Final Day Preview

 Well... eventhough I'm blowing the bowl picks this year, I'm still excited for this day for obvious reasons. Texas will play in the second semi-final tonight and that's pretty awesome. I was at the Big 12 Championship game this year and it was... Nirvana! So I don't care that I'm in last place. Bathe me with your taunts and derision, my team is in the playoff, baby! Here are the games:

Reliaquest Bowl

LSU vs. Wisconsin

We thought the Heisman trophy winning quarterback would play in this game, but he opted out. Nine of Wisconsin's players either transferred or opted out. So who knows who will win this game. LSU is the favorite but you never know. Most of us picked the Tigers. Margaret has LSU, but Kathy - who is only one game behind - has the Badgers. Could be a big game for Kathy.

Citrus Bowl

Iowa vs. Tennessee

This should be an easy Tennessee win. But Iowa has a way of winning on New Year's Day. Iowa has a non-existent offense and will need this to be an ugly game to win. Leader Margaret has Tennessee as do most of us.

Fiesta Bowl

Liberty vs. Oregon

Liberty is the non-power 5 conference team that got invited to one of the big bowls. Last year it was Tulane who upset USC. Oregon lost to Washington in the Pac12 Championship game, but otherwise had a good season. Liberty is Jerry Fallwell's school in Virginia. They have decided to put some money into sports. They had a great year, but most of us have the Ducks to win this game.

Rose Bowl - Semi-final One

Michigan vs. Alabama

Alabama is in this game every year. This year they upset Georgia in the SEC Championship to get into the semis versus Michigan. The Wolverines under Jim Harbaugh overcame a cheating scandal to go undefeated and become the number one seed. These are the traditional powerhouses in a massive game to go to the National Championship. Bama improved since losing to my Longhorns in September. Saban benched his quarterback to send a message and the team responded by running through the SEC. Michigan cruised through a stacked Big 10 season and demolished Ohio State and Iowa in its last 2 games. Both teams are stacked with NFL talent. We are split on this game with leader Margaret taking Michigan. A chance for others to catch her.

Sugar Bowl - Semi-final Two

Texas vs. Washington

Washington is the two seed. They are undefeated and are the effective last ever champions of the Pac 12 Conference. They have an awesome quarterback and receiving corps. They beat Texas in the Alamo Bowl last year, so they seem set to overcome the Longhorns again to go to the Championship. Texas beat Alabama in September in Tuscaloosa, but faltered when it lost to Oklahoma in October. Taking advantage of subsequent Oklahoma loses, Texas won the rest of its games and won the Big 12 title. They have an excellent defensive line, a good quarterback, and a coach that seems to have figured out how to succeed in Austin - which can be difficult. Most folks picked Texas. But Margaret picked Washington. I'm getting nervous as I watch this.

Best of luck to those of you with a shot. It should be a fun day.