Finally, thew new big six bowl games have arrived - these should be tremendous games, very close, right down to the wire.
Or not. And what's the deal with the silver peach in this new logo? I want peach colored peaches.
#9 Ole Miss vs. #6 TCU
If you're a fan who follows all the post-season news, you know that somehow the playoff selection committee decided that in one week TCU should go from the third ranked team to the sixth and be out of the four team playoff. The only blemish on their record was a loss to No. 5 Baylor by a couple points (unlike losing to Virginia Tech at home).
Their reward, the Peach Bowl.
Now imagine if you were Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze and were told TCU would turn over the ball three times in the first half. You'd likely be pretty excited for that news and being that this time traveler might have scores of other games, you might place a bet or two.
Of course, the time traveler forgot to tell Hugh those turnovers wouldn't mean a damn thing and his team was about to take the worst SEC bowl game beating since Nebraska beat Georgia in the 1969 Sun Bowl. (I do my homework.)
TCU was out to make their case that they belonged in the four team playoff and not Ohio State. I would say Alabama, FSU and Oregon are probably grateful TCU was left out.
This was a "take 'em out to the woodshed" beating you don't often see between top 10 teams. I watched the first quarter while eating lunch at work. We have a nice TV set up and people kept walking by looking at me like I was nuts to be watching a bowl game. Hey, you do what you like at lunch, I'll do BowlQuest wherever it needs to be done.
Really, not much to see after the first quarter - totally one sided for TCU. Interceptions, fumbles - those TCU miscues had no effect for Ole Miss.
And Coach Freeze, I get that you kicked the meaningless field goal in the fourth quarter to avoid the shutout, but actually the lone score really just amplifies how badly you were thrashed.
If this were a boxing match, it would have been called at the end of the third quarter.
The other two games from Tuesday night including one really late one.
The Belk Bowl get a lot Belkin' better with its best match-up of teams in its history.
No. 13 Georgia vs. No. 21 Louisville
Two programs with some coaching ties and bad blood between them. Georgia's offense against Louisville's highly regarded defense. The bad blood - former Georgia coordinator Todd Grantham who abruptly left Georgia for Louisville and the unpopular in Georgia Bobby Petrino.
I got home from work and this was already underway - and Mrs. Keith was watching a "House" rerun. I offered to go watch in the basement but she gave up the remote and we were off.
Not really much of a game despite Georgia losing quarterback Hutson Mason to an injury in the second quarter. Georgia's plan B was run it down the Cardinals collective throats and it worked to near perfection.
20-7 at half and it wasn't really that close. We checked out to watch a few things collected on the DVR and game back in the 4th quarter with the Bulldogs in cruise control.
Georgia 37 Louisville 14
Notes
-I thought this would be a closer game. I also thought there would be a better crowd with the proximity of the game in Charlotte to the Georgia fan base. It was a good crowd, but nowhere near capacity.
-Game ball to Georgia running back Nick Chubb with 33 carried, 266 yards and two TD's. And this guy was the back-up to Todd Gurley. The SEC is loaded at the running back position.
-I had to explain to boy #2 why Georgia's mascot was named UGA.
-Bowl swag: Dad clothes, y'all! The Cards and Dogs all earned a shopping trip to Belk! Everyone get some nice khakis, not like the cheap ones Jim Harbaugh wears.
My pick: Georgia
Late nightcap in San Francisco.
The former Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl and Emerald Bowl in San Francisco, now in the 49ers new stadium. And it was a balmy 32 degrees.
Stanford vs. Maryland
The classic Stanford look and the usual Maryland hodgepodge of the Maryland state flag. Actually the Terps unis were pretty subdued from some they wear.
With a 10pm kick off, I knew I was only in for a first quarter and then done. And that was it.
Stanford jumped out to an early lead and finally looked like the team that was in the Rose Bowl back in January. Maryland had a lot of nothing, at least that's the way I'm reading it in the Yahoo recap. I was out after the Cardinal were up 7-0 in the first quarter.
Stanford 45 Maryland 21
Notes
-Not much, one good game (Music City) and two beat downs.
-Bowl swag: A Fossil watch. That's it? Not even a freezer full of delicious Foster Farms frozen chicken bites? Foster Farms did donate a lot of meals to needy families, so a little charity isn't a bad thing.
My pick: Stanford. All their losses were against ranked teams. Yeah, I actually do read some stats occasionally when making my picks.
Bowl record now 18-6.
Finally, the Big 6 games getting rolling today - Peach, Fiesta and Orange. Happy New Year's Eve and enjoy the game.
Another game on while I was at work. I get one more chance to root against the Irish.
I was really looking forward to this game. The new realignment of bowl games and the playoff has truly improved the match-ups. This game has been around a while and rarely has two high profile teams playing like they did today even if both teams had lousy seasons.
LSU vs. Notre Dame
Anyone who knows me realizes how much I can't stand Notre Dame and relished seeing their season fall apart this year. Quarterback Everett Golson was a turnover machine which directly lead to their 7-5 record. If not for a few plays, that record could have been 5-7 easily. Turnovers are a killer.
In a game of explosive plays all over the field, one play swung this game. LSU, at the end of the first, pulled the fake field goal and went for the TD. Officials called the runner down despite the ball crossing the goal line. Since every single play is reviewed, this one was and the call held despite most of the video showing the LSU player scored.
While there's no real way to do it, I 'd like to see a somewhat more definite way of scoring a touchdown. It's not just plays where the nose of the ball crosses the goal line, but the more frequent ball crossing over the pylon. Something where a player's body and the ball have to be in the end zone. Whatever, it will never happen, people like TD's.
This was a game of explosive plays including a 100-yard kick off return and an 89-yard touchdown run by LSU's Leonard Fournette who will be a Heisman candidate next year.
In the end, LSU had the same faults on defense that doomed their season all year and they gave up a long, late drive and a last second Irish field goal. Damn.
Notre Dame 31 LSU 28
Notes
-The bowl season has been really good except for a couple stinkers, like the night games last night. This game drew a huge crowd. They were rewarded with a really good game.
More than 60,000. That's solid business for the city of Nashville, especially considering the 17,000 that may have showed up for their NFL team's finale.
-Good grief, did they win the national championship?
I guess they have to make themselves feel good about something.
Bowl swag: This game should follow the Pinstripe Bowl and not announce its gifts to the players. The only gift listed is a Fossil watch.
My pick - I missed big time on this one. I called for an LSU blow out of Notre Dame.
I expected the Irish to come limping in when obviously it meant something to them. While I appreciate a coach realizing these games essentially mean nothing, Les Miles was stupid to not kick the field goal at the end of the half knowing they had the ball to start the third.
A lot of people must have today off. Traffic was light this morning and driving home from work this afternoon. "How you can do BowlQuest at work Keith?" One co-worker seemed a little miffed that I have the games on the in-studio TV and claim that I'm watching.
Well, it counts and yes, most Americans (mostly male, but not exclusively) must be sitting at home, bored out of their minds and relishing having football on most of the day.
This is a legit bowl game, played every year of my life and then some. Not the Guy Fieri Slama Jamma Nun Chuks Donkey Sauce Bowl for two years.
West Virginia vs. Texas A&M
Despite their crappy records, I felt this was one of the best match-ups of all bowl season. Here's what I wrote in my bowl preview: "Lots of points in this one. Love this match-up of two teams that have
never played before. This game may be one of the best games of
BowlQuest. Furniture stores in Morgantown could have plenty of end of
year sales if the Mountaineers win. I'll take A&M although both teams played pretty lousy down the stretch."
So, yeah, I was right.
All the points, and plenty of poor sportsmanship.
I starting watching this game in the second quarter when I went into the air studio. 34 points were already scored in the first quarter. I guess my preview was right. Not that they're all right, for instance, as I write this, the Russell Athletic Bowl is a complete disaster for Oklahoma,
Did I watch a quarter live? Sure, I watched three of them, sort of. This game fell into the really entertaining but not really good football category - where one usually finds West Virginia.
West Virginia is the drunken cousin of college football programs. Will he lend you a thousand dollars and drive you to the airport? Sure. Will he wreck your car after you lend it to him because his is in the shop and he has to get to the power company to pay his bill before they turn off his service? Yes again. You never know what will happen with them. They'll beat Alabama and then lose to Vandy.
Texas A&M overcame the early deficit and the Johnny Manziel-like antics of West Virginia quarterback Skyler Howard.
But don't think A&M didn't have some punk moments of their own.
This Texas A&M assistant threw a punch, not once but twice from the sidelines. Goon tactics but I credit it to this. The 36th anniversary of "the punch."
Ohio State's Woody Hayes and the famous punch of Charlie Bauman. I think I post this every time I do this bowl quest thing. Its really worth watching just to hear the great Keith Jackson. This is when the Gator Bowl meant something, not just a three hour infomercial for Taxslayer.
By the way, how was Woody Hayes not ejected from that game? He left the sideline and fought a player then went back to fight an official. Woody had officially lost him mind at this point.
Oh yeah, Liberty Bowl.
Texas A&M 45 West Virginia 37
Notes
-I kind of called that one. Ragged, terrible, great, stupid. It's everything you want from a game for the first game between these two schools.
-There will probably be a few couches burned tonight in Morgantown just because they like lighting furniture on fire, maybe this guy will set his own couch on fire.
-Player swag:
Sol Republic Deck Ultra wireless bluetooth speaker; Bulova watch; Nike athletic
shoes/sport sandals/backpack; game ball. I've searched for these "game balls" on ebay but have had no luck.
My pick: Texas A&M, 15-4 now.
What a joke. This game was delayed to get on ESPN because the thug/goon fest of this year's Liberty Bowl went nearly four hours. I didn't bother watching at work, plenty of game to go when I got home.
27-0 Clemson as I walked in the door. Did Oklahoma not show up?
Nope, there they were, right there on the field. This was a team that was supposed to contend for the national championship. And they're playing Clemson, a team that knows how to find ways to lose like no other team (other than Georgia).
It's 40-0 Clemson with an entire quarter to play. No reason to fill in the blanks. Hard to believe this was the same Oklahoma team that ran Alabama out of the Sugar Bowl.
Notes
-This is the first time I've ever finished a BowlQuest blog post without knowing a final score. What a joke. This game is well known as the landing spot for teams that had horribly disappointing seasons. Give Clemson credit, they're setting up their fan base for so much disappointment next year when they lose to Pitt in October.
-Of course Clemson was blowing out the Sooners, Santa hates Oklahoma.
Player swag: Another bowl game that makes it easy -
$447 Best Buy gift card and shopping trip; watch; athletic performance shirt.
My pick - Oklahoma, obviously. One more game to go tonight, Arkansas vs. Texas.
After a day of mostly exciting games, they saved the best for last.
It's been four years since Pacific Life has left this game as a sponsor - leaving us without its myriad of TV spots with whale tale slaps. Let's relive the glory.
This is the second year for National University as sponsor, possibly the most generic named online institute of higher education. No confusion with two of the biggest names in college football for this game.
Nebraska vs. Southern Cal
Two big boy programs that have only played each other four times. And it was a year when both teams had their fair share of news making moments. At one point this season USC's coach had to call down AD Pat Haden to argue with the officials. And Nebraska had a nasty falling out with head coach Bo Pellini. Career advisers say never burn a bridge with an employer - Pellini took a can of gas to his bridge with Nebraska.
The fifth go around started with a bang, a 98 yard kick off return by Southern Cal for the opening score. It was back and forth after that, like two former great heavyweights, trading blows.
24-17 at half and I was bleary-eyed from watching my fifth game of the day. It was pretty much non-stop football starting at 1pm, so around 10 hours straight at this point. I really wish I could have been more engaged because this game finished strong.
Six, count 'em SIX back n' forth scores in the third quarter. I can't remember any game with six scores in a quarter. 45-34 into the fourth and I'll admit, I ran out of gas and missed the end.
Nebraska rallied to close the gap to 45-42 late but failed to convert on a fourth down and that earned the Trojans the win.
Long trip back to the camper for these two.
Southern Cal 45 Nebraska 42
-The Trojans could be very good next season with most of their team coming back including quarterback Cody Kessler.
-Both teams ran 45 plays each in the first half. For the part time college football follower, that's a lot.
-Buick is spending a lot of money on advertising during the bowl games, with two commercials that are really getting under my skin.
One has a couple giving a parking valet their ticket and saying, "It's the Buick." That's not how attended parking works Buick. Are we to assume no one else at this restaurant is driving a Buick? We are also asked to believe this restaurant has no concept on how valet parking works, making their attendants search for your make and model instead of your keys matched to a parking space number.
The other has a couple peering out their window at the neighbors. These two.
She notices the Garcias have a new Buick, meanwhile her husband immediately pulls out the binoculars to check out the car. How much peeping on the Garcia's are these two doing? If I were the Garcias I'd be a bit concerned.
Bowl swag: This is the jackpot for players, each getting a $445 Best Buy gift card and shopping trip; Fossil watch; cap. That's about the max any game can give a player.
What did I eat: Nothing, it was late and I'm already fat, don't need those late night calories.
My pick - Southern Cal. My bowl record is now 14-4, whiffing on UC and Miami. Not a lot of damage to my confidence points, most of these games in the bottom half.
No games today, but I will have to navigate games while I'm back at work starting Monday. May need to invoke boy #1 or #2 to watch.
Game No. 4 on the agenda today, from Yankee Stadium. Welcome Back Nittany Lions.
The first time in this bowl game's short history that Syracuse or Rutgers hasn't played but probably the biggest crowd in the game's history. Penn State brought a big crowd in their first bowl game since January of 2012.
Penn State vs. Boston College
Good match-up that goes back to Penn State's days as an independent. I had been checking on this game while watching the others but finally caught my full quarter in the 4th. Back up from the basement because boy #2 said he missed walking in the room to see the score. Okay then.
This game set up as a defensive battle and that's how it played out in the first half, Each team tallied a touchdown and it was 7-7 at half time.
Different story in the second half, each team finding the end zone a couple times and a late field goal from Penn State sending it to overtime. Boston College took the ball first, scored but missed the point after. Their eighth missed PAT this season. Penn State put themselves in a hole quick but no matter, scored a touchdown and made their PAT.
This one is going to sting BC for a while - find a kicker Eagles.
Penn State 31 Boston College 30
Notes
-Nice game for Penn State QB Christian Hackenberg who had a rough regular season. 371 yards passing and four touchdowns.
-Huge crowd at Yankee Stadium, mostly Penn State fans. Bowl organizers said the game sold out in three days.
-I guess they'll be sending these to some kids in Central America.
-What did I eat? Some leftover shrimp from Christmas and a couple cookies.
-Bowl swag: This game is hush hush about what players get, but presumably New Era products.
My pick, Penn State. I did think it would be a close game but more like 19-17.
Three more in the books, one going on and one more to come tonight. Working the remote hard this afternoon.
First of five games today, lots of overlapping too with CBS getting its one bowl game of the season.
Cincinnati vs. Virginia Tech
The Hokies second game this season against a team from Ohio, will they make the most of it?
I caught the first half, pretty tight with neither team giving each other much. Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster looks like he's 42 but has been with the school since 1943. Good game plan to harass UC quarterback Gunner Kiel.
It was 13-10 Hokies at half and not long after Kiel was knocked out of the game. The game was over when Kiel fumbled in the third despite a whiff of a comeback in the fourth.
Virginia Tech 33 Cincinnati 17
Notes
-U.C. was more or less outplayed most of this game. So yes, Virginia Tech beat both teams from Ohio on their schedule. The Hokies bowl game streak is at 22 games and they avoid a losing season, something they haven't seen in Blacksburg since the early 90's.
-Head coach Frank Beamer had throat surgery in early December and coached from the booth. That didn't stop him from dancing after the win.
-This game is sponsored by Northrup Grumman and each year I put an item on my personal wish list. This year its the F-35 Lightning II.
I've got a few enemy targets to take out, this should come in handy.
-Bowl swag: Score! Microsoft Xbox One console; Under Armour backpack; Might Boom Ball speakers; beanie. Every player is going to be on that Xbox One for days.
My pick - U.C.. Hey, my kid goes there. I did really think the Bearcats offense would be too much for VT, but alas, it was not.
Second game of the day. I started in on the second quarter after the Military Bowl went to half time. During these games I took the time to clean up the kids crap in the basement, properly set up the new HDTV down there and fix the futon coach. I might need a BowlQuest refuge with all these games.
Welcome to El Paso!
Did you know the show Breaking Bad was based on the lyrics from this song?
#15 Arizona State vs. Duke
How about the Dukies, having a chance at a second straight season of 10 wins? Tough match-up with a good Arizona State team.
I only caught the second quarter and then the exciting part of the fourth quarter. ASU looked liked the bigger, stronger team but the scrappy Blue Devils hung around and made a game of it, getting within a score. Then the Sun Devils scored on a 96 yard touchdown return. That was game. Still, nice season Duke.
Arizona State 36 Duke 31
Notes
-Back to back 10 win seasons for the Sun Devils for the first time since 1973.
-Decent crowd for this game in one of the better bowl game settings with mountains surrounding the stadium.
-Helen Of Troy is the founding sponsor of this 47 year old bowl game and yes, players still get a hair dryer as part of their bowl swag.
-Verne Lundquist usually calls this game with Gary Danielson but he took a pass. Probably pub crawling somewhere.
-Man, Marty Robbins really loved El Paso.
I took Arizona State with high confidence points. Was sweating the ending out a little.
Last of the earlier afternoon games.
Advocare was the sponsor of this game for the past couple years but they've moved on to a game in Texas so who better than the boys from Duck Dynasty to put their company on board.
Miami (Fl) vs. South Carolina
Disappointing seasons for both teams, especially the Gamecocks. Things got off to a rocky start for them losing to Texas A&M at home and never really got any better. Miami also comes into the game at 6-6.
With the way games were staggered I caught the second quarter of this one and then came back to see the end. Really good game. For anyone who says these teams have nothing to play for certainly didn't see this game.
I was expecting the game to belong to Miami running back but it was the Pharoh Cooper coming out party for the Gamecocks. The wide receiver was the difference with nine catches for 170 yards including a 78-yard touchdown catch and run.
Johnson, by the way, left the game with an injury late. Just a rough game overall with both teams trading some heavy blows. At one point, they traded taunting personal fouls.
Miami did put up a late score but TLTL.
South Carolina 24 Miami 21
Notes
-Maybe the best game from a pure football standpoint. Close, rough, the Old Ball Coach.
-She's all in for Miami.
-Bowl swag: Timely Watch Co. watch; New Era ski cap; football. No, they do not get duck calls, missed opportunity.
My pick - Miami. I though Duke Johnson would be the difference, Missed two of three today so far.
Big Chicken rears its head for the second time this bowl season, with today's first offering.
Zaxby's is a chain of southern fast food restaurants that specializes in fried chicken. So, our second friend chicken chain sponsored bowl. Starting to feel a theme.
Illinois vs. Louisiana Tech
Welcome back Illini, your 6-6 record returned you to the bowl picture. Illinois got into post season play by beating Northwestern in their final game. Hey, just think if I said you would beat Penn State, Notre Dame and Wisconsin and you'd wind up 5-7? That was Northwestern's season and because they lost to Illinois, the Illini are in Dallas playing in the Cotton Bowl, the stadium, not the game.
Game on, with chicken strips. I watched almost all of this game at my brother-in-law's house for our Christmas get together one day late.
This game will only be remembered for the terrible kicking from Illinois. Their place kicker missed an extra point off one goal post and made a field goal off the other. Give that guy 100 footballs and he can't hit both posts.
Illinois hung around for most the game but couldn't take the lead against whatever mascot represents La Tech (Bulldogs, I think). The game was over when Louisiana Tech's Blake Martin ran in a TD to make it a three score lead.
Louisiana Tech 35 Illinois 18
Notes
-Not the rip roaring start the Big 10 needed in bowl season. Hats off to Illini quarterback Reilly O'Toole who took a beating but still managed to pass for 295 yards and a score.
-This game was pretty much a snooze, Illinois never looked like it had the players to beat the Conference USA runner-up. Pretty sad for the Big 10.
-Announced crowd was just under 32,000. Not quite Heart of Dallas Bowl.
-Bowl swag:
Ogio Marshall Pack backpack; beanie; Big Game football. Not so great. Throw in a year of free Zaxby's chicken strips you tight wads.
I picked Louisiana Tech to win. No way was I ever picking Illinois.
Next up, a trip to Detroit.
Rutgers vs. North Carolina
This used to be the only pizza sponsored bowl following Papa John's departure a few years ago from the bowl game in Birmingham.
Still at my brother in law's for the start of this one. I'm beginning to think my wife's family thinks I'm nuts for watching every game. I don't hide it, this thing requires my attention every holiday season - I can't help it the powers that be keep making more games.
Neither teams played much defense this season so I was expecting a high scoring game. Pretty close, with Rutgers running the Tar Heels early and kind of hanging on.
I caught the first quarter at my BIL's house and spent most of the rest of the game driving home in NASCAR racing style traffic. Here's the thing about the holidays. Just because you're off, that doesn't mean the rest of the population has vacation days. It was pretty heavy afternoon drive traffic through Dayton and Cincinnati. Speed limits mean nothing, much like red lights in these times of carelessness and cell phones.
Rutgers had a comfy lead when the Tar Heels tried but failed to mount a comeback. The Scarlet Nights were up 37-7 at one point and its pretty hard to come back from that deficit.
Rutgers 40 North Carolina 21
Notes
-Rutgers freshman running back Josh Hicks was the game MVP, tearing off 202 yards with a touchdown.
-The crowd wasn't any worse and probably not any better when this game featured a Big 10 also ran and the MAC.
Hats off to anyone who made the trip from New Jersey to spend Christmas in Detroit.
-An eight win season for Rutgers in their first year in the Big 10. Hey, better than long time members Illinois...or Indiana...or Northwestern.
-Bowl swag: Sweet stuff - $250 Best Buy gift card, Sony headphones and a Fathead in the likeness of each player. I would choose me, eating fried chicken with the bowl trophy.
I picked North Carolina. Damn you no faith in the Big 10. Bowl picking lesson, never overlook the horrible defensive ranking of a team. The Tar Heels ranked 119th.
Last call...
This was the Beef 'O' Brady's St. Petersburg Bowl for the past couple years, I guess Beef and his apostrophes decided the game wasn't paying off with enough profit. While I'm aware of Bitcoin in the news, I'm still not sure of what "bitpay" is and have yet to encounter a business that partakes. But, this mascot, Mr. Bitcoin, certainly helps explain it all.
North Carolina State vs. Central Florida
As you might imagine, I pay more attention to some games more than others. This game would fall unto "others' although I watched all four quarters.
Early on, the Wolfpack ran Central Florida out of Tropicana Field. Beautiful Tropicana Field, with its patchwork turf.
Is that water coming up from the surface? Maybe it's orange juice. How does a baseball team play on this garbage? Why does the NCAA or Bitcoin even want a game on this junk? It's Florida for God's sake, play on grass.
Central Florida tried to rally late but it fell short. Way to go Wolf Pack, you were 3-8 last year, this year 8-5.
Notes
-Here is the "welcome" video from the sponsors of Bitcoin. I watched it three times and I'm still not sure what it is or why or how I can or would give them my money. They do have 88 employees though.
-Bowl swag: Weak - Oakley Breadbox sunglasses; Oakley Works backpack. Give the players some Bitcoin, although I'm sure the NCAA has rules against players accepting make believe money.
My pick, North Carolina State. I'm now 11-2 in the bowl picks. Good night, plenty of games tomorrow.
Can Aloha Stadium possibly be more empty than the Popeye's bowl stadium in the Bahamas? Yeah, it's pretty empty on Christmas Eve.
Sheraton is still named as the sponsor on the game's website but they're missing from the logo - must have decided to cut back their funding with only a couple thousand people in the stands and only losers like me watching at home.
Fresno State vs. Rice
Fresno and Rice - sounds like another cop or lawyer show on TNT. "Fresno and Rice, right after episodes of Rizzoli and Isles and then Franklin and Bash."
I only watched the required one live quarter and the family demanded we do something else so we watched Guardians of the Galaxy. Good choice, this one was not much of a contest.
Rice quarterback Driphus Jackson threw two touchdowns within a span of 19 seconds at the end of the quarter and that was all she wrote so I really didn't miss much.
Rice 30 Fresno State 6
Notes
-If somebody's looking for a late Christmas gift for me, I'll take one of these shirts that was part of the player's swag bag.
I picked Rice, so my bowl record improves to 9-1.
That's that, short post, it's Christmas morning. No games today (obviously), three tomorrow.
While no one is heeding my call for a bowl game on Christmas Day, at least there's a game on in the middle of the afternoon on Christmas Eve day. And man do I like this logo.
I may need to get the t-shirt.
Western Kentucky vs. Central Michigan
The MAC, Conference USA, a southern fried chicken chain sponsor and the first FBS game outside North America since 1937.
The last game between two American schools outside of North America? Why, the 1937 Bacardi Bowl in Havana. Auburn's first bowl game that ended in a 7-7 tied with Villanova. Impress someone with that bowl fact at the rock n' roll Christmas party.
But this game...
OH MY LORD!!!!
A game that should have been billed as "defense optional" came down to the craziest play that ALMOST ended the game.
Western Kentucky owned the first half, up 42-14, although both teams moved the ball at ease racking up 700 yards of offense.
The Hilltoppers took the their foot off the gas in the second half and the Chippewas scrapped their way back in. 49-42 with a few seconds to go but the Hilltoppers have the ball after an onside kick. WKU punts, the Chippewas have one last play, throw the ball and execute one of the greatest hook and lateral plays ever seen. And they scored!
Why go for the tie? The Chips went for two - and did not convert. I don't blame CMU head coach Dan Enos. Your team just completed the most improbable comeback, go for two. And they did and almost won.
WKU 49 CMU 48
Notes
-Too bad more fans weren't there to see this game or the half time festivities. Or any fans.
Yes, the Bahamas Bowl dance off!
The winner.
And he proposed to his girlfriend! What didn't this game have? Fans, sure, but it was a lot of fun, then kind of boring, more excitement then a ton of crazy at the end.
-What did I eat: A couple cheese straws. Mrs. Keith only makes these for me at Christmas. I do wish I had some Popeye's chicken but we have a big dinner planned. Popeye's did introduce a new ghost pepper chicken item. I'll give it a shot.
-Bowl swag: Not great, but then again they got a free trip to the Bahamas. An Oglio backpack and ballcap. They should get a lifetime supply of Popeye's ghost pepper chicken.
My pick, Western Kentucky - that almost was wrong. Now 8-1 with the Hawai'i Bowl coming up at 8pm. Can't imagine what can't happen to top this one.
As always, the longest name for a game in BowlQuest. Second of two games on Tuesday and our second floral titled game of the season.
We don't have a poinsettia plant this year, which is not a loss. They usually fade pretty fast and we're forever picking up the leaves (petals?) every day. There are also the annual TV news warnings about poinsettias being dangerous to dogs. Calm down anchor lady. The ASPCA says the toxicity of poinsettias to dogs is overrated.
By the way, there is a drink called the Wilted Poinsettia, might have to try it.
2 oz bourbon
1/2 oz simple syrup
1/2 oz Campari
several sprigs mint
garnish with Luxardo cherry
Navy vs. San Diego State
These teams play in this game a lot, and for good reason, there are several naval bases around San Diego and this is the Aztecs home field. Fill up that stadium!
This game was our first turnover filled contest. There are usually a lot of them during the bowl season. Who knows why - maybe its teams with long layoffs, bad weather, a little too much fun at the pregame festivities. Navy had an uncharacteristic four fumbles but managed to have the ball last for a game winning field goal thanks to a 4th and 1 carry for 13 yards by Chris Swain.
I watched the first half but called it a night about midway through the third quarter. This was not a well played game nor exciting despite the close score.
Navy 17 SDSU 16
Notes
-San Diego State should probably have won the game but failed to take advantage of the four Navy turnovers. They Aztecs only managed six points on those TO's. Not good.
-Navy's mascot is a ram, and they brought some rams-to-be along. Awwww...
-What did I eat: Two homemade chocolate chip cookies. Mrs. Keith seems to have gone a little heavy on the dough and light on the chips. Still pretty good.
-Player swag: Nice, $395 Best Buy gift card, cap.
-My pick: Navy, figured it would be a low scoring game with run oriented teams. 7-1 so far.
Two games Wednesday - Popeye's Bahamas Bowl and the Hawai'i Bowl. Merry Christmas Eve!
Another new bowl, y'all! Yes, it's a real game on a real football field with a half time show devoted to the all time great Boca Raton sport of shuffleboard. Let's go!!
This logo has a lot of white space. Like the extra large parking spots at the Del Boca Vista retirement community.
Nobody's keeping out the fans of the MAC and C-USA. Welcome to Boca!
Marshall vs. Northern Illinois
I was kind of hoping Marshall might get a better match-up following a season where their fans bellyached they should be higher ranked, some going as far as saying they should be in national title consideration until their season went up in smoke with a 67-66 loss to Western Kentucky. If it weren't for that game, the Herd would in the Fiesta Bowl instead of Boise State.
Oh well, at least this was a game between conference champs - only the playoff games can boast that among the other 38 bowl games.
I watched all of this one although I was busy with doing laundry (again) and making my favorite holiday treat, Emeril's spicy pecans. Here's the recipe if you'd like to make them.
Game started off pretty even, each team trading scores. Then the Rakeem Cato show kicked in. Marshall scored touchdowns while NIU was kicking field goals. You know how that usually works out.
Great game for a second bowl in a row for Cato who had five touchdowns. Well earned MVP, some question if he's an NFL caliber quarterback because of his size. Can he possibly be worse than some of the back-ups some teams carry? Good Lord, Tennessee doesn't have a good quarterback on their team and still employ Charlie Whitehurst.
This was a game where the score doesn't indicate that the game was closer than it actually was. NIU had five trips into the red zone and settled for field goals. That was the difference.
Marshall 52 Northern Illinois 23
Notes
-The powers that be need to stop making new bowls. These two teams could have found spots elsewhere. This game evidently came about because it was played at Florida Atlantic's new field and the man who started the FAU program from scratch, Howard Schnellenberger, had a goal of bringing a bowl game to the stadium.
Sports need more guys like Schnellenberger.
-It was really humid in Boca Raton. Check out Marshall coach Doc Holliday.
Dude was sweating. He went through 174 shirts in this game.
-What did I eat: Some of my spicy pecans. Seriously, you need to make these.
-Bowl swag: This game has not announced what players get to take home, but I'm guessing soup.
Okay, enough with the old people baiting. I picked Marshall so that should boost my record to 6-1. Fire up Boca Bowl cheerleaders!
On to tonight's second half of the doubleheader, the Poinsettia Bowl.
So, to catch my breath after the exhilarating Miami Beach Bowl, the only logical choice is our annual family viewing of Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.
What in the hell exactly was going on in this special?
Fred Astaire, as the mail man narrator, was opening people's letters. That's a federal crime brother.
People just dropping off a baby at a home filled with elves. There wasn't one better home to drop off your unwanted child? Or maybe his parents were killed by the tyrant Burgermeister Meisterburger.
The Kringle elves had a terrible business plan. They kept making toys to be delivered to a town that specifically forbid toys. Enterprising elves would have made socks.
The horrible Winter Warlock crumbled when given a toy train. Good Lord, that's one weak warlock. Thankfully he held on to that magic feed corn.
Santa gains weight rapidly in all these specials. Like, 100 pounds in a couple days. I'd keep an eye on Mrs. Claus, she's after that insurance money.
Did you know ABC cuts out a couple of the horrible songs from the show while ABC Family cuts out the scene where the Burgermeister burns the toys in fear children will be traumatized? I prefer if they burned the song Jessica sings.
Well, show's over, getting ready for Monday Night Football. Let's see how the Bengals crap the bed in prime time again.
New bowl game alert, pt. 2. Monday afternoon, three days before Christmas, only five games two days before, of course you need another bowl game.
Come to the Marlins stadium, stay for the art deco, right there in the logo.
Brigham Young vs. Memphis
Started this day with a client meeting and then some Christmas shopping. By all means, I hope your shopping is done. First stop, Cork and Barrel in Covington. This used to be my go-to liquor store, it's a shell of itself. Half filled shelves, higher prices, booze is now cheaper in Ohio. The bourbon craze has hit this store hard. I bought a bottle of vermouth and a bottle of wine, more or less out of pity.
Then in succession: Bed, Bath & Beyond, TJ Maxx and Target. Notice to stores, its three days before Christmas, you may want to have all your registers staffed. Then gas at Costco, $1.97 a gallon! Final stop, O'Reilly's for a couple things automotive for my Jeep - no one in the store. Lesson learned, do your shopping at O'Reilly's.
Got home to find my big recyclable can had not been picked up. So, a long phone call on the automation system with my trash company and like a Christmas miracle, they showed up to empty the can. I never spoke to an actual human. Every time a trash can's emptied, a garbage man gets his wings!
Finally, football. I joined the game seven minutes into the first quarter and four - FOUR- touchdowns have already been scored. But no worries, the action was only starting.
Second quarter, another three touchdowns. Just your usual shootout. Long half time, so I switch over to the Food Network to see what Giada is cooking for Christmas. Probably something with parmesan, lemons and cleavage. Hi Giada. Hey, look, she's in Miami too.
Mrs. Keith hates Giada.
Both teams trade touchdowns in the third quarter, Memphis holds on to a 38-31 lead and then all hell breaks loose in the fourth
Fourth quarter fireworks - Memphis turned it over three times giving BYU the lead. But in true Miami Beach Bowl fashion, we're not done. It really was spectacular, go read about it on your own.
Memphis gets great field possession, converts on a nutty fourth down play and scores with 45 seconds left. Setting up the extra point, things really get weird. BYU's coach Bronco Mendenhall calls not one but two time outs. Two time outs on an extra point with 45 seconds remaining - what the ___ Bronco? Of course, BYU still manages to move the ball and has a shot at the end zone before time expires. Would have been nice to have those two time outs, huh Bronco? I would love to hear the explanation of calling two time outs on an extra point.
Overtime!
BYU gets the ball first, bumbles around and has to kick a field with their weak legged kicker and he drops it just over the crossbar. Memphis possession, nothing they do makes any sense and they lose 13 yards. 55 yard field goal attempt and their kicker would have made it from 65 yards.
Flip the field. Memphis scores a beauty of a TD and BYU chokes, throwing an interception, game over.
But wait, there's more!
A huge fight broke out and this guy threw a sucker punch at a Memphis player. I guess that didn't work out too well. This wasn't the only bloody player. One of the Memphis players in the pre-game was ramming his un-helmeted head into other players helmeted heads, breaking open his nose. At least two others players were bloodied, one doing it just running into something. This game had it all.
Memphis 55 BYU 48
Notes
-This will easily be the craziest game of BowlQuest. I can't imagine what could happen to surpass the awful play, turnovers and weird coaching decisions. Both teams played terrible and great on the same day.
-What a game for Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch - four touchdown passes and he ran for three others. Also, he's 6'7". It's the second time in six bowl games a quarterback of that height has played.
-What did I eat? Cheese plate with crostini and then some pretzel and nuts snack mix. It was a long game.
-Player swag. Hopefully, band-aids for a few guys. Actually, Under Armour sunglasses and hat, Oakley backpack. Typical bowl game crap.
I picked Memphis, so my record goes to 5-1. I still don't know how I picked Colorado State over Utah.
Two games tomorrow; Boca Raton Bowl and Poinsettia Bowl.
