12/22 Draft: Expanding the Pac-10

Just when we were running a little low on material, the CFB gods help us out. Sure enough, right on the heels of the Big10/11/whatever talking expansion, the Pac-10 has thrown it's name into the ring as well as a conference that will also explore expansion (PAC-12 here we come!).

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1W) Hawaii

Let me start by saying, yes I know this is an odd one, especially to start off with. But I think Hawaii is in the Pacific Ocean, no? And it really probably fits in better with the PAC group anyways. I honestly think that Hawaii can give some challenge to the PAC teams.








2M) Boise State

The ACC Rule aside (thou shalt not bring in teams into the conference that beat the incumbent teams, else said expansion teams be named "bad fits"), Boise State is a no-brainer. The football team has won something close to 38 of it's last 40 games. Say what you want about the quality of the opponent the Broncos play, but they've done it vs. some pretty good teams as of late (OU in a BCS bowl, the Pac-10 Champion Oregon Ducks this year). It would be a good move for the Broncos because they wouldn't have to worry about how awful their schedule is; they'd have a built-in legitimacy playing Oregon and USC every year as well as Cal, a much improved Stanford team, etc.

Plus, they could keep the smurf turf and just use the white logo outline for the Pac10. See? It all fits.





3W) Fresno State

Fresno State.. think about it.
They are on the sea of lost, they belong in the PAC.
They have been rather successful in the WAC overall, and really thier location make them prime for the PAC!








4M) BYU

BYU has had a solid program for quite some time now after falling from grace post-Ty Detmer. The Cougs are a good get for the Pac-10 as BYU is a good school and let's face it, there's not much risk in bringing in these clean-cut folks. The basketball team is good every once in a while, but the football team has been very competitive and would continue to be after moving up in the world and joining a major BCS auto-bid conference.



5W) New Mexico

QUIT LAUGHING!!! The Lobos would make a great homecoming matchup for all the current PAC teams! heck even Washington St!







6M) Utah

The Utes have proven that they are no flash in the pan, producing BCS winning bowl teams and first round picks. While Utah still doesn't get the name recognition and automatic respect that perhaps they deserve at this point, joining a major conference could give them the boost they need to get over the hump of legitimacy.



7W) Colorado

All joking aside, This probably makes the most sense.
Colorado isn't really a fit for the Big 12.. It's almost an outsider, so shouldnt the PAC be an option? There is no question whether the PAC would want them, they definitely would, and I honestly think this would be mutually benefical as recruiting in CU would increase, and the media market of the PAC would as well!




8M) Colorado State

Well hell, Wesley...if Colorado is going, shouldn't Colorado State go, too? I mean you already have Washington/Washington State, Oregon/Oregon State, Arizona/Arizona State, Cal/Cal State? Ok, well it ends before Cal State, but still, if we're going to add the Buffs, it would make sense to add the Rams as well.




9W) Boston College

Yes Boston College.. Have you figured out why I say BC? NO?
well is BC near the Pacific Ocean? Negative, they are near another body of water. I think they would just like BC, or to SAY BC because that seems to be the hot thing to do lately.
Naming BC as a team that wants to jump conferences, to the Big east, Big ten, heck Why not the PAC! Although I am pretty certain that BC would prefer to stay in the ACC. Kinda working out pretty well for them you know? Oh and the whole BC doesnt travel well stigma would be in effect if they played in the PAC btw.






10M) San Diego State

BC? Boy, you are off your rocker. I'm going with another public UC-system school with San Diego State. It's nice because it actually does expand the media market a little bit by getting the San Diego area (okay, not much, but still), plus it's a large state school that's churned out a surprising amount of NFL talent over the years (Marshall Faulk / Joe Gibbs / Herm Edwards anyone). I'm sure the powers that be in California wouldn't mind adding another school from the Great Republic.



RECAP

Wesley drafted: Hawaii, Fresno State, New Mexico, Colorado, Boston College
BCMike drafted: Boise State, BYU, Utah, Colorado State, San Diego State

12-22 Draft: Expanding the Pac-10
	Wesley drafted: Hawaii, Fresno State, New Mexico, Colorado, Boston College
	BCMike drafted: Boise State, BYU, Utah, Colorado State, San Diego State
pollcode.com free polls

12/21 Draft: Renaming the Big10

Okay, so on Thursday we covered the teams that we believe should be ripe for the picking by the Big1Ten1. Today we delve into what to name the Big10 after it becomes a twelve member conference....

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1M) The Heartland 12

Sure, it might sound a little cheesy, but hey--it's true! America's heartland is in the midwest where the grand majority of the conference members are.


2W) The Dirty Dozen

I honestly doubt this will be a choice.. but honestly it probably would be the best option , to sound like a old western mixed with football.

3M) Great Lakes Conference

I think this actually might be my favorite, and I have to say that I did not come up with this myself, but rather read it somewhere else (forget where, apologies to the original creator...not THE original creator, but you know what I mean). I enjoy things that actually make sense, unlike the LA Lakers or the Utah Jazz (is Jazz even allowed in Utah?), and seeing how most of the teams are within a couple hundred miles of the great lakes, it would make a lot of sence. The GLC would be a cool name I think.


4W) The and 1 conference

Cause we never know when we are going to add 1, ACC you have 12? WE Might just have 13, PAC you have 10? Well , 11 may be just right for us.. You just never know when And 1 will add one on ya !

5M) The Western conference

Back to basics, I say! The original name of the Big10 was the Western Conference, and it informally changed to the Big10 in the 1920's before becoming the formal name in the 40's. While it's not in the West Coast, it WAS the original name so I think going back would be kind of cool.


6W) MAC II

I mean, Mid American Conference, or Mid Atlantic although I am uncertain what that exactly means.. Maybe it allows a franchise license to the Big MAC, and McDonalds money would start to flow in? Possibilites are endless on this one!


7M) The Bigger 12 conference

Big12 is taken.


8W) The FCS Region C Conference

To really make no sense, they could start a region conference, hoping everyone jumps in.. and somehow take Region C.. Although no one jumps in..FAIL


9M) tBig Ten Conference

In honor of THE Ohio State University which wins everything in this one team conference anyway. We doubt they're going to add anyone that will be competitive (like the ACC did with BC/VT/Miami), expansion is much easier on the current members if you bring in doormats.


10W) The Conference

Kinda stealing a bit of BCMike's thunder here, but if they want to have The in front of every school in thier conference, then just call it THE conference.


RECAP

BCMike drafted: Heartland 12, Great Lakes Conference, The Western Conference, Bigger 12 Conference, tbig ten
Wesley drafted: Dirty Dozen, The And-1 Conference, MAC II, The Conference, FCS Region 3

12-21 Draft: Renaming the Big10
	BCMike drafted: Heartland 12, Great Lakes Conference, The Western Conference, Bigger 12, tbig ten
	Wesley drafted: Dirty Dozen, The And-1 Conference, MAC II, The Conference, FCS Region 3
pollcode.com free polls

12/18 Draft: Best plays of the 2009 Regular Season

Before we dive deep into our draft, let us preface with it is without question that Mark Herzlich beating cancer is the overall number 1 of best things of 2009, but this being focused on the on the field plays, we are going to roll with those.

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1W) Isaac Johnson vs Wake to stop a would be loss

This feels like FOREVER ago, do you remember, we ALMOST lost to wake at home, actually it was about to happen.. in OT.. and you know it would have been a horrible horrible trend.. but it was all stopped, by a play by the backup in the Secondary Isaac Johnson by swatting the ball in the attempted handoff by skinner…



2M) Boomcat’s goal-line blowup vs. ND

It's truly very sad that such an outstanding defensive performance (our best of the year, IMO) was in a loss as the offense fumbled and intercepted the ball away FIVE times, but there was one specific play that stands out in my mind from that game.

Notre Dame is on the BC half yard line. It's fourth down. Former Notre Dame Head Coach Charlie Weis decides to go for it. Hey, it's only a half-yard, right? The ND back gets the ball and takes a step towards the goal line...then out of no where, Marty Bowman comes in and stops him DEAD in his tracks, holding the Fake Irish out of the End Zone and giving the Eagles another shot of life. Absolutely dead in his tracks. Amazing hit.


3W) Keeks pick 6 vs. CMU

Just when you thought he had done it all, and he almost had.. but he finished with a pick 6 to help the offense out against Central Michigan. This is when we REALLY found out more about our young star LB




4M) McMichael’s Pine Tar Grab vs. Wake

This to me, on offense, was the biggest jaw-dropper of the year. The pass from Shinskie was a little hot, and a little high, but McMichael just stuck out his paw and nabbed it out of the air like it was a Nerf Velco football set. The catch was so tough to make that the safety who was in pursuit of Jordon took the wrong route when the big TE made the grab, clearing the way for the TD rumble.




5W) Shinskie to Jet wheel route vs FSU

Call me nostalgic , whatever.. but this was just a great play, something the fans had been almost verbatim asking for.

And I am a big Jet fan. Oh , and let me top that off a bit… when everyone was calling for us to watch out for the FSU speed.. and then we beat them with…. Speed.. right down the line.. gotta love it!


6M) Mike Morrissey’s stop on Sewell on 4th down vs. UVA

While BC should have beaten ND (IMO) and was the favorite vs. UNC at home, this year was devoid of the usual "WTF loss". UVA could have been it, and very likely would have been had it not been for Mike Morrissey's heroics stopping a late-charging UVA team lead by a very tough to handle Jamel Sewell. Only needing three yards for the first down on fourth on the BC 14(ish), Morrissey quickly got in great tackling position after originally going into his drops to stop Sewell and preserve the BC victory.


7W) Montel 41 carries vs UVA

Workhorse, animal, determined, some of the verbs I think of when I hear 41 carries. Montel never complained, fretted or anything

When he was asked to take the workload of the carries in almost a dangerous fashion. Racking up over 1300 regular season yards didn’t exactly hurt either.








8M) Montel running Wild(cat) all over NC State

The numbers are still eye-popping: 264 yards, five TD's, and a near 10 yard/tote average. If memory serves, the stats out of the wildcat, ahem "Bazooka", were even more gaudy, somewhere around the 20 yard/carry mark.

The amazing performance by Harris was unmatched this year by any other back to my knowledge, although the Wolfpack soon earned the reputation of being the team that one could earn career numbers against in 2009. Regardless, this remains the most outstanding single game running back performance in the history of Boston College football.


9W) Sid, All points leader…

I will keep this one short and sweet, as I am sure that I have shared enough love for Sid from day 1 of the season.

But to come from the stands, to the BC all time points leader, is impressive to say the least.





10M) Bowman blowing up Kent St’s Jarvis

We never wish injury on anyone, which is exactly what happened to Eugene Jarvis after Marty Bowman hit him. Watching the hit on ESPN360, the only way that one could if not at the game in person, you could understand why. Bowman was literally a blur and it's not too often that an internet game image can make you go "wow!" and cringe at the same time.

For Eagles fans, it set the tone on what we would look to expect from Boomcat week in and out, and stands as one of the biggest hits and best plays for the Eagles on the year.


RECAP

Wesley drafted: IJ swat in OT, Keeks pick 6, Jet wheel route, 41 carries for the Ninja, Sid all time leading scorer
BCMike drafted: Boomcat ND blowup, McMichael pine-tar grab, Morrissey's UVA stop, Montel Bazooka's NCSU, Bowman Jarvis hit

12-18 Draft: Best plays of 2009 regular season
	Wesley - IJ swat in OT, Keeks pick 6, Jet wheel route, 41 carries 4 Ninja, Sid leading scorer
	Boomcat ND hit, McMichael grab, Morrissey's UVA stop, Montel Bazooka's NCSU, Bowman Jarvis hit
pollcode.com free polls

12/16 Draft: What school should the Big 10 draft?

The Big10 has finally realized that the national perception of the conference is an over-rated Ohio State and a bunch of also-rans. Adding in to the fact that voters don't get to see any Big10 teams play for the last three weeks of the season (also could be interpreted as "don't have to see"), the powers that be of the former "Western Conference", now the BigTen.
BTW, if and when they expand, are they seriously going to stick with "The Big10"? I'm pretty sure "Big12" is already taken, and being two schools off really doesn't jive with the overall academic reputation of the conference...I digress...

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1M) Mizzou

In the Midwest footprint? Check. Public School? Check? Large land-grant school? Check. Good research program? Check. New media market? Check.
If the Big10 were created today (err, 11...err....12?) and the Big10 had to start from scratch, how wouldn't Mizzou be included? Big12 homers will argue that the Big12 is a better conference, but it's really about what's a better fit for the program. Mizzou isn't going to win anything any time soon being in the same football conference as Texas, OU, etc. They'll be willing to listen and the Big10 would be foolish not to admit them if they accept the invite.


2W) ND

Notre Dame.. Yes I know they would be cutting thier own financial throat here, but thae heat has been on for QUITE some time now. And really, going 6-6 year in and year out really doesn't help thier ratings in any manor either.. You have to think that to prove thier relevancy in this decade/ millineum etc they would have to do a lot better than that, plus the geography would also play a role. I just wonder how long they feel like they should be an independent, with special BCS ties, if they never see a BCS game outside of from the stands.


3M) Pitt

Notre Dame? Wasted pick! This would, and will, NEVER HAPPEN. Why? Because when is the last time you saw any person, entity, etc., take a 91.7% paycut? That's exactly what ND would be doing if they joined a conference. All of that TV money, bowl money, ticket sales, etc., would now be split 12 ways, not one way. Never gonna happen. I can see why the Big10 would want them, but ND isn't coming.
My choice here is to raid the BigEast and go with Pitt. Pitt is a decent/good school on the western side of PA, which since the Penn State expansion is now in the outer lengths of the Big10's footprint television-wise.
It's got a good basketball program and an up and down football program (but one that has a lot of good historic accomplishments/players), and again a good public research university. You're not going to expand a ton of marketshare as many folks in Pittsburgh are Big10 fans anyway (much like GT being in tATL, but ATL being an SEC city anyway), but it's not a big academic downgrade like WVU or NJU would be, and would add a nice rivalry for PSU who doesn't really have one naturally in the conference currently.


4W) Cuse

As in the Orangemen, yeah thats right, to me they are still the Orangemen. When you join a conference, you have to add something. Kind of like what BC adds to the ACC, media market, different fans, different recruiting areas etc. Syracuse could add that for the Big 10 and 3/4. And also add some good basketball matchups as well.


5M) TCU

Sure, I know that it's slightly outside the footprint and is a private school, but TCU is a true diamond in the rough and would seriously add credibility to the Big10's football teams. I'm absolutely ignorant on TCU's other sports teams, but much like NBE members with basketball and BC with baseball since joining the ACC, I imagine a couple years in Big10 hoops and TCU would be able to be competitive.
TCU's record speaks for itself, and it's not padded the way that Boise State's has been, TCU has gone out and played good teams on the road. They would instantly compete for Big10 titles in football and the rest would likely come around in time.
It's a good school, but not a big research center (non-public's rarely are due to a lack of public $$$$$$ financing $$$$$). Still, a very good option for the conference.


6W) Cincy

I truly feel like TCU would fit well in the Big 12, but Big 10 would probably work pretty well too.. maybe we just need an all texas league, wow just tons of schools, players, talent out of that state.

Now I choose Cincy, and I am 200% certain this would infuriate the Big Easty but more reason to do it . Cincy is becoming , or maybe even has become a team definitely worth mentioning. Whether that is coaching, the program etc, time will tell. But Cincy moving over to the Big 10 would give them matchups that would take them over the hump and instead of playing the Runner up SEC team, they could easily be playing for the National Championship!

7M) Iowa State

Nice call with Cincy, Wesley. I thought that Cincy was private and was surprised to learn otherwise earlier this year.
If you want to know how to expand without pissing off the current members, ask the North Carolina schools of the ACC: Don't bring in anyone good! The ACC has been "down" ever since the conference expanded and BC, Miami, and VT started representing the divisions in the ACC Championship game.
You don't run that risk with Iowa State. You get more wins for most of the teams in the conference. You get another natural rivalry with Iowa (Illinois), and another large, public, land-grant institution. I'm not sure on their research capabilities, but that would be gravy. Bring in Iowa State and chalk up one more win per Big10 team.


8W) Louisville

Yes , That Louisville! And there are a couple of reasons why.

Get the Big 10 to start matching up with SEC teams as thier market would grow slightly more southern, and having them play KY, TN etc.

Louisville long term in the basketball arena has been a contender and will be one. And I honestly feel like they will get thier football program back to where it needs to be shortly, but I guess we will see when that actually does happen.


9M) Navy

L'Ville? I guess, I mean I can see the Hoops being a positive, but I'm not sure it's academically where the Big10 wants to go.
My last selection here is Navy. That's right, the Middies! Academic rep? Check. Public? It doesn't get any more public! Large land grant? Kinda...but most of all it's a great academic addition (Annapolis) and, *AND* it would expose the Big10 to the DelMarVa area that Maryland currently holds. Navy wouldn't win any titles any time soon, but they would be good for the conference and a literal zero-risk move.

10W) MTSU

Haha.. I will more than likely lose this one just because.. But hear me out, or read me out or whatever it is that you are doing. MTSU is located in a good media market of Nashville. Which currently only supports 1 team that is Vandy. And I would have to say if you have ever been to Nashville you are well aware that Vandy really isn't the "Home Team" per se. Its more of a buffet style of teams ranging from Memphis, Vandy, Bama, UT, KY and a few more. Let me add another stat for you, MTSU only trails the UT Vols by about 1500 students . Yes THAT UT, in LANE Stadium with the disgusting hunter orange color, seating over 100k..

Another reason, MTSU has only been division 1 BCS, whatever you want to call it for about 8 years, and this year they are headed to a bowl..

And not only does it benefit the Big 10, the MTSU Blue Raiders would love to play some other teams than the Sun Belt, and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers!

RECAP

BCMike drafted: Mizzou, PItt, TCU, Iowa State, Navy
Wesley drafted: ND, Cuse, Cincy, L'Ville, MTSU

12-16 Draft: What school should the Big 10 draft?
	BCMike drafted: Mizzou, PItt, TCU, Iowa State, Navy
	Wesley drafted: ND, Cuse, Cincy, L'Ville, MTSU
pollcode.com free polls

SPECIAL: BCDraft interview with WR Johnathan Coleman

Those who follow recruiting know that the name Johnathan Coleman came out of nowhere to be a white-hot WR prospect. BC was lucky enough to nab him last year and this season Coleman has red-shirted. Wesley caught up with Coleman recently and Johnathan was kind enough to give us the time to let BCDraft readers find out more about him.

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BCDraft: Johnathan, Thanks for taking the time to have this short discussion, so more BC fans can know a bit more about you.

BCDraft: You grew up in the Bronx, but played football in Randor, can you tell us and our readers how that process went? Basically you started playing your Junior year, Correct?

Johnathan Coleman: I got to Radnor all on academics. Someone suggested my grandparents to put me in the A Better Chance Program when I was in 8th grade. The A Better Chance Program takes minority students from poor backgrounds and puts them in private boarding schools [or] our high ranked suburban public schools. After visiting many schools in the northeast I decided to go to Radnor. At Radnor I played basketball all four years and baseball my freshman and sophomore year. I didn’t start playing football until my senior year. Everyone in my high school was pushing me to play football all my previous years but I was so focused on basketball because I was getting D2 looks early in my sophomore year. However when my senior year rolled around I decided to just try it out and see what happens. I found that I liked football. I didn’t have good technique but I was able to get by on athletic ability. After I good season at Radnor I got a lot of looks for D1 and D1AA schools. I was surprised schools wanted me so much seeing that I only played one year. It was a good time in my life. Eventually I committed to BC and now I’m here!!

BCD: Has there been any current upperclassman who has taken you under his wing and tried to help bring you along?

JC: All of the upperclassmen have had an influence on me. They all have helped me at different points in times. I appreciate them helping me out as I’m still trying to learn the technicality of playing receiver.

BCD: What NFL WR do you think your game most closely emulates?

JC: I am nowhere close to him but my goal is to play like Randy Moss one day. Even before I started playing football Randy Moss was my favorite player in the NFL. He has tremendous ability. He’s a FREAK.

BCD: Tell us about some of the WR's who we haven't been able to see on the field as much this year...C. Lee 3, etc.

JC: Clyde Lee is a great receiver. He’s so fast and quick and I think he will be real good next year. Ryan Lindsey is also really good. He was down on scout team with me this year and he made a lot of good plays. I think he will be great next season.

BCD: Why BC, how do you see yourself next year, what WR slot do you like to play (X, Y, Z). Things about the team that only an insider would know...

JC: I chose BC because It has a great academic reputation as well as a standout football program. My goal for next year is to start. I will work as hard as I can to do so. I play the X slot, which is on the outside majority of the time.

I think that most people don’t know that our team is full with a bunch of funny guys. Everyone is always cracking jokes in the locker room and everyone is always laughing. Its good because that means our team gets along well.

BCD: BC was selected to go to the Emerald Bowl, which it is slated to play USC, can you tell us how you feel about this match-up, and how the rest of the team feels about it.

JC: I feel that The Emerald Bowl is a great opportunity for us to show the nation that we are a program that should be taken seriously in the upcoming years. The coaches are preparing us well for the game and the guys on the team are excited to play USC.

BCD: You just are finishing up on your first semester at BC, what was your hardest class? what surprised you?

JC: Surprisingly my hardest class is Theater. It takes up so much time because I have to read plays and remember all of the characters. I have to remember all these technical terms that have to do with stage design, costume design, and play writing. It’s a fun class but it’s a lot of work.

BCD: You were recruited by Ryan Day, who happens to be your position coach, can you tell us about your relationship with Coach Day, and how your recruitment went?

JC: Being recruited by Coach Day was a huge deal because I was able to start building my relationship with him early. Currently Coach Day is teaching me everything I need to know about being a good receiver. Sometimes we will have 1 on 1 session during which he goes over the playbook with me. I feel like we have a good relationship.

BCD: You were red-shirted this year, where do you feel your game has improved to prepare for next year?

JC: My biggest issue coming in was speed and physicality of college football. When I first got here Coach Day would always tell that I wasn’t running hard enough. I needed to force myself to run faster. Now I just try to give all I have every play and it seems to be working.

I also had to adjust to the physical part of the game. Early in the season I was hesitant hit people on blocks but after a long season on scout team I feel that I have gotten over that hump. I would say that being red-shirted is a good idea for anybody especially for some who only played one year in high school.

BCD: Johnathan, thanks so much for taking the time to chat with us. Good luck in San Fran, we'll be cheering hard for BC!

12/15 Draft: Worst Bowl Matchups

Hey, you knew it was coming. Yesterday we briefed you on the top bowl matchups for the end of the '09 season, and today we go over those you may as well just skip. But who are we kidding...you're going to watch them if they're on TV anyway, aren't you? Why else is Buffalo on Tuesday nights during the year....

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1W) Troy vs. Central Michigan

The GMAC still has a bowl? I honestly don't understand the logic on this.
Nor do I see it in the matchup. I honestly think this will attract about 1k fans, via an internet feed.

2M) Bowling Green vs. Idaho

First of all, this is the Humanitarian Bowl, which we all know is played at Boise State...which means blue fields and bleeding eyes for the viewer. Idaho has been one of the worst programs in all of college football for the last decade plus, narollowing escaping being drafted in our "programs that should be given das boot from D1 football" post months back.

Bowling Green isn't a BAD team, but playing Idaho in Boise, I can't imagine any place I'd rather not be more than at this game. No thanks.


3W) UConn / USCe

This is one of those games that will just be painful to watch.. Uconn battling it out with the Gamecocks.. in Birmingham.. Not one single part of this makes me think Great Matchup, let alone great location. I couldn't even begin to think, who would win this one, or begin to care.. somehow I hope they both lose.

4M) UCF/UNJ

Haha, good call on UCan't. Is it me or does SCar start off strong and sputter at the end of EVERY season? Almost like Clemson...maybe it's in the water...

My pick here goes to the St. Petersburg Bowl (where? who?), played at Jim "I'll hit you 'till you stop crying" Leavitt Field. UCF started off the year with a thud, then won a good number in a row to close strong. New Jersey State also crapped the bed to start the year, then got healthy playing a BigEast schedule with the typical cupcake OOC (Texas Southern, Howard, FIU, Army...and you thought BC's was bad).

Long story short, these are two BAD teams playing BAD football which will just be ugly to watch. Two wrongs don't make a right and these are two crappy teams.


5W) Kentucky / Clemson
Let me preface with saying, this game will sell out.. no doubt about it , Kentucky travels to TN pretty well, and Clemson travels too, so no question in my mind this should be a full stadium.. But I have to wonder if the stadium will be nodding off at halftime. Kentucky without a doubt is having a better than average year, but so is clemson, unfortunately for Kentucky they use different barometers.. and Clemson should win handily.


6M) OKST / Ole Miss

I don't like to do this very often (okay, who am I kidding, I f'in LOVE TO DO THIS), but I told ya so. At the start of the year, everyone was piling on the Ole Miss love-train. All-Aboard! In my best Lee Corso, I took a pen and shook it at everyone...NOT SO FAST, my friends.

My exact quote to Brian of BCI was something like "Since when did Ole Miss get the USC automatic top five position on name brand alone??". Okie State was a darn fine team with a healthy QB and an eligible Dez Bryant. With those two things gone, they're simply not a very good team.

This is the matchup of two teams that had planned to finish the year with about six less losses collectively. That's just sad, even the winner is a loser here.


7W) Southern Miss vs. Middle Tennessee

So the Blue Raiders made a bowl game? Hmm just when you thought there were too many bowl games.. or not enough, the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee make it to a bowl game.. Hey I give them credit, and they definitely could win this one.. But to me the interest level just isnt there.

8M) Fresno State / Wyoming

I have nothing bad to say about this game, because I have nothing to say about this game. I care so little, I know nothing about either of these teams, and don't care to.


9M) South Florida vs. Northern Illinois

Lets call this the battle of the directionals.. Remember when Northern Illinois was good? Well this isn't exactly the same team.. Same with South Florida. IN TORONTO.. Roll out the Kindermats kids, its naptime!!


10M) Minny / Iowa State

Does anyone else ever forget that Iowa State is in the Big12? I guess every conference needs a whipping boy, but because the Big12 was so stratified this year, the Cyclones from Ames get a shot at a post-season game. They draw Minnesota, yet another also-ran from a down year Big10.

Turn on the PS3 and fire up a blu-ray to save yourself the time and energy here.

RECAP:
Wesley : Troy-CMU, Yukon-USCe,KY-Clemson,SMiss-MTSU, USF-UNI
BCMike: BGSU-Idaho, UCF-UNJ,Oklahoma-Miss, Fresno-Wyoming,Minn-ISU

12-15 Draft: Worst Bowl Matchups
	Wesley : Troy-CMU, Yukon-USCe,KY-Clemson,SMiss-MTSU, USF-UNI
	BCMike: BGSU-Idaho, UCF-UNJ,Oklahoma-Miss, Fresno-Wyoming,Minn-ISU
pollcode.com free polls

12/14 Draft: Best Bowl Matchups

As you are all aware ,we chose the best bowl locations a few weeks ago.. Now not always do the best matchups = best locations.. so we thought we would share the best matchup, regardless of where they are playing..

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1M) TCU/ Boise State

I think it's crappy that they're playing each other (again) in a bowl game, but at least this time around they get the benefit of a big payout from a BCS bowl game. The really nice thing here is that the winner of this game will, along with the winner of Texas/Bama and Cincy (should they upset UF) have a claim on the national title. If we can get three teams undefeated at the end of the year having played and WON a BCS game, that's pretty compelling stuff for a playoff.

2W) Iowa / Georgia Tech

Seriously BCMike, you think a playoff will happen in our lifetime? I honestly don't see it. I'm hopeful, but there is just too much money tied up in the operation the way it is setup now. And I hear the argument, but playoffs can just be bowl games, or similar, yes they could, but get 2 non superpowers playing each other in the final game, and you will have some pissed off sponsors. It works out a lot better for them when they can pick the winner, from week one. Sad and true. But that is another topic for another draft.

I choose Iowa/ Georgia Tech as my first draft choice. I like this matchup, both teams have had a great year, and of course I will be pulling for Tech, although both of my parents are alums of Iowa. I think Tech will play a close game but the triple option is just hard to defend, no matter how many extra weeks you get to prepare for it.

3M) Texas/Bama

Iowa and GT? Are you serious? GT is boring to watch anyway, and Iowa's offense is as painful as GT's defense. It should be close, but there's not a good chance I'll be watching that game. But hey, at least the ACC got a great draw with the weakest of the weak BCS bowl opponents.

I'm going for the MNC Game here (Hook'em horns!!!). Texas is one of my favorite teams outside of BC as my sister went there for law school, and Austin is just a great college town.

Bama is a very well coached team that doesn't allow mistakes on their end to beat themselves...but is Texas good enough to do that? I think they are. We'll have to see.

4W) BC/ USC

Mike you like Texas Bama? I honestly was hoping for a TCU/Bama matchup.. I unfortunately am not overly thrilled for this game at all, I sense a replay of last years Florida/Oklahoma game. We will see though.

Partial? Yes I am.. But there is more to this game than just an overachiving BC team, and an underachiving USC. These teams matchup in about 2 years for regular season play, and both gain more exposure on the opposite coasts. With most pundits choosing USC already, BC will come in as an underdog, but BC plays that role quite well.

5M) FSU/ UWV

Excellent call on BC/USC. I'm a blinded homer as well, but I think I would enjoy that game regardless of my homerness.

For my pick here, I'm going with the Bobby Bowden Bowl...err...Gator Bowl. Let's first point out the funniest part about the Gator Bowl was that it pissed off the Clemson fans something fierce because they felt like they were a better team, with a better record, that had beaten FSU that year. Sound familiar, Chick-Fil-A bowl?

That stuff aside, it will be interesting to see FSU play WVU. FSU's biggest issue is wrapping up tackles, so they'll have their hands full with Noel Devine. WVU hasn't faced an offense half as good as FSU's this year, so expect this one to be a barn-burner. I think both teams will be in the mid-40's at a minimum. Should be fun to watch.

6W) Virgina Tech / Tennessee

Florida State!!!! Don't get me started on that whole bowl process... Although delighted to go spend my Christmas day in San Francisco, Napa and the rest they were 6-6, enough said.

Tennessee as much as it pains me to say it , finished the season off strong, and I believe they were #2 in their division behind Florida. Virginia Tech somewhat fizzled out towards the end of the year, I like the mismatch of this game, as these teams will do completely opposite things to try to win this game.

7M) Cincy / Florida

As I've said before, I really hold no ill-will towards NBE members USF, Cincy, etc. I watched Cincy's first game this year and have been sold ever since. I honestly believe that they deserve a shot at the title game...but so do Texas, 'Bama, and TCU (and maybe even Boise State).

Florida's non-conference schedule was beyond laughable: Charleston Southern, Troy, FIU, and FSU. Bama beat them pretty soundly and Tim Tebow simply isn't the same QB he was prior to the concussion. I know Cincy is the underdog here but I would have fully expected them to win if Brian Kelly were still the HC. Will they still pull it off even though "BK" is in South Bend now? That's worth a watch if you ask me.

8W) LSU / Penn State

Can I call this the battle of the overrateds? Or would that offend some people ?

Oh well I guess I already did, both of these teams didn't impress me much, although both are STACKED with talent, seems like both came very short of thier preseason goals. Much like VT/ Tenn this is a mismatch of ways to win. But should be very interesting to watch.

9M) Oregon / Ohio St.

Speaking of over-rated...

Both Oregon and Ohio State got a LOT better after they stopped playing other teams not in their conference. How the Big10 got two BCS nods is still perplexing to me, but in any event, you have the battle of two teams that looked great in-conference and lousy out.

SOMEONE's got to win, and my money is on Oregon..because "winning" and "BCS" don't usually go together with "Ohio State".

10W) Miami / Wisconsin

Who is the U? It seems like they had multiple identities this year, one was Jacory Harris leading great drives , showing off his polished arm, the other played in the loss to North Carolina. I think Miami is coming back around, just slower than most would anticipate.

On the other side Wisconsin was just quitely a good team in the Big Ten. But has had a problem getting over the hump from good to great, as you probably already know, Good is the enemy to great, but once again, that is a post for another day.. This battle of good teams trying to become Great ones will be a good one.


RECAP

BCMike drafted: TCU-Boise, Texas-Bama, FSU-WV, Cincy-UF, Oregon-tOSU
Wesley drafted: Iowa-GT, BC-USC, VT-Tenny, LSU-PSU, Da U-Wisky

12-14 Draft: Best Bowl Games
	BCMike: TCU-Boise, Texas-Bama, FSU-WV, Cincy-UF, Oregon-tOSU
	Wesley: Iowa-GT, BC-USC, VT-Tenny, LSU-PSU, Da U-Wisky
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