Peach Bowl

Big day, big games, plenty of work to do too.  Everything feels weird today.

I've seen this logo many times and just noticed the pennant on top of the stem.  Still don't like the silver peach.

Houston vs. Florida State

Another full day at work starting at home at 6am.  I wanted to get nearly everything I had to do today to be done by 12pm so I could watch the first quarter without the skeptic eye of co-workers.  Some co-workers find it odd I would spend time not working to watch sports.  They obviously don't know me too well.

So, lunch time and I decide to avoid the glaring eyes and have lunch at Gordo's in Norwood, one of my favorite spots that I haven't been to all year because I usually eat at my desk and am sad.

The Xavier game was on every TV but they were nice enough to switch one to the Peach Bowl. I sat in stool no. 2 from the bottom.  Had the burgundy mushroom sauce burger, sublime.  The guy who runs the place used to work for Jean-Robert de Cavel, famous Cincinnati and Michelin star chef.  It shows.

This bar is about a mile from Xavier and the Musketeers got smoked by Villanova. Not a good week for unbeaten hoops teams.  #MSU

I was there soon enough to watch the full first quarter and see some of the rest of the game at work.  Houston jumped out early but it was a nice back and forth game despite FSU losing its quarterback to an injury.  The Seminoles turned the QB position over to former Notre Dame QB Everett Gholston who never really worked out.  He didn't even make it to this game.

Florida State could not recover from their QB getting hurt and I don't think they would have beat Houston anyhow.  The Cougars pulled out everything from their back of tricks.

Houston 38  FSU 24

My pick:  Florida State (Record now 14-15)

Game notes:

-How did Houston lose to Connecticut?  It was the only blemish on their schedule but it was a big one.

-Florida State's season was cooked on this play.

  This happened the week after "the play" in Ann Arbor.  That's the kind of season it was.

-Interesting that Houston coach Tom Herman, former OSU offensive coordinator, decided to stay at Houston instead of jumping to one of any half dozen open Big 5 conference jobs.  Seems like Houston has opened the door to get into the Big 12 and Houston is paying Herman well to stay for when that happens.

 And Mrs. Herman caused quite the stir on the Twitter-verse today.

 I believe this is called out kicking your coverage.

What I ate:  I already told you, a seriously great hamburger at Gordo's. If you live here, you should go there.  They also have a great beer selection but as I was working I chose to not partake.

Player swag:  $300 Vanilla Visa gift card; Fossil watch; Bluetooth speaker; commemorative football; $10 Chick-fil-A gift card

 The $10 Chic-fil-A gift card is really nice.  And Fossil watch.

I'm watching the Orange Bowl while writing this and getting ready to go into anxiety meltdown for MSU vs. Bama.  Happy New Year.  

Holiday Bowl

Why in the world would they schedule a game at 10:30 eastern time?  I get it, there are people who live on the west coast but when much of the football watching population lives east of the Mississippi, including most Big 10 schools, having a game that goes to 2am makes no sense.

Going old school with the logo on this one, back to 1997, when they still made Plymouths. What was the last Plymouth to roll off the assembly line in 2001 - this beauty.

A silver Neon LX, with moon roof!  I think I saw one of these in the White Castle parking lot here in Norwood.  The game is actually sponsored by something called National Funding, that's boring, unlike the Neon LX. 

Wisconsin vs. Southern Cal

I was gassed and had no hope of even seeing half time with this game.  I get up at 6am for work so Mr. Sandman was getting close.  To  make it more difficult to stay awake, there was no scoring in the first half.

A couple scores into the second quarter and I called it a night. I figured USC's offense would wake up and come back to win.  No.

Wisconsin 23  USC 21

My pick:  USC (I'm now 14-14 in picks and somehow still  hanging around in my picks pool game.  Fortunately all these misses have been outside the top 10 confidence picks.)

Game notes:

-USC had an interesting season...

 They started ranked in the top 10, their coach was fired after allegedly showing up drunk at practice, they rallied behind interim coach Clay Helton who was named permanent coach.  After that they promptly got whacked by Oregon in the Pac 12 championship game and lost to a low scoring Badgers team.  Honeymoon's over Clay.

-The complaints about officiating won't die down after this play was called out of bounds.

 Even with replay they got it wrong. How?

-What I ate:  Some of those big dipper Frito's.  BowlQuest and my diet may actually kill me.

-Player swag:  Same mediocre stuff as most games, and yes, a Fossil watch.  Gift suite; Fossil watch; cap.

That's it, caught up after 28 games, 12 to go, need to get some work done to watch the first half  of the Peach Bowl at lunch.  On pins and needles for the Cotton Bowl tonight - Go Green, Go White!

Music City Bowl

Hey, at least it wasn't raining in Nashville.

Texas A&M vs. Louisville

Got home just in time for the start of the game, third one of the day.  The first two were on at work so its nice to get one while I sit on the couch with a beverage.

After starting 0-3, the Cardinals didn't seem like a team that would be playing in the post season but its not too difficult piling up some wins in the ACC.  Meanwhile, Texas A&M had about every quarterback on their roster leave at the end of the season so a transfer student was under center.  Not a good sign.

The Cardinals let it rip in the first quarter and hung.  Quarterback Lamar Jackson did most of the heavy lifting, running for 226 yards and two touchdowns and throwing for another two.  I guess the Aggies thought he would eventually get tired so they didn't bother to stop him.

A&M did mount a comeback in the fourth quarter but they couldn't get tie up the game and the Cardinals  finish a lot better than they started.

Louisville 28  Texas A&M 21

My pick, why yes I chose A&M, even knowing their top two quarterbacks had transferred.

Game notes:

-I slipped away from the game to watch Jeopardy, knowing I could come back for the second half.

-Texas A&M is a program that looks to be in free fall.  Two quarterbacks don't just transfer because they want a change of scenery.

-These bowl games usually have some sort of contest for the teams to participate in leading up to the game.  Nashville is known for hot chicken.

 That chicken just looks hot.  We've got a few of these hot chicken places opening soon in Cincinnati.

-Player swag:  Gift suite; Fossil watch.  A lot of Fossil watches are given away in bowl season.

Belk Bowl

Two teams no one cares about that are always okay, never too good, will never win a championship in their own conference, let alone anything bigger.

But CLANGA, CLANGA, I LIKES FOOTBALL!

This guy has a cowbell growing from his head.  Seems about right for this fanbase.

Yes, reasonably priced khaki pants and golf shirts, but at least this game has a sponsor.  I'm looking at you Birmingham Bowl.

Mississippi State vs. North Carolina State

I watched the first half of this game in the way you watch people at the airport - it's on, I'm there, I see you but I'm not going to make much eye contact.

North Carolina State has to be the most nondescript football team in America.  Their best win was against Boston College.  Their non-conference schedule was Eastern Kentucky, Troy, Old Dominion and South Alabama.  The Wolfpack are what they are, garbage.

At least Mississippi State plays in the SEC, and in the West too.  And their fans love to CLANGA CLANGA with their cowbells.

The cowbell may the single worst tradition in football.

It seemed every time I looked at the game Mississippi State was scoring.  It doesn't hurt that they have Dak Prescott, the best player who decided to stay in whatever the horrors of Starkville, Mississippi has to offer.

This was never a game, the Bulldogs ran the Wolfpack out of the building.

Miss. State 51  NC State 28

My pick:  Mississippi State  CLANGA for me!

Game notes:

-Not much to say.  This has been about the 15th bowl game that had rain.  One of the trends of this bowl season.

-I could be wrong, that this game started with a fumble on the opening kick off.  I've just watched too many game to remember exactly what happened.

-Even the Mississippi State mascot was miserable.
 

-What did I eat?  Nothing, I was at work doing my afternoon drive show.

-Player swag: Shopping trip to Belk department store; Fossil watch.  Just what every 21 year old wants, clothes from a moderately priced department store and a cheap watch. 

Birmingham Bowl

Another day, another four games.  This two week compression of games is making this BowlQuest seem like the last.  At least let this game fall on January 7th.  Actually, the way the calendar has set up has produced the shortened schedule with more games than ever.

This bowl game and the quest to watch all the bowl games are the same age and this game could go away any time.  They don't even have a sponsor any longer and they used to have Papa John!

See, it was a real thing.

 Auburn vs. Memphis

So, another day at work trying to figure out how to get in at least a live quarter of an early game.  This year I've decided I need to do a ton of extra special programming to ring in the new year and the upcoming weekend.  Today included being up early to schedule music, deal with daily issues, a LONG conference call, scheduling two music logs, show prep, my live afternoon show and getting some lunch.

Did I get a live quarter in?  Of course, priorities, always priorities.

Auburn was one of the four teams I picked (and a lot of other people) to get to the Final Four for the national championship. Not quite. But they showed up today, with a good crowd to cheer them on.  The game was in Alabama.  Unfortunately for the Tigers, it's been a long time since Alabama was in a junk game like this one. It's why Auburn has trouble staying close to Alabama.

For Memphis, what a let down and they did let down.  These Tigers were ranked all season and then to have it end at this lousy game.  The bowl games and affiliations don't often mesh - this would be a time where a team deserved better.

I watched the full first quarter with Auburn opening a 10-0 lead. Some people at work had to make some smart ass remarks about watching football. It's December 30th, a weekday, you should be watching at work.  You should probably be drinking and eating too.

Memphis rallied for 10 in the 2nd quarter but I had to give up by that point, went to Wendy's for lunch and had more work to do.  Memphis lost interest and let Auburn do what they wanted to do. 

Auburn 31  Memphis 10

My pick:   You know I picked Memphis, another miss.

Game notes:

-Memphis kicked a player off the team after the game. 

 Memphis safety Reggis Ball tackled an Auburn staff member to wrestle away a game ball, then ran through an end zone, giving fans the finger.  If you're going to go out, go in a blaze of glory.  I doubt Mr. Ball was a serious student.

-What did I eat?  A Wendy's spicy chicken sandwich combo (the No. 6) with a small side of chili and an iced tea. It may have been the worst Wendy's chicken sandwich ever.  The Norwood Wendy's seemed short staffed.

-Player swag:  Gift suite; ESPN beanie; Ogio backpack; Big Game football. Huh, that Memphis player could just have kept his Big Game Football.

Arizona/Texas Bowls.

Damn, more games are underway and I haven't caught up with the ones from Tuesday  night.  Short and sweet then.

Nevada vs. Colorado State

In the recap of the 2015 bowl season this will go down as the game no one watched, mainly because it wasn't on TV for most of the country.  But it was here in Cincinnati thanks to Sinclair Broadcasting that owns channel 64.  So I didn't have to watch online, and that's the highlight of this  one.

It was one live quarter, the first, and I was out.  It was a Mountain West conference game, not even a real bowl match up.

Nevada 28  Colorado State 23  (My pick, Colo. State, so wrong - again.  Seriously, it was a coin flip on this game)

Game notes

-One thing.  This game was played in Tucson at the University of Arizona.  It was such an important game that no one bothered to even put a bowl logo on the field.  It was just the usual Arizona field markings.

  Seriously, if the venue hosting the game doesn't give a crap, why should anyone else?

Finally, the last game of the night.

LSU vs. Texas Tech

I lasted just about to halftime and called it a night.

The Red Raiders hung around for a while in the first half but people came to see one time Heisman hopeful (and probably next year's winner), Leonard Fournette.  Texas Tech has one of the worst run defenses in the FBS and all expectations were for Fournette to rumble, and rumble he did.

29 carries, 212 yards, four touchdowns.

LSU 56  Texas Tech 27

My pick:  LSU, I got one right.  I don't even know my record at this point but I know it's not good.  This was as close to a lock as there could be.

Four more games Wednesday, hell, the first one is going on right now.

Russell Athletic Bowl

This is almost always a game of sadness - featuring two teams that had higher hopes but for one reason or another, things fell apart and they wound up in Orlando on a Tuesday night in late December.

No. 10 North Carolina vs. No. 17 Baylor 

I had no way to watch a full quarter of this game at work, just didn't happen with the 5:30 start time. I saw some of the first quarter and then headed home.  By the time I got home, it was well into the second quarter.  This game crosses over with the next game, so I'll only be able to watch the full fourth quarter.

In the end it really didn't matter.

As I noted, I was making my way home from work while this game was on.  I stopped to get gas at Kroger with $1 off per gallon rewards points. So, 99-cents per gallon in my large Jeep tank. While pumping my gas, at the adjacent pump, there was a woman on her phone not moving while people waited in line to get gas.

It's the end of the month and people are using their points but this ignoramus just kept running her mouth without moving to a parking spot to finish her life or death conversation.  This is where we are, courtesy of cell phones - nothing else matters but you.  I was behind an idiot driving who almost stopped on the interstate as you could see him start checking messages.

Anyhow...

Baylor was missing their starting quarterback, their backup quarterback, an All American wide receiver and their number one running back, this had to be a shoe-in for North Carolina, right?

Hardly.  The Bears put up over 600 yards rushing and 756 yards total offense in somewhat of a rout of the Tar Heels.  This was the same team a lousy Texas squad beat - there is no making sense of what happens in college football.

 What inspired the Bears?  Maybe Forrest Gump, it's on TNT all the time.

Baylor 49  North Carolina 38

My pick:  North Carolina, of course.  Can you imagine a pro team without all those position players?  I'm pretty much out of it in my picks pool.

Game notes:

-At some point, doesn't North Carolina figure out what Baylor is doing with their running game and stop them?  Evidently, no they don't.  Baylor had a back up run for over 300 yards. That's embarrassing.

 Baylor had 333 yards rushing in the first half, that set a Russell Athletic Bowl record for most rushing yards - in a game.

-At one point late in the game, the ESPN announcers said if it weren't for the injuries, Baylor would have been in the playoff.  I guess they didn't bother to notice Baylor's defense was terrible.  North Carolina literally looked like they never saw a running game before. 

-ESPN is also doing something called Hot Topics, no doubt to satisfy some added value sponsor need.  They may want to put a little more time in on these graphics.

 Boise State beat Northern Illinois, not Northern Iowa.  ESPN went as far as not just getting the team wrong but using the wrong team's logo.  They were committed to it. 

-Player swag:  Always the best stuff, they must feel bad for these disappointed teams.  $350 Best Buy shopping trip; Timely Watch Co. watch; ISlide footwear; beach towel; Russell Athletic performance pullover

-What did I eat?   Some nuts and pretzels, and then some cheese and salami.  Just throwing health to the wind.

Still two more games to deal with. 

Armed Forces Bowl

This year's BowlQuest is unlike any other in that all the games are scheduled in just over two weeks - from December 19th to January 2nd.  Just a lot of games to squeeze them all in, but technology helps, as is the case on this day.

First of four games on the day.  I'm at work and have lots to do. How will I get it done?

Air Force vs. California

So, I'm working on a special party song countdown for New Years Eve at work and it all has to be hand scheduled.  All the music through Monday has to be done by Thursday so I'm scheduling ahead, plus dealing with the usual "stuff."  I go 21st century and take advantage of the ESPN app and watch the first quarter of the game on my phone at my desk.  It actually works pretty well on the work wifi.

I am the new world man!

Another game that was out of hand fast.  This is happening too often in these bowl games because there are too many bowl games. There are just too many mediocre teams playing - anything can happen.

Cal's Jared Goff was just too much for the Air Force defense - he threw for six touchdowns.

I was in fully for the first quarter and then had to get on the air but had the game on in the air studio the rest of the way.

California 55  Air Force 36

My pick - Air Force.  (11-10, I'm cooked)

Game notes

-I have no idea why I would pick Air Force, I'm not sure they're aware they're in the department of defense because they didn't play any - defense, that is, right?

-This game was the fourth that had a fake field goal that did not work.  Cal tried one, it failed spectacularly.

 There could be some thought that this was just a terrible snap but I can't believe the long snapper shot it over to the kicker by accident.

Player swag:  Weak-ish; Gift suite; Ogio backpack with hydration bladder; commemorative football; beanie. 
Too bad they don't give the players an Armed Forces Bowl scarf, I have one.

 The ebay listing for this one says it's rare - only given to VIP's.  You could buy it right now for $9.38, so pretty rare.

-What did I eat:  Since I was at work and had a lot to do, it was a can of soup and some junk from the vending machine. 

I'd have to catch the other three games at home.

Quick Lane Bowl

Second game of the day, was hoping Boy No. 1 or No. 2 would sense the urgency of the situation and watch a quarter.  Nope.

Central Michigan vs. Minnesota

After getting in the required time for the Military Bowl at work, I knew I could make it home in time to get a quarter of this stinker in.  If I had just left five minutes sooner I would have covered the third quarter and moved on.  Walking in to the house, Boy. No. 1 is watching some clap trap instead of covering for me.  What if I was in a terrible accident?  Sure, I'd expect someone to come to the hospital to check on me but more importantly, I need sons to step up.

Into the third quarter, it's 13-7 Minnesota.  The Chippewas strike in the fourth quarter but can't hold the one point lead.  This game was garbage.  CMU quarterback Cooper Rush gave MSU fits despite the Spartans winning easily.  It looked like he barely knew how to play.

Minnesota 21  Central Michigan 14

My pick:  Central Michigan  (11-9 record)

Game notes:

-I picked against all three 5-7 bowl teams.  I was wrong all three times.  These games are crap.  So is the MAC.  If a team loses against a 5-7 team then that team should be blocked from post season play the next season.  That makes zero sense, but so does 40 bowl games and letting 5-7 teams play.

-If this game couldn't be worse, both teams were wearing the exact same uniform colors.

 At least they were almost exactly the same level of terrible.

-This official obviously had better things to do than be at this game.

 Quote:  "There is no action here on the field.  We're gonna play the game here. Let's go."  One time this season I've been in full agreement with an official.

-Minnesota should have at least been 6-6 but their idiot interim, now head coach, had no idea how to manage a goal line play against Michigan.

They couldn't manage to get it in from one foot.  This was a play that followed burning the clock with 17 seconds remaining. Also, Jim Harbaugh ran on the field on the previous play and a penalty was not called.  That's the kind of season it's been.

Player swag:  Despite it's standing as a junk game, they bring the swag; JBL headphones; custom-made, life-sized decal for each player with his likeness; hoodie, winter hat, baseball cap; Ogio backpack; vintage football; $200 Best Buy gift card.

That's it for today.  Let me check the schedule for tomorrow, what the ____, there are four games tomorrow. Maybe the urgency of the sons will rise to the occasion tomorrow.

*Update - the Arizona Bowl will be televised locally thanks to Sinclair TV, Channel 64. 

Military Bowl

Yeah, the military is in the Military Bowl.  Back to work this week so I've got to creatively catch these games. Wait, I'm in charge (mostly), dammit, I'll watch at my pleasure.

This week that many employed people are off is peppered with games, and with the new way the bowl season is configured, more than half of all the bowl games fall between today and Saturday.  This takes BowlQuest to a whole new level. 21 games in six days.

Pittsburgh vs. No. 22 Navy

For anyone who's followed all these posts, I've made it aware that I made my vacation time a mess this year and finally took an entire week off prior to Christmas.  Despite working at home while on vacation, I came back to a ton of things to get done.  Anyone have to use Workday?  I do, and I also need my staff to keep track of their hours as if it was 1972.  It took me 30 minutes just to catch up on hours and still not be done.

Music scheduling, promo writing, ratings, show prep, my own afternoon drive show - and none of that stopped me from being in front of our big screen TV at work at 2:30pm to see this game get underway.

Boom - Pittsburgh returns the opening kick for a touchdown.  This seems to happen a lot in these bowl games.  Like both teams are sluggish, don't know each other, the game starts with a score.

No matter, Navy runs the triple option and Pitt acted like they've never seen it before despite playing Georgia Tech that runs the same offense, just not as well as Navy.

Navy's Keenan Reynolds was the best player on the field and Navy unleashed the triple option.  Reynolds had three scores to cement his all time NCAA record.

I watched the full first quarter and had the game on the rest of the way while I was on the air. Speaking of that, I may want to watch being distracted while trying to do a live radio show.  Just saying, to myself.

Pitt had a nice third quarter but were down too far to come back. 

Navy 44  Pittsburgh 28

My Pick:  Navy (11-8 record)

Game Notes

-Navy used the same helmets from the Army/Navy game.  Why?  Because they're badass.

-This may have been one of the worst 24 hour periods for Pittsburgh sports.  The Steelers lost while sleep walking against the Ravens, the Penguins were shutout 1-0 against Calgary and Pitt did what Pitt did today, watch Navy run all over them.

-What did I eat?  Prior to the game I ran over to the strip mall near the radio stations and decided on Jimmy Johns.  I always go with the Vito, with hot peppers.

-Player swag:  Score, the Military Bowl gets it - Microsoft Xbox One with Kinect bundle; Under Armour duffle bag.

-I don't think it mattered in the outcome, but this was a home game for Navy, played in Annapolis.  Pretty solid crowd.  Both teams that played home games have won.  I liked when this game was played at the old RFK Stadium.

-For BowlQuest enthusiasts who know my penchant for bench marks, each year the Military Bowl is sponsored by Northrup Grumman, and I like to pick a corporate item that would make a nice gift.  This year, it's the NG Air Claw.

 It looks like a pleasure craft, right?  Wrong.  This baby does all kind of shit. Give Lou Vogler a call, he'll fill you in.

Pinstripe/Independence/Foster Farms

Time to be practical and work through the other three games from Saturday.  No need to clutter up Facebook feeds anymore than I already have.

Present and accounted for at 3:30 for the game from Yankee Stadium - this has been one of the better games in bowl season since it started.

Indiana vs. Duke

The Blue Devils were cruising along this season until they lost on the eight-lateral end of game play against Miami that should never have counted.  Only a win against Wake Forest saved their in the final week.  Indiana also started strong against weak competition and needed to rally to finish 6-6 and get to NYC.

I watched most of this game with the Sun and Heart of Dallas bowls behind me.  It turned into one of the best so far of BowlQuest.  Duke owned the first quarter, going up 10-0 before the Hoosiers found their footing with 17 points in the second quarter.  Halftime, 17-17.

Indiana's offense was moving the ball without much problem against Duke and the Hoosier's kept giving up big plays to the Blue Devils for a great second half.  It really all came down to special teams - Indiana missed a couple field goals, allowed a kick off return for touchdown and fumbled a punt return.  Still 41-41 after four quarters so the first trip to overtime in bowl season.

Duke was held to a field goal on their possession and Indiana was forced to kick and the controversy began.  Hoosiers kicker Griffin Oakes kicked it high and evidently wide by an inch, no good.  From the ground camera angle it looked good but there is no review on field goals.  Game.

Duke 44  Indiana 41  (My pick, Indiana)

Game notes:

-Lots of combined offense, more than 1,200 yards and 57 first downs.

-Congrats to Duke on their first bowl win since the 1961 Cotton Bowl.  That's a long time between bowl wins.  Indiana has been winless in bowls since the 1991 Copper Bowl (remember that one? Me either.)

-Player swag - Variety of New Era products.  New Era is the game sponsor, so they're not really even trying.

On to the fifth game of the day, from beautiful Shreveport.

I'll go with the classic Independence Bowl logo - this game has been through several sponsors recently, this year it's Camping World.  Last year it was Duck Commander and Advocare the year before.

Virginia Tech vs. Tulsa

The talk of this game was all about VT coach Frank Beamer.  This was his last game coaching the Hokies as he heads to retirement.  Beamer's first bowl as Hokies coach was also at this game.

I caught up with this game into the first half and yama mama - no defense at all.  It turns out the teams scored three times in the first couple minutes and they would go onto to set an all time bowl game record of 76 points in the first half.  45-31 Tech and I'm thinking more fireworks in the second half.

Nah - both teams settled down or were just tired and the scoring was pretty low except for a too little too late flurry by Tulsa to get close at the end.  The Hokies hung on and got the final win for Beamer.

Virginia Tech 55  Tulsa 52

My pick - Virginia Tech with my highest confidence points.

Game notes

-Just like the Pinstripe Bowl, this game featured more offensive fireworks, especially in the first half.  The teams combined for almost 1,200 yards and 57 first downs. There was 463 yards of total offense in the first quarter alone.  Defense optional.

 This was the same Virginia Tech team that managed to score 0 in regulation against Wake Forest.

Football is goofy some times.

-Player swag:  Not bad; Gift suite; Timely Watch Co. watch; New Era knit skull cap; commemorative football

On to the sixth and last game of the day.

This game has one of the two Big Ten teams with 5-7 records - so between that fact and being the sixth game of the day, I was there in body but not in spirit.

UCLA vs. Nebraska

I only stayed on board for the first half, which was pretty entertaining on a day that featured tons of offense.  Both teams scored three times and it was 21-21 at half.  I went to bed, hoping UCLA would pull it out.

Nope.  Nebraska held on for the win to improved to 6-7.  Second time in bowl season the 5-7 team has won.

Nebraska 37  UCLA 29

My pick:  UCLA  (Bowl record drops to 10-8)

Game notes:

-I've got nothing.  After Michigan State lost to Nebraska because of terrible officiating (and a lousy day by the MSU defense), I was not interested in watching this game.  For some reason I stuck around for the first half when one quarter would have sufficed.

-It rained the entire day so being indoors watching football for more than 12 hours didn't make me feel too guilty.

-Player swag:   Not really trying here; Gift suite; Fossil watch

That's it, I'm almost half way home after 18 games.  No games on Sunday but the quest is back with two games on Monday when I return to work.

Heart of Dallas Bowl

I did not watch this game.   Configuring my time properly, I probably could have squeezed a quarter in but I decided to invoke BowlQuest Rule 2.

Rule 2 is that one of my sons can substitute for me if the games are too bunched up or I'm not available.  Or I don't feel like watching some dog game like this one.

Washington vs. Southern Miss

Boy No. 2 was willing to watch the first quarter while I was watching the Sun Bowl.

That's him on Christmas Day.  Yes, that is a Nicolas Cage pillow case.

Anyhow, he kind of dove in deep for the first few minutes, wanting to give me some play by play.  I let him know I appreciated it but he could just keep it to a few thoughts.  He did his part, watched a quarter, let me know there were some flurry of personal fouls and he was out.

Turns out it was a pretty high scoring affair.  I thought the Huskies highly ranked defense would hold Southern Miss to a lower score.  None the less, Washington pulled out the win.

Washington 44  Southern Miss 31

My pick:  Washington  (10-5)

Game notes:

-None, I didn't watch this game.

-Boy No. 2 wanted to know about the game's sponsor, Zaxby's.  I told him it was a chain of fried chicken places in the south.

It looks like they're doing much the same kind of food as Raising Cains.  Big chicken is prevalent in these bowl games - Popeyes, Zaxby's, Foster Farms, Chic-fil-a.

-Player swag:  Shrug: Gift suite; Ogio backpack with hydration bladder; commemorative football; beanie.  Backpack with hydration bladder, never be thirsty again!

Too late for any more updates. 

Sun Bowl

Moving directly from the St. Petersburg bowl, it's time to decide how to break up a three game bottleneck and I'm taking this game while I'm going to probably need some help.  No, not from these guys. 

I'll get to invoking Rule 2 for the next game.

Washington State vs. Miami

No sun in sight in El Paso.  Instead its a snow game - in Texas on a day that the temps were way above normal in much of the country.

This game was expected to be higher scoring but the snow and plenty of mistakes on both sides kept it lower on the scoreboard.  Plenty of Miami penalties helped.  The Hurricanes had nine for 98 yards including helping the Cougars out in the first half that led to a score.

Staying tight, the Hurricanes had the ball late in the game and decided to go trick play, throwing a halfback pass that ended in a turnover.  Down in a close game late, I don't think a trick play with a running back throwing is the way to go, but once again, another game with an interim coach rolling the dice.  This is  one of the big downsides of these games with coaching turnover - the substitute coach doesn't give a damn.

End of the game, those shirtless WSU fans are happy.

Washington State 20  Miami 14

My Pick:  Washington State  (9-5 record) Turns out I picked Miami. 

Game notes:

-I like snow games.  It seems like there used to be more of them.  Probably not, who knows, but it's fun to see the elements come into play unlike the sterile environment that is Tropicana Field.

-This is the only bowl game on CBS, and Verne Lundquist was replaced by Carter Blackburn.  They did have a few shots of Verne at home with his wine.

-The Cougars win was their first in a bowl game since 2003.  Mike Leach, who is kind of nuts, has done a nice job of turning around this program.  

-Mrs. Keith was watching some of this game and wanted to know why the Miami mascot was a duck.

I explained it was an ibis.  She said it looked more like a duck.  If she was looking for an argument I wasn't in the mood.  It's an ibis.

Player swag:  Not bad; Gift suite; Timely Watch Co. Silvertone watch; Majestic Pro Base fleece pullover; Ogio Politan backpack; cap; commemorative coin.  The players used to get a hair dryer, probably not needed any longer (had to do with the bowl sponsor).

St. Petersburg Bowl

What, no Magic Jack?  No Beef 'O' Brady's?  No Bitcoin?  No, this bowl in The Trop has fallen on hard times, no sponsor.  This is the first of SIX games today - too bad there wasn't a holiday available to throw one or two of these games there.

Hard to believe the bowl organizers couldn't find one more shady business or obscure Applebee's knock off restaurant to cough up some sponsorship money.

Marshall vs. UConn

This was bound to be a fairly low scoring game, especially with the Huskies involved.  UConn had one strange season, beating Tulane 7-3, losing to Missouri 9-7 and damaging Houston's season with a win.

Marshall limped to the end of the season, losing two of their last three.

The Thundering Herd controlled about every aspect of the game, scoring first with UConn countering with their own first quarter touchdown.  Nothing but field goals after that.

I missed much of the first quarter, having to make a run to Kroger for Mrs. Keith so she could make her famous macaroni and cheese for her family's holiday get together Sunday.  We're also responsible for making the deviled eggs - because they're so difficult to make.  I love deviled eggs, I could eat them until I don't feel right.

Back in time for the full second quarter and then for some reason I watched the entire second half. That was dumb.

Marshall 16  UConn 10

My pick:  Marshall, with high confidence points.  (8-5)

Game notes:

-Um, not much.  Despite the score, Marshall dominated the game with almost twice as many yards and 10 more minutes time of possession. This was an easy game to pick.

-Another sad looking crowd at a sad bowl game at a sad looking stadium.

 The Tropicana Field turf is an embarrassment.  At one point, the ESPN guys tried to explain why the field looks so terrible.  How about this - your baseball team plays in Florida, get an open stadium and grow some grass.

-Player swag:  Fairly solid; Gift suite; Oakley backpack and Turbine sunglasses; commemorative football.

That's probably enough for the first of six games. 

Hawai'i Bowl

Christmas Eve came with the 12th bowl game of the season but there was some backlash - the family insists I have to watch a movie instead of the first quarter of this game.  Okay then, it's Mad Max - Fury Road.  I'll catch the second half no problem.

First, let me backtrack to the Bahamas Bowl and this great image.

After the Broncos win, two of their players grabbed a golf cart and started cruising around.  I can't say I've seen that before in 10 years of BowlQuest.  This may be my favorite bowl game picture ever.

Okay, so back to the game from Honolulu.

Cincinnati vs. San Diego State University

After we finished Fury Road (best movie of 2015, sorry Star Wars), we moved to ESPN and it was halftime.  Boy No. 1, who is a Bearcat, wasn't happy.  21-0 Aztecs in a half that included a score on the opening kick off and two picks.

Things didn't improve for U.C. in the second half.  The Bearcats became the third team in bowl season to try a fake field goal and just like the other two, it failed.  I don't blame Tommy Tuberville on that call, the team was going nowhere and three points would not have helped.  But SDSU saw that play coming from a mile away and stuffed it at the line.

At the end of the third quarter, Boy No. 1 resigned himself to the other room to play a video game and I switched over to the end of It's A Wonderful Life. I did get back in time for the lone U.C. score so at least it wasn't a shut out.

SDSU 42  U.C. 7

My pick:  San Diego State (record 7-5, sorry Boy No. 1)

Game notes:

-Kind of like George Bailey, U.C. had to wish this season was never born.  They played like a team that mostly interested in a free trip to Hawaii. As a matter of fact, not many people from either team were interested in being at this game.

I did like how the people that were at the game chose not to sit near each other in any way possible. I'm not sure why there needs to be a stadium of this size in Hawaii.

-I fully expect U.C. fans to start calling for Tuberville's job after this lousy season and the massive renovation to Nippert Stadium.  The team will not make the jump to a bigger conference playing like that. 

Player swag:  Not too shabby; Gift suite; Oakley sunglasses and backpack; Tori Richard aloha shirt; surf trunks; team performance wear; Urban Barrels beach bag and towel (and a free trip to Hawaii).

After the game I switched to the Raiders/Chargers game on NFL Network, because I just can't get enough football.  In what could be their last game in Oakland, the Raiders beat the Chargers 23-20 in overtime.  The best moment was when a Raiders fan threw a banner over the play clock and then had this salute when he was forced to take it down. I also don't think Oakland is moving, at least not in 2016.

 In this season of giving, Raider Fan gave one to the officials. Feliz Navidad, dude.

No games today (you know how I feel about that) while there are six tomorrow.  The Sun Bowl played at 2pm today would sure be nice.  Merry Christmas, lots of updates Saturday, sorry.