The Belk Bowl Open Thread
I had to look up Belk.com this morning because I honestly didn't know it was a department store.
Anyway, our contestants here are Louisville (7-5) versus North Carolina State (7-5), so another struggle of so-so teams in another randomly sponsored bowl.
Have fun with this one as well. If there is anything I can do to make these threads better - like more onside kicks as in the Pizza Bowl - let me know.
ESPN at 8 PM. Line is N.C. State by 2.5, I think.
December 27th, 2011 at 7:41 PM ^
Better them than ND.
December 27th, 2011 at 7:45 PM ^
ND vs. Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl. These are the teams that BCS committees want to be good, right?
December 27th, 2011 at 7:48 PM ^
Sorry this was meant for the Gunner Kiel post, but I guess it kind of applies.....
December 27th, 2011 at 7:43 PM ^
I think they should call this the " Who give a flying crap, these teams suck so let's give them something to hang their hats on" Bowl
December 27th, 2011 at 7:46 PM ^
That was the Beef O'Brady's Bowl.
December 27th, 2011 at 7:46 PM ^
Having lived in NC, Belk's is on par with a Macy's or Dillard's. Nice enough I guess. Better selection than this game.
December 27th, 2011 at 8:12 PM ^
Better review than the descriptions of Beef O'Bradys when I asked. I got "a poor man's BW3" and "a less fun Bennigans."
December 27th, 2011 at 8:14 PM ^
Is that worse than Chili's?
Edit: Check out the amazing, innovative new menu additions at Beef O'Brady's:
- Chips and Salsa
- Chicken Fingers
Wow...
December 27th, 2011 at 8:51 PM ^
I'm visiting my parent's house in Southwest Florida, about 2 miles away from a Beef O'Brady's. I've been before; the previous descriptions are pretty accurate. Don't go unless you've exhausted other options, such as your own living room.
December 27th, 2011 at 11:12 PM ^
December 27th, 2011 at 7:46 PM ^
We're really starting to see some obscure bowls these days. Ones where I have literally never heard of the bowl or the sponsor, and both teams playing are regional, to put it politely.
My favorite has to be the "Beef O'Brady's Bowl". We don't have that restaurant where I live, so that one just kind of gives me a grin. Funny name, sez me . . . .
December 27th, 2011 at 7:51 PM ^
This is way up there in least interesting bowls for me. I will be watching Red Wings and basketball.
December 27th, 2011 at 8:18 PM ^
Y U No like cripple fight between ACC and Big East?
December 27th, 2011 at 7:52 PM ^
The Belk Bowl? I think I'll drink and listen to loud music.
December 27th, 2011 at 8:13 PM ^
Checks bowl pool...GO WOLFPACK!!!!!!!!
December 27th, 2011 at 11:37 PM ^
who in fuck runs a onside kick with 4 plus change to go only down by 7? Louisville's OC should be fired after this one.
December 27th, 2011 at 8:17 PM ^
Belking sounds like a bodily function one does in private.
December 27th, 2011 at 9:41 PM ^
Belking does rhyme with jelqing.
December 27th, 2011 at 8:25 PM ^
While you watch, remember that Louisville was one West Virginia loss away from the Big East championship.
December 27th, 2011 at 9:51 PM ^
Which farther justifies why the Big East doesn't need a automatic bid in the BCS
December 27th, 2011 at 10:22 PM ^
One WV loss away from winning?
December 27th, 2011 at 11:11 PM ^
would've taken would be a few switched votes in a poll or two or a few re-programmed computers, since 3 teams tied at 5-2 and they ended up using their "top team in the BCS ranking" tie-breaker.
But a WV loss would have done it as well.
December 27th, 2011 at 8:28 PM ^
I like the faded Carolina Panthers logos on the field.
December 27th, 2011 at 8:35 PM ^
NC State's unis are NOT full of win.....
December 27th, 2011 at 8:35 PM ^
So Belk is basically the Meijer of North Carolina?
December 27th, 2011 at 8:44 PM ^
It's like Younker's.
December 27th, 2011 at 11:49 PM ^
I'm surprised no one has made the Belk/Kohl's comparison. Kohl's is basically a Belk clone.... and I say it like that because Belk has been around for 120+ years, Kohl's about 50.
I shopped at Belk while I was visiting family for the holidays, and noted the similarity between the two (although it wasn't always this way).... especially the pricing scheme where nearly every rack in the store has a sign that says 40-70% off. But the tagged price is something outrageous that you wouldn't pay anywhere for that item. And when you check out, they make sure to point out that "you saved $74.52 today!" .... on 2 shirts. Right.
It's a nice store with some name brands, decent-quality house brands, and reasonable prices. Just like Kohl's.
December 27th, 2011 at 8:38 PM ^
It may very well be "Turnover Tuesday".
Speaking of, that pass was a perfect candidate for QB Oh Noes.
Pile on the false start, it's 3rd and 24. QB draw, anyone? Texas Tech tried it once. Once.
EDIT: Hooray for fumbled snaps. Louisville with 1st and Goal, now minus 3. Is there something about greased balls that is just a thing? Wait, bad question...
December 27th, 2011 at 8:37 PM ^
Of course there's a blocked punt. Too many bowls.
December 27th, 2011 at 8:40 PM ^
It needs a stripped ball at the goal line.
December 27th, 2011 at 8:40 PM ^
We demand better-played bowl games with fewer errors and more power running immediately!
December 27th, 2011 at 8:42 PM ^
You'll be one of the millions not watching the Military Bowl or the Holiday Bowl tomorrow. You won't find these things there.
December 27th, 2011 at 8:44 PM ^
Toledo vs. Air Force? Cal vs. Texas? Sounds like a clowntastic old time hahahaha
December 27th, 2011 at 8:42 PM ^
Exactly. Every time a QB scrambles, a devil gets its horns.
December 27th, 2011 at 8:49 PM ^
in Division 1 ball. Only handoffs, fullback dives, goal-line QB sneaks, and play-action passes allowed.
December 27th, 2011 at 8:49 PM ^
I guess I'm more trendy than you. I think coaches should consider a toss sweep if they're down 10 or more in the 2nd half. No guts, no glory.
December 27th, 2011 at 8:47 PM ^
They are very hard to cover when you're about a mile from the receiver. There is some bad run defense in this game too. It's another theme for the day.
December 27th, 2011 at 8:52 PM ^
The last three plays:
- Dropped pass
- Shotgun snap rolled to the QB. Sacked.
- Low snap on the punt, barely gets the kick off, punt returner has a chance to return and trips on his own feet
Belk's got its money worth with this baby.
December 27th, 2011 at 8:56 PM ^
QB scramble, fumble, fumble recovery, 1st down. It's so obvious!
December 27th, 2011 at 8:59 PM ^
This thread is very underrated. My gift to you all. Now maybe if I drink enough beer the game will turn into another MACtastic Classic.
December 27th, 2011 at 9:00 PM ^
I haven't been watching closely, but I don't think Belk's is actually advertising during the game. The CMO probably assumed being a title sponsor for a bowl game between 7-5 also-rans was enough and returned the rest of the budget.
December 27th, 2011 at 9:07 PM ^
Maybe the free shipping on orders over $75 (per the site) managed to put a few bums in the seats? It might be the only reason I would go other than being a CFB junkie.
So, NC State's QB had the right idea, but bad timing, underthrown, interception....no, you don't throw into coverage like that.
EDIT: MOAR FUMBLES! I DON'T CARE WHO RECOVERS THEM!
December 27th, 2011 at 9:03 PM ^
Belk == modern southern style.
December 27th, 2011 at 9:08 PM ^
This is the first Google image result for the search term "southern style" that I felt comfortable publishing.
Safe search is on, BTW.
December 27th, 2011 at 9:15 PM ^
Mmm. Fried breaded chicken skins.
December 27th, 2011 at 9:05 PM ^
I hear you can get through the Belk checkout lines at SEC speed.
December 27th, 2011 at 9:06 PM ^
Pryor got the interception for Louisville.
December 27th, 2011 at 9:08 PM ^
Looks like they took the competing teams bowling as part of the big lead-up to the Belk Bowl... that's got to be one of the worst pre-bowl sponsored activities I have ever heard of.
On a different note, though, as ridiculously lame as this game continues to be, it is one of the better attended bowl games* that I have seen thus far... which means more Belk Bowls in our future. Attendance at bowl games thus far has been really really low. At some point, you think this system has to collapse, right?
* term used loosely
December 27th, 2011 at 9:11 PM ^
Hey, it's better than shopping at Belk's. Probably...I wouldn't actually know.
December 27th, 2011 at 9:13 PM ^
I like college football. 35 bowl games is too many IMO. You should have to have a positive (not .500) record against FBS teams to compete in a bowl. Right now, most teams make a bowl.