Monday, December 31, 2012

eViL G's 2012-13 Bowl Picks


Bearded Midget vs. Elephant...Place Your Bets Accordingly...
Happy New Year everyone.  I hope you all had a safe and Happy Holidays with family and loved ones...I sure as hell did.

With bowl season comes a renewed spirit of Southeastern Conference pride, unity and brotherhood, so in that spirit I'd like to welcome the University of Georgia and their fans to Orlando for the big game against Nebraska.

If you guys are looking for places to visit and things to do in my town, I suggest spending as much time as possible frequenting the businesses, restaurants and neighborhoods near the Florida Citrus Bowl.  There are plenty of fine hotels in the area, and everything is within walking distance of the stadium.  Be sure to wear your Georgia gear at all times, so the locals can easily identify you're visiting from out of town.  They'll appreciate your economic support in ways I can’t begin to describe.  Don't waste your money at Disney...visit the real Adventureland west of Interstate-4.

Lastly, on a sad note I'd like to bid farewell to a close family member who recently lost her battle with ALS.  She fought like a champ for over 3 years, and now she's in a much better place.   Love you Pam...you will be missed.

PICKS!

Chik Fil 'A Bowl
LSU vs. Clemson
Last time we saw these two teams in a bowl game, they got clubbed like baby seals by Alabama and West Virginia respectively.  Earlier this season Clemson's defense made E.J. Manuel look like Charlie Ward.  They'll make Zach Mettenberger look like Peyton Manning.
SEC Tigers - 23
A She She Tigers - 10

TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl
Mississippi State vs. Northwestern
How many Mississippi State graduates does it take to screw in a lightbulb at the summer home of a Northwestern graduate?  The answer is zero...Northwestern grads only hire skilled labor.  HEY- YO!!!
Mississippi State University - 38
Michael Wilbon University - 17

Outback Bowl
South Carolina vs. Michigan
Jadaveon Clowney vs. Big 10 offensive linemen...that’s not even fair.  
Gamecocks - 34
Wolverines - 10

Capital One Bowl
Georgia vs. Nebraska
Jarvis Jones vs. Big 10 offensive linemen…see above.  Nebraska gave up 70 points to a 5-loss Wisconsin team...in football.  Meanwhile Georgia was a monumental brain fart from playing Notre Dame in the title game.  Mark Richt is the gift that keeps on giving, even when he beats Florida.
Dawgs - 29
Huskers - 7

Rose Bowl Game Presented by Vizio
Wisconsin vs. Stanford
Stanford's defense is JUST a little better than Nebraska's defense, and Wisconsin’s offense is a one-trick pony named Montee.
Cardinal - 38
Badgers - 17

Discover Orange Bowl
Florida State vs. Northern Illinois
For what I just spent on a McRib value meal, I could have purchased a pair of club seats for this game.  NIU might bring more students to Miami than FSU.  I hope none of those kids wind up on The First 48.
Noles - 42
Huskies - 14

Company Formerly Known as BellSouth Cotton Bowl
Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma
Mack Brown's Longhorns barely beat some team named Oregon State the other night.  If Texas A&M can somehow get past an uninspired Oklahoma squad, go ahead and paint the entire state of Texas maroon.  When was the last time Big Game Bobby Stoops won a big game against a team not named Texas?
Aggies - 28
Spooners - 24

Allstate Sugar Bowl
Louisville vs. Florida
Not sure if you guys noticed, but Charlie Strong hasn't missed too many meals up in Louisville.  When Charlie left Florida he was built like LL Cool J.  Now he looks like Fat Albert had a baby with Kool-Aid.  I'm not mad at him though...he's earned the right to blow up like Mariah Carey.  And I'm damn glad he turned down Tennessee.  I just hope he doesn't take Wednesday night's ass whippin' personally.
Gators - 37
OH YEAH!! - 17

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Oregon vs. Kansas State
In spite of how close both of these teams came to playing for the national championship, whenever I hear "Kansas State" and "bowl game" mentioned at the same time, I feel compelled to do something other than watch Kansas State play in a bowl game.  Or maybe I'm still bitter about their basketball team manhandling Billy Donovan's boys last week.
Ducks - 52
Wildcats - 34

 and finally...

BCS National Championship Game
Notre Dame vs. Alabama
Rudy vs. Forrest Gump
Adidas vs. Nike
Pope Benedict vs. Dale Earnhardt, Sr.
The 700 Club vs. Hee Haw
Creed vs. Lynyrd Synyrd
Nervous Altar Boys vs. Nervous Sheep

And so on…

I’m a minority in the minority here.  Apparently I’m supposed to have some deep-seeded hatred…or is it deep-seated hatred…for Notre Dame and Alabama.  Eleven years of Catholic school gives me a unique appreciation for Notre Dame, even though at times I’m spiritually jaded.  I’ve got a healthy dose of respect for Alabama too.  UF and Bama own the SEC Championship Game, and we’ve had some epic battles over the past 20 years.

As far as the game goes, please don’t confuse Alabama looking somewhat mortal with Notre Dame being able to do anything about it.  The Irish have a great defense, but they haven’t faced an offensive line like Bama’s, let alone the stud tailbacks running behind it.  Alabama’s seen Notre Dame’s defense before…Georgia several weeks ago, and LSU back in November.

Championship settings are old hat for Alabama, Notre Dame not so much.  It’s hard to act like you’ve been there before when you haven’t been there since Emmitt Smith was a sophomore at UF.  I don’t care how many so-called senior leaders the Irish have…these kids haven’t played a game this big since high school.

By the middle of the 3rd quarter, it will become painfully obvious Notre Dame isn’t playing Stanford, Pitt, USC or Michigan State. 

To my Bama buddies Garland and Keith, if you plan on making the trip to Miami, travel safe.  Please avoid Overtown, Little Haiti and the Pork-N-Beans as if your life depended on it...because your life depends on it.

And congratulations.

Seven straight for the SEC…deal with it.

Tide – 28
Irish – 12

Until next season…be good.
eG

Rest in Peace
Pamela Yvette Walton
(March 20, 1971 - December 29, 2012)