2008...Lets Get Started

Didn't get drunk, didn't end up with a lampshade on my head on New Years Eve. I just watched football, basketball and hockey all day on New Years. Though it does seem like there are less games on New Years than it used to be.
Now you know why I stick to picking Pro games instead of college games, I'm not making excuse for the plethora of incorrect picks. I should have known better than to pick any entity associated with Bobby Petrino, and I apologize to Michigan. I should have had more faith.
Was I the only one that was seriously digging on the Winter Classic yesterday? That was the essence of cool and radical. Outside game, in the elements. I've been to Buffalo and know how the weather is up there in the winter. The NHL could use pub like this more often. The game might have dragged some with all the resurfacing of the ice but it was a fun game to watch. I still maintain that hockey is better to watch live though.
Wait a minute... USC and Georgia just scored again.
Everyone here knows about how much I detest the political machine that is the BCS, never more was the flaws exposed than last nights pair of snooze fests that were the Rose and Sugar Bowls. I watched truncated versions of Kill Bill rather than sit through those abominations. USC & Georgia should have been facing off, Hawai'i should have had Mizzou to play and Illinois should have been in the Cotton. Each of those snooze fests would have looked a lot better with those matchups. And Mizzou would have been rightly rewarded with a BCS trip.

There are a few more college bowls to look at still

TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL
#4 Oklahoma (11-2) vs #9 West Virginia (10-2)
University of Phoenix Stadium; Glendale, AZ 8:00 (FOX)
Favorite Oklahoma by 6
Fast Fact: West Virginia will be coached by interim coach Bill Stewart, interim coach are 0-5 so far in bowl games this year.
Oklahoma returns to the scene of a painful loss. Last year they were the victim of Cinderella Boise State and their stirring gadget play laden comeback. This team comes in to this years BCS bowl game on a roll and with a better offense than they had last year, averaging 43.8 points a contest 3rd in the nation. The Mountaineers are still reeling from their shocking upset from Pitt that cost them a BCS title shot and the sudden departure of Rich Rodriguez to Michigan. Steve Slaton is still a marquee back but he has had a couple of so-so games. The Sooners can counter with tailback Patrick Allen and the efficent passing of Sam Bradford. I think the Sooners are the better team and the Mountaineers while talented are still in turmoil over their former coaches sudden exit.
Pick-Oklahoma

Thursday January 3

FEDEX ORANGE BOWL
#3 Virginia Tech (11-2) vs #8 Kansas (11-1)
Dolphins Stadium, Miami 8:00 (FOX)
Favorite Virginia Tech by 3
Fast Fact This is Kansas first bowl game in January since the 1968 Orange Bowl
A lot of pundits, including myself think that Kansas should be apologizing to the college football world for getting invited to the Orange Bowl. They lost a Big 12 North Showdown with Mizzou for their first loss, but despite not getting to their conference title game still get a BCS bowl bid. Kansas is plenty entertaining scoring better than 44 points a game. Todd Reesing has the arm to get the Jayhawks up and down the field but he faces a formidable task dealing with Frank Beamer's legendary tough Hokie defense that gives up but 15.5 points a game.
I've always had mad respect for the Hokies and while the Jayhawks are a feel-good story, they are not ready for the big-play ballhawking, roughneck highspeed defense the Hokies bring.
Pick-Virginia Tech

Saturday January 5th

INTERNATIONAL BOWL
Ball State (7-5) vs Rutgers (7-5)
Rogers Centre; Toronto, Canada 12:00 (ESPN)
Favorite Rutgers by 10
Fast Fact Rutgers has qualified for 3 straight bowls the longest streak in school history
The Scarlet Knights were an preseason dark horse to make a BCS bowl, but fell hard. They still have the breathtaking running of Ray Rice and a defense that can force a turnover or three. They will present a real test for one of the better college QB you've never heard of. Nate Davis has thrown for over 3300 yards and 27 touchdowns. The Knights can pound the ball and control the clock, a deadly combination.
Pick-Rutgers

Sunday, January 6th

GMAC BOWL
Bowling Green (8-4) vs Tulsa (9-4)
Ladd-Peebles Stadium; Mobile, AL 8:00 ESPN
Favorite Tulsa by 4.5
Fast Fact Bowling Green has been to three bowls in five years
Both these teams like to throw and then some, Golden Hurricane QB Paul Smith has thrown for 4753 yards and 42 TDs, The Falcons counter with Tyler Sheehan who has thrown for over 3100 yards and 23 scores. This is not a game for the defensive minded. I think the Falcons will have trouble with Tulsa's spread offense and not keep up with the wild scoring that will keep the scoreboard operator quite buy.
Pick-Tulsa

Previous Pick Set 5-7
Overall 13-16

I'll preview the NFL playoffs tomorrow and give you each teams chances of getting to Glendale for the Super Bowl. Until Next Post Fellow Sports Fans!