SB Nation - Marshall Thundering Herd

Don't Bet On It!: College Football Bowl Edition (Part II)

T Kyle King — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:18:41 -0000

I made it through the ~~Sin City~~ Las Vegas Bowl in my last round of picks, so it’s time to rejoin the postseason schedule on the eve of Christmas Eve and run down my next four bowl predictions. As always, my ordinary mantra applies: Don’t Bet On It!

These are the next games on the slate in need of forecasting:

Poinsettia Bowl: California Golden Bears v. Utah Utes (Dec. 23): In the five years prior to this one, even those of us on the East Coast who aren’t entirely convinced that Versus is an actual channel have become accustomed to thinking of Utah as a top-flight college program bordering on perennial elite status. While this perception isn’t necessarily mistaken, it also isn’t applicable to 2009. This year, the Utes have gone 9-3, which sounds pretty good until you consider the fact that their three losses were to teams that together have gone 32-4 and their nine wins came against opponents with collective ledgers of 34-72. In short, Utah hasn’t beaten anyone who’s any good and Cal is a top 20 team. With apologies to the Superfans, I’m going with da Bears. (What if da Bears were midgets? Then it would be a much closer game . . . say, Bears 63, Utes 12. What about Tedford? Is he regular-sized? ‘Cause I assumed it was a mini-Tedford.)

Hawaii Bowl: Nevada Wolf Pack v. SMU Mustangs (Dec. 24): I’m not entirely convinced of this, but I’m fairly sure these two used to be in the same conference together at some point, maybe during one of the WAC’s wilder 36-team incarnations. Also, I find it a bit ironic that the student-athletes of Southern Methodist University, which is only now recovering from becoming the first program to be given the death penalty by the NCAA a quarter-century ago, are going up against the student-athletes of the University of Nevada at Reno, a program located in the quickie divorce capital of the world . . . so, basically, these two teams represent opposite ends of the spectrum where the consequences of cheating are concerned. I’m a Georgia fan, so you’ll have to excuse me if I’m a bit skeptical about June Jones’s ability to get his team to step up in a bowl game. I’m taking Nevada to get the better of the last living adherent of the run and shoot in what is apt to be a rocky homecoming.

Little Caesars Pizza Bowl: Marshall Thundering Herd v. Ohio Bobcats (Dec. 26): All right, I’m absolutely certain that this used to be a conference game, back when this postseason tilt was the Motor City Bowl and wasn’t sponsored by the latest pizza company to get in on the act. I make a habit of making unmerciful fun of Ohio (Ohio), but, when the Bobcats are going up against a team that fired its head coach and is difficult to identify as a bowl team, I’ll side with Ohio to beat Marshall.

Meineke Car Care Bowl: North Carolina Tar Heels v. Pittsburgh Panthers (Dec. 26): A criminal defense attorney of my longstanding acquaintance has what he calls his "Joyce Kilmer defense" whenever a client of his is charged with manufacture of a controlled substance with respect to marijuana. His argument is that, while a guy running a meth lab is engaged in the manufacture of an illegal drug, a guy who’s growing pot plants isn’t "manufacturing" anything, because "only God can make a tree." Anyone who appreciates the distinction between a Hamiltonian affinity for manufacturing and a Jeffersonian devotion to agrarianism (as exemplified in the prose of the Vanderbilt Fugitives, the poetry of Wendell Berry, and the film "The Dukes of Hazzard") recognizes that he is right, which brings me to the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate bowl games. Bowls named after plants (Rose, Orange, Sugar, Cotton) or after animals that are raised on a farm (Chick-fil-A) are good bowl games. (Admittedly, the aforementioned Poinsettia Bowl undermines this argument.) The Meineke Car Care Bowl generally is a clear example of the fact that bowls named after factory-produced goods or the retailers who sell them tend to be crummy contests. That said, a showdown between Pitt and UNC should make for a better game than most, and I have learned my lesson. Siding with Dave Wannstedt in a meaningful game is like getting involved in a land war in Asia; it’s one of the classic blunders. Accordingly, I’m picking the Tar Heels. After all, we are dealing with tobacco-growing Southern agrarians doing battle with steel-welding Eastern industrialists.

In case you’re keeping track at home, that’s eight games down and 73 26 to go, so stick around for the rest of the Dawg Sports bowl picks, and, in the meantime, remember . . . Don’t Bet On It!

Go ‘Dawgs!

Ranking The 2009-2010 Bowls: Part 1

Mark Kieffer — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:10:59 -0000

Everyone and their grandma has been ranking the bowls......Except for me. So I figured that I should jump in on all the fun, and talk about the 2nd season of College Football: "Bowl Season".

Now, I am in the camp of those who think there are just way too many bowl games. I'm not going to lie. It takes quite a bit to get me hyped up for a bowl game. To be honest, almost every year I set out to try and watch every bowl game, and every year I end up watching a handful of bowls, but mostly college basketball.

This year, I'm not making any promises like that, especially when it's quite possible I'll be going down to Tempe for the bowl game. At the same time, I will make the effort of watching a handful of games, and I figured I would share my process of elimination with you, by doing a countdown of bowl games that I am looking forward to most.

In Part 1 of this three part series, I'm going to countdown the 14 bowls that I find the least exciting. I'd characterize this group by saying that I could watch some of these games, but I'm certainly not rearranging my life to watch them. I can safely say that if I somehow did not watch a single game from this group, I wouldn't be too disappointed.

#34: New Orleans Bowl (Southern Miss vs. Middle Tennessee State), 12/20/2009, 7:30pm CST, ESPN

I have absolutley no reason to get excited about this game at all. I thought Southern Miss would be a better team than they were, but they ended up being just another 7-5 midmajor. If you're hardcore, on paper these teams look pretty even in regards to scoring. It could be a close game. Accuscore has Southern Miss as a 54% favorite. Whatifsports.com has Southern Miss, just edging the victory as well. Fortunatley for me, the Vikings play the Panthers on that Sunday night, so I will be watching that as well.

#33: New Mexico Bowl (Fresno State vs. Wyoming), 12/19/2009, 3:30pm CST, ESPN

There have been years in the past, when I've flicked on the game, because it's the 1st one in the season, and it's been a bit of a novelty. Usually, I can't watch past the 1st quarter. This year, I will probably try and attempt the same thing, but will end up doing something else. Not a knock on Fresno State which is a decent team, but moreso on Wyoming. On paper, this has the makings of a blowout. With Fresno State, you have one of the best offenses in the nation, averaging 436 yards/game and about 34 points scored. With Wyoming, you have one of the worst offenses, averaging 298 yards/game, and about 17 points scored.

#32: Little Caesar's Bowl (Marshall vs. Ohio), 12/26/2009, Noon CST, ESPN

What ranks this game here as opposed to last, is probably the fact that Marshall has a new head coach from the regular season now. Since there is a "craziness" possibility to this game, I may watch the first few series.

#31: Hawaii Bowl (Nevada vs. SMU), 12/24/2009, 7pm CST, ESPN

The biggest thing this game has going for it, is that there is no College Basketball at all that night, no other College Football that night, and no NBA either. There is a Chargers vs. Titans game on the NFL Network, but that's it as far as sports go. People wanting their sports fix might be tuning into this one. Or maybe they will do something with their families on Christmas Eve (for those that celebrate it).

#30: GMAC Bowl (Central Michigan vs. Troy), 1/6/2010, 6pm CST, ESPN

This actually is a decent matchup among mid-majors. It really is. The biggest problem with this bowl is that it's sandwiched right between the Orange Bowl and the BCS Championship Game. I might watch some of it, as I wait for the Iowa State vs. Duke game, but that's about it.

#29: St. Petersburg Bowl (UCF vs. Rutgers), 12/19/2009, 7pm CST, ESPN

I know Rutgers is 8-4, but they went 3-4 in the Big East. Also, this is practically a homegame for UCF. Just not a lot about this game to sell me on.

#28: EagleBank Bowl (UCLA vs. Temple), 12/29/2009, 3:30pm CST, ESPN

Can't say much about this one, other than I'm probably not going to watch it.

#27: International Bowl (South Florida vs. Northern Illinois), 1/2/2010, 11am CST, ESPN2

I don't think I've ever watched the International Bowl and this matchup isn't really changing the chances of that happening for me.

#26: Armed Forces Bowl (Houston vs. Air Force), 12/31/2009, 11am CST, ESPN

The thick of the CUSA schedule exposed Houston as a paper tiger, it could be a close game. It is an interesting matchup in Houston has the best pass offense in the nation, while Air Force has the best pass defense in the nation. There's not enough there for me to take an interest, especially if I'm in Tempe getting ready for the Insight Bowl.

#25: Alamo Bowl (Michigan State vs. Texas Tech), 1/2/2010, 8pm CST, ESPN

Michigan State is a disappointment this year. I think many thought they had an outside shot to compete for the Big 10, and instead they finish 6-6. To add insult to injury, they also suspended 8 guys and kicked 2 off the team for some off the field drama. There's no reason why Texas Tech shouldn't roll this team by 21.

#24: Meineke Car Care Bowl (Pitt vs. UNC), 12/26/2009, 3:30pm CST, ESPN

On paper, Pitt should roll UNC. I just wonder how they will play coming off that disappointing loss to Cincy. It seems like when a team gets snubbed or loses a tough championship game like that, they don't come in ready to play.

UNC is just manic with their play. Some weeks they look great and beat Virginia Tech, while others they are losing to NC-State. Overall, I see the makings of a potentially sloppy game

#23: Humanitarian Bowl (Bowling Green vs. Idaho), 12/30/2009, 3:30pm CST, ESPN

Watch the weather forecast for this one. If it's a clear, calm day, it's going to be a shootout with my man Freddie Barnes tearing it up, and I'm going to want to watch it! If it's blizzard conditions, or just a day condusive to running the ball a lot, this bowl belongs in the #34-30 range.

#22: Music City Bowl (Kentucky vs. Clemson), 12/27/2009, 7:30pm CST, ESPN

C.J. Spiller is the reason to watch this game. If you haven't seen him play before this would be a good spot to see him as I have a feeling he'll have a big game in this one. Kentucky has a bad rush defense. That said, I see this as a Clemson romp, so I'm not exactly expecting a good game from this one.

#21: Papajohns.com Bowl (South Carolina vs. UConn), 1/2/2010, 1pm CST, ESPN

South Carolina really perplexes me. Spurrier is supposed to be this offensive genius, but South Carolina seems to have had sucky offenses since he took over. I'm rooting for UConn in this one. With everything they've gone through this season, how nice would it be to see the Huskies get a bowl victory?

In Part 2 of this series, I will count down the next tier of bowl games in terms of what I'm looking forward to. Look for that on Tuesday. In the meantime, feel free to join in on the conversation.

3rd Annual Rock M Nation Bowl Pick 'Em Contest

The Beef — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 04:00:18 -0000

UPDATE: BUMPED BACK TO THE TOP OF THE PAGE.

That's right loyal readers...the Bowl Pick 'Em Contest is back for its third season.

It is simple to participate. Simply reply to this thread with your picks. You will need to pick both against the spread, as well as the over/under, so you will have two picks per game. The spreads are LOCKED, so a movement in the line will not be taken into account. The spreads are courtesy of bookmaker.com because...well...that's the one I could find (and unless otherwise noted) They also represent where the lines were when they opened, which was a week ago (had to wait for Army/Navy to be played to determine Eagle Bowl and Texas Bowl line)

Our winner from last year is FSUncensored, who went 39-27 to win by three games over The Cool Alonzo and myself. All time, MU 1839 (our first winner) holds the best two-year record at 18 games over .500 (74-56). Of the "couples" category, The Beef and Tailgate Queen came out 3 game ahead of Bill C and Bill C's wife last year, tying their annual battle at 1-1. Overall, the contest generated a won-loss record of 1066-1244 for a not so good percentage of .461. Over the two years, we currently sit at 1711-1879 for a winning percentage of .477. Yes...I've kept track.

Picks are due by noon on Saturday, December 19th (since the first games are later that evening). Picks are lined up after the jump.

As for prizes...1st prize will get you the Rock M Nation T-shirt of your choice, unless RPT (who somehow is the keeper of the purse strings around here) decides we want to pony up some additional swag.

Anyway, we had a good time with this last year with 35 participants (up from 20 the first year) and somehow I am thinking we are going to have a FEW more than that :-) Come one, come all (and that certainly includes non-Rock M regulars...anyone from SB Nation is welcome to participate)...make me work hard at this. If you were here last season and have changed names, just let me know and I will do my best to give you your two or three-season score when all is said and done as well.

New Mexico

Fresno State -10 1/2 vs. Wyoming

Over/Under - 55 1/2

St. Petersburg

Rutgers -2 vs. UCF

Over/Under - 44 1/2

New Orleans

Sothern Miss -3 1/2 vs. Mid Tenn St.

Over/Under - 59

Las Vegas

Oregon State - 1 1/2 vs. BYU

Over/Under - 60 1/2

Poinsetta

Cal -3 vs. Utah

Over/Under - 53 1/2

Hawaii

Nevada -14 vs. SMU

Over/Under - 73 1/2

Little Caesers

Ohio -2 vs. Marshall

Over/Under - 50

Meineke

Pitt -3 vs. UNC

Over/Under - 44 1/2

Emerald

USC -9 vs. BC

Over/Under - 45 1/2

Music City

Clemson -7 vs. Kentucky

Over/Under - 52 1/2

Independence

Georgia -7 vs. Texas A&M

Over/Under - 64

Eagle Bank (LSVC odds)

UCLA -4 vs. Temple

Over/Under - 46 1/2

Champs Sports

Miami (FL) -3 vs. Wisconsin

Over/Under - 56

Humanitarian

Bowling Green PK vs. Idaho

Over/Under - 68 1/2

Holiday

Arizona -1 vs. Nebraska

Over/Under - 41

Armed Forces

Houston -5 vs. Air Force

Over/Under - 61

Sun

Oklahoma -9 1/2 vs. Stanford

Over/Under - 56 1/2

Texas (LVSC odds)

Mizzou -6 vs. Navy

Over/Under - 54

Insight

Minnesota -3 vs. Iowa State

Over/Under - 48

Chick-Fil-A

Va Tech -4 1/2 vs. Tenn

Over/Under - 50 1/2

Outback

Auburn -8 vs. Northwestern

Over/Under - 54 1/2

Gator

West Virginia -2 1/2 vs. Florida St.

Over/Under - 60 1/2

Capital One

Penn State -3 vs. LSU

Over/Under - 44

Rose

Oregon -3 1/2 vs. Ohio State

Over/Under - 51 1/2

Sugar

Florida -10 vs. Cincy

Over/Under - 55 1/2

International

South Fla. -6 1/2 vs. No. Illinois

Over/Under - 50

PapaJohns

South Carolina -4 1/2 vs. UCONN

Over/Under - 53

Cotton

Ole Miss -3 vs. Okie State

Over/Under -  50 1/2

Liberty

Arkansas -7 1/2 vs. East Carolina

Over/Under - 63 1/2

Alamo

Texas Tech -7 vs. Michigan St.

Over/Under - 60 1/2

Fiesta

TCU -7 vs. Boise St

Over/Under - 54

Orange

Ga Tech -4 vs. Iowa

Over/Under - 51

GMAC

Central Mich -4 vs. Troy

Over/Under - 64

BCS Champ

Alabama -5 1/2 vs. Texas

Over/Under - 45

The Shotgun/Throwdown: Friday (12/11/09) Edition

WVUIE97 — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:37:43 -0000

Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's best place for sports links, information and a few daily distractions. Today we're being brought to you by Rolling Rock Green Light.

I apologize for the delay, but sometimes there is work to do. Everybody knows the big story today is Kelly leaving Cinci. Some are glad, some aren't. That's their mess, I'm not gonna worry about it. Anyway, stay warm, try to catch the Mountaineer men on Saturday (they're off until next Saturday) and support the women on Sunday if you're in Morgantown. Have a great weekend. I'm always open for suggestions and requests. Let's GOOOOOOOOO...

What You May Have Missed:

Gold and Blue Report for Friday - WVMETRONEWS.COM

Football: West Virginia Recognized by AFCA - MSNsportsNET.Com

Academic Success - MSNsportsNET.Com

Irish eyes are smiling at Kelly hire - SI.com

News of Note:

Gator Bowl 'fortunate' to host Bowden farewell - Charleston Daily Mail

The Will to Succeed - MSNsportsNET.Com

Jonnie West on his own path - Times West Virginian
Hertzel Column

WVU's Kevin Jones - WVIllustrated.com

What's On Tap:

Georgetown vs. Washington - SI.com
2pm on Saturday. I believe on Fox Sports Net.

Coppin State vs. West Virginia - SI.com
7 pm on Saturday from the Coliseum. Coverage on ESPN 360 and MASN. I'm not sure but other regional sports channels, such as Fox Sports Pitt may carry it.

St Francis (NY) vs. Syracuse - SI.com
Sunday at 1pm.

Villanova vs. Temple - SI.com
Sunday at 3pm.

Cincinnati vs. Xavier - SI.com
Sunday at 7pm on ESPNU.

Around the League (and Beyond):

Cincinnati Bearcat players among last to know Brian Kelly's decision - Cincinnati Enquirer

Cincinnati sells out Sugar Bowl allotment - ESPN

Good Riddance - Protect R Turf
Somebody's happy he left.

Cincinnati takes Miami's best shot - Cincinnati Enquirer
"The No. 19-ranked Bearcats led most of the way Thursday night, but still had to hold on to beat Miami 63-59."

Pitt forwards playing outside comfort zone - PPG

Syracuse basketball dumps Florida, stays unbeaten - syracuse.com

Rutgers wide receiver Tim Brown does not practice, status for St. Petersburg Bowl uncertain - Star Ledger

Strong to handle U of L's defense himself - Courier-Journal

Losing Gilchrist creates vacuum for Bulls - Tampa Tribune

Jones, Trickett to interview today for Herd post - Charleston Daily Mail

Video of Interest:

Thanks, as always, to WVIllustrated.com.

Video of (Dis)Interest:

This is awesome!!!!!!!

Santa's Helpers Gallery of the Week:

via coedmagazine.files.wordpress.com

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is a gorgeous native of Philly. Please make welcome, Vanessa Veasley.

via i42.tinypic.com

Rolling Rock Green Light image via geekrentalsandbox.com

The Shotgun/Throwdown: Monday (11/30/09) Edition

WVUIE97 — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:30:46 -0000

Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's best place for sports links, information and entertainment. Today we're being brought to you by Peroni.

Great weekend for the Mountaineers all around. We had a Brawl victory and both men and women's BB teams won their respective tournaments. All the news, photos and videos are inside. Keep the tips, suggestions and requests coming. It all starts after the jump...

Video of Interest:

Thanks to WVIllustrated and Naughtynok for the find.

Video of (Dis)Interest:

Suicide Gallery of the Week:

It's just the name of the site they come from. Mainly, it's just hot, tattooed chicks.

via coedmagazine.files.wordpress.com

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is just another example as to why it's good that Brazil got the Olympics over Chicago. Please meet Nicole Bahls.

via www.meionorte.com

Peroni image via toronto.beforelastcall.com

2009 Bowl Projections - Post Week 13

Bama Hawkeye — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 07:29:09 -0000

Everything is clear. Some things are clear as crystal. Others are as clear as mud. But make no mistake, the situation is clear.

TCU will go to the BCS. The BCS Championship? Only with a couple of upset losses.

On the crystal side, the SEC Champ will play Texas, Cincinnati, or TCU in the BCS Championship Game. I think that's the order, too. If Texas beats Nebraska, they'll go. If not, Cincy is next in line. After playing the Pitt, they'll move ahead of TCU in the standings. Should the Bearcats fall to the Panthers, I think TCU gets their chance. I do not see a repeat of the SEC Championship game. Not with one viable undefeated team in the clubhouse and two more approaching 18. All in all, the 10 BCS teams are pretty safe bets. I've mentioned some alternatives, but I think that there are only 15 teams in play for the 10 spots.On the mud side, look at the SEC after the top 4 teams are placed. That's right, six 7-5 teams.

This Week's Articles

JerDogg finally admits that Minnesota just ain't that good.

Graham ranks the Big Ten quarterbacks for their 2009 performance.

Greg discusses the future of Tate Forcier and moving Denard Robinson to WR.

Good luck making any sense of it. I took my best shot, but you can feel free to speculate in a different direction. If you're counting, there are four open bowl spots for at large teams. 9 win MTSU and 7 win Bowling Green and Northern Illinois will take three of the spots. That leaves room for one 6-6 team to go to Mobile, Alabama to play the top choice from the MAC. My guess is that it's UCLA.

Full projections of all of the Big Ten, BCS, and every other bowl game after the jump.

Remember the rules.

These are projections. I am taking into account what will happen in future games, not assigning teams based upon current standings.
The best teams don't always go to the best games. In the end, butts in the seat and eyes to the television are the biggest factors.
The order of BCS selection is 1) Replacement for #1 Team; 2) Replacement for #2 Team; 3) Orange Bowl; 4) Fiesta Bowl; 5) Sugar Bowl.
The Champs Bowl picks its Big Ten team ahead of the Alamo Bowl this year.
For the full rules on BCS selections, look here.

			The SEC Champion will finish Number 1 in the BCS. Texas will finish #2 if they beat the Huskers. If they lose, Cincinnati will finish #2 with a win over PItt. If Texas and Cincy lose, TCU will slide into the number two spot.
			Beware of Clemson. Aren't they most dangerous after losing a game they have no business dropping? If Clemson wins the ACC, the Orange Bowl will likely take Cincinnati over a regular season rematch.
			Oklahoma State's loss means that the second Big Ten BCS team will be in Arizona, not Florida. If the Huskers upset Texas, Nebraska will be here, Texas will be selected by the Orange, and the Fiesta will still get a Big Ten team (and Boise will be left out). And yes, it very well could be Penn State over Iowa. If it was the Orange making the decision, it probably would be. But I'm still thinking that the Fiesta goes black and gold (and $green$).
			The only way that this isn't the SEC Runner-Up versus the Big East Champ is if Clemson or Nebraska pulls the upset.
			Ohio State has punched their ticket. The winner of Oregon/Oregon State will do the same. It says here that the Ducks win and head to Pasadena.
			LSU slips back into Orlando after Ole MIss lays an Egg against Mississippi State. From the Big Ten, this will be the loser of the behind the scenes battle between Iowa and Penn State.
			Is there any chance that this could be Northwestern? Maybe if Wisconsin loses at Hawaii, but I still have a hard time seeing the Wildcats winning that tiebreaker. Picking Tennessee here establishes them as the most desirable of the SEC's 7-5 mob.
			I think Clemson gets this bid after Virginia Tech and Miami.
			Yes, I think that 7-5 Oklahoma is selected over 8-win Missouri and Texas Tech. If good-MSU and good-OU show up, this could be a great game. If one of the schools brings their bad squad, it could get ugly.
			I don't see this matchup going well for the Gophers. Then again, if it was OU or Texas Tech, I don't know that it would go much better.
			Another Big Ten-less Motor City Bowl.
			When you can't get to six wins, you know that you'll spend the season On the Couch with the Queso Bowl (now sponsored by Ro*Tel).

			Kudos to Wyoming for getting bowl eligible.
			The bowl will want a Florida connection if it can get it.
			Troy has clinched their trip back to New Orleans. ECU makes for a great matchup.
			BYU makes their 122nd consecutive trip to Las Vegas. Oregon State will be a great match for them there.
			I expect the Mountain West to arrange their alignment to give their big three the best games possible.
			Both teams say that they'll play "anytime, anywhere." Time to prove it.
			This will be Pitt or West Virginia from the Big East. For the second year in a row, Tar Heel fans should fill the seats.
			Bowden's last stand in that hotbed of college football --- San Francisco?
			Boston College is always a tough out in a bowl game. This should be no exception.
			Independence Bowl selects its Big 12 team ahead of the Texas Bowl this year. I think they take the team that gave Texas a battle over the team that beat Nebraska. My guess is that it's a choice between Kentucky and South Carolina on the SEC side.
			If Army defeats Navy in two weeks, they'll replace Marshall.
			Idaho is happy enough to go bowling. I'm sure that staying close to home is all right with them.
			Navy has clinched this bid. On the Big 12 side, it will be whoever is left between Iowa State and Texas A&M.
			Could the Cotton take Nebraska over Oklahoma State? Yes. Especially if the Huskers show well in a loss to Texas.
			The Ponies are another team that won't mind the quick commute for the bowl game.
			Should be a fun game.
			Georgia brings the crowd, while Miami brings the sizzle.
			It's an old fashioned Big East battle. Notre Dame's 6th loss means that the Gator Bowl can't pick the Irish. My guess is that West Virginia will head to Jacksonville if Cincinnati beats Pittsburgh (and the Mountaineers beat Rutgers). If the Panthers win, Cincy heads here.
			Still weird to see Temple in a bowl.
			I've got South Carolina as the last choice out of the SEC. It has as much to do with geography as anything else.
			Yes, this could be Nebraska over Okie State. I suppose that one of those seven win SEC teams could be chosen here too. When push comes to shove, I think that the teams with the best records get chosen.
			Think that Arkansas will bring some fans to Memphis? I have Houston beating ECU. The C-USA champ automatically goes here.
			GMAC gets first choice from the MAC. Not champion, first choice. I project that's CMU, regardless of what happens elsewhere. It looks like it will come down to UCLA or Notre Dame to fill an empty ACC slot With the firing/hiring going on in South Bend, I expect the Irish to decline a bid.

2009 Bowl Projections - Post Week 11

Bama Hawkeye — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:06:46 -0000

The Pac-10 is the best conference in college football.

There. I said it. It seems weird, but no other conference goes 6 deep with quality teams. Oregon, Stanford, USC, Arizona, California, and Oregon State give the Pac-10 depth that no one else can match. I will readily admit, that Oregon, the likely champ, does not compare to Floribama or Texas. It may not be as good as Ohio State, Cincinnati, or Georgia Tech for that matter. But when the other Pac-10 teams match up with the other conferences in bowl games, I expect to see an outstanding league record.

In the Big Ten, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Northwestern seem pretty well locked into their slots. It would take a huge chain of events to move them. I expect to see more movement of their opponents than of them as we go forward. There will be an Iowa/Penn State decision to be made, and don't expect the answer until December 6th. Unless Michigan shocks Ohio State next weekend, Michigan State and Minnesota can make their hotel reservations, too. Full projections for the Big Ten, BCS, and all other bowls after the jump.

Remember the rules.

These are projections. I am taking into account what will happen in future games, not assigning teams based upon current standings.
The best teams don't always go to the best games. In the end, butts in the seat and eyes to the television are the biggest factors.
The order of BCS selection is 1) Replacement for #1 Team; 2) Replacement for #2 Team; 3) Orange Bowl; 4) Fiesta Bowl; 5) Sugar Bowl.
The Champs Bowl picks its Big Ten team ahead of the Alamo Bowl this year.
For the full rules on BCS selections, look here.

			Did you see anything yesterday that changed this matchup? I didn't.
			With no traditional power or huge traveling fan base available, maybe the Orange Bowl takes TCU as the top ranked unbeaten team? The TCU defense against the Tech offense would be fun to watch.
			I am presuming that after the polls come out tomorrow, Iowa will be no lower than 17 in the BCS standings. If that's the case, a 10-2 Iowa will likely be in the Top 14 by the final rankings. I'm projecting that the Fiesta picks Iowa over 10-2 Penn State. If you want to argue otherwise, be my guest. It'll be a tough call. As for the other spot, does the Fiesta take a 10-2 Oklahoma State team (assuming that they win in Norman)? Maybe. But I'm guessing that they look to 13-0 Boise instead.
			Still think that this will be the SEC Championship loser versus the Big East champion. Pittsburgh is sure giving me pause...
			Congratulations, Ohio State. Now win.
			Again, if you want to flip Iowa and Penn State, be my guest. LSU is a lock for Orlando.
			I don't see any way in which Wisconsin moves from this spot. I think a 9-3 Iowa or Penn State squad gets selected ahead of the Badgers. I'm going with 7 win Tennessee over 7 win Georgia, 7 win Auburn, and 7 win Arkansas.
			Congratulations to Northwestern on reaching 7 wins. The fact that none of the teams below you accomplished that means that you get a great bowl matchup. Getting the 8th against Wisconsin won't move you up any further.
			6-6 Michigan State goes to San Antonio. If Sparty can upset Penn State, they'll go to Orlando for the Champs Bowl instead. Expect to see the Oklahoma/Texas Tech winner here.
			Barring an upset of Iowa, which would bump the Gophers over a 6-6 Michigan State, or a Wolverine win that sends the Gophers to Detroit, Minnesota is headed back to the desert for the third time in four years.
			Unless Michigan wins, this game goes unfilled by the Big Ten. Again.
			At this point, Indiana, Illinois, and Purdue have guaranteed themselves a winter without a bowl game. Michigan can reach 6 wins if they can pull the upset over the Rose Bowl bound Buckeyes on Saturday. If they do, they'll get the best bowl slot available for a 6-6 team (likely the Alamo Bowl). I'm not counting on it. I think that all four of these teams will be On the Couch with the Queso Bowl (now sponsored by Ro*Tel).

And now we add the other 23 bowl games...



			SMU controls its own destiny to win C-USA West. I think that they do, but they lose to ECU in the championship game. Troy has made this their annual winter home.
			BYU will be asked to go to Las Vegas every time they can. Oregon State is a good matchup.


			10-2 Pitt may be the biggest loser in the bowl pairings. With Notre Dame not earning a BCS bid, they'll go to the Gator Bowl and push all of the Big East teams down a rung. Pitt deserves better than this.
			Florida State will need to beat Maryland to keep their bowl streak going (you don't think they'll win in Gainesville do you?). Stanford stays close to home for a nice matchup.
			This would be a great matchup. Why doesn't this game happen during the regular season from time to time?
			Iowa State could get out to the Insight Bowl if they upset Mizzou next weekend.
			The ACC can't fill this spot. Ohio's 7 wins will get them a bid somewhere. I'm saying that somewhere is DC.
			The current projections have room for one 6-6 team. It's UCLA, and they will head north to the blue turf.
			Navy has clinched this bid. Will pent-up Aggie fans travel to Houston? I suspect they will.
			Stanford may end up with a better record, but this would be a dream matchup in San Diego.
			Houston is going to need help to win the Western Division of C-USA. I don't think that they get it. The good news is that they get a great matchup in Ft. Worth.
			Texas Tech fits well here. Look for the Cal/Stanford winner to be their opponent.
			Chick-Fil-A will have its choice of the Hokies, Clemson, and Miami. Clemson/Auburn wouldn't be a surprise either.
			Even Notre Dame haters would love a good Catholics vs. Convicts game.
			This would be a really good game. The MAC champion is not tied to any one game, and I suspect the league will try to get them a good matchup.
			6-6 Kentucky gets the SEC's last spot. The Big East places teams, and they'll want one of their better teams to face an SEC member.
			The Cowboys have cemented their place as second best in the Big 12. Auburn's loss to Georgia moves Ole Miss to a return trip to Dallas.
			Houston's loss sets up an ECU/SMU C-USA title game. I've got ECU winning and going back to Memphis. The Liberty Bowl is happy to have Arkansas.
			UL-M replaces the ACC, which can't fill its last two spots. A seven win ULM team will get chosen above a more (TV friendly" 6 win team.

2009 Bowl Projections - Post Week 9

Bama Hawkeye — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:37:53 -0000

After nine weeks of football, you start to see the slotting occur. There may be some surprises yet, and there is a bunch of losing that will happen before we get to the BCS Championship Game. But at this point, these can be true projections and not just guesses.

Saturday night cleared up a couple of big things. The Big 12 South came into sharp focus with Texas's dominating win. Barring something completely unforeseen (and I don't mean an injury to Colt McCoy; I mean like an asteroid wiping out Austin and all of its inhabitants), Texas will win the Big 12 South. Only slightly less certain is that they will win it with a 12-0 record, crush the crappy team that emerges from the Big 12 North, and play in the BCS Championship Game.

Hilary celebrates a Wisconsin win and mourns Northwestern's loss to Penn State...

A recap of Week 9 in the Big Ten, where we attempt to make sense of the Iowa game..

Two time zones west, the Pac-10 race also looks much clearer now. Oregon's win gives them, a two game lead over USC, and unless Arizona can work a three way tie with the Ducks and Trojans (possible, though unlikely) at 7-2 in conference, USC's reign has ended in the Pac-10.

Could Iowa bring back the old winged uniforms for a feathered Rose Bowl?

How does this impact the BCS At Large spots? First, unless Texas loses in the Big 12 Championship game, that league is only getting one bid this year. Second, Virginia Tech's head-shaking loss to North Carolina really diminishes the likelihood of two bids from the ACC. 10-2 USC may be in play, especially if Notre Dame loses one more. For now, I see USC missing the BCS for the first time since 2001. And now, to the projections.

Remember the rules.

These are projections. I am taking into account what will happen in future games, not assigning teams based upon current standings.
The best teams don't always go to the best games. In the end, butts in the seat and eyes to the television are the biggest factors.
The order of BCS selection is 1) Replacement for #1 Team; 2) Replacement for #2 Team; 3) Orange Bowl; 4) Fiesta Bowl; 5) Sugar Bowl.
The Champs Bowl picks its Big Ten team ahead of the Alamo Bowl this year.
For the full rules on BCS selections, look here.

			The only intrigue will be if it comes down to an undefeated Iowa or Cincinnati versus a one-loss SEC team. For now, I still think that Florida and Alabama will both be undefeated in Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game.
			Right now, it looks like a Tech/Clemson battle for the ACC title. Don't sleep on the Tigers. They almost beat Georgia Tech last time. Penn State needs to win out to guarantee a BCS spot. I think that they will.
			I've been on TCU since the first projections. They are a legitimate Top 10 team. Notre Dame has to win out, including games at Pitt and at Stanford. That looks harder now than it did at the beginning of the season.
			Again, this will be the SEC Championship Game loser against the Big East winner. It may end up being one of the most interesting games of the season.
			If Penn State beats Ohio State this weekend, Iowa only needs to win their home games against Northwestern and Minnesota to get here. If the Buckeyes win, Iowa will need to beat Ohio State, or see Michigan do it to end the season.
			The Capital One has to be chomping at the bit for this matchup. They haven't had the Buckeyes this decade, and have only had LSU after the 2004 season.
			The Outback is most upset that Michigan got Zooked. Unless Michigan wins out to get to 8-4 (which would include a win over Wisconsin), I don't think that Wisconsin gets jumped. It's possible that 8-4 Ole Miss or Auburn gets chosen for this slot instead of a Gamecock return trip.
			How much will Rich Rodriguez watch Spiller and wish that he had him in the read option offense?
			OK Gophers, here's your chance. You can go to the best bowl game in almost 50 years if you beat Illinois and South Dakota State at home. Northwestern and Michigan State look to top out at 6-6, which means that they couldn't be picked ahead of you. You might get bumped up one more if Michigan can't find a 7th win. The winner of the Big 12 North can fall no lower than this bowl.
			Win 7 games, and Sparty moves up a spot in the pecking order.
			Win 7 games, and Northwestern moves up a spot in the pecking order.
			This year, if you can't get to six wins, you can expect to be On the Couch with the Queso Bowl (sponsored bu Ro*Tel!). Indiana and Purdue waded deeper into the cheese with their losses on Saturday. Illinois is just having fun being a spoiler.

And now, we add the other 23 bowl games...




			Las Vegas will be happy to have the BYU fans every year, thank you.
			I can only assume that San Diego State's turn around is due to the impressive job that Chuck Long has done as the Asst. to the Traveling Secretary.

			I suspect that they'll choose Bobby Bowden against his old team over a rematch of last year's game.
			As a small private school with a tiny (relative) alumni base, BC will always be "underseeded" as a bowl team.
			Nashville would love this matchup.
			Ar-kansas versus Kansas. Could be a good game to watch.
			If C-USA can get a sixth team eligible, they fill the spot that Army can't. It's going to be a tough one for UCF. Duke needs one win to get here.
			I expect that the Mountain West will send one of its three best teams here to face the Broncos. I also expect that if Boise State goes to the BCS, Idaho will slide in here.
			With their sixth win, Navy became the first team to lock up their bid.
			The Holiday Bowl has waited and waited for their chance to get the Trojans in San Diego.


			If Auburn can get to 8-4 by beating either Georgia or Alabama, I expect that they'll go to the Cotton Bowl. There is also a shot that they could be taken over a second consecutive trip by South Carolina to the Outback.
			The Gator Bowl is hoping that Notre Dame loses one more game. You don't think that they wouldn't like to start printing "Catholics vs. Convicts" T-Shirts?
			It is still weird to see Temple in a bowl game.

			I expect OU to beat the Cowpokes. The Cotton Bowl will gladly take 9-3 Oklahoma over 9-3 Oklahoma State.
			Great matchup for the C-USA champion.
			If Iowa State can get that 6th win, I expect them to get a bid somewhere. Right now, they fill a spot that the ACC can't.

Don't Bet On It!: National Game of Disinterest

T Kyle King — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:19:53 -0000

We’ve gone around the SEC and taken a tour through the national games of interest, which leaves us with one game to go in this week’s rundown. Tradition requires us to pay attention---as briefly as possible, lest the sight of so putrid a football game be forever burned into our collective consciousness---to that one contest so lacking in intrigue, significance, or compelling reasons to root one way or the other that I refuse to pick it.

We call this the national game of disinterest, and, this week, that dubious designation goes to . . .

Marshall Thundering Herd at Central Florida Golden Knights

All right, why am I picking on these poor Conference USA teams? They’re both above .500 overall and this weekend’s outcome determines which one remains in contention for the East Division title. It’s not the SEC, but it’s decent enough football at its level of competition. Hey, I picked the Houston-Southern Miss tilt, didn’t I?

Yes, I did, but here’s the difference: Marshall and UCF are throwing down on Sunday night.

What’s up with that? They’re giving us special Sunday night college football, rewarding our loyalty by offering us a special bonus game in prime time, and, when America sits down at the end of the weekend, turns on the TV at 8:15 ready to watch the greatest sport in the world, we’re going to get . . . Marshall at Central Florida?

Look, if you just don’t want to give me Sunday night college football, that’s fine. I’m an adult; I can take it. If you don’t want to give me Sunday night college football, just don’t give me Sunday night college football . . . but don’t tell me you’re giving me Sunday night college football, get my hopes up, and then give me the Thundering Herd traveling to take on the Golden Knights.

This isn’t a football game, it’s a bait and switch scheme. I’m not picking it because it represents an unfair business practice for ESPN to air it in the first place.

Coming Soon: Too Much Information.

Go ‘Dawgs!

Chuck Landon And Marshall University Can Go Play With Themselves

5th Year Senior — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:00:34 -0000

[that image posing as a photograph via photos1.blogger.com]

West Virginia fans were over "the school down south" the second that game ended. The school down south, on the other hand, is still not over the fact that they, yet again, got embarrassed by the Mountaineers.

Marshall's season ended with a sound defeat at the hand of the Mountaineers. Prime example of this fact is Saturday's game at "The Joan" brought in an eye popping 18,800 "fans." Rumor out of Huntington, however, is that there were actually only 9,400 fans in the stands, but everyone was so fat they had to be counted as two people.

So why am I talking about Marshall if we were over them a few weeks back? Well, my friends, Chuck Landon is at it again, and I just could not let his idiocy continue....

The Tuesday after the WVU game, Chuck Landon wrote an article in the Herald-Dispatch titled, "Fact is, Mountaineer athletics are subsidized". In it, he shows his journalistic chops by "proving" WVU's athletic department receives state funds. His "proof" is simply Pastilong's words in a deposition from the Fraud case. He does no other research and basically calls all WVU fans, and our AD, liars.

Immediately after the above article was published, a WVU athletic department official contacted Landon to tell him he was a complete moron [ed. I wish we all could do that.]. They explained to him what Pastilong meant by "state funds" in his deposition. In response to that call, Chuckie writes what is supposed to be a retraction of his first article, but instead just goes further in showing his idiocy.

You see, when most of us read or hear about state funds, we think of tax-based funding from the state of West Virginia.

But that's not what Pastilong meant.

Instead, he was referring to money WVU generates from ticket sales, BCS revenue, television contracts, other bowl revenue, etc.

Since WVU is a state agency, it is required to deposit that money into state accounts. But that money doesn't actually go to the state. Instead, the state allows WVU to keep the "state funds" it generates in order to support the athletic department.

So far, so good in the retraction department. While he does not admit that he was wrong, he does finally state real facts about the situation. After this, however, is when the train flies off the tracks.

Just because WVU chooses to force its athletic department to be self-supporting doesn't give the Mountaineers the right to hold other schools accountable while negotiating game contracts.

Yet, that's precisely what Pastilong did recently.

He explained that any contract extension of the WVU-Marshall football series had to be a 2-for-1 because, "We are a self-supporting athletic department. We must have seven home football games and anything else would endanger us sustaining our financial stability."

Um, Mr. Landon, are you a jackass? Rhetorical question, of course.

WVU is not holding anyone else "accountable" for its choice to be self supporting. It is holding itself accountable for this choice. It is taking a hard line stance by saying we need to pay the bills, and the only way we can do this is by having seven home football games.

Marshall didn't force the Mountaineer athletic department to be self-supporting.

WVU's own administration did that.

It was self-inflicted.

Self-inflicted? We did not throw a shoe at ourselves. We simply made the decision to not take a hand out from the state.

So, how can WVU reasonably ask Marshall to accept unrealistic terms just because the Mountaineer athletic department is forced to be self-supporting?

It can't.

Not reasonably.

Yet, that is what WVU is trying to do.

Reasonable? Chuck, you wouldn't know reasonable if it came up behind you and cut off your mullett.

The fact that we are self supporting is not the only reason we want a 2-for-1. You are forgeting the fact that Marshall has yet to beat WVU. You are forgeting fact that Marshall has yet to play another school of WVU's caliber on its home field on a 1-for-1 basis. Not to mention the fact that WVU needs a good strength of schedule because "WE PLAY FOR CHAMPIONSHIPS."

If WVU's athletic department wants to be self-supporting, more power to them. It is an admirable distinction.

But there is nothing admirable about WVU trying to force Marshall to accept an unreasonable series extension just to help the Mountaineers' finances.

But it is alright for WVU fans to help Marshall sell more season tickets than ever before? Hypocritical? The sad thing is, Marshall athletics could not survive without tax money from WVU fans.

If WVU's athletic department needs some fiscal relief, Pastilong needs to talk to school president James Clements.

It isn't Marshall's concern.

Aww Chuckie, aren't you cute. Standing up to big bad WVU. I hope your AD continues his stance because the Marshall series does nothing for either team or the state.

The state would have "new" money coming to town if both WVU and Marshall had home games. Any money generated by a continuation of the WVU vs. Marshall would have been spent in either Morgantown or Huntington on gamedays. Having two sets of opposing fans traveling into our great state would generate more revenue for the state.

WVU gets downgraded on SOS, loses money because our fans care more about Liberty than Marshall (see attendance), and we have to worry about cheap shots from their no class players.

Marshall can not beat WVU, they then get sad and eat their feelings causing them to be the fattest city in the US.

It is time for both teams to move on and admit that Marshall is the best commuter school in the state and WVU is THE flagship University for the greatest state in Union.

SB Nation - Marshall Thundering Herd

Don't Bet On It!: College Football Bowl Edition (Part II)

Ranking The 2009-2010 Bowls: Part 1

3rd Annual Rock M Nation Bowl Pick 'Em Contest

The Shotgun/Throwdown: Friday (12/11/09) Edition

What You May Have Missed:

News of Note:

What's On Tap:

Around the League (and Beyond):

Video of Interest:

Video of (Dis)Interest:

Santa's Helpers Gallery of the Week:

Miss Throwdown:

The Shotgun/Throwdown: Monday (11/30/09) Edition

What You May Have Missed:

News of Note (FB):

News of Note (BB):

Recruiting:

Around the League (and Beyond):

Video of Interest:

Video of (Dis)Interest:

Suicide Gallery of the Week:

Miss Throwdown:

2009 Bowl Projections - Post Week 13

2009 Bowl Projections - Post Week 11

2009 Bowl Projections - Post Week 9

Don't Bet On It!: National Game of Disinterest

Chuck Landon And Marshall University Can Go Play With Themselves