Ugly Game of the Week - Bowl Edition
I skipped the last couple weeks because in general, conference championship games shouldn't be ugly. The pickings are slimmer for bad bowl matchups than in, say, week 11 of the season, but with 34 games to pick from (it's highly likely that I can't count, as well), there are some options to choose from.
Recap of week 13:
Washington crushed Washington State 30-0. The Cougars managed 163 yards of offense and punted for 277. Illinois gave Cincinnati a good game, but lost 49-36 in game where Illinois had more total offense than the #5 team nationally. And of course, the Lions lost on Thanksgiving. I like ESPN's NFL stats, they make this easy. Green Bay and Detroit both had either 67 or 68 plays. Green Bay had 422 yards of offense, Detroit had 272. I need not go any further.
Onto the Bowl preview. This weekend we're treated to Wyoming v Fresno State in the "Wyoming is in a Bowl Game?" Bowl, also known as the New Mexico Bowl, or the Play It In A Fricken' Crater Bowl. Fresno State has been reasonably competitive this year. Wyoming, not so much. Losses to Colorado and a close win over Colorado State. They've been competitive in conference, which a 4-4 conference record shows.
New Year's Eve brings Minnesota v Iowa State. Both teams have losing records in-conference. Iowa State is the same Iowa State that beat Nebraska 9-7 after Nebraska turned the ball over 8 times. Nebraska never punted, because they were too busy fumbling and throwing interceptions. Minnesota has lost to Illinois, beaten MSU, lost to Wisconsin and beaten Purdue. So, typical average Big Ten team versus schizophrenic Big 12 team.
Saturday, January 2nd brings us the International Bowl. I'd watch South Florida play Northern Illinois if it was announced by Christopher Walken, but sadly, that's The Continental, not the International. But, it's in Toronto in The Dome Formerly Known As SkyDome, so maybe they will be required to announce the game in English and French. Just sleep in.
Recap of week 13:
Washington crushed Washington State 30-0. The Cougars managed 163 yards of offense and punted for 277. Illinois gave Cincinnati a good game, but lost 49-36 in game where Illinois had more total offense than the #5 team nationally. And of course, the Lions lost on Thanksgiving. I like ESPN's NFL stats, they make this easy. Green Bay and Detroit both had either 67 or 68 plays. Green Bay had 422 yards of offense, Detroit had 272. I need not go any further.
Onto the Bowl preview. This weekend we're treated to Wyoming v Fresno State in the "Wyoming is in a Bowl Game?" Bowl, also known as the New Mexico Bowl, or the Play It In A Fricken' Crater Bowl. Fresno State has been reasonably competitive this year. Wyoming, not so much. Losses to Colorado and a close win over Colorado State. They've been competitive in conference, which a 4-4 conference record shows.
New Year's Eve brings Minnesota v Iowa State. Both teams have losing records in-conference. Iowa State is the same Iowa State that beat Nebraska 9-7 after Nebraska turned the ball over 8 times. Nebraska never punted, because they were too busy fumbling and throwing interceptions. Minnesota has lost to Illinois, beaten MSU, lost to Wisconsin and beaten Purdue. So, typical average Big Ten team versus schizophrenic Big 12 team.
Saturday, January 2nd brings us the International Bowl. I'd watch South Florida play Northern Illinois if it was announced by Christopher Walken, but sadly, that's The Continental, not the International. But, it's in Toronto in The Dome Formerly Known As SkyDome, so maybe they will be required to announce the game in English and French. Just sleep in.
December 17th, 2009 at 12:50 PM ^
I just spent a week in Vegas. That is not a good place to make money, no matter how much you think you know about college football... 6 for 7 on three parlays will break a man's heart! F.U. Cal and your propensity to mail it in and lose to Washington... Anyhoo:
Temple versus UCLA in the Transcontinental Congressional Bowl sponsored by TARP. I wish it was sponsored by Poulan - I miss their weed-eating commercials. This game is rife with mediocrity topped by an unpleasant combination of maroon, pale gold and powder blue, reminiscent of the last remains of a Bed Bath and Beyond going out of business sale.
Let the ugliness commence!
December 17th, 2009 at 2:13 PM ^
Are you saying that you wagered three 7-team parlays and got 6 out of 7 picks correct on all three parlays?!
If so, I relinquish my title of "Unluckiest Gambler in the Universe" and accompanying sash to you, Sir.
I had a 5 team parlay last week which included the Dayton at George Mason basketball game. Dayton was a 3.5 pt. favorite, led by 16 at half, squandered most of that lead and led by 5 with 12 seconds to play. GM hit a 3 to pull within 2 pts, Dayton hit two free throws after being fouled with about 7 secs left. So, Dayton is up by 4 with about 6 sec. left. Game Over. No way GM can win, but some f'ing punk for GM shoots a three pointer at the buzzer and...hits it...costing me $900.00 in lost winnings. Oh, those two 3 point baskets GM made in the last 12 seconds were two of the three they made the entire game.
Sorry, I had to get that out...that has been p*ssing me off for a week now.
December 17th, 2009 at 3:11 PM ^
I had three:
1. USF(+8) and the over; Nebraska(+14) and the over; Alabama(+4.5) and the over; and Arizona(+7).
2. USF(+8) and the over; Gtech (PK) and the over; Fresno (+1); Wisconsin (-13); and Houston (-1)
3. Wisco and the over; GT and the over; Alabama and the over; and Cal (-7)
December 17th, 2009 at 12:50 PM ^
more cowbell!
December 17th, 2009 at 12:57 PM ^
matchup seriously has to be the worst bowl between BCS conference teams that I can remember.
More bowls means more football but man is that a crappy game.
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