Early Bowl Musings

OK everyone, let's get started on these bowls. Even I, the ardent bowl supporter, must admit that it's hard to get excitred for some of these, and the three that will be going on tomorrow are certainly not anything to write home about. Before I get started, however, I want to cover a couple things:

First, I feel the need to directly address Jim for what I believe will be the first time: My wife thinks that your brother Marty sucks ass and can't stop a puck if his life depended on it. She also thinks his mask "looks stupid with those dumb gargoyles on it." I don't feel that strongly about it, but I would go so far as to recommend getting in the way of the occasional puck after it's coughed up by Brent Seabrook. Maybe one or two out of ten. Is that too much to ask? I realize that Keith and Seabrook's polite requests for opposing forwards to please leave the crease have been met with middle fingers and other rude gestures, but shit, make a tough save every once in awhile. If you could pass along those thoughts to Marty, that would be great.

I'm not going to spend a lot of time on the systematic emasculating of the Big ten. Everyone knows that they've completely fucked up that league with the idiotic divisional lineups, and further embarrassed themselves with all these gay trophies, but the names of the divisions, which I won't repeat, have made the league a laughingstock. Why they didn't just go ahead and name them the hogsmokers and cockgobblers, I'll never know.

I also noticed that there's a lot of hand wringing and nervousness about the Bears and Vikings playing at the new Gopher stadium outdoors, since the field was built with no expectation for any games after about November 20th or so. As a result, the field will be frozen, and dangerous since it'll be below zero. Boy, after last week's Bears game, and now this fiasco, that suggested 18 game schedule that will take the regular season to mid to late January sure seems like a good idea doesn't it? Let's add two more weeks of this shit!! Ok..on to the games. None of the games on Saturday


1. BYU -11 1/2 v UTEP: I believe this is the only time this year that I have recommended BYU in a game, but even as a significant favorite, I have to back them here. This is a battle of 6-6 teams, and between them, there really isn't a significant victory among the 12 combined wins of the two except BYU's win at home against San Diego St, and that game is still under investigation. However, it can't be denied that BYU got on a nice roll at the end of the year, both offensively and defensively. Although the Mountain West was borderline pathetic this year, BYU still enjoys a significant strength of schedule advantage over UTEP...they are clearly a step up from what UTEP is used to playing. Defensively, UTEP has had a hard time stopping anyone, so I'd expect the Jake Heaps/Luke Ashworth combo to have continued success against a secondary that game up chunks of yards to some sad sack offenses. UTEP was consistently outgained by what has been measured as the 117th toughest schedule. Their wins have been against the dregs of college football...New Mexico, New Mexico State, Memphis, Rice, Arkansas Pine Bluff...you get the picture. BYU is clearly the best team they've faced. In order to stay close, they are going to have to throw the ball down field with effectiveness. Based on their success in that area this year, I don't see it. QB Trevor Vittatoe has been hurt all year, and needs surgery on his ankle. Here are some of his numbers this year: V Tulsa the 104th ranked d in YPA, he went 8/20 for 100 yards, 0 TD 1 INT. V Tulane, 73rd ranked, he was 10/21 for 102 yards 1 TD 2 INT. VS UAB, 83rd ranked, he was 15/33 160, 0/3. He was occasionally good, but against a real defense being coached by a real coach, I think he'll struggle, and if that's the case, the game won't be close.

2. Fresno State +2 v Northern Illinois: Fresno usually can be capped by looking at their opponent. If they are facing a BCS opponent that's supposed to beat them, they get up for it and play inspired. If not, they don't give a shit and get beat, much like last year when a terrible Wyoming team that was a 12 point underdog beat them outright. This year is a bit of a mixed bag, as they are playing a MAC team, but they're the underdog in the game. NIU is favored because they had some great stats in a weak MAC this year, and on paper it looks like they will be able to run the ball on Fresno, but on the flip side, Fresno should be able to run and pass on NIU on the blue turf in Boise. This is a step up for NIU in class, and I'm not comfortable with them being a favorite in this one, especially when Jerry Kill won't be around to coach them. Pat Hill is a complete moron, but sometimes that doesn't matter. Fresno has a good passing game, a very strong running back who will be back from a previous injury, and I think they will be properly motivated in their underdog role. I'll be very surprised if NIU can pull out a victory.

No opinion on the Ohio/Troy game. I think you'll see a speed advantage with Troy, so I might be tempted to go that way, but they have had big troubles this year on defense. Ohio's starting QB will be out, so with the better proximity and the speed advantage, I'll probably lay the short number with Troy(-2)

That's it for now, next bowl game is Tuesday..I'll be back before then.