College Bowl Mania

That's Right - it is that time of year again. Children are hanging their stockings (or lighting their Menorah). Parents are knifing each other for the last Sony PS3 so their kids will not hate them -- at least for another a year. Students are taking final exams and professors are grading them. PJ is praying for snow like we did when we were kids -- though what he really wants is cars crusted in Salt like seared Yellowfin Tuna. I lose in the first round of the Fantasy Football Playoffs

And College teams that can win six games get to play in a bowl game. There are 32 bowl games which means 64 D-I teams are playing in bowls this year. People think too many teams make the playoffs in hockey and the NBA but this is ridiculous. And don't start on the lack of a playoff -- a system that would decide on the field if Michigan or Florida deserved to play Ohio State for the mythical National Championship.

Toward that end I have, once again created a ESPN College Bowl Mania group. You can follow the link here. The password is Canes.

ESPN College Bowl Mania link

The first game is on Dec. 19 -- that TCU vs. Northern Illinois tilt that fans have been salivating over. But picks don't lock until Dec. 28 so there is time to make picks as you go along.

As for this weeks Pro Picks Jeff finds himself on top with 11 wins, myself, Hyman and Otero close behind with ten. Of course, like me, Jeff couldn't parlay his pick'em success into Fantasy Football victory either. Norm's nine picks ended his streak of double digit weeks (and by the way he would have won 10 if he had just bet against the Lions, but nooooo he had to try and show how smart he is. Norm -- the Lions never make anyone look smart) but was enough to keep him comfortably in first place, with me (really) in second with Hyman, Otero and Craig Marcus right behind me


The Titans and Vince Young needed overtime to make all of us look smart, while Reggie Bush and the Saints beat up on the Cowboys in Prime time. Atlanta did enough to cover, but Mike Vick did not do nearly enough to get me even competitive in fantasy football.

2006 First Round update -- how many highlights have you seen of Reggie Bush? Vince Young (his TD run in overtime will be like Vick's similar scamper against the Vikes a few years back)? Mario Williams? -- who is he you ask? He's the guy taken first -- the Sam Bowie of the 2006 NFL draft if you will.

As for the NFL playoffs as there even been more flawed teams. The Chargers look like the best team right now, but Marty Schottenheimer's teams often do in December, it's January where he struggles, and he has a first year starter at QB. And quite frankly, if you are Indy isn't SD in January about as close to a dome as you are going to find? Of course, LT could run for 400 yards against the Colts "defense". The Ravens don't have enough offense. The likely AFC wild card teams -- Jags and Cinci look like they might be the 2nd and 3rd best teams in the league -- if Cinci can keep enough players out of jail to field a full roster. But the Jags are a different team on the road, where they would be for the full playoff season. The conclusion then is that the Pats are going to the Super Bowl. Sure they looked awful in South Florida last week, but do you want to bet again Brady and Bill B.?

This week finds 3 double digit spreads on the Board, as the Pats, Bears and Ravens are all big favorites. LotW has struggled with a pick this week, but we will keep the good times rolling with Carolina getting 2.5 at home to the Steelers.

As you can tell -- classes are over and my exams are not until Friday. Ahh the academic life.

Make it a good week.
Jono