2012 (Day After) New Year's Day Bowls

It is college football's most famous day of the year. Luckily, 2012's first day offers more than its 2011 counterpart. Some games though not as interesting on the field will offer more story lines away from the gridiron. No matter the quality play, you can find me soaking up the final 24 hours of multiple games in the 2011-2012 college football season in Rome, on a leather coach, in front of a high-definition television, with my old man and plenty of food. So if you need a place to watch or want to watch with two professionals, holla at ya boy.

TicketCity Bowl, Noon on ESPNU

     Houston vs. Penn State- Both programs have lost their head coaches and enter Monday in the midst of a transition period. Kevin Sumlin, the Cougars former head man, is on  his way to the SEC and Texas A&M, whereas Penn State's Joe Paterno was let go after his involvement, or lack thereof in the Jerry Sandusky case. On to those who will decide who wins... Houston quarterback Case Keenum is charged with leading a disappointed Cougar team that is coming off of a Conference USA Championship drubbing at the hands of Southern Miss. Though fighting off-the-field issues, Penn State finished the regular season as the Big Ten's Leader's division co-champion. The Nittany Lions will be without senior quarterback Matt McGloin, who suffered a concussion after fighting with teammates in the team's locker room. With Penn State's quarterback out and unable to help an already porous offense, the Cougars win the first college football game of the year.

Capital One Bowl, 1 p.m. on ESPN

     Nebraska vs. South Carolina- Since Stephen Garcia's dismissal from the team, quarterback Connor Shaw has led the Gamecocks to a 6-1 record with their only loss coming to No. 6-ranked Arkansas. Contrary from the norm, Shaw will not be the most athletic signal-caller under center today, as the Cornhusker's Taylor Martinez passed for nearly 2,000 yards and is second on the team in rushing (837 yards). For Nebraska to head back to Lincoln with a win, Martinez must avoid the USC defensive line rush and complete enough passes to keep them honest. South Carolina's defense is 13th in the nation, allowing only 18.8 points per game. This deep group is athletic enough to keep Martinez and running back Rex Burkhead at bay. Gamecock head coach Steve Spurrier revenges a 62-24 loss in the 1995 Fiesta Bowl loss, where his Florida Gators were handled by the Tommie Frazier-led Huskers, and beats Nebraska.

Gator Bowl, 1 p.m. on ESPN2

Roles may be reversed on Monday

      Ohio State vs. Florida- You know earlier when I mentioned those games that no one really cares about except for the "off-the-field storylines?" Here is a perfect example. No matter who scores the most points, the Buckeyes will be the winners. They have hired former Gator head coach Urban Meyer. Meyer, who was brought to Columbus in hopes of taking OSU back to the national championship, has been hot on the recruiting trail and stolen prospects from conference rivals Michigan and Penn State thus far. Current Florida coach Will Muschamp has struggled through his first year and needs a win to keep Meyer from picking off players from the Gator's 2011 commitment list. Not that it matters but a more experienced freshman quarterback Braxton Miller leads the Buckeyes to victory.


Outback Bowl, 1 p.m. on ABC
     Michigan State vs. Georgia- A rematch of the 2009 Capital One Bowl foes pits two teams coming off of conference championship losses. Spartans quarterback Kirk Cousins will be challenged to find weak spots in a Bulldog defense that ranked third nationally in total defense. Michgan State's nationally fifth-ranked total defense is nothing to forget about and UGA's Aaron Murray will have to effectively pass to open up the ground game for the Bulldog's stable of backs. Murray has the better receivers to pass to (Malcolm Mitchell, Orson Charles and Tavarres King), which eventually will make the difference as the Bulldogs are able to complete longer passes for bigger offensive plays. The game will end closer for the Spartans than last years 49-7 blowout loss to Alabama but the final score will be in favor of Georgia nonetheless. A strong game from the Bulldogs could propel them to start next season in the top five.

Rose Bowl, 5 p.m. on ESPN

Those "snazzy space-age suits"

     Wisconsin vs. Oregon- Sure the teams on the field are quality squads, but have you seen Oregon's jerseys for the game, in particular their stunning helmets? No doubt six recruits will sign scholarships for the Ducks because of the "liquid metal" look. On the field, the Badgers are two "Hail Mary" passes (Michigan St. and Ohio St.) away from playing a week from Monday in the BCS National Championship. Regardless, 'Sconny is playing and will try to slow down an electric Oregon offense that averages 46 points per contest. Oftentimes a team from the Big 10 is easy to pick against because their size cannot keep up with the speed of the SEC. Not today. Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson makes the difference with his athleticism and the Bagders win on the west coast despite Oregon's snazzy space-age suits.

Fiesta Bowl, 8:30 p.m. on ESPN

     Stanford vs. Oklahoma State- Both the Cowboys and Cardinal were snubbed as one-loss teams with a shot at the BCS National Championship, but on the bright side the winner could end the season at number two in the polls. I am just trying to see the sunshine through the BCS cloud. In what we assume is Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck's final college game he must lead his run-first offense to score more points than Oklahoma State's nearly 50 points per game. The Cowboys use a spread offense attack, the same variety that gave Stanford fits in a 53-30 home loss to Oregon this season. However, with Stanford's offensive style the Cardinal can control the ball and keep the explosive Cowboy attack on the sidelines. Watch for the Pokes to start out slow after being disappointed to be in Glendale, Ariz. and not in New Orleans, but Oklahoma State still comes out on top.

Top Ten College Foot'Bowl' Games

Throw together Christmas, New Years, family and college foot'bowl' games and you have a potent combination for am enjoyable holiday season. So unless you are Oklahoma State, Kansas State or Boise State fans, let's get ready for an wild bowl season.

And to you who favor a playoff season, did the BCS system not to what it was created to do? We have the nation's best two teams playing for the national championship. (Oklahoma State fans... be serious... we have seen the spread offense versus SEC defensive speed more than once and know the outcome.) Sure there are teams that were snubbed of the chance to play in a bigger bowl game, but this is the system we have. So can we all get along while we wait Prince of Peace's arrival? (No doubt He would have a better system...)

In the meantime, here is a list of the ten bowl games I am looking forward to the most this college foot'bowl' season:

1. BCS National Championship Game- Alabama vs. LSU- If the first game was "The Game of the Century" what does that make this one? The most anticipated rematch of all time will decide the national champion, no matter the outcome. When the country's top two defenses were not playing one another they averaged almost 40 points a game. In good news for every other conference, at the end of the night the SEC will finally have a loss in the BCS Championship Game.

2.Fiesta Bowl- Oklahoma State vs. Stanford- Two of the country's top five offenses, and best quarterbacks in Andrew Luck and Dan Weeden, will take the field . The Pokes are a little disappointed they are not in the championship game, but they must be careful of not falling to the same fate the a Alabama squad did when the Tide were crushed by Utah in the 2008 Sugar Bowl.

3. Vizio Rose Bowl- Wisconsin vs. Oregon- Here are two teams, in the "Grandaddy of them all," who get it done offensively by different means. In one corner is Oregon, who uses speed and a spread offense to keep the scorekeepers busy. In the other corner are the Badgers, who line up in the I-formation and use power to wear down opponents. Watch two of the country's top running backs -- UO's LaMichael James and UW's Montee Ball-- go head-to-head.

4. AT&T Cotton Bowl- Arkansas vs. Kansas State- In what amounts to the sixth BCS game, Kansas State is a little disappointed they do not represent the Big 12 in an actual BCS game. Arkansas' two losses this season came at the hands of the two teams in the national championship. The Wildcats defense will be charged in slowing down a Razorback passing attack which averages 307 yards per game, while the Hogs defense has to stop KSU quarterback Collin Klein, who tallied 1,745 yards and 12 scores through the air and 1,099 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns.

5. Outback Bowl- Michigan State vs. Georgia- Both schools are coming off of conference championship losses and looking to end great seasons on a positive note. The Dawgs have won 10 of their last 11 games, while the Spartans won at least 10 games for the second year in a row. MSU needs to redeem itself after their last game against an SEC opponent, a 49-7 drubbing from Alabama last year in the Capital One Bowl. Spartan head coach Mark Dantonio is 0-4 in bowl games.

6. Orange Bowl- Clemson vs. West Virginia- The Orange Bowl is usually the weakest of all the BCS bowls, but the hosts got lucky when the Moutaineers were able to win the Big East so that America was not forced to watch Cincinatti or Louisville in this game. At least WVU has been down this road before and had success. Clemson has been one of the hottest and coldest teams at times this season but handled Virginia Tech for the second time this season and won the Tigers' first ACC Championship in 20 years.



7. Sugar Bowl- Virginia Tech vs. Michigan- Of the two controversial BCS matchups in The Big Easy this year, Alabama vs. LSU is the other, the Sugar Bowl one is the most puzzling. The teams were selected solely because their fans travel better than other, more deserving, teams. The game still has the possibility to be quite entertaining, even if it is the first Sugar Bowl without an AP Top 10 team since 1945. Michigan quarterback Denard "Shoelace" Robinson work is magic is worth your time.

8. Capital One Bowl- South Carolina vs. Nebraska- The Gamecocks have won 10 games in a season for the second time in school history, and the Huskers are coming of a nine-win season in its first year in the Big 10. USC head coach Steve Spurrier may run up the score if he gets the chance. For you history buffs, the Cornhuskers gave Spurrier his most embarrassing loss, a 62-24 affair in the 1996 Fiesta Bowl when "The Ole Ball Coach" was at Florida.

9. Alamo Bowl- Baylor vs. Washington- So you like offense and you want to see the Heisman Trophy winner all in the same game? Sounds like a fun way to spend your New Years Eve Eve Eve. Two of the more explosive quarterbacks in U Dubs' Kevin Polk and the Bears' Robert Griffin III will go head-to-head in this shootout.

10. Gator Bowl- Ohio State vs. Florida- Go ahead and put the over under at 35 on the number of times Urban Meyer's name is thrown around. The former Gator coach is headed to coach the Buckeyes next year after two championship runs in Florida. Meyer has already made his presence known on the recruiting trail. If current head coach, and OSU's next defensive coordinator, Lou Fickell can pull out a win over the SEC the Buckeye bandwagon should fill back up quickly.

*For you college foot'bowl' junkies like myself, here are a few more nuggets that should be fun to watch:

-Kraft  Fight Hunger Bowl- UCLA vs. Illinois- Here is one of those games that opponents of the bowl system have to cringe when they see this matchup. Both schools suffered poor endings (UCLA has a 6-7 record.)  and neither school will have their head coach, as both Rick Neuheisel and Ron Zook have been fired. Try to hold your enthusiasm when watching interim coaches going at it.

-Champs Sports Bowl- Florida State vs. Notre Dame- Both schools entered this season with BCS aspirations but had points during the season they lost games they should not have. The winner of this game will have a leg-up in the polls heading into the 2012 season. If the Seminoles pull out the 'W,' do not be surprised if they are preseason top five next year.

The Weekend That Will Be: Week 10

LSU at Alabama- There is not a stat that I can write that you have not heard at this point in the week for the most hyped regular season game ever. These two teams are far and above the two best teams in the nation and most of the hype is well deserved (ESPN's coverage has been overbearing). One day it will be fun to look back at these talented defenses when they are dotting  NFL defenses and remember when they were on one field for a night. Pick your poison on defense. It comes down to whether you like the Blitzing Bengals or do you like the "sit back and dare you to come at me" style of the Tide. The offenses will be the real question. Two not so talented quarterbacks will be forced to make plays. Luckily for LSU, they have the better receivers, but Alabama has the better running backs. The evenness of these two teams is ridiculous. In 2009 (Bama's last national title run), I had the opportunity to see Alabama play Mississippi State in a home night game. If you have ever been to a night game in Tuscaloosa, you will understand why I am taking the Crimson Tide 23-17.

South Carolina at Arkansas- Oh yeah... there is that other game between two teams ranked in the BCS top 10. The Gamecock offense is missing  running back Marcus Lattimore, which is to be expected. Arkansas has had no running game to speak of for the entire season. Though they do boast of the number 12 passing offense in the nation, the Hogs will be facing one of the most athletic defenses in the country in USC. South Carolina has a top notch defensive line and cornerbacks. The Hogs have gotten off to slow starts in their past two games against Ole Miss and Vandy, which were both on the road and at noon. A night game in Fayetteville is just what the doctor ordered. Razorbacks win.

Kansas State at Oklahoma State- Remember when the Big 12 Conference played defense? I don't either.
The Cowboys are averaging 50 points, 400 yards passing and 181 yards rushing... per game! The Wildcats will try to slow down the most explosive offense in the country, the operative word being "try." KSU was embarrassed last week against Oklahoma 58-17 in their first loss of the season. This week's game will look similar against a different team for the Wildcats. The Pokes are looking forward to an end-of-year match-up with the Sooners to decide their BCS Championship fate and again put a ton of points on the board.

Other picks (winners in bold)

Texas A&M at Oklahoma- The worst pass defense (Aggies) and the best passing attack (Sooners) in the Big 12. This could have been one of those games that Sooner quarterback Landry Jones could have helped his Heisman chances, but he will put up big numbers nonetheless. Oklahoma wins easily.

Ole Miss at Kentucky- The two worst teams in the SEC will get together. Can Rebel coach Houston Nutt avoid a 12th straight SEC loss? Wildcat fans are just hoping it does not last long so they can get to the Breeders Cup.

UT-Chatanooga at Samford- With home win, the Bulldogs can lock up their first winning season since 2008 with a win against the Mocs.

Vandy at Florida
Notre Dame at Wake Forest
Texas Tech at Texas

The Weekend That Will Be: Week 4

Arkansas at Alabama- The SEC's top offense will travel to Tuscaloosa for a showdown with the SEC's top defense.The lack of a running game stopped the Hogs from defeating the No. 1-ranked Crimson Tide last year and once again, the game may come down to how well each team can run the ball and effectively control the clock. If Alabama running back Trent Richardson can keep his pace going the Razorbacks' explosive offense can not get on the field. Also watch to see how a young offensive line from Fayetteville reacts to playing in one of the toughest stadiums (and most picturesque) in the game. Alabama moves to 4-0 and their coach Nick Saban remains undefeated against Arkansas.

Oklahoma State at Texas A&M- In what may be the last game between these two teams for quite some time as the Aggies move to the SEC, plenty of points will be scored. Watch for the running game to be key in who wins the game on Saturday. Texas A&M running back Cyrus Gray will go for his ninth consecutive 100 yard rushing game. The winner of this shootout may very well be the team who has the last possession. If you like defense stay away from the Aggies and Cowboys. Texas A&M wins at home.

Florida State at Clemson- One team is coming off their coach's biggest career win and the other off of a disappointing loss. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney kept his job for a couple of more seasons last week with a win over the defending national champions. Was rushing the field necessary? No and proof Clemson is not quite ready for the SEC. Swinney had an outburst that was reminiscent of Houston Nutt's "We Got that Wood" speech. Luckily for Swinney, he probably keeps his job. Seminole quarterback E.J. Manuel has been officially ruled "questionable" for the game on Saturday at Death Valley. Without Manuel it will be harder for FSU to pull off my upset special, but they still come out on top.

LSU at West Virginia- One can only hope the rumors of LSU students running into West Virginia classes in Morgantown and yelling "Geux Tigers!" is true. It is hard to believe it is not true, knowing rabid LSU fans. The Mountaineer offense is averaging 42 points per game and LSU's defense is giving up about 4.2 points per game. West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith will feel pressure. Pressure to perform and more pressure from the Tigers' defensive line. The Tigers, who have played the NCAA's toughest September schedule, will continue their dominance, winning easily.

Other picks (winners in bold)
North Carolina at Georgia Tech- Just do what you did last week Tech, over 600 yards on the ground and more than 12 yards a carry.

Georgia at Ole Miss- The Hot Seat Bowl ends with even more pressure on Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt. The Bullodgs are too talented.

Vanderbilt at South Carolina- Did I call that the Gamecocks would struggle last week? Vandy wakes up from their dream and plays more like the Vandy we have come to know.

Southern California at Arizona State- USC is young, six total freshamn starters. A tough night road test will prove to be too much.

Notre Dame at Pittsburgh
Florida at Kentucky
Oregon at Arizona

Best College Football Weekend

I am coming to you live from Vicksburg, Mississippi. Because I am on vacation I am trying to work when I can. I will be updating this as I can, but here is the work I have done so far.

Auburn vs. Alabama- I have had more trouble trying to justify a winner in this match-up more than any all season. Alabama is the favorite, according to Vegas, has home field advantage, and their Head Coach Nick Saban has had extra time to prepare for this game. Auburn, on the other hand, though lacking any as semblance of a defense all season, has not been stopped. But Auburn has yet to play a good team on the road and has struggled against the run, the Tide’s specialty. It is because of this I am going to take the Alabama Crimson Tide. Auburn fans will simply not be heard. Heck, the Auburn band has been moved to the upper deck! These people just don’t like each other. Alabama will rely heavily on the run but Alabama QB Greg McElroy will have to make a few important 3^rd down conversion passes to Julio Jones. The Tide win in a close one, and Tuscaloosa implodes from the celebrating.

LSU vs. Arkansas- A huge game that will shape the BCS bowl picture as much as any adds to what is already one of the best young rivalries. With a win both teams figure to lock up a bid to the Sugar Bowl. For Arkansas and LSU, success of the season rides on this game. Arkansas fans have felt all year that this year was crucial in the turnaround under Head Coach Bobby Petrino. Can the Hogs deliver results after such high expectations? The previous 5 games have been decided by less than 13 points so expect a tight one. The game will come down to whether or not a stout LSU defense can stop an Arkansas offense that has been rolling. In one of the most fun match ups all weekend two top 10 NFL prospects will go head to head as Arkansas QB will try to pass on LSU CB Patrick Peterson. The Rock will be doin just that this afternoon, rockin' as the Razorbacks figure out the LSU defenses and, depending on the unpredictable computers, lock up a bid to their first BCS Bowl.

Mississippi State vs. Ole Miss- For the first time in my life I will spend the day in Mississippi on the day of the Egg Bowl. Nationally, this game does not get the recognition that some rivalry games get, but don’t tell the folks from Mississippi that. Heck, the Bulldogs Head Coach Dan Mullen will not even say the words “Ole Miss,” in stead calling them “the team from up North.” I am watching the game with die hard State fans and one thing is certain, it is always good when Ole Miss loses, but so much better when State has the pleasure of giving them the loss. With that said, the only factor that makes this game close is the game is played in Oxford. Mississippi will have a hard time stopping the counter attack of State QB Chris Relf and RB Vick Ballard and really has no offensive threat of their own. Ole Miss QB Jeremiah Masoli was supposed to save the season for the Rebels but has failed miserably. The hurt continues today in an intense atmosphere, and State people have bragging rights for another year.

Arizona at Oregon- The game tonight in Autzen Stadium is the last true test the Ducks of Oregon will face before the national championship. Senior night versus a good Arizona Wildcats team that is coming of of two conference losses will be tough but doable for Oregon. Arizona beat Iowa earlier this year at home and has shown flashes of things to come from Head Coach Mike Stoops. The flashes will not be enough tonight as  Oregon running back LeMichael James leads this high scoring offense to another victory.

Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State- The Battle for Bedlam has extra meaning this year as the two teams involved are fighting for a spot in the Big 12 Championship. The rivalry has been dominated by big brother Oklahoma, winning 80 of the 104 games. Oklahoma State is seeking the teams first 10 win season in school history in what was supposed to be a "rebuilding year," but I think they will have to wait until their bowl game to get it. The Cowboys will not handle the pressure of the beating the Sooners, who have been there done that. It is a struggle, but Oklahoma QB Landry Jones, with the help of a big performance from RB Demarco Murray, will pull out the W.

Other Picks (in bold):

Boise State at Nevada

Michigan State at Penn State

Florida at Florida State

Kentucky at Tennessee

South Carolina at Clemson

Oregon State at Stanford

Notre Dame at USC

Michigan at Ohio State