Christmas Week Bowls (12/23 - 12/28)

After going a weak 2-3 for the first 5 games, I'm kicking it up a notch for the next seven. BAM!! And yes, I am ten years old.

TCU -3 Boise State

This Poinsettia Bowl match up should prove to be a good game - not that anyone (myself included) will end up watching it. TCU has the number 2 ranked scoring defense in the nation (with Boise State #3), and has amazing allowed only 47.7 yards rushing per game. The Broncos on the other hand hung 61 points on Fresno State, and have scored 40+ points in each of their last five games. For BSU, this represents their first real challenge after going undefeated this season. More importantly, it represents a big challenge for RB Ian Johnson. After proposing to his girlfriend on national TV and ruining the 2007 Fiesta Bowl for OU, and having a collapsed lung last season, he really needs to step up the "Wow Factor" this year. I think he'll do it. I'm taking Boise State with the points.


Some Catholic School in Indiana -1.5 Hawaii

Ugh, at least the Irish get to go to Hawaii. If Cincy had trouble with this Warriors team, good luck to Notre Dame. I don't know how Charlie Weis will prepare for this game, especially when he must be on the phone nonstop checking up on Brady Quinn. One thing about this game does interest me - Notre Dame has all of their games televised before a national audience, whereas the majority of Hawaii's games start after 11:00pm EST. If a team falls in the Pacific and no one is there to watch it, did it ever happen? We'll find out this week. I'm taking Hawaii with the points.


Central Michigan -7 Florida Atlantic

These are two of the worst defenses in the country. I don't even think the Nuge, Kid Rock, or Eminem will turn out to watch this game. Congrats, Motor City Bowl - You've taken the title for Most Depressing Thing in Detroit! Even the Lions are thinking - "Hey, maybe we could beat one of these teams."

What's that, I have time for one more Detroit joke? Ok - this game will be so bad, you'll qualify for Federal Bailout money just by watching it. Hey!

Thank you, you've been a great audience. Please try the fish. I'll take Central Michigan giving a TD.


West Virginia -1.5 North Carolina

This game comes down to whether or not Tyler Hansbrough can successfully contain Da'Sean Butler, who is averaging 16 points per game. If he can do that, and the Tarheels can manage to score more than the 56.3 points per game the Mountaineers are allowing, I don't see any reason why UNC shouldn't win this game. I'll take the Heels getting 1.5.


An aside - I dare you to click on this link, watch the video for 30 seconds, and not have the song stuck in your head.


Florida State -5.5 Wisconsin

Good news, Seminole fans! The Champs Sports Bowl starts at 4:30 pm - just before coach Bowden's bedtime!! (See what I did there, I made a joke about Bowden's age!) Florida State players are really excited about this game. Not at the prospect of playing the Badgers, but the fact that game participants are given a "party at Best Buy" during which time they'll receive up to $400 worth of merchandise. I hate to make the obvious joke, but who is better than FSU at taking merchandise out of stores without paying for it? Do I have any insight on this game? Nope - I just like making FSU jokes. I'm taking the 'Noles giving the points here - for crying out loud, Wisconsin lost to Michigan!!


Cal -8 Miami

Cal is inviting fans to join coach Jeff Tedford and his staff after the Emerald Bowl game for a party at San Francisco's Warfield Theatre. The event will last from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. and will feature rock band Tightwad Hill, which includes members of the football staff. Tickets may be purchased through ticketmaster.com. As far as I know, parties suck after you lose. I'll take Cal giving the points because people in California like parties. Hey - you try coming up with 34 of these.


LA Tech even Northern Ill.

The Bulldogs are a virtual home team, playing just an hour away from their home in Ruston (wherever that is). I think they feature LB Bobby Boucher, though he may have used up his eligibility. I do think that the NIU team that finished the season at 1-3 is more likely to show up than the one that won three straight. With the Huskies a year removed from a 2-10 season, this game wreaks of "just happy to be here." I'll take the Bulldogs to win.

Stay tuned for more games as we go into the New Year's week.