Car Care Bowl Open Thread

Submitted by LSAClassOf2000 on

Good morning, CFB fans!

ESPN will kick off another full day of bowl games at noon EST  with the Meineke Car Care Bowl, featuring Texas A&M (6-6) and their "we're so pissed, we fired our coach" baggage and a Northwestern (6-6) team that prides itself on being the perennial trap game of the B1G. 

I took Texas A&M in the first half myself, with Northwestern making a strong showing in the 2nd half as the Aggies fade, but not enough to lose to the Wildcats. The official line is pointing to Texas A&M  as well, I believe. 

So you know what is coming, here is today's lineup:

2 PM on CBS - Sun Bowl (G-Tech versus Utah)

3:30 PM on ABC - Liberty Bowl (Cincinnati versus Vanderbilt)

3:30 PM on ESPN - Fight Hunger Bowl (UCLA versus Illinois)

7:30 PM on ESPN - Chick-Fil-A Bowl (Virginia versus Auburn)

mGrowOld

December 31st, 2011 at 11:23 AM ^

The random car parts bowl makes me sad cause Jordan Mabin is injured and cannot play.  His dad is a close friend of mine and I tried every way I knew how to get Lloyd to offer him back in 2007 but he refused cause Jordan was too short and the only DB slot they had left (allegedly) was reserved for T Wolf.  When Northwestern offered his dad shut down the recruiting process (he was a DBack himself at Louiseville) and accepted.   My thinks Jordan would've looked very good in a winged helmet over the past few years and would've helped the decimimated secondary a bunch.  But we'll never know.

He's a great, great kid who is going to graduate this year and while this year didn't turn out as good as he planned he's still hopeful of getting an invite to the combine by which time he should be fully recovered.

GO WILDCATS!

Magnus

December 31st, 2011 at 11:47 AM ^

Is it just me or do this bowl season's matchups really suck?  I'm not interested in watching the vast majority of these bowls, and the games between teams like UCLA and Illinois are just laughable.  Illinois went 0-6 in the second half of the season, and not only are they going to a bowl, but the coaching staff is pissed because they got fired.

I guess there are two watchable games - GT vs. Utah (I love watching the option) and Virginia vs. Auburn (Gus Malzahn's offense is fun, even though he's headed elsewhere).

joeyb

December 31st, 2011 at 12:31 PM ^

I love watching the triple option too. My friend doesn't understand my fascination with it, but if you know the reads, it's fun to know where the ball is going beforehand. NW is generally pretty fun to watch too, if only because I can actually root for the Big Ten.

One Inch Woody…

December 31st, 2011 at 11:48 AM ^

You gotta believe Persa's going to shred the nation's 114th ranked pass defense (worse than Baylor!!). I could see the game being fairly low scoring (20 point range), though, as TAMU has been in a late-season swoon. Go Cats!

LSAClassOf2000

December 31st, 2011 at 1:01 PM ^

Defense In Alamo Bowl <<<<<< Smell of Burning Rubber?

EDIT: Nice dead run by Persa there. Northwestern is having its way with this defense. 

DOUBLE EDIT: I wonder if this is part of Texas A&M's Master Plan to collapse in the 1st half this time, and this drive is meant to throw everyone for a loop. 

LSAClassOf2000

December 31st, 2011 at 2:04 PM ^

This must be what zone coverage with really big zones looks like. More non-existence in the Wildcat secondary. 

EDIT: Just like that - TD Texas A&M. So far, the B1G is in "wounded puppy" mode this bowl season.