It's the most wonderful time of the year: Bowl Season

So its been a while since I made my last post. I'm currently in the middle of an internship with the local newspaper in my hometown of Seneca, SC and I have been pretty tied down with that and getting into the swing of things. Its been very interesting so far and I've written on about just about everything so far. I've been on assignment for a Christmas play at the local community theater, talked to a veteran about the services of the DAV, covered a few high school basketball games and talked with the organizer of a quilt show being held through the holidays downtown. So I've been forced out of my comfort zone a bit but it has been good and will help make me more versatile. As for this blog, you won't find any play reviews or write-ups about the local school council meeting's debate over whether or not to invest in new school buses. I'll save that for my job at The Journal. Anyways, I'm back today to talk about the bowl season and the inaugural college football playoffs. I think the committee blew it but I'm not in the least but surprised. I knew they were in trouble when I heard Condoleeza Rice was selected to be on the staff to make the decision of who would make it in. Personally, I think there should be eight teams. The Power 5 conference champs each get an automatic bid and then there are three as-large bids after that. Any more teams than that is just too much although you wouldn't see me complaining about more college football to watch throughout December and January. I think eight is just the best number. But that's just my opinion. And hey, its the first year! If you expected the system to be perfect in year one.....I'm not really sure what to say about your intelligence level. It'll take some time, but eventually it will get better. (Strong emphasis on better and not perfect!) For now, lets just enjoy what we have and the fact that we don't let computers decide who the best team is.


Duck Commander Independence Bowl:
South Carolina vs Miami 
Shreveport, Louisiana December 27 @ 3:30 PM

To say it has been a rough past month for the Gamecocks would be an understatement. The tide finally turned in its annual season finale against Clemson as the Tigers took down South Carolina behind a one-legged Deshaun Watson. They were unable to lure in Will Muschamp's services, six recruits have decommited and some have their eyes set on Clemson. Earlier this week we learned that WR Shaq Roland had left the team effective immediately and yesterday Mike Davis confirmed he's headed for the draft a year early. Now they must prepare to get back on the field one last time this season and find a way to slow down another beast of a running back in Duke Johnson who has rushed for 1520 yards this season. It will be curtain call time for Gamecock QB Dylan Thompson and some would say the verdict is still out if Spurrier will actually return in 2015. Both teams enter the game at 6-6 and have had a better seasons but I think this one comes down to South Carolina's defense. Can they find a way to rise up and make some plays for once? Who knows. I really feel like this one is a toss-up but think Johnson gives the Hurricanes the advantage. Miam's Kaaya is not too shabby, either.

The Pick: Miami


Russell Athletic Bowl: #17 Clemson vs Oklahoma
Orlando, Florida December 29 @ 5:30 PM

Can the Tigers find a way to get it done without star QB Deshaun Watson who underwent MRI surgery earlier this month? We know the defense will keep them in the game against pretty much any team in the country but can Cole Stoudt complete passes to his teammates and not the opposing defense? If not, I sure hope the Tigers can run the ball like they did late in the season and against the Gamecocks. The Tigers must get Wayne Gallman involved early and often against an OU defense that is giving up just over 100 yards per game on the ground ranking 10th in the nation. However, they rank near the bottom when it comes to pass defense. If Clemson had Watson in this game I'd say the Tigers would have the advantage but with Stoudt under center that changes the entire outlook and energy of the team. Stoudt has played terrible down the stretch, make no mistake about it. But he has played injured most of the season and did "just enough" in Watson's absence (outside of the Georgia Tech game, of course) to keep the Tigers moving in the right direction. I'm sure he's rested (and ready) to go out on high note in his final game. After suffering late season injuries the Sooners are expected to have RB Samaje Perine, QB Trevor Knight and WR Sterling Shepard back in the fold and they will try to attack Clemson's stout defense. Tigers pull out a close one late in the game with a defensive stand.

The Pick: Clemson

Belk Bowl: #13 Georgia vs #21 Louisville 
Charlotte, North Carolina December 30th @ 6:30 PM

Georgia. The team that at times looked every bit of a team that could make the playoffs. Then at other times found themselves losing to South Carolina and Florida which led to them falling short of the SEC title game yet again. To make matters worse, they also went on to blow it against their rival, Georgia Tech in overtime and will be without the services of Mike Bobo who is now the head guy in charge at Colorado State. I've been hearing the call to fire Bobo on and off the past few seasons...well he's gone now, you got your wish, Dawg fans. You think at some point UGA has gotta make that next step, they've won 9-10 games consistently recently but can't seem to quite knock down the door and win an SEC title. Not sure they will motivated for a Belk Bowl meeting with ACC newcomer, Louisville. The Cards had a pretty decent first year in the conference but had an ugly early season loss to UVA. They will certainly make the Atlantic division race more interesting as they gave both FSU and Clemson a run for their money this year. As for their bowl game, with Gardner on the sidelines with an ACL injury, can either the freshman Reggie Bonnafon step up or will it be Kyle Bolin who led the team to rally and victory over Kentucky in the regular season finale. Huston Mason has turned into a reliable replacement for the departed Aaron Murray and despite not having Gurley for one last hurrah, I think UGA's rushing attack is still probably the best in the nation as a unit.

The Pick: Georgia 


Rose Bowl-Semi Final: #2 Oregon vs #3 Florida State
Pasadena, California January 1st @ 5:30 PM


The first ever playoff game in college football. This year's Heisman trophy winner on one sideline, last year's winner on the other. This should be a good one. In my opinion this matchup is far better than the Ohio State/Bama contest and should be an all out battle to the end. Outside of my Tigers bowl game this one is second on my list of games to watch. The Ducks only loss this season came back in early October to Arizona, a team Oregon beat soundly in the Pac 12 Championship game. They are averaging over 46 points per game and have two top ten victories and two top twenty victories under their belt this season. I'll be the first to say I hate everything about the Seminoles. All that being said, there is something to be said about a guy that has never lost a game as a starter in his collegiate career. You'd think their luck has to run out at some point and I think it will but also just can't quite push myself to pick against them. They find ways to win ball games. Bottom line. I don't like it, but that's just how it is.

The Pick: Florida State


AllState Sugar Bowl-Semi Final: #1 Alabama vs #4 Ohio State
New Orleans, Louisiana January 1st @ 8:00 PM 

It hasn't been a work of art every single week but you gotta tip your hat to Urban Meyer and what he has done with Ohio State this year. First they loss Braxton Miller before the season even started then JT Barrett went down in the Michigan game forcing third string QB Cardale Jones into the spotlight. He responded like a true veteran leading the Buckeyes to a Big Ten Championship over Wisconsin. However, Alabama is not Wisconsin and he will have a much, much, harder time moving the ball against the Crimson Tide defense. Meyer is a heck of a coach and I'm sure he's eager to make up for last season's trip to the Orange Bowl and pull the upset over Nick Saban. Bama's offense has looked pretty solid this year with Kiffin calling the shots and QB Blake Sims, RB T.J. Yeldon and WR Amari Cooper at his disposal. I see Ohio State keeping this one close early on but Alabama's depth and overall talent wearing down the Buckeye defense and offensive line and taking control in the latter stages of the ball game. Nothing but respect for what Meyer has done this year but I think its time to roll the credits on their 2014 season.

The Pick:  Alabama


***I'll see you guys in the new year with one final prediction for this season as we take a look at the National Championship. Thanks for coming along for the ride in 2014 and keeping me motivated to keep this thing going. Best of wishes for a prosperous and healthy year in 2015!