My Bowl Predictions!

Here, as promised are my college bowl predictions. Last year I placed in the top 250 in the world on FoxSports.com with my sheet of predictions (with confidence levels), hopefully this year finishes in the same way!

(Predicted winner in bold, Confidence level is out of 26, every confidence point 1-26 can only be used once, 1 for being least confident, 26 most)

Purdue (8-5) vs. Central Michigan (8-6) Confidence: 24

Texas (10-3) vs. Arizona State (10-3) Confidence: 5

Boston College (11-3) vs. Michigan State (7-6) Confidence: 18

TCU (8-5) vs. Houston (8-5) Confidence: 4

Oregon State (9-4) vs. Maryland (6-7) Confidence: 21

Wake Forest (9-4) vs. Connecticut (9-4) Confidence: 17

UCF (10-4) vs. Mississippi State (8-5) Confidence: 16

Penn State (9-4) vs. Texas A&M (7-6) Confidence: 15

Alabama (7-6) vs. Colorado (6-7) Confidence: 12

California (7-6) vs. Air Force (9-4) Confidence: 6

Georgia Tech (7-6) vs. Fresno State (9-4) Confidence: 19

South Florida (9-4) vs. Oregon (9-4) Confidence: 10

Kentucky (8-5) vs. Florida State (7-6) Confidence: 8

Oklahoma State (7-6) vs. Indiana (7-6) Confidence: 9

Clemson (9-4) vs. Auburn (9-4) Confidence: 3

Tennessee (9-4) vs. Wisconsin (9-3) Confidence: 1

Missouri (11-2) vs. Arkansas (8-4) Confidence: 20

Texas Tech (8-4) vs. Virginia (9-3) Confidence: 11

Florida (9-3) vs. Michigan (8-4) Confidence: 22

USC (10-2) vs. Illinois (9-3) Confidence: 14

Georgia (10-2) vs. Hawaii (12-0) Confidence: 13

Oklahoma (11-2) vs. West Virginia (10-2) Confidence: 23

Virginia Tech (11-2) vs. Kansas (11-1) Confidence: 7

Rutgers (7-5) vs. Ball State (7-5) Confidence: 25

Tulsa (9-4) vs. Bowling Green (8-4) Confidence: 2

LSU (11-2) vs. Ohio State (11-1) Confidence: 26

Sorry for being late, I've just been busy with the family stuff for the holidays!

I hope you're enjoying the College-Bowl Season as much as I am...other than the fact that the officials and commentators were unbelievably bias against Florida State in the Music City Bowl...

(even though with 30+ players suspended, FSU played tight and close)
Thanks again!

Everyone's Favorite Time of Year

No one can say this season of college football has been a let-down. This season had more ups and downs than a Richard Simmons workout tape, within every week a top 10 team fell to an unlikely opponent, numerous #2's fell like flies, and at the final whistle of the year, the #1 Missouri and #2 West Virginia lost.

Even though West Virginia was my pre-season pick to win it all, they had me at the edge of my seat every week after losing to USF. They worked their way back up into the #2 spot but couldn't hold it just like many predecessors.

Heading into BCS Selection Sunday where the computers and opinion polls are all put together to find out who plays who in the prestigious bowls, the title game was up for grabs. Who could be in? Georgia, LSU, USC, Kansas, Ohio State all had shots.

Now, as the bowls are all laid out and ready to be played, I will supply a list of what I feel like are the can't miss bowls of the year:

December 22nd- PapaJohn's.com Bowl - Cincinnati vs. Southern Miss
Why: Southern Miss coach Bower just resigned which makes the student body ecstatic, and the team has a bunch of talent waiting to shine, while Cincinnati has shown it is progressing and making the Big East a little bit stronger.

December 27th- Pacific Life Holiday Bowl - Texas vs. Arizona St.
Why: Even though Texas hasn't been as strong since Vince Yount, Jamaal Charles has begun to look like real NFL RB. Arizona St on the other hand has been in the title picture during most of the season but at the end fell like most. Texas and Arizona St. is a must see for these early bowl games on the list.

December 29th- AutoZone Liberty Bowl - UCF vs. Mississippi St.
Why: I don't know if anyone remembers, but in 2004 UCF didn't win a game in the entire season...in Conference USA, but in 2007 win Conference USA and show in their brand new stadium that they are growing as a team in Florida. It will be tough to play arguably the worst team in the SEC, and it will be a true test towards this new team.

December 29th- Alamo Bowl - Penn St. vs. Texas A&M
Why: Will Joe Paterno win another bowl with his 400k/year contract? Texas A&M has been disappointing with early losses but will strive to make their season a success with a win over a strong Penn St. team in their own Alamo Bowl.

December 30th- Independence Bowl - Colorado vs. Alabama
Why: This is basically a matchup of coaches, Nick Saban will work on this Alabama team and eventually make them title contenders, and this is the start. Colorado isn't afraid of beating the better team, so watch for a close one.

December 31st- Sun Bowl - USF vs. Oregon
Why: Weren't both these teams title contenders this year at one point? Watch this game and see where the spark went.

December 31st- Chick-Fil-A Bowl - Auburn vs. Clemson
Why: Arguably the best non-major post January bowl, storied SEC vs ACC battle it out. Don't miss it.

December 31st- Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl - FSU vs. Kentucky
Why: FSU hopes to finish the season on another high note like last year when they defeated UCLA in the Emerald Bowl by beating a hyped up Kentucky team, while Kentucky hopes to take this exciting season to a nice ending.

January 1st- AT&T Cotton Bowl - Missouri vs. Arkansas
Why: Two Heisman candidates in Chase Daniels and Darren McFadden, need I say more?

January 1st- Capitol One Bowl - Michigan vs. Florida
Why: After an embarrassing week one loss to App St. Michigan hopes to end the season a little bit differently by beating a young sharp Tim Tebow and the Gators. Tim Tebow will be getting off of an injury (Broken Hand) from the game against FSU. Who knows how that will effect the game.

January 1st- Rose Bowl - USC vs. Illinois
Why: Arguably the hottest team in the nation USC will try to kill the happy-go-lucky Fighting Illini at home in the Rose Bowl. Illinois is just happy to be there, but will still give USC a run.

January 1st- Sugar Bowl - Hawaii vs. Georgia
Why: Hawaii actually plays a team now! Georgia will be highly upset about being jumped in the final BCS standings and will try to crush the Warriors in their debut. But, in all, Hawaii will finally get some money and be able to afford better facilities.

January 2nd- Fiesta Bowl - Oklahoma vs. West Virginia
Why: West Virginia was my pick to go all the way from the beginning, Pat White and Steve Slaton were the reason, watch this game to see that.

January 3rd- Orange Bowl - Virginia Tech vs. Kansas
Why: An emotional year for the Hokies leads to an Orange Bowl appearance and Kansas has a breakout year, this will be a fun game to watch on both sides

January 7th- BCS National Title - LSU vs. Ohio State
Why: My opinion is that the SEC will again show the Big 10 that they have no business in the BCS Title game, but you never know, maybe the Buckeyes will try to make up for what happened last time they faced an SEC team in the National Title...last year...Gators...41-14


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Stay tuned, my next article will be a complete list of bowl predictions, watch for your team!

Shula: Give Patriots an Aterisk

Don Shula, the only coach to lead a team to an undefeated season and win the superbowl (1972 Dolphins), expressed his feelings on the possible 19-0 Patriots yesterday in a couple familiar words.

Shula recommends that the NFL needs to place an asterisk next to the Patriots in the record books if they do go undefeated and win the Super Bowl for Bill Belicheck's "spygate" scandal. Like Barry Bonds' home run record, Shula believes that this record, if broken, will be tainted and in need of an explanation.

Shula, obviously wanting his '72 Dolphins to stand alone in the record books as the only team to go undefeated and win the Super Bowl, stated, "The Spygate thing has diminished what they've accomplished. You would hate to have that attached to your accomplishments."

Shula goes on to say "Belichick was fined $500,000, the team was fined $250,00 and they lost a first-round draft choice. That tells you the seriousness or significance of what they found. I guess you got the same thing as putting an asterisk by Barry Bonds' home run record. I guess it will be noted that the Patriots were fined and a No.1 draft choice was taken away during that year of accomplishment. The sad thing is Tom Brady looks so good, it doesn't look like he needs any help."

Was this a valid argument coming from a respected, legendary coach, or was this an excuse to save the record? Was it a little too early to come out and express the opinion, or was it just right after New England's victory over the Colts?

___


The Bill Belichik Patriots' Spygate scandal occured in the first week of the season. The New England Patriots were caught videotaping defensive signals of the New York Jets and using the signals to know what the Jets were going to do. This tactic and cheat has been used in baseball since the dawn of the sport but is illegal in the National Football League. As a result, Belichik, the Patriots head coach, was fined $500,000, the Patriots organization was fined $250,000 and lost their first round draft pick in the 2008 NFL draft. Belichik accepted full responsibility and stated that he misunderstood NFL rules.

You're Welcome LSU, Oklahoma, Oregon

Tonight, #2 Boston College, the only #2 team to not lose immediately after awarded the spot in the last 4 weeks, fell to the Florida State Seminoles. FSU's Drew Weatherford squared off against the disputed Boston College Heisman front-runner Matt Ryan.

Matt Ryan, classy and poised, performed well enough to keep the Eagles in position to win, but couldn't bring the W home. Matt Ryan threw 3 INT's tonight, one that was returned for a touchdown by FSU's Geno Hayes late in the fourth quarter to put the 'Noles up by 10. Now, I'm not writing this as yet another heisman piece, but as an article to express how FSU gave LSU, Oregon, and Oklahoma an early Christmas present.

Exposing how weak of a schedule an ACC team has, and how an ACC team doesn't stand a chance against the cream of the crop (ie: Oregon, LSU, Oklahoma), Florida State took down BC to make room for an actual contender, not a pretender in the top 5 and ultimately the National Championship spot.

Focusing on the winning team's issues, FSU needed this win as a feel-good motivation boost. The last time FSU beat a top 5 team on the road was in 1999, and the last time BC lost at home was to...the Noles. FSU's Drew Weatherford showed that he is growing rapidly as a quarterback, making better decisions, throwing more accurate, and keeping the offense on the field longer to put up more points. FSU's offense was on the field for 21 minutes in the first half!

I, as a student at Florida State, hope that fellow students and fans of FSU don't think that FSU is back or in it's way back, but this is a good place to build off of.

For the Sake of College Football...

For the sake of seeing a good, competitive national championship game in January, Ohio State must lose in the next month.

I beg of everyone to root against the Buckeyes simply because if they do go undefeated and end up with a bid to play for the title then we will witness another blowout / beatdown / trampling of Ohio State.

Ohio State's remainder of the season entails Wisconsin, Penn State, Michigan, and Illinois - a group of teams who's record together is 23-9. Hopefully the Buckeyes will fall to one of their Big-10 sisters and let an actual complete team gain the #1 spot and a shot at the title. Do we really need another 41-14 blowout by an actually complete team who has one loss, due to being in a far superior conference, in the championship game?

Let's face it; put the Buckeyes against LSU, Florida, Oklahoma, USC, heck or even Oregon who is only a goal-line fumble away or...(maybe my Florida State Seminoles...I wish) and Ohio State will be dominated.

Please...please...as a fan and viewer of college football...root against THE Ohio State University.

P.S.: I have no hatred towards the Ohio State University at all, I believe that they rightfully earned the #1 spot by staying undefeated and being a respected team, but I am just saying that if they make it to the National Championship game, history of last year will repeat itself.

FSU's QB Trouble Continues...

After losing their second straight ACC game, Florida State benches quarterback Xavier Lee and bring in past starter Drew Weatherford. Florida State has lost 10 of their last 14 ACC games.

Last week against Miami Lee had 4 turnovers including 2 interceptions and 2 fumbles, one of which was returned for a touchdown by the Hurricanes putting them up by 8 in the fourth quarter with less than a minute remaining.

Weatherford started the season as QB after earning the spot in the offseason, but Lee stepped up and became the starter for the past 2 games.

As a student at Florida State I hope Weatherford has learned a lot from watching from the sideline and can bring us back up with a win over Duke (1-6, 0-4) and lead us into the tough end of our schedule on a high note.

The remainder of the FSU schedule:
FSU vs. Duke
FSU @ #2 Boston College
FSU vs. Maryland
FSU @ #8 Virginia Tech
FSU @ #9 Florida

Who's tired of people thinking they know college football?

I am writing this article just to broadcast my feelings about everyone's biased and opinionated articles on the 2007 College football year, also known as 'The Year of the Upset'.


First of all, to all the people hating on the fact that some top teams are getting love by the poll-people and some teams are getting dropped faster than a bad egg: "Get over it, it makes sense." -- Seriously, take a breath and look at the facts:

-Michigan drops out from #5 completely because the polls are routinely shaken up after the first week due to it simply being a PRESEASON poll. Plus, I dont know, um, App St. is a D-2 school?
-Florida is on top of a few undefeated teams regardless of having consecutive losses placing them at 4-2 due to losing to tough SEC opponents such as #1 LSU and Auburn who was ranked in the past and moved into the top 25 after the last second field goal to beat the Gators. Not only that, but Florida lost both games in the last minute if not seconds.
-USC drops to #10 when losing at home to Stanford and Cal drops to #10 when they lose at home. Lets just look at reality, USC is better and has a better chance of winning out and coming back into the BCS bowl picture.

Now lets look at OSU and USF at the top 2 positions. I hear people saying USF is garbage and shouldn't have the #2 spot. Well who deserves it this year people? Who's going to lose next week and who are we going to have to give it to then? USF beat WV, a team people thought early in the season was going to win it all. USF beat Auburn who beat Florida. USF is killing the teams they should, and beating the good ones like they should. JUST LIKE A #2 TEAM WOULD. Yes, I agree they don't have a strong schedule but look at Ohio State in the BIG-10, is that schedule THAT much stronger?

As for the Kentucky triple overtime victory boosting them from #15 to the top 10, I completely agree with this move. Kentucky shouldn't have lost to South Carolina, but they regrouped and came back stronger than ever to beat LSU. Kentucky is for real. Their schedule is nothing to joke about, and we will see how they match up against Tim Tebow and the Gators next week.

To sum up my article, if you wanted to skip all the middle-stuff and get to the conclusion, the polls are as right as they could be, and people should stop thinking they know where teams should be better than the COACHES and people who are PAID TO ANALYZE games.

Top 25 Earthquake!

This Saturday started like normal. I woke up, I made a bagel and sat down to read the daily newspaper. I anxiously waited one o'clock to strike for the opening kickoff of today's great match-ups. South Florida's win over West Virginia (#5) just wasn't enough for me.

I sat in my uncomfortable apartment chair all day watching some of the best, or maybe its the worst, college football. There is no way I can describe today's action other than shocking. I simply cannot wait the revealing of the top 25 late Sunday.

If I were to have my way it would look like this:

1 USC
2 LSU
3 Cal
4 Ohio State
5 Wisconsin
6 Kentucky
7 Boston College
8 USF
9 Oklahoma
10 Florida
11 South Carolina
12 Georgia
13 West Virginia
14 Virginia Tech
15 Hawaii
16 Rutgers
17 Oregon
18 Missouri
19 Cincinnati
20 Texas
21 Arizona State
22 Clemson
23 Nebraska
24 Florida State
25 Purdue

But, as for my input on what we have seen today, I have to say I wasn't completely shocked to see West Virginia go down to USF as USF won the meeting last year, and WV seems to forget they have Steve Slaton on the team. I also saw the Texas loss coming as their team is nowhere near as strong as years past. Texas struggled to put a W up against UCF prior to this week. This being a main reason why Texas should be dropped as far as I have dropped them in my poll.

As for Florida's loss, I can say that I saw it coming, but I'd be lying. The only thing I can say is that Auburn brings their A-game when they play the Gators. Meanwhile, in Boulder, Colorado, the game winning field goal proved that the Sooners are beatable.

If I had to choose one team out of all of this week's losers that will bounce back even stronger it would be Oklahoma. Both sides of the ball for the Sooners are top-notch, but this loss will set them back. Lucky for them though, Florida and company lost today as well.

In other news, LSU seems to have a pretty much guaranteed spot in the BCS Championship, but could still hit some bumps now that we see any team can beat any team at any given time more than ever. But I say that LSU is pretty much golden because USC's tough schedule starting up next week, and LSU has shown that the country's best D is not letting up and the schedule from now on seems manageable.

As for my team, Florida State, I am proud that Bobby Bowden came to his senses and realized that the horrible offensive line must have a mobile quarterback that can throw...Xavier Lee is the answer.
--Here's a rough draft of my letter to Bobby Bowden, I thought you guys could get a chance to read it.

"Thank you Bobby, we won because of Lee's arm, head, legs, and your choice. Lee showed that he can throw the long ball, throw an accurate ball, run when needed and make smart choices, other than the pick when he tried to force the ball in the second half. I can see a turn around point for the 'Noles if you put more confidence in that Lee 'fella and lets him do his 'thang'. Notice that he didn't make a stupid decision when a defender is in his face and there is a clean running hole for him to get a positive chunk rather than a sack or a pick. Notice that he put the ball in a catchable spot rather than Weatherford's 10-feet-too-high balls, and notice that the team actually looked like a college team winning rather than a practice squad."


...oh...and Notre Dame lost pretty badly once again.

Beating A Dead Horse...or Leprechaun

After watching the Monday Night Football mini-show with Bill Parcells and Keyshawn Johnson I couldn't help but feel the urge to express my feelings on the Notre Dame subject matter through a blog.

Parcells and Johnson were on the subject of Notre Dame's 0-4 start. Parcells and Johnson both agreed that the Fighting Irish are lacking speed and strong recruiting. Parcells added that most of the independent teams such as Cincinnati and Boston College have joined conferences and dramatically improved their recruiting.

Well, Notre Dame will NEVER join a conference, simply because they are known for being independent, have their own TV contract and have free roaming capabilities of scheduling with no worries of conference restrictions. Notre Dame will and always have top prospects consider going to the land of Green and Gold simply because of the name and what the school stands for.

But, as for the struggle of Notre Dame, it can be blamed on easy things...no offense...no defense. The End. Either ND doesn't have the talent pool they usually have or the coaching is struggling. It could be one thing, it could be a mix of things, but whatever it is, Notre Dame is 0-4, has one of the worst offenses (if not the worst) in the nation, and is seeing no light at the end of the tunnel.

Either way, Notre Dame is bad right now, it is up to THEM to fix it, not us, so let's stop worrying about it and watch some football.

Now, I understand it is their jobs to analyze and tell us, the viewers, what it is that Notre Dame has to fix, but every analyst has stated the same jibberish, Notre Dame is NOT producing in any area of the game... I think thats all we need to hear. Let's move on to other subjects, here I'll provide a list.

1: Will the Championship game be USC vs LSU
2: Michigan State is 4-0
3: Saban's Tide
4: Florida's Tebow, first sophomore Heisman?
5: The U, on their way back?
6: Oklahoma over/underrated?

Plenty of Questions for Bowden and the 'Noles Before Saturday

Florida State University has unpleasant and unhappy fans on campus...again. Heading into an important and exciting matchup against none other than the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday, Florida State fans are asking the famous Bobby Bowden to lead them to a strong victory, not one that keeps them on their toes until the final whistle like the game against UAB.

Florida State fans want to see either a change at quarterback or a great improvement by Bobby Bowden's choice Drew Weatherford. Bowden is quoted saying that Weatherford is the quarterback that performs the best in practice, but fans also know that Xavier Lee, the backup quarterback, has feet similar to Michael Vick and an arm like Carson Palmer. The problem with Lee is that he suffers from the same problem as Weatherford, the infamous bad choices and bad accuracy.

Every ten passes or so, Weatherford makes a great decision to throw the wide open man... but somehow successfully throws the ball ten feet above his head.

Students and fans of the 90's dominating Florida State team are hoping for a resurgence of the guys in garnet and gold, this game against Alabama can make or break these hopes once again. But to make matters worse, earlier this week, key linebacker Geno Hayes and injured fullback Joe Surratt were suspended for unruly conduct and resisting arrest at a local nightclub.

Needless to say, the game against Alabama means a lot to both teams as they meet in Jacksonville on Saturday the 29th. Alabama is coming off of a tough overtime loss against Georgia, while Florida State comes off of a bye week after traveling to Colorado for their second victory. This SEC vs ACC battle will be entertaining and a nice game to watch on CBS at 5PM (if your region applies).

One Man's Loss Is Another Man's Gain

Needless to say the AFC favorites leading into the 2007-2008 season, the Indianapolis Colts and the San Diego Chargers are having a tough start due to a competitive league and tough schedule. But, as for the the majority of armchair quarterbacks and fantasy football enthusiasts, this struggle is something to be happy about.

Unless you are a Lightning bolt or a Blue Horseshoe fan, the not-so-nice numbers of LaDainian Tomlinson and Peyton Manning create a big sigh of relief. Fantasy leagues are not being single handedly run over by last years leaders.

If one remembers what happened last year, the odds of beating a fantasy team with the magic words consisting of L.T. were slim-pickings. I read a stat on FoxSports.com that read, "94% of fantasy teams with LaDainian Tomlinson won their respective league."

Now, this year it is pretty much luck, odds, chance, and praying that will get a team to win. Who would've thought one of the leading defenses would be the Minnesota Vikings raking in a solid score week in and week out so far. Who would have thought last years spark in Frank Gore is no longer shining?

But, in all, I shall say, "Good Luck," to my fellow fantasy players and finally can say with close-to-full meaning, "May the best TEAM win."

By the way...I just finished my letter to the Philadelphia Eagles that addressed the fact that they should NEVER EVER EVER wear those god awful excuses for uniforms again.

A-Rod is NOT Going to the Cubs...For Now

Earlier reports of Alex Rodriguez moving to play for the Chicago Cubs were posted here on YardBarker. Details of a contract being bigger than Beckham's and big enough to practically own the team were detailed.

But, now, Alex Rodriguez's agent Scott Boras has denied any such rumors. Boras has stated that A-Rod has not spoken with anyone, and is focusing solely on his current team that he could opt out of the last 3 years with at the end of the season...a season that is not yet over.

Just thought I'd clear this up!

Key Florida State Linebacker Tasered and Suspended

Early Friday (September 21st) morning two Florida State Seminole football players were arrested. and later suspended from the team.

At a local nightclub named PotBelly's, FSU linebacker Geno Hayes was reported yelling profanities and being unpleasant. When the police that were just outside checking for underage drinking tried to restrain Hayes, the junior linebacker resisted and was then shocked with a taser by one of the police officers. Senior fullback Joe Surratt, who is out for the season with a broken leg, was then reported for interfering with the arrest and assaulted a police officer.

Geno Hayes is charged with three misdemeanors while Joe Surratt is charged with a felony. Both players are suspended from the FSU Football team until further evidence is provided.