It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Around this time last year (actually, 359 days ago to be exact) was when I actually started posting frequently on this blog. Now after almost a year of speculating on different stories, analyzing teams and games, and writing for a loyal following of four, we are back to the time of year that I enjoy most. Bowl season really is one of my favorite times of year (other than the first weekend of March Madness). Many of you may not be interested in the Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl the day after Christmas, but I am. Maybe it's because I am a true fan of the game; honestly though, I think it may be a combination of that and the fact that it gives me a valid reason to stay home and not shower or change my clothes from the day before.

You may be thinking "why do you honestly care about a game that is sponsored by the San Diego County Credit Union?" If you are honestly asking this question, please close your browser and never come back to this site.

Now, for those of you that play ESPN's College Bowl Mania, and thus understand the importance of the three bowl games being played tomorrow, here are my picks for those games. Seriously though; if you are one of those people who think the question I posed in the last paragraph is actually legitimate, you don't have any business being here. At least, you don't until around January 1st.

New Mexico Bowl
BYU vs. UTEP

Since this is the first game of the bowl season, I don't have much but the stats to go off of when analyzing this one. UTEP stumbled in the second half of the season, primarily because quarterback Trevor Vittatoe was injured. Granted, four of their five losses during that half of the season came on the road. However, BYU's story is almost the exact opposite; they have won four of their last five, and only lost by a point to Utah in their season finale. Since Vittatoe still isn't one-hundred percent, I have to go with the Cougars in this one. I have BYU for 15 points in College Bowl Mania game.

Final Score: 30-24 BYU


uDrove Humanitarian Bowl
Northern Illinois vs. Fresno State

Like many games early on in the bowl season, this matchup is pretty much a toss-up. I would have liked Northern Illinois in this game. That was before they lost to the "other" Miami in the MAC Championship game, and then learned that their head coach, Jerry Kill, would not be coaching them in their bowl game after accepting the position of Minnesota's head coach. All this, combined with the fact that Fresno State has to have a little bit of an advantage on that crazy blue turf in Boise (they play there every other year in the regular season), makes me slightly more confident in the Bulldogs in this one. I have Fresno State here, but only for 8 points.

Final Score: 48-45 Fresno State


R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Ohio vs. Troy

At least thus far, I'm not being very kind to the MAC. While Ohio is probably superior to Troy in every way but their nickname, going to New Orleans is a treat for the Bobcats. For the men of Troy, who have previously been to this bowl in 2006 and 2008, it is more of a business trip. In the early bowl matchups, it seems that a good offense will trump a good defense (which totally goes against my usual saying, but whatever). So the question will be, do you like Troy's offense (best in the Sun Belt), or Ohio's defense (total yards per game given up is fourth best in the MAC)? I know that the MAC is known for their stellar defensive performances week in and week out, but I'm going to have to go with the offense here. I have Troy for 5 points.

Final Score: 38-34 Troy


In the spirit of early season bowl matchups that would mean nothing without the College Bowl Mania game, I will leave you with this video. Doesn't it sound a lot like Frankie from those old Budweiser commercials? Ah...classic.



- K. Becks

NCAAF: Mountain West Preview

Overview

You have to feel a little bad for the Mountain West. They came painfully close to receiving an automatic bid to a BCS game, and for more reasons than one, they probably won't get it. In fact, in a few years, if the conference re-alignment plays out the way experts predict it will, the Mountain West may cease to exist as a conference. Utah is leaving for the Pac-10, BYU may opt out and become an independent, and Boise State can still opt out of their agreement if they feel like it is no longer in their best interest to join the conference. In other words, in one year, this conference may go from an almost power to a watered down coalition of teams with no real history or chance of reviving the conference. My message to TCU: Find an exit. Quickly.

Team(s) With the Best Shot at a National Championship Bid
None

TCU is going to need a lot of help from other teams in order to have a shot at a national title bid. Unfortunately for the Horned Frogs, they don't come in as the highest ranked non-power conference team in the nation, which puts them at a severe disadvantage. I don't think that help is going to come, so TCU is going to be on the outside looking in again if they go undefeated. I'll say it again: TCU, find an exit. Quickly.

Watch Out! (Team That Could Surprise)
Wyoming

They surprised people at the beginning of last year's bowl season by beating Fresno State in a thriller. This year, they have the ability to surprise people again. Sophomore quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels has a year of experience under his belt, and that will serve the Cowboy offense well, which needs to become more efficient if they want to improve upon last year. Wyoming has their toughest games on the road, but that's why I think they could surprise people.

Out-Of-Conference Game To Watch
TCU vs. Oregon State (September 4th)

There is no doubt that this game will be TCU's toughest non-conference game of the year. If they win, then they are still in the conversation for a BCS bid. If they lose, then their number one goal will be winning the Mountain West for a chance to play in the Poinsettia Bowl. In other words, the first game of the season may be their most important in the eyes of the pollsters.

In-Conference Game To Watch
TCU vs. Utah (November 6th)

Sure, there is a chance that BYU may not miss a beat in replacing quarterback Max Hall, but chances are that TCU and Utah will be the class of the Mountain West. This game will likely be for the Mountain West title, and one or both teams could be playing for more than that. Either way, this game has become a staple of the Mountain West Conference, and it's kind of sad to think that it will be the last time these teams face each other as conference foes. Well, maybe (hint, hint...).

Conference Predictions

1. TCU (12-0, [8-0])
2. Utah (9-3, [6-2])
3. BYU (9-3, [6-2])
4. Air Force (7-5, [5-3])
5. Wyoming (6-6, [4-4])
6. San Diego State (6-6, [3-5])
7. UNLV (2-11, [2-6])
8. Colorado State (2-10, [1-7])
9. New Mexico (1-11, [0-8])



- K. Becks