After holing ourselves up in a remote mountain cabin, reading only the finest sports related periodicals and poring over the season’s box scores,
The Mind Grape Incubator
Bjorn and I have emerged with an unparalleled Bowl Extravaganza. Since there are so many bowl games, we are splitting our coverage into two posts. This particular post will be focusing on the pre-New Years games.
With historic bowls like the Cotton, Rose, and Sugar all occurring after the New year, there are many who consider the preceding games to be of a lesser quality. To be certain, there are definitely some stinkers (Marshall v. Ohio, UCLA v. Temple). Yet, the changing landscape of the game has provided the viewing public several (potentially) great match-ups, i.e. Oregon State v. BYU, Arizona v. Nebraska.
What Would Toby Do?
Anxiously Awaiting
Peter: Toby Gerhart versus the Oklahoma Sooner defense. After finishing second in the closest Heisman race ever, it will be interesting to see how Toby performs. I don’t really envision him having much success (especially if Mr. Luck isn’t healthy), but I’m definitely anxious to see how it turns out.
Bjorn: BYU in the Las Vegas bowl. Now this is going to be the first time a lot of these Morman boys have seen a pair of tits, and we all know a nice pair are never too far from a Beaver, so I reckon them cougar boys are going to be a bit more distracted come the night before the game. Bet on black (and orange)
Most Exciting Game
Peter: I suppose this depends on our definition of exciting, but could there be more two diametrically opposed teams than Air Force and Houston? While the irony of the Air Force being such a committed running team has been brow beaten into the consciousness of every college football fan, the plain fact is that they can put up some points. Should be an explosive game. I haven’t checked the lines, but I imagine the over/under has to be approaching 75 points.
Bjorn: Air Force/Houston should be a good one and I think USC/BC should provide some entertainment as well. BC’s got a solid offense and despite their down year, USC always has a plethora of athletes on the field.
Welcome to Snoozeville
Most Depressing Game
Peter: Normally, this decision is based more on location than the teams themselves. This year, however, the Little Caesar’s Bowl and the Humanitarian Bowl can rest easy. I have to go with the Insight Bowl. While I think the mere fact that the Cyclones are in a bowl is laudable, I have no interest in this game. After watching the Gophers a few times, I was left with an acrid taste in my mouth. And the Cyclones, well…I still can’t think of them as anything beyond an also-ran. Pardon me, but I’ll re-watch The Family Stone on FX instead.
Bjorn: Man, ain’t even a question, it’s Cyclones – Gophers. I say that with an enormous sense of regret as my American ancestry (like many other strong, good looking Norwegian-Americans) is rooted entirely in these two states. Our family farm that Ole Andreas Larson Tjernagel first broke North American soil on, is located just 50 miles north of Ames. A majority of my relatives from both sides reside in the Twin Cities. So take it from me, I’m unbiased dontchya know, stay away from this battle for the midwest.
The Picks!
(Peter=Blue, Bjorn=Red, Same=Black/Bold)
New Mexico Bowl: Fresno State v Wyoming
St. Petersburg Bowl: UCF v Rutgers
New Orleans Bowl: USM v MTSU
Las Vegas Bowl: Oregon State v BYU
Poinsettia Bowl: Utah v. California
Hawaii Bowl: Nevada v SMU
Little Caesars Bowl: Marshall v Ohio
Meineke Car Care Bowl: Pittsburgh v UNC
Emerald Bowl: BC v USC
Music City Bowl: Kentucky v Clemson
Independence Bowl: aTm v UGA
Eaglebank Bowl: UCLA v Temple
Champs Sports Bowl: Miami v Wisconsin
Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl: Bowling Green v Idaho
Holiday Bowl: Arizona v Nebraska
Armed Forces Bowl: Houston v Air Force
Sun Bowl: OU v Stanford
Texas Bowl: Navy v Mizzou
Insight Bowl: Minnesota v ISU
Chick-fil-A Bowl: VaTech v Tennessee
Tis’ the mother flippin’ season. Tell yer loved ones they aight.
The song that currently echoes in the back chambers of my brain: “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. Read up on these fools, interesting story.
You may recognize the brunette with the bangs and viola from Airborne Toxic Event. This band is like a rolling snow ball of talented minstrels.
The Tilted Pylon: Bowl Extravaganza-Part 1
After holing ourselves up in a remote mountain cabin, reading only the finest sports related periodicals and poring over the season’s box scores,
The Mind Grape Incubator
Bjorn and I have emerged with an unparalleled Bowl Extravaganza. Since there are so many bowl games, we are splitting our coverage into two posts. This particular post will be focusing on the pre-New Years games.
With historic bowls like the Cotton, Rose, and Sugar all occurring after the New year, there are many who consider the preceding games to be of a lesser quality. To be certain, there are definitely some stinkers (Marshall v. Ohio, UCLA v. Temple). Yet, the changing landscape of the game has provided the viewing public several (potentially) great match-ups, i.e. Oregon State v. BYU, Arizona v. Nebraska.
What Would Toby Do?
Anxiously Awaiting
Peter: Toby Gerhart versus the Oklahoma Sooner defense. After finishing second in the closest Heisman race ever, it will be interesting to see how Toby performs. I don’t really envision him having much success (especially if Mr. Luck isn’t healthy), but I’m definitely anxious to see how it turns out.
Bjorn: BYU in the Las Vegas bowl. Now this is going to be the first time a lot of these Morman boys have seen a pair of tits, and we all know a nice pair are never too far from a Beaver, so I reckon them cougar boys are going to be a bit more distracted come the night before the game. Bet on black (and orange)
Most Exciting Game
Peter: I suppose this depends on our definition of exciting, but could there be more two diametrically opposed teams than Air Force and Houston? While the irony of the Air Force being such a committed running team has been brow beaten into the consciousness of every college football fan, the plain fact is that they can put up some points. Should be an explosive game. I haven’t checked the lines, but I imagine the over/under has to be approaching 75 points.
Bjorn: Air Force/Houston should be a good one and I think USC/BC should provide some entertainment as well. BC’s got a solid offense and despite their down year, USC always has a plethora of athletes on the field.
Welcome to Snoozeville
Most Depressing Game
Peter: Normally, this decision is based more on location than the teams themselves. This year, however, the Little Caesar’s Bowl and the Humanitarian Bowl can rest easy. I have to go with the Insight Bowl. While I think the mere fact that the Cyclones are in a bowl is laudable, I have no interest in this game. After watching the Gophers a few times, I was left with an acrid taste in my mouth. And the Cyclones, well…I still can’t think of them as anything beyond an also-ran. Pardon me, but I’ll re-watch The Family Stone on FX instead.
Bjorn: Man, ain’t even a question, it’s Cyclones – Gophers. I say that with an enormous sense of regret as my American ancestry (like many other strong, good looking Norwegian-Americans) is rooted entirely in these two states. Our family farm that Ole Andreas Larson Tjernagel first broke North American soil on, is located just 50 miles north of Ames. A majority of my relatives from both sides reside in the Twin Cities. So take it from me, I’m unbiased dontchya know, stay away from this battle for the midwest.
The Picks!
(Peter=Blue, Bjorn=Red, Same=Black/Bold)
New Mexico Bowl: Fresno State v Wyoming
St. Petersburg Bowl: UCF v Rutgers
New Orleans Bowl: USM v MTSU
Las Vegas Bowl: Oregon State v BYU
Poinsettia Bowl: Utah v. California
Hawaii Bowl: Nevada v SMU
Little Caesars Bowl: Marshall v Ohio
Meineke Car Care Bowl: Pittsburgh v UNC
Emerald Bowl: BC v USC
Music City Bowl: Kentucky v Clemson
Independence Bowl: aTm v UGA
Eaglebank Bowl: UCLA v Temple
Champs Sports Bowl: Miami v Wisconsin
Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl: Bowling Green v Idaho
Holiday Bowl: Arizona v Nebraska
Armed Forces Bowl: Houston v Air Force
Sun Bowl: OU v Stanford
Texas Bowl: Navy v Mizzou
Insight Bowl: Minnesota v ISU
Chick-fil-A Bowl: VaTech v Tennessee
Tis’ the mother flippin’ season. Tell yer loved ones they aight.
The song that currently echoes in the back chambers of my brain: “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. Read up on these fools, interesting story.
You may recognize the brunette with the bangs and viola from Airborne Toxic Event. This band is like a rolling snow ball of talented minstrels.