The Pool’s Start

 I don’t remember the exact year other than it must have been in the early 80s. R.C. came up with the idea and used his trusty typewriter to create some forms we all used to select teams. I have a distinct memory that we were in San Francisco on one of our California trips when this began. Specifically, I remember being in Louis’ Restaurant overlooking the Seal Rocks and the ruins of a bath house at Lands End. We poured over the U.S.A. Today to look over previews of games to make our picks. Interestingly there was a man in a cape standing on the ruins of the bath house. The ruins were at the base of a cliff next to the ocean and the waves crashed around him. He was dressed all in black and I was mesmerized as he taunted the ocean with grandiose gross motor movements to raise and lower his cape. Eventually, he walked up the pathway right next to the restaurant and I chuckled to myself how, close up, he was just an ordinary dude. 

Louis’ I hear has had to close due to the pandemic as has the neighboring Cliff House. Louis’ Facebook page tells the sad story of having to turn in the keys to the eatery to the federal government as Lands End is a national park it seems. My California Family can edit as they wish. As Rachel Maddow says, “Is there anything in this story we have gotten wrong?”

We have two bowl cancellations to note: the Music City and the Texas Bowls. The virus has cut our contest to 13 games. Today’s game that we are picking is the Liberty Bowl: West Virginia versus Army.

Louis' Restaurant

The Seal Rocks

The Bath House Ruins

Statement

 Of course, this morning’s events will temper what is put on the blog today. We lost the creator of this contest today. Therefore, I will officially rename our friendly, annual picking event the RC Smith Family Bowl Pool in his honor. We will all have much to say in the coming days, but today is not that day. 

Two bowls today: Duke’s Mayo Bowl features Wisconsin versus Wake Forest

The Cotton Bowl features Florida versus Oklahoma

Two Bowls to Start Us Off

 Cheez-It Bowl: Oklahoma State versus Miami

The Cheez-It Bowl is in Orlando, Florida. I was in the Camping World Stadium last year for the Citrus Bowl so I know the stadium pretty well. It's an aging facility, but I can still taste those delicious chili dogs. 

Oklahoma State and Miami face off in this clash. Vegas either has Miami as a one point favorite or Oklahoma State as a one point favorite depending on which book you choose. In this weird time (I so want to resist writing the words "virus" or "COVID" or "Corona"), Oklahoma State has had an up and down year. They started strong only to lose to a struggling Texas team at home in overtime. They ended their year with a win a Baylor (good). Mike Gundy is a loud-mouthed, arrogant offensive-minded coach who is inconsistent in my opinion. Sometimes he appears to be a genius and other times he appears to be making things up on the fly, more worried about his haircut than football. 

Miami had things going pretty well until North Carolina walloped them in their last game (I bet Mack Brown enjoyed that for reasons I'm about to highlight). Miami is coached by Manny Diaz. I remember when Manny Diaz was fired by Mack Brown after Texas lost to BYU in embarrassing fashion. You see, Manny was briefly Mack's defensive coordinator at Texas. BYU's quarterback Taysom Hill, current super sub quarterback with the New Orleans Saints, ran all over Manny's defense that night. How Manny wound up head coaching at Miami is a testament to his perseverance or to the merry-go-round that is the coaching fraternity, or maybe both. I'll be interested to see how long Manny lasts at Miami. Should be an interesting game.

Alamo Bowl:  Texas versus Colorado

Speaking of Texas and coaching controversies, let's talk Tom Herman. Tom can win bowl games. His Longhorns are 7.5 favorites versus Colorado tonight. He has won all three of his bowl games at Texas: the Texas Bowl (I was there), the Cotton Bowl, and the Alamo Bowl. However, he has a problem beating Oklahoma, TCU, Baylor, and non-conference opponents during the regular season. So, the most arrogant fan base in college sports is demanding a change. Why my fellow Longhorns think they are in the class of other big time college programs is beyond me. All hat and no cattle to borrow a cliché. Good program historically, but not great. Texas fans think they should win every game and win the national title every year. It's not going to happen. At least not as long as they are in what Bill Walton calls "a truck stop conference." That Bill Walton, so weird and wise.

Texas has Sam Ehlinger at quarterback but tons of other players have opted out of the bowl, including three starters on the offensive line. Their best player is Bijan Robinson the freshman running back. If they can get a running game going, look out. That takes the pressure of Ehlinger to do too much with his arm and feet. Sam is good, not great. He's tough, but he is not accurate enough to be the second coming of Colt McCoy. As usual, the fan base set their expectations way too high on one player. You need a team to reach the levels of greatness the fans expect.

Colorado surprised this season. They have young talent that came through and put together a nice season. Look for the Buffs to try and throw long through Texas' poor secondary. Tons of Texas' defenders are out of the game too. Might lead to a shootout. But this is bowl season so it will probably be a defensive struggle. 

I wish I was going to the game, but the positivity rates are sky high here. The Mayor has added new restrictions beginning today. I'll be curious to see how big the crowd is.

2020-21 Bowl Pool Contest Opening Statement

 Admittedly, for obvious reasons, this year's Bowl Pool Blog will be more subdued. The creator of this contest would want us to continue on and this Commissioner will not let the contest disappear. Too many years of fun and memories would be wiped away, and I cannot let that happen. We may not have as many games to pick or as many contestants, but we will continue on. Margaret Candace Key has the plaque out in beautiful San Rafael, California. She will attempt to defend it. She has her favorite team playing. That would be Northwestern and they have had quite a year. Texas is playing once again in the Alamo Bowl (two years in a row), but the virus will prevent me from attending in person. Just too risky. That's what television is for. Most exciting is that North Carolina is in the Orange Bowl against the evil Texas A&M. Go Mack Bown! I hope they win, as does all of the family. (If you are for A&M, please report for retraining.)

Love all of you in the family. I will post previews and update results for everyone. Thanks so much.

-The Commish