Hawaii vs. Georgia

The Warriors travel to the Mainland in their first BCS game in school history to try to prove that they are worth of their BCS berth after going undefeated while playing one of the weakest schedules in all of college football. Unfortunately for Hawaii, they aren’t playing another undeserving team (like Kansas), they have to play Georgia, one of the hottest team’s in the country. Georgia must be sure not to get follow the trend set by other teams that narrowly missed their chance to play for the National Championship, only to get upended in their bowl game (Ask Michigan about that). Defensively, I don’t think Hawaii has what it takes to hang with the Bulldogs as long as they don’t turn the ball over. Knowshon Moreno’s Heisman candidacy in 2008 will begin in New Orleans, expect the redshirt freshman to run for at least 150 as Hawaii has never gone against a line as big or as physical as Georgia’s all year. For Georgia’s offense, the play of true sophomore quarterback Matt Stafford will be the key. Stafford’s a gunslinger and his decision-making has been questionable at times last year and this year and limiting his brain farts will be huge for Georgia’s offense. But the game will truly be won or lost on defense for UGA. Georgia’s corners don’t match up well against Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullen and the unit has failed to force defensive turnovers all year, ranking just 85th in the country in turnovers forced. Willie Martinez’s unit is extremely physical and has been a solid run-stopping team all year, a skill that won’t come in particularly handy against an offense that has run the ball just 261 times all year. Still, I like Georgia’s physicality in this game and given how poorly Hawaii has played on the road this year (narrowly winning at Louisiana Tech, at Nevada and at San Jose State), I’ll take Georgia in what could be the most entertaining of all the BCS bowls.

Wednesday, Jan. 2 - Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

Oklahoma vs. West Virginia 

A second consecutive trip to the Fiesta Bowl and I’m guessing that Bob Stoops and the Sooners hope this one ends better than their last visit to Tempe. A year removed from losing one of the greatest bowl games in college football history to Boise State, the Sooners come into this year’s game against West Virginia riding high off a schlacking of Missouri in the Big 12 title game. Facing one of the most explosive offenses in the country, and one of the most underrated receivers in the country in Darius Reynaud, the Sooners will be without All-Big 12 first-teamer Reggie Smith, who broke his big toe in the Big 12 Championship game and will miss the Fiesta Bowl. For West Virginia, the game will be a test to get their offense back on the rails after they were completely dominated by Pittsburgh, scoring a season-low nine points, in their dream-shattering loss at home. The Mountaineers will need Pat White to prove that he has recovered from a dislocated thumb that kept him out of most of the game against Pitt and Steve Slaton will need to show that he can be the game-changing back everyone expected him to be at the beginning of the year, a feat that will prove to be most difficult against all-universe linebacker Curtis Lofton and a stout Oklahoma defense that finished in the nation’s top 20 in total defense that gave up less than 100 yards a game on the ground all year long. The game will rest squarely on the shoulders of Pat White for West Virginia. Oklahoma isn’t likely to give up much on the ground, much to the chagrin of the Mountaineers, who finished the season averaging 292 yards per game on the ground. White will need to exploit an Oklahoma secondary that, even with Smith, finished 68th in the country against the pass. On offense, Oklahoma will have to play mistake-free football when they line up against a West Virginia defense, led by All-Big East defensive tackle, Keilen Dykes, who finished in the nation’s top 10 in passing and rushing defense. I’m going against my instincts on this one and taking Oklahoma. Bob Stoops finds a way to get his guys motivated for the big games and I didn’t like what I saw from West Virginia last week.

Thursday, Jan. 3 - FedEx Orange Bowl

Kansas vs. Virginia Tech 

If I am to miss a single BCS snap this year, they will likely all accumulate in this one game. In one corner, you have Virginia Tech, a team with a brilliant defense and a something-less-than-brilliant offense and Kansas, a completely fraudulent BCS team, who has no business playing in this game given that they loss to the other viable opponent they played all season. Virginia Tech will need to get pressure on Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing, something they have shown little problem doing this year, finishing in the top ten in the nation in sacks. Offensively, Virginia Tech has been one of the most frustrating teams to watch all year as they putter down the field like an old lay in the grocery store when you’re trying to pick up a few things on the go. But they seemed to have found a way to minimize Sean Glennon’s horrible-ness and mix a two quarterback system with the aforementioned Glennon and freshman Tyrod Taylor splitting snaps. It’s hard to gauge what kind of a chance Kansas has in this one given that they have only played one legitimate opponent all year (and got it handed to them). I’ll take Virginia Tech in a close one. Neither of these teams are particularly great and it could be a game of field possession and turnovers. Too bad The Office isn’t air new episodes.

Eric Gordon drops 33 in his debut for the Hoosiers last night.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Mark Bradly says Georgia is every bit as tough as LSU.

Fanhouse has a funny take on the Missouri-Kansas border war.

Marvel is offering an archive of 2,500 back issues.. not for free but still pretty cool.  Lost creator Damon Lindelof has a list of what you should start with.

USAToday’s Beau Dure has devised a hypothetical playoff system.

I don’t like…

ESPN is stockpiling journalists.

The Michelin Guide gave zero stars to chef Thomas Keller’s Bouchon in Las Vegas. Keller is the only American-born chef with two three-star Michelin restaurants to his credit (French Laundry and Per Se).

Peyton Manning really likes throwing to Antonio Cromartie

Only problem with that is Cromartie isn’t really on his team. The ever-mopey MVP threw three, count ‘em, three picks to the second-year corner out of Florida State in Sunday’s loss on the road to the Chargers. I would think after a while you would stop throwing in someone’s direction after they’ve picked you off twice but Peyton was courteous enough to give Cromartie the trifecta on way to throwing six interceptions. I know that it never entered Colts head coach Tony Dungy’s mind to pull the struggling quarterback but he should have. Am I surprised that he didn’t? No. But it would have been Dungy’s chance to show that no matter who you are or how many companies and products you shill for, if you don’t perform, you don’t play. Make this two weeks in a row that Manning and the Colts offense has blown big conference games.

You may want to wait before buying those Saints playoff tickets

The Saints dropped a bad home game yesterday against the formerly win-less Rams after putting together a nice little streak and putting themselves back in playoff contention. Given that the Saints play in what is arguably the weakest division in football, I think , barring any further collapses, they are still going to the playoffs but it’s important to remember that prior to their four-game winning streak, they started the season 0-4. You have to wonder if a loss to a bad team like the Rams will send the formerly terrible Saints into a shame spiral and out of the playoff race. Time will tell. Their schedule the rest of the way is pretty mild and none of the games they still have on tap jump out at you as being potential landmines.

Donovan McNabb may be headed to Minnesota

The latest trade rumor has Donovan McNabb headed to Minnesota after this year to re-unite with former Eagles offensive coordinator Brad Childress. I’ve gotta say this rumor smacks of irony to me. He would be leaving a team with a great running back, a decent offensive line and no receivers to go to a team with a great running back, a decent (if not overpaid) offensive line and no receivers. Are are Troy Williamson and Sidney Rice that much of an upgrade over Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown? I think that no matter where McNabb goes (unless it’s New England), his best years are behind him.

Ron Zook is the national coach of the year

As it turns out, Gator fans, Ron Zook can actually coach. Forget about Jim Leavitt or Mark Mangino, no one has done a better job this year than Ron Zook. Zook took a team that was 2-10 last year and made them nationally relevant this weekend, knocking off top-ranked Ohio State on the road to get their 8th win of the year. If Zook can continue to pull big time recruits like Arrelious Benn and recruit well in the Chicago area, Illinois could become a real force to be reckoned with.

It’s 1994 all over again in Bloomington

The last time Indiana was bowl eligible it was 1994, they went 6-5 and didn’t get invited to a bowl. Well boys and girls, welcome to 1994. I’ll be rocking my Zubaz pants and my #2 Charlotte Hornets Larry Johnson jersey and listening to Meatloaf and Ace of Base. Indiana, barring a miraculous win at home next week against Purdue, isn’t going to a bowl this year. Saturday just wasn’t a banner day for the Hoosier football team. Not only did they give away a game that would have given them seven wins and a virtual bowl guarantee, they gave Northwestern their sixth win of the season, and Iowa and Michigan State all became bowl eligible as well. I’m going to go sulk and listen to Gin Blossoms.

Sylvester Croom will have a job next year

The Fighting Crooms of Mississippi State have put together a nice little resume this year, on their way to become bowl eligible for the first time since people were spazzing out about Y2K. After upending #22-ranked Alabama this weekend, Croom has seemingly changed the football culture in Starkville. The Bulldogs, who play excellent defense and the worst offense imaginable, have knocked off Auburn, Kentucky and now the Saban-led Crimson Tide and have a chance at seven wins when they play Ole Miss next week in the Egg Bowl. Well done, coach.

Serious Eats has some recipes for… wait for it.. bacon-wrapped Turkey.

The Indianapolis Star has a good article today about Big Ten teams and bowl eligibility. As of this week, only Minnesota doesn’t have a chance to become bowl eligible.

Georgia might be rocking black jerseys in their game against Auburn this weekend.

USAToday has a nice Indiana basketball preview story.

Lifehacker had a link to a handy app called BookBump. The application helps you keep track of books in your library, books you’re looking to acquire and helps student cite books in different formats for academic papers.

A very exciting week in my life as college football season starts officially on Thursday night and the first season of ‘Heroes’ releases on DVD tomorrow. Also on my mental calendar is the start of the NFL season, and the release of the third season of “The Office” next week and Judd Apatow’s “Knocked Up” on DVD.

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No, seriously… 

A Tennessee man was arrested for producing counterfeit “rain”.

Americans love shrimp.

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Yahoo’s Dan Wetzel thinks little league baseball players playing in Williamsport deserve to be paid.

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach on Nebraska starting quarterback Sam Keller.

Giants not interested in free agent linebacker Jeremiah Trotter.

Chad Johnson on Michael Vick.  

USC transfer Emmanuel Moody is transferring to Florida, paper says.

The $350,000 car owned by Bears linebacker Lance Briggs was found abandoned on the highway. Now, what would make someone abandon a $350,000 car after being involved in an accident? Did I mention the car was found at about 3:15 a.m. 

Rutgers RB Ray Rice eyes Heisman in ‘07.

Was the performance of punter Sav Rocca really the highlight of last night’s Eagles preseason game? Sigh. Game notes from Les Bowen. Bowen’s game story.

Sabres/Penguins to play outdoors on Jan. 1.

Hoosier guard A.J. Ratliff declared academically ineligible for first semester.

Five burning questions for Tennessee in ‘07.

The AJC’s Tony Barnhart with some interesting posts this weekend.

• Some final questions.
• Impact freshmen.
• Five best places to tailgate.

The AJC’s Jeff Schultz thinks Georgia is BCS Bowl-bound.

Arizona State quarterback Rudy Carpenter talks about the Sun Devils in ‘07.

Astros to retire Jeff Bagwell’s number.

A huge game for Oklahoma State this weekend at Georgia.

The San Fransisco Chronicle profiles Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh.

ESPN’s Ivan Maisel’s five Big 12 predictions.

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Well-rounded news… 

The St. Pete Times has a fantastic political fact-checking website.

My thoughts are with Owen Wilson.

Under the radar.

That’s how Georgia head coach Mark Richt described his team at SEC Media Days last week in Birmingham. Heading into the 2007 season, the Bulldogs are a little bit of a mystery.  Quick! Name four Bulldogs on this year’s roster! Can’t do it? Neither can I. Richt will have his hands full with a young team that returns just three starters on defense and seven on offense.

At quarterback, Georgia returns sophomore Matthew Stafford, the winner of last year’s quarterback carousel. There’s no question Stafford matured as the year went on last season but his numbers are still troubling. The first true freshman to start at quarterback at Georgia since Eric Zeier completed just 52.7 percent of his passes while throwing twice as many picks as TDs (13-7) and struggled at times with his touch and accuracy. Stafford will need to learn to play within himself, as he did toward the end of last season. If Stafford is to be successful, he’ll need some weapons at wide receiver — weapons he doesn’t currently have. Stafford, Richt and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo will need some playmakers to emerge from a pack of underachieving wide receivers that include Mohamed Massaquoi, Sean Bailey, Mikey Henderson, A.J. Bryant and Demiko Goodman. The Georgia ground game should be solid as senior Kregg Lumpkin and much-hyped redshirt freshman Knowshon Mereno (ESPN.com’s SEC Newcomer of the Year in the spring) will split time in the back field.

Of the seven early enrollees on campus this spring, five of them are offensive lineman. Seniors Fernando Velasco and Chester Adams will anchor an offensive line that looks like it will feature three lineman who will be playing in their first collegiate game when the Bulldogs play Oklahoma State on Sept. 1. The line will need to mature in a hurry if this offense is to be effective.

Willie Martinez’s defense returns just three starters, having lost six of his front seven, including all three starting linebackers. Thankfully, the defensive backfield looks like it will be a fast, ball-hawking unit that may be able to make up for some of the mishaps up front. There are certainly no superstars on this unit.

I don’t think anyone really knows what to make of this team. Certainly the return of Matthew Stafford, Kregg Lumpkin and the emergency of Knowshon Moreno certainly makes the offense intriguing but the loss of 8 defensive starters has to make even the most faithful Bulldog fan concerned.

Bottom Line Prediction: 9-3. This could very well be the most underrated nine-win team in college football this year. I see the Dawgs dropping their road contests at Alabama, at Tennessee and their annual tilt against the Gators in Jacksonville. But their nine wins are certainly volatile. If they go on a slide like they did last year, they could easily be a seven-win team especially given their games at home against Auburn and South Carolina. 

Denver Post sports writer Adrian Dater rips apart the Worldwide Leader, calling its talking heads, “a bunch of made-up clowns with microphones in hand.”

SI’s Richard Deitsch has an interesting Q&A with actor and Chicago sports nut John Cusack.

The Buffalo News is reporting that the Sabres have made an offer to free agent forward Daniel Briere. There is no word yet on whether the club is attempting to re-sign free agent and former captain Chris Drury.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that Fox Sports Net has no intention of airing footage of a planned walk-out by fans at Saturday’s Pirates game. The fans are protesting management as the Bucs are well on their way to their 15th consecutive losing season. Hey Bud Selig, you wonder why baseball has become irrelevant, it’s because you’ve allowed the owners to get filthy stinking rich while the product on the field for most MLB teams stinks.

The Washington Post’s Michael Wilbon encourages NBA teams to draft big.

Georgia coach Mark Richt remembers a mission trip he and his family took to Honduras.

Ever wonder why sportswriters say hockey players are the easiest athletes to get along with? It’s because of stories like this.

The Dallas Morning News’ David Moore questions the plausibility of Kevin Garnett moving to Phoenix tonight in a draft day deal.

IGN explores one of Madden 08’s new features, Weapons.

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Well-rounded news..

Wired Magazine blog The Underwire wonders how good the new Disney/Pixar animated flick “Ratatouille” will be. If the review discussed in this post is any indication, it could be a good one. I’m planning to check it out Friday or Saturday night and could have a review up over the weekend or Monday morning. I do more than sports here, people.

Here are some reviews of the flick, none of which I will be reading prior to seeing the film.

Variety

Associated Press

Hollywood Reporter

Entertainment Weekly

Chicago Tribune

Seriously, who’s watching According to Jim?

No, seriously….

A six-month old baby girl is named after 25 different prize fighters.

A burglar called for a “time out” during a foot chase with police.

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SI.com’s Kevin Armstrong, most recently remembered by this blogger for slurping Duke lacrosse, is reporting that the Hoover football program is under investigation for alleged grade changing.

Writing for Slate, Paul Shirley ponders what would happen if Kobe and Kevin Garnett ended up on the same team.

In a column, today in the New York Post, Paul Schwartz calls on NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to begin docking teams who draft trouble players, a notion that I whole-heartedly agree with. I think too often teams are willing to take a flier on a guy with off-the-field issues if he’s talented enough. The league needs to ensure that doing so comes at a cost, Schwartz suggests draft picks or a tightened salary cap for those teams.

The New York Daily News is reporting that former Knick Allan Houston is planning a comeback and supposedly has a lot of interested parties, including, which shouldn’t surprise anyone, the Miami Heat. If they sign Houston, the median age of the Heat roster will be 56 years old.

Chris Webber is putting his personal collection of documents and letters from African-American leaders like Frederick Douglass, Malcom X, Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King, Jr on display in Detroit. The exhibit will run through September.

Another column slurping the passion of Joakim Noah. This time its the Orlando Sentinel’s Dave Curtis.

The Dallas Morning News’ Tim Cowlishaw thinks the Cowboys should hold off giving QB Tony Romo a contract extension.

A very interesting piece in the New York Times about former Wisconsin forward Alando Tucker. Stephen Danley draws some very interesting comparisons to the perceived weaknesses of Tucker’s game and what some scouts believed Josh Howard’s weaknesses were coming out of Wake Forest four years ago.

The ASPCA has voted Georgia’s “Uga” as the most lovable mascot in all of college sports.