BLOG BOWL BLOWOUT, PART 2: GRUDGE MATCHES

We realize we technically left one of the Exhibition Games out of Part 1. Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. We’d apologize more strenuously if there were such a thing as Tulsa fans. Instead, we’ll just cover it here.

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE LAS VEGAS BOWL STAYS IN THE LAS VEGAS BOWL

BYU v. Ed Orgeron Oregon

Remember when BYU got to go to real bowl games like, y’know, the Holiday Bowl? Sigh. I miss the real WAC. Mike Bellotti, by the way, has not been mentioned as a possible candidate for the Alabama job, and he really won’t be after this game. BYU.

THE PAPAJOHNS.COM BOWL IS STUCK TO THE LID OF THE BOX

South Florida v. East Carolina

It’s Directional Madness as two schools previously thought fictional rear up and meet in America’s only bowl game named after the website of a pizza company started in the broom closet of a bar in Indiana. ECU just barely snuck in to bowl eligibility; South Florida delivered a pretty good season in this year’s Cinderella conference, the Big East. Plus Jim Leavitt is one of the Sons of Hayden, and he actually has been mentioned in conjunction with the Alabama job! South Florida.

THE SECOND-BEST ELVIS COSTELLO ALBUM IS ‘ARMED FORCES’ BOWL

Tulsa v. Utah

Tulsa is a great story, coming out of nowhere to become a minor power in Conference USA after an eternity in the WAC. Utah has stepped back some from their former wuthering heights under Urban “Vote for Pedro, and by the way, I’m Pedro” Meyer. But they’d have to. I have to go with the Golden Hurricanes in this one since, after all, Steve Kragthorpe has also been potentially linked to the Alabama job. Tulsa.

THE ‘WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT’ HAWAII BOWL

Arizona State v. Some Guys Who Didn’t Even Get to Leave the Dorm

Who’s coaching the Sun Devils in this game? Dennis Erickson? Dirk Koetter? Frank Kush? It doesn’t matter. The way Hawaii throws the ball (and the way ASU defends it), I’m anticipating a basketball score. Hawaii.

THE I CAN’T BELIEVE THERE’S NOT A TIE-IN WITH THE JEEP LIBERTY BOWL

South Carolina v. Houston

The Ol’ Ball Coach, who of course was one of the very first names connected to the Alabama job, gets to take on Art Briles, whose turn as Alabama’s next coach is coming. I hate to go against Spurrier–I keep worrying he’ll eat my soul or something–but Houston has a great playmaking lepidopterophobic quarterback in Kevin Kolb, and SC has . . . has . . .? What? A great-tackling punter? Houston.

I’M NOT GONNA PAY A LOT TO WATCH THE MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL

Navy v. Boston College

Paul Johnson: Bama-positive. Tom O’Brien: Not Bama-positive, but available. Jeff Jagodzinski: Bane of spell-checkers everywhere. (Seriously, MS Word doesn’t even have a suggestion.) My take: Navy ought to win, especially since BC drove me nuts with their “We’re a top 25 team! No, wait, we’re awful! But look what we can do!” back-and-forthing all season. Navy.

THE BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH MPC COMPUTERS BOWL

Real Miami v. Nevada

I’ve been hoping all year that this matchup would happen. Nevada.

IHOF (INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF FOOTBALL)

Western Michigan v. Cincinnati

The sad thing is, both teams have probably already tasted Timbits. Brian Kelly whacked WMU 31-7 with Central Michigan. How will he do with better talent at Cincinnati? And has a coach ever played the same team twice in the same season coaching two different teams? Cincy.