2009-10 College Football Bowl Season thread

[Honolulu Blue]

I didn't see a thread for this, so I guess I have to start it.

My picks for the upcoming bowl season:

Dec. 24 - Hawaii Bowl
SMU (+15) over Nevada

There's little question that Nevada is the better team. But 15 points is an awful lot to give, even against a terrible team, and SMU isn't half bad.

Dec. 26 - Emerald Bowl
Boston College (+9) over USC

Several things going on here. First, BC has had a great recent record in bowl games. Second, this is a major step down for USC. And third, I'm not convinced that USC is all that good. I'm happy to get 9 here.

Dec. 31 - Sun Bowl
Stanford (+8) over Oklahoma

I actually think Stanford is the better team at this time and might be a fair bet outright. Getting 8 is a true gift.

Jan. 1 - Gator Bowl
West Virginia (-3) over Florida State

FSU has looked good this season... a long time ago. Bowden's old team should win comfortably.

Jan. 1 - Sugar Bowl
Cincinnati (+11) over Florida

Yes, Tebow is a great (college) player. Yes, Florida has a fine defense. But Cincy isn't chopped liver, and even with a new coach, I think they'll keep it close enough to cover.

Jan. 2 - Alamo Bowl
Texas Tech (-8) over Michigan State

Conventional wisdom says this is a poor matchup for MSU. I happen to agree with the conventional wisdom.

Jan. 4 - Fiesta Bowl
Boise State (+7) over TCU

I'm not as convinced as the "experts" that TCU is that much better than BSU. They may not be any better at all, but let's let the game decide that. It should be close.

Jan. 6 - GMAC Bowl
Central Michigan (-3.5) over Troy

My heart sunk when CMU beat MSU back in late summer. But CMU has turned out to be a pretty good team. I have a soft spot for Troy (long story), and they should expose enough soft spots for whomever takes over to lose by more than the spread.

DISLAIMER: Point spreads and discussion for entertainment purposes only.

[Matthean]

If Kelly was still there, I would have been tempted to take Cincinnati straight up.

[Young Drachma]

Astounding that both Wyoming and Rutgers are playing on the same day.

In any case, I doubt the Pokes will be able to get past Fresno State. Nonetheless, I'm happy they're in the postseason again. A good job by the new coaching staff.

Meanwhile, Rutgers will hopefully win their bowl at the Juice Box.

[RainMaker]

I guess this is a college football catch-all but the Joe McKnight story is rather laughable. Here is the bizarre e-mail sent by the guy who bought McKnight...I mean his GF a car.

Joe McKnight story was 'rushed,' Santa Monica businessman says | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

[Honolulu Blue]

According to the latest line, SMU is now a 12.5 pt dog vs. Nevada. I'm wavering in my support for them. BC is now a 7.5 pt dog vs. USC. The other lines are more or less the same, but it's early for them.

Oh, and don't forget to check out these minor bowl standbys:

* The sponsor's commercial being played over and over and over ad nauseum.
* The university's commercials, usually at or near halftime.
* The sponsor's VP being interviewed by the network (the sideline reporter if they have one). He/she will mention how great it is to have two wonderful teams playing in fantastic (insert stadium name here) in wonderful (insert city name here). He/she will also mention how honored they are to be a sponsor for the Xth year and how they hope to make it a long-term partnership.
* Standard shots:
- The dude(s) painted in the team colors. Bonus points for spelling out the team's name or nickname.
- The cute kid in the stands. Bonus points for being asleep or yawning.
- The cheerleaders.
- The sign holder that tries to connect the network's abbreviation to the team and/or favorite player. Demerits for saying "Sportscenter is next". Bonus points for saying "World Series of Poker is next".

[Karlifornia]

Were you aware that Stanford is going to be without their starting QB when you made that bet? I still think they could cover, but I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't. The defense is below-average.

[Honolulu Blue]

Originally Posted by Karlifornia

Were you aware that Stanford is going to be without their starting QB when you made that bet? I still think they could cover, but I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't. The defense is below-average.

I didn't know that, and I should have. It doesn't make a whole lot of difference. I still like Ivy West to cover.

[MacroGuru]

What can I say, BYU plays tonight against Oregon State and I truly hope we see the BYU that played against Oklahoma and not the one that made FSU look like a top team.

[MJ4H]

Cougars and Beavers. Isn't that a new show on NBC?

[I. J. Reilly]

Originally Posted by MacroGuru

What can I say, BYU plays tonight against Oregon State and I truly hope we see the BYU that played against Oklahoma and not the one that made FSU look like a top team.

I think BYU will show up ready to play, but I’m not sure the Beavs will hold up their end of the bargain. A few of the players even came out and said what a letdown it is to be in the Las Vegas bowl after being so close to the Rose Bowl. Hopefully the Seniors will give the younger guys a kick in the ass and get them ready to go.

[MacroGuru]

Solid game defensively for BYU so far, but that wind is just sick, it's eliminating the passing and kicking game basically of the team playing into it.

[Young Drachma]

Another bowl, another MWC victory. 3-0 so far. Sorta funny that all three have come in MWC stadiums, but hey...wins are wins nonetheless.

[MrBug708]

PAC-10 is 0-fer

[JonInMiddleGA]

SMU doing nasty things to Nevada

[thealmighty]

WOW!!! Did not have that pegged. Go Ponies.

Kickin' ass and takin' names- once every quarter century.

[k0ruptr]

That June Jones guy is a decent coach huh? who woulda thought ??

[k0ruptr]

Originally Posted by thealmighty

WOW!!! Did not have that pegged. Go Ponies.

Kickin' ass and takin' names- once every quarter century.

its funny, I don't see how 91% of the country saw nevada winning this game. lets see we have June Jones who is probably the best passing/QB coach in the country, and runs a great passing offense. Then you have Nevada's pass defense ranked 119th out of 120 teams in FBS. It seemed like anyone who coulda done a bit of research would of bet on SMU to at least cover, if not win.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by k0ruptr

That June Jones guy is a decent coach huh? who woulda thought ??

SI

[Matthean]

Originally Posted by k0ruptr

its funny, I don't see how 91% of the country saw nevada winning this game. lets see we have June Jones who is probably the best passing/QB coach in the country, and runs a great passing offense. Then you have Nevada's pass defense ranked 119th out of 120 teams in FBS. It seemed like anyone who coulda done a bit of research would of bet on SMU to at least cover, if not win.

Nevada was without two of it's three RBs who had 1,000 yards as well.

[Eaglesfan27]

I always love watching Havili play.

[Swaggs]

I can't wait to see the attendance numbers for this game. I'm sure it will say that there are ~30,000, but I'd be shocked if there are more than 8,000.

[Noop]

Nice BS call during the USC-BC game.

[Noop]

USC's offense could be a bit more explosive but I am liking what I am seeing so far. Perhaps they can start throwing med and long range passes to mix it up.

[DaddyTorgo]

wow...the refs are absolutely FUCKING bc over in this game to try to throw it to USC

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Noop

Nice BS call during the USC-BC game.

seriously - "blocked into the ball?" ummm no...he was fucking engaged in the block when the ball bounced up and hit him. that was some serious bullshit

[Eaglesfan27]

That was an amazing catch by Williams.

[Swaggs]

Is Williams draft-eligible? He looks pretty damn impressive tonight.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

Is Williams draft-eligible? He looks pretty damn impressive tonight.

Yes and he is almost certain to go pro early. I expect he'll announce sometime early this upcoming week. He'll be missed. He's been a great player for USC. He's clearly been the MVP this year.

[Eaglesfan27]

Speaking of players going early, USC sideline reporter states that DE Everson Griffen announced immediately after the game while on the field that he is declaring for the NFL draft.

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

seriously - "blocked into the ball?" ummm no...he was fucking engaged in the block when the ball bounced up and hit him. that was some serious bullshit

+1

I didn't have a horse in the race but I was dumbfounded by that call. Horrible, just horrible!!!

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by EagleFan

+1

I didn't have a horse in the race but I was dumbfounded by that call. Horrible, just horrible!!!

it was pretty clearly a hometown-call. not to mention the long reception the USC guy caught earlier on the sidelines where it seemed to me he hadn't established possession before he landed out of bounds and yet it was still ruled a reception inside the 10.

[bhlloy]

Punt call was BS, reception was the right call. If it "seems" to you that he was out of bounds then I think you are agreeing there wasn't enough evidence to overturn the call on the field, no? But no argument about the punt call, that one turned the momentum of the whole game right there.

BC is an OK team if they can find a QB, USC was unbelievably average again. Hopefully this will be Bates' last game as he rejoins Shanahan wherever he ends up (Redskins?). I've seen enough bizarre playcalling this season to last me a lifetime.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

Punt call was BS, reception was the right call. If it "seems" to you that he was out of bounds then I think you are agreeing there wasn't enough evidence to overturn the call on the field, no? But no argument about the punt call, that one turned the momentum of the whole game right there.

BC is an OK team if they can find a QB, USC was unbelievably average again. Hopefully this will be Bates' last game as he rejoins Shanahan wherever he ends up (Redskins?). I've seen enough bizarre playcalling this season to last me a lifetime.

no...as far as the reception call - from the angle they showed on tv it looked as if he hadn't caught the ball when his feet last came down in bounds. pretty clearly IMO.

[Honolulu Blue]

I've been away from the Net for awhile, and I don't have much time now. I just want to note that I'm 1-1 so far. No, I didn't know that SMU was that good. And yes, I knew USC could be that good.

I'll come back to this thread with updated lines and other thoughts. But for now, thank you for the discussion.

[CU Tiger]

Nashville is very blue.....Clemson traveled very poorly, uncharacteristically so.

And DAMN its cold....

[Noop]

Originally Posted by CU Tiger

Nashville is very blue.....Clemson traveled very poorly, uncharacteristically so.

And DAMN its cold....

I guess they're disappointed about not going to the Gator Bowl.

[CU Tiger]

Originally Posted by Noop

I guess they're disappointed about not going to the Gator Bowl.

Actually it was a slap to not be in the Peach, Gator and Citrus bowls, but we did what we came to town to do, lets hope Diddy does the same...

BTW it was funny to listen to Kentucky fans chanting "SEC,SEC,SEC" as they walked out of the stadium. The ones not screaming SEC were talking about basketball...

Then ESPN runs a story that says Clemson is now 3-9 in their last 12 against the SEC....it was later corrected to 9-3.

[cartman]

ESPN just announced that Mike Leach is suspended from coaching Texas Tech in their bowl game. Evidently a player is claiming he was put in an electrical closet for several hours after complaining about an injury. Bizarre.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by cartman

ESPN just announced that Mike Leach is suspended from coaching Texas Tech in their bowl game. Evidently a player is claiming he was put in an electrical closet for several hours after complaining about an injury. Bizarre.

Specifically, they are saying he was put there after a concussion. I could see wanting someone to be in a dark room for a migraine, but this is bizarre and seemingly undefensible if true. The rumor is that it is Craig James' kid - actually ESPN's story now says it is his son.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/bowls0...ory?id=4776848

[Young Drachma]

I think we're starting to see the fissures of what we've come to know as college athletics -- especially in the revenue sports -- slowly but surely. I can't imagine this system as we know it will last another decade.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I can't believe A&M let Georgia run back a f'n kickoff after they finally scored.

[JonInMiddleGA]

And I really can't believe they gave up a blocked punt to set Georgia up on their 2. It's suddenly 14-7 UGA less than a minute left in the half.

And this is on top of a blocked FGA earlier in the game.

[digamma]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

I think we're starting to see the fissures of what we've come to know as college athletics -- especially in the revenue sports -- slowly but surely. I can't imagine this system as we know it will last another decade.

Say huh?

While college sports are always changing and evolving, this seems like an odd spot for this comment. I can't imagine how the Leach situation would ever trigger the comment. I realize you're making a larger point (and I'm not sure I agree with the larger point), but this Leach thing wouldn't rank in the top 100,000 of things to ever effect the college football or college athletic landscape.

[digamma]

aTm gets a nice little "gift" from the officials in re-spotting the ball three yards forward, preventing them from snapping the ball for a spike and a last second field goal attempt.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I can't believe A&M was bowl eligible with this QB.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

I can't believe A&M was bowl eligible with this QB.

Jerrod Johnson? He was phenomenal against Texas but definitely boom or bust. Plus, A&M was 6-6 with one win over a decent team (Texas Tech), so they weren't really good.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Jerrod Johnson? He was phenomenal against Texas but definitely boom or bust. Plus, A&M was 6-6 with one win over a decent team (Texas Tech), so they weren't really good.

Looks like a case where a kid has one over his head game (re: Texas) and then returns to his actual level. This is like watching Jaybo Shaw except with INT's instead of fumbles.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Looks like a case where a kid has one over his head game (re: Texas) and then returns to his actual level. This is like watching Jaybo Shaw except with INT's instead of fumbles.

Overall I agree on his competency except he seemed to be pretty good at avoiding INT's - only threw 6 all year coming in. His good games outside Texas were vs. non-BCS teams or iowa st/baylor, and he had some terrible games in blowouts vs. Arkansas, Kansas State and Oklahoma (12-33 115 yds 7 rush 0 yards ). Then again, given A&M's defense and terrible special teams tonight he hasn't been their biggest problem.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Overall I agree on his competency except he seemed to be pretty good at avoiding INT's - only threw 6 all year coming in. His good games outside Texas were vs. non-BCS teams or iowa st/baylor, and he had some terrible games in blowouts vs. Arkansas, Kansas State and Oklahoma (12-33 115 yds 7 rush 0 yards ). Then again, given A&M's defense and terrible special teams tonight he hasn't been their biggest problem.

Granted, the Aggies came apart on special teams & the defense has just been abused for the last half hour or so but honestly this just strikes me as another case that illustrates the example of the difference between conferences. A&M looks like a three-win team if they played in the SEC, maybe better than Vandy but that's about it.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by Honolulu Blue

Dec. 31 - Sun Bowl
Stanford (+8) over Oklahoma

I actually think Stanford is the better team at this time and might be a fair bet outright. Getting 8 is a true gift.

I was hoping more people would think that way, but after opening at 7/8 it's up to Oklahoma -10 in most places.

Other games that have shifted - AF (+7, down to +4.5) vs. Houston, Auburn (-4.5, up to -9) vs. Northwestern, West Virginia (from +1 to -2.5) vs. FSU, Florida up from 10.5 to 13 vs. Cincy, South Florida from -7 to -10 vs. Northern Illinois, Arkansas from -10 to -7.5 vs. ECU and TCU going from 4 to 7.5 point favorites vs. Boise. (plus Georgia had gone from -4 to -6.5 tonight, which looks good so far)