Sunday, December 06, 2015

Bowling Snark

Throughout today I've been checking the bowl matchups.  

Made for a nice break at times.  As yesterday was a go-out-of-town-and-spend-money-like-it's-going-out-of-style day that left all of the chores and "honey do's" for the traditional day of rest.  I was thankful for the times to sit down and check the 'Net.  

As all the pundits said, the playoff slots were no surprise.  (No TCU-esque dashing of dreams this year.)  I did watch the other bowl invitations with interest.  As I guessed, Nebraska got an invite despite their 5-7 record.  Large fan base with deep pockets always makes a difference.  

So let me offer my analysis of a few games we will see in the coming weeks.  

December 19:  New Mexico Bowl.  Arizona versus New Mexico.  As ESPN's College Gameday came to Tucson this season, playing your bowl game in Albuquerque and being among one of the first out of the gate has to be a disappointment for Rich Rodriguez and company.  The Wildcats don't want to start a border war tradition when there's greener pastures later in the month.  

Same day:  Las Vegas Bowl.  BYU against Utah.  All those Mormons in Sin City.  God truly has a sense of humor.  

December 26:  Foster Farms Bowl.  UCLA versus Nebraska.  Will the Huskers make the best of their "at least we got a bowl invite" situation?

December 29:  Armed Forces Bowl (the Fort Worth one, not the one in Annapolis).  California goes up against Air Force.  Seems appropriate to have a service academy in a game with such as name as this.  

Same day:  Texas Bowl.  LSU and Texas Tech.  Should be well-attended if not a sellout.  Two regional teams with a proven ability to score.  

Same day:  Russell Athletic Bowl.  North Carolina versus Baylor.  Baylor?  Wow.  Losing that game to the Longhorns and in the process blowing a place in the Sugar Bowl hurts in more ways than one.  

January 2:  Alamo Bowl.  Oregon meets TCU.  The Ducks were in the playoffs last year and no doubt  in September had their sights set on a return to One Of The Big Ones.  No dice.  I'm guessing they will take out their frustrations on the Horned Frogs.  

Same day:  Motel 6 Cactus Bowl.  West Virginia versus Arizona State.  At least all of the hoteliers in the Valley of the Sun can reassure themselves with "We still have the Fiesta Bowl and the National Championship to get us into the black."  

Happy bowling!!

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