Six Bowl Day (Also Known as New Year's Eve)

Oh my, are you ready for the next two days of bowls. We have 11 to watch. Eleven games to crown a Family Bowl Pool Champion. I am so excited.

Eleventh Bowl: Military Bowl
Teams: Cincinnati v. Virginia Tech
Sponsor: Northrup Grumman
Setting: Annapolis, Maryland
Consensus Vegas Line: Cincinnati -6.5; Over/Under 53.5

Quick previews here: Cincinnati has a great defense. Virginia Tech has a passing dominated offense. Look to see if the Bearkats can stop the trio of Virginia Tech wide receivers and get sacks.

Food? If you're in Maryland get some crab cakes. Delicious.

Twelfth Bowl: Sun Bowl
Teams: Pittsburgh v. Stanford
Sponsor: Hyundai
Setting: El Paso, Texas
Consensus Vegas Line: Stanford -4.5; Over/Under 52

Bryce Love will not play for Stanford. They feature a rather large wide receiver named J.J. Arcega-Whiteside instead. Pitt has two 1000 yard running backs, Darrin Hall and Qadree Ollison. They will battle it out in the scenic Sun Bowl where you can literally see Mexico from the stands. 

Food? From the actual Sun Bowl travel up Interstate 10 to Interstate 25 and head to the Hatch Valley. Find a quaint restaurant and order a glass of milk. You will then eat some of the hottest, spiciest food you will ever have in your life. It is oh so good, but I bet there are some dishes you won't be able to finish because of the spicy heat. Maybe my favorite food of all.

Thirteenth Bowl: Redbox Bowl
Teams: Michigan St. v. Oregon
Sponsor: Redbox
Setting: Santa Clara, California
Consensus Vegas Line: Oregon -2; Over/Under 47.5

The Ducks of Oregon feature a quarterback named Justin Hebert who has been hot lately. Michigan State disappointed this year. They struggled to score. However, they have a stout defense and usually perform well in bowl games. One of the lowest over/under predictions from Vegas. Look for a low scoring affair.

If you're in California, don't you have to try In-N-Out Burger? Evidently there is a secret menu. Lately they have turned up in Texas. I've never been to a Texas In-N-Out, but I've been to Palo Alto, California In-N-Out. Not great, but not bad. What's your favorite fast food burger?

Fourteenth Bowl: Liberty Bowl
Teams: Missouri v. Oklahoma St.
Sponsor: AutoZone
Setting: Memphis, Tennessee
Consensus Vegas Line: Missouri -9; Over/Under 72.5

From a low scoring game in California to a high scoring game predicted in Tennessee. Missouri is led by quarterback Drew Lock and Oklahoma State is led by Taylor Cornelius. Both teams have prolific offenses. Missouri is heavily favored, but Oklahoma State has Coach Mike Gundy and he usually has some fun up his sleeve to go along with the best coaching mullet in football.

Memphis = Barbecue. See previous posts on barbecue. 

Fifteenth Bowl: Holiday Bowl
Teams: Northwestern v. Utah
Sponsor: San Diego Credit Union
Setting: San Diego, California
Consensus Vegas Line: Utah -7; Over/Under 46

If you like smash mouth football this may be the game for you. Both Northwestern and Utah like to run the ball. They have serviceable quarterbacks. But, they rely on their defenses. Maybe first team to 20 wins.

The first time I had fish tacos I was in San Diego. It was a little dive next to Balboa Park. Now you can find fish tacos everywhere. With lent approaching, look for more chances to have fish tacos. There's a Mexican place I go to just down the street from my office that will begin serving them every Friday. Delicioso!

Sixteenth Bowl: Taxslayer Gator Bowl
Teams: Texas A&M v. North Carolina State
Sponsor: Taxslayer
Setting: Jacksonville, Florida
Consensus Vegas Line: Texas A&M -7; Over/Under 56

Is this thing called the Taxslayer Bowl or the Gator Bowl? North Carolina State is missing two of its best players who are sitting out because of the NFL Draft - one on offense, one on defense. Texas A&M features quarterback Kellen Mond who is from San Antonio. A&M has new coach Jimbo Fischer and a whole lot of positive mojo after beating LSU in a seven overtime thriller. North Carolina State has a chance to win 10 games and has quietly put together a solid season. Both teams can score. Take the over. I have no idea who will win. Vegas likes the Aggies by a touchdown.

I hear when in Jacksonville you have to visit the Metro Diner for chicken and waffles. Now I'm late to the chicken and waffle party but some people swear by it. We have a place close by called The South that features chicken and waffles. I prefer waffles to pancakes because as my son Joe says, the crannies catch the butter and syrup. I've been to The South one time and plan to go back. Judging by their parking lot though, I don't think they are going to make it. 

Good luck!