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.