{mosimage} I have always been an NFL fan first and a college football fan second. This divide grows larger each passing football season as I become increasingly frustrated with the college gridiron.

Mainly, what gets under my skin about college football is its pre-season polls, the shady coaching changes, its joke of a Heisman Trophy Award (Jason White over Larry Fitzgerald in 2003?) and most importantly, the lack of a clear and understandable rankings system.

Sure, the NFL has its own problems (Vick, Pac-Man, “Spy Gate”) but, it’s what I prefer most when it comes to following football.

Anyway, I have decided to try my hand with a straight-up pick’em for the college bowl season. There’s really nothing fancy about it. There are 32 bowl games and all I want to find out is how well I can predict the winners.

Throughout the bowl season I’ll check in through this blog to see how my win/loss record is shaping up. My personal goal is to correctly choose at least 20 winners (.625) though; I’ll gladly take anything above the .500 marker.

The winners are in bold print and underlined so here we go!

BCS Bowls

Allstate BCS National Championship Game

LSU vs. Ohio State
Jan. 7, 8 p.m. ET (Fox)

The Bucks didn't fair well against Illinois' spread offense in a 28-21 home loss this season and the Tigers spread is as equally tough.

LSU wins against Ohio State 38-24.

My Final Record: 21-11

FedEx Orange Bowl

Virginia Tech vs. Kansas
Jan. 3, 8 p.m. ET (Fox)

Kansas' weak schedule (S. Louisiana, Florida Atlantic, Baylor) fooled many college football fans into believing the Jayhawks were real contenders for the National Championship.

Kansas wins against Virginia Tech 24-21.

Let’s get one thing straight. The Jayhawks didn’t belong in a BCS Bowl game, Missouri did.

On the other hand, congratulations to Kansas for taking advantage of a weak schedule in return for a huge BCS payout.

Consider that Kansas chose C. Michigan, Southeastern Louisiana, Toledo and Florida International for its non-conference schedule. They won every game by an average of 48 points. Whew, that was tough.

Conversely, Missouri played on the road and won at Illinois and at Mississippi. Plus, the Tigers defeated Kansas 36-28. Doesn’t add up, does it.

This is sending the wrong message to college football programs. Scheduling tough non-conference games should be rewarded more than a schedule of weaker non-conference opponents. However, Missouri’s snubbing from a BCS Bowl shows scheduling low pays highly.

My record: 19-10

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

Oklahoma vs. West Virginia
Jan. 2, 8 p.m. ET (Fox)

Although the Big 12 Champions defeated the one-time number one team in the country twice (Missouri) they still won't play for the National Championship. This is one of many reasons the college football polls need to be tweaked.

West Virginia defeats Oklahoma 48-28.

Bob Stoops has some explaining to do. His Sooners have dropped four straight BCS Bowl games including last year’s loss against Boise State.

Not to mention, the ease with which the Mountaineers (11-2) defeated Oklahoma (11-3) makes me curious as to how the mountain men ever lost to Pittsburgh (13-9) in the regular season finale.

Even without former head coach Rich Rodriguez, now at Michigan, and star running back, Steve Slaton (first quarter leg injury), West V. pummeled Stoop’s bunch all night.

Interim Mountaineers coach, Bill Stewart, reaped the benefit of a motivated team and has accepted an offer to become the full time head coach at West Virginia. I think it’s the right hire.

My record: 19-9

Allstate Sugar Bowl

Georgia vs. Hawaii
Jan. 1, 8:30 p.m. ET (Fox)

I'm looking forward to watching this bowl game the most. It certainly has the potential to be this year's Boise State Oklahoma thriller.

Georgia defeats Hawaii 41-10.

Another BCS bowl flop. And, it’s too bad for me that this game sucked for every minute of the five hours it lasted.

Sure, it was nice to see the Warriors get invited to a BCS bowl; however, they clearly have no business playing in one.

Colt Brennan’s line for the game says everything.

The Warrior QB completed 22-38 passes for 169 yards (he avg. 348 yards during regular season), no touchdowns vs. three interceptions and was sacked eight times.

Thanks for playing Hawaii and, we’re sorry the game lasted longer than a trip to the moon and back.

My record: 19-8

Rose Bowl presented by Citi

USC vs. Illinois
Jan. 1, 4:30 p.m. ET (ABC)

It has been 20 plus years since Illinois played in the Rose Bowl. Unfortunately, these roses won't smell so sweet after four quarters against the mighty Trojans.

USC wins against Illinois 49-17.

For the sixth consecutive year USC has won at least 11 games per season. There’s not a better program in the country during this span and, there’s not a better team right now than the Trojans.

Unfortunately, instead of watching USC play for the National Championship or even against Georgia or Missouri in the Rose Bowl, we get stuck watching a rout against Illinois (9-4).

Yea! What a classic Big-10 vs. Pac-10 match-up. Please, this game hardly had a chance to become a classic. The Trojans (11-2) overpowered Illinois everywhere and especially on offense with a Rose Bowl record 633 total yards.

And, just for the record, I’d pick USC to beat any team in the country for the National Title, LSU and Ohio State included.

My record: 18-8

Non BCS Bowl Games

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl

Utah vs. Navy
Dec. 20, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN)

This one is a gimme. Utah all the way.

Utah defeats Navy 35-32. Utah's slim victory marks its seventh straight bowl win dating back to 1999.

Well, this wasn't the gimme game I thought it would be but, I'm off to a 1-0 start!

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

Florida Atlantic vs. Memphis
Dec. 21, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

FAU wins against Memphis 44-27.

This was FAU's first ever bowl appearance but, old-hat for its 73 year-old coach, Howard Schnellenberger. In just seven years the Owls have gone from start-up program to bowl winners under coach Schnellenberger's watch.

In 23 years as a head coach, Schnellenberger has a perfect 5-0 bowl record. Nearly 25 years ago Schellenberger led Miami over Nebraska in the 1983 National Championship Orange Bowl. His other high-profile bowl victories include the 1980 Peach Bowl, 1990 Fiesta Bowl and the 1993 Liberty Bowl.

My record: 2-0

Papajohns.com Bowl

Cincinnati vs. Southern Miss
Dec. 22, 1 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Coach Kelly's (9-3) Bearcats are a tough bunch. They'll be a top 25 team again in 2008.

Cincinnati wins against Southern Miss 31-21. Despite throwing three interceptions and poor weather conditions, Bearcats Senior QB, Ben Mauk, played well enough to throw for 334 yards and four touchdowns.

Brian Kelly's team finishes the season 10-3 marking the program's first ten-win season since 1951. The Cats spread offense also set the school record for points scored during the season and its defense finished second in the nation with 38 takeaways.

The Bearcats third consecutive bowl win also spoiled the final game for Southern Miss head coach, Jeff Bower. After leading the Golden Eagles for 17 years, Bower was forced to resign after a disappointing regular season. Only three active coaches have a longer tenure at one school than Bower's run with the Gollden Eagles (Joe Paterno, Bobby Bowden and Frank Beamer).

Former Oklahoma State offensive coordinator, Larry Fedora, will replace Bower.

My record: 3-0

New Mexico Bowl

Nevada vs. New Mexico
Dec. 22, 4:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

New Mexico wins against Nevada 23-0.

Head coach Rockey Long is in his tenth year leading the Lobos (9-4). Finally, after five tries, New Mexico has its first bowl victory in 46 years since beating Western Michigan 28-12 in the 1961 Aviation Bowl in Dayton, Ohio.

However, the attention should be focused on New Mexico’s defense. Nevada (6-7) had not been held scoreless in its last 329 games dating back to September of 1980. This was the longest current streak in division one football and the second longest scoring streak in its history.

Unfortunately, this was my first loss of the bowl season and an ugly one to make matters worse. My record: 3-1

Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl

BYU vs. UCLA
Dec. 22, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

BYU wins against UCLA 17-16.

For the second straight year the Cougars have won the Las Vegas Bowl. This is also the first time BYU (11-2) has won consecutive bowl games since 1983-84 when they won its only National Title.

Despite holding BYU to a season low 265 yards of offense, UCLA could not execute a field goal on the game’s final play. The Cougars blocked the field goal try and insured themselves of a tenth consecutive victory this season.

Although, UCLA defeated BYU earlier this year (27-13) the Cougars’ victory against the Bruins is its first since 1983.

My record: 4-1

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl

Boise State vs. East Carolina
Dec. 23, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Boise State is the college football Cinderella version of the Gonzaga's men's basketball team.

East Carolina wins against Boise State 41-38.

With four ticks left on the clock, Ben Hartman knuckled a 34 yard field goal giving the Pirates (8-5) its first bowl win in seven years.

Trailing by seven points with just 1:25 left to play, Boise State (10-3) used more of its last minute magic by returning a Chris Johnson fumble 47 yards to tie the score 38 all.However, the Pirates stormed back in the game's final minute to set up Hartman's winning kick.

Despite Johnson's costly turnover, his game was one for the record books. His 408 all-purpose yards sets an NCAA Bowl Record. Johnson spread his work out with 223 rushing yards, 32 receiving yards and six kickoffs returns for 153 yards.

The talented Johnson and his East Carolina teammates got the best of me too. My record dips to 4-2.

Motor City Bowl

Purdue vs. Central Michigan
Dec. 26, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

I'll be rooting for the MAC team but, Purdue whipped Central Michigan (45-22) once already this year.

Purdue wins against Central Michigan 51-48.

Wow, what a bowl game! First of all, I’m surprised 60,000 plus showed up at this bowl the day after Christmas. And secondly, who would have guessed the game would feature 99 total points scored, a school passing record and a game winning kick!

As Purdue (9-5) jumped out to the early 21 point advantage, it seemed the outcome would be similar the previous meeting this season, a 23 point Purdue win.

Nonetheless, the Boilermakers needed Chris Summers’ game-winning 40 yard field goal as time expired to survive a Central Michigan comeback.

Boilermaker QB, Curtis Painter, threw for a school-record 546 yards and three touchdowns in keeping Central Michigan (8-6) well in check throughout the first three quarters.

However, despite the Boilermakers 34-13 halftime lead - and a 41-20 third quarter lead – Chippewas QB, Dan LeFevour, rallied his troops for 35 second half points to knot the game 48 all late in the fourth.

Also, LeFevour nearly matched Heisman Trophy winner, Tim Tebow, as the only college quarterbacks to both throw and rush for more than 20 touchdowns in a season. LeFevour threw for 27 and rushed for 19 scores.

My record: 5-2

Pacific Life Holiday Bowl

Arizona State vs. Texas
Dec. 27, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

No Vince Young for the Longhorns spells trouble for Mac Brown's squad.

Texas wins 52-34.

Call it the Chris Jessie Bowl. Yes, this game will be remembered more for the stepson (Chris Jessie) of Longhorns coach, Mack Brown, than it will the actual game.

On the other hand, I’ll remember Arizona State’s five turnovers (two interceptions, three fumbles) more than anything. The Sun Devils couldn’t seem to get a single break either.

As evidence, Texas QB, Colt McCoy fumbled the ball four times - one bounced into the endzone for an eventual Longhorn touchdown – but, Arizona State only recovered one.

The Longhorns (10-3) also set a school-record for points in a bowl game and won its fourth straight postseason game.

ASU (10-3) looked uninspired in its first bowl game under head coach Dennis Erickson. The costly turnovers didn’t help me out either.

My record: 5-3

Champs Sports Bowl

Michigan State vs. Boston College
Dec. 28, 5 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Boston College is the hands down favorite in this game. However, I like the Spartans toughness they showed against Michigan (lost 28-24) and will take the upset.

Boston College wins against Michigan State 24-21.

The Spartans (7-6) showed the toughness I admire from them in falling just short against the Eagles. However, five Michigan State turnovers (four INT’s) prevented an upset victory.

Meanwhile, Boston College (11-3) extended the nation’s longest post season winning streak to eight games. The team also won 11 games for the first time since 1940.

My record: 5-4

Texas Bowl

TCU vs. Houston
Dec. 28, 8 p.m. ET (NFL Network)

TCU (8-5) wins against Houston (8-5) 20-13.

I only caught the highlights of this bowl game thanks to not being able to watch the NFL Network from my couch. However, it doesn’t seem like I missed much in review.

Also, it’s the third straight bowl win for TCU.

My record: 6-4

Emerald Bowl

Oregon State vs. Maryland
Dec. 28, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Oregon State wins against Maryland 21-14.

The Beavers (9-4) dominated Maryland (6-7) despite winning by only seven points.

Rainy weather in San Francisco forced both teams to rush the ball. That played heavily in favor of Oregon State.

Beaver senior tailback, Yvenson Bernard, rushed for 177 yards and one score in his final college game. Bernard’s 38 carries also propelled him to 10^th place on the PAC-10’s career rushing yards list.

Conversely, the Terrapins had little success against the nation’s No. 2 rush defense gaining just 19 yards on the ground.

The Beavers also established the PAC-10’s longest bowl winning streak at four games.

My record: 7-4

Meineke Car Care Bowl

Wake Forest vs. UConn
Dec. 29, 1 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Wake Forest wins against Connecticut 24-10.

The Demon Deacons (9-4) responded from a 10-0 halftime deficit to score 24 unanswered points.

Senior wideout, Kenneth Moore, found plenty of room against the UConn (9-4) defense collecting 11 catches for 112 yards.

Moore’s domination earned him the game’s MVP Award and the ACC’s single-season reception record with 98.

My record: 8-4

AutoZone Liberty Bowl

UCF vs. Mississippi State
Dec. 29, 4:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Mississippi State wins against UCF 10-3.

Without question, this was the most boring bowl game to date.

Not to mention, the main reason I paid attention to this game was to watch UCF’s Kevin Smith break Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record; and that didn’t happen.

Smith ran the ball well gaining119 yards, but ultimately fell 61 yards shy of topping Sanders’ 1988 record of 2,628 yards.

The Bulldogs (8-5) victory wrapped up the best season for fourth year head coach Sylvester Croom. The Knights (10-4) however, out gained Mississippi State offensively in total yards (219-199), but failed to reach pay dirt.

Valero Alamo Bowl

Texas A&M vs. Penn State
Dec. 29, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

I smell another upset and select the Aggies to edge Joe Pa.

Penn State wins against Texas A&M 24-17.

Forty two years on the sideline hasn’t slowed Joe Pa a bit in the win column.

Not much else in this game jumped out at me besides both teams combining for just six penalties and that they played an evenly matched contest throughout the game.

My nose for upsets is in need of a check-up.

My record slides to 8-6

PetroSun Independence Bowl

Alabama vs. Colorado
Dec. 30, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

The Tide will easily roll Colorado. This is a sure lock pick.

Alabama defeats Colorado 30-24.

The Tide’s (7-6) victory didn’t come as easy as I thought it would. Still, Saban’s team held on after leading 27-0 in the second quarter.

The win also prevented Alabama from suffering consecutive losing seasons for the first time in 50 years.

On the other hand, Colorado (6-7) rebounded well from a (2-10) record last year, but is far from its early 1990s glory days.

My record: 9-6

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl

Air Force vs. California
Dec. 31, 12:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

California wins against Air Force 42-36.

After falling behind by 21 points California’s (7-6) rally marked the programs sixth consecutive winning season.

Despite the loss, Falcons head coach, Troy Calhoun, has his team headed in the right direction. Air Force (9-4) won six out of its last seven regular-season games and looked sharp early on in its first bowl appearance since 2002.

My record of 9-7 is diving faster than a wounded F-16 Tomcat.

Roady's Humanitarian Bowl

Fresno State vs. Georgia Tech
Dec. 31, 2 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Fresno State wins against Georgia Tech 40-28.

The Yellow Jackets (7-6) defense entered this bowl game with 47 sacks, good enough for the nation’s No. 1 ranking.

Countering the sack heavy Jackets, Fresno State simplified its offensive game plan; run the ball when you can and throw it when you must. The plan worked like a charm.

Clifton Smith ran wild for the Bulldogs (9-4) with 152 yards and two scores. The offense as a whole nearly reached 600 total yards for the game (571).

Meanwhile, Bulldog QB, Tom Brandstater, completed 76 percent of his passes and was never sacked.

The Bulldogs also defeated G.T. (30-21) in the 2002 Silicon Valley Football Classic.

My record: 10-7

Brut Sun Bowl

Oregon vs. South Florida
Dec. 31, 2 p.m. ET (CBS)

Despite the loss of Oregon's "Mr Everything," Dennis Dixon, I like the the Ducks.

Oregon wins against South Florida 56-21.

Even without Dennis Dixon, I felt Oregon (9-4) was talented enough to win against the Bulls. Although, what really surprised me was the Ducks 42 points scored on offense against a tough South Florida defense.

However, the Bulls (9-4) defense had no answer for Ducks running back, Jonathan Stewart, who set a Sun Bowl record with a career-high 253 yards rushing. He also added two scores, one coming on the ground.

If Stewart’s rushing record wasn’t tough enough for S. Florida to swallow, Oregon’s redshirt freshman QB, Justin Roper, tied a Sun Bowl record with four touchdown passes.

It seems that many college fans forget just how solid Oregon was this year. The Ducks were ranked as high as No.2 before Dixon – a leading Heisman Trophy candidate - tore up his knee in November and the season ended on a three-game losing streak.

Now, all but forgotten, Oregon steamrolls S. Florida who also earned the nation’s No.2 ranking earlier this year.

Also, former Athens (OH) High School star, Grant Gregory, quarterbacked the Bulls offense late in the second half.

Unfortunately, Gregory struggled throwing the football going 6-11 for 39 yards with one TD and two INTs.

My record: 11-7

Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl

Kentucky vs. Florida State
Dec. 31, 4 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Bowden's team already lost this game.

Kentucky defeats Florida State 35-28.

Andre Woodson dominated a depleted Seminoles squad – three dozen players were suspended for academic cheating – throwing for four touchdowns and earning the game’s MVP award. Woodson’s bowl performance will only enhance his chances of becoming a high NFL draft pick this April.

Also, I’ll give the Noles (7-6) credit for keeping this game close despite its many player suspensions. Had it not been for Woodson’s superior skills, Florida State would have won this game playing at full strength.

Nonetheless, the Wildcats (8-5) have won back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 1951-52 when Bear Bryant was the head coach.

My record: 12-7

Insight Bowl

Oklahoma State vs. Indiana
Dec. 31, 6 p.m. ET (NFL Network)

Oklahoma State wins against Indiana 49-33.

The Cowboys (7-6) first five possessions of the game ended in touchdowns and none took longer than 3:07. By halftime the Hoosiers (7-6) trailed 35-10 and couldn’t recover during the second half either.

My record: 13-7

Chick-fil-A Bowl

Auburn vs. Clemson
Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Auburn wins against Clemson 23-20 in OT.

The Clemson Tigers (9-4) defense did all it could to win this game while its offense didn’t do much to help out. Clemson converted just 5-19 third down plays and mustered only 12 first downs on offense for the entire game.

On the other hand, Auburn (9-4) racked up 90 total plays and 423 total yards of offense. Somehow though, Clemson’s “D” bent without breaking and held the Tigers to 17 points at the end of regulation.

I enjoy watching most overtime games but, this contest wasn’t well played and I just wanted to see it end. Thankfully, Auburn extends my winning streak to five correct picks in-a-row.

Outback Bowl

Tennessee vs. Wisconsin
Jan. 1, 11 a.m. ET (ESPN)

This game truly is a straight-up pick'em. Go Vols!

Tennessee wins against Wisconsin 21-17.

The Vols (10-4) earned its first 10 win season since 2004. Conversely, the Badgers (9-4) made a game of it by running the football (192 yards), but lacked big play ability on either side of the ball in the second half.

Erik Ainge threw for 365 yards and two touchdowns in his final game at Tennessee and was handed the game’s MVP honors.

Wisconsin missed an opportunity to join Michigan as the only Big Ten programs to defeat SEC opponents in three straight bowl games. The Badgers knocked off Auburn and Arkansas the previous two years in the Capital One Bowl.

My record: 15-7

AT&T Cotton Bowl

Missouri vs. Arkansas
Jan. 1, 11:30 a.m. ET (Fox)

I'm not rooting for anything team associated with Bobby Petrino.

Missouri defeats Arkansas 38-7.

This blowout couldn’t have been more satisfying for me. Good luck turning things around Petrino.

Plus, there’s no questioning Missouri (12-2) deserved a BCS Bowl bid and not the Cotton Bowl. This was evident even before they whipped Arkansas (8-5).

Also, Tony Temple was phenomenal rushing for a Cotton Bowl record 281 yards and four touchdowns. Still, the best back on the field was Darren McFadden (21 carries, 105 yards, 1 TD), my 2007 Heisman Trophy winner.

My record: 16-7

Konica Minolta Gator Bowl

Texas Tech vs. Virginia
Jan. 1, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

Texas Tech wins against Virginia 31-28.

Graham Harrell is the reason I picked the Red Raiders (9-4) for the upset victory. Anytime a college team has a dominating quarterback like this guy, they have a chance to win.

Harrell struggled early on, but rallied to complete 44-69 passes for 407 yards and three touchdowns. He also broke all the Gator Bowl records for passing yards, completions and attempts.

Virginia (9-4) can only blame their own miscues for the loss. Leading by two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers couldn’t stop Harrell’s blatant passing attack and turned the ball over deep in Red Raiders territory.

Had Virginia held onto its lead, tailback Mikell Simpson would have most likely earned the game’s MVP award. Simpson ran for 170 yards on 20 carries including a NCAA bowl-record 96-yard TD run. Instead, Harrell earned the top honor.

My record: 17-7

Capital One Bowl

Florida vs. Michigan
Jan. 1, 1 p.m. ET (ABC)

Wolverine fans can look forward to celebrating the end of this painful season.

Michigan edges Florida 41-35.

Wolverines fan or not, watching Lloyd Carr being carried off the field was pretty cool.

Plus, “the state up north” finally won a bowl game since 2003 and the senior class can now say they’ve won a big game (0-4 against Ohio State and now 1-3 in bowl games).

Also, unless you’re a Florida fan, it was fun watching Michigan (9-4) punish Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow with all-out blitz packages. Sure, the Wolverines only sacked Tebow once but, they knocked him around pretty well throughout the game.

Acknowledging that I have not watched every game Florida (9-4) has played this year, it appeared that Tebow was mentally rattled more than I’ve ever seen him before.

This being said, Tebow was playing with a broken bone on his throwing hand and made several spectacular plays to avoid being sacked.

Nonetheless, Michigan could have cruised during the fourth quarter had it not been for four ugly turnovers.

Still, I never saw a Michigan win coming. The winning streak is over at 8 correct picks in-a-row.

My record: 17-8

International Bowl

Rutgers vs. Ball State
Jan. 5, Noon ET (ESPN2)

Oh my goodness, Ball State (7-5) is going to get rocked against Schiano's Scarlet Knights (7-5).

Rutgers wins against Ball State 52-30.

Greg Schiano is one of my favorite college football coaches. It’s Schiano’s enthusiasm for the game and his dedication to Rutgers that I admire about him.

Just as I expected, the Scarlet Knights (8-5) throttled Ball State (7-6). After all, this Rutgers team defeated then No.2 South Florida (30-27) in week seven.

Ray Rice lead Rutgers to just its second bowl victory in its 138 seasons. Rice averaged eight yards per carry – his longest a 90 yard TD – for 290 yards and four touchdowns.

Got it! Two bowl games are left and I’ve already hit the big two-oh.

My record: 20-10

GMAC Bowl

Bowling Green vs. Tulsa
Jan. 6, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

The MAC's only bowl win comes in this contest.

Not so fast my friend! Tulsa embarrasses B.G. 63-7.

Oh my dear lord, what a massacre. No bowl team this season played a worse four quarters than B.G.(8-5) did against Tulsa.

Seriously B.G., four fumbles in the first half, just 13 first downs for the entire game and your leading rusher gathered a whopping 21 yards for the game. This was your bowl game, right?

Not to mention, Tulsa (10-4) racked up 562 total yards of offense (333 more yards than B.G.) and a couple of milestone records against you.

Let’s start with Tulsa QB, Paul Smith, and his 312 passing yards and five touchdowns. Smith’s performance marks his NCAA record 14^th consecutive 300-yard passing game, breaking the record previously held by BYU’s Ty Detmer.

Also, Tulsa becomes the first team in NCAA history to sport a 5,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard rusher and three 1,000-yard receivers. That’s quite an offensive feat.

On the other hand, what a dreadful showing for the MAC this bowl season. The conference is 0-3 while its competition outscored them by 82 total points.

My record: 20-11

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Lloyds Apple said:

College football equals: Tradition Rivalries Politics Huge stadiums--for some schools recruiting (a season within a season...I'm a recruiting ADDICT) NFL football equals: Top talent Bars, brews and rowdy fans stats (fantasy) NFL Draft To me, CFB is more exciting. The NFL, like all pro sports, is best for me during the playoffs. With only 16 games, though, it's not like the NBA or MLB as far as that goes. When I watch NFL games I'm intrigued by my former favorite college players. My NFL friends are into Fantasy football and most go to bars to watch the games. Me, I despise watching games at bars. Last year I went to a bar with Philly fans to watch the Eagles/Saints playoff game. A bunch of abnormally obnoxious Saints fans were there and I thought WW3 was about to go down. It makes me question if I really want to go to New Orleans for the OSU-LSU championship game. I can't afford tickets to the game and watching it at a bar surrounded by LSU fans could get scary. It's a different culture (NFL to CFB) and to each his own. Anyways, it looks like there are some upsets early on this Bowl season...

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December 24, 2007
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Bullpen Brian said:

Hey, thanks for the article comment. I find your take on NCAA vs. NFL football interesting. Funny enough (and opposite of your own views), when I watch college football I look to see what players might be talented enough for the NFL. Again, it’s not that I despise college football but rather, I prefer the NFL. When I see the premier college teams like a Florida, Ohio State or a USC run 11 future NFL draft picks out onto the field against Youngstown State well, I just don’t get excited about the athletic mismatch. The outcome of the game is inevitable before the kickoff. Conversely, I’ll recognize that there are some tremendous college match-ups that rival any NFL game. Though, more often than not it’s a one-sided affair on the college gridiron. Plus, I’m not thrilled at watching talents like Vince Young, Troy Smith and Timmy Heisman trounce their opponents week to week. Certainly, I respect what players like this can accomplish on the college football field. And, I do get wide-eyed watching some of their highlights. But, for the most part this older brother vs. younger brother advantage doesn’t entertain me the way the NFL does. Also, let’s not forget that the NFL is full of traditions (Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers, the Super Bowl), rivalries (Raiders-Chiefs, Steelers-Browns, Patriots-Colts) and has its own season with-in a season (free agency, the salary cap and the college draft). I think you really said it best when you wrote… “It's a different culture (NFL to CFB) and to each his own.” One thing we can both agree on. . .don’t watch a meaningful football game at a bar full of knucklehead-know-it-all fans. It’s just not worth the serious fan’s patience. And, if there’s one thing that drives me nuts about NFL fans it’s their fantasy football fix. I don’t care what defense you have this week or how many points Eli Manning didn’t get you, just keep it to yourself. Although, it appears I’m in the minority with these feelings. Happy New Year.

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December 24, 2007
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