Wow.  With all the success I’ve had picking games all year (admittedly more so in pro than college), the bowl season has not been kind to me.  Call it my love for the Pac 10 betraying me, or just that I may have smoked too much crack that day.  Actually, a lot of the underdogs won outright, and when you pick favorites to cover a small spread, which is the smart play, well…I ended up looking not too smart. Here’s my selections for the bowls that matter.

OUTBACK BOWL Friday, January 1

Northwestern +8 vs. Auburn

This may be the first time in my life I have ever picked a Big 10 school to beat an SEC school.  The way the season has gone, I’ve learned to go with the underdog.  Auburn has played some pretty sorry football this year, but other than that, the statictical edge would favor Aubun slightly.  Take the Wildcats and the points though, and hope they keep it close enough.

GATOR BOWL Friday, January 1

Florida State vs. (16) West Virginia -2.5

Its Bobby Bowden’s swan song, and its almost impossble to imagine one of the 2 greatest coaches in college history coaching his final game in Florida and not coming out on top.  But then you have to look at the stats.  Florida State’s defense allows more than West Virginia puts up in total yards, passing yards and rushing yards.  This means that West Virginia should be able to execute to its fullest on offense, where they managed a 9-3 record. My heart is telling me to go with Bowden, but considering the spread is 2.5, that should be more than enough for West Virginia.

CAPITAL ONE BOWL Friday, January 1

(12) LSU vs. (13) Penn State -1

Again this situation rears its head, and my respect for the SEC and disrespect for the Big 10 face off.  But Penn State has been good to be all year.  I was 7-1 ATS this year with them.  Yes, the SEC faces tougher competition, but look at the other stats: Penn State is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 overall.  LSU, however, is 8-20 in thier last 28 games on grass ATS, and 6-13 ATS in their last 19 games overall. Put it all together, and you can lay the 1 point with Paterno’s squad.

ROSE BOWL Friday, January 1

(8) Ohio State vs. (7) Oregon-4

A tough one here, but I have to go with the Pac 10 again.  Tressel has been awful in BCS games, and the PAC 10′s best has beaten the Big 10′s best quite a bit lately here.  Oregon stomped USC, who beat Ohio State in Columbus.  What’s more, is that Oregon is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 bowl games. Take the Ducks, and enjoy what should be one of the most exciting Rose Bowls in years.

SUGAR BOWL Friday, January 1

(3) Cincinnati vs. (5) Florida -12.5

For the record, I’m pulling for Cinci here. Any time we can get more undefeated teams to destroy the BCS cartel, I’m all for it. But with Brian Kelly pulling a Bobby Petrino, Cinci may be in a state of disarray.  They surely have never faced a defense this tough and this fast.  And with Urban Meyer not returning next year, you can bet Tebow and the boys will have a “Win it for Coach Meyer” attitude.   What’s glaring is that Florida is 20-6 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. Pull for Cinci, but if you’re putting money down, a 30-17 victory sound about right for the Gators, and would cover the spread.

INTERNATIONAL BOWL Saturday, January 2nd

Northern Illinois vs. South Florida -7

If indeed the name of this Bowl is to attract international viewers, they could have picked 2 more attractive teams.  Then again, I said the same thing about the Humanitarian Bowl, and it has been the most exciting Bowl game of the season thus far.  Its pretty even statistically, but South Florida has played and beaten tougher competition this year.  Lay the points and ride the Bulls.

PAPA JOHN’S PIZZA BOWL Saturday, January 2nd

Connecticut +4 vs. South Carolina

Another bowl named after very sub-par pizza.  Hopefully the quality of the game is better than that of the sponsor.  The old Ball Coach and the Cocks play in a tougher conference, but UCONN iss 10-2 ATS this year.  In addition,  they are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a winning record.  Take UCONN and the points.

LIBERTY BOWL Saturday, January 2nd

Arkansas vs. East Carolina +7.5

Give me Liberty, or give me two teams that when playing each other, make me want death”-Patrick Henry.  At least I think he said something like that.  When you look at these two teams, the most glaring statistic is that Arkansas gives up over 400 yards a game.  That should allow East Carolina to fully execute on offense, at least in theory. It should be enough to keep the Pirates within a touchdown and cover.

COTTON BOWL Saturday, January 2nd

Mississippi + 3 vs. (19) Oklahoma State

Once one of the 4 major Bowls, the Cotton Bowl has slipped in prominence the last 15 years.  Still, it usually pitts some good 2nd tier teams against each other.  I love Randy Gundy, because he’s a man because he’s 40.  But Mississippi’s offense puts up over 400 yards per game and almost 5 yards per rush, and they play in a tougher coference.  Underdogs have been playing well, so take the Rebels and the 3 points.

ALAMO BOWL Saturday, January 2nd

Michigan State vs. Texas Tech -7.5

Texas Tech lost their greatest coach ever 2 days ago, after he was fired for abusing a player.  Still, without Mike Leach, Tech has said they had even better practices and were more focused because the pressure was off.  Combine that with the fact that Michigan State is 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning record, and you can feel good about taking the Red Raiders and laying the 7.5.

FIESTA BOWL Monday, January 4th

(6) Boise State + 7.5 vs. (4) TCU

Both of these teams have been underdogs all year.  The BCS waited for them to fall, and they never did.  So what did the BCS selction committee do?  Instead of allowing these two great programs to wipe the deck with one of the national prima donnas, they forced them to play one another, in a weak attempt to try to minimize the discussion for a playoff system (see our article Bowl Chicken Sh!t on the home page).  I love both of these programs, and as great as Boise State has proven they can be, they’ve never faced a defense like TCU’s.  Then again, Gary Patterson and the Horned Frogs haven’t faced an offense with this much big play and trick play ability this year.  This is my favorite Bowl game this year, and no matter who wins, the fact that the winner will not get a chance to play for the  national championship is a crime.   Boise State is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 bowl games.  Boise State should be able to keep it within a touchdown, so take the Mustangs and the points, and if you happen to see a guy with a BCS tattoo, tell him his mother is a whore and spit beer on him.

ORANGE  BOWL Tuesday, January 5th

(10) Iowa vs. (9) Georgia Tech -4

Iowa somehow managed a 10 win season, and a lot of those were come from behind victories against weaker school.   So good for them.  They had a nice season.  Aside from that, there’s no reason to think Georgia Tech won’t treat them like a slave in a German Scheisse video.   Georgia Tech averages 142 yards per gamne on offense more than Iowa, and a 4 point spread seems as sure a lock as any game we’ve seen.  Both of these schools are just happy they don’t play TCU or Boise State.  F’ing BCS cowards.

GMAC BOWL Wednesday, January 6th

Troy vs. Central Michigan -3.5

I thought as the Bowl season goes on, the teams were supposed to be better?  Well, just because these are smaller schools, don’t underestimate the shootout possibility in this one.  Troy gives up over 420 yards per game, and that is the biggest difference here.  Take Central Michigan and lay the 3.5 points.  And if you’re really into over/unders take the over on 63.

BCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

(2) Texas vs. (1) Alabama -4 Thursday, Janaury 7th

The national champion comes out of this game, and Texas is good.  But Alabama seems so much more superior.  They took one of the nation’s top 5 defenses (Florida) and pounded them like hooker.  They have the Hesiman trophy winner, although Mark Ingram should have finished 2nd to Stanford’s Toby Gerhart.  Their conference strength is better, and then you have these stats: Texas is 5-7- ATS this year and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 bowl games.  I like Alabama, and I like them in a route.  I and the rest of America would love and deserve to see them play the winner of the Fiesta Bowl.  Okay,okay…I’ll get off my soap box.

Every year it seems, the BCS is on the verge of a major controversy that would push for a playoff.  And every year, somehow, the questions that develop after the season ends somehow fall on deaf ears.  But this year, a scenario developed that couldn’t be ignored, or so we thought.  This year, a “BCS BUST” scenario has never been more prevalent, but the BCS selection committee chose the chicken sh!t way out.

Case in point: pairing Boise State and TCU in the Fiesta Bowl.

Going into the 2009-2010 Bowl season we had 4 undefeated teams, something the system has never had.  The argument has always been that schools from historically “weaker” conferences couldn’t play with the big boys in the power conferences.  But that argument has been drilled like a Paris Hilton on a night out in recent years.

Just three years ago, Boise State put all the critics complaints to rest, taking out Oklahoma in-maybe not so arguably-the most exciting college football game in history. The dramatic 43-42 overtime victory culminated with Boise State’s Statue of Liberty 2- point conversion was seen on prime time national television.  And let’s not forget, Oklahoma was a 2 loss team that year, with one of them being to Oregon on a call that was pure robbery.  The game was stolen from Oklahoma like the innocence of a child by Gary Glitter. If not for that horrible call, Oklahoma would have been playing for the national title, and Boise State beat them.

And last year, undefeated Utah squared off against #3 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.  The SEC is perennially thought to be the toughest conference in the country year after year, and the Mountain West shouldn’t have been able to compete.  Utah not only competed, but dominated from the outset and finished the year undefeated and with a #2 ranking.  After working over the SEC #2, we all wanted to see them square off against the BCS champion and SEC #1 Florida.  What we were left with was the only undefeated team finishing the season ranked second, and an ass load of questions.

So now here we are, with 2 undefeated schools ready to play the big boys, and prove once and for all that a playoff system is necessary.  The problem is, the big boys don’t want to play them, and the BCS selection committee didn’t want to put their power conferences in a position to be beaten.  The BCS had a chance to redeem themselves, or at least practice what they preach, and instead went and hid like cowards.

We can sit here and speculate that, although Georgia Tech had a very nice year, but TCU would very likely beat them, but now we’ll never know.  And what would happen if Boise State were to face Iowa?  If you are going to put the Big Ten #2 in a BCS game, that’s  nothing.  Boise State already proved they could beat the Big 12 #1 two years ago. Given these scenarios, there would be 3 undefeated teams including the BCS title game winner.  If Cincinnati were to upset Florida, that would have given us 4 unbeaten teams at year’s end, all but demanding a new system be implemented.

At the very least, a “Plus 1” scenario would be some sort of improvement, but don’t count on the BCS to revamp any time soon.  BCS conferences have perennial toilet teams like Duke, Syracuse, Indiana, and Vanderbilt raking in 3 times as much money as TCU and Boise State. The WAC and Mountain West Champions put it all on the line and succeed every year, including beating the best conference and teams in bowls, but can’t get paid because the conference is apparently not good enough.  So don’t expect the BCS conferences to all of a sudden go for a playoff, even though it’s clear that it would be fairer.

Just like organized crime (and the case can be made that’s exactly what the BCS is) its all about money.

College Football’s bowl season kicks off tomorrow.  I’ve supplied my prediction and witty commentary about who will win and why for all the bowls through the end of the year.  This is my first installment, covering the bowls from December 19th through December 31.  Then I’ll get into the ones that matter in my second installment.    For now, take these bets to the bank, and enjoy your egg nog, though it may come back up after looking at some of these match ups.

NEW MEXICO BOWL Saturday, December 19th

Wyoming vs. Fresno State -10.5

Most of the data suggests Wyoming will cover.  Still, a 35-24 game doesn’t sound like too much of a chore for Pat Hill to get done, especially with Wyoming allowing about 100 yards more on defense than they muster up on offense.

ST. PETERSBURG BOWL Saturday December 19th

Central Florida -3 vs. Rutgers

What?  The St. Petersburg Bowl?  What the Hell is this?  And will anyone watch?  The only glaring difference is Central Florida is 3 games better vs. the spread this year.  Lay the 3 points, and go punch yourself in the face for a better time.

NEW ORLEANS BOWL Sunday, December 20th

Middle Tennessee State vs. Southern Mississippi + 3.5

This isn’t the bowl the people of N’awlins are hoping for.  And take these records and throw them out the window.  I used my magic 8 ball (not the cocaine one), and all signs point to Southern Miss upsetting MT State.  Take the points and pray Favre’s alma matter comes through like he has this year.  Old ass.

MAACO LAS VEGAS BOWL Tuesday, December 22^nd

(14) BYU vs. (18) Oregon State -2.5

Now we’re getting somewhere.  Some decent teams with good records and tougher conferences.  The Rogers brothers play in the tougher conference, and that should be all they need to beat Max Hall and the Cougars by a field goal.  That, and the fact that Oregon State is 23-8 in their last 31 games against the spread.

POINSETTIA BOWL Wednesday, December 23^rd

(23) Utah vs. Cal -3.5

Another PAC 10 vs. Mountain West clash.  Last year, the Mountain West owned the Pac 10 like a Pirate owns his wench:  Dirty and unforgiving.  But the PAC 10 is far better this year, and the Mountain West is down.  The question is which team will show up for Cal, as they have been Jekyll and Hyde all year. Jahvid Best, is one of the top 5 backs in the country, but is still questionable for the game .  Strength of conference is the decider here again, so roll with the PAC 10 and lay the 3.5.

HAWAII BOWL Thursday, December 24^th

Southern Methodist vs. Nevada -15

It seems as if a more watchable bowl game could have been put on Christmas Eve.  Then again, I’ll be so wasted on egg nog and single-barrel Jack Daniels and cursing at the Christmas carolers, I won’t watch anyway.  What I do like is Nevada putting up 522 yards of offense per game, and that seems sufficient to lay the 15 against Eric Dickerson’s alma matter.

LITTLE CAESAR’S PIZZA BOWL Saturday, December 26^th

Ohio vs. Marshall -2.5

Sadly, more people may find the sponsor’s pizza more appetizing than this game.  Instead of the “We are (clap-clap) Mar-shall!” cheer, television ratings may pick up a “No One (clap-clap) Will Watch!!! ” reaction.  So what do we do?  Go with the home team being 7-1 in their last 8 meetings against the spread…wait a minute, it’s a bowl game, so there’s no real home team…f’it.  Flip a coin.

MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL Saturday, December 26th

North Carolina vs. (17) Pittsburgh -3

After a heartbreaking loss to Cincinnati to cost them a BCS birth, Pittsburgh should rebound against North Carolina.  You never know which UNC team will show, and we like that Pitt gets almost twice as many yards per carry on the ground.  That’s enough to lay 3 points.  I still think Dave Wannstedt looks like a porn star, without the intelligence.

EMERALD BOWL Saturday, December 26^th

Boston College +9 vs. (24) USC

It’s no secret who UCLA will be cheering for.  And its no secret that USC will be looking to make an example out of Boston College after a huge bowl demotion.  Emerald Nuts has a bowl, and USC will try to make Boston College taste theirs.  But USC’s arrogance may have finally caught up with them, as their talent, once able to back up their hubris, can no longer. SC no longer possesses a deep threat or quick strike offense, nor do they put up a great amount of points.  Combine that with Boston College being 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games versus a team with a winning record, and I’ll take the Eagles +9 all day.

MUSIC CITY BOWL Sunday, December 27^th

Kentucky vs. Clemson -7.5

When you have a match up like this, a lot of the time it comes down to conference strength.  But throw in a potential top 5 NFL pick in Clemson’s C.J. Spiller, and a 28-20 score is definitely foreseeable.  Roll with the Tigers.

INDEPENDENCE BOWL Monday, December 28^th

Texas A & M vs. Georgia -7

I can’t believe A & M even made a bowl.  However, in all the major statistical categories, its pretty evenly matched.  But when you factor in the even statistics with Georgia playing in a much tougher conference, plus Georgia is 8-3 against the spread in their last 11 bowl games, Georgia should win by at least a touchdown.

EAGLE BANK BOWL Tuesday, December 29^th

Temple + 4 vs. UCLA

UCLA had to wait until the very last game of the college football season to see if they could get to a bowl.  That game was the Army/Navy game.  I never thought UCLA’s bowl eligibility would ride on this contest.  With Navy’s victory, UCLA gets the privilege of facing Temple in the Eagle Bank (Bailout) Bowl.  Playing in a weaker conference, Temple is the underdog here.  But they are 9-3 in their last 12 games against the spread, and UCLA’s victories have all come against really bad teams.  I like the Owls all day.

CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL Tuesday, December 29^th

(25) Wisconsin vs. (15) Miami -3.5

Finally, a more scintillating match-up with two ranked teams.  Wisconsin’s rank is suspect, because of the Big Ten’s perennial over rating.  Although the statistical differences are negligible, I think Jacory Harris could be a Heisman candidate in 2 more years.  The Canes are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 bowl games, and Miami’s high powered offense should have no problem covering 3.5.  Lay the points, and watch for any drugs or weapons on the Miami sideline (You can also do the same in the Emerald Bowl with USC’s sideline).

HUMANITARIAN BOWL Wednesday, December 30^th

Bowling Green -2 vs. Idaho

The Humanitarian Bowl in the past has featured some more intriguing match ups.  But this year, if the board of directors for this bowl selection committee had any sense of what the word “humanitarian” means, then they wouldn’t subject us to watch these 2 teams.  Bowling Green is 6-2 in their last 8 games on turf against the spread, and that’s enough for us to lay the 2 and go buy the liquor for the New Years party.

HOLIDAY BOWL Wednesday, December 30^th

(22) Nebraska vs. (20) Arizona -1.5

Arizona averages 2 yards per carry more than Nebraska, but they have never seen an interior lineman like Ndamukong Suh.  That said, you have to figure with Arizona playing in the second best conference in the country, Suh is the sole reason the spread is only 1.5.  The over/under is 40, and should be a lot lower than that.  Figure 13-10 Arizona, and lay the 1.5.

ARMED FORCES BOWL Thursday, December 31^st

Air Force vs. Houston -4

Obviously, the sentimental favorite is Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl.  But Houston averages 230 yards of total offense more per game.  The conference strength between these two teams is negligible here…so that’s a lot.  Throw in the fact that Houston is 8-4 against the spread this year and 9-4 in their last 13 games, and I like the Cougars to cover the 4 points here.

SUN BOWL Thursday, December 31^st

(21) Stanford +8 vs. Oklahoma

My favorite new team of the year, Jim Harbaugh has taken Stanford to a more than respectable program.  Their Heisman candidate Toby Gerhart was robbed of the trophy, due again to East Coast bias.  The odds makers must no a whole lot that I don’t, and I guess that’s why they are the odds makers and I am a self proclaimed expert.  I love Stanford’s offensive line, Toby Gerhart and Andrew Luck.  They average almost 3 yards per rush more than Oklahoma, and play in a tougher conference.  They should win outright, and easily stay within 8 points.

TEXAS BOWL Thursday, December 31^st

Navy + 6.5 vs. Missouri

Navy’s biggest claim to fame this year was their victory over Notre Dame, sealing the fate of the fatty tuna, Charlie Weis.  They still love to run the ball, using option and wishbone and other 3 back sets constantly.  Averaging almost 2 yards more per rush could help them stay close, and when you consider Missouri is 1-8 against the spread versus a team with a winning record, I like Navy and the points.

INSIGHT BOWL Thursday, December 31

Iowa State + 2.5 vs. Minnesota

Here’s some insight:  Don’t put two .500 teams from the same conference, and the most overrated conference at that, in the same game and make us watch, then have the nerve to call it the “Insight Bowl”.  Why not call it, “The Battle For Mediocrity”?  Iowa State is the underdog, and when you consider they are 10-2 against the spread in their last 12 vs. their own conference, take the Cyclones and 2.5, and a box of valium to make the game more interesting.

CHICK FIL-A BOWL Thursday, December 31

Tennessee vs. (11) Virginia Tech -4.5

How Tennessee finished 7-5 and made a bowl is perplexing.  Crybaby Lane Kiffin got his team in to a bowl, despite episodes of atrocious playing, including a home loss to UCLA.  But the bigger mystery is how is VA Tech only a 4.5 point favorite.  Frank Beamer is an experienced coach and has VA Tech as a perennial bowl team, and he’ll have his team ready to work over little Laney.  Lay the 4.5 with arrogance.  If there is a lock in a bowl game, this is it

Here we go again.  Yet another chance for another story of East Coast bias.  This time, it’s an award ceremony at New York City’s Downtown Athletic Club for the best college football player on the land, and while there is only 1 out of the 5 nominees playing on the East Coast, a lot of the time its West Coast” hating.  Case in point:  Stanford running back Toby Gerhart, the most deserving of all the nominees, may very well get overlooked.

Some may point to the fact that Gerhart is heavily rumored to pursue a career in baseball, one in which he may be more talented than football, which is scary.  That may preclude people from voting for him, just like when Florida State quarterback Charlie Ward won in 93.  Ward went on to an average career in the NBA.

But the award shouldn’t be predicated on “what the athlete might do”.  It’s for the best player in college football, and if you look at who each payer has played, you will see what I mean.  Gerhart’s main competition at running back is Alabama’s Mark Ingram.  Gerhart racked up more rushing yards, touch downs, and yards per game than Ingram.

Gerhart          Ingram
Yards                        1736              1542
Yards per game        144.67          118.62
Touch downs             26                 15

More importantly, Ingram played in one more game, facing a division I-AA school in Chattanooga. Gerhart played a tougher schedule, as evidenced by his average rush defense faced of 59th, when compared to Ingram facing the 67th, and no doubt would have been lower if not for the fact that you can’t even factor in Chattanooga because they are not a D-1 school. Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, the other main threat, faced a pass defense that ranked on the average 77th in the nation. And everyone’s favorite Christian Warrior, Florida Quarterback Tim Tebow, already ha the award once.  Losing to Alabama in the SEC championship sealed his fate for a chance at a second award.

Certainly, the winner of this award by no means goes on to greatness at the professional level.  In the last 20 years, there have been numerous busts, while setting records in college.  This includes Andre Ware (89), Ty Detmer (90), Gino Toretta (92), Charlie Ward (93), Danny Wuerffel (96), Chris Weinke (2000), Eric Crouch (2001), Jason White (2003), Matt Leinart (2004), Troy Smith (2006).  Four of the above player never started an NFL game.

The running backs were no guarantee either, and besides Eddie George, who was always “good” but never “great”, ’94 winner Rashaan Salaam and ’99 winner Ron “No Gain” Dayne were complete busts. 1998 winner Ricky Williams snagged one NFL rushing title, but his career has been significantly damaged due to multiple retirements, drug use and depression.  2006 winner Reggie Bush is little more than a 3rd down back.

Though it seems the Heisman is more of a curse than a blessing, there can be no denying Gerhart is more deserving of the award.  So lets here it for Toby.  The ward isn’t about who might be the higher NFL draft pick, but who has exhibited the most excellence on college football this year.  And tough Stanford is vastly improved, the fact remains that the PAC-10 is far better than anyone gives it credit for, and has higher rush defense ratings than other conferences thought to be better.

We’ll see if the West Coast Hate continues December 10th.

Whoops

Ever since the Connecticut debacle, and some would say the Navy debacle, Charlie Weis was pulled to the side of the boat, and it was only a matter of time before the gaff hook impaled the big tuna.  Unlike Bob Davie and Ty Willingham’s demise, Weis’s arrogance makes his downfall that much more interesting, and to some, delightful.  Weis has clearly been humbled, and his demeanor in the press the last 2 weeks wreaked of a defeated man…a man who knows his public execution is immanent.  The fish fry happened today, and we now wait to find a replacement.  Below are our top 5 choices, in order of most likely.  My gut is telling me Kelly, but the animosity between Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh would make the most compelling rivalry between the schools in years, and that’s the one I’m routing for.

1)    Brian Kelley, Head Coach, Cincinnati
After heading the Bearcats to a BCS bowl victory and several Big East conference championships, Kelly may have achieved all he can, which is quite a bit.  2 bowl victories, a conference title and a BCS bowl appearance is not bad in 3 years, nor is his 33-6 record.  But to move on to a school of National Prominence with an exclusive television contract aint a bad gig either.  When you consider his current program and resume, it will be easier for Kelly to move than some of the other top contenders.

2)    Urban Meyer, head coach, Florida
Certainly, Meyer has the most impressive resume of any candidate, and if Notre Dame had their choice, he would most likely be the guy.  A 5-1 record in bowls since he has been there, including 2 conference titles and 2 BCS titles.  In the past, Meyer had referred to coaching at Notre Dame as his dream job.  However, Notre Dame’s main problem is their higher academic standards.  They cannot get the players that Florida, USC, or some of the other schools have with lower academic standards.  With Meyer’s 2 national Titles and perhaps another on the way, the only reason for him to go to Notre Dame would be to become a Deity.  This would occur, however, if he were to go to the most preeminent Catholic university and performs a miracle.

3)    Bob Stoops, head coach, Oklahoma
Stoops name continues to surface, and he continues to deny.  Maybe because he is not the first choice, and doesn’t want to pine for something in which he knows the feeling isn’t mutual…yet.  There’s no doubting his success.  8 straight bowl games, 5 of which are BCS bowls including a BCS championship in 2000.  He has great regular season success with a 115-29 record, but much more shaky in Bowls with a 4-6 record.  That may suggest his 10 year run at Oklahoma could use a fresh start somewhere else.

4)    Jim Harbaugh, Head Coach, Stanford
Harbaugh has done the unthinkable, and he’s been brash and unapologetic in doing so.  He took a team from the toilet and turned them into a force that no one wants to play.  Say what you want about Heisman Candidate Toby Gerhart’s amazing year, but he’s not all Stanford has.  A big reason for his success is Stanford’s great offensive line.  When you are recruiting in the same conference against Pete Carroll, landing great players is no easy task, and Harbaugh has done it.  Speaking of, Harbaugh has made it clear that he doesn’t particularly care for Carroll, or USC’s arrogance.  Beating them twice in the last 3 years in SC’s house, including running up the score and embarrassing Carroll just 2 weeks ago in a 55-21 slaughter is evidence enough.  Even though Harbaugh is a Wolverine, what better way to establish a hate-fueled rivalry than by going to SC’s most storied rival?  We’re talking Bo Schembechler-Woody Hayes stuff here.  That could be really fun.

5)    Gary Patterson, Head Coach, TCU
This would almost certainly have to be a default hire, with the other 4 electing to stay where they are.  All but Kelly have vehemently denied any desire to go to Notre Dame.  If they cannot get them, Patterson isn’t a bad choice, and he may jump at the chance. Stuck in a small conference, Patterson has done about as good as anyone ever could, going 53-10 over the last 4 years, and more importantly, 4-0 in bowls.  He now has a chance to have a perfect season if he can win his BCS bowl, and against a top program, that would be extremely impressive.  That would provide the necessary catapult to see what he can do with a national power.

Eventually, it’s got to come to an end.  When it does, the fans, players, and everyone who declare their allegiance to whatever power that falls, should acknowledge their greatness, and say thank you. But making excuses, deflecting commentary about what really happened, and trying to make the rest of the viewing population take part in a game of semantics is perhaps more embarrassing than the loss itself.

Case in point:  USC’s dismissal from BCS and Pac-10 championship consideration after their second embarrassing conference loss in 3 games.  This time, at the hands of perennial loser, but now much improved Stanford.

Stanford pummeled USC 55-21 in front of their home fans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 14th.  After escaping with a win over lowly Arizona State the week before, Trojan fans instant recall of a 48-20 onslaught at the hands of Oregon 2 weeks ago was ever present.  In the last 2 weeks USC tallied won unimpressive victory by hanging on against a weak team, and the other 2 games resembled a whore waiting for the ship to dock at the harbor, as she anxiously waited to get owned in the ass by about 10 sailors when the ship disembarked.

Perhaps more telling than the embarrassing losses is some of their wins. Vegas had the Trojans a 44 point favorite in week 4 against one of the worst teams in college football in Washington State.  After putting up a 20 spot in the first quarter, the game was virtually even the rest of the way, with the Trojans outscoring the lowly Cougars 7-6 over the final 3 quarters.  By the way, the Cougars are 87th nationally in total defense. In week 9, they held on against the sorry Sun Devils of Arizona State, in which they eeked out a 5 point victory and managed only 1 offensive touchdown against the 117th ranked defense in the country.

It’s so funny how USC fans are attempting to deflect their punishment.  Then there’s all the excuses of the injuries and that they are starting freshman quarterback.  Guess what?  It’s not anyone else’s fault that a true freshman is the best you have at the position.  And the true freshman didn’t allow 613 yards to Oregon and 469 yards to Stanford in a 2 week period. Many people are trying to spew nonsense such as Harbaugh going for two late in the game ruined a great victory for Stanford.  “Now all anyone remembers is that they went for 2 when the game was well in hand”, I’ve heard SC apologists cry.

Wrong.  They remember your team getting pounded like a hooker that needs to pay her rent in 2 days.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Toro!  That’s the fatty part of the tuna, and considered a delicacy.  But Big Tuna Charlie Weis looks more like a week old California roll than a delicacy, at least as far as his performance is concerned.

In 2004, the university gave him a 10 year contract extension just halfway through his first year with a 5-2 record. That’s more premature than the sexual stamina of a 16 year old boy (and some 30 year old men I know…just saying). The sad thing is that his first year success was using a large portion of former coach Tyrone Willingham’s recruits. Since that extension his record 26-21, a mark barely above .500 in a football program and alumni and booster association that demands much more than mediocrity.

So is it a case of too much time in the buffet line and not enough time game planning?  After all, when his shirt is off, it looks like he still has a fanny pack on…made of flesh.  We can go low-brow all day with the fat jokes-and no, we’re not above it- but I’m sure Weiss would welcome fat jokes in comparison to the discussion of his job being on the line.

Built for Comfort, Not for Speed

Gone is Jimmy Clausen’s Hulk Hogan Hair (Balding on top, long blond locks down the back, also known as the “Skullet”), and perhaps so too are his clutch performances.  Actually, that’s yet to be shown by Clausen.  So why, with only 9 seconds left, would Weis call for throwing a fade to the front part of the end zone, which may as well have been a punt because it got so much hang time, and an extra 1-2 seconds run off?  Then, on what could have been the final play, Clausen throws to a receiver on a slant route 3 yards short of the goal line.  Luckily, he had one more chance to redeem himself, which turned into one more chance to show just how bad they could choke; throwing an incomplete pass that wasn’t even close.

Perhaps most importantly, how in the name of Touchdown Jesus do you have the ball on the 4 yard line, 9 seconds on the clock, a time out left, and NOT RUN THE DAMN BALL? The play calling ultimately cost Notre Dame the game, and that falls directly on Weis.  USC was up by 20 in the 4th quarter and it’s a down year for them.  They no longer have that great vertical passing attack that has been a staple of their offense since Pete Carroll came around.  And if they didn’t take their foot off Notre Dame’s throat, the outcome could have been a lot worse.

That’s 8 straight for USC over Notre Dame, with Weis winless since he’s been there.  The ILLUSION that they came back in the end when it looked like USC just wanted to go home probably saved his job, at least for the foreseeable. But another 2 losses will very likely turn Charlie Tuna into sashimi.  And not the delicacy, either.

Waaaaahhhhh!!!!!!

Yes, the politician Mack Brown is at it again.  But this time he is just getting started a little early.  During his weekly press conference, the politician has begun to defend his team’s weak offensive play against a battered OU club.  He called it a defensive slugfest.  This a term used by ESPN, and the conference they have a man crush on, the SEC, when two horrible offensive teams square up and play to a 6-3 outcome.  I have seen soccer matches that are more exciting than some of these so called “defensive slugfests”.
It has become apparent that the Big 12 Conference is vastly overrated.  Mack is not liking this one bit, but how can he argue when one carefully examines their scheduling of non conference teams (or shall we say shark chum)?  Texas had brought in a few consultants on how to beat the BCS System after being left out of last year’s title game.  Their obvious solution was to schedule weak opponents and let the conference slate carry them to the finish line.
This looked to be a great tactic until the conference took a face plant.  Conference apologists will say, “The Big 12 is 33-13 in the conference games.  We also beat teams like Georgia and Wake Forest.”    True, but let’s look a little deeper.  33 of these wins came against teams like Northwestern State, Kent State, New Mexico, UAB, Northern Colorado, Duke just to name a few.  Now, let’s look at the losses.
-OU lost to BYU and Miami (I actually applaud OU for scheduling these teams)
-Texas A&M lost to Arkansas
-Texas Tech AND Okie State lost to Houston (Damn that school who owns the Big 12 this year)
-Kansas St lost to UCLA
-Colorado lost to W. Virginia, Colorado State and Toledo
-Nebraska lost to Viginia Tech
See the trend here?  Against good opponents (and some not so good), the Little 12 has looked feeble.  Texas also is not helping its cause playing teams like Louisiana Monroe, Wyoming and UTEP.   So quit your crying Mack, and don’t schedule cannon fodder while trying to rely on your conference’s reputation.  You were looking for a repeat of the Big 12 hype last year but your dice just crapped out.  So, if you lose a game and get left out again, just turnaround, and thank those BCS consultants you hired.

Damage control? Too late.

Coach Urban Meyer and quarterback Tim Tebow have something in store for Lane Kiffin and the Vols

Lane Kiffin obviously hasn’t read the book, “How to Win Friends and Influence People”.  A son of a highly respected and long tenured defensive coach Monte Kiffin, Lane is largely thought of as being handed the greatest coaching gigs at a young age without ever having to prove himself, just because he is Monte’s son.  He became the USC offensive coordinator after Norm Chow was unceremoniously run out of town.  With Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart and other great weapons, and with Kiffin merely inheriting Chow’s genius architecture of offense, he was able to parlay that 1 year tenure in that cush position into an NFL head coaching job with the Oakland Raiders, even over more qualified candidates.  With this track record of getting things handed to him, it’s no wonder he opened up his yap in the worst way possible, inviting a beating that would make the Gooch’s beating of Arnold Jackson look tame.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Certainly, no one can Blame Kiffin for trying to create a buzz about the program.  Once a national power, Tennessee’s 5-7 atrocity last season resulted in the removal of coaching legend Phil Fulmer and the hiring of Kiffin.  So it was interesting how when the program is in the worst shape it’s been in well, maybe, ever, he decides to go after the King of the mountain.  What better way to generate some attention than to pick on the biggest kid on the block?  The problem is, when you do that, you better be able to handle yourself, because the biggest kid on the block is likely to pile drive your dome in the dirt, then spit on you when he’s done.  This would indicate why Tennessee is a 30 point underdog this weekend as they head to the Swamp, in what may be the best definition of “Lambs to the slaughter” we’ve seen in years.

It’s probably going to get ugly, and perhaps the best indication of that is the eerie quiet that is coming out of Gainesville.  All the “no comment” and “we’ve moved on” verbiage from Florida certainly seems like the quiet before the storm, likely to be a category 5 hurricane unleashed on the Vols.  And with perhaps the best player in college football history taking the attack on his coach personally, Tim Tebow said in a statement Monday, “”I don’t like anyone talking about coach (Urban) Meyer”.  As happy as Gator fans are that the current regime has not behaved with the same arrogance that the Steve Spurrier regime did ( running up the score and then not winning the big game), you can certainly expect to see a blast from the past this weekend.  Look for a 40-50 point margin of victory here, just like the Old Ball Coach would do.

UPDATE:
It’s on! Even after a much closer game than most people expected and maybe even wanted, the war of words seems only to be heating up, led by the coaches. When asked why exactly the Gators didn’t blow out Tennessee by at least 30 points, as Vegas oddsmakers predicted, Florida coach Urban Meyer said his objective was just to win. According to Meyer, a conservative play calling scheme by Tennessee impressed upon Meyer that the Vols didn’t want to win, and would just try to keep it close, and thus allowed for Meyer to keep a leash on his dogs instead of turning them loose. “When I saw them start handing the ball off, you didn’t feel like they were going after the win,” said Meyer to reporters the day after the game. “They wanted to shorten the game. I remember looking out there and there’s 10 minutes left in the game and there’s no no-huddle, they are down, I think it was 23-6, and (there’s no) urgency.”
He also went on to say that 3 of his own players were battling flu-like symptoms during the week leading up to the game.

It didn’t take long for Kiffin to fire back. When told of Meyer’s comments about his teams possible illness, and asked if Tennessee players had the same affliction, Kiffin quipped, “I don’t know. I guess we’ll wait and after we’re not excited about a performance, we’ll tell you everybody was sick.”

Its on…Do we really have to wait till next year?

On Saturday’s college football opener, Ohio State barely escaped Navy in the final seconds at home to hold on for a 31-27 victory.  During the lack luster performance, Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor sported the words “Mike” and “Vick” on each piece of his eye-black tape.  When asked about it post game, Pryor had this to say about his support for his idol:

“Not everybody is a perfect person in the world. Everyone kills people, murder people, steals from you, steals from me, whatever.”  Pryor’s scathing indictment of modern day society draws an interesting parallel with a quote by the great sociologist Manny Ramirez (see Manny being Manny…again).  I’m glad to count myself among the few who do not kill or murder people, at least not yet.  

Click here to view the embedded video.

There’s nothing wrong with picking a side and showing your allegiance.  But in so doing, make sure you say the right thing young man.  And if you don’t say the right thing, at least say the wrong thing the right way.