Day Three

We have four bowls on day three, including the national semi-finals. I'm not sure why they don't want these games on New Year's Day, but I guess they think Saturday will get them better ratings. Let's start the preview fun.

Seventh Bowl: Peach Bowl
Teams: Florida v. Michigan
Sponsor: Chick-Fil-A
Setting: Atlanta, Georgia
Consensus Vegas Line: Michigan -6; Over/Under 51 

These teams play often in bowl games. This year's version should be a defensive affair. Michigan should have the advantage with an experienced coach and quarterback. But the Gators have the SEC pedigree and should have more fan support at the venue. 

Do you like Chick Fil-A? My wife, children and I think there is a drug in the chicken that makes you crave it. I love waffle fries, too. What's your favorite fast food chicken? I think my children love the Whataburger chicken strips, but when it comes to the chicken sandwich, it's Chick Fil-A hands down.

Eighth Bowl: Belk Bowl
Teams: South Carolina v. Virginia
Sponsor: Belk
Setting: Charlotte, North Carolina
Consensus Vegas Line: South Carolina -4.5; Over/Under 54

My east coast readers should know more about this game than I do. Evidently the Gamecocks will be without their star wide receiver as he is another player who has decided to sit out the bowl game in order to get ready for the draft. Thanks money! Anyway, this should be about defense more than offense. Look for a grinder of a game to start the day.

Get a load of this. This is what they consider to be barbecue in North Carolina. There is a great debate between the Commissioner of this Bowl Pool and the Commissioner Emeritus as to what is and is not proper barbecue. What is pictured above is considered a delicacy by the Commissioner Emeritus. It is considered quaint local fare by the Commissioner. Oh well, should you find yourself stranded in Charlotte, try Bill Spoon's. Get this, they brag about serving macaroni and cheese with their barbecue in Charlotte...C'mon now, have some pride people!

Ninth Bowl: Cotton Bowl
Teams: Notre Dame v. Clemson
Sponsor: Goodyear
Setting: Arlington, Texas
Consensus Vegas Line: Clemson -12.5; Over/Under 56.5

Clemson has lost three players including their best defensive lineman to suspension due to performance enhancing drugs. They are still a double digit favorite to beat the Irish. The Tigers have a stud running back named Travis Etienne to rely on and a hotshot quarterback named Trevor Lawrence - but he is a freshman. Notre Dame has a stout defense and that mystique. So don't count them out if things don't go the Tigers' way from the opening kick. I smell a possible upset. I also smell...

Now folks, this is what barbecue really looks like. Try not to slobber over the image on your computer screen you could short out the machine. Texas is where you find the true deliciousness of brisket, sausage, and chicken cooked to perfection by people who understand food. If you are in the Arlington/Fort Worth area, amble over to Angelo's or Heim's for meat the way God intended it to be served and enjoyed.

Tenth Bowl: Orange Bowl
Teams: Oklahoma v. Alabama
Sponsor: Capital One
Setting: Miami, Florida
Consensus Vegas Line: Alabama 14; Over/Under 78

Nick Saban, the man I wanted as coach at Texas back in the late 90's pre-Mack Brown, is the heavy favorite again to raise the national championship trophy. His quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, has a high ankle sprain but the back-up Jalen Hurts has a 26-2 lifetime record and came off the bench to win the SEC title game, so give me a break. Alabama has studs at every position. They are fun to watch but, well, they always win. They are the UConn Women of college football. Oklahoma has an offense. Kyler Murray will be their quarterback. His dad was a stud at Texas A&M when I was in college and his uncle Calvin played baseball at Texas when I was in college. (He also played major league baseball for the Giants.) But, Oklahoma has a suspect defense. In fact, when they lost to Texas their defensive coordinator was fired. Unless Alabama falls behind and panics, they should win.

As the game will be played in Miami, I thought I'd ask if you've ever had a Cuban sandwich. I absolutely love them. That grilled bread and the flavors of the meats just speak to my Caribbean soul (I don't really have any Caribbean roots, but I do love these sandwiches). The Miami New Times says the best Cuban can be found at a place called Little Bread. I've never been to Miami. Who will take me?