No More Spin Sports

Remaining Bracket picks

2011-03-17T12:01:00.000-04:00

~~Currently these only show first round picks.~~ These images ~~will be gradually updated between now and tipoff of the first game around noon on Thursday~~ show all of the picks. Teams I've projected to win are in boldface

horrible court design

2011-03-16T00:01:00.000-04:00

Judge for yourself.

Bracket Picks: Play-in/"First Four" games

2011-03-15T19:32:00.000-04:00

W- Picked winner

Will add rest of bracket on Wednesday/Thursday.

I Hate Trophy Presentations

2011-01-23T22:23:00.000-05:00

So, the Steelers-Jets AFC championship game ended around 9:50 PM. The CBS feed then goes back tothe studio for a few minutes of postgame commentary. Then the feed switches back to Pittsburgh for the AFC championship trophy presentation. Then CBS shows an interview with the losing head coach, Jets head coach Rex Ryan. A couple more minutes of unnecessary postgame commentary in the studio. Finally, CBS goes back to regular programming at 10:14 PM. Thus pushing the show that was to start at 10:00 14 minutes later. Thank you CBS, for an utter waste of time. And thanks to the NFL, for your absolutely pointless ceremony inventing self-aggrandizement.

A.J. Green Sold a Jersey. Big Deal.

2010-09-09T20:00:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, the NCAA announced that Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver A.J. would face a suspension of four games due to NCAA rules violations. Specifically:

Green sold the jersey he wore in last season’s Independence Bowl for $1,000, according to the facts of the case stipulated by Georgia.

...

The NCAA did not name the individual who bought the jersey from Green but said the person meets the organization’s definition of an agent -– “any individual who markets or promotes a student-athlete.” That put Green in violation of the NCAA rule against receiving benefits from agents.

Selling a jersey to a non-agent also would violate NCAA rules, which prohibit student-athletes from receiving money for memorabilia.

Green was held out of Georgia's opening game last week pending the results of the NCAA investigation. Therefore, he has already served 1 of the 4-game suspension and has three games left. Unsurprisingly, Georgia will appeal the suspension of its most prominent current player. Even though the appeal is unlikely to succeed.

But, in my book, this story isn't outrageous in the least. I don't really see what Green did wrong. The reason I hold this opinion is the structure of football in this country. Athletes aspiring to become professional football players must spend three years playing in college as an amateur before being allowed to be drafted by a professional NFL team. There is no choice in the matter. These athletes are forced to be amateurs through no choice of their own.

A common argument is that college athletes are compensated with a free college education. That's absolutely true and such college scholarships are of significant value. However, a professional football contract may often be of greater value. The individual athletes should be allowed to make their own decisions on which option they view as more valuable. Until the system is changed to allow personal career decisions, there is nothing morally wrong about violating NCAA regulations regarding player compensation.

The system is an illegitimate limitation against personal freedom and therefore deserves no respect nor obedience. Such regulations deserve to be ignored and violated without any qualms, misgivings, or compunction of any sort. There is no reason to feel any guilt after doing no wrong.

Green is neither a hero nor a villain, he's simply a person using his skills and talents as a means to make money. It is what every paid employee in the United States rightfully does every day.

65 + 31 = Insanity

2010-03-31T17:37:00.007-04:00

"Hey, don't you know it's a waste of your day / caught up in endless solutions" -- A Life of Illusion, Joe Walsh

This quote basically sums up my opinion on proposed expansion of the NCAA Men's Division I basketball tournament. It seems likely that the tournament will expand from 65 to 96 teams. let me count the ways I hate this idea.

The tournament already allows for the inclusion of 34 at-large teams, it usually incorporates the top 40-45 teams would you account for conference tournament champions. There already is a large enough avenue for teams to get in. If they can't avail themselves of these opportunities I'm sure they can find a mirror to yell at. Currently the top 10% get into the tournament. This tournament should be about the best teams and conference champions. It should not be simply an equivalent of a participation badge for the above-mediocre. We don't need to add the Not Invited Tournament (known in an alternate universe as the NIT) to the NCAA tournament.

But, of course the only purpose of an expansion is an expansion of revenue stream. Anyone who tells you differently is a liar or a delusional. The NCAA assumes that more games equals more money. They're probably right. But that doesn't mean an expansion of the tournament will make the tournament better. It's kind of like adding ice to a drink. At first, it seems like a good idea because it makes the drink cold. However, after a while all it does is water it down.

It's kind of hilarious to me that the latest news regarding tournament expansion comes from a USA Today interview with Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delaney [NMS-- correct spelling = Delany; but you're not getting any apologies (I'm childish)]. This from a man who is against a playoff in big-time college football. What a ridiculous dichotomy.

If the tournament does expand, here is what should happen. Coaches like Seth Greenberg Virginia Tech who always try to electioneer their bubble teams into the tournament should get a little karma. All of these coaches who basically push for expansion deserve to have terrible seasons if there is expansion. If there is any karma in the world, next year Virginia Tech will not be good enough to get in even to an expanded 96 team field. It may sound harsh, but if there is to be expansion, teams like Virginia Tech deserve to go 11-19-ish and have their coaches fired. If you're going to ruin it, at least make it a little fun.

Here is a line Nancy Reagan and Dylan Thomas can get behind. Just Say No to an expanded tournament, and Rage, Rage against the Dying of the Light that is the sanity of the current format.

Here's a slogan: 65+0 Or Fight!

Week 6 College Football predictions

2009-10-10T12:00:00.000-04:00

Week 5 College Football predictions

2009-10-01T19:21:00.002-04:00

Week 4 College Football results

2009-09-27T14:38:00.007-04:00

Correct predictions are in green, incorrect predictions are in red.

Week 4 College Football Predictions

2009-09-26T12:00:00.003-04:00

Week 3 College Football Predictions

2009-09-17T19:13:00.004-04:00

Predictions are in bold.

Thursday September 17

Georgia Tech @ Miami (Fl)

Friday September 18

Boise State @ Fresno State

Saturday September 19

Louisville @ Kentucky
E Michigan @ Michigan
California @ Minnesota
East Carolina @ North Carolina
Temple @ Penn State
Boston College @ Clemson
Ball State @ Army
Duke @ Kansas
N Illinois @ Purdue
Ohio State vs. Toledo (in Cleveland)
North Texas @ Alabama
Wyoming @ Colorado
Tennessee @ Florida
Michigan State @ Notre Dame
Mid Tennessee State @ Maryland
Tulsa @ Oklahoma
Nebraska @ Virginia Tech
USC @ Washington
Indiana @ Akron
Utah @ Oregon
Virginia @ Southern Miss
UAB @ Troy
Arizona @ Iowa
Nevada @ Colorado State
San Diego State @ Idaho
Connecticut @ Baylor
SMU @ Washington State
Navy @ Pittsburgh
Elon @ Wake Forest
Cincinnati @ Oregon State
Louisiana Lafayette @ LSU
Northwestern @ Syracuse
Rice @ Oklahoma State
Mississippi State @ Vanderbilt
Utah State @ Texas A&M
Florida State @ BYU
Bowling Green @ Marshall
Iowa State @ Kent State
Miami (Ohio) @ W Michigan
Air Force @ New Mexico
Buffalo @ C Florida
West Virginia @ Auburn
Georgia @ Arkansas
Texas Tech @ Texas
San Jose State @ Stanford
Kansas State @ UCLA
Hawaii @ UNLV

Week 2 College Football Predictions

2009-09-12T11:15:00.000-04:00

Predictions are in bold.

Thursday September 10

Clemson @ Georgia Tech

Friday September 11

Colorado @ Toledo

Saturday September 12

Duke @ Army
Pittsburgh @ Buffalo
North Carolina @ Connecticut
Troy @ Florida
W Michigan @ Indiana
Iowa @ Iowa State
C Michigan @ Michigan State
E Michigan @ Northwestern
Syracuse @ Penn State
Stanford @ Wake Forest
Fresno State @ Wisconsin
Marshall @ Virginia Tech
Arkansas State @ Nebraska
Notre Dame @ Michigan
Louisiana Tech @ Navy
Houston @ Oklahoma State
Howard @ Rutgers
BYU @ Tulane
TCU @ Virginia
Idaho @ Washington
East Carolina @ West Virginia
Texas @ Wyoming
UCLA @ Tennessee
SMU @ UAB
Weber State @ Colorado State
E Washington @ California
James Madison @ Maryland
Florida Int'l @ Alabama
Mississippi State @ Auburn
New Hampshire @ Ball State
South Carolina @ Georgia
Illinois State @ Illinois
Kansas State @ Louisiana-Lafayette
Vanderbilt @ LSU
Memphis @ Mid Tennessee State
Air Force @ Minnesota
Bowling Green @ Missouri
Ohio @ North Texas
C Florida @ S Mississippi
Hawaii @ Washington State
W Illinois @ N Illinois
Kansas @ UTEP
S Florida @ W Kentucky
Miami (OH) @ Boise State
Tulsa @ New Mexico
USC @ Ohio State
S Utah @ San Diego State
Purdue @ Oregon
Utah @ San Jose State
Oregon State @ UNLV

Week 1 College Football Results

2009-09-10T17:59:00.003-04:00

Predictions are in bold.

Saturday September 5

Appalachian State @ East Carolina ECU 29 ASU 24
Northern Iowa @ Iowa UI 17 UNI 16
Kentucky vs. Miami (OH) UK 42 MU 0
Navy @ Ohio State OSU 31 NA 27
Akron @ Penn State PSU 31 UA 7
Toledo @ Purdue PU 52 UT 31
Minnesota @ Syracuse UM 23 SU 20
W Kentucky @ Tennessee UT 63 WK 7
Youngstown St. @ Pittsburgh UP 38 YSU 3
Weber State @ Wyoming UW 29 WSU 22
Missouri vs. Illinois UM 37 UI 9
W Michigan @ Michigan UM 31 WMU 7
Nevada @ Notre Dame ND 35 UNR 0
Georgia @ Oklahoma State OSU 24 UGA 10
San Jose St. @ USC USC 56 SJSU 3
Baylor @ Wake Forest BU 24 WFU 21
Rice @ UAB UAB 44 RU 24
S Illinois @ Marshall MU 31 SIU 28
Mid Tennessee St. @ Clemson CU 37 MTSU 14
Stanford @ Washington State SU 39 WSU 13
Louisiana Tech @ Auburn AU 37 LT 13
Richmond @ Duke UR 24 DU 17
Army @ E Michigan USMA 27 EMU 14
UMass @ Kansas State KSU 21 UM 17
Florida Atlantic @ Nebraska UN 49 FAU 3
UConn @ Ohio UC 23 OU 16
BYU vs. Oklahoma BYU 14 OU 13
Louisiana-Monroe @ Texas UT 59 ULM 20
New Mexico @ Texas A&M A&M 41 UNM 6
N Illinois @ Wisconsin UW 28 NIU 20
San Diego St. @ UCLA UCLA 33 SD 14
Alabama vs. Virginia Tech UA 34 VT 24
C Michigan @ Arizona UA 19 CMU 6
Buffalo @ UTEP UB 23 UTEP 17
Maryland @ California UCB 52 UM 13
LSU @ Washington LSU 31 UW 23

Sunday September 6

Ole Miss @ Memphis MS 45 UM 14
Colorado State @ Colorado CSU 23 CU 17

Monday September 7

Cincinnati @ Rutgers UC 47 RU 15
Miami (FL) @ Florida State UM 38 FSU 34

Week 1 Results: 27-13 (67.5%)

Week 1 College Football predictions

2009-09-05T11:40:00.000-04:00

Predictions are in bold.

Saturday September 5

Appalachian State @ East Carolina
Northern Iowa @ Iowa
Kentucky vs. Miami (OH) (in Cincinnati)
Navy @ Ohio State
Akron @ Penn State
Toledo @ Purdue
Minnesota @ Syracuse
W Kentucky @ Tennessee
Youngstown St. @ Pittsburgh
Weber State @ Wyoming
Missouri vs. Illinois (in St. Louis)
W Michigan @ Michigan
Nevada @ Notre Dame
Georgia @ Oklahoma State
San Jose St. @ USC
Baylor @ Wake Forest
Rice @ UAB
S Illinois @ Marshall
Mid Tennessee St. @ Clemson
Stanford @ Washington State
Louisiana Tech @ Auburn
Richmond @ Duke
Army @ E Michigan
UMass @ Kansas State
Florida Atlantic @ Nebraska
UConn @ Ohio
BYU vs. Oklahoma (in Dallas)
Louisiana-Monroe @ Texas
New Mexico @ Texas A&M
N Illinois @ Wisconsin
San Diego St. @ UCLA
Alabama vs. Virginia Tech (in Atlanta)
C Michigan @ Arizona
Buffalo @ UTEP
Maryland @ California
LSU @ Washington

Sunday September 6

Ole Miss @ Memphis
Colorado State @ Colorado

Monday September 7

Cincinnati @ Rutgers
Miami (FL) @ Florida State

Hullabaloo in Houston: Javier Aguirre needs to be suspended

2009-07-10T18:35:00.000-04:00

Last night's Gold Cup soccer game between Mexico and Panama ended in a 1-1 tie in Houston. What was more newsworthy was the ridiculous antics of Mexico coach Javier Aguirre. Watch this video below, and tell me if you don't think FIFA needs to suspend Aguirre.

Enough Of the Tim Wakefield Lovefest Already

2009-07-09T17:15:00.000-04:00

After the debacle in Milwaukee, Bud Selig turned the All-Star game into an exhibition game with delusions of greater self-importance. A good example of this ridiculous charade comes in the person of Tim Wakefield.

Many in the sports media (including the All-Star selection show on TBS) have mentioned how much a great story the inclusion of Tim Wakefield on the American League roster is. What always gets mentioned is that he is at the top of the American League in wins. What never seems to get mentioned is that his ERA is only slightly above average.

Let's look at his stats.

11-3, 4.31, 61 K/37 BB, 108 2/3 IP (6.4 per start), 8 HR allowed.

Is that really All-Star worthy?

Let's see how many players I can name with better stats than Wakefield (AL with 80+ IP).
The 4 stats are W-L, ERA, GS, & IP. I don't see wins or losses as important, they are merely consequences of circumstance. But I'm including them so I don't get complaints from leaving those useless stats out.

Josh Beckett (10-3, 3.62, 17, 112)
Nick Blackburn (7-4, 2.94, 17, 116.1)
Mark Buehrle (9-2, 3.14, 17, 114.2)
Matt Garza (6-6, 3.70, 17, 109.1)
Zack Greinke (10-5, 2.12, 18, 127.1)
Roy Halladay (10-3, 2.85, 17, 123)
Felix Hernandez (8-3, 2.62, 17, 116.2)
Edwin Jackson (6-4, 2.59, 17, 114.2)
Cliff Lee (4-8, 3.45, 18, 120)
Kevin Millwood (8-6, 3.34, 18, 124)
CC Sabathia (8-5, 3.70, 18, 121.2)
James Shields (6-6, 3.38, 18, 122.2)
Justin Verlander (9-4, 3.59, 18, 115.1)
Jered Weaver (9-3, 3.15, 17, 114.1)

And that's just the pitchers with more innings pitched than Wakefield. And there are 7 with less innings than him that are also more deserving of a spot on the American League All-Star roster. I have nothing against Wakefield personally, but he does not deserve to be on the American League All-Star team.

Apparently this one counts only for sentimentality. And yes, I'm talking to you Joe Maddon if it was your decision to put him on the team.

National Championship Prediction

2009-01-08T19:40:00.000-05:00

Unlike last year, I'm actually going to watch the game this year. Both teams have great offenses, but the difference in the game will be the defenses. Oklahoma played in an offense-heavy conference, so the strength of their defense is not 100% relatable to their defense statistics. However, the gap between Florida's defensive numbers and Oklahoma's defensive numbers can not be excused to do to the offense-heavy Big 12 that Oklahoma played in. And that is the reason that I'm going to predict Florida as the winner of this game. Florida will give up points, but in the end will be able to score more points on the Oklahoma defense than Oklahoma can score on Florida's. As with all of my predictions, I could be completely and utterly wrong.

Fiesta Bowl Prediction

2009-01-05T19:47:00.000-05:00

Prediction is in bold.

Fiesta Bowl (Glendale, Arizona)
Ohio State vs. Texas: Aren't we lucky, another meaningless BCS exhibition game. Ohio State started the season with national championship hopes, but had those dashed when they were destroyed by USC earlier in the season. Texas didn't enter the season with such expectations but ended it disappointed after being left out of the Big 12 Championship Game and therefore the National Championship hunt. I'm going to take Texas in this game because of their offense. Ohio State has a good defense but won't be able to stop the Texas offense. Texas will give up points but not enough to lose the game.

Bowl Predictions 1/3

2009-01-03T11:36:00.001-05:00

Bowl predictions so far: 15-15

Predictions are in bold. Games listed in order of start time.

Saturday January 3

International Bowl (Toronto)
Connecticut vs. Buffalo: Both teams are new to bowls, Buffalo is making its first appearance in a bowl and Connecticut is making its third. Buffalo has gotten to this point by playing in several games decided by three points or less. The Bulls also have a very good turnover margin. However, I think Buffalo's luck is going to change in this game. Buffalo gives up more than 400 yards a game and Connecticut will take advantage of that. Connecticut running back Donald Brown should run all over the Bulls leading to a Huskies victory.

Bowl Predictions 1/2

2009-01-02T11:47:00.000-05:00

Bowl predictions so far: 15-12

Predictions are in bold. Games listed in order of start time.

Friday January 2

Cotton Bowl (Dallas)
Ole Miss vs. Texas Tech: This will be the last Cotton Bowl played in the Cotton Bowl (the game moves to the new Dallas Cowboys stadium next year). Ole Miss has a good defense, giving up less than 300 yards a game. They are most stout at run defense, which isn't that helpful against Texas Tech. The Rebels' pass defense is not nearly as strong, and they give up more passing yards than their opponents average. Tech's defense is not horrible but they do give up more than a few points and yards. Ole Miss will score but won't be able to keep up with Texas Tech. Texas Tech will win its first Cotton Bowl.

Liberty Bowl (Memphis)
East Carolina vs. Kentucky: East Carolina comes into this game off of a somewhat surprise victory over Tulsa, while Kentucky limped into this game with a three-game losing streak and a loss to Tennessee. Kentucky's offense has been anemic with the exception of the loss to Georgia. Backup quarterback Randall Cobb had given the team an offensive spark, but he won't be able to play in this game. Kentucky has a good defense, as does East Carolina. East Carolina's offense is nothing special, but has not struggled as much as Kentucky has this season. This game should be low-scoring, but I'm going to take East Carolina because I think their offense has a better chance of scoring than Kentucky's.

Sugar Bowl (New Orleans)
Utah vs. Alabama: This is the first BCS bowl for Alabama since 2000, when Shaun Alexander was on the team. Utah is looking to repeat previous BCS bowl success. Alabama has won games this season with a combination of a powerful rushing offense and one of the best defenses in the nation. The Alabama rushing offense won't be at 100%, as Andre Smith (a major part of the Alabama offensive line) is suspended for the game. Utah has a good defense although it is certainly not as good as Alabama. The Utes have an above average offense that will be severely tested by the Alabama defense. Utah has faced TCU, which also has one of the best defenses in the nation, and that experience should help them in this game against Alabama. However, I just think the Alabama defense is going to be too much for Utah. Alabama will win by a field goal.

Bowl predictions 1/1

2009-01-01T00:01:00.001-05:00

Bowl prediction so far: 10-11. Well, yesterday was absolutely horrible. I was completely shut out, 0-4.

Predictions are in bold. Games listed in order of start time.

Thursday January 1

Outback Bowl (Tampa)
Iowa vs. South Carolina: Both teams have good defenses and middling offenses. The two teams finish their season going in opposite directions, South Carolina lost two in a row (although one was to Florida) while Iowa won three in a row including a victory over Penn State. This is a fairly even match up, but I'm going to take Iowa because I think they have the better offense. The margin of victory should be only about three points or so.

Capital One Bowl (Orlando)
Michigan State vs. Georgia: This is a matchup of two third-place finishers in their respective conferences. Michigan State probably went a little bit above expectations for their season, while Georgia definitely finished below expectations. Both defenses have been exposed at times, although neither defense is absolutely dreadful. Michigan State has been carried all year by their running back who accounts for more than 95% of their rushing yards. He has been kept to low yardage numbers against good teams however. I'm taking Georgia because I think their offense will eventually overpower Michigan State's defense. Georgia should win by double digits.

Gator Bowl (Jacksonville)
Clemson vs. Nebraska: Clemson is better than they were during their three game losing streak in the middle of the season while Nebraska has been consistently the same sort of team. Nebraska beat who they should have and lost to the teams that were better than them. Nebraska probably has the best offense that Clemson will face all season. Nebraska's offense will show up against Clemson and should score more than a few points. But I'm going to take Clemson based on the way they finished their season.

Rose Bowl (Pasadena)
Penn State vs. USC: Easily the best game of the day. This is arguably a matchup of the nation's top 2 defenses (USC clearly has the best defense in the country, and Penn State is statistically in the top five). The offense for both teams are pretty good as well. But, based on the defenses this game could easily have less than 40 total points scored in the game. I think it'll be very close, but USC will win by a field goal.

Orange Bowl (Miami)
Cincinnati vs. Virginia Tech: Virginia Tech's defense has been on fire at the end of their season. They also have a running back that has begun to assert himself. Their offense still has problems so there won't be any shock and awe in this game for the Hokies. Both defenses give up less than their opponents average on offense. The offenses of the game are slightly above average but there really isn't an edge between either team in this regard. However, I have more faith in Virginia Tech's defense and special teams so I'm going to pick them.

Bowl Predictions 12/31

2008-12-31T12:00:00.001-05:00

Bowl predictions so far: 10-7

Predictions are in bold. Games listed in order of start time.

Wednesday December 31

Armed Forces Bowl (Fort Worth)
Air Force vs. Houston: This is a matchup between a top-five rushing team and a top-five passing team. Both teams are going to put up a lot of points, any defenses stops will be significant. Based on that logic, I'm taking Air Force because they have a little bit better defense than Houston. The final score should be in the 30s at the least.

Sun Bowl (El Paso)
Pittsburgh vs. Oregon State: Oregon State is without its two most explosive offensive weapons, the Rogers Brothers. Without these two players, Oregon State is a completely different team with a much less powerful offense. And in their last game, they were completely destroyed by Oregon's rushing offense. Pittsburgh has one of the best running backs in the country, something that will cause problems for Oregon State. So, I'm taking Pittsburgh.

Music City Bowl (Nashville)
Boston College vs. Vanderbilt: This game won't be high-scoring as both teams have good defenses. Boston College's offense is slightly above adequate while Vanderbilt's is absolutely atrocious. Vanderbilt will be lucky to score more than 10 points. Vanderbilt's defense will keep them in the game into the second half, but they won't have the offense to stay in it in the fourth quarter.

Insight Bowl (Tempe, Arizona)
Minnesota vs. Kansas: Kansas has faced several of the nation's best offenses this year, and has the stats to reflect that. They also have a good passing attack. At the end of the season, Minnesota's defense got exposed. Look for that trend to continue as Kansas will put up at least five touchdowns.

Chick-Fil-A Bowl (Atlanta)
LSU vs. Georgia Tech: This is a matchup of two teams going in opposite directions. LSU started the season ranked in the top 10, and finished the season with a battered defense and a losing streak. Georgia Tech started unranked with little expectation, and finished the season with two straight victories in which their rushing offense absolutely exploded. I expect that to continue as Georgia Tech will run all over LSU in the Georgia Dome.

Bowl Predictions 12/30

2008-12-30T16:02:00.000-05:00

Bowl predictions so far: 9-5

Predictions are in bold. Games listed in order of start time.

Tuesday December 30

Humanitarian Bowl (Boise)
Maryland vs. Nevada: This is a matchup of two very different teams. Maryland doesn't win games by putting up lots of yards and points, something that is very characteristic of Nevada. Maryland seems to be fairly disappointed in their bowl game, and don't look too happy about it. I'm going to pick Nevada for two reasons. First, Maryland doesn't want to be there. Second, combine Nevada's above average high powered offense with Maryland's middle of the road defense. Nevada will give up points, but should win the game based on their offense.

Holiday Bowl (San Diego)
Oklahoma State vs. Oregon: Both teams have top 10 rushing offenses and give up significant yards on defense. Both are especially susceptible in their pass defenses. Neither team has any edge in rush defense, so the only area I can find a difference is in pass offense. Oklahoma State has been better at passing offense than Oregon. So based on that, I'm taking Oklahoma State. It should be close and high-scoring.

Texas Bowl (Houston)
Western Michigan vs. Rice: This essentially worked out as a home game at a different stadium for Rice. Rice scores a lot of points on offense and gives up a lot of points on defense. Both have good passing attacks, but Rice probably is a notch or two above that of Western Michigan. Combine that with the location of the game, and I'm going to take Rice.

Bowl picks 12/29

2008-12-29T12:50:00.000-05:00

Bowl predictions so far: 7-5

Predictions are in bold. Games listed in order of start time.

Monday December 29

Papajohns.com Bowl
Rutgers vs. NC State: Both teams had terrible starts to their seasons, and turned it around with significant winning streaks to end their season. Each team has a blowout win over a good team on its record. I'm going to take Rutgers in this game for two reasons. First, they were more impressive in the way they finished their season than NC State. Secondly, look at the defenses. NC State gives up nearly 390 yards a game, significantly more than opposing offenses average. They are especially weak in the area of pass defense, an area in which Rutgers has excelled this season. On the other hand, Rutgers has a good defense up against the slightly above average offense of NC State. Rutgers should put up at least 30 points. But it will be a blowout.

Alamo Bowl
Northwestern vs. Missouri: Northwestern is anything but unhappy with its nine win season, while Missouri views their season as a clear disappointment. Both teams struggled with the tougher games on their schedules. Missouri's defense got significantly destroyed in three of their four losses. Northwestern was soundly beaten by Ohio State and Michigan State, easily the two best teams on their schedule. Despite Northwestern having good defensive statistics, they did not play well against teams with good offenses (Ohio State and Michigan State). Put that together with Missouri's offense, and you have a recipe for a problem. Northwestern also does not have the offense to keep up with Missouri, and therefore will lose by double digits.

Bowl Picks 12/28

2008-12-28T20:01:00.001-05:00

Bowl predictions so far: 7-4

Predictions Are in Bold.

Sunday December 28

Independence Bowl (Shreveport, LA)
Northern Illinois vs. Louisiana Tech: Neither team has a significant win, unless you count Louisiana Tech beating Fresno State (which I don't). I'm picking Northern Illinois because Louisiana Tech has been a shaky team, Exhibit A: they lost to Army.

Bowl picks 12/26-27

2008-12-26T19:30:00.001-05:00

After seven bowl games, I'm 4-3 in my bowl predictions.

Predictions are in bold. Games listed in order of start time. Stats via National Championship Issue, unless noted otherwise.

Friday December 26

Motor City Bowl (Detroit)
Florida Atlantic vs. Central Michigan: Can't you just feel the excitement for this game? This is an example of how the bowl structure is a sham good for college football. Both teams give up a lot of yards and points, neither defense will win any awards. But the difference is in the offense. Florida Atlantic is just slightly a bit above mediocre. FAU averages 25.2 points a game, well under the average that their opponents give up. They average 391.5 yards a game, which is just barely above the average their opponents give up. On the other hand, Central Michigan scores significantly above the average their opponents give up and racks up more yards than their opponents average. Based on that, I'm taking Central Michigan and Dan LeFevour.

Saturday December 27

Meineke Car Care Bowl (Charlotte)
West Virginia vs. North Carolina: North Carolina comes into this game after a rough end to their season, see: 41-10 loss to NC State. West Virginia lost two of its last four games as well, but both were close losses to good teams. North Carolina has had trouble with its offense all season. West Virginia has seen somewhat of a drop in its offensive ability, but still has a solid rush offense. Additionally, North Carolina has been below average on defense. This game should be close, but look for West Virginia to win by 7-10 points.

Champs Sports Bowl (Orlando)
Wisconsin vs. Florida State: Wisconsin comes into this game after nearly losing to 1-AA Cal Poly, something I'm sure they want to forget about. Florida State finished the season with a blowout loss to Florida, but Florida did that to a lot of teams. Wisconsin might have the better offense, but Florida State only gives up 291 yards a game. Because of Florida State's defense, I'm taking the Seminoles.

Emerald Bowl (San Francisco)
Miami (FL) vs. California: Miami did not look good in its last two games, losing both. On the other hand, California ended its season with two convincing victories over Stanford (who aren't terrible) and Washington (who are terrible). Miami also has a number of players suspended. Both teams have good defenses, so neither team has an edge there. California has the better offense, an area in which Miami struggled. Miami will keep it close with their defense, but in the end California will win the game based on its rushing offense.

Bowl Picks 12/23-24

2008-12-23T19:49:00.002-05:00

Predictions in bold. Games listed in order of start time.

December 23 2008

Poinsettia Bowl
Boise State vs. TCU: I'm sure you've heard it by now, this is the best non-BCS bowl this season. You'll find no disagreement from me. TCU gets most of the hype for its defense, but Boise State's defense averages under 300 yards allowed /per game as well. I don't predict this to be a major shootout, but it should be in the upper 20s. Whichever team's defense plays better will determine the winner. In the end, I like TCU's defense just a tad more than Boise State.

December 24 2008

Hawaii Bowl
Notre Dame at Hawaii: I know this technically is a bowl game, but it's somewhat of a home game for Hawaii. Neither team is very good, needless to say. With the disappointing end to Notre Dame's season, a let down would surprise no one. Even though Hawaii has less talent than Notre Dame, this will be a very close game. In the end, I guess I'm picking Notre Dame (notice the lack of confidence).

Bowl season predictions so far: 2-3

Bowl Picks 12/20-21

2008-12-20T11:00:00.000-05:00

Predictions in bold. Games listed in order of start time.

Saturday December 20

Eaglebank Bowl (Washington, DC)
Wake Forest vs. Navy: This is a rematch of a game played earlier in the season in which Navy beat Wake Forest by causing numerous turnovers. The keys to this game are simple: Wake has to avoid turnovers at all costs. The game will hinge on whether Wake can stop Navy's rush offense. If not, they obviously lose. In my opinion, the rematch is a rerun of the regular season game.

New Mexico Bowl (Albuquerque)
Colorado State vs. Fresno State: Neither team has beaten anyone of any significance (Fresno beat Rutgers early in the season, but there's no way they would repeat that against a resurgent Rutgers team). And both teams lost by large margins to the good teams they faced. Additionally, Fresno is disappointed in a lackluster 7-5 season. Colorado State's season is nowhere near that sort of disappointment, and they also played in the tougher Mountain West Conference. So, I give a slight edge to Colorado State.

St. Petersburg Bowl (Florida)
Memphis vs. South Florida: Memphis has a horrendous defense, and this is basically a home game for South Florida. I wouldn't expect this to be close, South Florida should roll.

Las Vegas Bowl
BYU vs. Arizona: Easily the best matchup of the day. After starting the season on a hot start, BYU cooled off a bit. However, they still have a very good offense that will put up points. And Arizona is in its first bowl game this century (since 1998). BYU's pass defense is quite a bit shaky, so Arizona should be able to put up points as well. This will be a shootout, but I think Max Hall at quarterback for BYU gives them the edge.

Sunday December 21

New Orleans Bowl
Southern Miss vs. Troy: I'm taking Troy because Southern Miss is not good at all. Southern Miss barely got into a bowl with a victory over SMU, something 11 other teams did as well. I don't think it will be a blowout, but this victory won't be that hard for Troy.

Week 15 College Football Results

2008-12-07T12:20:00.000-05:00

Predictions are in bold. Games listed in order of start time. Correct prediction = green score, incorrect prediction = red score.

Thursday December 4

Louisville at Rutgers RU 63 UL 14

Friday December 5

Ball State vs. Buffalo UB 42 BSU 24

Saturday December 6

Navy vs. Army Navy 34 Army 0
Pittsburgh at Connecticut UP 34 UC 10
East Carolina at Tulsa ECU 27 TU 24
Boston College vs. Virginia Tech VT 30 BC 12
Washington at California UCB 48 UW 7
Alabama vs. Florida UF 31 UA 20
USC at UCLA USC 28 UCLA 7
Arkansas State at Troy TU 35 ASU 9
Arizona State at Arizona UA 31 ASU 10
Missouri vs. Oklahoma OU 62 UM 21
South Florida at West Virginia WVU 13 USF 7
Cincinnati at Hawaii UC 29 UHH 24

FCS Playoffs

Richmond at Appalachian State UR 33 ASU 13
Weber State at Montana UM 24 WSU 13
Villanova at James Madison JMU 31 VU 27
New Hampshire at Northern Iowa UNI 36 UNH 34

Week 15 Results: 13-5
Season Results: 361-143 (71.6%)

Week 15 College Football Picks

2008-12-04T19:29:00.001-05:00

(Updated: 7:09 PM 12/5) Predictions are in bold. Games listed in order of start time. Saturday predictions will be posted on Friday.

Thursday December 4

Louisville at Rutgers

Friday December 5

Ball State vs. Buffalo (MAC Championship) (Detroit)

Saturday December 6

Navy vs. Army (Philadelphia)
Pittsburgh at Connecticut
East Carolina at Tulsa (C-USA Championship)
Boston College vs. Virginia Tech (ACC Championship) (Tampa)
Washington at California
Alabama vs. Florida (SEC Championship) (Atlanta)
USC at UCLA
Arkansas State at Troy
Arizona State at Arizona
Missouri vs. Oklahoma (Big 12 Championship) (Kansas City)
South Florida at West Virginia
Cincinnati at Hawaii

FCS Playoffs

Richmond at Appalachian State
Weber State at Montana
Villanova at James Madison
New Hampshire at Northern Iowa

Bowl Watch 11/30/08

2008-11-30T13:12:00.001-05:00

At the end of every week of the rest of the college football season, I will post a list of the teams that have reached bowl eligibility.

Bowl Slots by Conference: ACC (9), SEC (9), Big 12 (8), Big 10 (7), Pac-10 (7), Big East (6), CUSA (6), Independents (1), Mtn West (4), MAC (3), WAC (3), Sun Belt (1). BCS At-Large (4)

# of Teams Eliminated from Bowl Contention: 44
# of Teams Still Able to Become Bowl Eligible: 3/119

#of teams that have clinched or received a bowl bid: 4
Bowl Eligible Teams/Bowl Slots Available: 67/64
Bowl Eligible Teams with Six Wins: 11/67

Teams with 7+ wins have preference in the bowl selection process. This is true both with conference tie-ins and at large selections. A bowl that is contracted with a conference is required to take a school with 7+ wins if such a team has not yet been selected for a bowl. Additionally, if a bowl (for whatever reason) has a bowl bid that is an at-large it must choose a team with 7+ wins if such a team is still available to be selected.

*Teams Listed in Order of Conference Standings

ACC (9 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)

Atlantic Division
Boston College (9-3) (Atlantic Division Champion)
Florida State (8-4)
Maryland (7-5)
Wake Forest (7-5)
Clemson (7-5)
NC State (6-6)

Coastal Division
Virginia Tech (8-4) (Coastal Division Champion)
Georgia Tech (9-3)
North Carolina (8-4)
Miami (FL) (7-5)

Big 12 (8 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)

South Division
Oklahoma (11-1)
Texas (11-1)
Texas Tech (11-1)
Oklahoma State (9-3)

North Division
Missouri (9-3) (Division Champion)
Nebraska (8-4)
Kansas (7-5)

Big 10 (7 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)
Penn State (11-1) (clinched Rose Bowl bid)
Ohio State (10-2)
Michigan State (9-3)
Northwestern (9-3)
Iowa (8-4)
Wisconsin (7-5)
Minnesota (7-5)

Big East* (6 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)
Cincinnati (10-2) (clinched BCS bowl bid)
Pittsburgh (8-3)
West Virginia (7-4)
Rutgers (6-5)
Connecticut (7-4)
South Florida (7-4)
Notre Dame (6-6)

C-USA (6 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)

West Division
Tulsa (10-2) (Division Champion)
Rice (9-3)
Houston (7-5)

East Division
East Carolina (8-4) (Division Champion)
Memphis (6-6)
Southern Miss (6-6)

Independents
Navy (7-4) (clinched EagleBank Bowl bid)

MAC (3 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)

East Division
Buffalo (7-5) (Division Champion)
Bowling Green (6-6)

West Division
Ball State (12-0) (Division Champion)
Central Michigan (8-4)
Western Michigan (9-3)
Northern Illinois (6-6)

Mtn West (4 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)
Utah (12-0)
TCU (10-2)
BYU (10-2)
Air Force (8-4)
Colorado State (6-6)

Pac-10 (7 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)
USC (10-1)
Oregon (9-3)
Oregon State (8-4)
California (7-4)
Arizona (6-5)

SEC (9 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)

East Division
Florida (11-1) (Division Champion)
Georgia (9-3)
Vanderbilt (6-6)
South Carolina (7-5)
Kentucky (6-6)

West Division
Alabama (12-0) (Division Champion)
Ole Miss (8-4)
LSU (7-5)

Sun Belt (1 Bowl Slot Guaranteed)
Troy (7-4)
Arkansas State (6-5)

WAC (3 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)
Boise State (12-0)
Hawaii (7-5) (clinched Hawaii Bowl bid)
Nevada (7-5)
Louisiana Tech (7-5)
Fresno State (7-5)
San Jose State (6-6)

*Notre Dame is considered a Big East team for the bowl selection process.

Week 14 College Football Results

2008-11-30T11:50:00.000-05:00

Predictions are in bold. Games listed in order of start time. Correct prediction = green score, incorrect prediction = red score.

Tuesday November 25

Western Michigan at Ball State BSU 45 WMU 22
Navy at Northern Illinois USNA 16 NIU 0

Thursday November 27

Texas A&M at Texas UT 49 A&M 9

Friday November 28

Central Michigan at Eastern Michigan EMU 56 CMU 52
West Virginia at Pittsburgh UP 19 WVU 15
Mississippi State at Ole Miss UM 45 MSU 0
UTEP at East Carolina ECU 53 UTEP 21
Kent State at Buffalo KSU 24 UB 21
LSU at Arkansas UA 31 LSU 30
Colorado at Nebraska UN 40 CU 31
Fresno State at Boise State BSU 61 FSU 10
UCLA at Arizona State ASU 34 UCLA 9

Saturday November 27

Syracuse at Cincinnati UC 30 SU 10
South Carolina at Clemson CU 31 SC 14
Georgia Tech at Georgia GT 45 UGA 42
Miami (FL) at NC State NCSU 38 UM 28
Virginia at Virginia Tech VT 17 UVA 14
Kansas at Missouri KU 40 UM 37
Arkansas State at North Texas ASU 33 NT 28
Nevada at Louisiana Tech UNR 35 LT 31
Southern Miss at SMU USM 28 SMU 12
Auburn at Alabama AL 36 AU 0
Maryland at Boston College BC 28 UMD 21
North Carolina at Duke UNC 28 DU 20
Florida at Florida State UF 45 FSU 15
Tulsa at Marshall UT 38 MU 35
Tulane at Memphis UM 45 TU 6
Houston at Rice RU 56 UH 42
Baylor at Texas Tech TT 35 BU 28
Florida Int'l at Florida Atlantic FAU 57 FIU 50 (OT)
Kentucky at Tennessee UT 28 UK 10
Oregon at Oregon State UO 65 OSU 38
Vanderbilt at Wake Forest WF 23 VU 10
Oklahoma at Oklahoma State OU 61 OSU 41
Notre Dame at USC USC 38 ND 3
Washington State at Hawaii UHH 24 WSU 10

Week 14 Results: 24-12
Season Results: 348-138 (71.6%)

Week 14 College Football Picks

2008-11-25T18:01:00.002-05:00

(Updated: 11/29 9:46 AM) Predictions are in bold. Games listed in order of start time. This post will be updated with predictions for the Friday games on Thanksgiving. And the Saturday games will have their predictions posted on Friday.

Tuesday November 25

Western Michigan at Ball State
Navy at Northern Illinois

Thursday November 27

Texas A&M at Texas

Friday November 28

Central Michigan at Eastern Michigan
West Virginia at Pittsburgh
Mississippi State at Ole Miss
UTEP at East Carolina
Kent State at Buffalo
LSU at Arkansas
Colorado at Nebraska
Fresno State at Boise State
UCLA at Arizona State

Saturday November 27

Syracuse at Cincinnati
South Carolina at Clemson
Georgia Tech at Georgia
Miami (FL) at NC State
Virginia at Virginia Tech
Kansas at Missouri
Arkansas State at North Texas
Nevada at Louisiana Tech
Southern Miss at SMU
Auburn at Alabama
Maryland at Boston College
North Carolina at Duke
Florida at Florida State
Tulsa at Marshall
Tulane at Memphis
Houston at Rice
Baylor at Texas Tech
Florida Int'l at Florida Atlantic
Kentucky at Tennessee
Oregon at Oregon State
Vanderbilt at Wake Forest
Oklahoma at Oklahoma State
Notre Dame at USC
Washington State at Hawaii

Bowl Watch 11/23/08

2008-11-23T12:54:00.000-05:00

At the end of every week of the rest of the college football season, I will post a list of the teams that have reached bowl eligibility.

Bowl Slots by Conference: ACC (9), SEC (9), Big 12 (8), Big 10 (7), Pac-10 (7), Big East (6), CUSA (6), Mtn West (4), MAC (3), WAC (3), Sun Belt (1).

That leaves 5 bowl slots after all the conference tie-ins have been accounted for for. 1 of the remaining bowl slots is allocated to Navy (if bowl-eligible) in the EagleBank Bowl in Washington, DC on December 20. The remaining 4 are BCS bowl slots. There are 6 conferences with automatic BCS bowl berths that go to the conference champion. Since there are 5 BCS bowls (including the national championship game), there are 4 remaining bowl slots.

# of Teams Eliminated from Bowl Contention: 38
# of Teams Still Able to Become Bowl Eligible: 18/119

Bowl Slots Taken/Bowl Slots Available: 63/68
Bowl Eligible Teams with Six Wins: 13/63

*Teams Listed in Order of Conference Standings

ACC (9 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)

Atlantic Division
Florida State (8-3)
Boston College (8-3)
Maryland (7-4)
Wake Forest (6-5)

Coastal Division
Georgia Tech (8-3)
Miami (FL) (7-4)
Virginia Tech (7-4)
North Carolina (7-4)

Big 12 (8 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)

South Division
Texas (10-1)
Oklahoma (10-1)
Texas Tech (10-1)
Oklahoma State (9-2)

North Division
Missouri (9-2)
Nebraska (7-4)
Kansas (6-5)

Big 10 (7 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)
Penn State (11-1)
Ohio State (10-2)
Michigan State (9-3)
Northwestern (9-3)
Iowa (8-4)
Wisconsin (7-5)
Minnesota (7-5)

Big East* (6 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)
Cincinnati (9-2)
West Virginia (7-3)
Rutgers (6-5)
Connecticut (7-3)
Pittsburgh (7-3)
South Florida (6-4)
Notre Dame (6-5)

C-USA (6 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)

West Division
Houston (7-4)
Tulsa (9-2)
Rice (8-3)

East Division
East Carolina (7-4)

Independents
Navy (6-4) (Because Navy is bowl eligible, they are at least guaranteed a bid in the EagleBank Bowl in Washington, DC)

MAC (3 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)

East Division
Buffalo (7-4)

West Division
Ball State (11-0)
Central Michigan (8-3)
Western Michigan (9-2)
Northern Illi if nois (6-5)

Mtn West (4 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)
Utah (12-0)
TCU (10-2)
BYU (10-2)
Air Force (8-4)
Colorado State (6-6)

Pac-10 (7 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)
Oregon State (8-3)
USC (9-1)
Oregon (8-3)
California (7-4)
Arizona (6-5)

SEC (9 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)

East Division
Florida (10-1)
Georgia (9-2)
Vanderbilt (6-5)
South Carolina (7-4)
Kentucky (6-5)

West Division
Alabama (11-0)
Ole Miss (7-4)
LSU (7-4)

Sun Belt (1 Bowl Slot Guaranteed)
Troy (7-4)

WAC (3 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)
Boise State (11-0)
Louisiana Tech (7-4)
Nevada (6-5)
Fresno State (7-4)
San Jose State (6-6)

*Notre Dame is considered a Big East team for the bowl selection process.

Week 13 College Football Results

2008-11-23T11:22:00.000-05:00

Predictions are in bold. Games listed in order of start time. Correct prediction = green score, incorrect projection = red score.

Wednesday November 19

Ball State at Central Michigan BSU 31 CMU 24

Thursday November 20

Miami (FL) at Georgia Tech GT 41 UM 23

Friday November 21

Buffalo at Bowling Green UB 40 BGSU 34 (OT)
Fresno State at San Jose State FSU 24 SJSU 10

Saturday November 22

West Virginia at Louisville WVU 35 UL 21
NC State at North Carolina NCSU 41 UNC 10
Michigan at Ohio State OSU 42 UM 7
Army at Rutgers RU 30 USMA 3
Clemson at Virginia CU 13 UVA 3
Tennessee at Vanderbilt UT 20 VU 10
Colorado State at Wyoming CSU 31 UW 20
Arkansas at Mississippi State MSU 31 UA 28
Syracuse at Notre Dame SU 24 ND 23
Florida Atlantic at Arkansas State ASU 28 FAU 14
Tulane at Tulsa TLSA 56 TULN 7
Washington at Washington State WSU 16 UW 13 (OT)
Stanford at California UCB 37 ST 16
UTEP at Houston UH 42 UTEP 37
Iowa State at Kansas State KSU 38 ISU 30
Ole Miss at LSU UM 31 LSU 13
Illinois at Northwestern NW 27 UI 10
Akron at Ohio OU 49 UA 42
Michigan State at Penn State PSU 49 MSU 18
Marshall at Rice RU 35 MU 10
Air Force at TCU TCU 44 AFA 10
Boston College at Wake Forest BC 24 WF 21
Louisiana Tech at New Mexico State LT 35 NMSU 31
Boise State at Nevada BSU 41 UNR 34
Duke at Virginia Tech VT 14 DU 3
BYU at Utah UT 48 BYU 24
Oregon State at Arizona OSU 19 UA 17
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati UC 28 UP 21
Iowa at Minnesota IU 55 UM 0
Louisiana-Lafayette at Troy TU 48 ULL 3
Florida State at Maryland FSU 37 UM 3
Texas Tech at Oklahoma OU 65 TT 21
UNLV at San Diego State SDSU 42 UNLV 21

Week 13 Results: 23-14
Season Results: 324-126 (72.0%)

Week 13 College Football Picks

2008-11-21T19:04:00.000-05:00

Predictions are in bold. Games listed in order of start time. Predictions will be posted for Thursday games on Thursday, and Friday/Saturday games on Friday.

Wednesday November 19

Ball State at Central Michigan

Thursday November 20

Miami (FL) at Georgia Tech

Friday November 21

Buffalo at Bowling Green
Fresno State at San Jose State

Saturday November 22

West Virginia at Louisville
NC State at North Carolina
Michigan at Ohio State
Army at Rutgers
Clemson at Virginia
Tennessee at Vanderbilt
Colorado State at Wyoming
Arkansas at Mississippi State
Syracuse at Notre Dame
Florida Atlantic at Arkansas State
Tulane at Tulsa
Washington at Washington State
Stanford at California
UTEP at Houston
Iowa State at Kansas State
Ole Miss at LSU
Illinois at Northwestern
Akron at Ohio
Michigan State at Penn State
Marshall at Rice
Air Force at TCU
Boston College at Wake Forest
Louisiana Tech at New Mexico State
Boise State at Nevada
Duke at Virginia Tech
BYU at Utah
Oregon State at Arizona
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
Iowa at Minnesota
Louisiana-Lafayette at Troy
Florida State at Maryland
Texas Tech at Oklahoma
UNLV at San Diego State

Bowl Watch 11/16/08

2008-11-16T12:58:00.002-05:00

At the end of every week of the rest of the college football season, I will post a list of the teams that have reached bowl eligibility.

Bowl Slots by Conference: ACC (9), SEC (9), Big 12 (8), Big 10 (7), Pac-10 (7), Big East (6), CUSA (6), Mtn West (4), MAC (3), WAC (3), Sun Belt (1).

That leaves 5 bowl slots after all the conference tie-ins have been accounted for for. 1 of the remaining bowl slots is allocated to Navy (if bowl-eligible) in the EagleBank Bowl in Washington, DC on December 20. The remaining 4 are BCS bowl slots. There are 6 conferences with automatic BCS bowl berths that go to the conference champion. Since there are 5 BCS bowls (including the national championship game), there are 4 remaining bowl slots.

# of Teams Eliminated from Bowl Contention: 32
# of Teams Still Able to Become Bowl Eligible: 32/119

Bowl Slots Taken/Bowl Slots Available: 55/68

*Teams Listed in Order of Conference Standings

ACC (9 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)
Maryland (7-3)
Miami (7-3)
Georgia Tech (7-3)
Wake Forest (6-4)
Florida State (7-3)
Boston College (7-3)
North Carolina (7-3)
Virginia Tech (6-3)

Big 12 (8 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)
Texas Tech (10-0)
Texas (10-1)
Oklahoma (9-1)
Oklahoma State (9-2)
Missouri (9-2)
Nebraska (7-4)
Kansas (6-5)

Big 10 (7 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)
Penn State (10-1)
Ohio State (9-2)
Michigan State (9-2)
Northwestern (8-3)
Iowa (7-4)
Minnesota (7-4)
Wisconsin (6-5)

Big East* (6 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)
Cincinnati (8-2)
Pittsburgh (7-2)
West Virginia (6-3)
Connecticut (7-3)
South Florida (6-4)
Notre Dame (6-4)

C-USA (6 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)
Houston (6-4)
Tulsa (8-2)
Rice (7-3)
East Carolina (6-4)

Independents
Navy (6-4) (Because Navy is bowl eligible, they are at least guaranteed a bid in the EagleBank Bowl in Washington, DC)

MAC (3 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)
Ball State (10-0)
Central Michigan (8-2)
Western Michigan (9-2)
Buffalo (6-4)

Mtn West (4 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)
Utah (11-0)
TCU (9-2)
BYU (10-1)
Air Force (8-3)

Pac-10 (7 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)
Oregon State (7-3)
USC (9-1)
Oregon (8-3)
Arizona (6-4)
California (6-4)

SEC (9 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)
Alabama (11-0)
Florida (9-1)
Georgia (9-2)
LSU (7-3)
Vanderbilt (6-4)
Ole Miss (6-4)
South Carolina (7-4)
Kentucky (6-5)

Sun Belt (1 Bowl Slot Guaranteed)
Troy (6-4)

WAC (3 Bowl Slots Guaranteed)
Boise State (10-0)
Louisiana Tech (6-4)
Nevada (6-4)
San Jose State (6-5)
Fresno State (6-4)

*Notre Dame is considered a Big East team for the bowl selection process.

Week 12 College Football Results

2008-11-16T11:41:00.000-05:00

Predictions are in bold. Games listed in order of start time, earliest to latest. Correct prediction = green score, incorrect prediction = red score.

Friday November 14

Cincinnati at Louisville UC 28 UL 20

Saturday November 15

Duke at Clemson CU 31 DU 7
Ohio State at Illinois OSU 30 UI 20
Purdue at Iowa UI 22 PU 17
Northwestern at Michigan NW 21 UM 14
Notre Dame vs. Navy ND 27 USNA 21
Indiana at Penn State PSU 34 IU 7
Rutgers at South Florida RU 49 USF 16
Georgia at Auburn UGA 17 AU 13
Texas at Kansas UT 35 KU 7
Toledo at Western Michigan WMU 27 UT 17
East Carolina at Southern Miss SM 21 ECU 3
BYU at Air Force BYU 38 AFA 24
South Carolina at Florida UF 56 SC 6
Nebraska at Kansas State UN 56 KSU 28
North Carolina at Maryland UMD 17 UNC 15
Wake Forest at NC State NCSU 21 WF 17
California at Oregon State OSU 34 UCB 21
Minnesota at Wisconsin UW 35 UM 32
Texas A&M at Baylor BU 41 A&M 21
San Jose State at Nevada UNR 41 SJSU 17
Boise State at Idaho BSU 45 UI 10
Washington State at Arizona State ASU 31 WSU 0
Arizona at Oregon UO 55 UA 45
Missouri at Iowa State UM 52 ISU 20
USC at Stanford USC 45 ST 23
Connecticut at Syracuse UC 39 SYR 14
Mississippi State at Alabama UA 32 MSU 7
Oklahoma State at Colorado OSU 30 CU 17
Boston College at Florida State BC 27 FSU 17
Tulsa at Houston UH 70 TU 30
Vanderbilt at Kentucky VU 31 KU 24
Troy at LSU LSU 40 TU 31
Utah at San Diego State UT 63 SDSU 14
UCLA at Washington UCLA 27 UW 7

Week 12 Results: 27-8
Season Results: 301-112 (72.9%)

Week 12 College Football Picks

2008-11-14T18:08:00.000-05:00

Predictions are in bold. Games listed in order of start time, earliest to latest.

Friday November 14

Cincinnati at Louisville

Saturday November 15

Duke at Clemson
Ohio State at Illinois
Purdue at Iowa
Northwestern at Michigan
Notre Dame vs. Navy (in Baltimore)
Indiana at Penn State
Rutgers at South Florida
Georgia at Auburn
Texas at Kansas
Toledo at Western Michigan
East Carolina at Southern Miss
BYU at Air Force
South Carolina at Florida
Nebraska at Kansas State
North Carolina at Maryland
Wake Forest at NC State
California at Oregon State
Minnesota at Wisconsin
Texas A&M at Baylor
San Jose State at Nevada
Boise State at Idaho
Washington State at Arizona State
Arizona at Oregon
Missouri at Iowa State
USC at Stanford
Connecticut at Syracuse
Mississippi State at Alabama
Oklahoma State at Colorado
Boston College at Florida State
Tulsa at Houston
Vanderbilt at Kentucky
Troy at LSU
Utah at San Diego State
UCLA at Washington

Week 11 College Football Results

2008-11-09T13:22:00.000-05:00

Predictions are in bold. Games listed in order of importance. Correct prediction = green score, incorrect prediction = red score.

Wednesday November 5

Northern Illinois at Ball State BSU 45 NIU 14

Thursday November 6

TCU at Utah UT 13 TCU 10
Maryland at Virginia Tech VT 23 UM 13

Saturday November 7

Oklahoma State at Texas Tech TT 56 OSU 20
Alabama at LSU UA 27 LSU 21 (OT)
California at USC USC 17 UCB 3
Georgia Tech at North Carolina UNC 28 GT 7
Penn State at Iowa UI 24 PSU 23
Florida at Vanderbilt UF 42 VU 14
Baylor at Texas UT 45 BU 21
Oklahoma at Texas A&M OU 66 A&M 28
Utah State at Boise State BSU 49 USU 14
Cincinnati at West Virginia UC 26 WVU 23 (OT)
Ohio State at Northwestern OSU 45 NW 10
Kansas at Nebraska UN 45 KU 35
Georgia at Kentucky UGA 42 UK 38
Virginia at Wake Forest WF 28 UVA 17
Stanford at Oregon UO 35 ST 28
Louisiana Tech at San Jose State LT 21 SJSU 0
Clemson at Florida State FSU 41 CU 27
Purdue at Michigan State MSU 21 PU 7
Oregon State at UCLA OSU 34 UCLA 6
Marshall at East Carolina ECU 19 MU 16 (OT)
Kansas State at Missouri UM 41 KSU 24
Louisville at Pittsburgh UP 41 UL 7
Notre Dame at Boston College BC 17 ND 0
Michigan at Minnesota MIC 29 MN 6
Illinois vs. Western Michigan WMU 23 UI 17
Arizona at Washington State UA 59 WSU 28
San Diego State at BYU BYU 41 SDSU 12
Arkansas at South Carolina SC 34 UA 21
Iowa State at Colorado CU 28 ISU 24
NC State at Duke NCSU 27 DU 17
Colorado State at Air Force AFA 38 CSU 17
Arizona State at Washington ASU 39 UW 19
Army at Rice RU 38 USMA 31

Week 11 Results: 28-8
Season Results: 274-104 (72.5%)

Week 11 College Football Picks

2008-11-05T19:18:00.003-05:00

(Updated: 11/7 6:05 PM) Predictions are in bold. Games listed in order of importance.

Wednesday November 5

Northern Illinois at Ball State

Thursday November 6

TCU at Utah
Maryland at Virginia Tech

Saturday November 7

Oklahoma State at Texas Tech
Alabama at LSU
California at USC
Georgia Tech at North Carolina
Penn State at Iowa
Florida at Vanderbilt
Baylor at Texas
Oklahoma at Texas A&M
Utah State at Boise State
Cincinnati at West Virginia
Ohio State at Northwestern
Kansas at Nebraska
Georgia at Kentucky
Virginia at Wake Forest
Stanford at Oregon
Louisiana Tech at San Jose State
Clemson at Florida State
Purdue at Michigan State
Oregon State at UCLA
Marshall at East Carolina
Kansas State at Missouri
Louisville at Pittsburgh
Notre Dame at Boston College
Michigan at Minnesota
Illinois vs. Western Michigan (in Detroit)
Arizona at Washington State
San Diego State at BYU
Arkansas at South Carolina
Iowa State at Colorado
NC State at Duke
Colorado State at Air Force
Arizona State at Washington
Army at Rice

Bowl Watch 11/2/08

2008-11-02T11:06:00.000-05:00

Week 10 College Football Results

2008-11-02T10:38:00.000-05:00

Predictions are in bold. Correct prediction = green score, incorrect prediction = red score.

Thursday October 30

South Florida at Cincinnati UC 24 USF 10

Saturday November 1

Air Force at Army AFA 16 USMA 7
West Virginia at Connecticut WVU 35 UC 13
Central Michigan at Indiana CMU 37 IU 34
Wisconsin at Michigan State MSU 25 UW 24
Northwestern at Minnesota NW 24 UM 17
Michigan at Purdue PU 48 UM 42
Miami (FL) at Virginia UM 24 UVA 17 (OT)
Kansas State at Kansas KU 52 KSU 21
Auburn at Ole Miss UM 17 AU 7
Tulsa at Arkansas UA 30 TU 23
Colorado at Texas A&M A&M 24 CU 17
Kentucky at Mississippi State UK 14 MSU 13
Pittsburgh at Notre Dame UP 36 ND 33 (OT)
Arkansas State at Alabama UA 35 ASU 0
Missouri at Baylor UM 31 BU 28
Clemson at Boston College CU 27 BC 21
Oregon at California UCB 26 UO 16
Florida vs. Georgia UF 49 UGA 10
Florida State at Georgia Tech GT 31 FSU 28
Iowa at Illinois IL 27 IA 24
Iowa State at Oklahoma State OSU 59 ISU 17
Duke at Wake Forest WF 33 DU 30 (OT)
Washington State at Stanford ST 58 WSU 0
BYU at Colorado State BYU 45 CSU 42
Washington at USC USC 56 UW 0
Boise State at New Mexico State BSU 49 NMSU 0
Tennessee at South Carolina SC 27 UT 6
Louisville at Syracuse SU 28 UL 21
Tulane at LSU LSU 35 TU 10
Nebraska at Oklahoma OU 62 UN 28
Texas at Texas Tech TT 39 UT 33
TCU at UNLV TCU 44 UNLV 14
Rice at UTEP RU 49 UTEP 44
Utah at New Mexico UT 13 UNM 10
Arizona State at Oregon State OSU 27 ASU 25

Week 10 Results: 27-9
Season Results: 246-98 (71.5%)

Week 10 College Football Picks

2008-10-30T16:41:00.000-04:00

Predictions are in bold.

Thursday October 30

South Florida at Cincinnati

Saturday November 1

Air Force at Army
West Virginia at Connecticut
Central Michigan at Indiana
Wisconsin at Michigan State
Northwestern at Minnesota
Michigan at Purdue
Miami (FL) at Virginia
Kansas State at Kansas
Auburn at Ole Miss
Tulsa at Arkansas
Colorado at Texas A&M
Kentucky at Mississippi State
Pittsburgh at Notre Dame
Arkansas State at Alabama
Missouri at Baylor
Clemson at Boston College
Oregon at California
Florida vs. Georgia (in Jacksonville)
Florida State at Georgia Tech
Iowa at Illinois
Iowa State at Oklahoma State
Duke at Wake Forest
Washington State at Stanford
BYU at Colorado State
Washington at USC
Boise State at New Mexico State
Tennessee at South Carolina
Louisville at Syracuse
Tulane at LSU
Nebraska at Oklahoma
Texas at Texas Tech
TCU at UNLV
Rice at UTEP
Utah at New Mexico
Arizona State at Oregon State

Week 9 College Football Results

2008-10-26T11:34:00.001-04:00

(Updated 10/27)

Predictions are in bold. Correct prediction = green score, incorrect prediction = red score.

Thursday October 23

Auburn at West Virginia WVU 34 AU 17
New Mexico at Air Force AFA 23 UNM 10

Friday October 24

Boise State at San Jose State BSU 33 SJSU 16

Saturday October 25

Eastern Michigan at Ball State BSU 38 EMU 16
Cincinnati at Connecticut CONN 40 CIN 16
Northwestern at Indiana IU 21 NW 19
Texas Tech at Kansas TT 63 KU 21
Wake Forest at Miami (FL) UM 16 WF 10
Boston College at North Carolina UNC 45 BC 24
Minnesota at Purdue UM 17 PU 6
Central Michigan at Toledo CMU 24 UT 23
Illinois at Wisconsin UW 27 UI 17
Kentucky at Florida UF 63 UK 5
Oklahoma at Kansas State OU 58 KSU 35
Baylor at Nebraska UN 32 BU 20
UNLV at BYU BYU 42 UNLV 35
Duke at Vanderbilt DU 10 VU 7
UCLA at California UCB 41 UCLA 20
Virginia Tech at Florida State FSU 30 VT 20
Virginia at Georgia Tech UVA 24 GT 17
South Florida at Louisville UL 24 USF 20
Georgia at LSU UGA 52 LSU 38
NC State at Maryland UM 27 NCSU 24
Michigan State at Michigan MSU 35 UM 21
Rutgers at Pittsburgh RU 54 UP 34
Oklahoma State at Texas UT 28 OSU 24
Wyoming at TCU TCU 54 UW 7
Colorado at Missouri UM 58 CU 0
Ole Miss at Arkansas UM 23 UA 21
Texas A&M at Iowa State A&M 49 ISU 31
Alabama at Tennessee UA 29 UT 9
Penn State at Ohio State PSU 10 OSU 6
Notre Dame at Washington ND 33 UW 7
Oregon at Arizona State UO 54 ASU 20
USC at Arizona USC 17 UA 10

Sunday October 26

Central Florida at Tulsa TU 49 UCF 19

Week 9 Results: 25-11
Season Results: 219-89 (71%)

Bowl Watch 10/26/08

2008-10-25T11:25:00.000-04:00

Week 9 College Football Picks

2008-10-23T17:48:00.000-04:00

Predictions are in bold.

Thursday October 23

Auburn at West Virginia
New Mexico at Air Force

Friday October 24

Boise State at San Jose State

Saturday October 25

Eastern Michigan at Ball State
Cincinnati at Connecticut
Northwestern at Indiana
Texas Tech at Kansas
Wake Forest at Miami (FL)
Boston College at North Carolina
Minnesota at Purdue
Central Michigan at Toledo
Illinois at Wisconsin
Kentucky at Florida
Oklahoma at Kansas State
Baylor at Nebraska
UNLV at BYU
Duke at Vanderbilt
UCLA at California
Virginia Tech at Florida State
Virginia at Georgia Tech
South Florida at Louisville
Georgia at LSU
NC State at Maryland
Michigan State at Michigan
Rutgers at Pittsburgh
Oklahoma State at Texas
Wyoming at TCU
Colorado at Missouri
Ole Miss at Arkansas
Texas A&M at Iowa State
Alabama at Tennessee
Penn State at Ohio State
Notre Dame at Washington
Oregon at Arizona State
USC at Arizona

Sunday October 26

Central Florida at Tulsa

Bowl Watch 10/19/08

2008-10-19T12:17:00.000-04:00

Week 8 College Football Results

2008-10-19T11:23:00.000-04:00

Predictions are in bold. Green score = correct prediction, red score = incorrect prediction.

Thursday October 16

Florida State at NC State FSU 26 NCSU 17
BYU at TCU TCU 32 BYU 7

Friday October 17

Hawaii at Boise State BSU 27 UH 7

Saturday October 18

W Michigan at C Michigan CMU 38 WMU 28
Georgia Tech at Clemson GT 21 CU 17
Wisconsin at Iowa UI 38 UW 16
Wake Forest at Maryland UMD 26 WF 0
Purdue at Northwestern NW 48 PU 26
Connecticut at Rutgers RU 12 UC 10
Syracuse at South Florida USF 45 SU 13
Texas Tech at Texas A&M TT 45 A&M 23
Vanderbilt at Georgia UGA 24 VU 14
Nebraska at Iowa State UN 35 ISU 7
Colorado State at Utah UT 49 CSU 16
Baylor at Oklahoma State OSU 34 BU 6
Ole Miss at Alabama UA 24 UM 20
Miami (FL) at Duke UM 49 DU 31
Ohio State at Michigan State OSU 45 MSU 7
Pittsburgh at Navy UP 42 USNA 21
Kansas at Oklahoma OU 45 KU 31
North Carolina at Virginia UVA 16 UNC 13 (OT)
USC at Washington State USC 69 WSU 0
Stanford at UCLA UCLA 23 ST 20
Michigan at Penn State PSU 46 UM 17
Kansas State at Colorado CU 14 KSU 13
Arkansas at Kentucky UK 21 UA 20
Arkansas State at Louisiana-Lafayette ULL 28 ASU 23
Mississippi State at Tennessee UT 34 MSU 3
Florida International at Troy TU 33 FIU 23
Oregon State at Washington OSU 34 UW 13
Virginia Tech at Boston College BC 28 VT 23
Indiana at Illinois IL 55 IN 13
LSU at South Carolina LSU 24 SC 17
Missouri at Texas UT 56 UM 31
UTEP at Tulsa TU 77 UTEP 35
California at Arizona UA 42 UCB 27
Air Force at UNLV AFA 29 UNLV 28

Week 8 Results: 25-12
Season Results: 194-78 (71.3%)

Week 8 College Football Picks

2008-10-16T16:23:00.000-04:00

Predictions are in bold.

Thursday October 16

Florida State at NC State
BYU at TCU

Friday October 17

Hawaii at Boise State

Saturday October 18

W Michigan at C Michigan
Georgia Tech at Clemson
Wisconsin at Iowa
Wake Forest at Maryland
Purdue at Northwestern
Connecticut at Rutgers
Syracuse at South Florida
Texas Tech at Texas A&M
Vanderbilt at Georgia
Nebraska at Iowa State
Colorado State at Utah
Baylor at Oklahoma State
Ole Miss at Alabama
Miami (FL) at Duke
Ohio State at Michigan State
Pittsburgh at Navy
Kansas at Oklahoma
North Carolina at Virginia
USC at Washington State
Stanford at UCLA
Michigan at Penn State
Kansas State at Colorado
Arkansas at Kentucky
Arkansas State at Louisiana-Lafayette
Mississippi State at Tennessee
Florida International at Troy
Oregon State at Washington
Virginia Tech at Boston College
Indiana at Illinois
LSU at South Carolina
Missouri at Texas
UTEP at Tulsa
California at Arizona
Air Force at UNLV

Week 7 College Football Results

2008-10-12T11:00:00.000-04:00

Predictions are in bold. Green score = correct prediction, red score = incorrect prediction.

Thursday October 9

Clemson at Wake Forest WF 12 CU 7

Friday October 10

Louisville at Memphis UL 35 UM 28

Saturday October 11

Iowa at Indiana IA 45 IND 9
Toledo at Michigan UT 13 UM 10
Oklahoma vs. Texas UT 45 OU 35
East Carolina at Virginia UVA 35 ECU 20
Syracuse at West Virginia WVU 17 SU 6
Minnesota at Illinois UM 27 UI 20
Rutgers at Cincinnati UC 13 RU 10
South Carolina at Kentucky SC 24 UK 17
Colorado at Kansas KU 30 CU 14
Kansas State at Texas A&M KSU 44 A&M 30
Utah at Wyoming UT 40 UW 7
Vanderbilt at Mississippi State MSU 17 VU 14
Nebraska at Texas Tech TT 37 UN 31 (OT)
Arizona State at USC USC 28 ASU 0
TCU at Colorado State TCU 13 CSU 7
Tennessee at Georgia UGA 26 UT 14
Michigan State at Northwestern MSU 37 NW 20
Notre Dame at North Carolina UNC 29 ND 24
Purdue at Ohio State OSU 16 PU 3
Western Michigan at Buffalo WMU 34 BU 28 (OT)
Central Florida at Miami (FL) UM 20 UCF 14
Temple at Central Michigan CMU 24 TU 14
Arkansas at Auburn AR 25 AU 22
Arizona at Stanford ST 24 UA 23
New Mexico at BYU BYU 21 UNM 3
Washington State at Oregon State OSU 66 WSU 13
Ball State at Western Kentucky BSU 24 WKU 7
Iowa State at Baylor BU 38 ISU 10
LSU at Florida UF 51 LSU 21
Oklahoma State at Missouri OSU 28 UM 23
Penn State at Wisconsin PSU 48 UW 7
Boise State at Southern Miss BSU 24 USM 7
Air Force at San Diego State AFA 35 SDSU 10
UCLA at Oregon UO 31 UCLA 24

Week 7 Results: 25-11
Season Results: 169-66 (71.9%)

Week 7 College Football Picks

2008-10-09T18:25:00.000-04:00

Predictions are in bold.

Thursday October 9

Clemson at Wake Forest

Friday October 10

Louisville at Memphis

Saturday October 11

Iowa at Indiana
Toledo at Michigan
Oklahoma vs. Texas (in Dallas)
East Carolina at Virginia
Syracuse at West Virginia
Minnesota at Illinois
Rutgers at Cincinnati
South Carolina at Kentucky
Colorado at Kansas
Kansas State at Texas A&M
Utah at Wyoming
Vanderbilt at Mississippi State
Nebraska at Texas Tech
Arizona State at USC
TCU at Colorado State
Tennessee at Georgia
Michigan State at Northwestern
Notre Dame at North Carolina
Purdue at Ohio State
Western Michigan at Buffalo
Central Florida at Miami (FL)
Temple at Central Michigan
Arkansas at Auburn
Arizona at Stanford
New Mexico at BYU
Washington State at Oregon State
Ball State at Western Kentucky
Iowa State at Baylor
LSU at Florida
Oklahoma State at Missouri
Penn State at Wisconsin
Boise State at Southern Miss
Air Force at San Diego State
UCLA at Oregon

Week 6 College Football Results

2008-10-05T12:48:00.000-04:00

Predictions are in bold. Correct prediction = green score, wrong prediction = red score.

Wednesday October 1

Louisiana Tech at Boise State BSU 38 LT 3

Thursday October 2

Pittsburgh at South Florida UP 26 USF 21
Oregon State at Utah UT 31 OSU 28

Friday October 3

Cincinnati at Marshall UC 33 MU 10
BYU at Utah State BYU 34 USU 14

Saturday October 4

Duke at Georgia Tech GT 27 DU 0
Iowa at Michigan State MSU 16 UI 13
Indiana at Minnesota UM 16 IU 7
Boston College at NC State BC 38 NCSU 31
Rutgers at West Virginia WVU 24 RU 17
Penn State at Purdue PSU 20 PU 6
Florida at Arkansas UF 38 ARK 7
Kansas at Iowa State KU 35 ISU 33
Oklahoma at Baylor OU 49 BU 17
Western Kentucky at Virginia Tech VT 27 WKU 13
UNLV at Colorado State CSU 41 UNLV 28
Stanford at Notre Dame ND 28 ST 21
Arizona State at California UCB 24 ASU 14
Illinois at Michigan UI 45 UM 20
South Carolina at Ole Miss SC 31 UM 24
Kentucky at Alabama UA 17 UK 14
Texas Tech at Kansas State TT 58 KSU 28
Florida State at Miami (FL) FSU 41 UM 39
Navy at Air Force USNA 33 AFA 27
Auburn at Vanderbilt VU 14 AU 13
San Diego State at TCU TCU 41 SDSU 7
Texas at Colorado UT 38 CU 14
Connecticut at North Carolina UNC 38 UC 12
Texas A&M at Oklahoma State OSU 56 A&M 28
Maryland at Virginia UVA 31 UM 0
Ball State at Toledo BSU 31 UT 0
Washington at Arizona UA 48 UW 14
Oregon at USC USC 44 UO 10
Rice at Tulsa UT 63 RU 28
Ohio State at Wisconsin OSU 20 UW 17
Missouri at Nebraska UM 52 UN 17
Hawaii at Fresno State UH 32 FSU 29 (OT)
Washington State at UCLA UCLA 28 WSU 3

Week 6 Results: 28-10
Season Results: 144-55 (72.4%)

Week 6 College Football Picks

2008-10-02T19:17:00.000-04:00

Predictions are in bold.

Wednesday October 1

Louisiana Tech at Boise State

Thursday October 2

Pittsburgh at South Florida
Oregon State at Utah

Friday October 3

Cincinnati at Marshall
BYU at Utah State

Saturday October 4

Duke at Georgia Tech
Iowa at Michigan State
Indiana at Minnesota
Boston College at NC State
Rutgers at West Virginia
Penn State at Purdue
Florida at Arkansas
Kansas at Iowa State
Oklahoma at Baylor
Western Kentucky at Virginia Tech
UNLV at Colorado State
Stanford at Notre Dame
Arizona State at California
Illinois at Michigan
South Carolina at Ole Miss
Kentucky at Alabama
Texas Tech at Kansas State
Florida State at Miami (FL)
Navy at Air Force
Auburn at Vanderbilt
San Diego State at TCU
Texas at Colorado
Connecticut at North Carolina
Texas A&M at Oklahoma State
Maryland at Virginia
Ball State at Toledo
Washington at Arizona
Oregon at USC
Rice at Tulsa
Ohio State at Wisconsin
Missouri at Nebraska
Hawaii at Fresno State
Washington State at UCLA

Week 5 College Football Results

2008-09-28T11:47:00.000-04:00

Predicted winners are in bold. Correct prediction = green score, wrong prediction = red score.

Thursday September 25

USC at Oregon State OSU 27 USC 21

Friday September 26

Connecticut at Louisville UC 26 UL 21

Saturday September 27

Michigan State at Indiana MSU 42 IU 29
Virginia at Duke DU 31 UVA 3
Pittsburgh at Syracuse UP 34 SU 24
Minnesota at Ohio State OSU 34 UM 21
Maryland at Clemson UM 20 CU 17
Kent State at Ball State BSU 41 KSU 20
North Carolina at Miami (FL) UNC 28 UM 24
Northwestern at Iowa NW 22 UI 17
Ole Miss at Florida UM 31 UF 30
Arkansas State at Memphis UM 29 ASU 17
Tennessee at Auburn AU 14 UT 12
Fresno State at UCLA FSU 36 UCLA 31
Colorado at Florida State FSU 39 CU 21
Purdue at Notre Dame ND 38 PU 21
Wisconsin at Michigan UM 27 UW 25
Houston at East Carolina UH 41 ECU 24
Arkansas at Texas UT 52 UA 10
Marshall at West Virginia WVU 27 MU 3
Navy at Wake Forest USNA 24 WFU 17
Buffalo at Central Michigan CMU 27 BU 25
Colorado State at Cal UCB 42 CSU 7
Oregon at Washington State UO 63 WSU 14
Western Kentucky at Kentucky UK 41 WKU 3
TCU at Oklahoma OU 35 TCU 10
Troy at Oklahoma State OSU 55 TU 24
Mississippi State at LSU LSU 34 MSU 24
South Florida at NC State USF 41 NCSU 10
Alabama at Georgia UA 41 UGA 30
Virginia Tech at Nebraska VT 35 UN 30
Illinois at Penn State PSU 38 UI 24
Stanford at Washington ST 35 UW 28
Nevada at UNLV UNR 49 UNLV 27

Week 5 Results: 20-14
Season Results: 116-45 (72.0%)

Week 5 College Football Picks

2008-09-25T19:09:00.000-04:00

Predicted winners are in bold.

Thursday September 25

USC at Oregon State

Friday September 26

Connecticut at Louisville

Saturday September 27

Michigan State at Indiana
Virginia at Duke
Pittsburgh at Syracuse
Minnesota at Ohio State
Maryland at Clemson
Kent State at Ball State
North Carolina at Miami (FL)
Northwestern at Iowa
Ole Miss at Florida
Arkansas State at Memphis
Tennessee at Auburn
Fresno State at UCLA
Colorado at Florida State
Purdue at Notre Dame
Wisconsin at Michigan
Houston at East Carolina
Arkansas at Texas
Marshall at West Virginia
Navy at Wake Forest
Buffalo at Central Michigan
Colorado State at Cal
Oregon at Washington State
Western Kentucky at Kentucky
TCU at Oklahoma
Troy at Oklahoma State
Mississippi State at LSU
South Florida at NC State
Alabama at Georgia
Virginia Tech at Nebraska
Illinois at Penn State
Stanford at Washington
Nevada at UNLV

Week 4 College Football Results

2008-09-21T11:52:00.000-04:00

Predicted winners are in bold. Correct prediction = green score, incorrect prediction = red score.

Wednesday September 17

Kansas State at Louisville UL 38 KSU 29

Thursday September 18

West Virginia at Colorado CU 17 WVU 14 (OT)

Friday September 19

Baylor at Connecticut UC 31 BU 28

Saturday September 20

Mississippi State at Georgia Tech GT 38 MSU 7
Ohio at Northwestern NW 16 OU 8
East Carolina at NC State NCSU 30 ECU 24 (OT)
Troy at Ohio State OSU 28 TU 10
Florida Atlantic at Minnesota UM 37 FAU 3
Temple at Penn State PSU 45 TU 3
Iowa at Pittsburgh UP 21 UI 20
Central Michigan at Purdue PU 32 CMU 25
Alabama at Arkansas ALA 49 AR 14
Central Florida at Boston College BC 34 UCF 7
Buffalo at Missouri UM 42 BU 21
Arizona at UCLA UA 31 UCLA 10
Wyoming at BYU BYU 44 UW 0
Houston at Colorado State CSU 28 UH 25
Notre Dame at Michigan State MSU 23 ND 7
Virginia Tech at North Carolina VT 20 UNC 17
Boise State at Oregon BSU 37 UO 32
Marshall at Southern Miss USM 34 UM 27
Florida at Tennessee UF 30 UT 6
Miami at Texas A&M UM 41 A&M 23
Utah at Air Force UT 30 AFA 23
Wake Forest at Florida State WF 12 FSU 3
Ball State at Indiana BSU 42 IU 20
Vanderbilt at Ole Miss VU 23 UM 17
Rice at Texas UT 52 RU 10
Middle Tennessee at Arkansas State ASU 31 MTSU 14
New Mexico at Tulsa UT 56 UNM 14
LSU at Auburn LSU 26 AU 21
Georgia at Arizona State UGA 27 ASU 10
TCU at SMU TCU 48 SMU 7
Fresno State at Toledo FSU 55 UT 54(OT)
Iowa State at UNLV UNLV 34 ISU 31 (OT)
San Jose State at Stamford ST 23 SJSU 10

Week 4 Results: 26-10
Season Results: 96-31 (75.6%)

Week 4 College Football Picks

2008-09-20T12:04:00.000-04:00

Predicted winners are in bold.

Wednesday September 17

Kansas State at Louisville

Thursday September 18

West Virginia at Colorado

Friday September 19

Baylor at Connecticut

Saturday September 20

Mississippi State at Georgia Tech
Ohio at Northwestern
East Carolina at NC State
Troy at Ohio State
Florida Atlantic at Minnesota
Temple at Penn State
Iowa at Pittsburgh
Central Michigan at Purdue
Alabama at Arkansas
Central Florida at Boston College
Buffalo at Missouri
Arizona at UCLA
Wyoming at BYU
Houston at Colorado State
Notre Dame at Michigan State
Virginia Tech at North Carolina
Boise State at Oregon
Marshall at Southern Miss
Florida at Tennessee
Miami at Texas A&M
Utah at Air Force
Wake Forest at Florida State
Ball State at Indiana
Vanderbilt at Ole Miss
Rice at Texas
Middle Tennessee at Arkansas State
New Mexico at Tulsa
LSU at Auburn
Georgia at Arizona State
TCU at SMU
Fresno State at Toledo
Iowa State at UNLV
San Jose State at Stamford

Week 3 College Football Results

2008-09-14T10:35:00.000-04:00

Predicted winners are in bold. Correct picks will have scores in green, incorrect will have scores in red.

Thursday September 11

North Carolina at Rutgers UNC 44 RU 12

Friday September 12

Kansas at South Florida USF 37 KU 34
Washington State at Baylor BU 45 WSU 17

Saturday September 13

California at Maryland UM 35 UCB 27
Florida Atlantic at Michigan State MSU 17 FAU 0
NC State at Clemson CU 27 NCSU 9
Temple at Buffalo BUF 30 TU 28
Iowa State at Iowa UI 17 ISU 5
Nevada at Missouri UM 69 UNR 17
Ball State at Akron BSU 41 UA 24
Central Michigan at Ohio CMU 31 OU 28
East Carolina at Tulane ECU 28 TU 24
Michigan at Notre Dame ND 35 UM 17
Penn State at Syracuse PSU 55 SU 13
Air Force at Houston AFA 31 UH 28
UCLA at BYU BYU 59 UCLA 0
Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech VT 20 GT 17
Oregon at Purdue UO 32 PU 26(OT)
Georgia at South Carolina UGA 14 USC 7
Middle Tennessee State at Kentucky UK 20 MTSU 14
New Mexico State at Nebraska UN 38 NMSU 7
Rice at Vanderbilt VU 38 RU 21
Western Kentucky at Alabama UA 41 WKU 7
Auburn at Mississippi State AU 3 MSU 2
Southern Miss at Arkansas State SM 27 ASU 24
Stanford at TCU TCU 31 ST 14
SMU at Texas Tech TT 43 SMU 7
Virginia at Connecticut UC 45 UVA 10
Oklahoma at Washington OU 55 UW 14
Ohio State at USC USC 35 OSU 3
Bowling Green at Boise State BSU 20 BG 7
Arizona at New Mexico UNM 36 UA 28
UNLV at Arizona State UNLV 23 ASU 20(OT)
Wisconsin at Fresno StateUW 13 FSU 10

Week 3 Results: 24-10
Season Results: 70-21

Week 3 College Football Picks

2008-09-11T17:46:00.002-04:00

Predicted winners are in bold.

Thursday September 11

North Carolina at Rutgers

Friday September 12

Kansas at South Florida
Washington State at Baylor

Saturday September 13

California at Maryland
Florida Atlantic at Michigan State
NC State at Clemson
Temple at Buffalo
Iowa State at Iowa
Nevada at Missouri
Ball State at Akron
Central Michigan at Ohio
East Carolina at Tulane
Michigan at Notre Dame
Penn State at Syracuse
Air Force at Houston
UCLA at BYU
Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech
Oregon at Purdue
Georgia at South Carolina
Middle Tennessee State at Kentucky
New Mexico State at Nebraska
Rice at Vanderbilt
Western Kentucky at Alabama
Auburn at Mississippi State
Southern Miss at Arkansas State
Stanford at TCU
SMU at Texas Tech
Virginia at Connecticut
Oklahoma at Washington
Ohio State at USC
Bowling Green at Boise State
Arizona at New Mexico
UNLV at Arizona State
Wisconsin at Fresno State

Week 2 College Football Results

2008-09-07T11:09:00.000-04:00

Predicted winners are in bold. If I predicted the winner correctly this score will be in green, if I got it wrong it will be in red.

Thursday September 4

South Carolina at Vanderbilt VU 24 USC 17

Saturday September 6

Georgia Tech at Boston College GT 19 BC 16
Miami (Ohio) at Michigan UM 16 MIA 6
Marshall at Wisconsin UW 51 MU 14
Eastern Michigan at Michigan State MSU 42 EMU 10
Southern Miss at Auburn AU 27 SM 13
BYU at Washington BYU 28 UW 27
Central Michigan at Georgia UGA 56 CMU 17
San Diego State at Notre Dame ND 21 SDSU 13
Ole Miss at Wake Forest WF 30 UM 28
Akron at Syracuse UA 42 SU 28
Cincinnati at Oklahoma OU 52 UC 26
Oregon State at Penn State PSU 45 OSU 14
Air Force at Wyoming AFA 23 UW 3
West Virginia at East Carolina ECU 24 WV 3
Texas A&M at New Mexico A&M 28 UNM 22
Buffalo at Pittsburgh UP 27 BUF 16
Cal at Washington State CAL 66 WSU 3
Northwestern at Duke NW 24 DU 20
Tulane at Alabama UA 20 TU 6
South Florida at Central Florida USF 31 UCF 24 (OT)
Louisiana Tech at Kansas KU 29 LT 0
Houston at Oklahoma State OSU 56 UH 37
Minnesota at Bowling Green UM 42 BG 17
Miami (Fl) at Florida UF 26 MIA 3
UNLV at Utah UT 42 UNLV 21
Texas Tech at Nevada TT 35 UNR 19
Stanford at Arizona State ASU 41 ST 17
Toledo at Arizona UA 41 UT 16

Week 2 Results: 28-1
Season Results: 46-11

Week 2 College Football Picks

2008-09-04T17:49:00.000-04:00

Predicted winners are in bold.

Thursday September 4

South Carolina at Vanderbilt

Saturday September 6

Georgia Tech at Boston College
Miami (Ohio) at Michigan
Marshall at Wisconsin
Eastern Michigan at Michigan State
Southern Miss at Auburn
BYU at Washington
Central Michigan at Georgia
San Diego State at Notre Dame
Ole Miss at Wake Forest
Akron at Syracuse
Cincinnati at Oklahoma
Oregon State at Penn State
Air Force at Wyoming
West Virginia at East Carolina
Texas A&M at New Mexico
Buffalo at Pittsburgh
Cal at Washington State
Northwestern at Duke
Tulane at Alabama
South Florida at Central Florida
Louisiana Tech at Kansas
Houston at Oklahoma State
Minnesota at Bowling Green
Miami (Fl) at Florida
UNLV at Utah
Texas Tech at Nevada
Stanford at Arizona State
Toledo at Arizona

Week 1 College Football Results

2008-08-31T17:07:00.005-04:00

Teams in bold are predicted winners.

Thursday August 28

Vanderbilt at Miami (Ohio) VU 34 MIA 13
NC State at South Carolina USC 34 NCSU 0
Wake Forest at Baylor WF 41 BU 13
Oregon State at Stanford ST 36 OSU 28

Friday August 29

SMU at Rice RU 56 SMU 27

Saturday August 30

Syracuse at Northwestern NW 30 SYR 10
Virginia Tech at East Carolina ECU 27 VT 22
Bowling Green at Pittsburgh BG 27 PITT 17
Akron at Wisconsin UW 38 UA 17
Hawaii at Florida UF 56 HI 10
Utah at Michigan UT 25 UM 23
USC at Virginia USC 52 UVA 7
Oklahoma St. at Washington St. OSU 39 WSU 13
TCU at New Mexico TCU 26 UNM 3
Mississippi State at Louisiana Tech LT 22 MSU 14
Northern Illinois at Minnesota UM 31 NIU 27
Arkansas St. at Texas A&M ASU 18 A&M 14
Florida Atlantic at Texas UT 52 FAU 10
Memphis at Ole Miss MS 41 MEM 24
Boston College at Kent St. BC 21 KSU 0
Michigan State at Cal UC 38 MSU 31
Alabama at Clemson UA 34 CLEM 10
Illinois at Missouri UM 52 ILL 42
Washington at Oregon OR 44 UW 10

Sunday August 31

Kentucky at Louisville UK 27 UL 2
Colorado State at Colorado CU 38 CSU 17

Monday September 1

Fresno State at Rutgers FSU 24 RU 7
Tennessee at UCLA UCLA 27 UT 24

Week 1 Results: 18-10

Week 1 College Football Picks

2008-08-28T15:42:00.000-04:00

Teams in bold are predicted winners.

Thursday August 28

Vanderbilt at Miami (Ohio)
NC State at South Carolina
Wake Forest at Baylor
Oregon State at Stanford

Friday August 29

SMU at Rice

Saturday August 30

Syracuse at Northwestern
Virginia Tech at East Carolina (Charlotte, NC)
Bowling Green at Pittsburgh
Akron at Wisconsin
Hawaii at Florida
Utah at Michigan
USC at Virginia
Oklahoma St. at Washington St.
TCU at New Mexico
Mississippi State at Louisiana Tech
Northern Illinois at Minnesota
Arkansas St. at Texas A&M
Florida Atlantic at Texas
Memphis at Ole Miss
Boston College at Kent St.
Michigan State at Cal
Alabama at Clemson
Illinois at Missouri (St. Louis, MO)
Washington at Oregon

Sunday August 31

Kentucky at Louisville
Colorado State at Colorado (in Denver)

Monday September 1

Fresno State at Rutgers
Tennessee at UCLA

Enough Already

2008-07-02T18:30:00.000-04:00

I used to like Brett Favre, but I changed my mind after watching his ridiculous game over the last two or three years. Chris Mortensen of ESPN is reporting that Brett Favre is considering coming back and playing in the NFL.

With his family "tugging" on him to play, Brett Favre has an "itch" to come out of retirement and report to training camp with the Green Bay Packers later this month, according to sources close to the team and player.

Favre has communicated his potential desire to coach Mike McCarthy but talks have not advanced to a substantive stage, a Packers source said.

The source said the Packers would be reluctant to open the door for Favre because "Brett retired for the right reasons, even though I know his family is tugging on him [to play]."

Another source conceded Favre was "getting the itch" to play football in 2008.

At the end of the 2006 and 2007 seasons Brett Favre was faced with the question, "Should I Stay or Should I Retire." At the end of the last season, Favre decided to retire and held a teary press conference. Now he's thinking about un-retiring. Give me a break.

After looking at the Favre melodrama over the last three years, I've come away with the conclusion that his ego is a bit inflated. He can't stand being out of the spotlight, and this certainly is a way to get back in the spotlight.

Message to Brett Favre: take your ego and the nonsense and please go away.

My Bracket Predictions

2008-03-20T12:01:00.000-04:00

First Round

East Region
(1) North Carolina over (16) Mount St. Mary's
(9) Arkansas over (8) Indiana
(5) Notre Dame over (12) George Mason
(4) Washington State over (13) Winthrop
(11) St. Joseph's over (6) Oklahoma
(3) Louisville over (14) Boise State
(7) Butler over (10) South Alabama
(2) Tennessee over (15) American

Midwest Region
(1) Kansas over (16) Portland State
(9) Kent State over (8) UNLV
(5) Clemson over (12) Villanova
(4) Vanderbilt over (13) Siena
(6) USC over (11) Kansas State
(3) Wisconsin over (14) CS Fullerton
(10) Davidson over (7) Gonzaga
(2) Georgetown over (15) UMBC

South Region
(1) Memphis over (16) UT-Arlington
(8) Mississippi St. over (9) Oregon
(12) Temple over (5) Michigan State
(4) Pittsburgh over (13) Oral Roberts
(6) Marquette over (11) Kentucky
(3) Stanford over (14) Cornell
(10) St. Mary's over (7) Miami
(2) Texas over (15) Austin Peay

West Region
(1) UCLA over (16) Mississippi Valley State
(8) BYU over (9) Texas A&M
(5) Drake over (12) Western Kentucky
(4) Connecticut over (13) San Diego
(11) Baylor over (6) Purdue
(3) Xavier over (14) Georgia
(7) West Virginia over (10) Arizona
(2) Duke over (15) Belmont

Second Round

East Region
(1) UNC over (9) Arkansas
(5) Notre Dame over (4) Washington State
(3) Louisville over (11) St. Joseph's
(2) Tennessee over (7) Butler

Midwest Region
(1) Kansas over (9) Kent State
(5) Clemson over (4) Vanderbilt
(3) Wisconsin over (6) USC
(2) Georgetown over (10) Davidson

South Region
(1) Memphis over (8) Mississippi State
(4) Pittsburgh over (12) Temple
(3) Stanford over (6) Marquette
(2) Texas over (10) St. Mary's

West Region
(1) UCLA over (8) BYU
(5) Drake over (12) Connecticut
(3) Xavier over (11) Baylor
(7) West Virginia over (2) Duke

Sweet 16

East Region
(1) UNC over (5) Notre Dame
(3) Louisville over (2) Tennessee

Midwest Region
(1) Kansas over (5) Clemson
(3) Wisconsin over (2) Georgetown

South Region
(4) Pittsburgh over (1) Memphis
(2) Texas over (3) Stanford

West Region
(1) UCLA over (5) Drake
(3) Xavier over (7) West Virginia

Elite Eight

East Region
(1) UNC over (3) Louisville

Midwest Region
(3) Wisconsin over (1) Kansas

South Region
(2) Texas over (4) Pittsburgh

West Region
(1) UCLA over (3) Xavier

Final Four
(1) UNC over (3) Wisconsin
(1) UCLA over (2) Texas

National Championship
(1) UNC over (1) UCLA

Tournament Trivia: Location

2008-03-19T17:13:00.000-04:00

States/DC that have more than one team in the tournament.

California: CS Fullerton (Fullerton), San Diego, Stanford (Palo Alto), St. Mary's (Moraga), UCLA, USC (Los Angeles)
DC: American, Georgetown
Indiana: Butler (Indianapolis), Indiana (Bloomington), Notre Dame (South Bend), Purdue (West Lafayette)
Kansas: Kansas (Lawrence), Kansas State (Manhattan)
Kentucky: Kentucky (Lexington), Louisville, Western Kentucky (Bowling Green)
Maryland: Coppin State (Baltimore), Mount St. Mary's (Emmitsburg), UMBC (Baltimore)
Mississippi: Mississippi State (Starkville), Mississippi Valley State (Itta Bena)
New York: Cornell (Ithaca), Siena (Loudonville)
North Carolina: Davidson (Davidson), Duke (Durham), UNC (Chapel Hill)
Ohio: Kent State (Kent), Xavier (Cincinnati)
Oklahoma: Oklahoma (Norman), Oral Roberts (Tulsa)
Oregon: Portland State, Oregon (Eugene)
Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh, Temple (Philadelphia), St. Joseph's (Philadelphia), Villanova (Philadelphia)
South Carolina: Clemson (Clemson), Winthrop (Rock Hill)
Tennessee: Austin Peay (Clarksville), Belmont (Nashville), Memphis, Tennessee (Knoxville), Vanderbilt (Nashville)
Texas: Baylor (Waco), Texas (Austin), Texas A&M (College Station), Texas-Arlington
Washington: Gonzaga (Spokane), Washington State (Pullman)
Wisconsin: Marquette (Milwaukee), Wisconsin (Madison)

Cities: Philadelphia has three teams; Baltimore, Los Angeles, and Nashville have two teams each. Other major cities with teams in the tournament are: Las Vegas (UNLV), Miami (Miami, FL), Milwaukee (Marquette), Portland (Portland State), San Diego (San Diego)

Tournament Trivia: Mascots

2008-03-18T18:11:00.000-04:00

This series of posts will not tell you anything that will help you pick your bracket, but I find it interesting nonetheless.

First, let's look at the teams by nicknames.

Aggies: Texas A&M
Badgers: Wisconsin
Bears: Baylor
Big Red: Cornell
Blue Devils: Duke
Boilermakers: Purdue
Broncos: Boise State
Bruins: Belmont, UCLA
Bulldogs: Butler, Drake, Georgia, Gonzaga, Mississippi State
Cardinal: Stanford
Cardinals: Louisville
Commodores: Vanderbilt
Cougars: BYU, Washington State
Delta Devils: Mississippi Valley State
Ducks: Oregon
Eagles: American, Coppin State, Winthrop
Fighting Irish: Notre Dame
Gaels: St. Mary's
Golden Eagles: Marquette, Oral Roberts
Golden Flashes: Kent State
Governors: Austin Peay
Hawks: St. Joseph's
Hilltoppers: Western Kentucky
Hoosiers: Indiana
Hoyas: Georgetown
Hurricanes: Miami (FL)
Huskies: Connecticut
Jaguars: South Alabama
Jayhawks: Kansas
Longhorns: Texas
Mavericks: Texas-Arlington
Mountaineers: Mount St. Mary's, West Virginia
Musketeers: Xavier
Owls: Temple
Panthers: Pittsburgh
Patriots: George Mason
Razorbacks: Arkansas
Rebels: UNLV
Retrievers: Maryland-Baltimore County
Saints: Siena
Sooners: Oklahoma
Spartans: Michigan State
Tar Heels: UNC
Tigers: Clemson, Memphis
Titans: Cal State Fullerton
Toreros: San Diego
Trojans: USC
Vikings: Portland State
Volunteers: Tennessee
Wildcats: Arizona, Davidson, Kansas State, Kentucky, Villanova

My Favorites Are: Delta Devils, Gaels, Musketeers, Saints, and Toreros

Thursday/Friday NCAA Tournament Schedule

2008-03-18T17:27:00.001-04:00

Thursday

12:20 PM #14 Georgia vs. #3 Xavier (West Region - Washington, DC)
12:25 PM #16 Portland State vs. #1 Kansas (Midwest - Omaha, NE)
12:30 PM #12 Temple vs. #5 Michigan State (South - Denver, CO)

2:30 PM #11 Kentucky vs. #6 Marquette (South -Anaheim, CA)
2:40 PM #11 Baylor vs. #6 Purdue (West - Washington, DC)
2:45 PM #9 Kent State vs. #8 UNLV (Midwest - Omaha, NE)
2:50 PM #13 Oral Roberts vs. #4 Pittsburgh (South - Denver, CO)

4:40 PM #14 Cornell vs. #3 Stanford (South - Anaheim, CA)

7:10 PM #11 Kansas State vs. #6 USC (Midwest - Omaha, NE)
7:10 PM #15 Belmont vs. #2 Duke (West - Washington, DC)
7:20 PM #13 Winthrop vs. #4 Washington State (East - Denver, CO)
7:25 PM #9 Texas A&M vs. #8 BYU (West - Anaheim, CA)

9:30 PM #10 Arizona vs. #7 West Virginia (West - Washington, DC)
9:30 PM #14 Cal State Fullerton vs. #3 Wisconsin (Midwest - Omaha, NE)
9:40 PM #12 George Mason vs. #5 Notre Dame (East - Denver, CO)
9:40 PM #16 Mississippi Valley State vs. #1 UCLA (West - Anaheim, CA)

Friday

12:15 PM #15 American vs. #2 Tennessee (East - Birmingham, AL)
12:25 PM #10 Davidson vs. #7 Gonzaga (Midwest - Raleigh, NC)
12:30 PM #10 St. Mary's vs. #7 Miami (South - Little Rock, AR)
12:30 PM #12 Western Kentucky vs. #5 Drake (West - Tampa, FL)

2:30 PM #10 South Alabama vs. #7 Butler (East - Birmingham, AL)
2:35 PM #15 Md.-Baltimore County vs. #2 Georgetown (Midwest - Raleigh, NC)
2:45 PM #13 San Diego vs. #4 UConn (West - Tampa, FL)
2:50 PM #15 Austin Peay vs. #2 Texas (South - Little Rock, AR)

7:10 PM #11 St. Joseph's vs. #6 Oklahoma (East - Birmingham, AL)
7:10 PM #16 Winner of Play in Game vs. #1 UNC (East - Raleigh, NC)
7:20 PM #13 Siena vs. #4 Vanderbilt (Midwest -Tampa, FL)
7:25 PM #9 Oregon vs. #8 Mississippi State (South - Little Rock, AR)

9:30 PM #14 Boise State vs. #3 Louisville (East - Birmingham, AL)
9:30 PM #9 Arkansas vs. #8 Indiana (East - Raleigh, NC)
9:40 PM #12 Villanova vs. #5 Clemson (Midwest - Tampa, FL)
9:40 PM #16 Texas-Arlington vs. #1 Memphis (South - Little Rock, AR)

Thoughts on the Bracket

2008-03-16T20:35:00.000-04:00

Evaluating My Prediction of the Bracket: I correctly picked 31/34 of the at-large bids. The three teams that I picked incorrectly were Illinois State, Arizona State, and Virginia Tech. The three teams that I had out that were included in the bracket were Oregon, Villanova, and Arizona.

Evaluating the Bracket Itself: Overall, I don't see any major flaws in the selection committee's decision. I think Illinois State and Arizona State should have been in the bracket, but don't feel that strongly about it. I think Butler was seeded a little low at a 7 seed, and Oregon was seeded a little too high at a 9 seed.

Now to some random thoughts.

First, do we really need the live look-ins of teams celebrating their seat or getting in the tournament during the selection show? It seems rather useless to make.

Secondly, some analysts (Dick Vitale and Billy Packer) seem to misunderstand the role of the committee. Both of these analysts argued that because the ACC had the top conference RPI it should have had more than four teams in the tournament. However, the purpose of the selection committee is to look at it on a team by team basis not conferences. Additionally, even if a conference as the top RPI that does not mean that it automatically has more teams deserving of a bid. It could have a lot of middle-of-the-road teams along with a couple of very good teams, while another conference could have a few very good teams and a lot of very bad teams.

Thirdly, I really don't understand why some people think the tournament needs a major overhaul. Some want to do away with the conference tournaments, some want to do away with automatic bids in general. And others want to increase the number of teams in the tournament. I really don't see the need for any of these three changes. First of all, it's better to have too little teams rather than too many teams. For at-large teams, it shouldn't be easy to get in.

Final Bracket Prediction

2008-03-16T13:47:00.001-04:00

Automatic Bids (28): American (Patriot), Austin Peay (Ohio Valley), Belmont (Atlantic Sun), Boise State (WAC), Butler (Horizon), Cal State Fullerton (Big West), Coppin State (MEAC), Cornell (Ivy), Davidson (Southern), Drake (Missouri Valley), George Mason (CAA), Kent State (MAC), Memphis (Conference USA), Mississippi Valley State (SWAC) Mount St. Mary's (Northeast), North Carolina (ACC), Oral Roberts (Summit), Pittsburgh (Big East), Texas-Arlington (Southland), Portland State (Big Sky), San Diego (West Coast), Siena (Metro Atlantic), Temple (Atlantic 10), UCLA (Pac-10), UMBC (America East), UNLV (Mountain West), Western Kentucky (Sun Belt), Winthrop (Big South)

Predicted Conference Champions that are locks (4): Arkansas (SEC), Wisconsin (Big 10), Texas (Big 12),

Locks (22): BYU, Clemson, Duke, Georgetown, Gonzaga, Indiana, Kansas, Kansas State, Louisville, Marquette, Miami, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Purdue, Stanford, Tennessee, UConn, USC, Vanderbilt, Washington State, West Virginia, Xavier

Good Side of the Bubble (12): Arizona State, Baylor, Illinois State, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Ohio State, Oklahoma, South Alabama, St. Joseph's, St. Mary's, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech

Wrong Side of the Bubble (16): Arizona, Charlotte, Creighton, Florida, Florida State, Houston, Maryland, New Mexico, Ole Miss, Oregon, Rhode Island, Syracuse, UAB, UMass, VCU, Villanova,

Last Four in: St. Joseph's, Arizona State, Virginia Tech, Ohio State

Last Four out: Florida, Villanova, New Mexico, Arizona

Contingencies: There are two possibilities for conference tournament upsets that might take bubble teams out of the tournament. These two possibilities are the Big 10 championship game between Wisconsin and Illinois, and the SEC championship game between Arkansas and Georgia. If one or both of these possible upsets occur, it will either kick out the last or last two teams in. For my prediction, those two teams are Virginia Tech and Ohio State.

The Insane SEC Tournament

2008-03-15T22:45:00.003-04:00

This year's SEC Tournament is the most peculiar I've ever seen.

First, a quarterfinal game between Mississippi State and Alabama was delayed for an hour because the Georgia Dome got hit by a tornado. The last quarterfinal of that day (Kentucky vs. Georgia) had to be postponed until today. Further, the rest of the SEC tournament is going to be played at Alexander Memorial Coliseum, the home of Georgia Tech basketball. That's right, an SEC tournament game that included Georgia was to be played at its rival's home court.

And, one more thing, if Georgia managed to beat Kentucky they would have to play Mississippi State later the same day. A college basketball doubleheader, simply unheard of. And, Georgia is one of the worst teams in the SEC. So, there's no way they'll be able to make it out of Saturday's action. Well, I hope you didn't bet on that.

In the first game, Georgia outlasted Kentucky 60-56 in overtime. A lucky aberration, but not a pattern, right? Wrong. Before a none too crowded Alexander Memorial Coliseum, Georgia was set to face Mississippi State and the winner would go on to the SEC championship game tomorrow. With 7:18 left in the game, Georgia's top offensive player Sundiata Gaines fouled out. At the time, Mississippi State led 52-50.

But, by the time all was said and done, the Bulldogs from Athens had defeated the Bulldogs from Oxford 64-60. Beyond the fact that Georgia won two games in one day, they did it on the home court of their biggest rival Georgia Tech. Who wrote this script?

Can it get any crazier? After all of this, doubt it at your own risk.

Saturday Night Bracket Prediction

2008-03-15T21:51:00.002-04:00

Automatic Bids (23): American (Patriot), Austin Peay (Ohio Valley), Belmont (Atlantic Sun), Butler (Horizon), Coppin State (MEAC), Cornell (Ivy), Davidson (Southern), Drake (Missouri Valley), George Mason (CAA), Kent State (MAC), Memphis (Conference USA), Mississippi Valley State (SWAC) Mount St. Mary's (Northeast), Oral Roberts (Summit), Portland State (Big Sky), San Diego (West Coast), Siena (Metro Atlantic), Temple (Atlantic 10), UCLA (Pac-10), UMBC (America East), UNLV (Mountain West), Western Kentucky (Sun Belt), Winthrop (Big South)

Predicted Conference Champions that are locks (4): UNC (ACC), Wisconsin (Big 10), Texas (Big 12), Georgetown (Big East),

Locks (22): BYU, Clemson, Duke, Gonzaga, Indiana, Kansas, Kansas State, Louisville, Marquette, Miami, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Stanford, Tennessee, UConn, USC, Vanderbilt, Washington State, West Virginia, Xavier

Good Side of the Bubble (12): Arizona State, Arkansas, Baylor, Illinois State, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, South Alabama, St. Joseph's, St. Mary's, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech
Wrong Side of the Bubble (17): Arizona, Charlotte, Creighton, Florida, Florida State, Houston, Maryland, New Mexico, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Rhode Island, Syracuse, UAB, UMass, VCU, Villanova,

Last Four in: Arkansas, Illinois State, Arizona State, Virginia Tech

Last Four out: Florida, Villanova, Ohio State, New Mexico

Saturday College Basketball Action

2008-03-15T12:32:00.008-04:00

(Updated: 3/16 1:27 PM)

Atlantic 10 Championship (Atlantic City, New Jersey)

#5 St. Joseph's vs. #2 Temple (6 PM ESPN): Even if St. Joseph's loses this game, they still have a good shot of getting an at-large berth. On the other hand, Temple probably needs to win this game to get in. Final Score: Temple 69 St. Joseph's 64

ACC Semifinals (Charlotte, North Carolina)

#4 Virginia Tech vs. #1 UNC (1:30 PM ESPN): Virginia Tech is still a bit shaky, but a victory here would all but propel them into the tournament. Unfortunately, that victory has to be over UNC (not such an easy task). Final Score: UNC 68 Virginia Tech 66

#3 Clemson 78 #2 Duke 74

Big 10 Semifinals (Indianapolis, Indiana)

#1 Wisconsin 65 #4 Michigan State 63

#10 Illinois vs. #6 Minnesota (4:05 PM CBS): Whoever wins this game could set up a nightmare tomorrow. If the winner of this game somehow manages to win the automatic bid tomorrow, it will disrupt the bracket and knock a bubble team out. Final Score: Illinois 54 Minnesota 50

America East Championship

#1 UMBC 82 #2 Hartford 65

Big East Championship (New York City)

#7 Pittsburgh vs. #1 Georgetown (9 PM ESPN)

Big 12 Semifinals (Kansas City, Missouri)

#1 Texas 77 #4 Oklahoma 49

#2 Kansas 77 #6 Texas A&M 71

Big West Championship (Anaheim, California)

#3 Cal State Fullerton 81 #5 UC Irvine 66

Conference USA Championship (Memphis, Tennessee)

#7 Tulsa vs. #1 Memphis (11:30 a.m. CBS): another game in which borderline teams are rooting for the favorite. Update: score at halftime, Memphis 42 Tulsa 13, this game is over.
Final score: Memphis 77 Tulsa 51

MAC Championship (Cleveland, Ohio)

#3 Akron vs. #1 Kent State (7 PM ESPN): at this point, I would think that Kent State is in no matter the result of this game. However, I don't think they want to leave it up to chance. Final Score: Kent State 74 Akron 55: It doesn't matter anymore, as Kent State locked up the automatic bid.

MEAC Championship (Raleigh, North Carolina)

#7 Coppin State 62 #1 Morgan State 60

Mountain West Championship (Las Vegas, Nevada)

#2 UNLV 76 #1 BYU 61

Pac-10 Championship (Los Angeles, California)

#1 UCLA 67 #2 Stanford 64

SEC Quarterfinal/Semifinals (Atlanta, Georgia)

Quarterfinal #2: E6 Georgia 60 E2 Kentucky 56

Semifinal #1: W2 Arkansas 92 E1 Tennessee 91

Semifinal #2: E6 Georgia 64 W1 Mississippi State 60

SWAC Championship (Birmingham, Alabama)

#2 Mississippi Valley State 59 #4 Jackson State 58

WAC Championship (Las Cruces, New Mexico)

#4 Boise State vs. #3 New Mexico State (9 PM ESPN2): Because the game is played in Las Cruces, this is essentially a home game for New Mexico State. Final Score: Boise State 107 New Mexico State 102 (3 OT)

Saturday Bracket Prediction

2008-03-15T11:41:00.000-04:00

Teams that improved their chances yesterday
St. Joseph's: By beating Xavier in the A-10 semis, it's very likely that they'll make it.
Arkansas: The Razorbacks' victory over Vanderbilt should be enough to put them in.
UNLV: Their victory over Utah in the Mtn West semis should all but guarantee them a slot.
Virginia Tech: Their victory over Miami helps, but they probably need to win today.

Automatic Bids (15): American, Austin Peay, Belmont, Butler, Cornell, Davidson, Drake, George Mason, Mount St. Mary's, Oral Roberts, Portland State, San Diego, Siena, Western Kentucky, Winthrop

Predicted Conference Champions that are locks (8): UNC (ACC), Wisconsin (Big 10), Texas (Big 12), Georgetown (Big East), BYU (Mountain West), UCLA (Pac-10), Tennessee (SEC), Memphis (C USA)

Locks (22): Clemson, Duke, Gonzaga, Indiana, Kansas, Kansas State, Louisville, Marquette, Miami, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Stanford, Tennessee, UConn, USC, UNLV, Vanderbilt, Washington State, West Virginia, Xavier

Good Side of the Bubble (12): Arizona State, Arkansas, Baylor, Illinois State, Kent State, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, South Alabama, St. Joseph's, St. Mary's, Texas A&M,

Wrong Side of the Bubble (19): Arizona, Charlotte, Creighton, Florida, Florida State, Houston, Maryland, New Mexico, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Rhode Island, Syracuse, Temple, UAB, UMass, VCU, Villanova, Virginia Tech

Last Four in: St. Joseph's, Illinois State, Arizona State, Arkansas,

Last Four out: Ohio State, Florida, Villanova, Virginia Tech

Friday College Basketball Action

2008-03-14T11:51:00.018-04:00

(Updated 3/15 11:21 AM)

Atlantic 10 Semifinals (Atlantic City, New Jersey)

#1 Xavier vs. #5 St. Joseph's (6:30 p.m.): It's due or die time for St. Joseph's, if they lose this game to Xavier they're definitely out. If they win, he would put them in very good position after the rash of losse go s by bubble teams yesterday. Additionally, a victory by St. Joseph's would guarantee the A-10 a second team (because Xavier is virtually guaranteed a spot). Final Score: St. Joseph's 61 Xavier 53

#2 Temple vs. #6 Charlotte (9 p.m.): This is a play out game, the loser is out. If you're a fan of the A-10, you want to root for Temple because they have a better shot at getting in than Charlotte. Final Score: Temple 60 Charlotte 45

ACC Quarterfinals (Charlotte, North Carolina)

#1 UNC vs. #9 Florida State (12 p.m.): Florida State is just hanging on by the skin of its teeth, so they need a win to stay alive. Unfortunately, they have to beat North Carolina. I don't think they're going to be able to beat UNC, but who knows? Final Score: UNC 82 FSU 70

#4 Virginia Tech vs. #5 Miami (2:30 p.m.): Miami is in the tournament, no matter what happens in this game. However, Virginia Tech is not so lucky. I have them among the last four teams out as of this point, so they need to win this game to be in a good position. If they lose, they're going to be a bit anxious. Final Score: Virginia Tech 63 Miami 49: A good win for Virginia Tech.

#2 Duke 82 #7 Georgia Tech 70

#3 Clemson 82 #11 Boston College 48

Big 10 Quarterfinals (Indianapolis, Indiana)

#1 Wisconsin 51 #9 Michigan 34

#4 Michigan State vs. #5 Ohio State (2:30 p.m.): even though I have Ohio State in the tournament at this point, if they lose this game it'll probably knock the Buckeyes out. Final Score: Michigan State 67 Ohio State 60.

#10 Illinois 74 #2 Purdue 67 (OT)

#6 Minnesota 59 #3 Indiana 58

Big 12 Quarterfinals (Kansas City, Missouri)

#1 Texas 66 #9 Oklahoma State 59

#4 Oklahoma vs. #12 Colorado (3 p.m.): A win in this game would make Oklahoma a lock for the NCAA tournament. Final Score: Oklahoma 54 Colorado 49

#2 Kansas 64 #7 Nebraska 54

#3 Kansas State vs. #6 Texas A&M (9:20 p.m.): Texas A&M should already be in, but a victory here would all but guarantee it. Oh, I forgot, Kansas State also has Michael Beasley so it should be entertaining. Final Score: A&M 63 Kansas St. 60

Big East Semifinals (New York City)

#1 Georgetown 72 #5 West Virginia 55

#7 Pittsburgh 68 #6 Marquette 61

Big West Semifinals (Anaheim, California)

#5 UC Irvine 55 #1 UC Santa Barbara 50

#3 Cal State Fullerton 83 #2 Cal State Northridge 68

CUSA Semifinals (Memphis, Tennessee)

#1 Memphis 69 #5 Southern Miss 53

#7 Tulsa 64 #6 UTEP 62 (OT)

MAC Semifinals (Cleveland, Ohio)

#3 Akron 73 #2 Western Michigan 62

#1 Kent State vs. #5 Miami (Ohio) (9:30 PM): Kent State needs to make it to the conference championship game to keep their at-large hopes alive. They cannot afford a loss. Final Score: Kent State 49 Miami 47

MEAC Semifinals (Raleigh, North Carolina)

#7 Coppin State 67 #3 Norfolk State 65

#1 Morgan State 61 #4 Delaware State 55

Mountain West Semifinals (Las Vegas, Nevada)

#1 BYU 63 #4 San Diego State 54

#2 UNLV vs. #6 Utah (12:05 a.m.): If UNLV beats Utah, they're definitely in. Final Score: UNLV 61 Utah 55

Pac-10 Semifinals (Los Angeles, California)

#1 UCLA 57 #4 USC 54

#2 Stanford 75 #3 Washington State 68

Patriot League Championship (Washington, DC)

#1 American 52 #3 Colgate 46

SEC Quarterfinals (Atlanta, Georgia)

E1 Tennessee 89 E5 South Carolina 87

W2 Arkansas vs. E3 Vanderbilt (3:15 p.m.): I think Arkansas needs to win this game to be in a good position, but I wouldn't be surprised if Arkansas got in without a victory anyway. Final Score: Arkansas 81 Vanderbilt 75: This should put Arkansas in the tournament.

W1 Mississippi State vs. W5 Alabama (7:30 p.m.): Mississippi State should be in even if they lose this game. Final Score: Mississippi State 69 Alabama 67 (OT): Mississippi State is in, you can bet on it.

E2 Kentucky vs. E6 Georgia (9:45 p.m.): Ditto for Kentucky. Postponed.

Southland Semifinals (Katy, Texas)

#7 Texas Arlington 72 #3 Sam Houston State 66

#5 Northwestern State 69 #1 Stephen F. Austin 66

SWAC Semifinals (Birmingham, Alabama)

#4 Jackson State 77 #1 Alabama State 72 (OT)

#2 Mississippi Valley State 70 #7 Ark.- Pine Bluff 59

WAC Semifinals (Las Cruces, New Mexico)

#4 Boise State 88 #1 Utah State 78

#3 New Mexico State 83 #2 Nevada 75

Friday Morning Bracket Projection

2008-03-14T11:48:00.001-04:00

Automatic Bids (14): Austin Peay, Belmont, Butler, Cornell, Davidson, Drake, George Mason, Mount St. Mary's, Oral Roberts, Portland State, San Diego, Siena, Western Kentucky, Winthrop

Predicted Conference Champions that are locks (9): UNC (ACC), Xavier (A-10), Wisconsin (Big 10), Texas (Big 12), Georgetown (Big East), BYU (Mountain West), UCLA (Pac-10), Tennessee (SEC), Memphis (C USA)

Locks (20): Clemson, Duke, Gonzaga, Indiana, Kansas, Kansas State, Louisville, Marquette, Miami, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Stanford, Tennessee, UConn, USC, Vanderbilt, Washington State, West Virginia

Good Side of the Bubble (14): Arizona State, Baylor, Illinois State, Kent State, Kentucky, Mississippi State, New Mexico, Ohio State, Oklahoma, South Alabama, St. Mary's, Texas A&M, UNLV, VCU

Wrong Side of the Bubble (18): Arkansas, Arizona, Charlotte, Creighton, Florida, Florida State, Houston, Maryland, Ole Miss, Oregon, Rhode Island, St. Joseph's, Syracuse, Temple, UAB, UMass, Villanova, Virginia Tech

Last Four in: VCU, Arizona State, Ohio State, New Mexico

Last Four out: Arkansas, Florida, UMass, Virginia Tech

Thursday Recap/Updates

2008-03-13T16:35:00.015-04:00

(Updated: 3/14 10:34 AM)

Atlantic 10 Quarterfinals (Atlantic City, New Jersey)

#1 Xavier 74 #8 Dayton 65: This loss probably puts the Flyers on the wrong side of the bubble, they'll definitely be anxious on selection Sunday.

#4 Richmond vs. #5 St. Joseph's: St. Joseph's is right on the edge of the bubble, so things could go either way for them. There's a good chance that a loss to Richmond might push the Hawks into the NIT. Final score: St. Joseph's 61 Richmond 47.

#2 Temple vs. #7 LaSalle (6:30 PM): Temple is yet another of the A-10 teams on the bubble. It probably need to get at least to the A-10 finals to get into the tournament, but even then Temple will be in an uncertain situation. Final Score: Temple 84 La Salle 75: Temple's hopes are still alive.

#3 UMass vs. #6 Charlotte (9 PM): UMass probably has the best shot of getting a second at-large bid for the A-10. A victory here would put them in very good position, and if they lost it would hurt just as much. Final Score: Charlotte 69 UMass 65: this loss might take UMass out of the tournament.

ACC First Round (Charlotte, North Carolina)

#9 Florida State 70 #8 Wake Forest 60: Florida State needs to win the conference tournament to get in, and Wake Forest is all but officially eliminated.

#5 Miami 63 #12 NC State 50: Miami was already in a very good position before this victory, but this probably puts them in for good.

#7 Georgia Tech 94 #10 Virginia 76

#6 Maryland vs. #11 Boston College (9:30 PM): Must win for Maryland. Final Score: DC 71 Maryland 68: after this loss, I would take Maryland out of contention.

Big 10 First Round (Indianapolis, Indiana)

#9 Michigan 55 #8 Iowa 47

#10 Illinois 64 #7 Penn State 63

#6 Minnesota 55 #11 Northwestern 52

Big 12 Quarterfinals (Kansas City, Missouri)

#9 Oklahoma State 76 #8 Texas Tech 72: Oklahoma State needs to win the conference tournament to get to the NCAA tournament.

#5 Baylor vs. #12 Colorado: I would think that Baylor is already in, but you can never be too careful. A victory in this game probably lock it up for Baylor. Final Score: Colorado 91 Baylor 84 (OT): Uh oh.

#7 Nebraska 61 #10 Missouri 56

#6 Texas A&M vs. #11 Iowa State (9:30 PM): Texas A&M is in somewhat of a good position, but they're still little bit shaky nonetheless. A loss to Iowa State on ESPN2 would be detrimental, needless to say. Final Score: A&M 60 Iowa State 47

Big East Quarterfinals (New York City)

#1 Georgetown 82 #8 Villanova 63: personally, I think this loss should kick Villanova out of the tournament. However, I wouldn't be surprised if they get in.

#5 West Virginia 78 #4 UConn 72: Will West Virginia get in the tournament? After this victory, absolutely.

#7 Pittsburgh 76 #2 Louisville 69 (OT): A good win for Pittsburgh that's sure to boost their seeding in the tournament.

#6 Marquette 89 #3 Notre Dame 79

Big West Second Round (Anaheim, California)

#3 Cal State Fullerton 81 #7 UC Riverside 69

#5 UC Irvine 57 #4 Pacific 56

C-USA Quarterfinals (Memphis, Tennessee)

#7 Tulsa 78 #2 UAB 68 (OT): This loss will most likely send UAB to the NIT.

#3 Houston vs. #6 UTEP: Houston still has a very marginal shot, so they need to keep winning or their NCAA tournament hopes will die. Final Score: UTEP 80 Houston 77: this loss will send Houston to the NIT.

#1 Memphis 75 #8 Tulane 56

#5 Southern Miss 68 #4 UCF 62

MAC Quarterfinals (Cleveland, Ohio)

#2 Western Michigan 70 #7 Eastern Michigan 61

#3 Akron 81 #6 Central Michigan 60

#1 Kent State vs. #8 Toledo (7 PM): Kent State needs to make it to the semifinals to keep their at-large bid hopes alive. Final Score: Kent State 77 Toledo 57: Kent State is probably end at this point, but a victory in the semis would solidify it a bit.

#5 Miami (Ohio) 74 #4 Ohio 61

MEAC Quarterfinals (Raleigh, North Carolina)

#3 Norfolk State 69 #6 Florida A&M 61

#4 Delaware State 64 #5 North Carolina A&T 62

Mountain West Quarterfinals (Las Vegas)

#1 BYU 89 #9 Colorado State 62: No matter what happens in the Mountain West tournament, BYU is in.

#4 San Diego State 53 #5 Air Force 49

#2 UNLV vs. #7 TCU (9 PM): If UNLV wins this game, you can count them in.

#3 New Mexico vs. #6 Utah (11:30 PM): New Mexico needs to get to the conference final to feel really confident. They might get in if they lose in a close game in the semi-finals to UNLV, but it wouldn't be a sure thing. Final Score: Utah 82 New Mexico 80 (OT): Another bubble team loses, it's beginning to be a pattern.

Pac-10 Quarterfinals (Los Angeles)

#4 USC 59 #5 Arizona State 55: the Trojans are in, but Arizona State is going to be nervous until Sunday.

#1 UCLA 88 #9 Cal 66

#3 Washington State vs. #6 Oregon (9 PM): A win in this game by Oregon would give them a big boost over the other bubble teams. Final Score: Washington State 75 Oregon 70

#2 Stanford vs. #7 Arizona (11:30 PM): because they got swept by Arizona State this season, Arizona State has a better shot at getting in than Arizona. A victory over Stanford would certainly grab the attention of the selection committee. Final Score: Stanford 75 Arizona 64

SEC First Round (Atlanta, Georgia)

East#5 South Carolina 77 West#4 LSU 73

E3 Vanderbilt 93 W6 Auburn 82

E4 Florida vs. W5 Alabama (7:30 PM): This is a must win for Florida. Final Score: Alabama 80 Florida 69: The Gators laid an egg, it will have to wait until Sunday to learn their fate.

W3 Ole Miss vs. E6 Georgia (9:45 PM): Ditto for Ole Miss. Final Score: Georgia 97 Ole Miss 95: You can count Ole Miss out of the tournament.

Southland First Round (Katy, Texas)

#7 Texas Arlington 81 #2 Lamar 75

#3 Sam Houston State 64 #6 McNeese State 62 (OT)

#1 Stephen F. Austin 71 #8 UT-San Antonio 60

#5 Northwestern State 71 #4 SE Louisiana 51

SWAC Quarterfinals (Birmingham, Alabama)

#6 Ark-Pine Bluff 72 #3 Alabama A&M 59

#4 Jackson State 56 #5 Southern U. 55

WAC Quarterfinals (Las Cruces, New Mexico)

#4 Boise State 80 #5 Hawaii 74

#1 Utah State 85 #8 San Jose State 65

#2 Nevada 64 #7 Fresno State 57

#3 New Mexico State 73 #6 Idaho 53

Tuesday Games to Watch

2008-03-11T17:24:00.000-04:00

Horizon League Championship (Indianapolis)
#2 Cleveland State vs. #1 Butler (9 PM ESPN): teams on the bubble will be watching this game closely. Even if Butler loses this game, they're still going to the tournament. However, if the Cleveland State Vikings win this game may will take a slot away from one of the many bubble teams.

Sun Belt Championship (Mobile, Alabama)
#4 Middle Tennessee vs. #3 Western Kentucky (9 PM ESPN2)

Summit League Championship (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
#2 IUPUI vs. #1 Oral Roberts (7 PM ESPN): Essentially a home game for Oral Roberts.

Big Sky Semifinals (Portland, Oregon)
#3 Weber State vs. #2 Northern Arizona (8:30 PM Altitude 2)
#4 Idaho State vs. #1 Portland State (10:30 PM Altitude)

MEAC First Round (Raleigh, North Carolina) Live Feed
#10 Howard vs. #7 Coppin State (6:30 PM)
#9 Bethune-Cookman vs. #8 South Carolina State (9 PM)

WAC First Round (Las Cruces, New Mexico)
#9 Louisiana Tech vs. #8 San Jose State (9:30 PM ESPN FullCourt)

Saturday Games to Watch

2008-03-08T11:59:00.000-05:00

Louisville at Georgetown (12 PM CBS): The winner gets the Big East regular-season championship.

Miami (Fl.) at Florida State: Miami still needs a little bit of work to get in, they need a victory here.

West Virginia at St. John's: A win here by West Virginia will give them 11 conference victories, something the selection committee is bound to notice.

UAB at Memphis: This is UAB's last chance for a premier victory in the regular season. Memphis' chances of getting a 1 seed also lie in the balance.

Baylor at Texas Tech
Stanford at USC

St. Joseph's at Dayton: Dayton still has a marginal shot of getting in, but if they get a bid it's more likely they'll have to win the conference tournament. A victory by St. Joseph's would put the Hawks in a very good position on selection Sunday.

Marquette at Syracuse: yet again, Syracuse sits in a precarious position in early March. They need this victory at home over a quality team.

Temple at La Salle: Temple needs to continue waiting to stay in the bracket conversation.

Charlotte at Rhode Island: Rhode Island probably needs to go on a serious run in the A-10 tournament, but a loss here would only make things harder.

UMass at George Washington: UMass, another team on the bubble from the Atlantic 10.

UNC at Duke (9 PM ESPN): Winner gets the ACC regular-season championship.

Conference Tournaments

America East Quarterfinals (Vestal, New York):
#8 Stony Brook vs. #1 UMBC (12 PM)
#5 Binghamton vs. #4 Vermont (2:30 PM)
#7 New Hampshire vs. #2 Hartford (7 PM)
#6 Boston U. vs. #3 Albany (9:30 PM)

Atlantic Sun Championship (Nashville, Tennessee):
#2 Jacksonville vs. #1 Belmont (7 PM ESPN2)

Big Sky First Round (Campus Sites):
#6 Montana State at #3 Weber State (9 PM)
#5 Montana at #4 Idaho State (9 PM)

Big South Championship (Asheville, North Carolina):
#2 Winthrop vs. #1 UNC Asheville (11:30 A.M. ESPN2)

CAA Quarterfinals (Richmond, Virginia):
#9 Towson vs. #1 VCU (12 PM): VCU needs to make it to the final to keep their at-large hopes alive.
#5 William & Mary vs. #4 Old Dominion (2:30 PM)
#7 Delaware vs. #2 UNC Wilmington (6 PM)
#6 Northeastern vs. #3 George Mason (8:30 PM)

Horizon League Semifinals (Indianapolis, Indiana):
#6 Valparaiso vs. #2 Cleveland State (4:30 PM ESPNU)
#4 Illinois-Chicago vs. #1 Butler (6:30 PM ESPNU)

MAAC Quarterfinals (Albany, New York):
#5 Fairfield vs. #4 Loyola (Md.) (2:15 PM)
#8 Manhattan vs. #1 Siena (4:30 PM)
#10 Canisius vs. #2 Rider (7:30 PM)
#6 Marist vs. #3 Niagara (10 PM)

Missouri Valley Semifinals (St. Louis, Missouri):
#4 Creighton vs. #1 Drake (2:30 PM)
#6 Northern Iowa vs. #2 Illinois State (5 PM)

Ohio Valley Championship (Nashville, Tennessee):
#6 Tennessee State vs. #1 Austin Peay (5 PM ESPN2)

Southern Conference Quarterfinals (North Charleston, South Carolina):
#8 Wofford vs. #1 Davidson (2 PM)
#5 Appalachian St. vs. #4 UNC Greensboro (4:30 PM)
#7 Elon vs. #2 Chattanooga (7 PM)
#6 College of Charleston vs. #3 Georgia Southern (9:30 PM)

Summit League First Round (Tulsa, Oklahoma):
#8 Centenary vs. #1 Oral Roberts (7 PM)
#7 Missouri-Kansas City vs. #2 IUPUI (9:30 PM)

Friday Games to Watch

2008-03-07T13:39:00.000-05:00

It's all conference tournament action today. If you want to look at the individual conference tournament brackets, look at the One Stop Shop at The Bracket Board.

America East First Round (Vestal, New York):
#9 Maine vs. #8 Stony Brook (7 PM)

Atlantic Sun Semifinals (Nashville, Tennessee):
#6 Gardner-Webb vs. #2 Jacksonville (7 PM)
#4 East Tennessee State vs. #1 Belmont (9:15 PM)

CAA First Round (Richmond, Virginia):
#9 Towson vs. #8 Hofstra (12 PM)
#12 Georgia State vs. #5 William & Mary (2:30 PM)
#10 Drexel vs. #7 Delaware (6 PM)
#11 James Madison vs. #6 Northeastern (8:30 PM)

Horizon League Quarterfinals (Indianapolis, Indiana):
#6 Valparaiso vs. #3 Wright State (6 PM)
#8 Loyola (Ill.) vs. #4 Illinois-Chicago (8 PM)

MAAC First Round (Albany, New York):
#9 St. Peter's vs. #8 Manhattan (7:30 PM)
#10 Canisius vs. #7 Iona (10 PM)

Missouri Valley Quarterfinals (St. Louis, Missouri):
#8 Indiana State vs. #1 Drake (1 PM)
#5 Bradley vs. #4 Creighton (3:30 PM)
#7 Missouri State vs. #2 Illinois State (7 PM)
#3 Southern Illinois vs. #6 Northern Iowa (9:30 PM)

Ohio Valley Semifinals (Nashville, Tennessee):
#4 Tennessee-Martin vs. #1 Austin Peay (6 PM ESPNU)
#6 Tennessee State vs. #2 Murray State (8:30 PM ESPNU)

Southern Conference First Round (North Charleston, South Carolina):
#9 Western Carolina vs. #8 Wofford (3 PM)
#10 Furman vs. #7 Elon (5:30 PM)
#11 The Citadel vs. #6 College of Charleston (8 PM)

West Coast Conference First Round (San Diego, California):
#8 Loyola Marymount vs. #5 San Francisco (9 PM)
#7 Portland vs. #6 Pepperdine (11:30 PM)

Thursday Games to Watch

2008-03-06T13:43:00.002-05:00

Arizona State at Oregon: As of right now, these teams are probably on the outside looking in. Whoever loses this game is in a really bad position.

Xavier at St. Joseph's (9 PM ESPN): Xavier is a lock to get in the tournament, so the rest of their games only matter for seeding purposes. On the other hand, St. Joseph's has no guarantee of a bid. They might need this victory to get in. St. Joseph's played Xavier very close in their last match up (at Xavier), so this one should be good as well.

California at USC: It's really doubtful that California has any shot at getting it, but this does matter for USC. Personally, I think USC deserves to be in the tournament. However, a loss at home to California would make an at-large a little bit harder to get.

Stanford at UCLA: The two best teams in the Pac-10 face off.

Conference Tournaments

Atlantic Sun Quarterfinals (Nashville, Tennessee):
#6 Gardner-Webb vs. #3 Stetson
#5 Lipscomb vs. #4 East Tennessee State

Big South Semifinals (Asheville, North Carolina):
#4 Liberty vs. #1 UNC Asheville (8 PM ESPNU)
#3 High Point vs. #2 Winthrop (6 PM ESPNU)

Missouri Valley First Round (St. Louis, Missouri):
#10 Evansville vs. #7 Missouri State
#9 Wichita State vs. #8 Indiana State

Northeast Quarterfinals (Campus Sites):
#8 Monmouth at #1 Robert Morris
#7 Long Island at #2 Wagner
#6 Central Connecticut State at #3 Sacred Heart
#5 Quinnipiac at #4 Mount St. Mary's

Wednesday Games to Watch

2008-03-05T12:45:00.000-05:00

Minnesota at Indiana (7 PM Big 10 Network): Minnesota still has a chance at the NCAA tournament, but they need to catch fire and quickly. A victory over Indiana would certainly be a step in that direction. If they lose this game, they probably need to go on a serious run at the Big 10 Tournament (i.e. win the automatic bid).

Dayton at St. Bonaventure: Dayton needs a lot of help if they want to get on the good side of the bubble. If they lose this game, they will be stuck with an under .500 conference record. They can't lose this game.

Boston College at Miami (Fl.) (7 PM ESPNU): Boston College has no shot at getting in the tournament, but Miami sure does. At this point, I would put the Hurricanes in as an at-large. If Miami has two winnable games left in the regular season, this stand against B.C. and a road game at Florida State. That would put them at a conference record of 9-7 going into the ACC tournament.

Syracuse at Seton Hall (7 PM ESPN2): Both teams need wins and some help from other teams to get into the tournament. The loser of this game will be in an even worse position than they are now. This game is probably more important for Seton Hall because this represents the last quality team the Pirates will face before the Big East tournament. Syracuse still has a home game against Marquette on Saturday to pad its resume.

Kentucky at South Carolina (7 PM Raycom Sports): Kentucky has played itself back into the tournament with a 10-4 conference record. They need to keep winning to stay in the tournament, needless to say they can't lose to South Carolina.

LaSalle at UMass: In December, many people thought the Atlantic 10 might get five teams into the tournament. Now, they'd be lucky to get three and might have to settle for two. Despite that, UMass still has a very good chance. They have two winnable games to finish the season, LaSalle and George Washington. If they screw up in one of these two games, it wouldn't help.

Tulsa at UAB: UAB is in or out depending on which bracket prediction you're looking at. With so many teams on the bubble, it's anyone's guess as to who's getting in. UAB needs to continue winning to get an at-large. The Blazers' next game is against Memphis, so they need to make sure not to look ahead and end up losing this game.

UCF at Houston: Another Conference USA team on the bubble, just like UAB. However, unlike UAB, they have already played Memphis twice (thus, they're not going to get a premier win unless they beat Memphis in the conference USA tournament).

Oklahoma at Oklahoma State: Battle between a team that is probably in the tournament (Oklahoma) and a marginal bubble team (Oklahoma State). Oh, and I forgot, it's an in-state rivalry too.

Tennessee at Florida (9 PM Raycom Sports): For Tennessee, a 1 seed is on the line. For Florida, their at-large hopes could lie in the balance.

Texas A&M at Baylor (9 PM ESPN2): Baylor would probably get an at-large bid if the season ended today, but Texas A&M is a bit more shaky. After the Aggies got blown out by Oklahoma on Saturday, their at-large hopes significantly decreased. A road win at Baylor would reverse that trend.

Conference Tournaments

Atlantic Sun Quarterfinals (Nashville, Tennessee):
#1 Belmont vs. #8 Campbell
#2 Jacksonville vs. #7 Mercer

Patriot League Quarterfinals (Campus Sites):
#8 Holy Cross at #1 American
#7 Bucknell at #2 Navy
#6 Lafayette at #3 Colgate
#5 Army at #4 Lehigh

Sun Belt First Round (Campus Sites):
#13 Louisiana Monroe at #4 Middle Tennessee State
#12 Troy at #5 Louisiana Lafayette
#11 Arkansas State at #6 North Texas
#10 Florida International at #7 Florida Atlantic
#9 Denver at #8 New Orleans

Tuesday Games to Watch

2008-03-04T15:15:00.000-05:00

Purdue at Ohio State (7 PM ESPN): Purdue is pretty much guaranteed a slot in the tournament, but Ohio State is on the outside looking in at this point. The Buckeyes need to add a quality win to their resume if they have any chance of getting in. They lost by Ohio State probably keeps them out of the tournament for good.

Wake Forest at Virginia Tech (7 PM FSN South): Both teams are on the bubble, with Virginia Tech having a better shot at getting in. Wake Forest's current three-game losing streak has put them in a very precarious situation, a loss here probably puts them out of an NCAA bid opportunity.

Miami (OH) at Kent State (7 PM ESPN2): Kent State is still looking at the possibility of an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, although last week's loss to Bowling Green didn't help. A victory here wouldn't hurt.

Big South Tournament: All eight teams play tonight in the Big South tournament quarterfinals, including the number one and two seeds UNC Asheville and Winthrop, respectively.

Nebraska at Texas: Nebraska still has a very thin chance to make it to the tournament, but don't count on it. A victory here by the Huskers would no doubt help their case a lot. For Texas, a one seed is still in the offing but Texas needs to win decisively and against good teams the rest of the way to get that seed. After Kansas destroyed Texas Tech last night, the Longhorns have their work cut out for them.

Florida State at UNC (8 PM Raycom Sports): At this point, UNC is probably considered one of the 1 seeds. But like the rest of college basketball, things could easily change. Florida State, they need a lot of help to get into the tournament. Beating the Tar Heels would go a long way towards getting the Seminoles into the tournament.

Arkansas at Ole Miss (9 PM ESPN): Arkansas' victory over Vanderbilt on Saturday put them in very good position going into the SEC tournament and the NCAA tournament. I would put them in the tournament at this point. On the other hand, Ole Miss has fallen out of the tournament because of its less than stellar SEC conference record (5-9). If Ole Miss's slim chances are going to get any better, they need to beat Arkansas and do well in the SEC tournament.

UNLV at New Mexico (9 PM CSTV): Both of these teams would probably be in the NCAA tournament if today was selection Sunday. However, if the loser of this game begins a losing streak that can easily change. Because of that possibility, this game is important. This also represents the last game for either team against a quality opponent before the conference tournament.

Colorado at Kansas State (9 PM ESPNU): Wins have been few and far between for the Wildcats of late. Even with Michael Beasley, Kansas State is in the thick of the bubble. A loss to a pretty terrible Colorado team would put Kansas State in a very bad position. You don't want to be in a bad position in March.

Monday Games to Watch

2008-03-03T16:47:00.000-05:00

Pitt at West Virginia (7 PM ESPN): Battle between two teams with a 9-7 Big East conference record. Pitt is probably in at this point, while West Virginia is a bit more shaky. For the mountaineers, this is their last chance to pick up a regular-season win over a quality team (after this game they finish up at St. John's). Same goes for Pittsburgh, their last game is against DePaul. Needless to say, both teams would like a win.

Texas Tech at Kansas (9 PM ESPN): The 1 seeds are far from determined, so Kansas still has an opportunity. A loss to Texas Tech will make that opportunity that much harder. Texas Tech is coming off of an upset victory over Texas and has been playing better of late, this game could be quite close.

St. Mary's at Portland (10 PM Comcast SportsNet Northwest): Even though Portland is not a very good team, a lost year by St. Mary's would continue the downward trend. To keep their seed from following, the Gaels can't afford to look weak in the eyes of the selection committee.

Saturday Recap

2008-03-01T14:27:00.000-05:00

This is going to be a continually updating recap of today's important college basketball games.

Pittsburgh 82 Syracuse 77: This puts Syracuse's chances of getting an NCAA bid into serious jeopardy. The way in which the Orange lost this game makes its state even worse. They had the lead and the ball with 14 seconds left, yet lost the game nonetheless. They are now stuck at 17-12 (7-9 Big East), with two games left on their schedule that they could lose. They finish their season with a road game at Seton Hall, and host Marquette in their final game. At this point, Syracuse probably needs to win both games and do well in the Big East tournament to get into the NCAA tournament. For Pittsburgh, this puts them in very good shape at 9-7 in the Big East and gives them a solid road win to add to their tournament profile.

Friday Games to Watch

2008-02-29T15:37:00.001-05:00

As usual, there's not much college basketball action on Friday. But, here goes.

Dartmouth at Cornell: Because the Ivy League doesn't have a conference tournament, the regular-season champion gets the automatic bid to the tournament. This game is important because, Cornell clinches the regular-season championship and automatic bid with a win. It would also break the dominance by Penn and Princeton in the Ivy League.

Today's Games of Bracket Importance

2008-02-27T15:07:00.000-05:00

Over the last few weeks of the college basketball season, I'm going to try to look at games that could affect NCAA tournament bids or seeding. Here's today's installment.

App. State at Davidson: If Davidson (21-6, 18-0 SoCon) has any shot of an at large, they have to win out.
UNC-Wilmington at VCU: Same as above for VCU (21-6, 13-3 CAA).
Rhode Island at G Washington: URI (20-8, 6-7 A10) is fading from the bubble at an alarming rate. If they have any shot at an at-large, they have to stop the bleeding (four-game losing streak) now.
Cincinnati at Pitt: Pitt (19-8, 7-7 Big East) is on the edge of the good side of the bubble, a loss to Cincinnati is not going to help at all.
Miami (Fl.) at Clemson: Game between two teams that are probably in at this point. The winner will be in good shape.
Mississippi at Kentucky: Do or die for both teams.
Oklahoma at Nebraska: Oklahoma is probably out at this point, a loss would be very damaging.
Texas Tech at Texas A&M: Texas A&M has been fading of late, this game gives them an opportunity to start to change that.
Southern Miss at Houston: Houston has a very slim chance of getting in, they can afford no losses.
Arkansas at Alabama: When you're on the bubble (Arkansas), every game is important.
Auburn at Mississippi State: Ditto for Mississippi State.
Creighton at Illinois State: Battle between two bubble mates in the Missouri Valley.
West Virginia at DePaul: The Mountaineers (WVU) cannot afford a loss.
Baylor at Colorado: Ditto for Baylor.

UGA President Wants a College Football Playoff

2008-01-08T20:12:00.000-05:00

Michael Adams, the President of the University of Georgia, thinks that college football needs to have a playoff system. Story from the AJC.

University of Georgia President Michael Adams says it's time for the NCAA to replace the confusing and controversial Bowl Championship Series with an eight-team college football playoff — and he's in position to help make it happen.

Adams told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution he has written a letter to NCAA president Myles Brand that advocates a seven-game, single-elimination tournament run by the NCAA, which currently has no say in the BCS process. The Fiesta, Orange, Rose and Sugar bowls would become quarterfinal games in Adams' tournament.

[...]

He says many of his fellow college presidents are ready to support it after years of rejecting a playoff, and believes chances are "at least 50-50" it will pass.

"I do think I'm in a position where I can get a formal conversation started at the point where it needs to take place, and that's at the NCAA Division I [level]," Adams told the AJC in an exclusive interview. "Ultimately, I think we can come up with a better system."

Adams' goal is to have a playoff system adopted within"a year or two."

Establishing a Division I-A playoff would not require a vote of NCAA member universities but would require changes in NCAA rules. A playoff plan would have to clear various committees with a mix of stakeholders, including coaches, athletics directors, faculty representatives and university presidents. Final approval would have to come from the Division I board of directors, a group of 18 university presidents, each representing a different conference. Adams is the SEC's representative on the board.

I absolutely agree with Adams, as his proposal is exactly the same as what I think a college football playoff should be. The TV ratings for such an eight-team playoff would be immense, and would be much higher than the ratings the current BCS bowls receive. It would also create games that would actually mean something, not just glorified exhibition games. And the real national champion would be decided by actual results on the field, quite a novel concept.

Do I think it's going to ever happen? No. I don't think that most university presidents would agree with Adams, despite what he says. I believe that the conventional wisdom among college football elites is that the current system would make more money than an actual playoff system. I think that's absolutely incorrect, but then they're not asking me. Additionally, the Rose Bowl and the Pac-10 look to be very hostile towards any idea of a playoff system. Hopefully I'm wrong, but I wouldn't count on it.

Weekend Bowl Predictions

2008-01-05T11:24:00.000-05:00

(Updated: 8:10 PM 1/8)

International Bowl (1/5)

Location: Toronto, Canada
Time: 12:00 PM
Matchup: Rutgers at Ball State
TV: ESPN2

Prediction: Rutgers 35 Ball State 32
Final Score: Rutgers 52 Ball State 30

GMAC Bowl (1/6)

Location: Mobile, Alabama
Time: 8:00 PM
Matchup: Bowling Green at Tulsa
TV: ESPN

Prediction: Tulsa 49 Bowling Green 42
Final Score: 63 Bowling Green 7

Bowl Results: 18-12
Season Results: 292-155

It's Time for a Playoff System in College Football

2008-01-04T16:10:00.000-05:00

Every major sport that I can think of, college and professional, has some sort of playoff system to determine a champion. Except for big-time college football, Division I-A/Football Bowl Subdivision. Yes, it does have a "National Championship Game"; but it is not a playoff because it is only composed of one game. I think a change to this ridiculous system is in order.

The current BCS system should be scrapped in favor of an actual playoff system. Instead of the four BCS bowl games and a National Championship Game, there should be an eight-team playoff bracket to determine the actual national champion. These eight teams could be selected by a selection committee or a mathematical formula similar to the BCS, preferably a selection committee. All of the game should be played at the sites of the current four BCS bowl games, the Fiesta Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, and the Rose Bowl. These sites for the national semifinals and finals should be determined on a rotating basis, similar to the way in which the site for the current National Championship Game is selected.

Such a playoff system would only get rid of the BCS bowls, while allowing the rest of the bowl system to remain intact. I see no reason that an actual playoff would create less excitement than the current BCS system. These playoff games would have actual significance, and that significance would increase TV ratings.

Playoffs to determine a championship, what a novel idea.

Today's Bowl Prediction

2008-01-03T16:58:00.000-05:00

(Updated: 3:03 PM 1/4)

Orange Bowl

Location: Miami, Florida
Time: 8:00 PM
Matchup: Kansas at Virginia Tech
TV: FOX

Prediction: Virginia Tech 27 Kansas 20
Final Score: Kansas 24 Virginia Tech 21

Bowl Results: 16-12
Season Results: 290-155

Today's Bowl Prediction

2008-01-02T19:19:00.000-05:00

(Updated: 4:53 PM 1/3)

Fiesta Bowl

Location: Glendale, Arizona
Time: 8:00 PM
Matchup: West Virginia at Oklahoma
TV: FOX

Analysis: Two words: coaching vacancy. With Rich Rodriguez leaving West Virginia and a current coaching vacancy, I think West Virginia is in too much disarray to put up much of a fight. Because of that, look for this game to be over early.
Prediction: Oklahoma 38 West Virginia 17
Final Score: West Virginia 48 Oklahoma 28

Bowl Results: 16-11
Season Results: 290-154

New Year's Day Bowl Predictions

2008-01-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

(Updated: 10:39 AM 1/2)

Outback Bowl

Location: Tampa, Florida
Time: 11:00 AM
Matchup: Tennessee at Wisconsin
TV: ESPN

Prediction: Tennessee 35 Wisconsin 31
Final Score: Tennessee 21 Wisconsin 17

Cotton Bowl

Location: Dallas, Texas
Time: 11:30 AM
Matchup: Missouri at Arkansas
TV: FOX

Prediction: Missouri 45 Arkansas 34
Final Score: Missouri 38 Arkansas 7

Capital One Bowl

Location: Orlando, Florida
Time: 1:00 PM
Matchup: Michigan at Florida
TV: ABC

Prediction: Florida 35 Michigan 14
Final Score: Michigan 41 Florida 35

Gator Bowl

Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Time: 1:00 PM
Matchup: Texas Tech at Virginia
TV: CBS

Prediction: Texas Tech 28 Virginia 24
Final Score: Texas Tech 31 Virginia 28

Rose Bowl

Location: Pasadena California
Time: 4:30 PM
Matchup: Illinois at USC
TV: ABC

Prediction: USC 31 Illinois 28
Final Score: USC 49 Illinois 17

Sugar Bowl

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Time: 8:30 PM
Matchup: Hawaii at Georgia
TV: FOX

Prediction: Georgia 45 Hawaii 31
Final Score: Georgia 41 Hawaii 10

Bowl Results: 16-10
Season Results: 290-153

New Year's Eve Bowl Predictions

2007-12-31T11:53:00.000-05:00

(Updated: 11:37 PM 12/31)

Armed Forces Bowl

Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Time: 12:30 PM
Matchup: California at Air Force
TV: ESPN

Prediction: Air Force 34 California 20
Final Score: California 42 Air Force 36

Humanitarian Bowl

Location: Boise, Idaho
Time: 2:00 PM
Matchup: Georgia Tech at Fresno State
TV: ESPN2

Prediction: Georgia Tech 28 Fresno State 20
Final Score: Fresno State 40 Georgia Tech 28

Sun Bowl

Location: El Paso, Texas
Time: 2:00 PM
Matchup: South Florida at Oregon
TV: CBS

Prediction: South Florida 26 Oregon 21
Final Score: Oregon 56 South Florida 21

Music City Bowl

Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Time: 4:00 PM
Matchup: Florida State at Kentucky
TV: ESPN

Prediction: Kentucky 45 Florida State 17
Final Score: Kentucky 35 Florida State 28

Insight Bowl

Location: Tempe, Arizona
Time: 5:30 PM
Matchup: Indiana at Oklahoma State
TV: NFL Network

Prediction: Oklahoma State 37 Indiana 23
Final Score: Oklahoma State 49 Indiana 33

Chick-Fil-A Bowl

Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Time: 7:30 PM
Matchup: Clemson at Auburn
TV: ESPN

Prediction: Auburn 27 Clemson 24
Final Score: Auburn 23 Clemson 20

Bowl Results: 11-9
Season Results: 285-152

Today's Bowl Prediction

2007-12-30T16:04:00.000-05:00

(Updated: 11:56 AM 12/31)

Independence Bowl

Location: Shreveport, Louisiana
Time: 8:00 PM
Matchup: Alabama at Colorado
TV: ESPN

Analysis: This game features a matchup of two teams that have struggled with inconsistency this season. Alabama started the season in fairly good shape (6-2), but then fell apart by losing its last four games. Colorado showed promise in its upset of Oklahoma early in the season but didn't do much after that. They snuck into this bowl game by winning a shootout with Nebraska in the last game of the season. Overall, it's not a very exciting matchup.
Prediction: Colorado 31 Alabama 21
Final Score: Alabama 30 Colorado 24

Bowl Results: 8-6
Season Results: 282-149

Today's Bowl Predictions

2007-12-29T12:50:00.000-05:00

(Updated: 3:50 PM 12/30)

Meineke Car Care Bowl

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Time: 1:00 PM
Matchup: Connecticut at Wake Forest
TV: ESPN

Analysis: This game features a matchup of teams that win by scoring just enough and playing good defense. Both teams averaged under 400 yards per game and played in several close games. The winner of this game will be determined by turnovers. Suspected to be a low scoring game.
Prediction: Connecticut 20 Wake Forest 16
Final Score: Wake Forest 24 Connecticut 10

Liberty Bowl

Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Time: 4:30 PM
Matchup: Mississippi State at Central Florida
TV: ESPN

Analysis: this should be one of the more interesting bowl games, as it features the nation's top rusher in Central Florida's Kevin Smith. Smith has a very good possibility of breaking the single-season rushing record set by Barry Sanders in the 1980s. It also features Mississippi State which improved greatly this season, beating Auburn, Kentucky, and Alabama. Sylvester Croom certainly has his team on the right track. However, I think the rushing talents of Kevin Smith will be too much for the Bulldogs.
Prediction: UCF 34 Mississippi State 27
Final Score: Mississippi State 10 UCF 3

Alamo Bowl

Location: San Antonio, Texas
Time: 8:00 PM
Matchup: Texas A&M at Penn State
TV: ESPN

Prediction: Penn State 31 Texas A&M 20
Final Score: Penn State 24 Texas A&M 17

Bowl Results: 8-5
Season Results: 282-148

Today's Bowl Predictions

2007-12-28T13:01:00.000-05:00

(Updated: 12:37 PM 12/29)

Champs Sports Bowl

Location: Orlando, Florida
Time: 5:00 PM
Matchup: Boston College at Michigan State
TV: ESPN

Analysis: So, Michigan State finally got to a bowl game and temporarily stopped its pattern of starting a season strong and falling apart. Boston College has to be a bit disappointed in playing in this bowl game after they had national championship hopes earlier in the season. This will also be the final game for BC quarterback Matt Ryan, who will probably be the first quarterback selected in the NFL draft. Expect Ryan to put on a show can throw for a lot of yards in his final game. Michigan State is going to be at a disadvantage because they will be missing five players due to academic ineligibility or suspension. That includes their top pass rusher Jonal Saint-Dic. Because of that, I expect Boston College to win easily.
Prediction: Boston College 41 Michigan State 20
Final Score: Boston College 24 Michigan State 21

Texas Bowl

Location: Houston, Texas
Time: 8:00 PM
Matchup: TCU at Houston
TV: NFL Network

Prediction: TCU 23 Houston 17
Final Score: TCU 20 Houston 13

Emerald Bowl

Location: San Francisco, California
Time: 8:30 PM
Matchup: Maryland at Oregon State
TV: ESPN

Analysis: Neither team has shown much offense this season, so I'd expect this to be a defensive struggle.
Prediction: Maryland 17 Oregon State 13
Final Score: Oregon State 21 Maryland 14

Bowl Results: 7-3
Season Results: 281-146

Message to the New York Giants: Please Stop Whining

2007-12-27T19:54:00.000-05:00

The New York Daily News has an interesting article about how tickets to Saturday's game between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots are going for astronomical prices on eBay. The reactions from Giants players are particularly amusing, with more whine than France.

The Giants aren't thrilled that their fans are bailing on them this week, selling out to Patriots fans desperate to witness history.

But they aren't surprised.

"That's probably one of the reasons why we are better on the road than we are at home," said running back Brandon Jacobs. "If it is that way and they got more fans, then so be it. It could work out to our advantage."

It's unclear how many Patriots fans will be able to get their hands on tickets for Saturday night's game, but the Daily News reported Wednesday that there were more than 150 tickets available on StubHub for upwards of $1,000. On Wednesday there were no tickets available on the Giants' online TicketExchange, where season-ticket holders can sell their seats to fans on the waiting list at a controlled price.

But there were hundreds of tickets available on eBay, where prices were out of control. Many sellers were asking for more than $1,000. Some were asking for as much as $3,000 per ticket. One seller was asking for $25,000 for four tickets in Section 135 and a parking pass.

The average face value for a ticket at Giants Stadium is $83.50.

[...]

Most Giants chose to steer clear of the ticket talk on Wednesday. But none were excited about the prospect of their own stadium being filled with fans of the other team. Defensive end Justin Tuck even pleaded with fans, saying, "Don't sell your tickets."

"I don't agree with it," Tuck said. "This is Giants Stadium and I don't want to see a whole lot of Patriots fans at Giants Stadium."

To be fair, most of the players on the New York Giants did not make any comments about this topic. But these comments show how professional athletes never cease to be out of touch with the reality that their fans live in. NFL tickets are not cheap, and thus I have no problem with fans trying to make up some of the money they spent on tickets. This game is entirely meaningless to the New York Giants, and is only important because of the possibility of the Patriots fulfilling an undefeated regular season. It's arrogant for these players to feel that their fans are traitorous for daring to sell their tickets.

Because of these bouts of verbal stupidity, I often suggest that athletes follow the Greg Maddux rule. Throughout his illustrious career, Greg Maddux has never spouted off while talking to the press. Thus comes the Greg Maddux rule, the less you open your mouth the less likely you are to make a verbal gaffe. Here is my message to professional athletes, Please STOP Talking!

(Hat tip: Wizbang Sports)

Today's Bowl Prediction

2007-12-27T17:22:00.000-05:00

(Updated: 12:57 PM 12/28)

Holiday Bowl

Location: San Diego, California
Time: 8:00 PM
Matchup: Arizona State at Texas
TV: ESPN

Analysis: As usual, the Holiday Bowl represents the first high profile bowl between two BCS conferences. This year's matchup features Arizona State (a team that designed for the Pac-10 title and a BCS bid) and a Texas team that hasn't really shown much this season. Because Texas has not shown me that much this season, I'm not very inclined to pick them in this game. In fact, I'm picking Arizona State to win this game.
Prediction: Arizona State 31 Texas 27
Final Score: Texas 52 Arizona State 34

Bowl Results: 5-2
Season Results: 279-145