PICK: USC 35, Illinois 20
A close game in the middle of the second quarter turned into a rout when an Illini fumble at the goal line in a 21-10 game led to 28 unanswered points for the Trojans, highlighted by John David Booty's 3 TDs and freshman Joe McKnight's 170 all-purpose yards

-Sugar Bowl (UGA -8)
Georgia 41, Hawaii 17 MY PICK: Georgia 36, Hawaii 34
The Dawgs, like USC before them, laid thier claim to the "best team in the land" title as they absolutely gashed the previously undefeated but obviously untested Rainbow Warriors. The swarming Georgia D sacked Heisman finalist Colt Brennan 8 times and made him look like another system QB on his way to being an footnote in the record books

My Record for the day: 5-1

MY 2007 BOWL SEASON RECORD: 13-14

Now I don't like to brag, and far be it for me to pat myself on the back, but...

..how 'bout some love for my near-perfect day of picking that brought me back from
prognosticating purgatory and put me squarely on the brink of respectability, with a chance to even my record tonight and potentially...wait for it...FINISH THE BOWL SEASON WITH A RECORD ABOVE .500!!!

Ow, my friggin' arm hurts now!

Forgive me for getting a bit carried away, but for anyone who has followed my selections over the past two seasons (and for the select few, for my entire life) know that last season I was so bad that the records have since been destroyed, but this year started out even worse.

As in 1-5, 2-6, 8-13 bad.

Suddenly, just as odd occurrences such as a Dick Clark robotronic puppet with the voice of a chain smoker appearing on New years Rockin Eve and a hockey game being televised on national television on New Years Day were happening, I went and did the unthinkable:

I went 8-4 over the two-day, 12 bowl extravaganza that spanned the holiday, including a spectacular 5-1 showing yesterday, with only the hapless Hawaii Rainbow "Warriors" running what could have been a perfect start to the new year for me.

Mele Kalikimaka my ass, muthafuckers!

What's that you say? A monkey grinding Ron Zook's organ could have gone 5-1 with the games that went on yesterday? I say maybe so, but I don't give a flying fig what the other experts do, as long as I can hold my head high knowing that my meaningless picks on this obscure blog that haven't cost me a cent could have helped some schlub looking for gambling advice almost break even after 11 days and 27 games.

Redemption song, indeed.

So now it's put up or shut up time. Five bowl games left, and I need to go 3-2 to break even. Can it be done? Sure. What will it get me? A years worth of self satisfaction. And you can't put a price tag on that.

Bowl on.

Tonight's Game:

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Oklahoma (11-2) vs. West Virginia (10-2)
Glendale 8:00 FOX
Line: Oklahoma - 7 1/2

A few weeks ago this one looked like a terrific matchup. Both West Virginia and Oklahoma were on the cusp of being title contenders, needing victories in their final games to lock up a potential Championship Game bid.

Then the world came crashing down on the Mountaineers. First they gagged against lowly Pittsburgh, losing 13-9 at home to the 4-7 Panthers, and then lost coach Rich Rodriguez to Michigan just days later.

Oklahoma didn't seem to have it as bad as they routed then-Number 1 Missouri 38-17 in the Big 12 Championship game on December 1st, a victory that many thought would have vaulted them into the BCS title game against the Buckeyes on Jan 7.

Too bad the BCS powers that be didn't believe it, as not only did the Sooners get snubbed in favor of fellow 2-loss team LSU, but adding insult to insult, are now forced to travel back to the Fiesta in Glendale, the scene of last January's embarrassing but historic loss to upstart Boise State, 43-42.

Talk about getting the shaft.

So which slighted team will be more motivated to pull this one off? The team that ended this season with a humiliating defeat and then saw its coach high-tail it for another school, or the one that thought it should be playing for all the chips, but is instead left holding another stale bag of Tostitos?

Of course the key to stopping the Mountaineers is containing electric runners Pat White and Steve Slaton, a feat that has been accomplished by lesser defenses than OU's (namely USF's, twice.) With White, the run-first QB, being banged up more than an 86 Hyundai lately, and Slaton seemingly having one foot into his NFL career already, the bulk of the WVU offense might be on speedy freshman Noel devine, and don't expect him to carry the load against the swarming Sooners.

That would mean that Oklahoma, led by solid QB Sam Bradford (2800+ yards, 34 TDs), will need to score enough points not only to overcome whatever West Virginia puts up, but at least a touchdown more in order to cover the number. Hmmmm. But for a team in the top 10 in the nation in scoring and defense, that shouldn't be a problem.

My guess is that the Sooners take a page from Mizzou, USC and Georgia and use a lesser bowl game (yes, I'm talking to you, Rose Bowl Committee) to prove that they, not any of the other contenders, are the best team in the land. That means the flashy yet underachieving Mountaineers will have to add yet another disappointment to their season.

Cheer up, Morgantowners. Maybe Rodriguez will pull a Billy Donovan.

MY PICK: Oklahoma 37, WVU 21

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A .500 day keeps me in the hunt for respectability

I split the six New years Eve games to keep my record out of the realm of embarrassment

Yesterday's Results:
-Bell Helicopters Armed Services Bowl
Cal 42, Air Force 26
-Roady's Humanitarian Bowl
Fresno State 40, Georgia Tech 28
-Brut Sun Bowl
Oregon 56, USF 21
-Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl
Kentucky 35, Florida State 28
-Insight Bowl
Oklahoma State 49, Indiana 33
-Chic-fil-a Bowl
Auburn 23, Clemson 20 (OT)

My Record For the Day: 3-3

MY BOWL SEASON RECORD: 8-13

A decent day, especially for me, got my record back near .500, and if it weren't for USF taking a Najeh Davenport-sized dump in the Sun Bowl, FSU deciding to play its best game of the year sans half the team, and Clemson missing field goals and then choking down the stretch of the Chic-Fil-a Bowl, it could have been a great day.

Still, when you blow as many predictions as I do on a regular basis, going .500 over six games in one day is like hitting the jackpot.

And with another six games on tap for today, I can almost see the light at the end of tunnel, with a mere 5-1 record getting me back to the coveted break even mark.

So with champagne still clinging to my intestines and the memories of horrid New Years Rockin' Eve performances lingering in my ears, I will quickly rattle off my picks for the six pack of games on tap for the first day of 2008.

-Outback Bowl
Tennessee (9-4) vs. Wisconsin (9-3)
Tampa 11:00AM ESPN
Line: Tennessee -1 1/2

I could have gone to this game again, as my son and I did last year, but then I realized it was Tennessee, which seems to be here every year, and Wisconsin, which makes it to Tampa about every other (time to mix up the conference affiliations, Outback.)

Tennessee is just too strong offensively for the ground it & pound it Badgers, and with stud Wisconsin RB PJ Hill nursing a leg injury, look for NFL-bound Vols QB Erik Ainge (3157 yds, 29 TDs) and co. to pile up the points against the boring Badgers.

MY PICK: Tennessee 31, Wisconsin 24

-Cotton Bowl
Arkansas (8-4) vs. Missouri (11-2)
Dallas 11:30 AM FOX
Line: Mizzou - 3 1/2

What should be one of the best bowl games of the season pits two dynamic offensive teams against each other, with each club finishing in the Top 10 in points per game and each one boasting a Heisman Trophy finalist.

Arkansas is led by two-time Heisman runner-up RB Darren McFadden, who found himself in hot water with the NCAA last week for driving around in a pimped out Escalade that was reportedly bought for him by agent Mike Conley, Sr. Although he was cleared to play in this game, expect him to make like Reggie Bush and bolt campus for the NFL before the real story comes out, and the fallout could affect the team in this game.

Mizzou, meanwhile, had a terrific season, catapulting from unranked to start the season all the way to Number 1 before getting croaked by Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship game, squashing its National Championship dreams.

Still, anchored by QB Chase Daniel (4170 yds, 33 TDs), who finished 4th in the Heisman voting, and a group of speedy & talented offensive weapons, Mizzou should prove too powerful for the Hogs, who despite knocking off then-Number 1 LSU in the last game of the season, can become too reliant on the play of McFadden to bail them out of trouble.

MY PICK: Mizzou 45, Arkansas 38

-Gator Bowl
Texas Tech (8-4) vs. Virginia (9-3)
Jacksonville 1:00PM CBS
Line: Tech -6

Another one of those offensive/defensive battles, as the Red Raiders high-powered offense (6th in PPG, 1st in YPG) will try and outscore the stingy Cavs defense, led by potential Number 1 NFL draft pick, DE Chris "son of Howie" Long.

Not much interest in this game, so I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the Red raiders will probably find a way to win this one, but not by as many points as the bookies think. Son of Howie will find a way to help his D keep it close.

MY PICK: Texas Tech 27, Virginia 24

-Gator Bowl
Michigan (8-4) vs. Florida (9-3)
Orlando 1:00PM ABC
Line: Florida -11

Two prestigious clubs coming off down years meet in a game that should be a lot more exciting than the oddsmakers think.

The Wolverines will be playing their last game under crotchety coach Llloyd Carr, and the seniors, led by QB Chad Henne and RB Mike Hart, will try and end his & their regime with a big win in a big game, something they have been unable to do (either vs. Ohio State or in a bowl game) over the last four years.

Florida, coming off its National Championship, couldn't put it together this season despite being led by Heisman-winning QB Tim Tebow, who became the first player to ever rush and pass for at least 20 touchdowns in a season.

Still, Tebow's outstanding numbers (3970 combined YDS, 51 combined TDs) and the electrifying play of WR/RB/KR Percy Harvin weren't enough to prevent the Gators from losing three games this year, and even though Michigan suffered those two embarrassing losses to open the season to App St. and Oregon, they actually played about as well as the underachieving Gators did the rest of the way.

Tebow and Co should find a way to win this game, but I don't believe it will be the blowout everyone, including all my Gator-loving buddies, are predicting. In fact, with Carr looking to go out with a win, I wouldn't be surprised if the Wolverines found a way to pull this one out for the departing "legend".

MY PICK: Florida 34, Michigan 31

-Rose Bowl
Illinois (9-3) vs. USC (10-2)
Pasadena 4:30 ABC
Line: USC -14

This game looks to be the biggest mismatch of the season, with the "just happy to be here" Illini playing the high-octane, hometown hero Trojans. The question is, can Illinois coach Ron Zook get his club as fired up to beat the Trojans in their backyard as he did to get his club to beat the #1 Buckeyes in theirs on November 10th?

USC is another team feeling the sting of disappointment, when a potential Championship season went up in flames after a humiliating loss to 22-point underdog Stanford back on October 6th. Then, after climbing back up the charts and playing terrific football, the Trojans gagged against the Ducks in Eugene in late October to douse their title hopes.

The question is, will USC, behind erratic QB John David Booty (2106 yds, 20TDs) and without a proven offensive star like in years past, be able to recover from those losses and play with enough pride to win a game that used to be the crown jewel of any Pac-10 team's season? Or will the fired-up Illini pull off another longshot upset in its first trip to the Grandaddy of 'em All since 1984?

The bigger question is not who'll win, but will USC cover.

MY PICK: USC 35, Illinois 20

-Sugar Bowl
Georgia (10-2) vs. Hawaii (12-0)
New Orleans 8:00PM FOX
Line: UGA -8

Just rename this one the Snub Bowl, because both teams feel as if they should be playing for all the marbles here next Monday in the Championship Game instead of spending New Years in New Orleans.

Georgia was considered by many to be playing the best ball in the country when they ended the season, winning its last 6 games after a loss to Tennessee in early October, only to get leapfrogged at the end of the year by LSU for a chance to play Ohio State in the title game.

Hawaii was the only undefeated team in D1, yet they barely squeaked into a BCS game when the voters finally (and reluctantly) placed them in the Top 12 rankings in the final poll of the regular season.

Both teams have a lot to prove, with a solid win proving that the club should have been in the title game, but can the Rainbow Warriors do to the the rugged, SEC-tested Dawgs what they have done to lesser competition from the WAC, namely ring up the most impressive offensive numbers in all the (main)land?

Should be an intriguing game, and possibly the best bowl game this side of the one being played in the same building next Monday.

MY PICK: Georgia 36, Hawaii 34

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Back to Bowling: 12 games in 2 days means Happy New Year

With 12 games in the next two days, I might have a chance to turn around my pitiful Bowl season record. But I doubt it.

Even though I didn't get a chance to post this weekend, what with me being all consumed with the Patriots' romp into the record books, I still managed to run my Bowl Season record to a putrid 5-10 over the weekend according to my Big Board, which now resembles my annual NCAA Tourney sheet more than ever.

Of the seven games this weekend, I went 3-4, winning with Penn State, 'Bama and Oregon State, but missing badly on UCONN, UCF, Houston and my beloved BC Eagles (how a team that racked up a school-record 11 wins and boasts a Top 10 NFL quarterback beat a mediocre Michigan State team by a mere 3 points I'll never understand.)

But with a dozen contests spanning the New Years holiday, I have a chance to redeem myself. Either that or I will tank so bad that i will give up this prognosticating bullshit forever. But definitely one of the two.

So without further adieu, I give you my six New Year's Eve picks. Feel free to line the cat box with them.

Bell Helicopter's Armed Forces Bowl
Cal (6-6) vs. Air Force (9-3)
Fort Worth 12:30 ESPN
LINE: Cal - 4 1/2

This one is a real head scratcher, or what the real gamblers call a trap game.

Cal was one of the biggest disappointments of the season, climbing all the way to the dreaded #2 spot in the polls before shitting the bed worse by losing six of its last seven contests.

Air Force, meanwhile, is playing in its first bowl game since 2002 after a terrific season that saw the academy defeat hated rival Notre Dame (I know, who didn't?), Army and the bowl bound Utah Utes. No longer a spread option, pass-first team, the Falcons won six of its last seven games thanks to a potent rushing attack, led by two-way threat Chad Hall (1,418 yds rush, 488 yds rec) that was second in the NCAA.

Throw in the fact that Cal studs RB Justin Forsett and WR/KR DeSean Jackson are banged up, and Jackson will not start due to a rules violation, and include the disappointment factor of the Bears going from a BCS bowl to Forth Worth, and all signs point to an Air Force outright victory.
Plus it's called the friggin' ARMED FORCES BOWL!

MY PICK: Air Force 31, Cal 28

Brut Sun Bowl
USF (9-3) vs. Oregon (8-4)
El Paso 2:00 CBS
Line: USF -6

This review will be short and sweet, because this one looks like another no-brainer.

Although both teams also held the taboo Number 2 ranking at one point this season, USF, despite losing three in a row in bad fashion, still had a great season and is considered a team on the rise.

The Ducks potential championship season came to a crashing halt when Heisman hopeful QB Dennis Dixon got injured in a loss to Arizona on November 15th, and Oregon hasn't won since.

Look for the staunch Bull defense, led by Big East defensive Player of the Year DE George Selvie, to shut down Ducks leading rusher Jonathan Stewart and put the clamps on Brady 'don't call me Ryan" Leaf and come out of El Paso with USF's second bowl win ever, although I don't believe they will cover the number.

MY PICK: USF 24, Oregon 21

Humanitarian Bowl
Fresno St (8-4) vs. Georgia Tech (7-5)
Boise 2:00 ESPN2
Line: Ga Tech -6

Maybe this is why I'm such a horrible gambler, because I can't figure out the line on this one, either. Georgia Tech is coming off a disappointing season in which it lost to nearly every rival--Virginia, Va Tech, Maryland and intrastate foe Georgia--, the latter loss resulting in the dismissal of head coach Chan Gailey after the season.

That leaves the Jackets in the unenviable position of trying to win a game 1000 miles away from home in the cold for an interim coach who will be ousted in favor of incoming skipper Paul Johnson as soon as this one is over.

Fresno, on the other hand, has played many games on the smurf turf against conference opponent Boise St, and even though they have been throttled by the Broncos here recently, at least they aren't going to be experiencing that "where the hell are we" feeling the Jackets will undergo.

Ironically both teams recently won this bowl, Tech in 2002 against Tulsa and Fresno in 2004 against Virginia. The Bulldogs will have their hands full trying to stop Yellow jacket's running back Tashard Choice, who ran for 1300 yards and 10 TDs, but either way I like Fresno and creative coach Pat Hill to keep the game close and cover the spread.

MY PICK: Tech 27, Fresno 24

I'll have to do the other games later--I am at work and have to do some actual work before we leave for the day.

Okay, I'm home now and ready to predict the next three "locks of the day". Get your leftover Christmas spending cash ready...

Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl
Florida State (7-5) vs. Kentucky (7-5)
Nashville 4:00PM ESPN
Line: Kentucky -7 1/2

Can someone please tell me how a team that has 36 players suspended and/or ineligible for this game can even be allowed to compete in a bowl game? I mean aren't these things supposed to represent something other than shameful money grabs by institutions of higher learning and venue hosts?

Oh yeah, you're right, what the fuck was I thinking.

FSU makes the trip to the Music City minus about a third of its team thanks to a major academic scandal that found a number of players cheating on --wait for the ironic twist-- an online music class exam, among other various and sundry transgressions, and as a result of a school-instituted investigation, the Noles will play Bobby Bowden's penultimate bowl game at a major disadvantage, personnel-wise.

Not that Rich Brooks and the Wildcats are shedding any tears for the formerly formidable Noles. The Cats have their own problems to worry about, like salvaging what was once a promising season by winning its second consecutive game in Nashville after jumping out to a 5-0 record and a #14 ranking before dropping 5 of its last 7 games.

The key for the Cats is senior stud QB Andre Woodson, who despite his own late-season maladies (10 INTs in the last 8 games) will be a probable top 10 pick in the next NFL draft. ifd Woodson can control the ball and prevent FSU's depleted D from making big plays, the Cats should win easily.

Hell, just by showing up with a +36 man advantage should mean the Cats should win easily.

Even though I'm a Noles fan, I;m a realist, and reality says that a mediocre team before the loss of so many players shouldn't have a snowball's chance in Tally of winning this game.

MY PICK: Kentucky 45, FSU 24

Insight.com Bowl
Indiana (7-5) vs. Oklahoma St (6-6)
Tempe 6:00PM NFL Net
Line: OSU - 4 1/2

Fitting that the first real game that no one cares about is being carried on the network that nobody watches.

Indiana has been a feel-good story, making its first trip to a bowl in 14 years just a season removed from the sudden death of former coach Terry Hoeppner from brain cancer last June. The overachieving Hoosiers havne't gone bowling since 1993, and a win for Coach Hepp would be a sweet way to honor a man known as a player's coach who fought a long battle with the disease, coming back to coach twice following surgery, until the end.

OSU had a disappointing season, with the highlight being coach Mike Gundy's now infamous post-game tirade regarding a reporter's story that his kids were too soft for D1 football. "I'm a man...I'm 40" became the stuff of YouTube legend, and as a result, the coach got more pub than his underachieving club.

But the Cowboys have played quite a few tough, tight games this season, including losses to Kansas State and Texas by a combined 5 points, as well as a few blowouts (49-17 loss to Bedlam rival Oklahoma, 45-14 loss to lowly Nebraska), but all those tough Big 12 contests should make this battle-tested club no match for the Hoosiers, which padded its win total thanks to a patsy schedule.

MY PICK: OSU 37, Indiana 21

Chic-fil-a Bowl
Auburn (8-4) vs. Clemson (9-3)
Atlanta 8:00 ESPN
Line: Clemson -2

Another one of those offensive/defensive matchups as the gritty Auburn Tigers take on the flashy Clemson Tigers in a battle to see which big cat has the bigger bite.

Auburn is always known for its grind-it-out style and ferocious defense (thus producingmany a 10-7 game over the years), but this time they might have met their matches. The Clemson cats are also sound defensively, allowing just 18 PPG, but where they have the advantage is on the offensive side of the ball.

Led by junior QB Kellen Harper (2887 yds, 27 TDs) and the twin tandem RBs of James Davis (992 yds, 9TDs) and CJ Spiller (656 yds, 2TDs), combined with receiver Aaron Kelley (1045 yds, 11 TDs), Clemson was 25th in the nation in scoring offense at 36 PPG, while offensive-challenged Auburn was a mere 85th in scoring (24PPG) and 104th in total yards/game.

So the question is, which side of the ball will have the advantage?

My money (if I was stupid enough to wager any on these things) says the Tigers team with the solid defense AND explosive offense wins out over the anemic offense/ stellar defense of those other Tigers in a fairly low-scoring, close affair.

But what do I know.

MY PICK: Clemson 17, Auburn 14

Just so you know, if I go 0-6 today, I will NOT be waking up early tomorrow to post on the first games of the day.

Happy New Year's everybody!See you in 2008!

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Back to normal: another Bowl, another loss

Yesterday's result
Pac Life Holiday Bowl:
Texas 52, Az St 34 MY PICK: ASU 31, Texas 25

MY Bowl Season record: 2-6

The thing about my predictions is, when I miss, I MISS.

Not only did the Sun Devils get throttled by an uncharacteristically hungry Longhorn team, but the fact that Texas overcame one of the wackiest plays in recent bowl history and still won going away made the loss all the more painful-and perplexing.

Leading 21-0 after a first quarter blitzkrieg that saw ASU cough up the ball twice and look as hapless as the Miami Dolphins, Texas was the victim of one of the strangest plays in bowl history when an assistant coach--who just happened to be head coach Mack Brown's stepson-- touched a live Sun Devil fumble that ended up giving the ball to ASU, which then subsequently scored on the ensuing play to put ASU back in the game, 21-7.

Too bad for Devils fans that belated Christmas present didn't pay long term dividends, as Texas, behind QB Colt McCoy's 258 all-purpose yards and RB Jamaal Charles' 161 yards on the ground, routed the hapless Sun Devils in another high-scoring Holiday Bowl.

Which ended up dropping my Bowl Season record to a dismal 2-7.

Alas I've basically given up all hope of even sniffing .500 this postseason, and I've nearly decided to use the old gambler's trick of going with the opposite team that I think is going to win just so I can salvage some sort of dignity this year--or at the very least have a legitimate excuse why I suck so bad at prognosticating football games.

No matter the horrendous record, I will soldier on, and with three games on tap tonight, I still see the glass as half full, although an 0-3 tonight could force me into another 2 month semi-retirement. But I will say this: my predictions are gong to be a lot shorter from here on out.

Champs Sports Bowl
Boston College (10-3) vs. Michigan St (7-5)
5:ooPM ESPN, Orlando
Line: BC -5

Call this one the after work special. About the time everyone who isn't on vacation is cutting out for the weekend, these two schools will be squaring off for the first time in what should be another entertaining bowl game.

BC had a terrific season, climbing all the way to the taboo Number 2 ranking, led by probable top-10 NFL draft pick, QB Matt Ryan. despite the disappointment of falling to a lower-tier bowl, the Eagles should have enough offense to overcome a lackluster Spartan squad, which is just happy to be bowling after a disappointing campaign under first-year coach Mark Dantonio.

Look for Ryan to light up the porous (27PPG) MSU defense, and the Eagles to roll in their first bowl game since 1993.

MY PICK: BC 28, MSU 19

Texas Bowl
TCU (7-5) vs. Houston (8-4)
8PM NFL Network, Houston
Line: TCU - 6 1/2

looks like this game is living up to its name as two home state squads square off in a game for bragging rights in the Lone Star state.

TCU was supposed to have a big year, but early season losses to Air Force and Wyoming put a halt to any BCS dreams. Houston, meanwhile, was a pleasant surprise, finishing in the top three in C-USA in scoring, rushing yards and passing yards per game. Running back Anthony Aldridge is a beast, rushing for a near-school record 1568yards and 14 TDs, and with the Cougars scoring 36 PPG, the Horned Frogs #16 rated defense will have their work cut out for them if they want to salvage what could have been a special season.

MY PICK: Houston 27, TCU 21

Emerald Bowl
Maryland (6-6) vs. Oregon St (8-4)
830PM EST San Francisco ESPN
Line: OSU -4 1/2

In one of the many 'who cares?" bowls of the season, OSU's power running game should be too much for a weak Terrapin defense, and combined with a solid Beaver rushing defense (2nd in the NCAA), that should be enough to propel Oregon State to the win.

MY PICK: OSU 31, Maryland 21

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2007 Bowl Season: Hooray! I'm on a roll

Thanks to Central Michigan's late comeback I have started a new winning streak- 1 in a row!

Last Night's Results:
Motor City Bowl
Purdue 51, Cent. Mich 48 MY PICK: Purdue 38, CMU 35

MY BOWL RECORD: 2-6

Ah, finally, after five straight losses I get to drink the sweet nectar of victory.

Who cares if the Boilermakers spoiled a 28-point 3rd quarter comeback and a late, game-tying touchdown by the Chippewas when they kicked a game-winning field goal with no time left on the clock--I still predicted a game correctly, right down to the three point differential.

I nearly had to take the day off today to recover from my shock.

Purdue QB Curtis Painter threw for an astounding 546 yards--the 4th highest total in Bowl history-- and the two clubs combined for a staggering 99 points in regulation in what was another exciting post-season contest following this season of upheaval and unbelievable results.

The most unbelievable aspect being that I finally got off the schneid to inch my record ever so close to respectability.

The big question is, will I be able to creep towards .500 before the slew of weekend games begins tomorrow by correctly calling tonight's Holiday Bowl, traditionally one of the highest scoring, wild & woolliest affairs of the bowl season?

I'm not sure, but I'm gonna give it a shot. Wish me luck.

Tonight's Game:
Pacific Life Holiday Bowl
Texas (9-3) vs. Arizona St. (10-2)
San Diego, 8PM ESPN
Line: Texas - 2 1/2

Might as well call this one the Consolation Bowl.

Both of these clubs had national championship aspirations for this 2007 season-- Texas when it was ranked as high as #4 coming into the season, and ASU when the Sun Devils climbed all the way to that #4 perch after starting the year 8-0, only to come crashing down to earth following losses to Oregon and USC in November.

To make matters worse, ASU still had a BCS berth in its sights until that 20-point drilling the Trojans gave them at home on Thanksgiving night.

Yeah, thanks for fucking up our whole season, SC.

But both squads have no one to blame but themselves for ending up in the annual pointfest that is the Pac Life Holiday Bowl. Texas and ASU are loaded with talent, including both quarterbacks (Rudy Carpenter for ASU, Colt McCoy for Texas), Longhorns RB Jamaal Charles and Sun Devils safety Troy Nolan, who led the Pac-10 with 6 INTs this season.

Problem is, Texas was plagued by inconsistent play from McCoy (21 TDs but 18 picks) and an ineffective defense (25 PA/game.) While the Longhorns are taking a major step backwards by winding up back in San Diego after a couple of recent trips to BCS bowls, including that Rose Bowl championship game with Vince Young a few years ago, ASU is just happy to be improving under nomadic coach Dennis Erickson.

That spells trouble for Texas, who could be disinterested in winning a lower-level bowl after tasting championship glory.

MY PICK: Arizona State 31, Texas 25

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Bowling for Dollars? Hardly

My knack for picking almost every game wrong is catapulting me into near legendary status, cementing my legacy as the World's Worst Gambler.

Recent Bowl Results:
-Papajohns.com Bowl:
Cincy 31, So. Miss 21 MY PICK: Cincy 38, So. Miss 24
-New Mexico Bowl:
New Mexico 23, Nevada 0 MY PICK: Nevada 35, New Mexico 28
-Las Vegas Bowl:
BYU 17, UCLA 16 MY PICK: BYU 44, UCLA 21
-Hawaii Bowl:
East Carolina 41, Boise St. 38 MY PICK: Boise St

MY BOWL SEASON RECORD: 1-5

Ah, it's nice to see that as the years go by, some things never change. Britney is still going to be batshit crazy; George Bush will be a bumbling idiot; American Karaoke will continue to draw gazillions of viewers despite being and absolutely unwatchable piece of claptrap garbage...

...and I will be picking football game outcomes about as well as Pam Anderson picks spouses.

Six games into the 2007 Bowl Season and my record speaks for itself. It says "I SUCK WORSE THAN THE NEW 'ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS' MOVIE!" How bad is it? I Lost a game that I didn't even post about and never publicly stated who I thought would win.

That would be the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, which I didn't get to post about due to the insanity that is the pre-Christmas craze. But I had penciled it in on my bowl sheet as an easy Boise win, only to have the Broncos get demolished early, come back late, then lose in agonizing fashion on a last-second, hideous-looking kick by the Pirates, handing Boise its second heartbreaking loss on the Big Island in exactly one month.

So my record stands at a Miami Dolphins-esque 1-5 after six bowls, and with the onslaught of games about to begin over the next week, I could just go into hiding (again) and claim the holiday hysteria caused me to forgo the rest of the predicting for the year.

But what fun would that be? For you guys, that is?

Instead I will press on, buoyed by the knowledge that even though I am hanging my propensity for awful predictions out on a line for all to see, at least it gives my readers plenty of fodder, as well as reason to believe that no matter how bad your bowl sheet is looking, it can't be any worse than mine.

You're welcome.

On to the next wave of embarrassment!

Motor City Bowl
Central Michigan (8-5) vs. Purdue (7-5)
7:30PM ESPN, Detroit
Line: Purdue -8 1/2

On paper this one looks like a high-scoring thriller, with both the Chippewas(easily one of the best nicknames in D1) and Boilermakers (easily one of the worst)averaging about 33 PPG, with each team possessing one of the most prolific passers in college football today.

Central Michigan's sophomore sensation Dan Lefevour threw for 3360 yards with 23 TDs and 13 INTs and also ran for over 1000 yards and 17 more scores, joining Vince Young as the only two QBs to pass for over 3000 yards and rush for over 1000 in one season.
In short, he's a freaking stud.

But Purdue has it's own stud QB in Curtis Painter. The senior also threw for 3300 yards, with 26 TDs and only 9 picks all season. Although he doesn't run like Lefevour, his veteran leadership and deep receiving corps make him just as dangerous as the double-threat Chippewa.

Purdue won the first meeting between these teams, 45-22, back in September, but since then Central has been on a roll, winning 7 of 10 games, although the news that head coach Butch Jones could be heading back to West Virginia to take over for his former mentor Rich Rodriguez could be a distraction for the club.

Purdue has had somewhat of a disappointing season, losing 5 of its last 7 games after jumping out to a 5-0 start. But Joe Tiller has guided this club to bowl games in 10 of 11 seasons, and he will be sure to have his team fired up to prevent any kind of revenge factor from sinking the Boilermakers in this one.

So who will win? The logical choice would be Purdue, with the focused coach, senior signal caller and Big 10-tested team, but we all know I never pick based on logic. I say the Chipps do let revenge guide them, and that combined with the home field advantage and the "win one for the departing coach" mindset will guide them to compete in what should be a high-scoring, close affair.

MY PICK: Purdue 37, Central Michigan 34

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Bowl Scoreboard: 1-1, but still having fun

Yesterday's results:
R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Fla Atlantic 44, Memphis 27

My Bowl Season Record: 1-1

Today's Games:
1PM: Papajohns.com Bowl: Cincy vs. So. Miss
4:30PM New Mexico Bowl: Nevada vs. New Mexico
8PM: Las Vegas Bowl: BYU vs. UCLA

Well as you can see I'm back to my old self again, missing badly on my prediction that Memphis would win outright against the up & coming Howard Schnellenberger-led FAU Owls.

Despite a valiant comeback that saw the Tigers cut a 30-13 second quarter lead to 30-27 early in the third, the pesky Owls tacked on a couple more TDs against a butter-soft Memphis D to pull away and win handily.

Ah well, at least I'm back in my comfort zone.

But I can get right back on track today as we have our first multiple-bowl day of the season, with three games on tap, and all three appear to be pretty decent games, and only one has a funky name.

Let's see if I can right this ship before I tumble back into Worst Gambler in the World territory once again (lucky I don't actually waste any money on these things)

Papjohns.com Bowl:
Southern Miss (7-5) vs. Cincinnati (9-3)
1PM ESPN 2
Line: Cincy -11 1/2

This is one of few bowl games that looks like a mortal lock. Cincy had a great start to the season, opening 6-0, before losing 3 of its last 6 games, and are led by senior QB Ben Mauk, a transfer from Wake Forest who had a terrific season for the Bearcats (2700+ yards, 27 TDs, 6INTs). With Mauk at the helm, Cincy averaged nearly 37PPG, good for 15th in the country.

Southern Miss, meanwhile, will be playing its final game for coach Jeff Bower, who resigned under pressure last month after 17 years of leading the school. The Eagles might try and get it together and win one last time for their lame duck coach, and they do have a solid defense (23 points allowed/game), but if Cincy can put its disappointing finish behind them and Mauk can get hot, this one might not be close for Bower's finale.

MY PICK: Cincy 38, So Miss 24

New Mexico Bowl
Nevada (6-6) vs. New Mexico (8-4)
4PM ESPN
Line: New Mexico -2 1/2

On the surface this game looks like another no-brainer: a local team with a better record playing in a stadium in which it went 5-1 this season going up against a .500 club that allowed 33 PPG and has a freshman starting quarterback.

But dig a little deeper and you'll see this one isn't so obvious a choice. New Mexico starting tailback Rodney Ferguson, who ran for over 1100 yards and 13 TDs, was ruled academically ineligible last week, and he will be replaced by 5'7" junior Paul Baker, who amassed a grand total of 298 yards rushing this season with zero touchdowns.

Throw in the fact that the Lobos haven't won a bowl game since 1961, and the Wolfpack averaged over 500 yards of total offense and 36 PPG, and you can see how this one might not be as much of a clear-cut choice as it would seem to be.

So why are the Lobos favored? Good question. I believe this is what the bettors call a trap, and the combination of the home game and the better record will cause many a novice gambler to fall into it. But me being an experienced loser, err picker, I can see right through the smokescreen, and I say the underdog 'Pack will not only upset the home team and cover the number, but win the thing outright.

MY PICK: Nevada 35, New Mexico 28

Las Vegas Bowl
BYU (10-2) vs. UCLA (6-6)
8PM ESPN
Line: BYU -6 1/2

An intriguing matchup here. The underachieving Bruins, who fired coach Karl Dorell following this disappointing season, will take on the red-hot Cougars, who won 9 straight to finish the season after dropping two in a row early, including a 27-17 loss to the Bruins in the second week of the season.

Both teams have a solid defense, allowing less than 23 PPG, but BYU also boasts a dynamic offense, scoring over 30PPG, while the Bruins anemic offense barely managed to tally three TDs per contest.

So will the Bruins rally around interim and possible future head coach DeWayne Walker, restore some school pride, and defeat the Cougars for the second time this season? Or will BYU, led by dynamic QB Max Hall (3600+ yards, 26 TDs) and freshman RB Harvey Unga (1200 yards, 8TDs) exact payback against the reeling Bruins?

My guess: payback's a bitch, Bruins.

MY PICK: BYU 44, UCLA 21

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2007 Bowl Season off to a roaring start

Yesterday's Results: Utah 35, Navy 32

My 2007 Bowl Series Record: 1-0

Tonight's game:
R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Memphis (7-5) vs. Florida Atlantic (7-5)
8PM ESPN 2
Line: Fla Atl - 3 1/2

Well, so far so good for my season of predictions.

Although Navy choked away an early lead and blew numerous opportunities to put the Utes away in the first half (such as fumbling the ball near the goal line in the second quarter), only to cave in to the relentless Utah offensive attack in the second half, the Middies still made it enough of a game to cover the number and earn me a win.

And if they hadn't been robbed of what should have been a touchback called with a few minutes left in the game, then wasted a beautiful onsides kick in the final minute when QB Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada (thank you, cut & paste)threw an interception as the Middies were driving towards a potential game-tying touchdown, the Midshipmen could have won the game outright.

Still, it was an exciting opening to the 2007 bowl season, and tonight's Game 2 promises to be another wild & woolly offensive affair.

That's because neither Memphis nor FAU play a lick of defense. Both schools are ranked near the bottom of the NCAA in defense, allowing over 30 points per game, and both schools love to light up the scoreboard, posting 30 PPG.

The difference could come in the history. While the Tigers have a long tradition of football (albeit not very good football), FAU is a relative newborn in the college pigskin ranks, having started the program from scratch just seven years ago. Although the Owls have the ancient field general Howard Schnellenberger leading the way, a 7-year-old team in its first bowl game has no business winning one its first time out.

Therefore I am going to take the Tigers, who average more total yards, passing yards and rushing yards than the upstart Owls, to cover the number and win the game outright. Let's see if I can get on a little winning streak before the season really heats up.

MY PICK: Memphis 37, FAU 33

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Time to go Bowling!

Only the unparalleled rush of College Bowl Season could draw me back to the blogosphere.

Even the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl.

Stop me if you've heard this before: I'm sorry I haven't posted in so long, but...

Can I start again now?

I know it seems as if I stopped and started posting to this blog more times than Bill Parcells has agreed to lead an NFL team only to renege on his deal, but all I can say is that the stress &/or duress of starting a new job, coaching my son's Little League team, and blogging about the World Champion Red Sox every day for 8 months straight caused me to have a severe case of blogging backlash.

Throw in the fact that I don't make a cent to do this, and the choice to step away from the keyboard for a while was a pretty easy one.

But if there's one thing that could draw me back to the monitor like the paparazzo to Brangelina's brood, it's the onset of the college football bowl season.

Are there too many bowls? Hells yes. Over half the teams in Division 1-A, a.k.a. the Bowl Division subset, or whatever the fuck the powers that be in the NCAA are calling it now, will play in a postseason game.

Do the names of the bowls get more ridiculous every year? Thanks to unabashed corporate sponsorship run amok, you bet your sweet Poulan Bell Helicopter Tostitos Emerald Nuts ass they do.

But I'm a sucker for the pomp and pageantry that is NCAA football, and compared to the gigantic hemmorhoid the NFL season (save for the beloved Pats) has been this year, I'm am going to relish--and predict--each and every blessed bowl for the next three weeks, until the undisputed national champion is crowned on January 7th.

Unless I have another horrendous streak like I did last bowl season. then I might have to renege on this posting promise quicker than Papa Tuna fucked over the Falcons.

On to the most wonderful time of the year!

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
Utah (8-4) vs. Navy (8-4)
9PM ESPN
Line: Utah -8

Throw out the fact that this is the most ridiculously named bowl of all 32, it also happens to be the first of them all, therefore it carries some importance.

Plus you've got two pretty decent teams, each of which is adept at mastering one side of the line of scrimmage.

Navy has become an offensive powerhouse the last couple of seasons, so much so that head coach Paul Johnson has jumped (mid)ship to try and resurrect the flagging Georgia Tech program. The Middies average over 350 rushing yards/game, led by all-name team finalist quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada.

Utah, meanwhile, has hardly suffered from Urban upheaval since coach Meyer took his spread option offense to the Gainseville Swamp. The Utes might not score as much as Navy, but the sure can defend, allowing just over 15 points per game and holding the opponent to just over 130 yards on the ground per game.

As the old saying goes, something's gotta give.

Utah is riding a 6 game bowl winning streak dating back to 1999, but Navy will be playing a de facto home game in San Diego, home to one of the largest contingents of seamen this side of the Spears sisters' bedrooms.

Even though logic says the stingy, fightin' Utes should hold down a restructuring Navy squad, I'm a sucker for offense, so I'm gonna go with the fun & runnin' Middies to plow through the Utah 'D' and win this one for new coach Ken Niumatalolo.

Plus you gotta love these freakin names!

MY PICK: Navy 28, Utah 27

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