High notes
NEW ORLEANS — Managed to cross a couple items off my New Orleans To Do List last night.
While the Lower Ninth Ward and Gentilly sections of New Orleans are still trying to rebuild from the post-Katrina devastation, the pulse of the city remains strong thanks to the bustling Bacchanalian heedlessness of the French Quarter, the quiet beauty of the Garden District, the spice of the city’s cuisine and the dulcet tones of its musicians.
You can't walk 10 steps without hearing jazz music in this town, although there's some variance in the quality. Thankfully, I managed to walk into the right establishment Sunday night.
The Blue Nile, a great club frequented mostly by locals, featured local jazz trumpeter Kermit Ruffins and his wonderfully-named band, the Barbecue Swingers.
They produced a sweaty, rollicking show packed with impressive solos and Creole flavor. Didn't know much about Mr. Ruffins before last night, but I'm now a fan.
A 2001 New York Times article described him as ''an unabashed entertainer who plays trumpet with a bright, silvery tone, sings with off-the-cuff charm and never gets too astruse in his material.''
Don't know what ''astruse'' means, but I'm in agreement with the rest of it.
The real question now is how to spend the night before the Sugar Bowl.
It'll either mean watching the Chik-fil-A Bowl on TV somewhere packed with drunken New Year's Eve revelers or heading to the House of Blues to hear five-time Grammy winner Buddy Guy.
The HOB is asking $88 a ticket for Guy, which might work out to a dollar for every year he's been alive.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
The Big Greasy
NEW ORLEANS — The best part about Georgia and Hawaii conducting closed practices today is that it essentially leaves a sportswriter with a getaway day.
As in: Get away from the computer and the media hotel and go see the city.
Having been to New Orleans a number of times in the past for business (previous Sugar Bowls) and for non-business (getting plastered at Mardi Gras), I have formulated a New Orleans To Do list to be completed between now and the time I leave Wednesday morning.
1. Read the paper over coffee and beignets at Cafe Du Monde.
2. Drive the entire length of St. Charles and stare in wide-eyed wonder at all the mansions I will never be able to afford. Award myself bonus points for identifying the home of author Anne Rice.
3. End the St. Charles tour with a bowl of gumbo and a cold Abita at Cooter Brown's.
4. Walk. A lot. Preferably around the French Quarter.
5. Consume a Moonsoon at the Port O’ Call. Let the tourists from places like Omaha and Dubuque have their hurricanes at Pat O’Brien’s.
6. Lunch at Praline Connection, a creole comfort food haven in the Fauburg Marigny district. Remember to pick up a take home box of their delectable pralines so my wife will forgive me for not having taken her to New Orleans.
7. Listen to jazz at Snug Harbor.
8. Use the hotel gym to work off the beignets, pralines and meals like the one I ate upon arriving in town Saturday. Went to Parasol's in the Garden District and treated myself to a roast beef po boy (with gravy) and an order of their gravy cheese fries.
9. Pray that my arteries haven't constricted since that lunch.
10. Learn the haka, the Polynesian-inspired war chant and dance the Hawaii football team does before its games.
NEW ORLEANS — The best part about Georgia and Hawaii conducting closed practices today is that it essentially leaves a sportswriter with a getaway day.
As in: Get away from the computer and the media hotel and go see the city.
Having been to New Orleans a number of times in the past for business (previous Sugar Bowls) and for non-business (getting plastered at Mardi Gras), I have formulated a New Orleans To Do list to be completed between now and the time I leave Wednesday morning.
1. Read the paper over coffee and beignets at Cafe Du Monde.
2. Drive the entire length of St. Charles and stare in wide-eyed wonder at all the mansions I will never be able to afford. Award myself bonus points for identifying the home of author Anne Rice.
3. End the St. Charles tour with a bowl of gumbo and a cold Abita at Cooter Brown's.
4. Walk. A lot. Preferably around the French Quarter.
5. Consume a Moonsoon at the Port O’ Call. Let the tourists from places like Omaha and Dubuque have their hurricanes at Pat O’Brien’s.
6. Lunch at Praline Connection, a creole comfort food haven in the Fauburg Marigny district. Remember to pick up a take home box of their delectable pralines so my wife will forgive me for not having taken her to New Orleans.
7. Listen to jazz at Snug Harbor.
8. Use the hotel gym to work off the beignets, pralines and meals like the one I ate upon arriving in town Saturday. Went to Parasol's in the Garden District and treated myself to a roast beef po boy (with gravy) and an order of their gravy cheese fries.
9. Pray that my arteries haven't constricted since that lunch.
10. Learn the haka, the Polynesian-inspired war chant and dance the Hawaii football team does before its games.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Forecasting the bowls
Remember when bowl games were viewed as a reward for good college football teams?
These days, you get in simply for passing the breathe on a mirror test. That’s where are now with 32 bowl games cluttering the postseason landscape. This year, seven teams with 6-6 records will play in bowl games. Another three will play despite performances that resulted in their head coaches either being fired or forced to resign. You also have to take into consideration the fact that several of those bowl-eligile 6-6 and 7-5 records were achieved at the expense of Division I-AA cupcakes.
So, in essence, we can have more than half the teams in Division I-A playing in mostly meaningless bowl games but we can’t have an eight-team playoff.
That’s college football, but we still love it anyway. That’s why we’ve taken the trouble of projecting how all 32 bowl games will turn out.
Thursday
Poinsetta Bowl
NAVY (8-4) vs. UTAH (8-4)
Former Navy head coach Paul Johnson recently set up shop at Georgia Tech, but the Midshipmen will remain consistent in their approach. The Midshipmen led all Division I schools in rushing yardage (4,218) and touchdowns (51) this season. Utah, a winner of its last six bowl games, will have a hard time stopping the triple option.
Prediction: Navy 41, Utah 35
Friday
New Orleans bowl
FLORIDA ATLANTIC (7-5) vs. MEMPHIS (7-5)
Central Florida and South Florida rose from the mid-major ranks to become football programs of consequence. It looks as if Florida Atlantic isn’t too far away from doing the same.
Prediction: Florida Atlantic 24, Memphis 20
Saturday
Papajohns.com Bowl
CINCINATI (9-3) vs. SOUTHERN MISS (7-5)
Southern Miss could rally around outgoing head coach Jeff Bower, who issued what amounted to a forced resignation in November after 29 years at the school. Still, Cincinnati possesses a hard-nosed defense and the Big East’s most efficient passer in Ben Mauk (2,787 yards, 27 TDs, 6 INTs).
Prediction: Cincinnati 27, Southern Miss 21
New Mexico Bowl
NEW MEXICO (8-4) vs. NEVADA (6-6)
It must be nice for New Mexico to know that it has its own bowl game to play in if a better offer doesn't come along. The Lobos went 5-1 in Albuquerque this year.
Prediction: New Mexico 31, Nevada 28
Las Vegas Bowl
BYU (10-2) vs. UCLA (6-6)
These teams played each other earlier in the season and it wasn't particularly interesting. Why should we think it will be any different this time?
Prediction: BYU 38, UCLA 23
Sunday
Hawaii Bowl
BOISE STATE (10-3) vs. EAST CAROLINA (7-5)
A 39-27 loss at Hawaii in late-November ended Boise State’s hopes of earning a BCS bowl bid for the second straight year. Quarterback Taylor Tharp and tailback Ian Johnson should ensure a much happier outcome on this return trip.
Prediction: Boise State 34, East Carolina 21
Dec. 26
Motor City Bowl
CENTRAL MICHIGAN (8-5) vs. PURDUE (7-5)
Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour might be one of the best players you’ve never heard of. Purdue will certainly get to know LeFevour, who passes for 3,360 yards and rushed for another 1,008 this season.
Prediction: Central Michigan 28, Purdue 23
Dec. 27
Holiday Bowl
ARIZONA STATE (10-2) vs. TEXAS (9-3)
Defense probably won't be a very high priority for either team. Texas allowed 275.5 passing yards per game this season, which bodes well for Arizona State QB Rudy Carpenter (3,015 pass yards, 23 TDs).
Prediction: Arizona State 36, Texas 31
Dec. 28
Champs Sports Bowl
BOSTON COLLEGE (10-3) vs. MICHIGAN STATE (7-5)
Boston College might have difficulty summoning much motivation since it once thought it was on its way to the Orange Bowl. Even so, the Eagles still have super-productive quarterback Matt Ryan.
Prediction: Boston College 21, Michigan State 13
Texas Bowl
HOUSTON (8-4) vs. TEXAS CHRISTIAN (7-5)
Houston coach Art Briles exited to do the college football equivalent of repeatedly pounding your forehead against a cement wall (ie. coach at Baylor). Texas Christian won its last two games to get bowl-eligible.
Prediction: Houston 24, TCU 19
Emerald Bowl
OREGON STATE (8-4) vs. MARYLAND (6-6)
Maryland beat a pair of top-10 teams this season, but struggled down the stretch.
Prediction: Oregon State 28, Maryland 14
Dec. 29
Meineke Car Care Bowl
CONNECTICUT (9-3) vs. WAKE FOREST (8-4)
Wake Forest head coach Jim Grobe has seemingly been mentioned for every available job vacancy this offseason, and with good reason -- he’s winning at Wake freaking Forest.
Wake Forest was smart to lock him into a 10-year contract extension.
Prediction: Wake Forest 17, UConn 13
Liberty Bowl
MISSISSIPPI STATE (7-5) vs. UCF (10-3)
Mississippi State coach Sylvester Croom was an easy choice for SEC Coach of the Year honors given the turnaround he’s engineered. This could be a surprisingly good bowl matchup with Croom’s physical defense facing UCF tailback Kevin Smith (2,448 yards, 29 touchdowns).
Prediction: UCF 20, Mississippi State 16
Alamo Bowl
TEXAS A&M (7-5) vs. PENN STATE (8-4)
Joe Paterno will coach in his 500th game as the Nittany Lions’ head coach. Gary Darnell will be working his first and only game as Texas A&M’s head coach following Dennis Franchione’s resignation. Advantage JoePa.
Prediction: Penn State 16, Texas A&M 10
Dec. 30
Independence Bowl
ALABAMA (6-6) vs. COLORADO (6-6)
Alabama’s last victory came on Oct. 20 against Tennessee. Since then, the Crimson Tide has been reeling from the suspension of players for improper receipt of textbooks, head coach Nick Saban’s 9-11/Pearl Harbor comments and a sixth straight loss to Auburn. While a strong incoming recruiting class will help down the line, the Tide needs to avoid a losing season to improve perception now.
Prediction: Alabama 17, Colorado 14
Dec. 31
Armed Forces Bowl
AIR FORCE (9-3) vs. CAL (6-6)
Cal appeared to be on course for a major bowl after early victories over Tennessee and Oregon, but lost its way in losing six of its last seven games.
Prediction: Air Force 28, Cal 27
Humanitarian Bowl
FRESNO STATE (8-4) vs. GEORGIA TECH (7-5)
It’s unclear if Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta, the interim coach for the Yellow Jackets in this game, will be asked to remain on incoming coach Paul Johnson’s staff. A shut-down effort by his defense in this game couldn’t hurt his cause.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 19, Fresno State 13
Sun Bowl
SOUTH FLORIDA (9-3) vs. OREGON (8-4)
Both teams were ranked as high as No. 2 in the country before falling back in the pack. Had Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon not torn knee ligaments late in the season, the Ducks might have been playing for the national title.
Prediction: South Florida 23, Oregon 21
Music City Bowl
FLORIDA STATE (7-5) vs. KENTUCKY (7-5)
Florida State offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher has been named the successor-in-waiting for head coach Bobby Bowden should he ever decide to retire. That may or may not be a good thing seeing as how the Seminoles ranked 86th nationally in total offense. The ’Noles may lack more punch than usual since an academic cheating scandal will force some key players to miss this game.
Prediction: Kentucky 21, FSU 17
Insight Bowl
OKLAHOMA STATE (6-6) vs. INDIANA (7-5)
Mike Gundy’s ‘‘I’m a man! I’m 40!’’ rant had such a galvanzing effect on Oklahoma State that the Cowboys actually played their way into bowl eligibility. Consider that one giant step for Mankind.
Prediction: Oklahoma State 27, Indiana 20
Chick-fil-A Bowl
AUBURN (8-4) vs. CLEMSON (9-3)
Auburn owns one of the nation’s best defenses, allowing 298.3 yards and 16.7 points per game. The Tigers will have to be particularly stingy against a Clemson team that features a productive tailback tandem in James Davis and C.J. Spiller.
Prediction: Clemson 20, Auburn 14
Jan. 1
Cotton Bowl
MISSOURI (11-2) vs. ARKANSAS (8-4)
Missouri should be primed to prove a point after being shut out of a BCS bid, but the Tigers will still have a tough time slowing down Arkansas tailback Darren McFadden.
Prediction: Arkansas 28, Missouri 24
Outback Bowl
TENNESSEE (9-4) vs. WISCONSIN (9-3)
Wisconsin tailback P.J. Hill may not play, which would certainly make Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer happy.
Prediction: Tennessee 24, Wisconsin 16
Capital One Bowl
No. 12 FLORIDA (9-3) vs. MICHIGAN (8-4)
Incoming Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez wouldn't mind having a QB like Heisman winner Tim Tebow to run his version of the spread. The Wolverines, who closed the season with consecutive losses, will have trouble dealing with Florida’s team speed.
Prediction: Florida 42, Michigan 20
Gator Bowl
VIRGINIA (9-3) vs. TEXAS TECH (8-4)
Virginia features one of the best defensive linemen in the nation in Chris Long, but Texas Tech’s quick-fire spread offense should neutralize him.
Prediction: Texas Tech 31, Virginia 21
Rose Bowl
USC (10-2) vs. ILLINOIS (9-3)
Fleet-footed Illinois quarterback Juice Williams will have difficulty getting loose against Southern Cal’s fast defense.
Prediction: USC 27, Illinois 17
Sugar Bowl
GEORGIA (10-2) vs. HAWAII (12-0)
Georgia might well be the hottest team in the country, while Hawaii should be steamed that it took it so long to get noticed. Those factors guarantee an entertaining game and a contrast in style. Look for Georgia’s tailback tandem of Knowshon Moreno and Thomas Brown to give the Bulldogs the advantage.
Prediction: Georgia 37, Hawaii 28
Jan. 2
Fiesta Bowl
OKLAHOMA (11-2) vs. WEST VIRGINIA (10-2)
West Virginia might still be reeling from the loss of head coach Rich Rodriguez and its stunning loss to unranked Pittsburgh. In contrast, Oklahoma proved it’s as good as anyone else in the country with a 38-17 thumping of Missouri in the Big 12 title game.
Prediction: Oklahoma 31, West Virgina 24
Jan. 3
Orange Bowl
VIRGINIA TECH (11-2) vs. KANSAS (11-1)
Kansas led the Big 12 in scoring with an average of 44.3 points per game, but the Jayhawks undoubtedly benefited from a soft schedule.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 28, Kansas 24
Jan. 5
International Bowl
RUTGERS vs. BALL STATE
Rutgers coach Greg Schiano briefly flirted with Michigan, but he’s got a good thing going in Jersey. Tailback Ray Rice should run wild against Ball State.
Prediction: Rutgers 34, Ball State 26
Jan. 6
GMAC Bowl
TULSA (9-4) vs. BOWLING GREEN (8-4)
OK, how did this game wind up as the final appetizer before the BCS national championship?
Prediction: Tulsa 41, Bowling Green 34
Jan. 7
BCS National Championship Game
OHIO STATE (11-1) vs. LSU (11-2)
Ohio State has allowed just two rushing touchdowns all season, but a 28-21 home loss to Illinois showed the Buckeyes remain vulnerable to versatile offenses with speedy skill players. Ohio State was exposed as a fraud by Florida in last season’s BCS title game. While the Buckeyes appear more deserving of a title shot this season, they’ll still find themselves at a deficit in the category of team speed.
LSU’s defensive front will be tough too to block while receivers Brandon LaFell and Demetrius Byrd will prove difficult to cover.
Prediction: LSU 31, Ohio State 24
Remember when bowl games were viewed as a reward for good college football teams?
These days, you get in simply for passing the breathe on a mirror test. That’s where are now with 32 bowl games cluttering the postseason landscape. This year, seven teams with 6-6 records will play in bowl games. Another three will play despite performances that resulted in their head coaches either being fired or forced to resign. You also have to take into consideration the fact that several of those bowl-eligile 6-6 and 7-5 records were achieved at the expense of Division I-AA cupcakes.
So, in essence, we can have more than half the teams in Division I-A playing in mostly meaningless bowl games but we can’t have an eight-team playoff.
That’s college football, but we still love it anyway. That’s why we’ve taken the trouble of projecting how all 32 bowl games will turn out.
Thursday
Poinsetta Bowl
NAVY (8-4) vs. UTAH (8-4)
Former Navy head coach Paul Johnson recently set up shop at Georgia Tech, but the Midshipmen will remain consistent in their approach. The Midshipmen led all Division I schools in rushing yardage (4,218) and touchdowns (51) this season. Utah, a winner of its last six bowl games, will have a hard time stopping the triple option.
Prediction: Navy 41, Utah 35
Friday
New Orleans bowl
FLORIDA ATLANTIC (7-5) vs. MEMPHIS (7-5)
Central Florida and South Florida rose from the mid-major ranks to become football programs of consequence. It looks as if Florida Atlantic isn’t too far away from doing the same.
Prediction: Florida Atlantic 24, Memphis 20
Saturday
Papajohns.com Bowl
CINCINATI (9-3) vs. SOUTHERN MISS (7-5)
Southern Miss could rally around outgoing head coach Jeff Bower, who issued what amounted to a forced resignation in November after 29 years at the school. Still, Cincinnati possesses a hard-nosed defense and the Big East’s most efficient passer in Ben Mauk (2,787 yards, 27 TDs, 6 INTs).
Prediction: Cincinnati 27, Southern Miss 21
New Mexico Bowl
NEW MEXICO (8-4) vs. NEVADA (6-6)
It must be nice for New Mexico to know that it has its own bowl game to play in if a better offer doesn't come along. The Lobos went 5-1 in Albuquerque this year.
Prediction: New Mexico 31, Nevada 28
Las Vegas Bowl
BYU (10-2) vs. UCLA (6-6)
These teams played each other earlier in the season and it wasn't particularly interesting. Why should we think it will be any different this time?
Prediction: BYU 38, UCLA 23
Sunday
Hawaii Bowl
BOISE STATE (10-3) vs. EAST CAROLINA (7-5)
A 39-27 loss at Hawaii in late-November ended Boise State’s hopes of earning a BCS bowl bid for the second straight year. Quarterback Taylor Tharp and tailback Ian Johnson should ensure a much happier outcome on this return trip.
Prediction: Boise State 34, East Carolina 21
Dec. 26
Motor City Bowl
CENTRAL MICHIGAN (8-5) vs. PURDUE (7-5)
Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour might be one of the best players you’ve never heard of. Purdue will certainly get to know LeFevour, who passes for 3,360 yards and rushed for another 1,008 this season.
Prediction: Central Michigan 28, Purdue 23
Dec. 27
Holiday Bowl
ARIZONA STATE (10-2) vs. TEXAS (9-3)
Defense probably won't be a very high priority for either team. Texas allowed 275.5 passing yards per game this season, which bodes well for Arizona State QB Rudy Carpenter (3,015 pass yards, 23 TDs).
Prediction: Arizona State 36, Texas 31
Dec. 28
Champs Sports Bowl
BOSTON COLLEGE (10-3) vs. MICHIGAN STATE (7-5)
Boston College might have difficulty summoning much motivation since it once thought it was on its way to the Orange Bowl. Even so, the Eagles still have super-productive quarterback Matt Ryan.
Prediction: Boston College 21, Michigan State 13
Texas Bowl
HOUSTON (8-4) vs. TEXAS CHRISTIAN (7-5)
Houston coach Art Briles exited to do the college football equivalent of repeatedly pounding your forehead against a cement wall (ie. coach at Baylor). Texas Christian won its last two games to get bowl-eligible.
Prediction: Houston 24, TCU 19
Emerald Bowl
OREGON STATE (8-4) vs. MARYLAND (6-6)
Maryland beat a pair of top-10 teams this season, but struggled down the stretch.
Prediction: Oregon State 28, Maryland 14
Dec. 29
Meineke Car Care Bowl
CONNECTICUT (9-3) vs. WAKE FOREST (8-4)
Wake Forest head coach Jim Grobe has seemingly been mentioned for every available job vacancy this offseason, and with good reason -- he’s winning at Wake freaking Forest.
Wake Forest was smart to lock him into a 10-year contract extension.
Prediction: Wake Forest 17, UConn 13
Liberty Bowl
MISSISSIPPI STATE (7-5) vs. UCF (10-3)
Mississippi State coach Sylvester Croom was an easy choice for SEC Coach of the Year honors given the turnaround he’s engineered. This could be a surprisingly good bowl matchup with Croom’s physical defense facing UCF tailback Kevin Smith (2,448 yards, 29 touchdowns).
Prediction: UCF 20, Mississippi State 16
Alamo Bowl
TEXAS A&M (7-5) vs. PENN STATE (8-4)
Joe Paterno will coach in his 500th game as the Nittany Lions’ head coach. Gary Darnell will be working his first and only game as Texas A&M’s head coach following Dennis Franchione’s resignation. Advantage JoePa.
Prediction: Penn State 16, Texas A&M 10
Dec. 30
Independence Bowl
ALABAMA (6-6) vs. COLORADO (6-6)
Alabama’s last victory came on Oct. 20 against Tennessee. Since then, the Crimson Tide has been reeling from the suspension of players for improper receipt of textbooks, head coach Nick Saban’s 9-11/Pearl Harbor comments and a sixth straight loss to Auburn. While a strong incoming recruiting class will help down the line, the Tide needs to avoid a losing season to improve perception now.
Prediction: Alabama 17, Colorado 14
Dec. 31
Armed Forces Bowl
AIR FORCE (9-3) vs. CAL (6-6)
Cal appeared to be on course for a major bowl after early victories over Tennessee and Oregon, but lost its way in losing six of its last seven games.
Prediction: Air Force 28, Cal 27
Humanitarian Bowl
FRESNO STATE (8-4) vs. GEORGIA TECH (7-5)
It’s unclear if Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta, the interim coach for the Yellow Jackets in this game, will be asked to remain on incoming coach Paul Johnson’s staff. A shut-down effort by his defense in this game couldn’t hurt his cause.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 19, Fresno State 13
Sun Bowl
SOUTH FLORIDA (9-3) vs. OREGON (8-4)
Both teams were ranked as high as No. 2 in the country before falling back in the pack. Had Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon not torn knee ligaments late in the season, the Ducks might have been playing for the national title.
Prediction: South Florida 23, Oregon 21
Music City Bowl
FLORIDA STATE (7-5) vs. KENTUCKY (7-5)
Florida State offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher has been named the successor-in-waiting for head coach Bobby Bowden should he ever decide to retire. That may or may not be a good thing seeing as how the Seminoles ranked 86th nationally in total offense. The ’Noles may lack more punch than usual since an academic cheating scandal will force some key players to miss this game.
Prediction: Kentucky 21, FSU 17
Insight Bowl
OKLAHOMA STATE (6-6) vs. INDIANA (7-5)
Mike Gundy’s ‘‘I’m a man! I’m 40!’’ rant had such a galvanzing effect on Oklahoma State that the Cowboys actually played their way into bowl eligibility. Consider that one giant step for Mankind.
Prediction: Oklahoma State 27, Indiana 20
Chick-fil-A Bowl
AUBURN (8-4) vs. CLEMSON (9-3)
Auburn owns one of the nation’s best defenses, allowing 298.3 yards and 16.7 points per game. The Tigers will have to be particularly stingy against a Clemson team that features a productive tailback tandem in James Davis and C.J. Spiller.
Prediction: Clemson 20, Auburn 14
Jan. 1
Cotton Bowl
MISSOURI (11-2) vs. ARKANSAS (8-4)
Missouri should be primed to prove a point after being shut out of a BCS bid, but the Tigers will still have a tough time slowing down Arkansas tailback Darren McFadden.
Prediction: Arkansas 28, Missouri 24
Outback Bowl
TENNESSEE (9-4) vs. WISCONSIN (9-3)
Wisconsin tailback P.J. Hill may not play, which would certainly make Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer happy.
Prediction: Tennessee 24, Wisconsin 16
Capital One Bowl
No. 12 FLORIDA (9-3) vs. MICHIGAN (8-4)
Incoming Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez wouldn't mind having a QB like Heisman winner Tim Tebow to run his version of the spread. The Wolverines, who closed the season with consecutive losses, will have trouble dealing with Florida’s team speed.
Prediction: Florida 42, Michigan 20
Gator Bowl
VIRGINIA (9-3) vs. TEXAS TECH (8-4)
Virginia features one of the best defensive linemen in the nation in Chris Long, but Texas Tech’s quick-fire spread offense should neutralize him.
Prediction: Texas Tech 31, Virginia 21
Rose Bowl
USC (10-2) vs. ILLINOIS (9-3)
Fleet-footed Illinois quarterback Juice Williams will have difficulty getting loose against Southern Cal’s fast defense.
Prediction: USC 27, Illinois 17
Sugar Bowl
GEORGIA (10-2) vs. HAWAII (12-0)
Georgia might well be the hottest team in the country, while Hawaii should be steamed that it took it so long to get noticed. Those factors guarantee an entertaining game and a contrast in style. Look for Georgia’s tailback tandem of Knowshon Moreno and Thomas Brown to give the Bulldogs the advantage.
Prediction: Georgia 37, Hawaii 28
Jan. 2
Fiesta Bowl
OKLAHOMA (11-2) vs. WEST VIRGINIA (10-2)
West Virginia might still be reeling from the loss of head coach Rich Rodriguez and its stunning loss to unranked Pittsburgh. In contrast, Oklahoma proved it’s as good as anyone else in the country with a 38-17 thumping of Missouri in the Big 12 title game.
Prediction: Oklahoma 31, West Virgina 24
Jan. 3
Orange Bowl
VIRGINIA TECH (11-2) vs. KANSAS (11-1)
Kansas led the Big 12 in scoring with an average of 44.3 points per game, but the Jayhawks undoubtedly benefited from a soft schedule.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 28, Kansas 24
Jan. 5
International Bowl
RUTGERS vs. BALL STATE
Rutgers coach Greg Schiano briefly flirted with Michigan, but he’s got a good thing going in Jersey. Tailback Ray Rice should run wild against Ball State.
Prediction: Rutgers 34, Ball State 26
Jan. 6
GMAC Bowl
TULSA (9-4) vs. BOWLING GREEN (8-4)
OK, how did this game wind up as the final appetizer before the BCS national championship?
Prediction: Tulsa 41, Bowling Green 34
Jan. 7
BCS National Championship Game
OHIO STATE (11-1) vs. LSU (11-2)
Ohio State has allowed just two rushing touchdowns all season, but a 28-21 home loss to Illinois showed the Buckeyes remain vulnerable to versatile offenses with speedy skill players. Ohio State was exposed as a fraud by Florida in last season’s BCS title game. While the Buckeyes appear more deserving of a title shot this season, they’ll still find themselves at a deficit in the category of team speed.
LSU’s defensive front will be tough too to block while receivers Brandon LaFell and Demetrius Byrd will prove difficult to cover.
Prediction: LSU 31, Ohio State 24
Saturday, December 08, 2007
What’s next for Vick, Falcons?
Anybody out there interested in owning the former home of Bad Newz Kennels?
The 15-acre estate and 4,600-square foot home owned by Michael Vick will be auctioned off next Saturday in Surry, Va., according to the Newport News Daily Press. Just show up at 1915 Moonlight Road at Noon, but don’t forget the $10,000 deposit required of all potential buyers or a letter of credit from a reputable bank.
The home, appraised at $750,000, features a media room, wet bar, large bedrooms and a backyard full of doghouses and kennels. Rape stands and pry bars are sold separately.
The status of the property that housed a dogfighting operation for nearly six years won’t be the only issue settled soon. Come Monday, Vick will be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Henry Hudson for his role in the illegal enterprise.
Hudson’s decision will determine far more than Vick’s immediate future.
It will also force the Atlanta Falcons to make a decision about their own.
Vick is under indefinite suspension by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, which has prevented the Falcons from cutting ties to their embattled quarterback. Federal prosecutors recommended a sentence for 12 to 18 months for Vick, who entered a guilty plea in August, but Hudson is not required to adhere to their suggestions. He could impose a sentence of up to five years if he sees fit.
Hudson’s treatment of the co-defendants in the case, Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips, may indicate that he’s leaning toward something a little stiffer than the federal sentencing proposal. Peace received an 18-month sentence, while Phillips will serve 21 months. Hudson, a dog owner, called their actions ‘‘very callous and cruel.’’
While Vick lacks a previous criminal record, he owned the property and provided the bankroll for the activities that took place there.
When Vick entered his guilty plea in August, Hudson informed him that he couldn't count on leniency.
‘‘You're taking your chances here,’’ Hudson told him.
If Vick serves a sentence on the low end of the federal guideline, there remains a possibility that he could eventually resume an NFL career. That’s assuming Goodell lifts his suspension down the line and that an NFL team would be willing to take a chance on him.
It’s doubtful the Falcons will gamble on a Vick resurrection even though a significant number of their season ticketholders would likely welcome him back. They are a franchise in disarray at the moment, saddled with a 3-9 record heading into Monday night’s home game against New Orleans. When they take the field in the Georgia Dome on Monday, they will do so with their third different starting quarterback this season in former third-stringer Chris Redman.
Joey Harrington and Byron Leftwich have flopped, although the team’s troubles transcend one position.
There are problems on the offensive and defensive fronts and there’s an overall lack of quality depth.
The one bright spot for the Falcons is the possibility of prime draft position if the misery continues. While winless Miami will almost certainly have the No. 1 pick locked up, the Falcons could land the second or third overall pick.
Reckon they’ll take a quarterback?
Anybody out there interested in owning the former home of Bad Newz Kennels?
The 15-acre estate and 4,600-square foot home owned by Michael Vick will be auctioned off next Saturday in Surry, Va., according to the Newport News Daily Press. Just show up at 1915 Moonlight Road at Noon, but don’t forget the $10,000 deposit required of all potential buyers or a letter of credit from a reputable bank.
The home, appraised at $750,000, features a media room, wet bar, large bedrooms and a backyard full of doghouses and kennels. Rape stands and pry bars are sold separately.
The status of the property that housed a dogfighting operation for nearly six years won’t be the only issue settled soon. Come Monday, Vick will be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Henry Hudson for his role in the illegal enterprise.
Hudson’s decision will determine far more than Vick’s immediate future.
It will also force the Atlanta Falcons to make a decision about their own.
Vick is under indefinite suspension by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, which has prevented the Falcons from cutting ties to their embattled quarterback. Federal prosecutors recommended a sentence for 12 to 18 months for Vick, who entered a guilty plea in August, but Hudson is not required to adhere to their suggestions. He could impose a sentence of up to five years if he sees fit.
Hudson’s treatment of the co-defendants in the case, Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips, may indicate that he’s leaning toward something a little stiffer than the federal sentencing proposal. Peace received an 18-month sentence, while Phillips will serve 21 months. Hudson, a dog owner, called their actions ‘‘very callous and cruel.’’
While Vick lacks a previous criminal record, he owned the property and provided the bankroll for the activities that took place there.
When Vick entered his guilty plea in August, Hudson informed him that he couldn't count on leniency.
‘‘You're taking your chances here,’’ Hudson told him.
If Vick serves a sentence on the low end of the federal guideline, there remains a possibility that he could eventually resume an NFL career. That’s assuming Goodell lifts his suspension down the line and that an NFL team would be willing to take a chance on him.
It’s doubtful the Falcons will gamble on a Vick resurrection even though a significant number of their season ticketholders would likely welcome him back. They are a franchise in disarray at the moment, saddled with a 3-9 record heading into Monday night’s home game against New Orleans. When they take the field in the Georgia Dome on Monday, they will do so with their third different starting quarterback this season in former third-stringer Chris Redman.
Joey Harrington and Byron Leftwich have flopped, although the team’s troubles transcend one position.
There are problems on the offensive and defensive fronts and there’s an overall lack of quality depth.
The one bright spot for the Falcons is the possibility of prime draft position if the misery continues. While winless Miami will almost certainly have the No. 1 pick locked up, the Falcons could land the second or third overall pick.
Reckon they’ll take a quarterback?
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Coach Watch 2007
After a week of silence fueled speculation that he might be testing the job market, Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville finally made an emphatic statement about his intentions Tuesday night.
In agreeing to a two-year contract extension, a $200,000-per-year pay raise and a buyout of $4 million for the final four years of the contract, Tuberville finally acted like a man who intends to stay put.
Tuberville said he neither received contact nor expressed interest in openings at Arkansas and Texas A&M, although some overzealous media reports had him accepting the Razorbacks’ head coaching job last week. His uncharacteristic silence even motivated a handful of reporters to stake out the Opelika-Auburn airport in an attempt to catch him on his return from a hunting trip to Arkansas, but Tuberville dodged the welcoming party.
Tuberville could easily have put an end to an unnecessarily volatile situation by making one statement: I'm not interested in any other jobs and plan to remain at Auburn.
Instead, he maintained silence until after LSU coach Les Miles announced he wouldn‘t be interviewing for the Michigan job. It’s worth wondering if that, rather than undying love for Auburn, prompted Tuberville to turn his attention to the contract Auburn put on the table.
His coy behavior cloak gave rivals ample material to use on the recruiting trail. Ultimately, it may have also eroded some of his support base at Auburn.
Fans and boosters don‘t like to be jerked around.
* Tuberville wasn’t the only coach who may have used Arkansas’ job opening as negotiating leverage. Clemson’s Tommy Bowden accepted a raise and contract extension from his school after the Razorbacks came calling.
Bowden’s bow-out leaves Michigan defensive coordinator Ron English and Tulsa offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn as the most prominent candidates.
Yes, that’s the same Gus Malzahn who clashed with former head coach Houston Nutt while working as Arkansas’ offensive coordinator for one season.
* Georgia Tech still doesn’t have a head coach in place, but that could change soon.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Navy head coach Paul Johnson was in town to interview for the opening on Wednesday.
Tech officials would be wise to make an offer.
Johnson, who owns a 107-39 record in 11 years as a head coach, specializes in turnarounds. He inherited a 1-10 Navy program in 2001 and built a 10-2 team from such rubble in 2004.
Georgia Tech would offer far better raw material with which to work.
As for concerns about Johnson’s preferences for an option-based offense, look around college football.
Several prominent programs succeed with a spread-based version of the option.
They can’t all possibly be wrong.
After a week of silence fueled speculation that he might be testing the job market, Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville finally made an emphatic statement about his intentions Tuesday night.
In agreeing to a two-year contract extension, a $200,000-per-year pay raise and a buyout of $4 million for the final four years of the contract, Tuberville finally acted like a man who intends to stay put.
Tuberville said he neither received contact nor expressed interest in openings at Arkansas and Texas A&M, although some overzealous media reports had him accepting the Razorbacks’ head coaching job last week. His uncharacteristic silence even motivated a handful of reporters to stake out the Opelika-Auburn airport in an attempt to catch him on his return from a hunting trip to Arkansas, but Tuberville dodged the welcoming party.
Tuberville could easily have put an end to an unnecessarily volatile situation by making one statement: I'm not interested in any other jobs and plan to remain at Auburn.
Instead, he maintained silence until after LSU coach Les Miles announced he wouldn‘t be interviewing for the Michigan job. It’s worth wondering if that, rather than undying love for Auburn, prompted Tuberville to turn his attention to the contract Auburn put on the table.
His coy behavior cloak gave rivals ample material to use on the recruiting trail. Ultimately, it may have also eroded some of his support base at Auburn.
Fans and boosters don‘t like to be jerked around.
* Tuberville wasn’t the only coach who may have used Arkansas’ job opening as negotiating leverage. Clemson’s Tommy Bowden accepted a raise and contract extension from his school after the Razorbacks came calling.
Bowden’s bow-out leaves Michigan defensive coordinator Ron English and Tulsa offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn as the most prominent candidates.
Yes, that’s the same Gus Malzahn who clashed with former head coach Houston Nutt while working as Arkansas’ offensive coordinator for one season.
* Georgia Tech still doesn’t have a head coach in place, but that could change soon.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Navy head coach Paul Johnson was in town to interview for the opening on Wednesday.
Tech officials would be wise to make an offer.
Johnson, who owns a 107-39 record in 11 years as a head coach, specializes in turnarounds. He inherited a 1-10 Navy program in 2001 and built a 10-2 team from such rubble in 2004.
Georgia Tech would offer far better raw material with which to work.
As for concerns about Johnson’s preferences for an option-based offense, look around college football.
Several prominent programs succeed with a spread-based version of the option.
They can’t all possibly be wrong.
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