2008 Bowl-a-Mania

So I turned on my TV this morning and what do I see…A BOWL GAME! Is it that time of the year already? And I still haven’t made my picks? With so many meaningless and useless bowl games leading up to the last week of December and that the sitcom that we get to watch daily with the Illinois Governor’s office…it is understandable how these early games can be over looked. But then again, it is the weekend before Christmas and I just had to turn my air conditioner on too; go figure.

This year there will be 34 bowl games featuring 68 different FBS (formally known as Division I-A) schools, which means it will much harder to not get into a bowl game than it is to get into one. In some cases a mediocre season is more than enough to play in the 2nd season.

With that being said, off we go with my bowl picks for this year. As in previous years, expect it to be as politically incorrect as possible, some golden calves may be slaughtered and someone may very well get offended as I give my opinion of your favorite school, your home state and even thrown in some political and theological points in for fun. Enjoy the first of many parts!

• EagleBank Bowl, RFK Stadium in Washington DC
The 8-4 Navy Midshipmen bring in 2 straight heartbreaker losses in bowl games to take on the 7-5 Demon Deacons from the ACC, Wake Forest. We have the alma mater of Vietnam War hero, US Senator and GOP Presidential nominee John McCain facing off against a team from one of the most liberal Baptist schools in the country…so much so I’m ashamed to call them Baptist at time. Not sure the point of a bowl game in the nation’s capital when the schools are failing, crime is up and the US Congress has an approval rating of 18%.
MY PICK: Not watching this one, cleaning the house for company, automatic win for me!

• New Mexico Bowl, University Stadium in Albuquerque, NM
The artist formally known as the Sun Bowl plays host to the Colorado State Rams, bringing in a 6-6 record out of the Mountain West Conference against the spunky Fresno State Bulldogs with their “Anybody, any place, any time” attitude who have a 7-5 record. So the 6th best MWC team is taking on the 5th best WAC team…and this is supposed to be a bowl game?
MY PICK: Typically I wouldn’t give a rip, but since CSU should be at home and remind me too much of the Acadiana High School Rams…I’m picking Fresno.

• St. Petersburg Bowl, Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL
Basketball school Memphis carries a 6-6 record from the C-USA into the citrus state to take on the Southern Florida Bulls with a 7-5 record that includes a 2-5 record in the Big East. Once again, why?!?!
MY PICK: My dad is here, I win.

• Las Vegas Bowl, Sam Boyd Stadium in Sin City
The geniuses in Las Vegas hoping for a cash cow must be flipping their lids as the Mormons make their 4th straight appearance in the city known for gambling and legalized prostitution…yeah, good choice there! BYU is 10-2 and was oh so close to crashing the BCS party while Arizona is 7-5 and making their first bowl appearance in 10 years. I hate the Pac 10.
MY PICK: The Cougars should make their prophet proud.

• R+L Carriers New Orleans, Super Dome in Big Easy
Mid-Major powers Southern Miss (6-6 in C-USA) takes on the Men of Troy, Troy University, champions of the Sun Belt (8-4). My thinking is one bowl game in New Orleans is enough, and although I have no ill-feelings toward the Golden Eagles or the Trojans…I probably won’t be watching this one either.
MY PICK: We’re having friends over for fun and food, and lots of coffee! Auto win.

• San Diego Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl, Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego
Boise State gets the screw job of the football season and bring an undefeated record into the step-child of the Holiday Bowl to face the TCU Horned Frogs. TCU is not a real slouch, bringing a 10-2 record out of the Mountain West…but may have bitten off too much with the bitter Broncos.
MY PICK: Broncos will score 100 style points.

• Hawaii Bowl, Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, HI
Please tell me why Notre Dame goes 6-6 and gets rewarded with a free trip to Hawaii?????? Their hosts, the Warriors of Hawaii finished 7-6 after getting pasted by Georgia in last year’s Sugar Bowl. This game used to be played on Christmas day and has now been moved to Christmas Eve…which means fewer people watching. I’m not so sure the catholic boys have been saying enough hail mary’s lately since they haven’t won a bowl game since 1992 or 93.
MY PICK: The hometown Warriors, I really don’t like the Irish.

That is part one...more to come!!