I like to do my bowl preview a little differently. I’ll list each bowl in order of telecast but I also give each bowl a number value 1-40, 40 being the worst bowl and put that number after it. The national title game is not included because there is nothing to write about it yet. Anyway, from there I then take on the perspective of a local fan (i.e. a Utah fan living in Salt Lake City) and give the chances of me attending. Basically I talk out of my butt like always but it is more fun to write as a fan when it comes to bowl games than really analyze these things. All times central.
December 26th Games:
St. Petersburg Bowl – 36
Mississippi State (5-7, 3-5, SEC) vs Miami (OH) (6-6, 6-2, MAC)
Ladies and gents, this is an ugly day of football. The Bulldogs beat just two teams with a non losing FBS record. I had to say non losing because one of their wins was over 6-6 South Carolina. They beat just four FBS teams on the year. Not too long ago, we wouldn’t have a million bowl games, and our Decembers would be spared of seeing a team like this again. Miami started 0-6 but rallied to make a bowl. Sadly, with the talent gap (I saw Miami versus Iowa to start the year), I’m not sure switching quarterbacks to Gus Ragland midway through the year and him responding with 15 TDs to 0 picks will be enough.
Would I go if I was a Miss State fan: 0/10
This is a 5-7 team for a reason. They creamed rival Ole Miss in their real bowl game so despite upsetting A&M, I’m just not that excited. Plus the nearest airport, something called the Golden Triangle Regional Airport has a connecting flight to Tampa, for nearly 500 dollars. Are you kidding me? Save the money and stay at home for the holidays.
Would I go if I was a Miami fan: 5/10
Miami hasn’t been to a bowl in five years and while the six game winning streak to get to a game is exciting, am I spending the money to see this team one last time? At least the weather would be better.
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 3/10
I realize Iowa is playing in the exact same area (Tampa) so this may be a surprise, but Iowa’s game can bring in the new year. This right up against the holiday meaning everything would be more expensive.
…So, should we watch on TV: 2/10
Gus Ragland going against an SEC defense is intriguing. Nick Fitzgerald running wild against a MAC defense is equally intriguing. Both examples can be checked in on from a distance or even in highlight packages after the game though. I’m just not going to park my butt down for a sub .500 team taking on a .500 team when I could be doing family stuff over the holiday…or even sleep in.
- Dec. 26, 10 am, ESPN – 10 am, are you kidding me?!
Quick Lane Bowl – 40
Maryland (6-6, 3-6, Big Ten) vs Boston College (6-6, 2-6, ACC)
This is the worst bowl game of the year without question. The reason is the Boston College Eagles. In addition to having the 122nd ranked offense in the nation with a brutal 19.1 points per, they didn’t beat anyone! Their wins are 2-10 UMass, 2-10 Buffalo, 6-5 FCS Wagner, 6-6 NC State, 3-9 UConn, 6-6 Wake Forest. They lost to a team with a losing record (Syracuse) and were outsocred by teams with winning records a god awful 219 to 39. This team, in a word, is unwatchable.
Would I go if I was a Maryland fan: 3.5/10
Detroit is a huge hub for Delta so there would be plenty of flights from Washington DC and Baltimore. The only question is, do you want to pay to travel this close to the holiday? Me, personally? No. But I can see why there will be some UM fans there.
Would I go if I was a BC fan: 0/10
This game cost BC a chance to fire Steve Adazzio. What a joke.
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 1.5/10
Detroit in December…no thanks. Bumping it to a 1.5 for two things. First, Detroit has a casino. Second, the game is in a dome.
…So, should we watch on TV: 0/10
Let me repeat my self more strongly: BOSTON COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS UNWATCHABLE. Is that clear enough?
- Dec. 26, 1:30 pm, ESPN – C’mon America, let’s make this the least watched bowl game of the year! We can do it!
Camping World Independence Bowl – 28
NC State (6-6, 3-5, ACC) vs Vanderbilt (6-6, 3-5, SEC)
For the first time in three seasons the ‘Dores are in a bowl game. For NC State they continue their tradition of 3-5 ACC seasons with their third in the row. Unfortunately for Dave Doeren’s job security his total wins has gone from 8 to 7 to 6 the last three years. Crap! This is the best game of the day and I’m doing a horrible job talking it up…how about this, despite just six wins each, both teams beat three bowl-bound teams. On top of that Vanderbilt lost four games by a single score. NC State lost four games by a single score as well and one was the heart breaker to Clemson that they should have won. If anything these teams were unlucky to finish with just six wins, so they might actually be better than the record indicates.
Would I go if I was a NC State fan: 0/10
Shreveport to Raleigh is a rather expensive flight and I’m not sure the weather is all that better than what North Carolina has this time of year. I’ll pass.
Would I go if I was a Vanderbilt fan: 5.5/10
The bowl drought for Vanderbilt is longer so that’s why it gets a better mark that NC State. Additionally, the flights were cheaper and the drive is 8 hours. Not great, but doable.
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 0/10
Shreveport, Louisiana…where Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana meet. Okay. Third wettest month of the year down there and while an average high of 58 is nice-ish, I’m just not sure there is enough to warrant a trip. Feel free to convince me Shreveportians.
…So, should we watch on TV: 4/10
Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt’s amazing linebacker, is the only thing saving this game.
- Dec. 26, 4 pm, ESPN2
Big Ten and Counting 