New Orleans Bowl (Lafayette): Arkansas State vs. Southern Miss. No earthly clue on this game.
GMAC Bowl: UTEP vs. Toledo. Pass.
Las Vegas Bowl: BYU vs. Cal. Will be interesting to see if Cal shows up for their bowl game this year. Could be watchable.
Poinsetta Bowl: Colorado State vs. Navy: They'll probably bang out the building in San Diego for this game. Navy would have given Texas more of a game than Colorado did. Watchable game.
Fort Worth Bowl: Kansas vs. Houston. Kansas did beat Iowa State, thus causing America to have to witness Colorado vs. Texas. Pass.
Hawaii (degenerate gambler) Bowl: Nevada vs. UCF. By losing their conference title game, UCF goes to Hawaii for X-Mas rather than Memphis for New Years. I don't know many people who would complain about that trade-off. Nothing else is on that night, so it is almost a must watch game.
Motor City Bowl: Memphis vs. Akron. No Gerry Faust, right? Pass.
Champs Sports Bowl: Clemson vs. Colorado. Colorado doesn't deserve to be in a bowl. Clemson should win. After the Nebraska and Texas debacles, I can't watch Colorado.
Insight Bowl: Arizona State vs. Your State University of New Jersey (or Rutgers). Arizona State has struggled, Rutgers has beaten Navy. Arizona State by 5 touchdowns.
MPC Computers Bowl: Boston College vs. Boise State. BC gets stuck going out to the blue carpet. Bwahahaha. Enjoy the benefits of the ACC boys. They really took care of the Eagles. Boise State wins on the blue carpet.
Alamo Bowl: Michigan vs. Nebraska. This will be a massacre of epic proportions. If it was a Kansas or Iowa State, maybe Michigan mails in the game. Won't happen against a name program like Nebraska. Watchable if you enjoy seeing Nebraska receive payback for all those beatings they used to enjoy laying on teams.
Emerald Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Utah. If Georgia Tech decides to play, they win.
Holiday Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Oregon. At least Oregon doesn't have to play Colorado. Oregon better not do what Cal did in this game last year, or else Oklahoma will begin their rebound campaign for '06 early. This very well could be an upset.
Music City Bowl: Minnesota vs. Virginia. Who cares.
Sun Bowl: UCLA vs. Northwestern. Bet the over. It will be a rare entertaining Sun Bowl this year.
Independence Bowl: South Carolina vs. Missouri. Except for the Spurrier element, not much else to watch.
Peach Bowl: Miami vs. LSU. This will be a must watch game. Two high quality programs in this game, and should be a hard hitting, enjoyable game. Would be must watch even if it was still on New Years Eve.
Meineke Car Care Bowl: South Florida vs. N.C. State. Home game for State. South Florida's first bowl. South Florida will probably be in BCS games within 2 years. No real feel for this game though.
Liberty Bowl: Tulsa vs. Fresno State. Anyone seen Fresno's heart the past 2 games? Tulsa goes to Memphis by winning their conference, rather than Hawaii if they lost. Something doesn't seem right there. Fresno wins.
Houston Bowl: TCU vs. Iowa State. If TCU showed up against SMU, they might be in the BCS with their win at Oklahoma. They beat Oklahoma on the road, they should beat Iowa State in a neutral/near home game.
Cotton Bowl: Texas Tech vs. Alabama. Alabama's defense will beat the hell out of Tech. However, I don't know if Bama's offense could score on an empty field.
Outback Bowl: Iowa vs. Florida. Should be a fun late morning match-up. I'd take Iowa in a close game.
Gator Bowl: Louisville vs. Virginia Tech. Pac 10 should really look at stealing the Big East spot in this game. If Va. Tech decides to show up, they should blow out Louisville and their back-up QB.
Capital One Bowl: Auburn vs. Wisconsin. Bad spot for Barry Alvarez's last game. Auburn will beat the crap out of Wisconsin. Auburn by 17 plus.
Fiesta Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Ohio State. If the National Title Game breaks like Oklahoma/USC did, this could be the best of the BCS games. Very entertaining game. Notre Dame 31-27.
Sugar Bowl(Atlanta): Georgia vs. West Virginia. Georgia playing in Atlanta in a BCS Bowl against a Big East team. Georgia 42-17.
Orange Bowl: Florida State vs. Penn State. Bowden vs. Paterno matchup. I'll take Penn State 24-23 in Paterno's last stand.
Rose Bowl: Texas vs. USC. This reminds me alot of Oklahoma vs. USC last year. This game breaks, and it break big. USC 49-27.
Any complaints about the preceding post can be directed at the time traveling aliens who edited it.
Already a lot of people are saying that USC or Texas will expose the other. Don't think so. I have a feeling this will be what everyone except me expected USC/Oklahoma to be last year (since I saw the cracks in the Sooners for weeks and was tooting the Auburn Tigers' horn all season long): An epic battle that goes down to the last position. It's true in the pros, and it's true here: Defense wins championships, and I think that will be the difference for the Longhorns in the end. Texas 31, USC 28.
I am still not sold on Florida State at all. That losing streak to close the regular season was terrible (it wasn't that they were losing, but *how* they were losing that bothered me) and aside from Virginia Tech choking in the big game, they'd probably be in a sub-million-dollar bowl game. Penn State was one bad play from joining USC & Texas among the unbeatens, and I see the denizens of Happy Valley sending this dream season out in style. Penn State 38, Florida State 17.
Notre Dame & Ohio State are probably going to give us the most purely fun game out of the four, even if it doesn't end up being the closest (although it will be close). The Irish were one bad bounce of the ball and one missed penalty call from toppling Goliath back in October, and while Ohio State presents a challenge, I don't think they'll be able to muster enough offense to offset the thought processes of Mad Genius Charlie Weis. The Irish have a chance to make a big statement for next year right here. Notre Dame 27, Ohio State 20.
Now we'll finally get to see if West Virginia is equipped to play with the big boys. This game against Georgia will be nothing short of a dangerous mission: They haven't faced a defense like this all year, and thanks to Katrina, they're going to have to deal with a highly partisan crowd since the game is being played in Atlanta. It's probably the biggest upset in the four BCS games if the Mountaineers can knock off the Bulldogs. Can they do it? I think they can hang around... but ultimately, no. Georgia 24, West Virginia 10.
smark/net attack Advisory System Status is: Elevated (Holds; July 5, 2005) It's good to see that the WWE isn't backing away from Batista or Cena. There's still some questions lingering over a few of the draft moves they either made or didn't make (Jericho being a prime example), but the stage is set for a solid run to Summerslam that may send the indicator down. The longer Triple H stays away is also a plus...
Originally posted by Texas KellyNow we'll finally get to see if West Virginia is equipped to play with the big boys. This game against Georgia will be nothing short of a dangerous mission: They haven't faced a defense like this all year
They put up 17 on Va Tech, the No. 1 defense in the nation. They gave up 34 for they only loss of the season, but this was also before they were playing Pat White, their amazingly quick freshman quarterback.
Originally posted by TheBucsFanThey put up 17 on Va Tech, the No. 1 defense in the nation. They gave up 34 for they only loss of the season, but this was also before they were playing Pat White, their amazingly quick freshman quarterback.
The caveat was that they were playing Virginia Tech at home. Georgia (which has a comparable scoring defense and passing defense) in a pseudo-road game presents a more striking challenge, in my opinion.
And Pat White *did* play in that game against the Hokies.
smark/net attack Advisory System Status is: Elevated (Holds; July 5, 2005) It's good to see that the WWE isn't backing away from Batista or Cena. There's still some questions lingering over a few of the draft moves they either made or didn't make (Jericho being a prime example), but the stage is set for a solid run to Summerslam that may send the indicator down. The longer Triple H stays away is also a plus...
Originally posted by TheBucsFanThey put up 17 on Va Tech, the No. 1 defense in the nation. They gave up 34 for they only loss of the season, but this was also before they were playing Pat White, their amazingly quick freshman quarterback.
The caveat was that they were playing Virginia Tech at home. Georgia (which has a comparable scoring defense and passing defense) in a pseudo-road game presents a more striking challenge, in my opinion.
And Pat White *did* play in that game against the Hokies.
I saw WV in person when the played Maryland in College Park. They were a good team, but the Terps were pretty bad this year, and it's not like they put an ass whoopin' on us or anything. Consider that Georgia is basically playing at home and is battle tested after playing an SEC schedule, and I can't see them losing.
You can talk about how ND was a few bad breaks away from beating number 1, but THE Ohio State University lost in the final quarter to no. 2 Texas and by a TD to no. 3 Penn State so I have to believe there are some OSU fans saying "what if" themselves. I've thought ND was a fraud all year so I think the Buckeyes wins this one.
USC and Texas has the potential to be a shootout and a classic. My brain says Trojans, but my gut says Texas squeaks one out.
Penn State did not lose to Clemson, UVA, and NC State. FSU did. Nittany Lions in a rout.
And can we please get a moratorium on bowls being named exclusively for corporate sponsors? Was it not good enough to have the Capital One Citrus Bowl that we needed to drop the Citrus part altogether? Who is with me on this one?
Originally posted by redsoxnationNavy would have given Texas more of a game than Colorado did.
Fort Worth Bowl: Kansas vs. Houston. Kansas did beat Iowa State, thus causing America to have to witness Colorado vs. Texas.
Champs Sports Bowl: Clemson vs. Colorado. Colorado doesn't deserve to be in a bowl. Clemson should win. After the Nebraska and Texas debacles, I can't watch Colorado.
At least Oregon doesn't have to play Colorado.
So tell us how you really feel about the Buffs.....
The Non-BCS games I like this year are Boise State vs BC - Miami vs LSU - UCLA vs Northwestern - Nebraska vs Michigan - BYU vs Cal and the Degenerate Gambler Bowl
Enough with the PC Crap A Christmas Tree is a Christmas Tree - not a Holiday Tree A Menorah is a Menorah - not a Holiday Candelabra
GMAC Bowl: UTEP vs. Toledo Every year people expect the matchup to suck, and every year both teams put up 732 points and 9,000 yards. Count me in. Prediction: Toledo 49, UTEP 44
Motor City Bowl: Memphis vs. Akron Only because I'll be attending. Word has it the Lions will be there to learn how an actual offense runs. Prediction: Akron 28, Memphis 20
Alamo Bowl: Michigan vs. Nebraska Finally, I get to see the matchup I wanted to see between the actual 1997 champ (U-M) and the Coaches for Tom Osborne's Retirement champ (Nebraska) Prediction: Michigan 35, Nebraska 17
Capital One Bowl: Auburn vs. Wisconsin So long, Alvarez. That last step's a doozy... Prediction: Auburn 27, Wisconsin 3
Fiesta Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Ohio State Hmmm, the team I hate the most against the the team I hate the second most. Should be the best game, though. Prediction: The earth opens and swallows Tempe, thus proving there is a God
Orange Bowl: Florida State vs. Penn State As much as I wanna hate JoePa, I can't help but love the guy. And as much as I wanna hate Bobby Bowden....I DO. So close...I have to go with the team with the better QB. Prediction: Penn State 22, Florida State 20
Rose Bowl: Texas vs. USC Simply the most anticipated matchup I've ever been around for in my lifetime. However, I have to go with those who say that one team is gonna get exposed. USC 45, Texas 22
Originally posted by BigSteveYou can talk about how ND was a few bad breaks away from beating number 1, but THE Ohio State University lost in the final quarter to no. 2 Texas and by a TD to no. 3 Penn State so I have to believe there are some OSU fans saying "what if" themselves. I've thought ND was a fraud all year so I think the Buckeyes wins this one.
The defense to that argument would be that Ohio State lost a close game to Texas, while Notre Dame lost on a last-second fluke (the hit on Leinart resulting in the ball going out of bounds). OSU will put the fear of God into Weiss, but with so much to prove for the program and next season, I think Notre Dame's going to come out pumped with guns blazing and squeeze out a win over the team with the unnecessary article preceding their name.
I'm psyched for the USC/Texas game, and I have this weird gut feeling (as does BigSteve apparently) that Texas is going to put up a Hell of a fight at the very least. The real difference-maker in this game is going to be Reggie Bush. He's been an absolute MONSTER the past few weeks, but with the time off I wonder how much the loss of momentum will hurt his overall game. I'm still saying USC, but I think it's going to be damn close.
My favorite quote during the Selection Show was said by John Saunders: "Notre Dame has 2 near wins." Near wins? Aren't near wins losses? Maybe it's my blind hatred, but people seem to be coddling the Irish because they gave USC a game and Charlie Weis let a dying kid call the first play of a game.
OSU/Notre Dame will be fun, and the ratings will be through the roof. Both teams are near the top (it not on the top) of most popular college football teams in the country, and even more people will watch because they hate one team or the other. Like Rev, I hate both teams, but would much rather see Notre Dame destroyed. We beat OSU earlier this year, so the hate isn't as strong. I think it'll be close, though, Ohio State by 6.
I think the Sugar Bowl could be good (not great). West Virginia isn't a horrible team (see: Pitt last year), and it could be a good contest. Of course, it's essentially a home game for Georgia, and Shockley's as fun to watch as he is dangerous. Georgia by 17, but it's close for almost 3 quarters.
Penn State's in a tough spot, I think. If they win, they only beat the 22nd ranked team. If they lose, the Cowherd's and Spielman's of the world are "right", and Penn State was overrated all year. This is a different team, though, so I see Penn State winning by two touchdowns. Bowden vs. Paterno overshadows everything, and the media will be in force after the game, expecting JoePa to announce his retirement. Not gonna happen. He's got time on his contract, and really nothing to do at home if he would retire.
I think LSU/Miami will be the most fun game. Both teams are great. I'm pulling for LSU.
Pretty soon, there will be football on every night of the week (if you include NFL games). That's crazy.
Alamo Bowl: Michigan vs. Nebraska. This will be a massacre of epic proportions. If it was a Kansas or Iowa State, maybe Michigan mails in the game. Won't happen against a name program like Nebraska. Watchable if you enjoy seeing Nebraska receive payback for all those beatings they used to enjoy laying on teams.
Alamo Bowl: Michigan vs. Nebraska Finally, I get to see the matchup I wanted to see between the actual 1997 champ (U-M) and the Coaches for Tom Osborne's Retirement champ (Nebraska) Prediction: Michigan 35, Nebraska 17
Yes and yes. I was rather pissed off seeing Iowa get a higher bowl invite than Michigan, considering Michigan beat them, is a bigger "name", and has a better standing in the Big 10 but giving us Nebraska on a silver platter....well, it has made me giddy. GIDDY. Revenge is supposed to be a dish best served cold, but this one is going to be explosive. Revenge for 1997 will be the perfect band-aid for this year's injury-riddled crappy season, and just the right way to begin rest and preparation for dominance next year.
Oh, and prdictions for the BCS bowls:
Texas over USC by 3, as the Longhorns complete their busting of Rose Bowl tradition. (Last year Michigan, this year SC)
Penn State over Florida State by 7.
Notre Dame over Ohio State by 10.
Georgia over West Virginia by 14.
(edited by PsychoticMidget on 5.12.05 1232) We're the middle children of history...no purpose or place. We have no Great War, no Great Depression. Our great war, our defining crucible, is a spiritual war.
I guess i'm in the minority here, but I think this is a pretty weak crop of bowl games, including the BCS games. I think all four BCS games will be blowouts, including the championship where I think Texas, not USC, will win easily. Georgia, Ohio State and Penn State should all win easily as well. And I'm not that impressed by the LSU/Miami matchup either, LSU is way better than Miami. Auburn will win in a blowout, so will Michigan and Oregon.
Fiesta Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Ohio State. This game rules. tOSU 72, ND 69 in say, 6 OT's.
Sugar Bowl(Atlanta): Georgia vs. West Virginia. Ummm, I saw the Georgia schooling of LSU. They only lost to Florida and Auburn. West Virginia lost hard to Virginia Tech. Georgia 34, WVU 10.
Orange Bowl: Florida State vs. Penn State. I hate Bowden, I could care less about Paterno. PSU 27, FSU 24. Go Big Ten. Whoop.
Rose Bowl: Texas vs. USC. This game had better kick ass or I will be pissed that the Buckeyes blew it earlier in the year. Texas 34, USC 31.
Originally posted by Texas KellySome comments on the BCS games:
Notre Dame & Ohio State are probably going to give us the most purely fun game out of the four, even if it doesn't end up being the closest (although it will be close). The Irish were one bad bounce of the ball and one missed penalty call from toppling Goliath back in October, and while Ohio State presents a challenge, I don't think they'll be able to muster enough offense to offset the thought processes of Mad Genius Charlie Weis. The Irish have a chance to make a big statement for next year right here. Notre Dame 27, Ohio State 20.
Do you even watch football? Ohio State gave up 27 points ONCE this season and was held below 22 points ONCE. So Notre Dame is a better offensive AND defensive team than every other team that OSU played this year? Even though only three teams _ Michigan, Washington and Syracuse _ scored fewer than 21 points against Notre Dame? Even though Ohio State was the only team all year long to hold Texas to fewer than 40 points?
Look, I know have this huge hard-on for Notre Dame and Charlie Weis, but again, man, look at this logically for a second. I don't care how much of a genius Charlie Weis is; ND is a paper tiger that hasn't faced a defense anywhere NEAR as good as OSU's this season. And I say that knowing full well that they played USC. And I'll go one step further: The only team that Notre Dame has played all year with a better offense than OSU is USC. This could quite possibly be the biggest ass-kicking of any of the BCS games.
Originally posted by TheBucsFanThey put up 17 on Va Tech, the No. 1 defense in the nation. They gave up 34 for they only loss of the season, but this was also before they were playing Pat White, their amazingly quick freshman quarterback.
The caveat was that they were playing Virginia Tech at home. Georgia (which has a comparable scoring defense and passing defense) in a pseudo-road game presents a more striking challenge, in my opinion.
And Pat White *did* play in that game against the Hokies.
TBFs point was they weren't starting White at that point. Bednariak(sp?) was the starter and was getting hurt every game and White was finishing all of them. He came in the 2nd half after the starter got hurt.
I was there live with my girlfriend for that game until the 4th when we left early. It was the special team bungles that sank WV that day. They gave up too many pts on turnovers.
"You want to tempt the wrath of the whatever from high atop the thing?" --Toby, West Wing
I think Notre Dame is actually going to win. Call me crazy, or someone who's watched Rudy too many times.
Georgia/West Virginia is going to be close for a quarter as WV plays out their "we deserve to be here" card...and then it's Georgia all the way in what is basically a home game.
Penn State is going to whip Florida State.
And I hope USC just destroys Texas. Am I the only one that actually seems to give credit to USC around here? For a team that hasn't lost in three years, there sure are a lot of you picking the Longhorns.
"Oh, gosh, you know, I'm not much on speeches, but it's so gratifying to leave you wallowing in the mess you've made. You're screwed, thank you, bye."
Originally posted by Texas KellySome comments on the BCS games:
Notre Dame & Ohio State are probably going to give us the most purely fun game out of the four, even if it doesn't end up being the closest (although it will be close). The Irish were one bad bounce of the ball and one missed penalty call from toppling Goliath back in October, and while Ohio State presents a challenge, I don't think they'll be able to muster enough offense to offset the thought processes of Mad Genius Charlie Weis. The Irish have a chance to make a big statement for next year right here. Notre Dame 27, Ohio State 20.
Do you even watch football? Ohio State gave up 27 points ONCE this season and was held below 22 points ONCE. So Notre Dame is a better offensive AND defensive team than every other team that OSU played this year? Even though only three teams _ Michigan, Washington and Syracuse _ scored fewer than 21 points against Notre Dame? Even though Ohio State was the only team all year long to hold Texas to fewer than 40 points?
Look, I know have this huge hard-on for Notre Dame and Charlie Weis, but again, man, look at this logically for a second. I don't care how much of a genius Charlie Weis is; ND is a paper tiger that hasn't faced a defense anywhere NEAR as good as OSU's this season. And I say that knowing full well that they played USC. And I'll go one step further: The only team that Notre Dame has played all year with a better offense than OSU is USC. This could quite possibly be the biggest ass-kicking of any of the BCS games.
I'll chime in here with this though - it really depends on if OSU hangs on to the ball. If they commit the stupid turnovers like they have on several occasions this year, then they could let ND right back into the game. Can you imagine how bad of a whipping they would have laid on scUM if they had held onto the ball better?
Also, will Carpenter be back for the bowl game or not? I gotta think that a broken ankle is gonna take some serious rehab time. That means Laurinitis (the frosh) will be starting at LB. Now Schlegel and Hawk are awesome, but adding Carpenter made the whole D absolutely freakish.
I am hoping for the ass-kicking, ala Kansas State from two years ago.
Music City Bowl: Who cares is right. Apparently the Big 10 doesn't since they're sending Minnesota for the second straight year and the 3rd time in the last four years.
The Steelers have less chance of making the Super Bowl than the Rams, I'm afraid. The AFC is really a tossup (though I'm inclined to go with New England over any other team)