I Blew It

I forgot the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. Florida State versus South Carolina. Kathy's Seminoles versus the Gamecocks from that lesser Carolina. Well, we all know South Carolina is the home of Jim Demint, Leslie Graham, George Bush push poling against John McCain, and Alvin Greene. So are we really upset? Yes... we are. I blew it. This is going to be a great game probably. Sorry... Commissioner fail.

Sorry, Chick-Fil-A (your owner is a right winger though, but damn your chicken is so delicious, my kids love it - and so do I)

First game is the Car Care Bowl from Meineke. Meineke, Auto Zone, MAACO - wow, car part companies love them some minor bowl games don't they? We have the other South Carolina team, Clemson, versus the South Florida Bulls. I know nothing about these teams to be honest and I'm too lazy to look anything up. Should have omitted this game instead of the Chick-Fil-A contest. Picks? Clemson: Joe, Matt, Will, Moriah, Monique, Marvetta, Tim, and Kirsten. South Florida: Pat, Ana, RC, Kathy, Margaret, Chris, and Alec.

Second game is the Sun Bowl. Last night my wife was stuck at the El Paso airport for five hours because of a freak snow storm. Lovely bowl weather for Notre Dame and Miami. Twenty years ago - my God, I'm old - this would have been an awesome match-up. Now it's two mediocre teams who travel well - especially Notre Dame. (It's a Catholic thing y'all.) Picks? ND: Matt, Will, Ana, RC, Kathy, Moriah, Monique, Marvetta, Kirsten, and Alec. Miami: Joe, Pat, Tim, Margaret, and Chris.

Third game is the Liberty Bowl. Central Florida Knights versus the Georgia Bulldogs. Georgia down; Central Florida new and growing. Did you know one of Michael Jordan's sons plays basketball for Central Florida and he scored 28 points in a victory last night? Interesting factoid for Jordan followers. (I hope someone convinced him to shave off that Hitler mustache finally.) Picks? Central Florida was only selected by Kathy, Moriah, Marvetta, and Alec.

By the way folks, as a group we are doing pretty well. We are 101 and 94 going into today with our picks. Keep it up. Happy New Year from the blogger of the blog no one reads.

Marvetta!!!!

Do you gamble Marvetta? I don't know you but I would like to invite you to a place I call heaven - the Zia Race Track and Casino in Hobbs, New Mexico. We can go dutch and wager on the horses and then go play the dollar slot machines. If we hit some wins then we can go play the five dollar slots. Wouldn't that be fun?

All kidding aside we have a new leader people: Marvetta Herron. What a streak she is on. See you tomorrow folks.

Poor Joe

He was poised for a big win, but North Carolina must have made a pact with the Devil. That was the luckiest I've seen a team get since the Soviets in Munich in '72. (I was two then, but I remember it damn't. In fact, I was there... on the front row!) Congrats Tar Heel fan... that was awesome and deserved. That Tennessee QB was super obnoxious. I wanted to smack him in the face after that last touchdown. I'd say there's a discipline problem in Tennessee. It was also one of the dirtiest hits I've seen on a receiver. Tennessee deserved the loss for bone head plays in the last minute.

Joe was the only leader with Tennessee. If they could have won it would have been huge, instead it's heatbreak for the youngest Baker.

Worst Call of the Season

If you had K State (like me of course) you just got screwed by the refs. Kansas State needed a touchdown and two point conversion to tie the game. They score the touchdown but because the receiver had the audacity to salute the crowd the refs called a fifteen yard unsportsmanlike penalty on him. Thus a three yard two point conversion turns into an eighteen yard two point conversion. Horrible call. Marvetta, though, takes advantage and ties for the lead.

Alert

RC finally lost again. The door may be open.

Four Headed Monster

I know what your thinking. The Old Man has this one sewn up. Poor Joe and Pat. They had a horrific day and dropped out of the lead. They are not even in second place! That's reserved for Marvetta who seems to be the only person from Charlotte who can even get close to picking games right. But RC, this is your contest to lose man. Wow, 8 and 1.

But tomorrow we have four games. Let's do some quick previews. Game one the Ponies of SMU play Army in the Armed Forces Bowl. Army runs the triple option and SMU runs the spread. Game in Fort Worth. Another military theme. Man we love our killing machines in this country. Weapons systems are about the last things we make after all. Navy lost, Air Force won, what will Army do? Picks? Patriots: Joe, Matt, Kathy, Moriah, Monique. Preppies: Pat, Will, Ana, RC, Marvetta, Tim, Margaret, Chris, Kirsten, Alec.

Pinstripe Bowl will be played in the Big Apple at new Yankee stadium. Kansas St. always beats Texas, even when they are bad. I hate Kansas St. I picked the Wildcats, but I root for Syracuse. Go Orangemen. Picks? Only Pat, Moriah, Marvetta, Margaret, and Alec picked the Cuse. I hope you win. Hate State.

Music City Bowl features your Tarheels versus Tennessee. You know a lot more about this than I do. Tarheels lost most of their studs because you hired an assistant coach from Oklahoma named Blake. I could have told you not to do that. But you still won enough games to go to a bowl and your former coach Mack Brown, well this year he stunk up the joint. Too mad about it. Move on. Picks? Only Joe, Moriah, and Alec picked Tennessee.

The Holiday Bowl is always great. But this year Nebraska should mop the floor with Washington. After all, earlier this year they beat Washington in Seattle by five touchdowns, ouch! That didn't stop Joe, Kathy, Marvetta, Chris, Kirsten, and Alec from picking them though. So, of course, they probably will.

Hope you are having fun. By the way, I need favorite snack foods for Margaret, Chris, Kirsten and Alec.

Monique Wins!!!!

Congratulations Illinois. You gave Monique her first win.

RC is kicking butt and is now in the lead solo.

RC and Chris have run off four straight.

Marvetta Herron... I don't know you but go to Vegas with me.

Triple Header

Baylor is evil... I will explain later.


We have three bowls today. First up, the EagleBank Bowl, I'm sorry, it's the Military Bowl - sponsored by Northrup Grumman, in Washington D.C. It features Maryland versus that bastion of academic quality: East Carolina. I like to refer to East Carolina as Oklahoma of the Atlantic Coast. In other words, we hold classes so we can field a football team. I kid... sort of. Maryland is going to fire its coach so that Mike Leach - the Pirate can take over. I love Mike Leach. He told those idiots at ESPN and Texas Tech to kiss his you know what and has taken them to court. He got hosed at Texas Tech and will get his revenge I hope in court. That Craig James is still on television is a joke. So I love Maryland starting next year. In the mean time I go with the Pirates of ECU who usually pull off upsets for me. And lord I need a win. Picks? Maryland: Joe, Ana, RC, Moriah, Marvetta, Chris, Kirsten, and Alec. East Carolina: Matthew, Patricia, Will, Kathy, Monique, Tim, and Margaret.

I'll update the other bowls when I get back from picking up my swimmer. She is doing two a days during her holiday. What a warrior!

Next, YEEHAWWWW, the TEXAS Bowl. Baylor is evil by the way. Baylor University is now run by Kenneth Starr. The former Clinton Impeachment prosecutor has landed in Waco where he is overlooking an incredibly corrupt basketball program and a university that has so much political clout, it once again kept Texas and Texas A&M from fleeing to greener (money filled) pastures in bigger and better conferences (PAC-10 for Texas; SEC for Texas A&M). Baylor is led by a stud quarterback named Robert Griffith into their battle with the Big 10s Illinois. If the Illini can stop this Vince Young prototype, they will win. Otherwise, evil Baylor will prevail. Picks? Baylor: Joe, Patricia, Analicia, Margaret. Illinois: everyone else. (We all picked a big upset. Let's hope Baylor chokes.)


Last game of the day is the Alamo Bowl from my home town of San Antonio. We are not going this year because the swimmer has two-a-day practices and the wife is visiting relatives in Las Cruces. So I'm stuck here with the kids. The game features favorite Oklahoma State who blew a golden opportunity to win the Big XII this year with my beloved Longhorns imploding and Oklahoma being relatively weak. But they choked... again. Now they have lost their stud offensive coordinator to West Virginia. They face an Arizona team coached by Bob Stoops' (the coach at Oklahoma) brother. Bob will give Mike the formula to beat the Cowboys, but it is up to the players to prove they can pull it off. Loaded with offensive talent, OSU should win, but so far upsets have ruled the bowl season. Should be a fun day. I'm going to the grocery store now to stock up on snacks and enjoy my orgy of football. Why don't you come over with some beer and steaks and will make it a day?

Well, at least read the blog.

By the way, picks for the Alamo Bowl are as follows: Arizona: Joe, Patricia, Moriah, Timothy, Chris, and Alec; Oklahoma St.: Matthew, Will, Analicia, RC, Kathy, Monique, Marvetta, Margaret, and Kirsten.

Results

We are about a quarter of a way through the season and we need to take a look at the standings in detail now. Last night, Joe Baker and Patricia Baker (two well known experts in college football; they often spend their Saturday afternoons planted in front of the television watching the battles on the gridiron) finally lost a game. They still lead but now are joined by that perennial power - former commissioner - RC Smith. Only one pick behind are a trio of ladies: Marvetta, Kathy and Margaret. The rest of us? Well we are not too far behind, but we have work to do.

By the way, I need pictures. Send your pictures to pow2@mac.com. Yes, I need you to be vain. Take a picture with your phone and send it to me. Get on Facebook and friend me and then you can upload your picture easily. Enter the 21st century and enter the world of social media! I've done it; you should too.

Double-Header Day

Two bowls tonight. We have the Champs Sports Bowl from beautiful Orlando, Florida, and the Insight Bowl from zany, right-wingville - I mean Phoenix. Champs features North Carolina St. versus the West Virginia Mountaineers. Insight has the Missouri Tigers versus the Iowa Hawkeyes.

In Orlando, West Virginia is the favorite. They won their last four games and beat Maryland handily, a team that the Wolfpack choked to in the last game of the season. Both teams had dreams of bigger bowls, but settle for the Champs Sports Bowl. Picks? Only Moriah, Monique, Tim, Kirsten and Alec have West Virginia. Could be huge for Alec and Kirsten if they win, since most of us picked the upset.

Missouri was surprisingly good in the Big XII this year. They are playing an Iowa team who have one of the most loved coaches in the country according to the pundits - Kirk Ferentz. The Tigers won their last three and the Hawkeyes lost their last three. Missouri favored after one of their best seasons ever. Picks? Missouri: the Bakers (Big XII supporters), Monique, Tim, Margaret, Kirsten and Alec. Iowa: RC, Kathy, Moriah, Marvetta and Chris.

Some of us are in danger of being left behind if we continue to lose. As a group we started strong but now we are 30 and 30 with our picks. As a group we like NC State and Missouri today.

Air Force v. Georgia Tech

I looooooovvvvvveeeeee this game. Can't wait to watch it. This is the kind of offensive football that is outdated and that you can't get most NFL bound kids to play, but it's so fun to watch. I can't wait. Georgia Tech is the number one rushing team with its option attack and the Falcons of Air Force are number two. Streaks in this game: Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson defeated the Falcons the last five times he faced them when he was coach at Navy. However, Georgia Tech has lost five straight bowl games and faces a losing season if they lose, for the first time in fourteen years. I personally am for Georgia Tech. I hope this offense can hang on in big time college football and not be left as a gimmick only run by the military academies so they have a chance to compete against less disciplined big boys (see Navy v. Notre Dame). It's pretty football with intricate timing that is hard to coach, but so fun to watch. Grab a beer, some snacks, DVR it if you have to work, and enjoy what I think will be the best bowl of the season. Picks? Georgia Tech: Matt, Will, Ana, RC, Kathy, Moriah, Monique, Marvetta, Tim, Chris, Kirsten; Air Force: Joe, Pat, Margaret, and Alec. Big game for the leaders. We will have two undefeated pickers by the end of the night.

The Featured Picture

Just a few words about the title picture of the blog. I always search Google Images for a unique picture for our bowl pool blog. This year I found this picture of the Amherst College team from the early 1890's. It features the man on the left who is holding a tassel signifying that he is the team captain. He was finally inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2009. His accomplishment? Well, it should be accomplishments. His name is William Henry Lewis: the first African American college football player. He was captain of his teams at Amherst and then at Harvard. But, he did not stop there. He was the first paid head coach at Harvard. He also went on to be the assistant US attorney for Boston appointed by Theodore Roosevelt. He was the first African American assistant attorney general under President Taft. He also wrote one of the first books about college football. One last accomplishment to tell you about - his record at Harvard as coach: 22-2. Awesome. This year's bowl pool is unofficially the William Henry Lewis College Football Bowl Pool.

It's the Hawai'i Bowl. Hawai'i versus Tulsa. Both high scoring offenses. Hawai'i features an the number one passing attack and a thousand yard rusher. They are eleven point favorites versus the Golden Hurricane of Tulsa - the school with the lowest enrollment in Division I: 4200. Let's talk who has who. We have the following members taking Hawai'i: Matt, Will, Kathy, Moriah, Monique, Tim, Margaret, Alec and Chris. The following members are taking Tulsa: Joe, Patricia, Ana, RC, Marvetta, and Kirsten. Good luck and have a happy Christmas Eve.

Poinsettia Bowl

Navy v. San Diego State

Well, I'm in New Mexico so I know very little about this game. I know Navy has been good for awhile now since they adopted a wishbone like attack that was started by the now head coach at Georgia Tech. San Diego State I know nothing about. Good news is that we now have a full field of pickers. San Francisco is in and so is a guest from Georgia (I think). By tomorrow I should have it all worked out and have updated standings ready to go. Hang loose.

MAACO Bowl - Viva Las Vegas

Aaah Las Vegas. I've been there once - with children. I left with a fake tattoo, the memories of a tour of a time share my wife made me take, a light wallet, but a happy heart because I had a great time. I would love to be there today because I think this may be a fun game. Boise State is good. Their quarterback was a Heisman finalist - Kellen Clemens. They have a good defense and an imaginative offense. But, they are probably in danger of having a let down as they blew a chance to go to a BCS bowl and perhaps the national championship with a choke against Nevada. If this game goes to a field goal, watch the Boise State kicker. He choked two field goals against Nevada and that led directly to the loss. He even received death threats from crazy Boise State fans for his choke. Utah, on the other hand, is not as good, but they have had a decent season. They are moving to the PAC 10 next year, so obviously they have a good program. They will be a solid opponent for Boise and will pounce on any mental letdown by the Broncos. Picks? The following gamblers have chosen Boise: Joseph Baker, Patricia Baker, Will Baker, Kathy Smith, R.C. Smith, and Tim Smith. The following gamblers have chosen Utah: Matthew Baker, Analicia Baker, Moriah Smith, Monique Smith, and Marvetta Herron (the MMMMMA Gang). We still have not received picks from Kirsten or the San Francisco contingent.

2010-11 Season

Well, it's here. The Family Bowl Pool is ready to begin. Kathy Smith is the defending champion. Forms have been distributed. Rules for participation? Have some connection to the Smith family, be breathing, and be able to call heads or tails. We start in Vegas - the betting mecca - and end in the desert of Phoenix for the BCS Championship featuring the Ducks of Oregon (Nike) and the Tigers of Auburn (Cheaters). Cannot wait to see your picks. Expect phone calls this week.

Kathy Wins

Though devastated by the game (TEXAS lost), the Commish congratulates his mother, Kathy Smith, for her victory by points over the Commish's wife Patricia. Plaque on the way.

Rules

What is the point rule? Since we are going to points, I should clarify the rule. (I'm the Commissioner after all.) This is NOT the Price is Right. Accuracy rules. So whoever is closest wins. With Patricia at 42 and Kathy at 56, that means 49 points is the dividing line. If the game goes above 49, Kathy wins. If the game ends below 49, Patricia wins. If the game ends at 49, we'll have a tie. Good look girls!

The Commish

Kathy v. Patricia

It's on Thursday. With her stunning upset picks of Boise State and Iowa, Patricia has passed Monique and has tied Kathy. They both picked Texas so we are going to points. Kathy - 56 and Patricia 42. Good luck!

Monique v. Kathy

Monique and Kathy are neck and neck going into the final bowl games. Patricia is one game behind in this battle of the ladies. Here are their picks:

Bowl Monique Kathy Patricia
Fiesta TCU Boise St. Boise St.
Orange Georgia T. Georgia T. Iowa
BCS TEXAS TEXAS TEXAS
Pts. 54 56 42

It's going to be exciting!!!!

It's about the ladies

Looks like the bowl pool is coming down to three: Monique, Kathy and Patricia. Currently, Monique leads by one game. It's going to be exciting coming down to the end.