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1. Alabama vs Michigan (Cowboys Stadium)
2. Notre Dame at Oklahoma
3. West Virginia at Florida State
4. Boise State at Michigan State
5. Auburn vs Clemson (Georgia Dome)

The Vanderbilt 31-7 win over Ole Miss was no fluke. The Commodres (3-0) were faster and much better disciplined. The Rebels made many mistakes and generally looked lost. This is not the same Vandy team that went 2-10 the past two seasons. I see no reason why they cannnot get to 6 wins and a bowl game. Future Wins: Army, Kentucky, Wake Forest. Losses: Alabama, Arkansas. Potentials upsets: South Carolina, UGA, Tennessee, Florida.

After trouncing poor little Missouri State & the New Mexico Lobos, Arkansas struggled against below par Troy (0-2) team. The Razorbacks built a 24-0 first half lead but that score was deceiving. The Trojans played them pretty tough but missed too easy filed goals (31 and 32 yards).  Troy has had five straight 8-win seasons which include four bowl games. This team is  supposed to be one of their weaker ones. I wonder if the Hogs just decided the game was over at 31-7 and decided to relax. That is the sign of an undisciplined team. Troy roared back but lost in the end 38-28.

It is probably best for underclassmen to declare for the NFL draft ONLy if theythink they can go in the first round. Many of these guys will, but some of them are delusional:

SEC (14)

Alabama: Marcell Dareus, DE; Julio Jones, WR; Mark Ingram, RB – these three could go in the top 15.
Arkansas: Ryan Mallett, QB – mid-first round to mid-second round
Auburn: Nick Fairley DT; Cameron Newton, QB; Darvin Adams WR – UnFairley should go top 10; SCam in late 1st round; Adams 3rd round
Florida: Will Hill, S – meh, shoulda stayed
Georgia: Justin Houston, DE; A.J. Green, WR – AJ is a top 10 pick. Houston probably 2nd round or later
Kentucky: Randall Cobb, WR/KR/QB – interesting prospect but not a first rounder; maybe 3rd
LSU: Patrick Peterson, CB; Stevan Ridley, RB – Peterson is top 5; Ridley, are you kidding me?
Ole Miss: Jerrell Powe, DT – 2nd to 3rd round
South Carolina: Tori Gurley, WR – insane

ACC (9)

Clemson: Da’Quan Bowers, DE; Jamie Harper, RB – Da’Quan is a top 10
Georgia Tech: Nick Claytor, OT
Maryland: Torrey Smith, WR/KR; Kenny Tate, S
Miami: Brandon Harris, CB
Virginia: Zane Parr, DE
Virginia Tech: Darren Evans, RB; Ryan Williams, RB

BIG TEN (7) – I am truly surprised none of the Ohio State Tattoo-gate 5 are going pro.

ILLINOIS: Mikel Leshoure, RB; Corey Liuget, DT; Martez Wilson, LB
INDIANA: Tandon Doss, WR
IOWA: Tyler Sash, S
WISCONSIN: John Clay, RB; J.J. Watt, DE

BIG 12 (3)

MISSOURI: Blane Gabbert, QB; Aldon Smith, DE – not good for Mizzou. Blane will be 2nd or 3rd rounder
TEXAS: Aaron Williams, CB

BIG EAST (5)

CONNECTICUT: Jordan Todman, RB
PITTSBURGH: Jon Baldwin, WR; Henry Hynoski, FB; Dion Lewis, RB
WEST VIRGINIA: Robert Sands, S

PAC-10 (7)

ARIZONA STATE: Lawrence Guy, DT
CALIFORNIA: Shane Vereen, RB
OREGON STATE: Jacquizz Rogers, RB
UCLA: Akeem Ayers, LB; Rahim Moore
USC: Jurrell Casey, DT; Tryon Smith, OT

CONFERENCE USA (1)

SOUTHERN MISS: DeAndre Brown, WR.

MID-AMERICAN(1)

TEMPLE: Muhammad Wilkerson, DT

MOUNTAIN WEST (2)

UTAH: Brandon Burton, CB;  Sealver Siliga, DT

INDEPENDENT (1)

NOTRE DAME: Kyle Rudolph, TE

Okay, how can you have a Military Bowl with no military teams in it? Oh well. Maryland (8-4) vs. East Carolina (6-6) Washington D.C. Dec. 29 2:30 p.m. ESPN zzzzzz…

Texas Bowl Wake me when it’s over. Illinois (6-6) vs. Baylor (7-5) Houston, Tex. Dec. 29 6 p.m. ESPN

Alamo Bowl Unlike the original Alamo, the Cowboys win this one big. Oklahoma State (10-2) vs. Arizona (7-5) San Antonio, Tex. Dec. 29 9:15 p.m. ESPN

Why is the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas? There is nothing about that city that makes me think of the Armed Forces. It seems to me they are preying on our patriotism.  SMU (7-6) vs. Army (6-5)    Dec. 30 Noon ESPN

Pinstripe Bowl Who thought outdoor sports in New York City in December was a good idea? Football at Yankee Stadium has been done. It was boring. So are these teams. Kansas St. (7-5) vs. Syracuse (7-5) Bronx, N.Y. Dec. 30 3:20pm ESPN

Music City Bowl North Carolina disappointed to be 7-5 vs. Tennessee thrilled to be 6-6. Nashville, Tenn. LP Field Dec. 30 6:40pm ESPN

Holiday Bowl Oh, come on now! Hasn’t Washington’s Jake Locker (6-6) suffered enough from his stupid decision to return for his senior year? Nebraska (10-3) romps. San Diego Qualcomm Stadium Dec. 30 10pm ESPN

The Little Caesars Bowl in Detroit pitted Toledo (8-4) vs. Florida International (6-6) on a NFL Sunday the day after Christmas. Could you pick a worse time? Ford Field holds 65,000. The reported (i.e. alleged) attendance was 32,431.

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The Karma Bowl (aka: Independence Bowl) Last year the Georgia Tech (6-6) fans had a good laugh at Georgia for going to the Indy Bowl in Shreveport, La. The tables have turned, Nerds. Air Force (8-4) and GT are both running teams. So this game should be over by 7pm.    Dec. 27 ESPN 5pm

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Finally, some interesting games with worthier teams:

Champs Sports N.C. State (8-4) quarterback Russell Wilson had a breakout year throwing for 3,288 yards and 26 touchdowns. After three losing seasons, things finally seemed to be clicking for coach Tom O’Brien until the Terps lost the season finale to Maryland and the ACC Atlantic division title.  Despite being 9-3, West Virginia has been a bit of a disappointment. They were thought to be a lock for the conference champ in a weak Big East. But a 2-game hiccup in October dashed their hopes of a BCS game. The Mountaineers recently hired a coach-in-waiting, so who will the players listen to? Orlando, Fla. Dec. 28 6:30 p.m. ESPN

Insight I hope these two black & gold teams don’t get mixed up. Missouri (10-2) made some noise earlier in the season by upsetting #1 Oklahoma and going 7-0. Then reality set in with two straight Big XII losses (Nebraska, Texas Tech). Iowa (7-5) and QB Ricky Stanzi did not have the senior season they were hoping for. They hung the only loss on Michigan State this year but lost their last three (Northwestern, Ohio State, Minnesota). Tempe, Ariz. Dec. 28 10 p.m. ESPN

Hey, coach. Which team am I on again?

While waiting for an interesting bowl game to emerge, I got to thinking about Colorado‘s move to the Pac-10. Clearly this is “all about the Benjamins” i.e. money.

Geographically, the Colorado campus is much further from the other eleven Pac-10 conference members than from the Big XII campuses. So, there is no advantage there. Football-wise, overall the Big XII is stronger than the Pac-10, despite Oregon’s BCS Championship Game berth. I am guessing the CU accountants have bigger pull in Boulder than anyone else.

On the Pac-10′s side, they pick up the Denver TV market but little else competition-wise:

• Football – the Buffs have not had a winning season since 2005. They have not had less than 5 losses since 2001 when they went 10-3 and lost the Fiesta Bowl to Oregon 38-26.
• Men’s Basketball – one NCAA tournament appearance since 1997–1998. They have 78 losses the past four seasons (20, 20, 22, 16).
• Baseball – this is odd to me. The Pac-10 is a rich baseball conference. Yet, Colorado has NO baseball team. Also they have no hockey team. Colorado College is a national hockey power.
• Women’s Basketball – no significant accomplishments.
• Other – CU’s greatest successes has been in skiing and cross country. However, U. of Denver has won the last three championships.

The Florida International fans’ dilemma: “Okay, kids. What do you want to do for Christmas this year: go to the beach or go to the Little Caesars Bowl in Detroit? Okay. Don’t forget the suntan oil.” Toledo (8-4) vs. Florida International (6-6) Dec. 26 ESPN 8:30pm

The Karma Bowl (aka: Independence Bowl) Last year the Georgia Tech fans had a good laugh at Georgia fans for going to the Indy Bowl in Shreveport, La. The tables have turned, Nerds. Air Force (8-4) vs. Georgia Tech (6-6) Dec. 27 ESPN 5pm

If the St. Petersburg Bowl was played in Russia instead of Florida, I might be interested. But instead, I think I will get a head start on my taxes. The yard needs raking. Maybe I’ll take a nap. Louisville (6-6) vs. Southern Miss (8-4), Dec. 21 ESPN 8pm.

The Crybaby Bowl (aka: Maaco Las Vegas Bowl) pairs the two biggest BCS complainers in Utah (10-2) and Boise State (11-1). There is only one answer and listen good: PLAY A TOUGHER NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE! Dec. 22 ESPN 8pm.

The Poinsettia Bowl will have an interesting crowd. San Diego State (8-4) is going to their first bowl since 1998 on their home field. However, the USA’s biggest Naval base is also in San Diego. Rest assured there will be some boisterous sailors to cheer on Navy (8-3). Dec. 23 ESPN 8pm.

Hawaii Bowl How fair is it for a team to play a bowl game on their home field? Not very, but if you normally play football in a dust bowl, this is like a dream come true. Hawaii (10-3) vs. Tulsa (9-3), Dec. 24 ESPN 8pm.