Commence Post Christmas Bowling

Motor City Bowl
Central Michigan Chippewas (8-5) vs. Purdue Boilermakers (7-5)
Ford Field, Detroit, MI
December 26, 6:30 PM, ESPN

In the second biggest sporting event held at Ford Field during 2007 (Wrestlemania 23 was the biggest), the Chippewas of Central Michigan get their second chance against Purdue and Joe Tiller’s mustache. The Boilermakers took down the MAC Champs 45-22 in September.

Many questions will need to be answered:
Will the outcome change in the rematch?
Will the two teams once again combine for over 1,000 yards total offense?
Will Matt Millen draft one of the wide receivers from the game in the first round?
Will Lions’ assistant coach Joe Cullen drive his car to the game naked?

Biased Pick: Purdue 45, Central Michigan 22 (It’s déjà vu all over again)

Actual Pick: Purdue 45, Central Michigan 22 (I’m lazy)

The Weekend in Bowling - Sunday

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl

East Carolina Pirates (7-5) vs. Boise State Broncos (10-2)

Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI

December 23, 7:00 PM, ESPN

Just a quick post today after getting back from St. Louis and then watching the Bears destroy the Packers. Nobody is reading this anyway, so it's not a big deal that you're getting a shortened preview.

If Boise State plays this bowl game anything like they did last year in the Fiesta Bowl, we're in for a good time. However, East Carolina isn't exactly Oklahoma. They're not exactly Oklahoma State, either. I just hope Boise breaks out the hook and ladder and the Statue of Liberty play.

Biased Pick - Boise State 100, East Carolina 99 (Let's have a high scoring shootout)

Actual Pick - Boise State 44, East Carolina 27

The Weekend in Bowling - Saturday

PapaJohns.com Bowl

Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (7-5) vs. Cincinnati Bearcats (9-3)

Legion Field, Birmingham, AL

December 22, 12:00 PM CT, ESPN 2

Why does Papa Johns sponsor a bowl in Birmingham? Is the state of Alabama known for their Italian cuisine? If a restaurant chain was going to sponsor a bowl in Birmingham, wouldn't you think it would be Cracker Barrel or Waffle House? Shouldn't this game be played in Louisville at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium? So many important questions, so few answers.

If you asked John Madden or Peter King, they'd tell you that Brett Favre could provide the answers. But Brett is a little ticked off at his alma mater after they pushed out long-time head coach Jeff Bower. Cincy probably wouldn't have had that hard of a time with Southern Miss even if the whole program was on the same page.

Biased Pick: Cincinnati 14, Southern Mississippi 4 (Pete Rose over Brett Favre, bet on it)

Actual Pick: Cincinnati 35, Southern Mississippi 21

New Mexico Bowl

Nevada Wolf Pack (6-6) vs. New Mexico Lobos (8-4)

University Stadium, Albuquerque, NM

December 22, 3:30 PM CT, ESPN

I can't tell if the State of New Mexico sponsors this bowl or if it doesn't haven't a sponsor and just decided to name the game after the state. If the game doesn't have a sponsor, I've got the perfect person in mind to help out: Mike Vick. What better way to rehabilitate your image than to sponsor a competition between student athletes? Plus, the Ron Mexico New Mexico Bowl has a nice ring to it.

I've got a rule of thumb that applies to this contest: always pick the team that is playing a bowl game in their home stadium. Is it really a bowl trip if you sleep in your own bed just a couple days before the game.

Biased Pick: New Mexico 54, Nevada 21 (Former Lobo Brian Urlacher beats Blackjack)

Actual Pick: New Mexico 24, Nevada 20

Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl

UCLA Bruins (6-6) vs. Brigham Young Cougars (10-2)

Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas, NV

December 22, 7:00 PM CT, ESPN

The only thing more fun than a Saturday night in Vegas with a bunch of Mormons is a regular season rematch in a bowl game. That's what is on tap in the Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl. UCLA defeated BYU 27-17 in Week 2. But a lot has happened to the Bruins since then, including losing at home to Notre Dame and Coach Karl Dorrell being shown the door. The Cougars are on a mission. Their mission is to win 11 games this season....and convert you to their religion.

Biased Pick: BYU 9, UCLA 8 (Jim McMahon over Cade McNown)

Actual Pick: BYU 27, UCLA 17 (Turnaround is fair play)

Bowl Game Numero Dos

R & L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

Florida Atlantic Owls (7-5) vs. Memphis Tigers (7-5)

Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, LA

December 21st, 7:00 PM CT, ESPN 2

The first of the three postseason games to be played in the Superdome is by far the most important. Forget Georgia and Hawaii. Step aside, Ohio State and LSU.

Seriously? I'm supposed to write about Memphis and Florida Atlantic? Really? Ok, here goes:

• Uh, Elvis Presley lived in Memphis.
• The old minor league baseball stadium there was named after Tim McCarver.
• If John Calipari paid the football players like he pays the school's basketball players, they could be in a bigger bowl than the New Orleans Bowl.

I better save some Memphis fun facts for the Liberty Bowl preview.

I know nothing about Florida Atlantic other than their head coach Howard Schnellenberger coached "Da U" to a national championship in the 80's. Plus, he kind of looks like Colonel Sanders. After seconds and seconds of internet research, I found out that this will be FAU's first bowl appearance. Welcome to the party, kids! Help yourself to punch and pie.

Biased Pick: I have no reason to be biased about either of these teams. I have a feeling nobody but their parents are biased for these teams.

Actual Pick: Florida Atlantic 33, Memphis 17

Going Bowling, Day One

As part of what I hope to be a continuing series (we've all seen how much follow through I have when it comes to this blog), here is a preview of Thursday night's kickoff to the bowl season.

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl

Utah Utes (8-4) vs. Navy Midshipmen (8-4)

Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA

December 20, 8 PM CT on ESPN

The people of San Diego loved the Holiday Bowl so much, they decided to give it a little brother. The long and storied history of this game dates all the way back to 2005 when Navy defeated Colorado State 51-30. After a couple more years, this game could replace the Rose Bowl as "The Grand Daddy of Them All."

Even though Navy has lost coach Paul Johnson (not the former Tuscola High School teacher) to Georgia Tech, the Middies will continue to use the triple-option under new head coach Ken Niumatalolo. If you thought Ken Niumatalolo was the best name involved in the game, then you aren't aware of Navy QB Kaipo-Noa-Kaheaku-Enhada. Wasn't that the name of the high school football star voiced by Brendan Fraser on "King of the Hill?"

Biased Pick: Navy 1776, Utah 45

Actual Pick: Navy 33, Utah 28 (Only a terrorist would pick against the Naval Academy)