Thursday, December 31, 2009

Thanks Again Pac-10

Well, yesterday I was humbled. Bowling Green and Idaho put on an offensive show as I predicted, and it turned out to be the best finish in a bowl game this year. With that being said, I wasn't too upset that Idaho won and cost me 18 points in the College Bowl Mania game. As for the Holiday Bowl, not only was it a terrible game to watch, but Nebraska made the Pac-10 look like they had their tails between their legs while trembling in fear. Do you realize that Arizona had a shot to play in the Rose Bowl, and they even took eventual Pac-10 champion Oregon to double OT?

Today marks the first day in which more than three bowl games are being played. In fact, five are being played. Here are my picks for the December 31st bowl games.

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl
Air Force vs. Houston

I want Air Force to be competitive in this game, but I think after the first half this game may get out of hand. Houston QB Case Keenum could be the best quarterback in the nation (sorry Colt McCoy). It isn't a question of whether Houston will put up a lot of points in this game; it's how many points. Air Force has the top ranked pass defense in the Mountain West Conference, but they haven't faced anyone like Keenum. Like I said, this one could be interesting for a half, but I think Houston will take control in the second half. I have Houston for 25 points in the College Bowl Mania game, and I'm pretty confident in that pick.

Final Score: 38-24 Houston


Brut Sun Bowl
Oklahoma vs. Stanford

I am very glad that I didn't pick Stanford in this game. I like Toby Gerhart and his bruising running style, but I have no faith in the Pac-10. Oklahoma is not as bad as their record would indicate. They shut out a solid Oklahoma State team in their season finale, and Landry Jones has started to become more comfortable running the offense. This one may be a good game, but I see Oklahoma driving the ball down the field when it matters most. I have Oklahoma for 21 points in the College Bowl Mania game, and this could really help me move up in the rankings.

Final Score: 30-21 Oklahoma


Texas Bowl
Navy vs. Missouri

I like the Midshipmen for the upset in this one. Navy is very sound defensively, and runs a very tricky triple option offense. If they can control the ball and take minutes off the clock with long offensive drives that wear down the Tiger defense, then they can come away with a win. I saw them play Ohio State early in the season, and was very impressed with this team. Another kicker: Navy is disciplined, and will not commit many turnovers or penalties. I have Navy for 11 points in the College Bowl Mania game.

Final Score: 17-13 Navy


Insight Bowl
Minnesota vs. Iowa State

When I look at this matchup, I think it's going to be one of the worst games of the bowl season. Of course, I thought that about the Humanitarian Bowl, and look how that one turned out. I like Minnesota in this one, simply because of their wideout Eric Decker. He is an impact receiver who can pull down almost anything QB Adam Weber throws up. Plus, he's white, and how many times do you see a white guy with these kinds of skills? I don't really plan on watching this one, and I'm sure many people don't either (how many people who don't have DirecTV even have the NFL Network?), so I'll just be hoping for some Decker play to make Top 10 on Sportscenter. I have Minnesota for 10 points in the College Bowl Mania game.

Final Score: 31-24 Minnesota


Chik-fil-A Bowl
Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee

This game has the potential to be a great one to watch. Unfortunately, the bowl people have never seemed to realize that a game featuring middle-of-the-pack SEC and ACC teams is not the best way to attract attention four hours before the ball drops for New Years. What's a better way, you ask? Um, there is none. I guess all those "Eat more Chicken" commercials with that cow are kind of funny, so it's a trade off. Both teams are solid defensively, so I think that Virginia Tech has an offense more capable of putting up points. This one should be close, and it Lane Kiffin did a nice job turning this program around. I have Virginia Tech for 17 points in the College Bowl Mania game, and contrary to my earlier comments, I will be watching this game.

Final Score: 30-17 Virginia Tech


Hopefully everyone has a happy New Year and a safe New Year's Eve. 2009 has been a great year for me personally, but it's time to turn over the calendar to 2010. Maybe next year my blog will actually get reads!


- K. Becks

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Big News; Good Day

It's official; Texas Tech football coach Mike Leach has been fired. If you haven't heard the story about Leach, you are probably living under a rock. This story has totally shifted the focus from Urban Meyer to Leach and the Texas Tech football program, and for the next few days the media will continue to analyze and discuss this story just as they did the Meyer situation. I saw a phone interview on ESPN yesterday with Leach's attorney Ted Liggett, and I'm not saying Leach is guilty or not guilty, but Liggett sounded like he was BSing the whole thing. I know that attorneys are said to be liars, but if a seventeen year old can see right through your words, you're probably not doing your job very well. I expect to see Leach fight to continue coaching, but it is unlikely that he will be wearing the headset on Saturday. This throws a major curveball for my Alamo Bowl pick.

Speaking of bowl games, I had a very good day picking the games for December 29th. UCLA survived, and Wisconsin was able to control the ball and pull out a win in the Champs Sports Bowl. I'm now 8-5 overall, and am becoming more optimistic about my chances to win my group in the College Bowl Mania game.

Today's games could be just as exciting as yesterday's. Here are my picks for the December 30th bowl games.

Roady's Humanitarian Bowl
Bowling Green vs. Idaho

In possibly my favorite bowl game for two reasons (the Blue Field and the sponsor; is it a barbeque grill or a truck stop?) the MAC and WAC will face off, trying to capture their first bowl win of the season for their respective conferences. So far, both conferences are 0-2 in the bowl season. With this being said, I'm going to have to go with Bowling Green. Idaho suffered a 70-45 loss to Nevada, a team who only scored 10 points in the Hawaii Bowl. Falcons QB Tyler Sheehan is first in the MAC with 3664 passing yards, so he should be able to pass all over the Vandal defense. As long as the cold weather and blue field don't get to Bowling Green, they should come away with a win.

Final Score: 44-27 Bowling Green


Pacific Life Holiday Bowl
Arizona vs. Nebraska

The Holiday Bowl is historically a game that features two teams with high octane offenses capable of scoring in the high 30s to 40s. This game will probably not feature such offensive fireworks, as Nebraska comes in with one of the best defenses in the nation, giving up just 11.2 PPG (good for 2nd best, behind Alabama). Arizona comes in with a defense giving up only 315.8 yards per game, which is second best in the Pac-10. Like yesterday's Champs Sports Bowl, this game should come down to who can control the ball on offense. I'm going out on a limb and saying Arizona will upset the Cornhuskers, who have trouble scoring against anyone. Here's a thought for Bo Pelini: hire Charlie Weis as offensive coordinator, and then Nebraska would have a powerful offense and defense. That, my friends, is smart thinking.

Final Score: 24-20 Arizona


I have Bowling Green for 18 points, and Arizona for 5 points in the College Bowl Mania game. Hopefully I can continue my winning streak and go into New Years Eve happy. Five bowl games are being played tomorrow; it should be a joy getting up and writing about all of them before noon.



- K. Becks

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Climbing The Ranks

I've managed to put together a considerable winning streak, with a 4-0 record picking the last four bowl games. The only problem is, almost everyone else playing the College Bowl Mania game had the exact same picks, so I'm slowly rising in the overall rankings. Today could be the day that I finally make a significant jump in the rankings.

I don't have too much to say about last night's game, because I was unable to watch it. However, I think it's safe to say that the Aggie defense was non-existent. If I'm off the mark there, then someone please let me know how Georgia managed to score 44 points.

After two days with only one bowl game, we begin a string of days in which multiple games are being played. Here are my picks for the December 29th bowl games.

EagleBank Bowl
UCLA vs. Temple

At first glance, common sense tells you that this shouldn't be much of a game. However, not only does UCLA have to travel across the country to play this game (it is in Washington, D.C.), but they only have three conference wins. Two of those wins happen to be against the bottom two teams in the Pac-10 (Washington St. and Arizona St.) while the third was against Washington, who was 7th in the Pac-10. In previous entries I've voiced my opinion of the Pac-10, and UCLA doesn't do anything to change that opinion. Fortunately for the Bruins, they don't have to play a MWC foe. Temple, disregarding their record, just isn't as strong a team as some of the other teams the Pac-10 have had to face. This game should be closer than many people predict, but it may still be a boring one. I have 26 points on UCLA in the College Bowl Mania game, but I'm not that confident in them.

Final Score: 27-17 UCLA


Champs Sports Bowl
Miami (FL) vs. Wisconsin

Unlike the first game today, this one has the potential to be a great game to watch. Miami is led by QB Jacory Harris on offense, and he is a solid quarterback who can take his team down the field quickly if he needs to. Wisconsin is more run-oriented, and will rely on HB John Clay to pound the ball down the field. In games featuring two good teams, as this one does, ball control is usually the deciding factor. If Wisconsin can control the ball and grind out the clock, then they can come away with the win. However, if Miami gets out to a fast start and gets up early, then it will be hard for the slower moving Badger offense to keep up. I have Wisconsin for 3 points in the College Bowl Mania game, and I'm looking forward to watching this one. It has the potential to be the best game we've seen in the bowl season so far.

Final Score: 28-24 Wisconsin

Like what I'm doing so far? If you do, let me know at aroundthecornsportsblog@gmail.com . If you have some suggestions on how I can make it more interesting, or if you just have a topic you'd like me to give my opinion on, then let me know. Thanks everyone.


- K. Becks

Monday, December 28, 2009

I'm Tired Of Hearing About Urban Meyer

I know that I said shoot me an e-mail if you wanted to hear my opinion about the Urban Meyer situation, but now I'm starting to get sick of it. The fact is, the guy will be back in 2011, if not next year. It's not that big of a deal. Even if he isn't the "head coach" in name next season, he will still be involved with the program. I see him taking on a role similar to the one Bill Parcels has in Miami; still making decisions, but not actually wearing the headset on Saturdays.

With that aside, I want to shift the focus back to bowl games. Last night was a little more defensive oriented than I had envisioned, but nonetheless Clemson pulled out a win (thanks to a fumble by Kentucky when they were driving down the field in the 4th quarter).

Today, however, should be a completely different story. Here are my picks for the December 28th bowl games.

AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl
Georgia vs. Texas A&M

I'm not sure if defense is a word that has been used much in College Station this season. The Aggies are last in points allowed in the Big 12, giving up almost 33 PPG. Georgia isn't much better, giving up 26.4 PPG, good for 10th best in the SEC. With that being said, this game should be a shootout reminiscent of the game Texas A&M played against Texas on Thanksgiving weekend. If Aggie QB Jerrod Johnson can move the ball effectively against the Bulldogs defense, then Texas A&M could upset Georgia. However, with losses like 47-19 to Arkansas and 65-10 to Oklahoma, I just don't know if they can stop Georgia, who is no slouch on offense either. I have Georgia for 24 points in the College Bowl Mania game, which may have been a little high, but I'm confident in the Bulldogs. Whomever the winner is, it should be close for the entire game.

Final Score: 42-38 Georgia



- K. Becks

Sunday, December 27, 2009

I Did This So My Title Wouldn't Contain The Word "Finally"....That Doesn't Count

If you don't get the joke, just take a look at the titles of some of my previous entries. Repetition is a terrible thing in the journalistic world.

Yesterday was the first day that I actually had a winning record picking the bowl games. Unfortunately, on this blog I was 1-2, because I decided to go against Pitt when I had them winning in my College Bowl Mania picks. Another good thing about yesterday's games is that they were actually worth watching. I think this is partly due to the fact that the games are now featuring teams the average fan knows about (sports-types, of course, know who UCF is, but the average person not from Florida probably just thinks they misspelled the acronym for United Dairy Farmers). At any rate, this is good for me, as I have had terrible luck when picking teams that are supposedly gauranteed to win (most odds makers had Nevada as 15 point favorites over SMU).

There is only one game for December 27th, so here is my pick.

Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl
Kentucky vs. Clemson

Lots of Clemson fans complained about being sent to Nashville, due to the fact that they finished higher in the ACC than Florida State, who received a bid to the Gator Bowl. Message to Clemson fans: Quit complaining. Unlike FSU, your team actually has a chance to win their game. C.J. Spiller is possibly the most dominate player in college football when he is on the field (other than Nebraska DT Ndamukong Suh), and has the ability to score every time he touches the ball. I expect at least two touchdowns on the ground by Spiller. The key in this game however, is Clemson's defense. It is clear that they can score the ball at will, but stopping Kentucky QB Mike Hartline will be the difference in this game. If Clemson can disrupt the Kentucky passing attack, then they will leave Nashville a winner. I have Clemson for 28 points in the College Bowl Mania game, so I will be very pleased if they can deliver.

Final Score: 38-24 Clemson

Only one bowl game is being played today and tomorrow. So, if you would like me to comment on another topic in sports, such as Urban Meyer's decision to take a leave of absence at Florida, then give me a shout at aroundthecornsportsblog@gmail.com .



- K. Becks

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Will We Finally Get Some Close Games?

Let's just say that I didn't get any early Christmas gifts. After SMU's drubbing of Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve, I was left at 2-4 in the College Bowl Mania game and had just lost 34 points on my most sure bet for a win.

Today, all I'm asking for is that the games are close. Since the kickoff of the bowl season, there haven't really been any competitive games. However, I think that our luck could change, as today's matchups look very interesting. Here are my picks for the December 27th bowl games.

Little Caesars Pizza Bowl
Marshall vs. Ohio

If I had predicted this game a few days earlier, I likely would have said that Ohio was the clear favorite and that this may not be much of a game. I'm glad I didn't say that. I believe that Ohio still has a slight advantage due to the fact that Marshall will be coached by interim coach Rick Minter, who is normally the defensive coordinator. However, Ohio has never won a bowl game before (they've only been to four). The key in this game will be whether Marshall's defense can contain Ohio QB Theo Scott. I've got Ohio for 22 points in the College Bowl Mania game, but I'm not as confident as my pick would indicate.

Final Score: 34-28 Ohio


Meineke Car Care Bowl
Pittsburgh vs. North Carolina

This may be the most interesting matchup so far this bowl season. This is another game featuring a high octane offense (Pittsburgh) versus a lock-down defense (North Carolina). Both teams can also be one of the best in the nation when they bring their A-game; however, both are also streaky. Two things to note in this game: North Carolina is essentially playing a home game (it's in Charlotte), and Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt apparently said that getting over a loss like the one Pitt suffered against Cincinnati in the season finale will take some time. I have Pittsburgh for 16 points in the College Bowl Mania game, but I actually think North Carolina will pull out a squeaker.

Final Score: 27-24 North Carolina


Emerald Bowl
Boston College vs. Southern California

The biggest question in this game is "Will USC get up to play in a seemingly meaningless game?". This is the first time that USC will be playing in a non-BCS game since 2001. I think the answer is not entirely, but the superior athletes on the Trojans will still be able to pull out a win. The key for BC is to get after USC QB Matt Barkley. Every team that has beaten USC thus far this year has had to do that. If BC sits back, then Barkley will look like a seasoned upperclassmen and the game may get out of hand.

If I were USC coach Pete Carroll, I would remind my team of Jake Olsen. Those of you who watch College Gameday (or Sportscenter, as this story was on this morning) know about Jake, a 12 year old boy who lost his eyesight whom the Trojans have adopted as their number one fan. In my opinion, the Trojans are in dire need of a reason to play hard, and Jake could be their reason.

I have USC for 27 points in the College Bowl Mania game, but if Boston College wants it enough, they have the ability to win this game.

Final Score: 33-24 USC

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Finally...

As I said yesterday, last night's game was the first time in this bowl season that I felt confident with my pick. Once again, the Pac-10 did not impress me, and Cal bolstered my argument that the Pac-10 is full of hapless defenses that make their offenses look dominating. I was very satisfied with the score of the game as well, as I was only one point off of each team's final tally.

Today, I feel even better about my pick. Here it is, my preview of the bowl games for December 24th.

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
Nevada vs. Southern Methodist

I don't see this as being much of a game due to the fact that Nevada's QB Colin Kaepernick is a duel threat unlike anything SMU has seen all season. However, if the bowl games that have already been played are any indication, then this one could be a shocker as well. Something to keep in mind is that this is somewhat of a homecoming for SMU coach June Jones, who coached the University of Hawaii until bolting for SMU in 2007 after Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan graduated. Also, this is SMU's first bowl game in 25 years, so they should be ready to play.

Regardless of the winner, this should be a high scoring game and a fun one to watch if it stays even moderately close. I have 34 points on Nevada in the College Bowl Mania game, so I can only hope that Kaepernick proves me right.

Final Score: 45-24 Nevada


Tomorrow there are no bowl games, so I probably won't post a new entry (I'm not into the NBA on Christmas Day thing...). So, I'd like to wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas.


- K. Becks

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

I'm Back....I Think

Well, let me start by saying I didn't think that this would be only my second blog ever. Like I said in my last blog, I had hoped to post at least once every few days starting back around the 4th of July. However, things got busy, I had to start training for cross country, and so forth. Anyway, I'm back, and this time I can say pretty confidently that I'll have at least a few posts in the next two weeks.

I'll be honest; I had planned on starting again before the beginning of the college bowl season so that I could give my take on each bowl game. Obviously, that didn't happen, and quite frankly, it's probably for the better. I'm not sure how many of you signed up to play the College Bowl Mania game on ESPN.com, but it has been a disaster for me so far. A 1-3 record, combined with the fact that I've lost about 70 points so far (you won't get any of this unless you play) has me already rooting against teams so that I don't fall even further behind.

With that being said, I think that my luck could turn around tonight. So that is why I'm going to start my blogging again with a preview of the bowl games for December 23rd. I can't guarantee anything, but I will try my best to blog every day for the next two weeks or so in order to share my expertise of picking these fine college bowl games. Maybe I can even attract a few readers if my picks are good!

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
Utah vs. California

After watching the Pac-10 get destroyed last night by the MWC, I am glad that I picked Utah for 19 points in the College Bowl Mania game. Although the wind will probably not be a factor in this game like it was last night in Las Vegas (check out some of the punts by Oregon State kicker Johnny Hecker), I believe that the Utah defense can hold the Cal offense. I have not been impressed with the Pac-10 so far in this bowl season, and I'm beginning to wonder if any of their teams really have dominating offenses, or if there are just no good defenses in that league.

Final Score: 38-28 Utah

Well, the game is on now. Tomorrow I'll try to have my pick posted before the game starts. Tune in to ESPN; let's hope it's a good one.

- K. Becks

Saturday, July 4, 2009

My First Blog.....Hello World

Well, this is it. I've entered the world of blogging. I've never really read a whole lot of blogs before, other than those ones in the Yahoo! Sports section. Funny thing about those blogs is that those are the ones I'm going to try to emulate. I've never been all that interested in reading about other normal people's lives, and quite frankly, you wouldn't be interested in reading about my life either. I'm really only interested in reading about sports, and writing about them is something that I have considered as a future profession. I know what you're all thinking: "Oh God, another smart ass kid who thinks he's the next Rick Reilly." Well, in some respects, yes, Mr. Reilly is someone who I see as an inspiration. However, humor is a characteristic that is not evident in my writing, no matter how much I would like it to be. So that is where the comparisons between Mr. Reilly and myself end. Oh, and the desire to write humorous novels about golf. I'm not a huge fan.

The intent of this, my first blog, was to let everyone know what exactly I will be writing about. The answer to this question will probably change over time, but I guess I can give a rough outline.

I plan to submit a new entry every few days or so, depending on what my work schedule looks like. I'll be blogging about almost every sport that I feel I can write a somewhat intelligent piece on. Many of you have probably heard of the popular shows Around the Horn and Pardon the Interruption (ESPN 5pm and 5:30pm EST). I download the day's podcast from each show and then listen to them before I go to bed. More often than not, I'll pull my topics from something that was discussed on one of those shows the previous day. For any of you unfamiliar with the shows, the basics of both shows are that they are glorified bloggers that get paid to do exactly what I am going to do; give an opinion on a story in sports.

That is pretty much my plan in a nutshell. You may be asking "Won't the stories you're blogging about be somewhat dated by the time you submit your piece?" The answer is, yea, probably. But once again: I'd rather read about a slightly old sports story than read about what some lady did in her garden yesterday afternoon.

After reading this, I'm guessing that you already have a pretty good idea whether or not you will be reading my next blog. That's good; I don't want to waste other people's time. Don't let me waste my time either. I want to get feedback from my blogs. If you think it was a good take on the issue, or if you think it just sucked, let me know. Also, if you have any special stories or issues (let's try to keep it about sports, please) you'd like to hear my opinion about, let me know. Just drop me an email at aroundthecornsportsblog@gmail.com. I'd love to hear your comments, questions, and criticism. I'll try my best to get back to everyone.

That pretty much does it. Hopefully I attracted some readers; if not, I'll just tell my brothers and parents to read it. Also, thanks to everyone who did read this thing all the way through, even if you don't plan on reading another of my entries.



- K. Becks