For the Season and what a god awful season it's been
Straight Up: 14-12
Against the Spread: 8-17-1
Over/Under: 13-13
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Monday, December 31, 2007
Bowl Game Picks, New Years Day
I AM BETTING OPPOSITE OF WHATEVER I THINK IS RIGHT BCUZ I AM ALWAYS WRONG NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRY
Cotton Bowl:
Missouri, 45 Arkansas, 38
Arkansas +4, 68 O/U
Capital One Bowl:
Michigan, 27 Florida, 30
Michigan +11, 60 O/U
Gator Bowl:
Texas Tech, 44 Virgina, 39
Virginia +6, 59 O/U
Rose Bowl:
Illinois, 31 USC, 42
Illinois +14, O/U 50
Sugar Bowl:
Hawaii, 37 Georgia, 35
Hawaii +8, O/U 69
Cotton Bowl:
Missouri, 45 Arkansas, 38
Arkansas +4, 68 O/U
Capital One Bowl:
Michigan, 27 Florida, 30
Michigan +11, 60 O/U
Gator Bowl:
Texas Tech, 44 Virgina, 39
Virginia +6, 59 O/U
Rose Bowl:
Illinois, 31 USC, 42
Illinois +14, O/U 50
Sugar Bowl:
Hawaii, 37 Georgia, 35
Hawaii +8, O/U 69
Sunday, December 30, 2007
2007 Outback Bowl
2007 Outback Bowl ($3.1 million payout)
#16 Tennessee, 9-4 vs. #18 Wisconson, 9-3
Tennessee seems primed for a big time collapse. Phil Fulmer is now reduced to 5th best coach in the SEC with the hiring of Bobby Petrino to the Razorbacks (Spurrier, Saban, Miles and Petrino). Their offensive coordinator, David Cutcliffe, just agreed to take the worst job in NCAA athletics as the Duke head coach (which had an online application for the position on their web site, seriously). Their recivers coach is interviewing for the offensive coordinator job at Baylor (because Robert Meachum, Kelly Washington and Stallworth have been so great in the NFL and they couldn't land Patrick Turner) and two of their assistants could move to college football's land of no return at Duke.
Wisconson plays great in bowl games, 9-3 since the Alvarez days, and usually plays great against SEC opponents. This is a typical Phil Fulmer team as of late. He recruits great talent, but they always seem to underachieve, especailly on the defensive side of the ball. They have great speed and athleticsim at the linebacker positions, but have given up an average of almost 160 on the ground a contest. They're defensive backs always seem to play their best before they become upper classmen (Jon Hefney) hopefully Eric Berry doesn't follow suit.
I think Wisconson gets an early lead, Tennesee mounts a comeback. But to avail as the Badgers put it away late.
Prediction:
#16 Tennessee, 27 # 18 Wisconson, 38
Wisconson +2, O/U 58.5
#16 Tennessee, 9-4 vs. #18 Wisconson, 9-3
Tennessee seems primed for a big time collapse. Phil Fulmer is now reduced to 5th best coach in the SEC with the hiring of Bobby Petrino to the Razorbacks (Spurrier, Saban, Miles and Petrino). Their offensive coordinator, David Cutcliffe, just agreed to take the worst job in NCAA athletics as the Duke head coach (which had an online application for the position on their web site, seriously). Their recivers coach is interviewing for the offensive coordinator job at Baylor (because Robert Meachum, Kelly Washington and Stallworth have been so great in the NFL and they couldn't land Patrick Turner) and two of their assistants could move to college football's land of no return at Duke.
Wisconson plays great in bowl games, 9-3 since the Alvarez days, and usually plays great against SEC opponents. This is a typical Phil Fulmer team as of late. He recruits great talent, but they always seem to underachieve, especailly on the defensive side of the ball. They have great speed and athleticsim at the linebacker positions, but have given up an average of almost 160 on the ground a contest. They're defensive backs always seem to play their best before they become upper classmen (Jon Hefney) hopefully Eric Berry doesn't follow suit.
I think Wisconson gets an early lead, Tennesee mounts a comeback. But to avail as the Badgers put it away late.
Prediction:
#16 Tennessee, 27 # 18 Wisconson, 38
Wisconson +2, O/U 58.5
2007 Chick Fil-A Bowl
2007 Chick Fil-A Bowl ($3.25million payout for Auburn, $2.4million for Clemson)
#15 Clemson, 9-3 vs. #22 Auburn, 8-4
Gotta love it when two teams with the same nickname matchup against each other. Who will be more Tiger?
Auburn did a solid job of sealing up Felix Jones and McFadden, it should have similar sucess facing C.J. Spiller and James Davis. I think this will be as close as Auburn's offense can make it. Brandon Cox has played alot better down the stretch, should have a decent game.
Prediction:
Auburn, 23 Clemson, 21
Auburn +2.5, O/U 46
#15 Clemson, 9-3 vs. #22 Auburn, 8-4
Gotta love it when two teams with the same nickname matchup against each other. Who will be more Tiger?
Auburn did a solid job of sealing up Felix Jones and McFadden, it should have similar sucess facing C.J. Spiller and James Davis. I think this will be as close as Auburn's offense can make it. Brandon Cox has played alot better down the stretch, should have a decent game.
Prediction:
Auburn, 23 Clemson, 21
Auburn +2.5, O/U 46
2007 Insight Bowl
2007 Insight Bowl ($1.2 million payout)
Oklahoma State, 6-6 vs. Indiana, 7-5
Indiana is the feel good story of the season. Coach Terry Hoeppner died of cancer before the start of the season, and the team carried his memory all the way to a last second bowl clenching game winning field goal against rival Purdue.
Kellen Lewis makes plays in the passing game, mostly to my favorite wide receiver in college football this year, 6-7 James Hardy. Although players always seem to shrink by a inch or so once they get drafted, so he's probably more like 6-6. But he's quick, runs great routes and catches everything with his hands. Doesn't let anything hit him in the pads and I've never seen drop a pass. A big game here could propel him into a first round pick.
Oklahoma State has been a sieve on defense this year, and a powerhouse on offense. Dontrell Savage and Adarius Bowman should shake loose for big games a few times, but the defense will have to step at they've been pitiful away from home, only wins against Baylor and Nebraska. The Cowboys are also 0-2 versus the Big-10 in bowl games.
Plus, the feel good stories always win this time of year.
Prediction:
Indiana, 44 Oklahoma State, 41
Oklahoma State, 6-6 vs. Indiana, 7-5
Indiana is the feel good story of the season. Coach Terry Hoeppner died of cancer before the start of the season, and the team carried his memory all the way to a last second bowl clenching game winning field goal against rival Purdue.
Kellen Lewis makes plays in the passing game, mostly to my favorite wide receiver in college football this year, 6-7 James Hardy. Although players always seem to shrink by a inch or so once they get drafted, so he's probably more like 6-6. But he's quick, runs great routes and catches everything with his hands. Doesn't let anything hit him in the pads and I've never seen drop a pass. A big game here could propel him into a first round pick.
Oklahoma State has been a sieve on defense this year, and a powerhouse on offense. Dontrell Savage and Adarius Bowman should shake loose for big games a few times, but the defense will have to step at they've been pitiful away from home, only wins against Baylor and Nebraska. The Cowboys are also 0-2 versus the Big-10 in bowl games.
Plus, the feel good stories always win this time of year.
Prediction:
Indiana, 44 Oklahoma State, 41
2007 Music City Bowl
2007 Music City Bowl ($1.6 million payout)
Florida State, 7-5 vs. Kentucky, 7-5
Everyone is making a huge deal about these 20 or suspensions that Florida State will have to deal with in this game. Look, it definatley hurts them, but doesn't cripple them. Their biggest lose was CB Patrick Robinson, he is a shutdown corner they could ill afford to be without. But as sad as this sounds, Drew Weatherford is a better QB than Xavier Lee (who won't play) and they still have playmakers like Geno Hayes and Andre Flullen on the defensive side.
Keenan Burton won't play for the Wildcats. He was their all everything reciever, but might not be missed as much as some think. Dicky Lyons Jr compares himself to Wes Welker and backs that claim up. Steve Johnson (Kentucky WR) has developed into one of the best deep threats in the SEC and TE Jacob Hamme has come on strong in the last few games and will improve his draft stock in this one.
Seminoles have been dominant against lesser competition, but have at least kept up with their more skilled opponents. Preston Parker should get the ball every way the Noles can draw it up, and it might be closer than most think. Kentucky's shaky defense may yeild some big plays if Weatherford is given time to find 6-6 WR Greg Carr down the field.
Prediction:
Kentucky, 33 Florida State, 28
Florida State +9, O/U 58
Florida State, 7-5 vs. Kentucky, 7-5
Everyone is making a huge deal about these 20 or suspensions that Florida State will have to deal with in this game. Look, it definatley hurts them, but doesn't cripple them. Their biggest lose was CB Patrick Robinson, he is a shutdown corner they could ill afford to be without. But as sad as this sounds, Drew Weatherford is a better QB than Xavier Lee (who won't play) and they still have playmakers like Geno Hayes and Andre Flullen on the defensive side.
Keenan Burton won't play for the Wildcats. He was their all everything reciever, but might not be missed as much as some think. Dicky Lyons Jr compares himself to Wes Welker and backs that claim up. Steve Johnson (Kentucky WR) has developed into one of the best deep threats in the SEC and TE Jacob Hamme has come on strong in the last few games and will improve his draft stock in this one.
Seminoles have been dominant against lesser competition, but have at least kept up with their more skilled opponents. Preston Parker should get the ball every way the Noles can draw it up, and it might be closer than most think. Kentucky's shaky defense may yeild some big plays if Weatherford is given time to find 6-6 WR Greg Carr down the field.
Prediction:
Kentucky, 33 Florida State, 28
Florida State +9, O/U 58
2007 Humanitarian Bowl
2007 Humanitarian Bowl ($750,000 payout)
Fresno State, 8-4 vs. Georgia Tech, 7-5
It will be interesting to see how Tech responds to defensive coordinator John Tenuata as interim coach for this game before offensive guru Paul Johnson takes over for next season. I always think that defensive coordinators do an excellent job as interim coaches. Sometimes they can outperform their predecessors, Jim Bates with the Miami Dolphins several years ago comes to mind. Coordinators are underrated and we've already seen DeWayne Walker prove that he was capable of making an UCLA team that underachieved all season, get together for one final go round.
The Fresno State rushing defense will be put to the test often by a Tashard Choice, who's primed to have a monster game. He's gained 1300+ yards and will lead the ACC in rushing for the second straight season despite missing a game and playing through multiple injuries all season. The Oklahoma transfer should run hard behind a great offensive line and FB Mike Cox, who might be the best lead blocker in college football. I love great throwback fullbacks like Cox.
Fresno State also will be without their two top threats. Running back Ryan Mathews is out with a torn pec and CB/KR A.J. Jefferson who averages an eye popping 34 yards a return, is suspended for violating curfew.
Fresno State should travel better, but Georgia Tech is arguably the most talented team in the ACC. They lost to Georgia for the 7th straight season, 6th under Gailey in their last contest. I think the only thing that keeps the Yellowjackets from winning by 10+ points is awful quarterback play. They might have 3 different QBs rotating in, so getting consistent pressure in the backfield early will help the Bulldogs immensely, but they have no true pass rush threat so that might not happen.
Prediction:
Fresno State, 13 Georgia Tech, 31
Fresno State +6, O/U 54
Fresno State, 8-4 vs. Georgia Tech, 7-5
It will be interesting to see how Tech responds to defensive coordinator John Tenuata as interim coach for this game before offensive guru Paul Johnson takes over for next season. I always think that defensive coordinators do an excellent job as interim coaches. Sometimes they can outperform their predecessors, Jim Bates with the Miami Dolphins several years ago comes to mind. Coordinators are underrated and we've already seen DeWayne Walker prove that he was capable of making an UCLA team that underachieved all season, get together for one final go round.
The Fresno State rushing defense will be put to the test often by a Tashard Choice, who's primed to have a monster game. He's gained 1300+ yards and will lead the ACC in rushing for the second straight season despite missing a game and playing through multiple injuries all season. The Oklahoma transfer should run hard behind a great offensive line and FB Mike Cox, who might be the best lead blocker in college football. I love great throwback fullbacks like Cox.
Fresno State also will be without their two top threats. Running back Ryan Mathews is out with a torn pec and CB/KR A.J. Jefferson who averages an eye popping 34 yards a return, is suspended for violating curfew.
Fresno State should travel better, but Georgia Tech is arguably the most talented team in the ACC. They lost to Georgia for the 7th straight season, 6th under Gailey in their last contest. I think the only thing that keeps the Yellowjackets from winning by 10+ points is awful quarterback play. They might have 3 different QBs rotating in, so getting consistent pressure in the backfield early will help the Bulldogs immensely, but they have no true pass rush threat so that might not happen.
Prediction:
Fresno State, 13 Georgia Tech, 31
Fresno State +6, O/U 54
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