Ah yes, the final 15 games. As of last night (thanks, Rutgers) I'm 7-4-1, making me 40-39-3 for the season (over .500 again . . . finally!). After the New Year, I'll probably write a season recap, hand out some awards, and figure out something to do to keep myself busy until August. Without further delay . . .
Saturday, Dec. 30
MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL
Boston College -7½ Navy
Last week, Jeff Jagodzinski was named the Gregory P. Barber and Family Head Football Coach at Boston College. I had no idea it was even possible to donate money towards a position. Could you imagine being the Charles S. Lyman Event Planner or the Amy E. and Eric J. Stevens Advertising Sales Exec? Seriously, BC, let's just stick to selling the naming rights of our buildings and stadiums for now on. Its bad enough we exploit our college atheletes, but now we're making money off of our coaching staff? That doesn't sound too Catholic to me. Then again, 647 yards from Navy doesn't sound like much of a passing game either. This year's Commander-in-Chief's Trophy winners just don't give me a "warm-and-fuzzy" feeling against Boston College, but then again, neither does a new head coach who previously served as the offensive coordinator for the 7-8 Packers (who were shut out twice this season). In the end, it comes down to your gut feeling, and since I'm from Boston, I'll take the Eagles to cover.
ALAMO BOWL
Texas -10½ Iowa
In what amounts to a home game for a team that came one 12-7 loss from playing in the Big XII Championship and likely a bid to play in the Fiests Bowl, the Alamo Bowl is a far fall for last year's National Champions. Instead, the Longhorns get Iowa, who was 2-6 in the Big 10 this year and ranks right up there with Minnesota as "teams who probably shouldn't have gotten bowl bids over Southern Methodist, Arkansas State, or Wyoming." Okay, probably not the case, but did a team with 2 conference wins have a good season? I didn't really think so either. Either way, the return of Colt McCoy won't bode well for the Hawkeyes who have lost 3 straight and face a team averaging nearly 37 points per game. As long as Jim Thorpe award winner Aaron Ross doesn't have any lingering effects from his car accident on December 21st, Iowa should have a great deal of trouble moving the ball on offense. Look for this game to rival the Rutgers-Kansas State debacle. Texas will cover the spread.
CHICK FIL-A (not the Peach) BOWL
Virginia Tech -2½ Georgia
Yes, Virginia Tech is the better team here, and yes they've beaten 2 out of 3 ranked teams they've played this season, but Georgia went 2-0 against Auburn and Georgia Tech to finish the season a solid 4-4 in the SEC, and they're playing a "road" game at the Georgia Dome. This game should be fun to watch considering Georgia's QB Matthew Stafford has a touchdown to interception ratio of 1:2 (yes, you read that right) and the Hokies have forced 16 picks this season. On the other hand, VA Tech QBs have been sacked 26 times, and the Dawgs top ranked defense has 30 sacks this season, including 7.5 from DE Charles Johnson. What does all this mean? I'd take the under in this game, and I'll also go with the home team even if they technically are the road team. Take Georgia with the points.
Sunday, Dec. 31
MPC COMPUTERS BOWL
Miami (FL) -3 Nevada
When told that his team would be facing a 6-6 Miami team in Idaho, Nevada coach Chris Ault said, "This is exciting news, this is a great opportunity to meet a school with a lot of football tradition. We are looking forward to the game." Translation: "We'd never have a shot in Hell to beat a team like Miami any other year, but after they went 6-6 with that brawl, and Coker was fired, we might have a shot at winning this game." This one should be a no-brainer with Coker on his way out giving the team that "win one for me or else I'll be under .500 for the first time ever at Miami" speech. However, Boise. Idaho (36 degrees) is slightly colder than Miami (80 degrees) in December. I'll still take Miami to cover the spread.
Monday, Jan. 1
COTTON BOWL
Auburn -2½ Nebraska
A good game all around. Two solid teams facing off on New Years Day in a big bowl game - well done BCS! Wait, this isn't a BCS game? Oh. nevermind. Nebraska has lost 3 of their 4 games to teams ranked in the top 10 this season. Auburn? They're number 10 in the country. Coincidence? Probably. What we do know is that great seats are still available - both Husker and Tiger fans are bummed about not playing for a national championship, and surprisingly no one wants to spend New Year's Eve in Dallas. Whether or not their fans tune in, I'm taking Auburn to win. Any team that can beat both Florida and LSU this year should have no problem with Nebraska.
OUTBACK BOWL
Tennessee - 4 Penn State
You know you're old when you've faced the opposing coach when he was a player and now you're squaring off against him again, this time as a head coach. As if Joe Pa needs another reminder of how old he is. I'm just glad that he's healed up and we get to enjoy watching his funny run across the field. The Vols had a solid year losing only to Florida, LSU (sound familiar), and Arkansas, while Penn State's big win came against . . . I guess they're still waiting for it. I don't see it happening here. I'm a bit perplexed as to how Tennessee DB "Inky" Johnson wound up in the Mayo Clinic after season-ending shoulder surgery, but if it was good enough for the late Gerald Ford, it must be good enough for Inky. I'll take the Vols to cover the spread.
CAPITAL ONE BOWL
Arkansas -1 Wisconsin
This is Wisconsin's chance to show everyone how good they are even though their schedule was rediculously easy. This is Arkansas' chance to show everyone that even though coach Nutt has little clue as to which QB will play most of the game, their passing game can still be effective. Florida tried the whole QB by committee thing and look where it got them. Okay, bad analogy. My point is . . . I don't really have a point. I haven't picked any Big 10 schools yet, and I won't start now. I'll take the Razorbacks to cover.
GATOR BOWL
West Virginia -7½ Georgia Tech
Still riding high on the Big East after Rutgers thumped K-State, I think West Virginia will prove that they belong in the top 10 in the nation with a win over the Yellowjackets. Unless GA Tech can slow down Steve Slaton, they will likely be playing catch-up most of the game. That wouldn't be too tough for the 'Jackets, that is if they had Reggie Ball calling the plays. Instead, Reggie will be spending New Years Day studying while Tech gets schooled. The Moutaineers should cover the spread.
ROSE BOWL
Michigan -1½ USC
"We're Michigan and USC, and we're mad that we can't play for the national championship. Grrrrr." I probably won't even watch this game - they might as well remane this the Overrated Bowl. Because I have to choose one of them, I'll take USC.
FIESTA BOWL
OKLAHOMA -7 Boise State
Adrian Peterson's gonna fight? Adrian Peterson's gonna fight! This game will be the argument against undefeated WAC teams getting a BCS bid. As much as I would love to see the Broncos finish the year without a loss and not in the top 5, it won't happen against Oklahoma. NFL scouts, I hope you're watching. The Sooners will cover against Boise State, and Adrian Peterson isn't the only guy to watch in this game (paging Paul Thompson).
Tuesday, Jan. 2
ORANGE BOWL
Louisville -11 Wake Forest
Let me get this straight, Louisville - the team that lost to The Greatest Story In College Football Part I, is now playing The Greatest Story In College Football Part II and is favored by 11? I don't think so. Sorry Louisville, I know you've been in like nine straight bowl games or something pseudo-impressive like that, and you have the number three offense in the nation this season (38.9 points) but honestly? You're Louisville. Get over yourselves. I'll take Wake Forest and their cast of Hollywood special effects and storybook endings with the points.
Wednesday, Jan. 3
SUGAR BOWL
LSU -7 Notre Dame
Find me a single Notre Dame fan who thinks they have an chance in this one. Seriously, I'l wait . . .
. . . they're probably the same fan who is still waiting for Brady Quinn to have his "breakout game" this season. Don't get me wrong, but against the four toughest teams on the Fighting Irish's schedule (Michigan, Michigan State, USC and UCLA) Quinn didn't have a completion percentage above 60%. Again, not necessarily bad, but not good enough to cut it against LSU and JaMarcus Russell. Even if Quinn manages to step out of the shadow of being A.J. Hawk's brother-in-law, Notre Dame's defense just hasn't been solid enough this season to stop the Tigers. As good as this one looks on paper (Quinn vs. Russell) the defense battle is more one-sided than the Boise State - Oklahoma matchup, and look how that one ended . . . Uh, yeah, I'll take LSU to cover.
Saturday, Jan. 6
INTERNATIONAL BOWL
Cincinnati -9 Western Michigan
Sunday, Jan. 7
GMAC BOWL
SO Mississippi -6½ Ohio
Just because you're so Mississippi doesn't mean you're so good. Yeah, I know, bad joke, but with this game, does anyone really even care? I'll take Ohio and the points
Monday, Jan. 8
TOSTITOS (or as my girlfriend calls them Toasted O's) NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
THE Ohio State University -8 Florida
Like there was much choice in this one. My apologies to my cousin Erin.I'll take the Buckeyes.
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