2007-08 CFB Bowl Picks and News

RJ Esq · Dec 28, 2007

Thanks, Blue for posting that. I was at the Holiday Bowl all day yesterday and am now draining my liver and detoxifying.

Texas came out great and got up early. The defense stopped ASU's rushing attack and got a ton of pressure on Carpenter. Meanwhile, Texas got everyone involved for the win--Colt, Charles, Chiles, McGee, Griffin.

Aside from a couple of bonehead plays (Colt's 1H fumble and the assistant touching the ball--if he did?), Texas played an almost perfect game. Mack got his 10 wins and the players got a convincing bowl victory.

RJ Esq · Dec 28, 2007

West Virginia Would Like It's Money Back, Rich

Posted Dec 28th 2007 12:28PM by Tom Fornelli
Filed under: Michigan Football, West Virginia Football, NCAA FB Coaching

Just because Rich Rodriguez is in Ann Arbor now it doesn't mean he's escaped the grasp of jilted West Virginia fans, or the school for that matter.

The University of West Virginia is suing their former football coach for the $4 million buyout on his contract, which Rodriguez hasn't paid.

According to the lawsuit, WVU officials want a judge to determine that the school did not breach its contract with Rodriguez. They also say the contract requires Rodriguez to give written notice if the school breached the contract, and that he never did.

The lawsuit was filed by the WVU Board of Governors, on behalf of the school. It was filed Thursday in Monongalia Circuit Court, according to WVU spokeswoman Amy Neil.

According to Rodriguez's contract at WVU states that if Rodriguez were to leave the school anytime between August 2007 and August 2008, he would owe the school $4 million to get out of his contract. Now, I'm no astrologist or scientist, but I'm pretty sure December of 2007 falls in that time period.

Rodriguez is supposed to pay the $4 million in three installments. The first third being due 30 days after leaving the school, the next third within a year, and the final third up to two years after that.

Rodriguez's supporters say that the school did not live up to some of the agreements the two sides made in the contract, so he's not required to pay the buyout, though the school obviously denies that.

RJ Esq · Dec 28, 2007

Aggie. Classy as always.

Do Not Make Fun Of Joe Paterno

Posted Dec 28th 2007 12:13PM by Tom Fornelli
Filed under: Penn State Football, Big 10, Big 12, Bowl Games, NCAA FB Fans

There seems to be an epidemic spreading through college football this bowl season. Players are being suspended everywhere you look right now, whether it's at Florida State or Michigan State, plenty of players are going to be missing out on bowl games this winter.

The epidemic is spreading though, as it's now reached the male cheerleaders of the world. More specifically, a Texas A&M Yell Leader who's been sent home thanks to some comments he made about Joe Paterno at an Alamo Bowl pep rally.

A Texas A&M yell leader, one of the uniformed male cheerleaders who organize the regimented cheers at A&M's Kyle Field, loosed a tasteless salvo at Thursday night's dual-school Alamo Bowl pep rally on the Riverwalk here that stunned hundreds of fans.

"Joe Paterno's on his death bed! And someone needs to find him a casket!" the unidentified yell leader screamed over a microphone, first to gasps and then thunderous boos from the PSU fans. Neither audio nor video was immediately available. But Patriot-News photographer Joe Hermitt was there with many other media members who clearly heard the abrasive crack.

The man at the mike had been telling a lengthy and convoluted fantasy story that was falling flat. Finally, PSU fans began booing and chanting "We are!..." At that point, the flustered yell leader fired back with his insult.

The cheerleader was then sent home with his parents by the school, who feel terrible about the incident. Texas A&M president Ed Davis even called Penn State president Graham Spencier to apologize for it.

When Paterno was asked to comment on the situation he responded, "Huh? What? Where the hell am I? Who are you? Where are my pants!?"

RJ Esq · Dec 28, 2007

Since I was at the game, I didn't see the video of the Texas coach allegedly touching the ball. But here it is from thewizardofodds.blogspot.com:

Texas' Out-of-Control Sideline

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<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qSqRgzjl2m8&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></object>
Here is video of Texas' Chris Jessee, a member of the football operations staff, stepping onto the field to touch a live ball during Thursday night's Holiday Bowl in San Diego. The first word that comes to mind is idiot.

Now who in the hell is Chris Jessee? His stepfather is Longhorn coach Mack Brown. And the Sporting Orange claims to have found his MySpace page. Not good, my friends. No good.

The Texas sideline was quite animated throughout the 52-34 victory over Arizona State and received two warnings. Frankly, the Longhorns should have been penalized several times for having coaches and players step onto the field during live plays. But as they say, it's only cheating if you get caught.

Onto the game. Our friends at Image of Sport were on the scene and turned in another top-notch effort. Image of Sport is a one-stop sports photography wire service and digital archive to meet the demands of daily newspapers and editorial publications. You can view the complete gallery from the Holiday Bowl by clicking here.

Check this out: A rare shot of Brown and his staff legally staying off the playing field during a live play.

Jamal Charles ran around, through and over Arizona State defenders on his way to 161 yards and two touchdowns.

Texas had plenty to cheer about, including quarterback Colt McCoy winning offensive player of the game honors despite a severe case of fumbleitis. Defensive end Brian Orakpo was defensive player of the game.

ESPN sideline reporter Lisa Salters and ESPN radio reporter Todd Harris were kept busy throughout the Longhorns' inspired victory, which will forever be remembered by Jessee's blunder.

Update: Below are three images that have already been located online of Jessee. The first is from his reported MySpace page. The second, well, we're not sure about that one, but he certainly seems a tad old for that form of activity. This kid is really lucky that Texas won. Otherwise all hell would have broke loose in the Longhorn State.

The third image is of the play in question. Note how many other Texas players and coaches are on the field during a live play. Like we said, this was the case throughout the game and the Longhorns received only two warnings in addition to the penalty on Jessee, which didn't come until after a lengthy review. It certainly seems like something strange happens every time the Longhorns play in California, doesn't it? Thanks to Deadspin.

</p>

RJ Esq · Dec 28, 2007

<table class="tablehead" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tbody><tr class="gamehead"><td colspan="3">Team Stat Comparison</td></tr><tr class="oddrow" align="right"><td align="left"> </td><td>

</td><td>

</td></tr><tr class="colhead" align="right"><td class="bi" align="left">1st Downs</td><td>23</td><td>27</td></tr><tr class="evenrow" align="right"><td align="left">3rd down efficiency
</td><td>5-14</td><td>8-19</td></tr><tr class="evenrow" align="right"><td align="left">4th down efficiency
</td><td>2-3</td><td>1-2</td></tr><tr class="colhead" align="right"><td class="bi" align="left">Total Yards</td><td>327</td><td>474</td></tr><tr class="colhead" align="right"><td class="bi" align="left">Passing</td><td>305</td><td>174</td></tr><tr class="oddrow" align="right"><td align="left">Comp-Att
</td><td>25-50</td><td>21-32</td></tr><tr class="evenrow" align="right"><td align="left">Yards per pass
</td><td>6.1</td><td>6.1</td></tr><tr class="colhead" align="right"><td class="bi" align="left">Rushing</td><td>22</td><td>300</td></tr><tr class="evenrow" align="right"><td align="left">Rushing Attempts
</td><td>27</td><td>54</td></tr><tr class="evenrow" align="right"><td align="left">Yards per rush
</td><td>0.8</td><td>5.6</td></tr><tr class="colhead" align="right"><td class="bi" align="left">Penalties</td><td>6-50</td><td>9-74</td></tr><tr class="colhead" align="right"><td class="bi" align="left">Turnovers</td><td>5</td><td>1</td></tr><tr class="evenrow" align="right"><td align="left">Fumbles lost
</td><td>2</td><td>1</td></tr><tr class="evenrow" align="right"><td align="left">Interceptions thrown
</td><td>3</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class="colhead" align="right"><td class="bi" align="left">Possession</td><td>23:41</td><td>36:19</td></tr></tbody></table>

RJ Esq · Dec 28, 2007

RJ Esq · Dec 28, 2007

Highlights: http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?&brand=null&videoId=3170588&n8pe6c=2

I've seen that video a number of times now and I'm pretty sure he didn't touch it. Didn't affect the outcome of the game either.

RJ Esq · Dec 28, 2007

SMQ Bowl Blitz: The Champs Sports
By SMQ
Posted on Fri Dec 28, 2007 at 11:13:06 AM EDT

The least you should know about the Champs Sports Bowl...
<table 1="" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 10px;" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" width="176"><tbody><tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Sponsor</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Champs Sports is "Where Sports Live," if by "Sports" you mean "every too-short, wannabe scrub with delusions of grandeur and a few extra bucks from his shift at Sbarro," judging from every mall I’ve had the misfortune of entering in the last decade. Click here to become a Champs Sports “VIP” by committing to spend hundreds of dollars at your local Champs Sports location. </td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Location Inquisitor</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>This is the one in: a) Miami
b) Phoenix
c) Orlando
d) Jacksonville
e) Tampa
If you said c) Orlando, you’re right – and you’re paying attention! The game spent eleven seasons in Miami under various guises (see below) before moving North in 2001 after losing sponsor MicronPC and becoming, briefly, the Tangerine Bowl.

Time is running out on the Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau's (for tax purposes, Disney doesn’t lift a finger unless it’s in one Orange County or another, which was the main confusion about the one in France) helpful 207 Things To Do in Orlando in 2007, which includes "Touch a stingray at SeaWorld Orlando" and "Sue the Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau and SeaWorld Orlando for medical expenses and pain and suffering." Act now – it’s almost too late!
</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>The Venue</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>

In addition to the now-dearly departed UCF Golden Knight football team and the Citrus/Capital One Bowl, the Tangerine Bowl/Citrus Bowl/Orlando Stadium/Florida Citrus has hosted no less than seven failed alterna-league pro football franchises, two of which I actually remember: the Orlando Broncos (1962-63), the Orlando Panthers (1966-70), the Florida Blazers (1974), the Orlando Americans (1981), the Orlando Renegades (1985), the Orlando Thunder (1991-1992) and the much-lamented Orlando Rage (2001). They don’t care much in these parts for nouns, you know.</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Formerly Known As...</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>No bowl anywhere could have changed hands so many times in such a short period of time and survived, and in fact it's debatable whether the current "Champs Sports Bowl" qualifies as the same entity as the "Blockbuster Bowl" begun back in 1990 at all. Blockbuster bought into and renamed the "Sunshine Classic" before the Classic ever kicked off. This is unfortunate because the video rental company set the modern precedent for sponsorship-only names of bowl games, and is a major reason this bowl has no tradition – every time it changes sponsors, it changes names completely, and it’s changed sponsors five times in 18 years. "Blockbuster Bowl" itself was not so bad, but when it became the Carquest Bowl in 1994, the floodgates were opened: it became the MicronPC Bowl in 1998 and the MicronPC.com Bowl in 2000 (see, not the PC company, but the Web site of the PC company). The tourist group Visit Florida moved the game to Orlando in 2001 and renamed it, respectably, the Tangerine Bowl – at which point it becomes unclear that we’re actually refering to the same game, under a different sponsor and different name in a new location, but hell, Wikipedia rules – and operated it as such along with Mazda until 2003. Champs Sports took over in 2004, ditched the "Tangerine" business, and returned the bowl to its unabashedly corporate roots. It’s a feel-good story, really.</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Past Winners Include...</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>The bowl initially brought in a couple heavy hitters in its first game, Florida State and Penn State, and has maintained a fairly consistent tie to the ACC since 1993 – the only multiple winners are Miami (which won in 1996 and 1998 from the Big East), NC State and Georgia Tech. Boston College won a New Year’s Day tilt with Virginia in the ‘93 Blockbuster Bowl (to close the 1992 season) and could join that elite group with another victory this afternoon, along with providing the conference its fifth straight win here. The Big Ten has won the Vagabond Bowl only once, when Illinois crushed Virginia 63-21 under the MicronPC banner in 1999.</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
The ninth edition of an ongoing public service to enlighten readers of their bowl viewing options... Details: Boston College (10-3) vs. Michigan State (7-5) • 5 p.m. ET, ESPN. Be there or be enjoying the warmth and company of your precious loved ones at this special time of year, square.
Tune in for: The fact of Matt Ryan's being overrated on a near-historical level by his backers for the Trophy Which Shall Not Be Named - he threw 18 interceptions, 13 in the last seven games, completed less than half of his passes in three different games, and was less efficient as a passer than very un-hyped, within-the-offense types Cullen Harper, Sean Glennon, Chris Turner and Riley Skinner in his own conference; statistically, the only remotely extraordinary aspect of Ryan's season was the huge number of times he threw the ball (607 attempts in 13 games), more often per game than Colt Brennan and second only to Graham Harrell at Texas Tech, who was more efficient by a mile - should not obscure the fact that Ryan is also one of the most valuable players in the country to his team and has all the chops and clutch cool of the A-list pocket star he is reputed to be.

Hang in there, big guy.
- - -

Ryan will be compared to Tom Brady again at some point this afternoon because of his build, jersey number, pair of high profile, game-winning throws at Virginia Tech and Clemson and geography, but Matt's success is so much messier - between the heroics at Tech and Clemson, for example, he threw a terrible interception (the last of three) that killed a potential game-winning drive at home against Florida State, then was picked in the same situation on consecutive drives at the end of the ACC Championship game, yet still has the demeanor and talent to occasionally escape doom in the pocket, create something from nothing on the fly, make clutch third down completions under pressure despite often spotty protection and no big-play, downfield receiving threats (the most frequent target was running back Andre Callender, who caught 72 out of the backfield, mostly conservative checkdowns) and emerge as the emotional fulcrum of back-to-back ten-win seasons and "Matty Ice" rep intact. If you can ignore the more ambitious visions of grandeur, Ryan is still as fun to watch as old school, pro-style pocket passers come these days. As far as farewell tours go, the Champs Sports Bowl is slumming it. You will also want to see three very underrated skill players from Michigan State: wide receiver Kerry Reed (75 catches, Big Ten-best 1,226 yards), tight end/sporadic pass rusher Kellen Davis (16.9 per catch) and running back Javon Ringer (6.0 per carry), whose scandalous underuse in the back-to-back losses to Wisconsin and Northwestern - he had 233 total yards against the Badgers and 239 against Northwestern, on just 17 and 18 touches, respectively - might have cost MSU a nine-win season and kept it from a New Year's Day game.
Turn away in disgust when: Virginia Tech, Maryland, Florida State and Virginia Tech again showed the best way to disrupt B.C. is to pressure Ryan - a much easier and oft-exploited proposition with a true freshman at right tackle for long-injured Ryan Poles - and Michigan State would be in position to force the issue if one of the country's most feared pass rushers, Jonal "Sack Master" Saint-Dic, hadn't been suspended along with five other Spartans last week for blowing the semester academically. Without the force, the secondary that finished ninth in the Big Ten in pass efficiency defense and allowed 520 yards and five touchdowns passing in a loss to Northwestern - and that is also without one of its best playmakers, suspended safety SirDaren Adams - will give B.C. the chance to stage the marathon, dink-and-dunk drives the Eagles love so and make it ugly in more ways than one.
What Else is On
You have no life. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy these actual non-gridiron alternatives:

TV Guide Network • 5 p.m. ET • Making News: Texas Style - "Jay Day"
The station prepares for Jay's return to air; Tatum gets stuck at the Dallas airport; Melissa interviews a suspected murderer. (60 mins.)

Whatcha gonna do, brother, when shameless nepotism runs wild on you?
- - -

ABC Family • 5 p.m. ET • Gilmore Girls: "A-Tisket, A-Tasket"
A picnic-basket auction brings a bounty of romantic surprises to the town of Stars Hollow. For the annual event, Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Rory (Alexis Bledel) prepare lunches to be sold off to the hungry menfolk. The mother-daughter duo soon find they have no problems finding buyers for their less-than-delectable meals, and a bidding war breaks out between Dean (Jared Padalecki) and Jess (Milo Ventimiglia) as each guy vies for a Rory-prepared repast. Meanwhile, Lorelai and Luke (Scott Patterson) enjoy a meal in each other's company and Jackson (Jackson Douglas) makes a surprising proposal to Sookie (Melissa McCarthy) during their lunchtime date. (TV-PG; 60 mins.) TVLand • 6 p.m. ET • I Love Lucy: "Lucy Writes a Play"
There's more than one way to break into show business: if Ricky won't use her in his act, Lucy will write a play for him to act in. And she does (a story about a Cuban tobacco picked titled "A Tree Grows in Havana"), and enters it in a competition at her woman's club. But he'll have no part in it - until he learns that a big producer will be in the audience. Club Chairwoman: Myra Marsh. Stage Manager: Maury Thompson. (TV-G; 30 mins.)
VH1 • 6:30 p.m. ET • Hogan Knows Best: "Hulkamania Forever"
Hulk must decide whether he wants to come out of retirement after WWE chief Vince McMahon offers to promote Brooke in exchange for Hulk returning to the ring. (TV-PG; 30 mins.)
- - -

SMQ Watchability Rating: All bowl games are rated on a scale of one TV ("Christmas gifts already returned for refunds? Think of stealing more and returning those if necessary.") to five ("Block out a few hours - and possibly the sun, if there's a glare - for this can't-miss classic.") based on completely subjective factors, up to and including potential cheerleader hotness/fulfillment of requisite nubile teen lust fantasies, which are so sadly lacking anywhere else on contemporary television or the Internet. For matching two potent offenses and highly visible BCS conference teams with ten wins on one side and just a few breaks from ten wins on the other (Michigan State lost two games in overtime and two more it led or was tied in the fourth quarter), the Champs Sports Bowl delivers its most appealing game since it was briefly a Jan. 1 game in the early nineties. But it's still not quite enough to be above a three-boxer:

Worth an afternoon or evening, if there's nothing better to do, until it gets out of hand.
- - -

The Pick: Michigan State is a significant underdog in public opinion (more than 80 percent of ESPN's online contest picked BC, one of the highest numbers of any game on the slate) but only modest 4.5-5-point underdogs by the actual odds and an appealing upset pick because of the close losses and in the wake of the would-be turning point of Mark Dantonio's debut season against Penn State, where the Spartans finally closed the deal against a quality opponent. Whatever momentum carried over from the finale, though, is surely shot with the suspensions, and MSU still has to demonstrate it can find ways to win consistently after so many years of finding ways to lose. BC, on the other hand, carries itself with an air of stability, as evidenced in that eight-game bowl win streak, and has two key components it's never wise to bet against: a solid, "gutsy" veteran quarterback and, more tangibly, the top-ranked run defense in the nation.
- - - <table><tbody><tr><td>

</td> <td>Boston College 31</td> <td>•</td> <td>Michigan State 26</td></tr></tbody></table>

RJ Esq · Dec 28, 2007

Darren McFadden Considers the Escalade as His Future Ride

Posted Dec 28th 2007 11:04AM by Charles Rich
Filed under: SEC, Bowl Games, NCAA FB Gossip, Arkansas Football, NFL Prospects, Breaking News

Looks like Darren McFadden already learned something from new Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino: look out for number one, and screw the team.

The problem is with a new Cadillac Escalade that is reportedly in Darren McFadden's possession. According to an earlier source Darren McFadden was present when sports agent, Mike Conley negotiated the deal for the Escalade at Superior Cadillac, in Fayetteville.

Mike Conley, is the father of the Memphis Grizzlies Mike Conley, Jr. and the agent of both Conley, Jr. and Greg Oden of the Portland Trailblazers. He is not, however, certified by the NFL as an agent (yet).

Conley denied the full report. Saying he was not with McFadden at any dealership in Arkansas.

McFadden's mom, also denied the new Escalade was hers or in her name as the report initially said.

"Mike Conley hasn't bought nothing, and it ain't in my name," Muhammad said. "It's his stepmom's, Ella McFadden's. Really, the truck is on loan. Darren drove that down [to Dallas ] to see how he'd like it, and maybe he'd get one later."

To claim that he's got one now, though, no. Of course not. Never. It's just his step-mom's. He's merely borrowed her just purchased car to see how he likes it in the future. The Arkansas Athletic Department admits it is looking into the matter with regards to NCAA compliance issues, but is saying little else.

Regardless of what the outcome with McFadden's status for the Cotton Bowl, it's safe to assume he's heading for the NFL Draft and not back to Arkansas for his senior year (okay, that was probably a safe bet before this).

RJ Esq · Dec 28, 2007

Here is the Texas Bartman December 28, 2007

Posted by Jai Eugene in SEC Football.
trackback He should have never been on the field. Texas was beginning to look like Herban Meyer with the field intrusions and sideline warnings. Obviously “Chris” is OK. Just doesn’t look like he feels well.
HT Boomer from OU

RJ Esq · Dec 28, 2007

CURIOUS INDEX 12/28/07

<table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="590"><tbody><tr width="590"> <td colspan="3" width="590">

</td> </tr> <tr width="590"> <td background="http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/almanac/left.jpg" width="31">
</td> <td width="528"> 22 yards rushing. That’s what ultimately doomed Arizona State in Texas’s 52-34 victory in the Holiday Bowl, stepson totally trying to grab the ball off the field from the sideline aside. (Here’s Chris Jesse’s MySpace page as evidence of his existence, and his intelligence in changing it to a private page sometime between last night and the present.)

Totally agree. The big story was Texas shutting down the run. Nothing to see here.
No rushing meant no play-action, and no play-action meant Rudy Carpenter getting sacked 4 times, sailing balls all night, and getting the Texas bench taunt “RUUUUUUU–DEEEE, RUUUUUUUU-DEEEE” in the fourth quarter, expertly caught by ESPN’s mikes.
Jamaal Charles gets 27 carries for 161 and 2 TDs, Colt McCoy
keeps it efficient, and Texas looks way more intense
than Arizona State for all sixty minutes of the game on the way to Mack Brown’s seventh ten-win season in a row. Shang Tsung says IMPRESSIVE.
And, yes, Mack Brown’s stepson tried to grab a live ball and subsequently blew referee Penn Wagers’ mind.
Darren McFadden may have lost his eligibility for the senior season he’ll spend in the NFL, so no big deal. He may have also lost his eligibility for the bowl game; deal. The cause of the possible ineligibility is a new Cadillac Escalade, how it was purchased, and whether said purchase tramps on the collection of logical inconsistencies, tomfooleries, and elaborately woven skeins of bullshit that are the NCAA’s rules regarding college athletes.
FOX continues its slow demolition of the competitive American sports market with its announcement of sold-out ad space for all four BCS games. Ad rates rose 18% to around a million dollars for a 30 second ad, mercifully pricing out the Yella Wood ads and Yamaha ATV spots that are the bane of an SEC fan’s existence. Muchas gracias, invisible hand. Muchas.
Conspiracy theories are for the paranoid and uniformed so gimmeh gimmeh The wackazoid, possibly parallel universe scenario of the day: Bill Parcells can’t get Romeo Crennell (another rumor) to come to Miami to be his coach, so he dips into the loyal toady bag and pulls out Charlie Weis. All parties come out happy: Notre Dame tastefully unloads a coach with a 300 year contract extension, Miami gets rid of Cam Cameron, Parcells gets someone he knows and feels comfortable with, and Weis and Parcells get hot pressed sandwiches with cheese and double meat as stipulated in their contracts. It’s ripped straight from the pages of college/pro football fanfic, but with some claim to realism and no love scenes. Thank God, no love scenes.
That vomit won’t come out of your keyboard. Get a new one. You needed one anyway.
West Virginia is suing Rich Rodriguez to recover the buyout, tastefully suing their former coach of seven years and an alum in Rich Rodriguez for $4 million for leaving the job for Michigan without formally notifying them. Ed Pastilong, publicly upbraided by a prominent WVU booster already for allegedly dragging heels on promises to Rodriguez, just upped his asshole rating in their eyes by exponential numbers.
And because it’s Friday, you need a reminder of how crucial dragon and wizard-based metal is to our culture, and that yes, someone made the impossible song in GH3 on purpose.

<object height="355" width="425">

<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3u3FVdKe_Uw&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></object></p> </td> <td background="http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/almanac/right.jpg" width="31">
</td> </tr> <tr width="590"> <td colspan="3" width="590">

</td></tr></tbody></table>

RJ Esq · Dec 28, 2007

Video of stupid Aggie Milkmen embarassing Texas yet again and saying that Paterno is on his death bed. Classy.

http://www.ksat.com/video/14935573/index.html

RJ Esq · Dec 28, 2007

Virginia Tech will be without the services of leading rusher Branden Ore for at least the first 15 minutes of next Thursday's meeting with Kansas in the 74th Orange Bowl.

RJ Esq · Dec 28, 2007

About 24,000 tickets have been sold for Monday's Humanitarian Bowl in Boise.

RJ Esq · Dec 28, 2007

Charles says he’s coming back

By Kirk Bohls | Friday, December 28, 2007, 12:22 AM
Texas running back Jamaal Charles said late Thursday he plans on returning for his senior season.
Charles said after Texas’ 52-34 victory: “Right now, I’m probably coming back. I didn’t think I did that good in the game. Next year maybe I’ll be up for the Heisman. I will come back.”
Charles gained 161 yards on 27 carries. He scored two touchdowns.

RJ Esq · Dec 28, 2007

Ainge missing top target

Tennessee quarterback to play without best receiver

Posted: Thursday December 27, 2007 4:05PM; Updated: Thursday December 27, 2007 4:05PM

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge is disappointed that his top target, Lucas Taylor, isn't with the Volunteers for the Outback Bowl, and he said his receiver came up just short of meeting a new NCAA rule.
"He's as hard a working guy in the classroom as anybody we have on this team. I feel sad for Lucas. Everything he's been able to do. To me that's the hardest part, besides the fact we're missing people, is that Lucas can't be here," Ainge said.
Taylor is among six Vols academically ineligible, and the receiver didn't make the trip to Tampa, Fla., where No. 16 Tennessee (9-4) is preparing to play No. 18 Wisconsin (9-3) on Tuesday. Taylor did not make the required grade for a course in his major.
Previously, players were eligible for bowl games as long as they passed only six hours in the fall.
The junior receiver started 13 games this season despite a turf toe injury and had a team-high 73 catches for 1,000 yards. Taylor was four receptions short of a Tennessee single-season record.
"When you're spending three hours at practice and two hours at meetings and when you're hurt with turf toe like he was, you spend every ounce of free time you have in the training room, finding time to do homework, let alone study for tests, you end up with four to six hours of sleep a night,' Ainge said.
"I'm not making excuses for people. I'm just saying it's very tough."
Tennessee is listing Josh Briscoe and Austin Rogers as the starting wide receivers on the depth chart for the bowl game. Gerald Jones, Denarius Moore and Quintin Hancock also could play more, and Ainge has tight ends Chris Brown, Brad Cottam, Luke Stocker and Jeff Cottam as targets.
"If we go two tight ends and two receivers the whole game or five receivers, I think we have plenty of depth to be successful," Ainge said.

RJ Esq · Dec 28, 2007

Change In Plans: Auburn To Open Up Offense Against Clemson

by auburn91 Thu Dec 27, 2007 at 10:19:36 AM EDT

<table align="center"><tbody><tr><td>

</td></tr></tbody></table> By Jay Coulter
jccoulter@gmail.com
On Wednesday we learned a lot more about Auburn’s game plan for the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. After bringing Tony Franklin in from Troy to run the offense, Tommy Tuberville initially said Auburn would still run the West Coast offense for its game with Clemson.
Now the story is starting to change. At yesterday’s practice, Tuberville said that Franklin would now be responsible for play calling in Monday night’s game. Originally, Franklin’s role was to be that of an observer.
Quarterback Brandon Cox said he would start the game and get a majority of the snaps, but hinted that the other quarterbacks would also see action.
"Coach maybe said something about rotating, getting Kodi (Burns) in running some of the stuff," said Cox. "Maybe getting Blake (Field) or Neil (Caudle) in to see how they are, to start analyzing them for next year, see how they react. I am starting still. I'm playing until they bring somebody else in."
"We're gong to have a mixture of all of it," said Tuberville. "We need to run some of our old offense just to have some carryover."
"It's confusing, no doubt," said offensive lineman Ryan Pugh. "I guess a lot of times fans would say we looked really confused running the old offense.
"It will all get worked out. It just comes down to getting after people and playing hard no matter what offense you're running. It's all about players making plays."
This is an interesting development – and a risky one. I’m not a coach, but it seems risky to install a new offense in the 13th game of the year. No one expects a full blown spread offense, but it does appear we’ll see more than anticipated.
Ironically, Auburn was in a similar situation at the Peach Bowl in 1990. Clemson coach Tommy Bowden was brought in at season’s end by Pat Dye to run the offense. For the game against Indiana, Bowden had little influence on the game plan. This year things appear to be different.
King Dunlap’s career at Auburn is over. The senior left tackle is nursing a high ankle sprain and will not play against Clemson. Dunlap started 20 games for the Tigers, including six this year. He’ll be replaced by freshman Ryan Pugh.
Pugh will be starting his seventh game at the position and will be joined by fellow freshmen Chaz Ramsey and Lee Ziemba on the offensive line. Tuberville says he’ been pleased with the play of all three underclassmen.
"It's been a different experience for all of us," said Tuberville. "We like to bring them in and hold them back a year but I don't what we would have done if we hadn't had some of these freshmen come in and play and play well for us."
Linebacker Tray Blackmon’s status for the bowl game is still questionable. He continues to be hobbled by a sore knee. Still, Blackmon’s just happy to be at a bowl game. You will remember that last year, he was suspended for the Cotton Bowl.
Auburn returns to the practice field this morning at 11:00 CT. The 2007 Chick-fil-A Bowl will kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT and be televised nationally by ESPN.

RJ Esq · Dec 28, 2007

RJ Esq · Dec 28, 2007

<table style="border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102);" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="554"><tbody><tr><td class="topper" colspan="3">Bowl Breakdown: Champs Sports</td></tr>   <tr> <td class="logo">

</td> <td> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr><td class="matchup"> No. 14 Boston College (10-3) vs. Michigan St. (7-5) </td></tr> <tr><td class="gametime"> Dec. 28, 5 p.m. ET (ESPN) </td></tr> <tr><td class="location"> Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium (65,438)
Orlando </td></tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td class="logo">

</td> </tr>   </tbody></table> 
SI.com's Stewart Mandel analyzes the matchup.
Breaking down Boston College

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Boston College QB Matt Ryan has emerged as one of top quarterbacks in college football.
Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

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</td></tr></tbody></table> It was a memorable season for the Eagles in their first year under coach Jeff Jagodzinski, with one-time Heisman contender Matt Ryan (4,258 yards, 28 TDs) pulling out last-second comebacks against Virginia Tech and Clemson to win the ACC Atlantic division title. Ryan, despite an absence of receivers who can stretch the field, is a master of scrambling and buying the time needed to make big plays downfield.
The Eagles' underrated defense (25th nationally) is led by All-America safety Jamie Silva (115 tackles, six interceptions), who makes plays all over the field. Cornerback DeJuan Tribble is a playmaking threat both on defense (four interceptions) and in the return game. Alex Albright (8.5 sacks) is a menacing pass-rusher.
Breaking down Michigan State

The Spartans started 4-0, then dropped five of their first six Big Ten contests before rebounding with season-ending wins over Purdue and Penn State. They ride a pair of talented tailbacks in speedster Javon Ringer (1,346 yards) and bruiser Jehuu Caulcrick (813 yards, 21 TDs). Quarterback Brian Hoyer (2,594 yards) and receiver Devin Thomas (75 catches, 1,226 yards) form a dangerous connection.
Earlier this week, Michigan State suspended five players for the bowl game because of academic or other violations. The two most prominent players suspended were defensive standouts Jonal Saint-Dic and SirDarean Adams. Saint-Dic (10 sacks) emerged as one of the Big Ten's top pass-rushers this season, while Adams served as a key playmaker in the Spartans' linebacking corps. Michigan State's defense suffered a couple of breakdowns in midseason losses to Northwestern and Wisconsin but for the most part was fairly decent. Safety Otis Wiley (four interceptions) is a productive ballhawk.
Final Analysis

The Spartans made some good strides under first-year coach Mark Dantonio and are probably better than their record indicates, but they drew a bad matchup in top-15 foe BC and the suspensions don't help. In his last collegiate game, expect Ryan to put up more big passing numbers, while the Eagles' defense is capable of slowing down MSU's attack.
The pick: Boston College 27, Michigan State 14

RJ Esq · Dec 28, 2007

THE BOWLD AND BEAUTIFUL 2007: CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL

Name: The Champs Sports Bowl. That place in the mall where you can buy tight fitteds, son, and 150 dollar athletic shoes you can’t run in, son. OOO-WEEE! And them brushed/gold pom-poms, son! Prospicacious street goods, son!
Motto: “Real eroticism begins with the introduction of a third party.” The quote from the end of Emanuelle is the best explanation why Orlando needed a <strike>third</strike> second bowl game: because they’ve got a stadium, little to do with it, a zillion hotel rooms, a nice airport, good weather, and have watched and learned from the lessons of Emanuelle by adding a third partner into the mix with the city and the Capital One Bowl.
Fake Bowl? No, as in backed by deep-pocketed mall retailer that sells the streetest pom-poms evah.
Intrusive Corporate Sponsor: Champs Sports, “where sports lives.” We thought sport lived in our glowing green sweat and in Gatorade, so this could be the subject of some direly needed academic research.
Tradition rating: Around since 1990, back when we were glued to Dial MTV and learned that life will rip even the most tender and vulnerable things from your grasp and squash them to blood pudding in a hydraulic vise. Like Jim Henson, dammit.

Just go to the fucking doctor next time! Sobbing…
Setup: A Bangalore casting call: anyone who’s around and available, evidently. The Big 10, Big 12, ACC, and Big East, and ACC have all made appearances in the history of the bowl, meaning they just want someone to hold them and love them and just show up, okay? A woman has low standards at this point in life. And Boston College, you’re not showing up, only selling 6,000 or so of their 12,000 ticket allotment, meaning you’ll be Boise-bound and out of this woman’s arms, you emotionally unavailable bastards!
Why you should watch despite this being the Champs Sports Bowl and 5:00 on a Friday: For Matt Ryan, who being from New England and white instantly had horrific nicknames like “Matty Ice” thrown on him along with Tom Brady/Ted Williams/Sports Messiah aura. Luckily no one in New England cares enough about college football to destroy his young psyche with an intolerable level of celebrity, so he’s doing fine and alternately saving his team’s collective ass (as in the last second TD in the Virginia Tech game) and throwing them into the fire. Boston will start off throwing heavily and then throw even more if they feel threatened, either by a Michigan State lead or a particularly threatening security guard. The fewest attempts for BC this year passing has been 32; Ryan’s gone over 40 ten times.
Michigan State has Jehuu Caulcrick, Javon Ringer, and guy who throws the ball. That’s all you need to know: Ringer’s the speed guy, Caulcrick is a bus-big back for the power downs, and sometimes they let Brian Hoyer throw the ball. If he’s approaching 30 attempts, that ain’t good for Michigan State. Their game plan will be squat-ball all the way, holding the ball forever and keeping it out of the hands of Matt Ryan. Boston College’s run defense was the best in the nation. This may not be a good idea.
On defense, it would have been great fun watching Jonal Saint-Dic try to disrupt Ryan because Ryan’s taken a good beating this year despite his productivity and glossy numbers. Unfortunately, Michigan State will be Saint-Dic-less due to Saint-Dic’s sprained cerebrum and academic ineligibilty. We imagine BC wins this one in as sluggish a fashion as a team that throws the ball 40 times a game can, and then begins the fun of trying to replace someone who took every snap under center. Matty Ice! It’s better than Matty Light! Or Matty Chill. That stuff tastes like iguana piss in a bottle.

RJ Esq · Dec 28, 2007

Bowl-O-Rama: Champs, Emerald, Texas Edition

Background Info & History

Champs Sports is a sporting goods store, obviously. They're often found around malls and is part of the Foot Locker Chain. The Champs Sports Bowl was previously known as the Blockbuster Bowl, Tangerine Bowl, and many other names. It's now located in Orlando and we'll get to hear about the players' trips to Disney World during 70% of the broadcast. Yipee.

It hasn't exactly fielded very many entertaining games. Most recently, Maryland dominated Purdue in what could've been the most boring bowl game ever.

Michigan State Storyline

This is what Michigan State needed.....desperately.

What is a better sign of progress for a first year head coach than a bowl game? Michigan State hadn't been to a bowl game since 2003 under John L. Smith. It was about time, quite frankly.

MSU loaded up early on cupcakes like Bowling Green, UAB, Notre Dame (yes, they qualify as a cupcake). The Pittsburgh win was a little too close for comfort, but MSU looked like the real deal sitting at 4-0.

Not really. The Spartans eventually showed some signs of the old team under Smith by "collapsing" according to some people. They fail to realize that this team had their heads screwed on unlike the ones before the Dantonio era ever begun. They just didn't play anybody early on so it seemed like they were collapsing.

After a year's worth of agonizing defeats versus Northwestern, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio State, the Spartans battled back to improve to 7-5 with wins against Penn State and Purdue to close out the season.

Boston College Storyline

Everything was going so right for Boston College until Florida State.

Matt Ryan was in front of the Heisman Chase and Boston College was primed for a run at the national championship game. Florida State came along and trashed all hopes of a national title.

In what is probably the defining game of the 2007 season for Boston College, Matt Ryan led a furious comeback against Virginia Tech by scoring 14 points in two minutes and change.

However, Virginia Tech would enact revenge on Ryan and company in the ACC title game, a match completely controlled by the Hokies.

So, from being a few plays away from going to the BCS to the Champs Sports Bowl. Will BC be focused? That is yet to be determined.

Match ups of the Game

Michigan State Running Game vs. Boston College Run Defense-There's a reason why Boston College is first in the nation against the run. The newly-converted, grind-it-out offense of Michigan State will have to find ways to penetrate the Boston College run defense if they want a shot at winning the game. It'll be difficult to do against the defensive front seven of the Eagles.

Boston College Passing Game vs. Michigan State Pass Defense-This side of the ball has a different twist to it. Michigan State is okay at defending the pass, ranking 43rd, but Boston College is 6th in the country in passing offense. Adding to the match up's intrigue is the fact that Jonal Saint-Dic was one of the Michigan State players to be suspended for the game. Saint-Dic is the pass rushing master and he'll be sorely missed.

Keep an Eye on...

Jolonn Dunbar could very well be the most underrated defensive player in the country. All he does is make tackles and he's very smart.

Michigan State will have a tough enough time running the football, so expect MSU to go to the passing game to find some holes in the Boston College defense. MSU will run run run and whenever they pass, it'll be up to Dunbar to make the right play whether it be reading the offense, making a tackle to save a first down, sacking or putting pressure on the QB, or anything you can ask him to.

If you remember last bowl game, he had a huge day against Navy so expect more of the same out of him.

Devin Thomas. Thomas is the Spartans biggest playmaker by far. He's the sixth ranked all-purpose runner in America which is very impressive.

Michigan State likes to do a lot of reverses or options that eventually fall into the hands of Devin Thomas. He's their top receiver by far, registering multiple 100+ yard receiving games.

Like I mentioned earlier, MSU will have to pass the football because even though they are a powerful rushing team, they won't be able to do that much on the ground against Boston College. MSU must execute through the air when they have to.

Must-See-Ometer

The Champs Sports Bowl gets a 7 out of 10 on the SSO Must-See-Ometer. It won't be an immensely thrilling football game, especially if you like big-time offense. Both defenses have a bunch of slobber-knockers lining up to face their less-than-stellar offensive opponents.

But, if you can find out how to appreciate solid defense, then ESPN at 5:00 PM is the place for you. Ringer will get some yards, Thomas will make some plays, and Matt Ryan will make a bunch of good throws. But expect the defense to control this football game.

Prediction

Michigan State will find a way to make it close. If you've been paying attention to the 2007 Spartans, they haven't been blown out at all and the average margin of difference between winning and losing has been about 10 points and that includes their large victories against UAB, Notre Dame, Purdue, and Indiana. Anyway, what I'm trying to get at is that if Michigan State is going to lose, which they're favored to do, it will at least be close. Boston College has all of the match ups going in their favor and if you add that to the fact that Michigan State just suspended players like SirDarean Adams and Jonal Saint-Dic, winning this game will be too difficult. Boston College wins, 34-21 (22 confidence points).

bluemyboy · Dec 28, 2007

damn man, holiday bowl musta been a blast. I dont have much for todays games either. But here is a little bit from some of the earlier posts in this thread:

Michigan State vs. Boston College 12/28 5pm
Location: Florida
Note:
-BC has won 7 straight bowl games
-BC has the top run defense in the nation
-MSU [FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]imploded after a 4-0 start and limped to a 3-5 finish, with 2 wins in a row coming into the bowl game. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]-MSU has only had 3 wins to finish a season once since 1990.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]-this is a matchup of two first year coaches[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]-MSU was 7<sup>th</sup> in their conference, BC played in their conference title game.

[/FONT]TCU vs. Houston 12/28 8pm
Location: Texas
Note:
-TCU was 4-4 before ending the season on a 3-1 stretch
-[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Cougars and the Horned Frogs competed as league rivals in the Southwest Conference for 20 years and in Conference USA for four years.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]-Houston was 9-1 over T.C.U. from 1976 to 1985 and Texas Christian was 8-1 over U.H. from 1991 to 1995 and from 2001 to 2004.

[/FONT]Maryland vs. Oregon State 12/28 8:30pm
Location: California
Note:
-[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The past two coaches to lose an Emerald Bowl, Georgia Tech's Chan Gailey (2005) and UCLA's Karl Dorrell (2006), were recently fired.[/FONT]
-Maryland finished in a tie for 8<sup>th</sup> in the ACC
-Maryland had only 2 losses in the Double Digits (both under 17), both were to teams who finished in the top 20
-in Maryland’s close games they won 1 and lost 3
-Maryland was only 3-5 in division; a win would give them their fifth winning season in 7 years.
-2 of MD’s 6 wins came against Villanova and FIU
-3 of OSU’s losses came against[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] Arizona State, Cincinnati, and Southern California[/FONT]
-OSU finished up the season winning 6 of their last 7 in the very tough Pac-10

RJ Esq · Dec 28, 2007

THE INDEPENDENCE BOWL DRINKING GAME

We’re out of time for the other two bowl previews, but we do have an exciting offer: Peter Bean will join us at 7:50 p.m. on Sunday on a very special edition of EDSBS Live: The Independence Bowl Drinking Game.

It’ll be just like that.
We will have the show for the first half only to preserve our livers and the shreds of dignity we have left. Drinks will be taken for the following, but are not limited to:
–Bob Davie uses of the word “footBAW”
–Bob Davie uses the word “YOUUUUGE”
–A shot each time the Hawkins “DIVISION ONE FOOTBALLL” rant is mentioned.
–A sip each time the corporate sponsor is used.
–Sip for scenic shots of Shreveport. Double if a casino is shown, or if the shot is not actually scenic at all.
–A shot if John Parker Wilson throws a pick six. We know that by this rule, we’re drinking at least one shot.
–Sip for any mention of Bama’s repeat visit to Shreveport
–Sip for three and outs. We’re gonna be HAMMERED on this one.
Leave any other suggestions below. Enjoy the weekend, which is loaded with football. Pun possibly intended.
See you Sunday night.

RJ Esq · Dec 28, 2007

SMQ Bowl Blitz: The Texas
By SMQ
Posted on Fri Dec 28, 2007 at 04:03:10 PM EDT

The least you should know about the Texas Bowl...
<table 1="" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 10px;" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" width="168"><tbody><tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Sponsor</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>There is no title sponsor – the game is not funded by the taxpayers of the great state of Texas, at least not officially – despite the projections of Mark Hildreth, former corporate development manager for Lone Star Sports and Entertainment (a division of the Houston Texans franchise - see below) who told me last year the event-planning group expected a title sponsor for this year’s game. No such luck: the sponsorship remains a solid grab bag of local mainstays, but entirely below the board.</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Location Inquisitor</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>This is the one in: a) Fort Worth
b) Dallas
c) Houston
d) El Paso
e) San Antonio
If you said c) Houston, you're right! Yes, the bit about the Texans gave it away, you brilliant inferrer, you. Houston, for someone who has to drive through it a couple times a year now, is known primarily for its devastating traffic. That's how I know it, anyway, aside from its distinction a few years ago as the "fattest city in America," which may or may not still stand (I don’t care) and its status as a major I-10 drug smuggling hub. If it came down to being known for traffic, blow or girth, I’d take traffic. But then, I’m the patient type.
</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>The Venue</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>

Hulking 25th Century goliath Reliant Stadium, 56,000,000 square feet* and 250,000 tons* of monolithic space age steel that dares you to breathe within range of its awesome gravitational pull. Mortals are cautioned to deny its capacity for eternal reign as the only rodeo and NFL indoor/outdoor retractable roof, natural grass stadium that can be configured to utilize a 125,000 square foot space for general sessions, catered functions, exhibits, concerts, and much more at their own peril. (* Mild estimates)
</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Formerly Known As...</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>The Texas Bowl's location should give it away as the latest guise of the less ambitious Houston Bowl, created in 2000 and remaining until its conversion to represent the entire state was announced last year by new sponsor Lone Star Sports and Entertainment, a division of the Houston Texans - hence its spot on the NFL Network, at least "theoretically," according to Hildreth, who said last year that "this bowl wouldn't have happened if the NFL Network hadn't bought the rights." The Texas Bowl Board of Directors is headed by Texans chairman and CEO Bob McNair and Texans vice-chairman Philip Burguieres. </td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Past Winners Include...</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Rutgers took the only official Texas Bowl game to date with a predictable, mismatched smackdown of Kansas State last December. In the days of the long, lost Houston Bowl, a rotation of slumming Big 12 middleweights (Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and Colorado) delivered annual spankings to C-USA foes, though TCU exacted revenge over Iowa State in its first season in the Mountain West in 2005. There are no multiple winners.</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
The tenth edition of an ongoing public service to enlighten readers of their bowl viewing options... Details: TCU (7-5) vs. Houston (8-4)• 8 p.m. ET, NFL Network. Be there or be regretting your shortsighted choice in cable package, square.
Tune in for: TCU spent the first half of 2007 grappling with Nebraska and Louisville as the most disappointing non-golden-domed team in the country, fading quickly from unanimous Mountain West frontrunner/BCS buster to 4-4 also-ran missing its star player under mysterious circumstances after enduring losses to Air Force and Wyoming. The Frogs spent November cleaning that up, winning three of four, obliterating bowl-bound New Mexico with pass rush fiend Tommy Blake back in the lineup and taking new MWC overlord BYU to the wire in Provo. After a four-game absence, Blake logged a sack in each of the last three games, opponents' yards per carry plummeted to familiar levels at ful strength the defense was closer to the one portrayed in fawning summer forecasts.

"Just about everybody who knows Anthony Alridge insists[he] was destined for stardom of some kind."
- - -
That still doesn't make it nearly as impressive as Houston's offense, which bid sayanora to all-time everything leader Kevin Kolb at quarterback and immediately shamed its predecessors, with more balance than Kolb-led units ever had - the Cougars went for 400 yards in total offense in every game but one and topped 500 yards seven times, including the opener at Oregon, when UH galloped for 315 on the ground alone, and a ridiculous 748-yard effort against Rice. They did this without a settled quarterback - freshman Case Keenum took most of the snaps, but Blake Joseph played significantly in almost every game, with virtually identical efficiency - mainly by getting the ball often to shockingly anonymous Anthony "Quick" Alridge, a converted track star/receiver who took over the top tailback spot as a senior and dominated from the first snap with 325 all-purpose yards at Oregon, adding another pair of 200-yard rushing games in C-USA and a 211-yard all-purpose show at Alabama. Alridge quietly finished the season with 181 total yards per game, a little better than the 147 produced by receiver Donnie Avery - the only teammates in the top 30 nationally besides Darren McFadden and Felix Jones - and it seems almost no one knows their names. By Conference USA standards, because Tulsa and Central Florida were even more prolific offensively, Houston was actually better on defense, in which it led the league in total yards allowed, but this is only by default in a conference shamefully devoid of coverage or tackling or any other defense-like traits - the Cougars were one of four teams in the country that averaged 500 yards every time out, and they bring it from every angle on the field.
Turn away in disgust when: The maestro of all that offense, and of Houston's rise from the ashes in C-USA, generally, is Art Briles, who inscrutably bailed for certain doom at Baylor, foisting the interim coaching duties on cornerbacks coach Chris Thurmond, a career secondary guru with no head coaching or coordinating experience above the high school level; Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Sumlin won't take over as boss in Houston until after the Sooners' date in the Fiesta Bowl. What this means for Briles' zig-zagging spread after a month off, against at least as fierce a defense as it saw at any point in the regular season, can't be positive - it's a finely-tuned system running with all its parts intact but missing its brain.
More than anything, TCU's ambitions were submarined by its own offensive failures, and specifically the inconsistency of redshirt freshman quarterback Andy Dalton, who without the benefit of a steady running game was genuinely dreadful in spots (most notably a four-interception disaster in the loss to Utah) and just mediocre in most others. Sophomore Joseph Turner added life to the backfield in the late wins over New Mexico, UNLV and San Diego State, but if Houston is any stiffer than those stiffs, Dalton hasn't yet proven himself the opportunistic sort in a shootout.
What Else is On
You have no life. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy these actual non-gridiron alternatives:

A&E • 8 p.m. ET • CSI: Miami - "Evidence of Things Unseen"
Horatio and his team investigate after a Russian immigrant is stabbed to death in a peep show booth. and the only witness to the crime is a stripper who was performing for him. Amy: Shelby Fanner. Victor: Pasha D. Lychnikoff. Rick: David Sutcliffe. Davis: Tomas Arana. Vadim: Boris Krutonog. Infante: J.C. MacKenzie. Laura: Salli Richardson-Whitfield. Tripp: Rex Linn. (TV-14; 60 mins.)

If you don't mind vegetarian phonies, that is.
- - -

Discovery • 8 p.m. ET • Man vs. Wild: "Sahara"
Part 1 of 2. In the sun-scorched Sahara Desert, Bear Grylls uses survival tactics of the indigenous people, including eating a scorpion. Also: how to escape from quicksand. (TV-PG; 60 mins.) Lifetime • 9 p.m. ET • She's Too Young
Marcia Yag Harden delivers a compelling performance as the caring and concerned mother of a 14-year-old girl who is faced with enormous pressure from friends to engage in sexual activity. Newcomer Alexis Dziena brings emotion and believability to the part of the daughter as she suffers from the consequences of giving up her virginity to the "campus Casanova." Mike Erwin. Dawn: Miriam McDonald. Becca: Megan Park. Tommy: Joe Dinicol. Bill: Gary Hudson. Directed by Tom McLoughlin. (TV-14; 120 mins. I have seen this movie! Highly recommended - ed.)
National Geographic • 9 p.m. ET • Dog Whisperer: "Cotton, Ricky & Jordan and Duke & Lila"
An American Eskimo named Cotton takes his role as watchdog too far; Ricky, a Shiba Inu is overprotective of his playmate Jordan; boxers Duke and Lila are overly aggressive. (TV-G; 60 mins.)
Also, like, the Emerald Bowl, enigmatically nominated for your eyeballs by Emerald Nuts on the Worldwide Leader (heh: enigma) and thereby guaranteed to crush the Lonestar State's offering despite being played on an enthusiasm-neutering baseball field in San Francisco. It ain't raht.
- - -

SMQ Watchability Rating: All bowl games are rated on a scale of one TV ("Christmas gifts already returned for refunds? Think of stealing more and returning those if necessary.") to five ("Block out a few hours - and possibly the sun, if there's a glare - for this can't-miss classic.") based on completely subjective factors, up to and including potential cheerleader hotness/fulfillment of requisite nubile teen lust fantasies, which are so sadly lacking anywhere else on contemporary television or the Internet. The Texas Bowl does get some props for delivering to old, in-state Southwest Conference rivals that rarely see each other these days, but none for delivering a retread of meaningless Conference USA games from the first half of the decade, which evens out to two lonely boxes, made lonelier by their remote banishment to a network received almost exclusively by pro-obsessed, urban Northeasterners who wouldn't know their Horned Frogs from a hootenanny. Exclusively mid-major matchups can't win for losin':

CAUTION: For obsessed, innoculated fans only.
- - -

The Pick: TCU's defense is probably improved, but Houston was genuinely prolific all season and the Frogs still struggled late to slow BYU and San Diego State. Both strengths are somewhat inflated by context: Houston's offense looks a little better than it would otherwise because it played in a league filled with atrocious defenses, but at the same time, TCU's defense faced next to no offensive firepower in the Mountain West, certainly nothing of the level it will get with Alridge and Avery tonight. Adjust for the coaching transition, and the equation still leaves the Cougars slightly ahead.
- - - <table><tbody><tr><td>

</td> <td>Houston 33</td> <td>•</td> <td>TCU 24</td></tr></tbody></table>

RJ Esq · Dec 28, 2007

Holiday Bowl screen caps from tvtanlines.blogspot.com:

Stats before official junk time started:

Vondrell McGee TD (option pitch from Chiles--the future?):

John Chiles' TD run left (why no highlights of this?):

RJ Esq · Dec 28, 2007

SMQ Bowl Blitz: The Emerald
By SMQ
Posted on Fri Dec 28, 2007 at 06:29:04 PM EDT

The least you should know about the Emerald Bowl...
<table 1="" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 10px;" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" width="180"><tbody><tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Sponsor</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Emerald Nuts enthusiastically nurtures entertaining nights of, uh, equistrian nougat, or something like that. I energetically nod in respect to any nut company that makes its name on ads as willfully bizarre as this:
<object height="122" width="178">

<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6Ba5pcHNG0w&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="122" width="178"></object> </p></td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Location Inquisitor</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>This is the one in: a) San Diego
b) Phoenix
c) Charlotte
d) San Francisco
e) Tampa
If you said d) San Francisco, go on with your bad self, girlfriend! If nothing else, the City by the Bay offers the highest cost of living of any postseason destination, now that the Silicon Valley Bowl is no more. You know your real estate is on another level when D.C. surburbanites feel like they’ve got it cheap.
</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>The Venue</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>

AT&T Park, neé Pac Bell Park, is a baseball field. OSU blog Building the Dam is openly rooting for his own team’s punter to shank a ball over the high school stands on the “McCovey Cove” side of the stadium and into the water, which surely has never been a physical possibility in any other game in bowl history. The only positive element of playing on a baseball field that can’t even bother to offer anything like a traditional stadium alignment is that players for both teams are forced to share the same sideline, like a basketball game, only with no scorer’s table separating them and multiple times the testosterone. This was the setup for my old Pop Warner games – I’ve never seen it anywhere else – but the hankering for a brawl vastly overwhelms any sense of nostalgia. I’ve repressed most of those memories, anyway, or would have if I believed in such nonsense.</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Formerly Known As...</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>This game debuted in 2002, appropriately, as simply the Diamond Walnut San Francisco Bowl, until the food company decided to give its more attractively-named subsidiary the glory of title sponsordom in 2004. Diamond Walnut Foods, Inc. has been the lead sponsor all six years of the bowl’s existence. </td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Past Winners Include...</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Not only has no team won the San Francisco/Emerald Bowl twice – none have even appeared in it twice. Maryland and Oregon State are both making their virgin journeys here, on the heels of Virginia Tech, Boston College, Florida State, Georgia Tech, UCLA and, perhaps most notably, Navy, which in its 2004 win over New Mexico embarked on the longest recorded drive in college football history: taking over on its own four after a fourth down stop in the third quarter, the Midshipmen marched 94 yards in 21 plays, taking 14:26 off the game clock and culminating in a field goal for a 34-19 lead in the game’s waning minutes.</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
The eleventh edition of an ongoing public service to enlighten readers of their bowl viewing options... Details: Oregon State (8-4) vs. Maryland (6-6) • 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. Be there or be enjoying the last Friday night of 2007 in memorable and socially irresonsible ways, square.
Tune in for: OSU was quickly written off after a disastrous, six-interception, Thursday night blowout at Cincinnati back in September, but comes in here one of the most improved teams in the country from the start of the season to the end - the fact that alternating quarterbacks Sean Canfield and Lyle Moevao cut their collective interceptions from 17 in the first five games against teams not named "Idaho State" to just three over the last six guarantees results in itself, even if neither has taken to putting the ball in the end zone very often (just seven TD passes between them against I-A competition, and only two in the month of November); simply correcting the huge turnover margin that led to losses at Cincy and Arizona State early in the year led to close wins over Cal, Washington and Oregon later on without much tangible improvement in any other aspect. Unspectacular but eerily steady workhorse Yvenson Bernard missed the finale against Oregon but is "probable" tonight, and the usual day's work from him and the second-ranked run defense in the country should result in the usual success - without putting pressure on the mistake-prone passers.
For its part, Maryland delivered two of its best wins of the Friedgen era over Rutgers and Boston College, also beat Georgia Tech and came within a point against Virginia and overtime at Wake Forest from contending for the ACC Atlantic title (yes, two games from "contending").

Just told the postgame meal is crème fraiche, caviar and bean sprout crepes.
- - -

Also: endless opportunities for "the Nuts welcome the Beavers!" jokes, hur hur. They never grow old, do they? Turn away in disgust when: "Run, lean on the defense and avoid mistakes" is not the recipe for excitement; add to that Maryland's commitment to the same lo-fi gameplan on top of the absence of the most exciting player on either roster, beleaguered OSU receiver Sammie Stroughter, and let the snores wash over your deadened, prostrate soul.
Oregon State, at least, is good at some aspects of the game (kicking; run defense; rushing the passer; time-consuming power running); Maryland, statistically, has truly succeeded at naught but limiting killer mistakes - the Terps are in the bottom half of the country running (64th), passing (78th), scoring (77th), rushing the passer (76th in sacks, 96th in tackles for loss) and protecting the passer (107th with 38 sacks allowed) and have not distinguished themselves against the run (45th) or pass (50th in efficiency D). The only consistent positive for UMD is its solid turnover margin (24th), which has led to a similarly solid scoring defense (28th) despite the yards allowed. Maryland is a decidedly average to below-average team virtually across the board and its record this time - unlike that of last year's utterly mistifying nine-game winner - pretty accurately reflects it.
What Else is On
You have no life. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy these actual non-gridiron alternatives:

NBC • 9 p.m. ET • Dateline NBC
Stone Phillips oversees a two-year investigation into the blak-market trade of fraudulent passports and ID papers. In addition, Chris Hansen corners alleged Internet stalkers in Bowling Green, Ky., in the 12th edition of "To Catch a Predator." (120 mins.)

He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're a perv...
- - -

Univision • 9 p.m. ET • Pasion
Una mujer regresa a su pueblo natal tras haber sido secuestrada por un pirata en esta novela de época ambientada en el México colonial. (60 mins.) ABC Family • 10 p.m. ET • America's Funniest Home Videos
A toddler dances to Beyonce's "Crazy In Love"; a baby blinks frantically every time the family dog barks; a teen microwaves an uncracked egg. Host: Tom Bergeron. (TV-PG; 60 mins.)
TNT • 10:30 p.m. ET • Drumline
Nick Cannon stars in this 2002 coming-of-age drama about the world of big-time college marching bands. Devon Miles (Cannon) is a talented percussionist from New York who's recruited by an elite Atlanta university. But the self-absorbed drummer clashes with the band's old-fashioned director (Orlando Jones) and finds he has much to learn about growing up and being part of a team. Despite the somewhat trite inspirational messages, the irreverent humor and thrilling musical sequences make this one a real crowd pleaser. (PG-13; 150 mins.)
- - -

SMQ Watchability Rating: All bowl games are rated on a scale of one TV ("Christmas gifts already returned for refunds? Think of stealing more and returning those if necessary.") to five ("Block out a few hours - and possibly the sun, if there's a glare - for this can't-miss classic.") based on completely subjective factors, up to and including potential cheerleader hotness/fulfillment of requisite nubile teen lust fantasies, which are so sadly lacking anywhere else on contemporary television or the Internet. For pitting an uninspriing 6-6 team against a defensive team missing its best offensive weapon, and two offenses generally playing foremost to avoid mistakes rather than create big plays, and for staging this marshmallow on a baseball field that forces both teams to stare each other down on the same bench, the Emerald Bowl decisively earns two boxes:

CAUTION: For obsessed, innoculated fans only.
- - -

The Pick: As stated, Oregon State has a couple things going for it, primarily its defense. Maryland can point to a couple strong performances in upsets of Rutgers, Georgia Tech and Boston College and a strong finish over NC State, but the Terps have not demonstrated consistency and spent most of the season just hanging on defensively (the average-looking numbers are inflated by big games against I-AA Villanova and totally inept Florida International; against offenses with a pulse, the Terps were properly bad). OSU closed strong, winning six of its last seven in the Pac Ten and ought to have its way if the turnover bug doesn't return to its old feeding grounds.
- - - <table><tbody><tr><td>

</td> <td>Oregon State 27</td> <td>•</td> <td>Maryland 17</td></tr></tbody></table>

RJ Esq · Dec 28, 2007

Holiday Bowl Hilights:

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RurFSTiIWQk&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RurFSTiIWQk&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

RJ Esq · Dec 29, 2007

<table style="border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102);" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="554"><tbody><tr><td class="topper" colspan="3">Bowl Breakdown: Meineke Car Care</td></tr><tr><td class="logo">

</td><td><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="matchup">UConn (9-3) vs. Wake Forest (8-4)</td></tr><tr><td class="gametime">Dec. 29, 1 p.m. (ESPN)</td></tr><tr><td class="location">Bank of America Stadium (73,298)
Charlotte, N.C.</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td class="logo">

</td></tr></tbody></table>SI.com's Cory McCartney analyzes the matchups.
Breaking down UConn

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Second-year starting quarterback Riley Skinner and Wake Forest are in consecutive bowls for the first time in school history.
AP

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</td><td class="cnnimgadpad">

</noscript>
</td></tr><tr><td width="10">

</td><td class="cnnstoryclpad">
</td></tr></tbody></table>Coach Randy Edsall has became a hot commodity after a season that, aside from the drubbing at the hands of West Virginia, was a banner year. UConn earned its first win over a ranked opponent when it beat then-No. 11 South Florida, its first Top 25 appearance and won a share of the Big East crown. The Huskies aren't gong to wow anyone on offense, ranking 84th overall, and have a running-back-by-committee in sophomores Donald Brown II and Andre Dixon (a combined 1,558 yards and 11 touchdowns) and a line anchored by 6-foot-3, 300-pound guard Donald Thomas.
Outside of those 66 points the Mountaineers hung on UConn, the Huskies' D was surprisingly stout, allowing more than 19 points two times all season. The Huskies ranked seventh in the nation in turnover margin, snagging 22 interceptions. All-Big East linebacker Danny Lansanah leads the unit with 116 tackles, including 13 ½ for loss and four interceptions.
Breaking down Wake Forest

Jim Grobe followed up last season's 11-3 Cinderella run to the Orange Bowl by leading the Demon Deacons to an 8-4 record and consecutive bowl appearances for the first time. Second-year starter Riley Skinner has made strides as a sophomore, throwing for a 1,936 yards and 11 touchdowns and completing 71.9 percent of his passes (second in the nation). Skinner has relied on senior receiver Kenneth Moore (87 receptions, 899 yards and five TDs) and benefited from the rise of freshman running back Josh Adams (887 yards, five scores).
Like UConn, Wake Forest's defense thrives on turnovers. Between cornerback Alphonso Smith, who is tied for the I-A lead with eight picks, and linebacker Aaron Curry, the Deacons lead the country with six interceptions returned for touchdowns. Wake has terrific against the run, giving up 108.9 yards a game and has held eight opponents to 95 yards or less, including Vanderbilt, which managed 16 yards.
Final analysis

This will basically be a home game for the Demon Deacons, with Charlotte 80 miles from the Winston-Salem campus. Wake Forest quickly ran through its 12,500-ticket allotment before asking for 2,500 more tickets and Grobe has estimated some 30,000 Wake fans will flood Bank of America Stadium.
Curry & Co. should be able to counter UConn's ground game, with Grobe surely going to the blueprint of clogging up the running lanes that Cincinnati used in limiting UConn to 31 yards and three points.
It's not exactly another BCS victory, but a win will be another sign that Grobe is building Wake into a perennial ACC contender.
The pick: Wake Forest 24, UConn 17

RJ Esq · Dec 29, 2007

<table style="border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102);" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="554"><tbody><tr><td colspan="3" class="topper">Bowl Breakdown: Liberty</td></tr><tr><td class="logo">

</td><td><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="matchup">Mississippi State (7-5) vs. UCF (10-3)</td></tr><tr><td class="gametime">Dec. 29, 4:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)</td></tr><tr><td class="location">Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium (62,380)
Memphis, Tenn.</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td class="logo">

</td></tr></tbody></table>
SI.com's Gennaro Filice analyzes the matchup.
Breaking down Mississippi State

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</td><td class="cnnimgadpad" width="100%">

UCF star Kevin Smith needs 181 rushing yards to break Barry Sanders' single-season record.
Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

</td></tr></tbody></table><table style="clear: both;" align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="300"><tbody><tr><td width="10">

</td><td class="cnnimgadpad">

</noscript>
</td></tr><tr><td width="10">

</td><td class="cnnstoryclpad">
</td></tr></tbody></table>In his fourth year at Mississippi State, Sylvester Croom has directed his first winning campaign. The breakthrough season has been highlighted by road wins over Auburn and Kentucky, a 17-12 victory over Alabama (a team that passed Croom up in favor of Mike Shula) in Starkville, and a thrilling come-from-behind win over Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl. Croom earned SEC Coach of the Year honors for guiding the Bulldogs to their first bowl since 2000.
Even though the team made dramatic overall improvements in '07, the offense continued to struggle. Mississippi State averaged just 305.33 yards, worse than 111 schools. The Bulldogs' best offensive producer is RB Anthony Dixon (980 rushing yards, 13 TDs), but he hasn't run for 100 yards since an Oct. 13 loss to Tennessee.
Mississippi State's defense has been Jekyll and Hyde this season. In the Bulldogs seven wins, no opponent scored more than 17 points (averaging 14.14). But in Mississippi State's five losses, opponents averaged 39.8 points. Defensive end Titus Brown sets the tone up front, and first-team All-SEC free safety Derek Pegues is a dangerous playmaker in the secondary.
Breaking down UCF

The Knights feature the best player you've never heard of: RB Kevin Smith. With 2,448 yards rushing (and 30 total touchdowns), the junior back is 180 yards shy of Barry Sanders' all-time, single-season record. Averaging 188.31 yards per game, the nation's leading rusher has piled up 1,000 yards ... over his last four games.
Much like Mississippi State, UCF has been up-and-down defensively. But the Knights are coming off back-to-back stellar performances. In UCF's final regular season game, the Knights held Trevor Vittatoe and high-flying UTEP to 20 points. Then in a 44-25 win over Tulsa in the Conference USA championship game, UCF overwhelmed the nation's No. 1 offense. Star CB/PR Joe Burnett is one of the most explosive playmakers in the conference. The junior led C-USA with six interceptions and had an 83-yard punt-return touchdown in the conference title game.
Final analysis

Even though Smith is putting together one of the greatest seasons ever for a college running back, he wasn't even seriously considered for any national awards. UCF's schedule definitely didn't help his cause -- the Knights played nine rushing defenses ranked in the bottom quarter of the nation. Regardless, Mississippi State ranks just 65th in rushing defense. Here's to guessing Smith sets the all-time mark.
The pick: UCF 31, Mississippi State 21

RJ Esq · Dec 29, 2007

<table style="border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102);" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="554"><tbody><tr><td class="topper" colspan="3">Bowl Breakdown: Alamo</td></tr><tr><td class="logo">

</td><td><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="matchup">Penn State (8-4) vs. Texas A&M (7-5)</td></tr><tr><td class="gametime">Dec. 29, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)</td></tr><tr><td class="location">Alamodome (65,000)
San Antonio</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td class="logo">

</td></tr></tbody></table>
SI.com's Luke Winn analyzes the matchup.
Breaking down Penn State

While the Aggies will play the Alamo Bowl under an interim coach, octogenarian Joe Paterno will be coaching his 500th game for the Nittany Lions. Whether or not JoePa emerges victorious in what will also be his 34th bowl appearance will depend heavily on the running of senior tailback Rodney Kinlaw (1,186 yards, 5.3 per carry, 19 TDs). Mercurial quarterback Anthony Morelli passed for 2,508 yards but struggled in bigger games: in losses to Michigan, Illinois and Ohio State, he combined for four interceptions against just one touchdown. Few signal-callers have had difficulty throwing against A&M's pass defense, though, so Morelli should be able to connect with the dangerous receiving trio of Deon Butler (43 catches, 574 yards), Derrick Williams (50, 490 ) and Jordan Norwood (40, 484).
Penn State has one of the nation's stingiest defenses. It ranked ninth in the nation in yards allowed (306.6 per game) and second in the Big Ten behind Ohio State. Only one team in the country, blitz-obsessed Georgia Tech, had more sacks than the Nittany Lions, who averaged 3.75 per game, led by sophomore end Maurice Evans' 12.5. Senior linebacker Dan Connor added 6.5 of his own -- as well as a conference-leading 136 tackles. Connor, the anchor of Penn State's D, was named a first-team All-America by both the Associated Press and SI.com. Starting defensive tackle Chris Baker will miss the Alamo Bowl as a result of pending assault charges from a campus fight in October.
Breaking down Texas A&M

Head coach Dennis Franchione announced his "retirement" on Nov. 23, following a regular-season-ending win over rival Texas. A&M hired his replacement, Houston Texans offensive coordinator Mike Sherman, just three days later. Neither Fran nor Sherm, who is finishing the season with the Texans, will be stalking the sideline at the Alamodome, however. Aggies defensive coordinator Gary Darnell took over as interim coach and is charged with generating a respectable ending to an underachieving season. A&M will attempt to do that by meeting Penn State's vaunted run defense head-on with a rushing attack that ranked 12th in the country. The Aggie's three-headed ground game consists of nimble quarterback Stephen McGee (173 carries, 858 yards, five TDs), 268-pound bulldozer Jorvorskie Lane (159, 746, 15) and speed-burner Mike Goodson (139, 646, 2). McGee is also capable of airing it out when necessary: He threw for 362 yards and three scores in the win over Texas.
A&M's secondary has the ability to make Morelli look good. The Aggies ranked 10th in the Big 12 in pass-efficiency defense, letting opposing quarterbacks complete 62.6 percent of their passes. They gave up six 275-yard-plus passing games (to Montana State, Miami, Texas Tech, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Missouri) -- and weren't particularly stout against the run, either, yielding four 200-plus-yard games (to Louisiana-Monroe, Oklahoma State, Kansas and Missouri). Linebacker Mark Dodge is A&M's primary force in the middle; he ranked fifth in the Big 12 with 108 tackles. A&M only had seven interceptions as a team, but four of them were by senior corner Marquis Carpenter.
Final Analysis

At a pep rally in San Antonio on Thursday, an A&M yell leader got in hot water for telling the crowd that "someone needs to find [Paterno] a casket." He might be 81, but he can still handle winning a bowl -- especially when his defense is capable of keeping the Aggies' running game in check. Expect Morelli to put a positive coda on what has been a turbulent career by throwing for at least two scores, and the Nittany Lions to prevail.
The pick: Penn State 28, Texas A&M 17

RJ Esq · Dec 29, 2007

SMQ Bowl Blitz: The Car Care
By SMQ
Posted on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 11:07:09 AM EDT

The least you should know about the Carquest Bowl...
<table 1="" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 10px;" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" width="178"><tbody><tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Sponsor</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Meineke, obviously, though the game was begun by Charlotte-based Raycom Sports. You might recognize the car maintenance giant primarily through its humanoid celebrity George Foreman, but click here to let the real star of the Meineke media empire, Master Mechanic Joe, lead you on an interactive guide of your cars inner workings. Just like those guys on the radio, except not funny. At all. Master Mechanic Joe is more of a guilt trip, really, though I’d be disappointed if we didn’t see an MMJ mascot of some kind on the field.</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Location Inquisitor</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>This is the one in: a) Charlotte
b) Phoenix
c) Orlando
d) Miami
e) Tampa
If you said a) Charlotte, you’re right! The Queen City was chosen for its emerging technology industry and proximity to the headquarters of the aforementioned Raycom Sports, corporate head behind the retro Lincoln Financial broadcasts SEC and ACC fans in the South have come to know and mock. Now bringing limp, outdated production values to the postseason! Well, no, ESPN handles the slick production end. But they’re fightin’ fer it!
</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>The Venue</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>

AAGV045%7EBank-Of-America-Stadium-Posters.jpg

Bank of America Stadium embodies in every way the glossy, soulless sheen of the modern NFL: the corporate naming rights, the cookie cutter, overhanging, 21st-Century-gladiator-in-the-arena architecture, anonymous symbols of generic metropoli looming nearby, the totally tealest seats anywhere, the better to emphasize their emptiness when the Panthers are struggling or, say, BOAS hosts a third tier bowl game. </td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Formerly Known As...</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>”Car Care” – not to be confused with the old Carquest Bowl – seems like a particularly bad choice for a bowl title, until compared to its oft-mocked predecessor, which left fans breathless with wonder re: their team’s fate in the Continental Tire Bowl. This game had a chance, briefly, when it was originally dubbed the “Queen City Bowl” in 2002. But Continental Tire swooped in and got its name unaccompanied on the first game that December, leaving That One Bowl in Charlotte with the same problem as That One Bowl in Florida: every time the sponsor changes, the name changes, and whatever familiarity it achieved under whatever ludicrous name it had held is lost.</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Past Winners Include...</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>The game has enjoyed a geographically sensible tie-in with the ACC and Big East, though the latter has won only once in five years, and that winner – Boston College in 2004 – immediately leapt to the ACC. Four of the five games have been won by two teams: Virginia in 2002 and 2003 and B.C. in 2004 and 2006, including the first really good game in this locale, the Eagles’ last-second, fumble-aided comeback win last year over Navy. </td> </tr> </tbody></table>
The twelfth edition of an ongoing public service to enlighten readers of their bowl viewing options... Details: Wake Forest (8-4) vs. Connecticut (9-3) • 1 p.m. ET, ESPN. Be there or be enjoying the warmth and company of your friends and loved ones on the final Saturday of the year, square.
Tune in for: Both offenses are built around all-conference running backs who more or less came out of the woodwork: Josh Adams at Wake Forest, who filled in for star-crossed Micah Andrews at midseason after the senior was stricken with another season-ending injury, had a career game (18 carries, 140 yards) at Florida State and finished two yards shy of 1,000 in total offense for the season; and Andre Dixon for UConn, he of the wild, bleached dreds, who split carries and yards almost right down the middle with Donald Brown. Together, they racked up 1,644 yards on 5.2 per carry, which makes them basically Ray Rice.

Riley Skinner is the winningest quarterback in the ACC. This is not such a compliment to the ACC.
- - -
Both teams also have quality starters who double as dangerous return men: Wake got punt and kick return touchdowns from Kenneth Moore and Kevin Marion, and Travon Branch brought back two kickoffs for UConn (no, I'm not counting this). Turn away in disgust when: Yeah, none of that was very exciting. Wake Forest and UConn are identical teams in many ways, most notably in their lo-fi blandness. Perhaps no team in history has carried turnover-driven opportunism as far as Wake over the last two years - the Deacons finished 97th in total offense this fall, after coming in at 96th in their BCS run last season, and have managed the only back-to-back eight-win seasons in school history despite being outgained on average in both seasons. Such is life for the team that plays in a generally offensively-challenged conference (Wake is only one of an amazingly awful seven ACC teams in the bottom 25 nationally in total offense) that can hang onto the ball; the Deacons are +10 in turnover margin this year after finishing +13 last year. They put five players on the all-ACC team and still seem to have all the marks of mediocre overachievers with the fortune of playing in a conference that embraces that style of play - the rare team that didn't, like Boston College or Clemson, for example, by far the top two offenses in the league, blitzed Wake pretty convincingly.
It's the same formula for UConn: the Huskies won nine games and were playing for the Big East title at year's end despite the 84th-ranked offense and a sketchy run defense (five of six offenses had run for over 150 even before West Virginia's unreal 517-yard day in the finale) mainly by not screwing up - no team in the nation threw fewer interceptions (just five, matched by Navy only because Navy never throws) and the Huskies finished +13 in turnover margin.
Hope you're down with a lot of contented punting - there's about a 1 in 33 chance one might come back.
What Else is On
You have no life. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy these actual non-gridiron alternatives:

Animal Planet • 1 p.m. ET • Ferocious African Crocodiles
Crocodiles are examined. Incuded: hunting techniques; diet; preferred environments; mating habits. Also: migrating zebra and wildebeest attempt to cross the Masai Mara River, which is full of hungry crocodiles. (TV-G; 60 mins.) A&E Biography • 1 p.m. ET • Look, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman
A history of the fictional superhero who first appeared in comics in 1938 examines his portrayal in television and films, including the 1950s TV series starring George Reeves; the Christopher Reeve films; and the TV series "Smallville" and "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman." (120 mins.)

Another three-and-out? I'll save you!
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Comedy Central • 2 p.m. ET • The Royal Tenenbaums
An all-star cast and a quirky script distinguish wrier-director Wes Anderson's 2001 comedy-drama about an exentric New York family. Gene Hackman is a delight as the clan's estranged patriarch, the conniving Royal Tenenbaum. When he loses his home and learns that his ex-wife (Anjelica Houston) plans to remarry, he pretends to be dying to win back his family. Although his ex lets him move back in, his three children - uptight businessman Chas (Ben Stiller), former tennis star Richie (Luke Wilson) and sulking novelist Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow) - don't react well to dad's return. (R; 150 mins.) VH1 • 2:30 p.m. ET • Scott Baio is 45...And Single
The season ends with Scott deciding whether he's ready to make a commitment to Renee. Scott also helps his friend Cuccio make arrangements for his wedding. (TV-PG; 30 mins.)
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SMQ Watchability Rating: All bowl games are rated on a scale of one TV ("Christmas gifts already returned for refunds? Think of stealing more and returning those if necessary.") to five ("Block out a few hours - and possibly the sun, if there's a glare - for this can't-miss classic.") based on completely subjective factors, up to and including potential cheerleader hotness/fulfillment of requisite nubile teen lust fantasies, which are so sadly lacking anywhere else on contemporary television or the Internet. Wake and UConn clearly are winners, and winners from major conferences at that, which carries a certain caché after a week of games you'd hardly give a second thought in the regular season, but for bringing two of the most boring, inexplicably successful teams in the country in one not-so-enthralling place, the Car Care Bowl is downgraded to a meager two boxes:

CAUTION: For obsessed, innoculated fans only.
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The Pick: UConn is better at pounding away with its tough backs on a consistent basis and is about as efficient in the passing game, but Wake is outstanding at manufacturing a functional running game and has a couple players - Marion and Moore - who can make the big play that decides the game, potential explosiveness UConn completely lacks. This punt-and-turnover business was the Deacons' turf first.
- - - <table><tbody><tr><td>

</td> <td>Wake Forest 20</td> <td>•</td> <td>UConn 18</td></tr></tbody></table>

RJ Esq · Dec 29, 2007

Adding:

Wake Forest -2 (-105) ($200)

RJ Esq · Dec 29, 2007

SMQ Bowl Blitz: The Liberty
By SMQ
Posted on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 02:52:59 PM EDT

The least you should know about the Liberty Bowl...
<table 1="" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 10px;" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" width="178"><tbody><tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Sponsor</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>AutoZone is a cold replacement for the warm glow put off for years by Memphis-based children’s hospital St. Jude, which was never technically a financial sponsor but attached its name to the Liberty Bowl for decades and acted as a host in return for sponsor-ish benefits from the exposure of the game. St. Jude’s role hasn’t really changed, but it was bumped from the top position by Axa Insurance in 1997, and now sits below the fold in deference to an auto parts company (also based in Memphis). I dunno, maybe a few eagle eyes can still read “St. Jude” on the bell up there.</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>The Venue</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>

The most distinguishing feature of Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium has always been its odd shape, like the architect blew his bowl design in pottery class the night before and just turned in the warped results anyway. Skimpy in the end zone seats, ascending to a nice, full height at the 50, it makes sense, or sense enough, at least, for the four failed alterna-league teams that have set up here since the mid-seventies, all named after rejected X-Men characters: the Memphis Southmen (1974-75), the Memphis Showboats (1984-85), the Memphis Maniax (2001), and the CFL’s Memphis Mad Dogs (1995), as well as a hypothetical NFL franchise (the Memphis Hound Dogs) and the World Soccer League’s Memphis Rogues in the late seventies. The highest attendance for a Memphis Tiger game this season – a relatively good season – was almost 20,000 short of capacity, so I wouldn’t have any guess as to when the above picture was taken.</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Formerly Known As...</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>The Liberty Bowl has always been the Liberty Bowl, and in fact was such without a traditional title sponsor (not including St. Jude) for almost 40 years. The game began in Philadelphia in 1959 – a city with more connotations of “Liberty” and its famed, cracked national symbol than the current locale – and was even staged one year (1964) in Atlantic City before moving South.</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Past Winners Include...</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Seven of the ten traditional (pre-1992) SEC teams won the Liberty with the conference tie-in from 1965-92, most of them multiple times, and in addition to that, LSU, Arkansas and South Carolina have all played in multiple Liberty Bowls. Air Force played in four straight games during the bowl’s brief deal with the winner of the Commander-in-Chief Trophy from 1989-92, but the Liberty has a nice fit now with the C-USA champion, which has gone to Memphis as a reward every year of the league’s existence back to 1996. I don’t like that the game lost its tie-in with the Mountain West champion, which played the C-USA winner from 1997-2004 (the Liberty winner in those years finished in the final top 25 every season), because any game that both teams count as a worthy destination, the fulfillment of a season-long goal, is better than a sixth-place team from the SEC sniffing, “well, I guess we’ll go to the Liberty Bowl, if we have to.” The game had a good thing with its brief clash of champions and should make some effort to renew it.</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
The thirteenth edition of an ongoing public service to enlighten readers of their bowl viewing options... Details: Mississippi State (7-5) vs. Central Florida (10-3) • 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. Be there or be enjoying the warmth and company of your friends and family on this final weekend of the year, square.
Tune in for: Officially, Kevin Smith needs 180 yards to tie Barry Sanders' DI single-season rushing record, although this is misleading in that Smith is playing in his fourteenth game and the current record was set in eleven games - Smith can't touch Sanders' 239 yards per game and Sanders' mark doesn't include his Holiday Bowl shivving of Wyoming, which was then exempt from the books.
Still, Kevin Smith's season in brief, beginning with the first snap at N.C. State:

<object height="135" width="200">

<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/exyZ12hGTk0&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="135" width="200"></object> <object height="135" width="200">

<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SNL869c4iog&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="135" width="200"></object></p>
<object height="135" width="200">

<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1LhPI5RL-L0&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="135" width="200"></object> <object height="135" width="200">

<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eWmc55Ojk4E&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="135" width="200"></object></p>
<object height="135" width="200">

<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4aUuzBgVT98&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="135" width="200"></object> <object height="135" width="200">

<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sEElAdeKgbk&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="135" width="200"></object></p> Kid's pretty good.
Turn away in disgust when: Sylvester Croom was the coach of the year in the SEC, according to most concerned outlets, but you still have a hard time convincing me Mississippi State is much better than it was his first three seasons (all 3-9 efforts), especially on offense - the Bulldogs were bad running (80th, 10th in SEC), passing (108th, 11th in SEC), gaining yards in general (112th, last in SEC) and scoring (92nd, 10th in SEC). The only teams less efficient in the passing games were Idaho and Florida International. MSU was not very good defensively in the one area it will have to be to stop Smith, either, allowing 198 on the ground to LSU, 216 to Auburn, 211 to Tennessee, 262 to West Virginia, 153 to Alabama, 206 to Arkansas and 204 to Ole Miss. That's a horrible record against the run. The coach of the year thing for Croom must be because the Bulldogs managed to win three of those games with no offense to speak of, despite being pushed around up front, because of timely turnovers or timely idiocy on the opposing sideline, but Smith's production tends to leave UCF with a wide margin of error.
What Else is On
You have no life. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy these actual non-gridiron alternatives:

CBS • 5 p.m. ET • Skiing: King of the Mountain
The first Jeep King of the Mountain skiing event of the season, taped Dec. 14-15 in Tulluride, Colo. Entrants include Daron Rahlves, Tomas Kraus and Ophelie David. (60 mins.)

Safe, out, etc. Nobody cares about baseball.
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ESPN Classic • 5 p.m. ET • Top 5 Reasons You Can't Blame...: Umpire Don Denkinger for Cardinals Losing 1985 World Series
Umpire Don Denkinger's blown call in Game 6 of the 1985 World Series is reevaluated. Many believe the mistake cost the St. Louis Cardinals the series. (30 mins.) MSNBC • 5 p.m. ET • Born in the Wrong Body: On the Edge
The world of the Big Apple's festive ballroom scene is explored through the eyes of four transgender male-to-females. (60 mins.)
TBS • 5:30 p.m. ET • Sex and the City: Running with Scissors
Carrie's guilt begins to get the best of her; Charlotte's dream engagement shows signs of unraveling; Miranda falls for a new man; Samantha's latest fling raises an issue that hits close to home. Aidan: John Corbett. Trey: Kyle MacLachlan. Charlotte: Kristin Davis. (TV-14; 30 mins.)
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SMQ Watchability Rating: All bowl games are rated on a scale of one TV ("Christmas gifts already returned for refunds? Think of stealing more and returning those if necessary.") to five ("Block out a few hours - and possibly the sun, if there's a glare - for this can't-miss classic.") based on completely subjective factors, up to and including potential cheerleader hotness/fulfillment of requisite nubile teen lust fantasies, which are so sadly lacking anywhere else on contemporary television or the Internet. Mississippi State's goal is to make every game as ugly as possible, and it will probably be a blowout otherwise. Smith's pursuit of the record alone lifts the Liberty to a two-boxer:

CAUTION: For obsessed, innoculated fans only.
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The Pick: I'm not as pessimistic about Mississippi State's chances of winning as it may seem, only about the chances of it being an interesting game, because MSU will either hang around a low-scoring punt-fest it moves to win at the end or get gashed by Smith and run off the field. It might be closer to the former than the latter, but the best player on the field is fairly obvious.
- - - <table><tbody><tr><td>

</td> <td>Central Florida 27</td> <td>•</td> <td>Mississippi State 16</td></tr></tbody></table>

RJ Esq · Dec 29, 2007

UCLA Hires Neuheisel
By Menelaus Section: Diaries
Posted on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 04:09:43 PM EDT

Two breaking reports. Both ProFootballTalk, and Hacksaw on 570, are saying that UCLA has hired Neuheisel. From PFT:

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that UCLA will be hiring Ravens offensive coordinator Rick Neuheisel as its next head coach. Neuheisel, a former UCLA quarterback, previously was the head coach at Colorado and at Washington. He was fired by Washington based on allegations of participation in a March Madness betting pool, but a lawsuit resulted in a $4.5 million settlement from the NCAA and the University of Washington.
Neuheisel joined the Ravens in 2005 as quarterbacks coach. He became the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach after Jim Fassel was fired. Head coach Brian Billick, however, called the plays.
Before becoming the head coach at Colorado in 1995, Neuheisel spent seven seasons as an assistant at UCLA. He was the head coach at Washington from 1999 through 2002.

UPDATE: Now it's official. Here is from the official release: Rick Neuheisel Named UCLA Head Football Coach Former Bruin owns record of 66-30 as head coach
Dec. 29, 2007
Rick Neuheisel, who quarterbacked UCLA to victory in the 1984 Rose Bowl and who compiled a record of 66-30 as a collegiate head coach, has been named his alma mater's 16th head football coach, Bruin athletic director Dan Guerrero announced today.
The energetic and personable Neuheisel returns to the collegiate ranks after spending the past three seasons in the NFL. In his eight years as a college head coach at the University of Colorado and the University of Washington, he fashioned a record of 66-30, winning at least 10 games on three occasions and finishing in the Top 10 on three occasions, and led his teams to seven bowl games. His winning percentage of .688 places him among the top 20 active coaches with at least five years in the Football Bowl Subdivision. He was also recognized as one of the nation's top recruiters during his college coaching days.
"Rick has enjoyed great success throughout his career and we believe he is the coach who can take our program to the next level," said Guerrero. "His teams at Colorado and Washington continually challenged for conference championships and national rankings and that is what we are looking to do at UCLA.
"Rick is an outstanding coach and recruiter. He is outgoing and personable and can motivate our players, fans and supporters. We believe he is well equipped to lead the program and attain the success all Bruin fans wish to achieve."
"I know there are some issues in Rick's past that concern our constituency. We have discussed those at length with Rick and have investigated those issues with the NCAA. It has been at least five years and, in some cases, more than 10 years since the incidents occurred. We believe Rick has learned from those incidents and that he is more mature and experienced in the areas of compliance."
"I am thrilled to be returning to my alma mater as its head coach," said Neuheisel. "UCLA is a special place and I want to thank Dan Guerrero and Chancellor (Gene) Block for the opportunity to come home. We are going to build a program our supporters will be proud of, both on and off the field. I can't wait to get started. I made some mistakes earlier in my career and I take responsibility for those mistakes. I have learned from that experience and I would never do anything that would reflect negatively on UCLA."

GO BRUINS.

RJ Esq · Dec 29, 2007

Adding:

Aggie/PSU Fighting Octogenareans Under 52' (-110) ($200)

Looking over past history for the bowl and the teams and for the most part, the scores tend to be in the 40s or less. Everyone's favorite great-grandpa likes to keep bowl scores low and add in the fact that Aggie's interim HC is DC Gary Darnell and I think the score will fly under.

Keep in mind that the last time both teams played each other was the 1999 Alamo Bowl between JoePa and Fran. JoePa beat Fran and a high scoring Aggie offense, 24-0.

RJ Esq · Dec 29, 2007

Texas-Arizona State Holiday Bowl Report

by HornsFan Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 08:19:28 PM EDT

Wooo hoo hooooo! Texas wins the Holiday Bowl!
You can read that one of two ways, and each is applicable here. No, it ain't winning the Rose Bowl. But yes, that was a damn fun win for this team and its fans. I'm leaving the official Trip Diary to 54b and sticking mostly to football thoughts, but let me just say that we had a damn great time in San Diego. Special thanks go to the folks who run HornFans, Ross Jurwitz (SMODOD, even if my last name is mispelled), and the dozen or so readers who tracked me down at the game to say hello. Enjoyed it immensely.
My brother, cousin, 54b, his buddy Brad, and I all made the most of our San Diego vacation, enjoyed the game, made some new friends, and didn't get arrested. That's 'bout perfect.
<ins>HOLIDAY BOWL GAME REPORT</ins>
The outcome was: <ins>Fun! This team can be fun!</ins> Really, there was only one regular season game this year that were truly fun from start to finish for Texas fans: Texas Tech. Blowing out Rice and Iowa State are expected, and the Nebraska and Oklahoma State games - though fun at the end - were more like surviving an airplane ride in which three of four jet engines go out. Yeah, everyone claps and hugs at the end, but for most of the ride it's just a terrifying shitstorm.
This year's bowl win, though, was just a lot of fun. Colt played good football, Jamaal was oh so sexy, and we actually got pressure on the opposing quarterback. We scored early, we never let them get too close, and there was an absurd play involving Mack Brown's stepson trying to scoop up a live football. It wasn't exactly picture perfect, but it was genuinely fun. As disappointing as it can be not to win your conference championship, the Holiday Bowl can be a fun consolation prize. And this year it was.
I'd caution fans not to read too much into the outcome. I preached before the game that the process was more important than the actual outcome, and that remains as true following a win as it does a loss. We heard a lot heading into the Holiday Bowl about reinvigorating Texas standards, about making starting jobs a meritocracy, about holding people accountable for their mistakes, and about playing with intensity/drive/passion/etc. All of these are good things, and based on the performance, there's reason to believe it made a difference. Those standards need to carry over to spring workouts, to the summer offseason, and of course into August.
But the problem for this team has not been that it is incapable of playing strong football; it is that it has not played strong football on a weekly basis, from start to finish. Inexcusable losses to Kansas State and Texas A&M. Uninspiring wins over Arkansas State, TCU, UCF, Baylor, Nebraska, and Oklahoma State. Few demand perfection from their team, but the reality of Texas' situation is that a more consistently excellent performance is required to win the Big 12 South. And though there are some things to be excited about heading into 2008, let me just take one sobering moment to note that Oklahoma - already ahead of Texas right now - returns the vast majority of this year's team. If Mack Brown settles for mediocrity in any phase of this game (on and off the field), Texas will find itself on the outside looking in again a year from now.
The Offensive MVP was: <ins>Jamaal Charles and Colt McCoy.</ins> Arizona State fans watched Jamaal Charles with raised eyebrows, utterly wowed by his Holiday Bowl performance. He's fast, he's breaking tackles, making the right cuts and, now, protecting the football. He's the 2007 MVP, a short list Heisman frontrunner in 2008 if he returns, and an emerging leader on the team. I'll say this: if he doesn't return for his senior season, he'll wind up one of the most underappreciated Great Longhorns of all time. If he comes back, I'm guessing he'll enter the pantheon of Longhorn players fans never forget.
As for Colt... the kid played well. Our pass offense isn't anything to brag about (5.4 yards per attempt), in large part because we have no deep threat at receiver. Colt managed this game very well, though, and in particular excelled with his scrambling ability. He was a touch sloppy protecting the football, but it didn't prove costly in this particular game. The most important thing was that Colt took what was there for him and continued to use his feet when the pass he wanted wasn't there. With our resuscitated running game, that's all we need from Colt. And that's what he gave us. Good job from him; good job from Greg Davis retooling our offense away from a Colt-centric game plan.
The Defensive MVP was: <ins>Brandon Foster.</ins> The undersized cornerback has endured a lot of criticism over the years. To his credit, he's kept his nose down, worked hard, and made the most of his talent. Without the size and athletic ability of some of Texas' more prized recruits, he's accomplished quite a bit just by working hard and doing his part for the team. His final game as a Longhorn was probably his best: 7 tackles, a fumble strip, and 2 interceptions. Congratulations to Brandon on a successful game and career. Many players with more talent have accomplished far less. Best of luck in whatever's next for him.
John Chiles Watch: <ins>5 carries, 21 yards, 1 TD.</ins> Not only did Chiles play, but he was used in the red zone and - I was delighted to see - ran more fluidly than we've seen to date. Up until the bowl game, Chiles had been running tentatively - straight ahead without much juke. Finally, we saw some shake n' bake from the freshman, and it paid off. He'll never be Vince Young, but he's a terrific athlete and potential playmaker on a team that desperately needs one to complement Jamaal Charles.
Vondrell McGee Watch: <ins>5 carries, 31 yards, 1 TD.</ins> McGee's 28 yard touchdown run put Texas up 45-20 and buried Arizona State for good. McGee hasn't yet shown that he's an elite runner like Jamaal Charles, but he did some very nice things as a redshirt freshman, and he still hits holes hard and isn't afraid to plow straight ahead for a tough yard in short-yardage or goal to go situations. McGee will make an excellent backup to Charles if JC does return for one more year.
<ins>RANDOM OBSERVATIONS</ins>

I've heard some complaining from fans about the 305 yards of passing from Arizona State, but it's a little bit misleading. Though I wasn't overly impressed with some of the coverage in our secondary (Erick Jackson is just NOT a cover safety), the overall numbers were fine. ASU managed a meager 6.1 yards per attempt - a number we can easily live with over the course of a season. Most importantly, we actually pressured the quarterback, which helps when you're trying to hide a weak secondary.
Speaking of the secondary, the situation at safety is frightening heading into 2008. If Ishie couldn't beat out Erick Jackson in an open competition for the free safety spot during bowl workouts, one wonders exactly how much ground he's got to make up to be a reliable starter heading forward. And beyond Ishie, there simply isn't any experience. Griffin and Jackson both graduate, so you do the math... Who plays safety for Texas in 2008?
As predicted, Adam Ulatoski slid over to play left tackle for the bowl game, and he had what was probably his best game as a Longhorn. I kept an eye on his battle versus Dexter Davis and Ulatoski was very solid more often than not. The line as a whole, in fact, played one of its best games to date. We're still young and a bit green on the line heading into 2008, but I think the worst may be behind us. We'll see.
Nice job by Greg Davis of taking advantage of Arizona State's lack of speed at both OLB positions. It was a huge weakness, and Davis did a good job exploiting it.
A standing ovation for Frank Okam and Derek Lokey, who went out with a fearsome performance on the line. And Lokey, of course, caught a touchdown pass on a cleverly designed play by Davis. Both guys had ups and downs throughout their careers, but each went out on top. They utterly destroyed the middle of ASU's line.
I'm worried about filling the shoes of Okam and Lokey next year, but I have no concerns whatsoever about the situation at defensive end. There's an embarrassment of riches returning in 2008.
What was up with our kicking on Thursday night? Short punts and kickoffs all game long. Fortunately, the coverage was stout throughout the game.
Texas yards rushing: 300. Arizona State: 22.
Priorities for the offense, in order, heading into 2008: (1) Figure out how to maximize John Chiles (in whatever capacity), (2) Stabilize the O-Line, (3) Find a deep threat at receiver.
Priorities for the defense, in order, heading into 2008: (1) Find two safeties (yikes), (2) Develop the tackles to play with Miller, (3) Keep Muck-Norton-Kindle healthy.
Finally, a word on the coaching: though this was a performance to like, it was a season to regret. It's going to be very interesting to see what Mack Brown does with his coaching staff in the coming weeks. I personally don't think Akina's shown enough to bring him back for a repeat trial at DC. John Tenuta is out a job right now... As for Greg Davis, the decision is undoubtedly his. Odds are very, very high that he's back in 2008. Though we have every reason to be skeptical, he's going to have a pretty nice unit to work with next season. Let's pray he evolves a little himself. We've got too much talent to sputter offensively as often as we do.

So, all eyes on Mack Brown. They say you can't change, Coach. Is that true?
--PB--

RJ Esq · Dec 29, 2007

SMQ Bowl Blitz: The Alamo
By SMQ
Posted on Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 07:41:01 PM EDT

The least you should know about the Alamo Bowl...
<table 1="" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 10px;" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" width="178"><tbody><tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Sponsor</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>I’d never heard of Valero gas stations when I lived in Mississippi, but in Texas, those big teal signs are everywhere. If I stop there, it’s out of convenience, not advertising or sponsorships, but the bowl claims 61 percent of ticketholders to last year’s Alamo Bowl responded that they would consider switching to companies that support the bowl. They’re either suckers or liars or had an unexpectedly great time at the game, and spent $21 million in the city in 2005 either way. Click here for a demographic breakdown of the 2004 Alamo Bowl crowd, one wealthy, well-educated, whipped bunch of middle-aged men. </td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Location Inquisitor</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>This is the one in: a) Fort Worth
b) El Paso
c) Houston
d) San Antonio
e) Dallas
If you said d) San Antonio, you’re right! And you possess a fundamental grasp of key ninteenth century historical geography, or frequent flier miles. Either way, Texas history aficianado and Alamo Beer loyalist Hank Hill would be proud.
</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>The Venue</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>

The 65,000-seat Alamodome looks like it’s being prepared to be lifted by invisible cranes, or about to run up giant sails and float away to its home planet. Its otherwordly look is de riguer in modern NFL stadiums, and the Dome is the centerpiece of San Antonio’s attempt to lure a pro franchise – the Saints played four regular season games there in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 (team owner Tom Benson made his fortune in San Antonio), and the city would no doubt leap at the chance to lure them from the Big Easy. This would spark an unprecedented city-on-city rumble that San Antonio wants no part of (trust me), but it looks like a nice building, otherwise, so long as it keeps its weird pillar-looking things to itself. </td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Formerly Known As...</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>The Alamo Bowl is in ear 15, all of them as the Alamo Bowl, with a few changes in sponsorship: who could forget Builders Square (1993-98), Sylvania (1999-2001) or MasterCard (2002-05)? Alas, the games offered by these companies were not all so...priceless. Thank you. </td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(164, 74, 74) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>Past Winners Include...</td> </tr> <tr></tr><tr style="background: rgb(234, 234, 234) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <td>The Alamo has maintained its Big Ten-Big 12 tie-in for 13 of its 15 seasons, and most of those two conferences have made appearances; Michigan, Texas A&M, Purdue, Texas Tech, Iowa, Oklahoma State and Nebraska have been multiple times. Tonight’s game will be the second rematch – Iowa and Texas Tech have played twice, and Penn State and Texas A&M met in the Alamo in 1999, when the Aggies were trounced, 24-0. This year is only the second time since the first game in 1993 that both teams entered the game unranked.</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
The fourteenth edition of an ongoing public service to enlighten readers of their bowl viewing options... Details: Penn State (8-4) vs. Texas A&M (7-5) • 8 p.m. ET, ESPN. Be there or be vocalizing the horrible truth about the opposing team's zombie coach, square:

<object height="235" width="295">

<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aGtoaa9UKcs&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="235" width="295"></object> </p>
<object height="235" width="295">

<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zeZ-mT6Tlpc&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="235" width="295"></object></p> Tune in for: Sophomore burner Mike Goodson failed to turn the corner, literally and figuratively, into the quick-striking, all-American slayer of bad angles he was projected to be (he averaged under five yards per carry and didn't have a single run over 30 yards against a I-A defense), but he was a generally effective contributor to the Aggies' three-pronged running game, which with triggerman Stephen McGee ("The 'Gritty' One") and short-yardage elephant Jorvorskie Lane ("The Fat One") went over 230 yards six times. McGee also went over 240 yards passing in three of A&M's last four games, including probably the best game of his career as a passer (362 yards, three touchdowns) in the upset of Texas, rare hints of balance in what had been an untenably one-dimensional attack for the better part of Dennis Franchione's tenure.
The counterpunch to the Aggie running game is Penn State's front seven, sixth in the country against the run and home of classic Nittany Lion ballhawks Dan Connor and Sean Lee at linebacker. The numbers are a little misleading, as the complete, ordinary failure by Florida International, Notre Dame, Buffalo, Temple and the like more than offset 200-yard games by Michigan, Illinois and Ohio State in the final numbers, as did the Lions' great sack total (second in the nation, again, though, largely against rock bottom teams attempting to throw out of big holes) but PSU did shut down Iowa and Wisconsin and hold Purdue to one of its worst offensive games of the season, and the overall story was clear enough: the Lions are still nasty on defense.
Turn away in disgust when: Anthony Morelli continued to struggle dramatically against decent defenses, hounded into three game-killing interceptions in the loss at Illinois, just 169 yards in a nine-point effort in the loss to Illinois, 111 yards and a pick in the loss to Ohio State. His top three receivers only caught one pass over 20 yards in those three games, some evidence that the offense can go into a hole against good defenses, or when the running game isn't creating managable third down situations, slowing the pass rush or loosening things up downfield. Texas A&M was atrocious against the pass in the wide open Big 12, and on defense in general, but Penn State is not that freewheeling, and if the Aggies have success against Rodney Kinlaw early and get heat on Morelli, he has never shown he can consistently respond to that pressure.
What Else is On
You have no life. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy these actual non-gridiron alternatives:

CBS • 8 p.m. ET • 160;Saturday Night Football: Patriots at Giants
New England (15-0) at New York Giants (10-5). Bill Belichick's Patriots look to wrap up the league's first regular season since the 1972 Dolphins went 14-0. Tom Brady and Randy Moss are both within 1 TD of equaling NFL single-season records. (180 mins.)

I hate the Giants, but the enemy of your enemy is your friend.
- - -

BET • 8:30 p.m. ET • Get to Steppin'
Vibrant step teams face off in this Spring Bling competition hosted by Darrin Henson and Julissa. Ne-Yo offers a performance, while Bobby Valentino, Fabolous and Lil' Fizz serve as judges. (TV-PG, 30 mins.) Court TV • 9 p.m. ET • Body of Evidence: "Deadly Dream"
The 1985 murder of West Palm Beach resident Anita Spearman, who was bludgeoned in her home. The victim's husband, Robert, was convicted of hiring a hit man to kill her. (TV-14; 30 mins.)
Discovery • 9 p.m. ET • Fearless Planet: "Alaska"
In Alaska, Will skis from the peak of the mountain, paraglides to the top of a glacier, climbs into a moving ice crevasse, kayaks a melt-stream, scales an iceberg and observes the aurora borealis. (TV-G; 60 mins.)
- - -

SMQ Watchability Rating: All bowl games are rated on a scale of one TV ("Christmas gifts already returned for refunds? Think of stealing more and returning those if necessary.") to five ("Block out a few hours - and possibly the sun, if there's a glare - for this can't-miss classic.") based on completely subjective factors, up to and including potential cheerleader hotness/fulfillment of requisite nubile teen lust fantasies, which are so sadly lacking anywhere else on contemporary television or the Internet. The offenses don't promise a lot of fireworks, but for delivering two high profile, winning teams with good resumés and a manufactured sideshow in the pregame festivities, the Alamo Bowl is awarded a solid three boxes:

Worth an afternoon or evening, if there's nothing better to do, until it gets out of hand.

The Pick: A&M has to put the game on Morelli's shoulders, but its track record defensively doesn't suggest it will be able to put the brakes on Penn State's very underrated running game (170-plus yards in six of the last seven, and a very respectable 139 against Ohio State) to afford to let loose with the pass rush - not that getting after the passer was a particular strength for the Aggies, anyway, and they're missing starting defensive lineman Michael Bennett. The offense that controls the line of scrimmage with its running game will be able to pick its shots down the field, and if the offenses are a push, Penn State's defense has been much, much stiffer.
- - - <table><tbody><tr><td>

</td> <td>Penn State 26</td> <td>•</td> <td>Texas A&M 21</td></tr></tbody></table>

RJ Esq · Dec 29, 2007

Illini's Zook wins coach of year award

Posted: Saturday December 29, 2007 6:00PM; Updated: Saturday December 29, 2007 6:00PM

BOSTON (AP) -- Illinois coach Ron Zook won the Liberty Mutual coach of the year award Saturday for leading one of the best turnarounds in college football this season.
The Illini went 9-3 and earned a trip to the Rose Bowl a year after going 2-10. Zook, in his third season with Illinois, took over a program that hadn't had a winning season since 2001.
"It's very satisfying because we accomplished some of our goals and got the program going in the right direction," Zook said in a phone interview earlier this week as he prepared for the Rose Bowl against Southern California on Jan. 1.
Jerry Kill, who led Southern Illinois to the Football Championship Subdivision semifinals, was honored as the top coach in FBS. Kill was hired by Northern Illinois earlier this month.
Chadron State's Bill O'Boyle won the Division II coach of the year award and St. John's of Minnesota earned Division III honors.
Zook led No. 13 Illinois to a 28-21 victory over No. 1 Ohio State in early November. That helped the Illini get to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1984.
"We don't have a football player on our team that's been to a bowl," Zook said. "I told our players, 'Fellas, you don't understand you're not just going to a bowl, you're going to the Rose Bowl.
"You talk about having the opportunity to make a name for yourself."

RJ Esq · Dec 29, 2007

Adding:

Aggy/PSU 2H over 24 (even) ($200)

Trying to hedge off the bet and only have 2 numbers that absolutely fuck me: 22 and 23. Fingers crossed.

RJ Esq · Dec 30, 2007

Aggies eat boogers

Aggies eat their boogers. Seriously. This is no school yard taunt, an Aggie fan picked his nose and ate it on national TV tonight during their Alamo Bowl loss to Penn State. Watch below:

I’d rather be Chris Jessee than that guy right now.

RJ Esq · Dec 30, 2007

Sun Bowl: Injury Status
By Dave
Posted on Sun Dec 30, 2007 at 01:28:25 AM EDT

The Sun Bowl is coming up on Monday and, after the encouraging performance in the Civil War, you have to believe that the Ducks have a puncher's chance at this thing. Needless to say, a win would be big. Its still hard to believe that we haven't won a bowl game since the Fiesta Bowl, and ending that streak to end the season would be very positive momentum heading into next year. The fact that the Beavers just won their fourth bowl game in a row isn't exactly making it easier to deal with the coworkers, either. So, yeah, um, win, please. As they've been all year, injuries will be a factor. Besides the obvious (Dixon, Paysinger, JJ, etc.), here is what's new with the injury report for this game:
The first thing that you need to know is that Bellotti introduced both Roper and Kempt as Oregon's starting quarterbacks at the press conference. I don't know what the hell Bellotti's fascination is with two QB systems (which I still maintain cost us the '05 Holiday Bowl), but it might be his most annoying trait. Roper played a very good game in the Civil War. Meanwhile, what the hell has Kempt done in his playing time? I know that the sample size is small, but what does Bellotti see that Duck fans do not? Hell, 93% of you agree with me. But all indications are that Bellotti is going to be stubborn with this one. Roper is likely to start, but who honestly thinks that he won't put Kempt in for a couple of series "to see what he can do," regardless of Roper's performance.
That being the QB situation, the bigger question is injuries. Rob Moseley over at the Guard has had a number of updates on that situation. Jonathan Stewart is much healthier than he was during Civil War, and, while this could be his last game as a Duck, Bellotti seems to believe that Stew will be back. I'm not quite as optimistic but, hey, a guy can hope.
There have been rumors that Cam Colvin is unlikely to get a medical redshirt and will suit up for the bowl game. Moseley has yet to confirm those rumors, but, needless to say, he would be a big weapon for the Ducks should he be able to play. Aaron Pflugrad will also play for the first time in three games. On the minus side, Jeffrey Maehl suffered what Moseley calls a `minor' concussion, that shouldn't affect his status for the game. On the defensive side of the ball, Casey Matthews is out, meaning that Kwame Ageyman will start his final game as a Duck at middle linebacker.
GO DUCKS!!!

RJ Esq · Dec 30, 2007

Washington was never suspended, Schoënhoft officially no longer an OSU QB

Jim Tressel told the media on Saturday that cornerback Donald Washington was never disciplined for misbehavior, as many outlets had reported last week.

When asked if he had been close to losing Washington, Tressel said no during a brief interview session after the presentation ceremony… He even took a shot at the media outlets which had cited unnamed sources for the reports about Washington… Tressel said there were no players ineligible or suspended, other than [Eugene] Clifford.

In other news:
The rumors are true, Rob Schoënhoft is no longer a Buckeye quarterback. He’s been moved to tight end, and Antonio “nineteen dollars” Henton has taken over the backup QB job.
King Umlaut will have to wait until next spring to re-compete for the quarterback position. My gut tells me there’s no way I can see him moving to TE permanently - he’s still a four-star, highly-rated-nationally QB at heart.
Such a shame. I’ve always been in Robby’s corner (el Kaiser will testify to that); most of his shortcomings were of the “ball underthrown into the turf at mach 1″ variety. However, as the last half of the season showed, underthrown balls was also something that Boeckman wrestled with as well.
Still, Tressel said:

“As we looked at ourselves trying to work out a No. 2 and a No. 3 both, we didn’t see progression being made that we needed… And you’d better go in with two quarterbacks ready to win, especially in a championship game. We just thought it was hard to get three guys reps.”

In other words - my own translation here - “It looks like we’re going to get Terrell Pryor.” If that happens, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Schoënhoft and Bauserman transfer. No need to have five QBs, especially if only one of them can qualify to redshirt.

RJ Esq · Dec 30, 2007

there's no crying in football people

RJ Esq · Dec 30, 2007

RJ Esq · Dec 30, 2007

The Illinois Offense
By Paragon SC Section: Football
Posted on Sun Dec 30, 2007 at 11:50:55 AM EDT

When SC plays Illinois on Tuesday they will be facing a mobile QB with an offense that has the ability to make things difficult for USC. This is obviously not the first time that USC has faced this type of offense as the saw this year with Oregon and in 2006 against Texas. In those losses SC faced superior athletes in QB's Dennis Dixon and Vince Young, their ability to make and/or change plays at a moments notice was the key to their success.
Juice Williams also has that ability but not on the level of Dixon or Young. There is no doubt that Williams has talent but he is only a sophomore and he has long way to go to reach the athleticism that Dixon and Young have. Williams also has some players that will be able to make plays on their own in Rashard Mendenhall and Arrelious Benn. The defense MUST neutralize these two players if SC is expected to control this game not doing so will allow Williams to dictate the game on his terms as he can either keep the ball or dish it of to Mendenhall or pass it to Benn.
The Illinois offense is not impressive to look at if you just look at the numbers. They are 36th in the nation in total offensive yards but if you look closely that is because they hardly throw the ball averaging around 150 yards per game, which ranks them at #114. But because they can throw so many different looks at you, SC needs to really be on their toes and not get caught off guard.

For all the variations in the Illinois offense -- the option plays, the traps and long passes -- maybe the biggest trickery occurs before the snap. About 80% of the time, the Fighting Illini skip the huddle and go straight to the line of scrimmage. Sometimes they snap the ball quickly, other times they hesitate to look over the defense and signal adjustments from the sideline.
Either way, the no-huddle attack forces opponents to line up right away and limits defensive substitutions.
"When you slow down, you give the defense a chance to get set and disguise their coverages," quarterback Juice Williams said. "When you hurry up, you make them hurry up too."

What helped Williams and Illinois become so formidable this season was Mendenhall, you can't run the spread without a solid running back and Mendenhall brings that dimension to Illinois. He is a fantastic RB with his ability to gain yardage both in and out of traffic. He has the ability to also catch the ball making him a duel threat out of the backfield. That took the pressure off of Williams and enabled to him to go from a TD-to-INT ratio of 9-9 while being sacked 25 times in 2006 to TD-to-INT ratio of 13-10 with only 11 sacks in 2007, the TD-INT ratio is not great but it is a heck of a lot better than last season. The reduced number of sacks also shows he is making better decisions with the weapons he has by showing confidence in teammates like Mendenhall. Mendenhall is fearless with his ability to take the ball inside or outside and bear down on any defender, stop him and you reduce the effectiveness of Williams.
The passing game and receiving corps is serviceable but because Illinois has been so loyal to the run the passing game has suffered. Benn is the key to receiving corps. He is very athletic, as he can either beat you deep or create havoc going over the middle trying to shake loose the double coverage that will be needed to contain him. If SC goes into man coverage against Benn can shake loose and make a play where he can be very tough to tackle because of his athleticism. SC also needs to watch out for WR Jeff Cumberland as Illinois converted him from TE, at 6-5 he will create a size mismatch in the secondary and that is a bit of a concern for SC as it gives Illinois another weapon in their arsenal. SC also needs to be careful of focusing too much on the run as any of these receivers can break loose especially if they aren't careful of Illinois deceptive play action.
The offensive line is stout with all five starters listed at 6-5 or taller and they weigh in around the 300-pound range. The reduced amount of sacks and the rushing yardage show how these guys have come together. They can set the tempo only by being able to control the speed of the SC defense, which is not likely. TE Michael Hoomanawanui is not a big component of the offense but Illinois will use him as a 6th O lineman to help establish the run. Illinois loves using the option to bring the ball to the outside but the speed of the SC defense may make that more difficult than they are used to if they can't handle the speed that forces Williams into being a pocket passer and that is the last thing Illinois wants to do.

RJ Esq · Dec 30, 2007

<table style="border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102);" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="554"><tbody><tr><td colspan="3" class="topper">Bowl Breakdown: Independence</td></tr><tr><td class="logo">

</td><td><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="matchup">Alabama (6-6) vs. Colorado (6-6)</td></tr><tr><td class="gametime">Dec. 30, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)</td></tr><tr><td class="location">Independence Stadium (48,949)
Shreveport, La.</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td class="logo">

</td></tr></tbody></table>
SI.com's Bill Trocchi analyzes the matchup.
Breaking down Alabama

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</td><td class="cnnimgadpad" width="100%">

Alabama QB John Parker Wilson has been effecitve at times, but didn't play well in the Tide's final three games.
Greg Drzazgowski/Icon SMI

</td></tr></tbody></table><table style="clear: both;" align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="300"><tbody><tr><td width="10">

</td><td class="cnnimgadpad">

</noscript>
</td></tr><tr><td width="10">

</td><td class="cnnstoryclpad">
</td></tr></tbody></table>After a wildly inconsistent season, Alabama finds itself exactly where it was a year ago -- 6-6 and preparing for the Independence Bowl. Unfortunately for the Tide, they committed $32 million to coach Nick Saban and progress was expected in Year 1. Alabama's offense was impressive at times -- scoring 41 points against Arkansas and Tennessee -- but it also failed to score more than 14 points in its final three games. Quarterback John Parker Wilson can be effective when given time and put together some clutch drives early in the season, but he finished in a slump with five interceptions and one touchdown in his last three games. Running back Terry Grant, the team's best rusher, missed the Auburn game with a hip injury but should be ready for the bowl game.
Defensively, Alabama ranked 28th in the nation. The Tide feature three first-team All-SEC performers -- defensive lineman Wallace Gilberry and defensive backs Simeon Castille and Rashad Johnson. The Tide led the SEC in tackles for loss, but the defense is not yet playing at the level Saban has come to expect.
Breaking down Colorado

First-year starting QB Cody Hawkins, coach Dan Hawkins' son, cut down on his mistakes as the year progressed. After throwing 14 interceptions in his first eight games, Hawkins threw just one in his final four (during which he attempted 120 passes). Colorado has a balanced attack, featuring Hugh Charles (989 rushing yards, 8 TDs) as its primary back.
Colorado's defense is anchored by senior linebacker Jordon Dizon, a Butkus finalist and the coaches' pick for Big 12 defensive Player of the Year. Dizon is undersized but has been very productive in his four years in Boulder. Senior corner Terrence Wheatley is a first-team All-Big 12 performer who had three picks against Texas Tech. Junior defensive lineman George Hypolite anchors a run defense ranked 32nd nationally.
Final analysis

Colorado is coming off a remarkable 65-52 win over Nebraska, but the Buffs will find tougher sledding against Alabama's defense. Neither team can be overly thrilled to be in Shreveport, but the new coaches (Hawkins is in his second year, Saban in his first) are searching for anything to mark progress in their programs. Alabama's defense should be the difference in an even game.
The pick: Alabama 20, Colorado 17

RJ Esq · Dec 30, 2007

Under looks ok in this Independence Bowl and may be the play at 52.

A few trends:
<table class="data" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="datahl2b" valign="top" width="29%">Colorado:</td> <td class="datacell">

Under is 9-1 in COL last 10 non-conference games.
Under is 11-4 in COL last 15 games as an underdog.
Over is 7-3 in COL last 10 games in December.

</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="datahl2b" valign="top" width="29%">Alabama:</td> <td class="datacell">

Under is 27-13 in ALAB last 40 games as a favorite.

</td></tr></tbody></table>
Look at the history (game went to Big XII vs. SEC in 1998) over the last 10 years:

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" width="849"><tbody><tr><td width="100">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Dec. 28, 1997[/FONT]</td> <td width="148">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]LSU[/FONT]

</td> <td align="center" width="57">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]27[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]9-3[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]50,459[/FONT]</td> <td align="center" width="95">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]$1,826,000[/FONT]</td> <td width="256">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif](O) Rondell Mealey, LSU[/FONT]

</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Ken Antee[/FONT]</td> <td width="148">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Notre Dame[/FONT]

</td> <td align="center" width="57">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]9[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]7-6[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]</td> <td align="center" width="95">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]</td> <td width="256">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif](D) Arnold Miller, LSU[/FONT]

</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Dec. 31, 1998[/FONT]</td> <td width="148">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Ole Miss[/FONT]

</td> <td align="center" width="57">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]35[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]7-5[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]46,862[/FONT]</td> <td align="center" width="95">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]$2,114,000[/FONT]</td> <td width="256">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif](O) Romaro Miller, Ole Miss[/FONT]

</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Richard Caldwell[/FONT]</td> <td width="148">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Texas Tech[/FONT]

</td> <td align="center" width="57">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]18[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]7-5[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]</td> <td align="center" width="95">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]</td> <td width="256">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif](D) Kendrick Clancy, Ole Miss[/FONT]

</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Dec. 31, 1999[/FONT]</td> <td width="148">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Ole Miss[/FONT]

</td> <td align="center" width="57">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]27[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]8-4[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]49,873[/FONT]</td> <td align="center" width="95">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]$2,239,896[/FONT]</td> <td width="256">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif](O) Josh Huepel, Oklahoma[/FONT]

</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Sandy Cimino[/FONT]</td> <td width="148">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Oklahoma[/FONT]

</td> <td align="center" width="57">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]25[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]7-5[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]</td> <td align="center" width="95">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]</td> <td width="256">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif](D) Tim Strickland, Ole Miss[/FONT]

</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Dec. 31, 2000[/FONT]</td> <td width="148">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Mississippi State[/FONT]

</td> <td align="center" width="57">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]43[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]8-4[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]36,974[/FONT]</td> <td align="center" width="95">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]$2,112,000[/FONT]</td> <td width="256">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif](O) Ja'Mar Toombs, Texas A&M[/FONT]

</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Pesky Hill[/FONT]</td> <td width="148">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Texas A&M[/FONT]

</td> <td align="center" width="57">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]41[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]7-5[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]</td> <td align="center" width="95">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]</td> <td width="256">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif](D) Willie Blade, Mississippi State[/FONT]

</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Dec. 27, 2001[/FONT]</td> <td width="148">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Alabama[/FONT]

</td> <td align="center" width="57">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]14[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]7-5[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]45,627[/FONT]</td> <td align="center" width="95">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]$2,344,214[/FONT]</td> <td width="256">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif](O) Seneca Wallace, Iowa State[/FONT]

</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Lindy Broderick[/FONT]</td> <td width="148">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Iowa State[/FONT]

</td> <td align="center" width="57">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]13[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]7-5[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]</td> <td align="center" width="95">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]</td> <td width="256">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif](D) Matt Word, Iowa State[/FONT]

</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]</td> <td width="148">
</td> <td align="center" width="57">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]</td> <td align="center" width="95">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]</td> <td width="256">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif](D) Waine Bacon, Alabama[/FONT]

</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Dec. 27, 2002[/FONT]</td> <td width="148">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Ole Miss[/FONT]

</td> <td align="center" width="57">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]27[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]7-6[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]46,096[/FONT]</td> <td align="center" width="95">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]$2,521,940[/FONT]</td> <td width="256">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif](O) Eli Manning, Ole Miss[/FONT]

</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Randy James[/FONT]</td> <td width="148">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Nebraska[/FONT]

</td> <td align="center" width="57">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]23[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]7-7[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]</td> <td align="center" width="95">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]</td> <td width="256">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif](D) Chris Kelsay, Nebraska[/FONT]

</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Dec. 31, 2003[/FONT]</td> <td width="148">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Arkansas[/FONT]

</td> <td align="center" width="57">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]27[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]9-4[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]49,625[/FONT]</td> <td align="center" width="95">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]$2,504,112[/FONT]</td> <td width="256">

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif](O) Cedric Cobbs, Arkansas[/FONT]

</td> </tr> <tr> <td>[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Don Jagot[/FONT]</td> <td>

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Missouri[/FONT]

</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]14[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]8-5[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]</td> <td>

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif](D) Caleb Miller, Arkansas[/FONT]

</td> </tr> <tr> <td>[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Dec. 28, 2004[/FONT]</td> <td>

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Iowa State [/FONT]

</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]17[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]7-5[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]43,076[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]$2,000,000[/FONT]</td> <td>

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif](O) Bret Meyer, Iowa State[/FONT]

</td> </tr> <tr> <td>[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Jack Lee[/FONT]</td> <td>

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Miami University [/FONT]

</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]13[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]8-5[/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]</td> <td align="center">[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif][/FONT]</td> <td>

[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif](D) Nik Moser, Iowa State[/FONT]

</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Dec. 30, 2005</td> <td>

Missouri

</td> <td align="center">38</td> <td align="center">7-5</td> <td align="center">41,332</td> <td align="center">$2,400,000</td> <td>

(O) Brad Smith, Missouri

</td> </tr> <tr> <td>David Nichols</td> <td>

South Carolina

</td> <td align="center">31</td> <td align="center">7-5</td> <td align="center"> </td> <td align="center"> </td> <td>

(D) Marcus King, Missouri

</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Dec. 28, 2006</td> <td>

Oklahoma State

</td> <td align="center">

34

</td> <td align="center">

7-6

</td> <td align="center">

45,054

</td> <td align="center">

$2,200,000

</td> <td>

(O) Dantrell Savage, Oklahoma State

</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Markey Pierre</td> <td>

Alabama

</td> <td align="center">

31

</td> <td align="center">

6-7

</td> <td align="center">
</td> <td align="center">
</td> <td>

(D) Jeremy Nethon, Oklahoma State

</td></tr></tbody></table>
Over the last 10 years, the total has been 52 or less 6 times. Keep in mind that the 1999 game was also multiple OTs, but was still over 52 in regulation.

RJ Esq · Dec 30, 2007

The last 2 years have matched up very offensive minded teams (and Alabama). But even Bama was able to score plenty against an impotent Okie Lite defense.

RJ Esq · Dec 30, 2007

RJ Esq · Dec 30, 2007

Penn State's Alamo Bowl Victory a Window to Future

Posted Dec 30th 2007 1:31PM by Tom Fornelli
Filed under: Penn State Football, Big 10, Bowl Games

With their 24-17 victory in San Antonio over Texas A&M last night, Penn State not only gave Joe Paterno his record 23rd bowl game victory, but it also opened a new window to what we should expect from the Nittany Lions next season. Rejoice, Penn State fans. The Anthony Morelli <strike>Errror</strike> Era is over!

On Saturday night the Nittany Lions reintroduced a facet of their offense they've been missing since Michael Robinson led Penn State to an Orange Bowl victory in 2006 over Florida State: a mobile quarterback.

Part of Penn State's game plan going in was to get junior quarterback Daryll Clark involved in the offense, and they did just that. Clark didn't throw any passes during the game, but he did rush the ball six times for 50 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown that tied the game at 14-14.

Also, while senior Rodney Kinlaw led the Lions in rushing with 143 yards, it was freshman Evan Royster who broke free for a 38-yard touchdown that would prove to be the difference in the game.

So heading into 2008 there's a lot to be optimistic about in Happy Valley. Yes, the defense must deal with the loss of Dan Connor, but Penn State is Linebacker U, so I feel safe in my assumption they'll find somebody to fill that void. They also face the possible loss of corner Justin King, who is yet to decide whether or not he's going to return for his senior season.

Still, given the fact that Michigan may drop off a bit next season as they get accustomed to Rich Rodriguez's new offense there's an opening at the top of the Big Ten. It's not going to be easy because Ohio State will still be Ohio State, and the rest of the Big Ten continues to improve, but at this point a conference title and BCS berth should be the NIttany Lions goal going into next season.

With Clark under center, and Royster toting the rock, it's a goal that's very much within reach.

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