Around the League/Bowl Pick 'em
I believe Andy Williams said it best....
"It's the most wonderful time of the yearrrrr!"
That's right, college football fans, bowl season is less than 24 hours away, and set to provide sports fans around the nation with a full slate of college football through this holiday season. Here are some of the things that you may have missed over the past couple of days...
1) Bradford wins the Heisman Trophy
In one of the tightest races in the past few years, Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford won the 2008 Heisman Award, beating out Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, and Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. Bradford was sensational for an 11-1 Sooner team set to face Florida in the national championship Jan. 8. Last year's winner Tebow finished third in the running, despite finishing with the most first-place votes.
2) 2009 kickoff classic set
Though the 2008 bowl season is less than a day away, it's never too early to think about the future. One of the most anticipated matchups for 2009 has been slated for Sept. 5, when Virginia Tech will take on Alabama. The Crimson Tide upset then-No. 9 Clemson 34-10 in the inaugural event this season.
3) Star Search
A number of college stars have already taken a big step toward achieving their NFL dreams. Florida's Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin, Mississippi's Greg Hardy and Penn State's Jared Odrick have already put their names in.
Nowww to the fun part. The part where I make my selections for each of this season's bowl games and then look back at how poorly I selected. The winners are in bold.
EagleBank Bowl
Wake Forest vs. Navy
New Mexico
Colorado State vs. Fresno State
magicJack St. Petersburg
Memphis vs. South Florida
Pioneer Las Vegas
BYU vs. Arizona
R+L Carriers New Orleans
Southern Miss vs. Troy
San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia
Boise State vs. TCU
Sheraton Hawaii
Hawaii vs. Notre Dame
Motor City
Florida Atlantic vs. Central Michigan
Meineke Car Care
West Virginia vs. North Carolina
Champs Sports
Wisconsin vs. Florida State
Emerald
Miami (Fla.) vs. California
Independence
Northern Illinois vs. Louisiana Tech
Papajohns.com
NC State vs. Rutgers
Valero Alamo
Missouri vs. Northwestern
Roady's Humanitarian
Maryland vs. Nevada
Texas
Western Michigan vs. Rice
Pacific Life Holiday
Oklahoma State vs. Oregon
Bell Helicopter Armed Forces
Houston vs. Air Force
Brut Sun
Oregon State vs. Pittsburgh
Gaylord Hotels Music City
Boston College vs. Vanderbilt
Insight
Kansas vs. Minnesota
Chick-fil-A
LSU vs. Georgia Tech
Outback
South Carolina vs. Iowa
Capital One
Georgia vs. Michigan State
Konica Minolta Gator
Nebraska vs. Clemson
Rose Bowl Game Presented by Citi
Penn State vs. USC
FedEx Orange
Cincinnati vs. Virginia Tech
AT&T Cotton
Ole Miss vs. Texas Tech
AutoZone Liberty
Kentucky vs. East Carolina
Allstate Sugar
Utah vs. Alabama
International
Buffalo vs. Connecticut
Tostitos Fiesta
Ohio State vs. Texas
GMAC
Ball State vs. Tulsa
FedEx BCS National Championship Game
Florida vs. Oklahoma
-So there you have it. I'll admit, I like to play it safe. But, there are a few games that could go either way.
For you avid readers, a real treat. We will be headed out to the Rose Bowl December 26. Check out the footblog to read about our trip. The fun, the work and the utter insanity.
-Eller