Bowl Game Hogswatch, er, Christmas Edition

I have to say that the games this weekend really are not putting me in the Christmas spirit. One thing that does? Hogfather, of course! If I ever have any children, I daresay that I will force them to watch the film version every Hogswatchnight, I mean Christmas Eve. Hopefully I can avoid these football games this weekend and plan out the rest of my vacation all proper like.

Little Caesar's Bowl: 12/26/09 10am, Detroit, MI, USA
Ohio (9-4) vs Marshall (6-6), Ohio by 4

Ok, two teams that play in conferences that get no love, I should like this game, right? I used to really like Marshall. I don't know if it was the close defeats at their hands against Rice or the fact that Matthew McConaughey played their coach in that one movie, but my opinion has changed. Plus, I was never a big fan of the Thundering Herd mascot. Only one team in football should have an adjective in their title. I like the resume Ohio has put together. You have to respect a team that made its conference title game. Plus, the Bobcats (weird for an Ohio team, am I wrong?) have a shot to win ten games, a mark I always like to see "small" schools reach.

The pick: Ohio-all the way. Though I'm not all about this game because it feels like I only have something to lose: If Ohio wins, it's expected. If not, everyone continues to talk about how the MAC sucks, which it only might.

The line: Close, but I'll pick to cover. I'd love to see a Bobcat blowout.


Meineke Car Care Bowl: 12/26/09 1:30pm, Charlotte, NC, USA
Pittsburgh (9-3) vs North Carolina (8-4), Pitt by 2

I thought for a moment that Meineke had dropped the "Car Care" from the bowl title when I first looked up this game, but after some deeper research found that not to be the case. One of my favorite bowl game titles will not make up, however, for the teams on the field. I don't like the Panthers and feel like North Carolina having a football team is not something Hotch would not approve of. Plus, the Tarheels suck. And because this game is taking place in North Carolina, they are the hot pick. They have been good against quality opponents this season, and Pitt did struggle toward the end of the year. Then again, the two late season losses I refer to were close and to good teams.

The pick: Pittsburgh-I cannot bring myself to take NC, it just feels dishonest. Then again, I'm thinking a close game here.

The line: Tough call, but I'm going to take Pitt to cover. I kind of feel like taking the points is hedging here, calling for a one point Pitt win. I guess I hope that the Tarheels are fully disinterested what with their last game loss to the rival Wolfpack and basketball season having started.


Emerald Bowl: 12/26/09 5pm, San Francisco, CA, USA
USC (8-4) vs Boston College (8-4), USC by 7

Are you starting to see why I don't care about these games? As I previously stated, the Trojans' miserable (by their standards) season was overshadowed by the struggles of our teams. And I don't think having watched this happen live on tv, that I could ever root for the Golden Eagles.

The pick: Boston College-Because I have to write something.

The line: Taking the points, even though I've just sealed a USC blowout with all this talk.


Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl: 12/27/09 5:30pm, Nashville, TN, USA
Kentucky (7-5) vs Clemson (8-5), Clemson by 7.5

Oh man, why isn't this post over with yet. Then again, it might be tough sledding for me all the way until January 7th. At least they haven't moved the NC until my birthday yet. When was the last time I was even remotely interested in it? Well, I'm getting ahead of myself here. As one can infer from the line, the Tigers are big favorites. They were highly touted this season (as usual) and had some success, finishing first in the ACC Atlantic (OK, the ACC stands for Atlantic Coast Conference and the two divisions that make it up are named Atlantic and Coastal. That is funny to me. Or at least highly unoriginal.) Division. Everyone liked to talk about the SEC being top heavy, so one could look at this Wildcats team, which went 3-5 in conference play, as one that might not belong. Then again, the SEC had ten of its twelve teams reach the seven win plateau.

The pick: Clemson-That's right! You can tell I'm upset with these games after this pick, right? I just couldn't bring myself to come up with an explanation picking a team that once had this guy at QB.

The line: What did we learn from the Fresno State and Nevada games? Never take a heavy favorite's spread. Points, please. Gosh, I hope the Kentucky "WildCobb" offense can get something done and keep this game close.