My Bowl Picks

Instead of picking bowl games by choosing a winner against the spread, as I have done all season, I decided to try something else. All the Fantasy websites seem to prefer this method and even ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit is doing it this year. There are 34 bowl games to be played. You pick a winner straight up for each and you rank each from 1-34 points by the confidence you have in your pick. It sounds fun. Of course, you know my Florida Gators will have my pick to win for 34 points. But assigning games in which I'm less confident fewer points will be a challenge. Here goes!

34 pts -- Florida over Oklahoma (CORRECT)
33 pts -- Texas over Ohio State (CORRECT)
32 pts -- Georgia over Michigan State (CORRECT)
31 pts -- Alabama over Utah (WRONG)
30 pts -- Boston College over Vanderbilt (WRONG)
29 pts -- Fresno State over Colorado State (WRONG)
28 pts -- Florida State over Wisconsin (CORRECT)
27 pts -- South Florida over Memphis (CORRECT)
26 pts -- Air Force over Houston (WRONG)
25 pts -- Nebraska over Clemson (CORRECT)
24 pts -- Connecticut over Buffalo (CORRECT)
23 pts -- BYU over Arizona (WRONG)
22 pts -- USC over Penn State (CORRECT)
21 pts -- Navy over Wake Forest (WRONG)
20 pts -- Ole Miss over Texas Tech (CORRECT)
19 pts -- Northwestern over Mizzou (WRONG)
18 pts -- Florida Atlantic over Central Mich (CORRECT)
17 pts -- La Tech over No Illinois (CORRECT)
16 pts -- So Miss over Troy (CORRECT)
15 pts -- East Carolina over Kentucky (WRONG)
14 pts -- TCU over Boise State (CORRECT)
13 pts -- North Carolina over West Virginia (WRONG)
12 pts -- NC State over Rutgers (WRONG)
11 pts -- Rice over West Mich (CORRECT)
10 pts -- Okla St over Oregon (WRONG)
9 pts -- Cal over Miami (FL) (CORRECT)
8 pts -- Tulsa over Ball State (CORRECT)
7 pts -- Georgia Tech over LSU (WRONG)
6 pts -- Kansas over Minnesota (CORRECT)
5 pts -- Pitt over Oregon State (WRONG)
4 pts -- Cincinnati over Va Tech (WRONG)
3 pts -- Nevada over Maryland (WRONG)
2 pts -- Iowa over South Carolina (CORRECT)
1 pts -- Notre Dame over Hawaii (CORRECT)

UPDATE: I went 19-15 and earned 346 of the potential 591 points. And most importantly, I was correct with my 34 point pick and the Gators and National Champs....chomp chomp!!

FLORIDA GATORS -- 2008 COLLEGE FOOTBALL CHAMPS!!

What a game! Take that Big 12 honks - the SEC plays real defense! I laughed when Brent Musketeer said of Oklahoma, "They can put up 50 points of anybody," after consecutive Sooner routs of overrated Missouri, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. No they can't, Brent! And last night they only managed 14 points against the Gators as Florida won the 2008 BCS National Championship with a 24-14 win in Miami. What a job by defensive coordinator Charlie Strong and head coach Urban Meyer!

QB Tim Tebow was great. RB/WR Percy Harbin was great. The receiving corps of guys like Aaron Hernandez and Louis Murphy was great. Special teams was great. And once again the Florida Gators are National Champions. That's 2 times in the past 3 years. Dare I say we are seeing something of a dynasty? Whatever it is, I'm enjoying it.

These pictures say it all.

Heisman Watch IV

Oklahoma's QB Sam Bradford may have won the Heisman, but he didn't win my non-vote. In protest, I'm not going to place him in my top 5 since McCoy beat him on the field and matched all other accomplishments. I'm also going to avoid the Texas Tech players because I think they benefit from Coach Mike Leach's system more than anything else. I admit, I hate how the Heisman avoid defensive players. But I'll be guilty just the same. So here are my picks for the best players in college football for 2008.

1.) Tim Tebow, QB, Fla.
2.) Colt McCoy, QB, Tex.
3.) LeSean McCoy, RB, Pitt.
4.) Pat White, QB, WV
5.) Percy Harvin, WR/RB, Fla.

I think Tim Tebow should have won so let's hope he enjoys his consolation prize instead!

My Regular Season Picks

Over the past 15 weeks, I picked 5 games each week against the spread. I got off to a hot start, but certainly slumped as the season wore on. Thankfully I finished the regular season with a few decent weeks to end in positive territory. It certainly wouldn't have been enough to cover the juice on these potential bets, but it could have been worse. The coin flips I used in these 75 same games produced an even worse success record as George Washington finished 8 games below .500.

JTB YEARLY RECORD: 38-36-1
GW YEARLY RECORD: 33-41-1

Let's see if I can redeem myself in the forthcoming bowl games!

JBCS Rankings IV

The BCS computers choose a Florida vs. Oklahoma matchup. I think Texas is more deserving, but I don't blame BCS voters for the result. The fault rests with the Big 12 conference who crowed Oklahoma its champion through tiebreaker rules. I agree that winning a conference should be required to participate in the BCS title game. That being said, here are my top 5 teams at the conclusion of the 2008 regular season.

1. Florida
2. Texas
3. Alabama
4. Oklahoma
5. USC

Game of Week #15: Florida 31 -- Alabama 20

The SEC Championship at the Georgia Dome proved to be an exciting, well-played game. With the win, Florida earns a spot in the BCS National Championship and is poised to win their second national title in 3 years.

The game was back and forth for much of the way. In fact, Alabama's RB Glen Coffee powered the Crimson Tide to a 20-17 lead at the end of 3 quarters. Then Gators QB Tim Tebow worked his magic once again. The 2007 Heisman winner was near perfect all game and was certainly flawless in the 4th quarter in throwing for 2 unanswered TD's.

Most impressively, the Gators win came without the use of arguably their best player in WR/RB Percy Harvin. They'll need him for the BCS title game and winning this one without him certainly sends Oklahoma and Big 12 fans a strong message.

Week #15

1 game above .500 as we enter the last week of the regular season.

Alabama (+10) vs Florida -- MY PICK: ALABAMA, GEORGE'S: ALABAMA;

Arizona State (+11) at Arizona -- MY PICK: ARIZONA STATE, GEORGE'S: ARIZONA STATE;

USC (-32.5) at UCLA -- MY PICK: UCLA, GEORGE'S: UCLA;

Army (+10.5) vs Navy-- MY PICK: ARMY, GEORGE'S: ARMY;

Pittsburgh (+2.5) at Connecticut -- MY PICK: PITT, GEORGE'S: PITT;

JTB YEARLY RECORD: 35-34-1
GW YEARLY RECORD: 31-38-1

Game of Week #14: Arkansas 31 -- LSU 30

What a great finish to what has become one of the best rivalries in the SEC, if not all of college football! Arkansas senior QB Casey Dick has seen a few highs and many lows in his collegiate career. After being benched in favor of his little brother, he certainly ended his time at Arkansas on a high note. The Razorbacks pulled off the upset against LSU for the second consecutive year on a miraculous 4th down, 24 yard TD with 22 seconds left in the game. You gotta love college football!

Week #14

My yearly record is officially at .500. For every 1 pick I have gotten right, I've gotten another one wrong. And that won't make money for anyone but the sportsbooks.

This is my favorite week of the college football season. Not only is the Thanksgiving weekend packed with rivalry games, but you get a full slate of televised games both on Friday and Saturday. Perfect to go with a side of leftovers!

This week I'm sticking with the SEC and its rivalry games. I need a big one!

Miss State (+18) at Ole Miss -- MY PICK: OLE MISS, GEORGE'S: OLE MISS; I have been riding Ole Miss all year and it's only fitting that they are the only team to beat my Gators. I think QB Jevon Snead is going to be a big time star and I think coach Houston Nutt might be the best in all of college football. The Egg Bowl won't even be close.

Georgia Tech (+8) at Georgia -- MY PICK: GEORGIA, GEORGE'S: GEORGIA TECH; I think this game will be close but 8 points isn't enough. Tech is getting closer and I'm sure their offensive scheme will rattle the Bulldogs a little. But Georgia has never lost this game under coach Mark Richt and they won't do so this year.

Florida (-16.5) at Florida State -- MY PICK: FLORIDA, GEORGE'S: FLORIDA STATE; There is part of me that fears the Seminoles playing up for this game. And I remember how the Gators struggled to win 2 years ago in Tallahassee even as they marched towards the National Championship. But this offense is simply too hot. I'll lay the points.

Auburn (+14.5) at Alabama -- MY PICK: AUBURN, GEORGE'S: AUBURN; I need Alabama to win this one. I want Florida to face an undefeated Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship next week. But I think it will be closer than expected. Auburn will play up for a game they have dominated of late.

Kentucky (+3.5) at Tennessee-- MY PICK: TENNESSEE, GEORGE'S: KENTUCKY; I hate to go with the Vols since they have burned me a lot this year. But how can I not like the boys from Rocky Top to win one last game for 17 year coach Philip Fullmer is his final game?

JTB YEARLY RECORD: 32-32-1
GW YEARLY RECORD: 29-35-1

JBCS Rankings III

1. Alabama
2. Texas
3. Florida
4. Oklahoma
5. USC
6. Texas Tech
7. Penn State
8. Utah
9. Boise State
10. Georgia

Game of Week #13: Oregon State 19 -- Arizona 17

Normally I don't get too worked up about the Pac 10. I don't think that conference has kept pace with the depth of the SEC and Big 12. However, this was a good game and a great win for the Oregon State. The Beavers won on a last second field goal that was sweet redemption for PK Justin Kahut who had missed a game-typing extra point only moments before.

With the victory, the Pac 10 championship is still to be determined. If Oregon State beats instate rival Oregon this week, they would go to the Rose Bowl having the head-to-head tiebreaker over USC. And though that would mean the Beavers would get to play Penn State for the second time this year, it would be nice to see the Trojans denied a Rose Bowl bid.

Week #13

I'm coming off another horrid 1-4 week. I'm just 1 game above .500 after flirting with .750 earlier in the year. This week, I'll follow the lead of my Gators and take a week off from the SEC. But The Citdeal? That might be pushing it Jeremy Foley! Regardless, there's not too many exciting ones in the SEC anyway. And I'm going to avoid the Texas Tech-Oklahoma matchup because my brain and heart are at odds. I don't want to spoil the enjoyment of watching it. So here are my 5 games from week #13.

Illinois (-3) at Northwestern -- MY PICK: NORTHWESTERN, GEORGE'S: NORTHWESTERN; The Illini have been one of my biggest disappointments this year. Give me a much better Northwestern team at home and the points.

BYU (+6.5) at Utah -- MY PICK: BYU, GEORGE'S: UTAH; Rarely do I root for a team full of Mormons. But in this one, there's really no choice either way. Give me BYU and the points to clear up the BCS confusion.

Oregon State (+2) at Arizona -- MY PICK: ARIZONA, GEORGE'S: OREGON STATE; I would love to see Oregon State get the Rose Bowl berth instead of USC. They deserve it too. But I just don't see it happening. This is a tough road game and 2 points ain't enough for me.

Michigan (+19) at Ohio State -- MY PICK: OHIO STATE, GEORGE'S: MICHIGAN; I vowed not to touch Michigan again. But this one looks so easy. How can you not like Ohio State at home in a blowout against a horrible team. We shall see as I tempt fate yet again!

Boise State (-7) at Nevada -- MY PICK: NEVADA, GEORGE'S: NEVADA; Though I'm fond of Boise from their 2006 heroics, I'd like to see them fall here so a 2nd SEC team is assured a BCS spot. 7 points is a lot to lay on the road against a decent Nevada squad.

JTB YEARLY RECORD: 30-29-1
GW YEARLY RECORD: 26-33-1

Game of Week #12: LSU 40 -- Troy 31

I never expected this one to be my game of the week. Here's what I love best about this one. When a team trails 31-3 in the 3rd quarter, it's hard enough to believe that the losing team has a chance to win. But crazy things do happen in college football so one might allow that they could score 4 TDs and steal a win in OT. Nope. There was no overtime in this one.

Instead, LSU put up 37 unanswered points not only to win in regulation, but they actually beat Troy by 9 points! But it shouldn't have been this close for LSU in a late season home game against a weak Sun Belt opponent. The Bayou Bengals have a long way to go to get back to the form they showed last year. But it is enough to earn my Game of the Week!

Week #12

I finally turned it around last week with a 3-2 performance. That's good, not great, but it kicked George Washington's butt at least. Lesson learned is I'm much better when I stick with the SEC. So I'll take 3 SEC games today, going all with favorites I like. The line scares me away from LSU and Alabama, though both should win.

Georgia (-9) at Auburn -- MY PICK: GEORGIA, GEORGE'S: GEORGIA; Auburn is simply awful on the offensive side of the ball this year. No way Georgia loses this one and I don't see it being close. It wouldn't be fair, but Coach Tubberville may be in trouble in Tiger land.

Vandy (+3.5) at Kentucky -- MY PICK: KENTUCKY, GEORGE'S: KENTUCKY; It's a shame but Vandy is in their annual free fall. They started 5-0 and needed only 1 more win for a possible bowl berth. It still hasn't happened. The offense is stagnant no matter which QB they lose and I don't seem them winning at Kentucky.

South Carolina (+21) at Florida -- MY PICK: FLORIDA, GEORGE'S: FLORIDA; With memories of the 1 point thriller two years ago, I'm hesitant to pick Florida in a blowout over Steve Spurrier. And the Gamecocks are playing good ball too. But Florida is hungry and they know their SEC and BCS fate is in their own hands now. Too much Tebow.

Nebraska (-6) at Kansas State -- MY PICK: KANSAS STATE, GEORGE'S: KANSAS STATE; This one could be ugly. Both teams have underperformed this year. And while Nebraska Coach Bo Pellini has just started rebuilding, K State Coach Ron Prince has already been fired. Doesn't seem fair as expectations were too high in the wake of legendary Coach Bill Snider. I look for K State to win one at home for the departing coach.

Ohio State (-9) at Illinois -- MY PICK: ILLINOIS, GEORGE'S: OHIO STATE; Remember this one last year? Illinois shocked an undefeated Ohio State on the road and seeminly prevented them from ruining the BCS title game. It didn't play out that way, but Illini Coach Ron Zook will rally his underachieving troops for a big home win here. It's my upset special of the week.

JTB YEARLY RECORD: 29-25-1
GW YEARLY RECORD: 24-30-1

Heisman Watch III

Here's the current version of my top 5 Heisman list. Guess who's back? Hint: maybe it could be a back-to-back winner afterall?

Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell
Texas QB Colt McCoy
Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford
Florida QB Tim Tebow
Michigan State RB Javon Ringer

JBCS Rankings II

1. ALABAMA
2. TEXAS TECH
3. FLORIDA
4. TEXAS
5. SOUTHERN CAL
6. OKLAHOMA
7. GEORGIA
8. BOISE STATE
9. UTAH
10. PENN STATE

Game of Week #11: Iowa 24 -- Penn State 23

The Alabama-LSU was the most exciting game of the week by far. It was back and forth all game. You knew LSU was pumped to hand former coach Nick Saban the Crimson Tide's first loss of the season. And the defending champs came close, but could not overcome costly turnovers by their new QB Jarrett Lee. Alabama won and clinched an SEC championship game appearance.

However, my official game of the week has to be this Big "10" upset. Thank you Iowa and coach Kirk Ferentz for beating Penn State and thus eliminating these phonies from the National Championship picture! The SEC and Big 12 are so clearly the best conferences in America. It's not even close. Perhaps USC deserves some consideration despite the weak Pac 10 in which they play. But I was very afraid the Nittany Lions would run the table in the weak Big 10 and earn the right to take another Big 10 drubbing in the BCS title game.

This road loss prevents that. Iowa won on a last second FG after keeping it close the whole game. Thus Penn State's signature wins prove to be a 4 point win over Ohio State and a home rout over Oregon State. I'll take the resumes of the Big 12 and SEC champs any day. If the Big 10 wants to be taken seriously, they need to drop the fake-ass name, add a good 12th school (Pittsburgh, Notre Dame?) not another cupcake, and play a championship game. Then they need to start recruiting speed, not just size.

Week #11

A 3rd straight pathetic week and I'm barely above .500. George Washington is literally nipping at my heels. Time to circle the wagons by looking only at the 5 SEC games today. In week 11 I like all the favorites. Yes, that does scare me!

Georgia (-13.5) at Kentucky -- MY PICK: GEORGIA, GEORGE'S: GEORGIA; Look for Georgia to bounce back strongly after an embarrassing blowout last week by the Gators. If they can avoid turnovers and special teams mistakes, they should be able to win big even on the road.

Wyoming (+27) at Tennessee -- MY PICK: TENNESSEE, GEORGE'S: WYOMING; I'm not impressed by the Volunteers by any means, but I expect them to be fired up against a cupcake on the Saturday following longtime coach Phil Fullmer's resignation.

Alabama (-3.5) at LSU -- MY PICK: ALABAMA, GEORGE'S: LSU; I wish this game was a pick 'em. I think Alabama finds a way to escape with a win in Death Valley but I can see it being very close. Crimson Tide QB John Parker Wilson and RB Glen Coffee must manage field position in this one.

Florida (-24) at Vanderbilt -- MY PICK: FLORIDA, GEORGE'S: VANDY; I just don't see a letdown game here after Florida suffered one earlier this year against Ole Miss. Vandy could make it a 3 way tie in the SEC East with an upset win. But they are coming off 4 losses in a row and not impressing anyone of late. The Gators roll here.

Arkansas (+12.5) at South Carolina -- MY PICK: SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGE'S: ARKANSAS; Again I'm somewhat afraid of the spread here, but I think South Carolina finds a way to get it done at home. With a senior QB and good running game, Arkansas has some weapons on offense but I don't trust their defense at all. Look for new Gamecock QB Stephen Garcia to continue his progress under the Ol' Ball Coach.

JTB YEARLY RECORD: 26-23-1
GW YEARLY RECORD: 23-26-1