The Bowls: Given Winners, Weiners, and Why

The 2008 Bowl Season is mostly hard-nosed games with a reason to watch. However, in addition there is the growing trend of scrubby teams like the Irish and the Terrapins getting bowl nods with sub-par at best play. The Irish can barely beat unranked opponents while the Terrapins can only beat ranked opponents. Scratching your head still? Stop. I agree that they should get bowls, but companies put up top dollar to have a bowl. Go ahead and steal it, but my idea is to accumulate money, and have the two worst teams (in D-1A) play each other. The Bowl name? Appropriately called 'The xxxxxxxx Toilet Bowl'. Sponsors still pending. Here are my picks, upsets, and locks of the galaxy.

Notice here I also have a rating system on whether to waste your time on watching these games. It's like movies with 5 stars, but this is football. So this is X's and O's, one X don't even bother. 5X's? Get your pizza and wings ready.


PIONEER LAS VEGAS BOWL
#16 Brigham Young vs. Arizona - ARIZONA - Why Arizona? Here's the thing that scares me about BYU. There are several games this season that should have been inked as a loss, especially the game against Washington, where a suspect call by an official pushed the ball further back, and the extra-point was blocked. Blocking from 13yds out is a little different than from 28yds out. Also, Arizona plays Pac-10 teams like USC and Oregon close. A loss is a loss, and a win is a win, but I think Arizona has a legitimate shot to do it. (oXXXX)

SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION POINSETTIA BOWL
#9 Boise State vs. #11 TCU - BOISE STATE - Never knew the San Diego County Credit Union was such a potent business that it could produce this much scratch to sponsor this bowl. Definitely a good one to watch however. (oXXXX)

SHERATON HAWAII BOWL
Hawaii vs. Notre Dame - NOTRE DAME - Please. I'll be sleeping. (oooXX)

MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL
West Virginia vs. North Carolina - WVA - As much as I don't like the Mountaineers, I think they will show flashes of their former prowess in this game. Also, a respectable match-up, and a good game to watch. (ooXXX)

EMERALD BOWL
Miami (FL) vs. California - MIAMI (FL) - I would have to say other than my pick in pre-season that Alabama would be the standout team of the year (I was right. #23 to #1/#5? Thanks.) Miami is showing a resurgence this season. In fact, they might be my pick for a standout team next season. I like Miami in this. I mean c'mon, Cal lost to Maryland. Decent game to watch. (ooXXX)

VALERO ALAMO BOWL
#21 Missouri vs. #23 Northwestern - NORTHWESTERN - Where has Missou been this season? Stinking up the joint, that's where. Their inconsistency both defensively in the secondary and also up front bothers me. Northwestern is one of those teams that people like to sleep on. Sorry Chase, give the ball to your back-up. You know, the guy who is ACTUALLY a NFL-style stud. Great game to watch. (XXXXX)

ROADY'S HUMANITARIAN BOWL
Maryland vs. Nevada - MARYLAND - Why in the hell did I waste time to type this when I won't waste the time to watch this. Poor at best game to watch. Stick to taking down the decorations. (ooooX)

PACIFIC LIFE HOLIDAY BOWL
#13 Oklahoma State vs. #17 Oregon - OK STATE - When it rains, it pours. And this game is going to be a shootout. Defensively, these teams are swiss-cheese. Plus, offensively both teams rank in the top 10 scoring teams in the nation. I like Robinson to Bryant FTW instead of Quack-Quack Masoli. Decent game to watch. (ooXXX)

CHICK-FIL-A BOWL
LSU vs. #14 Georgia Tech - LSU - Apart from the idea that I'm not a Les Miles fan, I like the Tigers to claw their way back into a respectable light. Great and tight game to watch. (oXXXX)

THE ROSE BOWL
#8 Penn State vs. #5 USC - USC - I do think that USC will win. I do not think it will be as big of a blowout as most yokels would venture to say as they pet their bellies. Penn State has the ability to keep it close for the majority of the game. But win it? I'm not so confident. Great game to watch, it is the ROSE BOWL. (XXXXX)

FEDEX ORANGE BOWL
#12 Cincinnati vs. #19 Virginia Tech - CINCINNATI - Call me crazy, moronic, or even venture to the insensitive and potty-mouth comments, but VT's inconsistency shies me away from picking them. Decent game to watch. (ooXXX)

COTTON BOWL
#25 Mississippi vs. #7 Texas Tech - OLE MISS - Trust me. T-Tech is nothing special. yes, I did pick them against Texas, but they only won that game thanks to poor tackling on a last minute force into double coverage. I like Ole Miss here. I will be glued to the TV. Join me. (XXXXX)

ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL
#6 Utah vs. #4 Alabama - BAMA - Alabama should be in the national ship game. But instead, notice them taking out frustrations on Utah. Utah also has a chance to keep this interesting. However, I will admit I know nothing of them. We'll see. Good game to watch. (oXXXX)

TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL
#10 Ohio State vs. #3 Texas - TEXAS - A big fan of Tressel. Not in this one, however. Great game to watch- definite 5-X'er. (XXXXX)

FEDEX BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
#2 Florida vs. #1 Oklahoma - FLORIDA - I like Florida here. Maybe we will see who did/should have won the Heisman. I think Florida is too good of a team ALL-AROUND. Not just about offense here. It's for the title, great game to watch. (XXXXX)


See you around like a donut.
-The Guru

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20 Dec, 2008 | McDaniel Guru | Leave comment - 0 - | Share on Facebook | Email this article | Viewed: 150 times

NFL Picks Week 16

Week 16 of the NFL showcases what we like to call the final push for those wild card hopeful teams both in the NFC and the AFC. Teams once in the hunt are playing for pride, and also draft picks. Don't expect the Lions to right the ship and take the first pick in the draft. They face off against a quarterback who is just 2 games and 752 yards of tying Dan Marino's 1984 passing yard record. Can he do it? We will see. Both the Ravens and 'Boys are vying to solidify a playoff berth with the game that is only broadcasted on the NFL Network. However, local channels will be simulcasting the game. Goodie. I guess it helps kill time before I, uh, sleep? Here are my picks:

Baltimore at DALLAS (-10) L
CINCINNATI (-3.5) at Cleveland W
SAN FRANCISCO (-0.5) at St. Louis W
NEW ORLEANS (-14) at Detroit W
Pittsburgh at TENNESSEE (-3) W
MIAMI (-9.5) at Kansas City W
Arizona at NEW ENGLAND (-7.5) W
SAN DIEGO (-3.5) at Tampa Bay W
HOUSTON (-3.5) at Oakland L
Buffalo at DENVER (-0.5) L
NY JETS (-7.5) at Seattle L
ATLANTA (-6) at Minnesota W
Philadelphia at WASHINGTON (-3.5) W
Carolina at NY GIANTS (-10.5) W
GREEN BAY (-3.5) at Chicago L

---------------------------------- Week 16 = 10-5

W/L edited 12/24
(Teams in caps are my projected winner. The figure in the parentheses is the amount I feel they are favored by.)


See you around like a donut.
-The Guru


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20 Dec, 2008 | McDaniel Guru | Leave comment - 0 - | Share on Facebook | Email this article | Viewed: 148 times

Your Guru iz Back

Well after my computer has taken a beaten for several reasons in the last month or so, I have not been able to blog. However, after some minor adjustments and a little disk cleanup, I am back in action and there is so much to talk about.

First of all, our beloved Redskins are 6-3, and I think everyone other than the Redskin faithful can explain how a foot tastes. This team has come a long way since the pre-season, making the necessary adjustments in key games, and in turn being able to go on the road with a tough schedule and get the job done against Philadelphia and Dallas. It was funny to see the ESPN.com analyst picks already this season. No credit for the Redskins? As they sleep on the team, the team is wide awake and a huge contender.

Clinton Portis and Jason Campbell are in Pro Bowl production mode, and defensively many people have stepped up and made great contributions to get much needed wins. Chris Horton and London Fletcher are definitely doing their part and more for this banged up Redskins’ defense. Hopefully Jason Taylor and Shawn Springs can get healthy for the Dallas game. In addition, having DeAngelo Hall will help strengthen this defensive team.

This past Monday I was at the MNF game. It was my first MNF game and I have to say I was more than excited to get into the stadium. One thing I noticed about Monday night games that I had not seen before in any other this season was the amount of NFL ‘fathers’ that were in attendance and gawking it up on the sideline during pre-game. Snyder, Wilbon, Kornheiser, Jaws, Esiason, Goodell, and Tirico were in a big circle talking to each other. I NEED a field pass. Badly. I sat there wondering if I would actually get arrested for hopping the wall to walk down to the group just to get a listen and maybe throw in my two cents. As the event staff guards threw me to the ground, I’d simply say I lost my field pass and that I write for Cooley’s blog. I did neither. Wimp.

The game was an awesome experience even if the outcome was not in the Redskins’ favor. Yes, we lost, but the team never gave up. Late in the fourth quarter when the team could have just laid down and died, they fought until the final second ticked down. The defense of the Steelers was dominant throughout the game, yet the Skins would not die. Jason Campbell got the interception out of the way, and stayed strong throughout the game even with being rushed and hit numerous times by the Steelers D. The worst part of the game was the Steelers’ fans bringing their piss-stained toilet paper (Terrible Towels) and swinging them throughout the game.

This weekend was a much needed bye week for the Redskins. Hopefully we can get back our banged up players on defense and come back strong at home against the Cowpokes. If I am lucky, I will be at that game, and let’s pour it on against the Cowgirls. The only question that I had to answer this weekend was: What the hell am I going to watch? The Ravens?! I decided to take a much needed bye week nap.


See you around like a donut.
-The Guru

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13 Nov, 2008 | McDaniel Guru | Leave comment - 5 - | Share on Facebook | Email this article | Viewed: 624 times

NFL Picks Week 6

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Week five of the NFL really kicked my dick in the dirt. But, great match-ups always come with a high price tag- my rep, my record, my ego. Either way, week six looks like alot of the same. Games that could go either way depending on who shows up, or in the Bills' case- who's head gets driven 3 plays into scrimmage. Two NFC East teams are #1 and #3 in power rankings (Giants, Skins), and the Titans are doing better than they have in 5 years on the shoulders of Kerry Collins. Here are my picks for week six:

Chicago 24 at Atlanta 23
Baltimore 13 at Indianapolis 27
Detroit 13 at Minnesota 24
Oakland 10 at New Orleans 21
Cincinnati 7 at NY Jets 17
Carolina 31 at Tampa 27
St. Louis 6 at Washington 24
Miami 14 at Houston 17
Jacksonville 20 at Denver 31
Dallas 34 at Arizona 23
Philadelphia 21 at San Francisco 20
Green Bay 27 at Seattle 16
New England 14 at San Diego 23
NY Giants 21 at Cleveland 10


[Guru Record: 56-22]

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12 Oct, 2008 | McDaniel Guru | Leave comment - 0 - | Share on Facebook | Email this article | Viewed: 1054 times

NFL Picks Week 5

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The McDaniel Guru does weekly picks in the NFL and college. I have never really published these picks on my blog, but after several requests, I have decided to start. Last season, my record had plateaued at a 84-36 in the games that I had decided to touch. This year has not been as prominent for me. But, either way, I will fight back and try to do something worthwhile with this season. here are my picks for week five. Note: with the scores I am not trying to fully prediction the exact outcome, but to predict the margin of victory.
[my picks are bolded]


Kansas City 13 at Carolina 24
Chicago 23 at Detroit 10
Atlanta 17 at Green Bay 20
San Diego 26 at Miami 17
Seattle 24 at NY Giants 23
Washington 20 at Philadelphia 16
Tennessee 13 at Baltimore 17
Indianapolis 31 at Houston 14
Tampa Bay 10 at Denver 16
Buffalo 26 at Arizona 20
New England 24 at San Francisco 10
Cincinnati 13 at Dallas 31
Pittsburgh 14 at Jacksonville 24
Minnesota 27 at New Orleans 16

[Guru Record: 48-16]

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04 Oct, 2008 | McDaniel Guru | Leave comment - 0 - | Share on Facebook | Email this article | Viewed: 1485 times

Goodnight and Goodbye

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It took 13 years to happen, but the Yankees are out of playoff contention, barring anything extraordinary (like the whole RedSox team getting measles). The Yankees have made the playoff, including three World Series victories in the late '90's and early '00's. ANd to make matter worse, they actually won last night and are still out, thanks to a RedSox victory. This post-season, the RedSox will be fighting for a repeat performance, while the Yankees sit back and admire from home. But what is the problem in NY?

Call it a perfect storm, that has been threatening the organization for the past 5 years. If you remember, the last several seasons, the Yankees barely skipped into the playoffs, and this was bound to happen at some point. Look at the facts, the Yankees are one of the worse front office managing teams in the bigs, signing 'one year phenomena' like Raul Mondesi, Craig Wilson, and other players who had one great season, got the call, and couldn't play in NY. To make matters worse, they cannot fall back on their prospects once this happens. Yes, you can cite Joba, but other than him it hasn't been great.

The Bombers' farm system is all but effective, with its pitchers throwing one of the lowest pitch totals since the late '90s, and their position players only logging around 900 AB's in the Bigs. The Steinbrenners are a classic family ownership, demanding a ring every year, and believing that by providing Xavier Nady and other transplants will get the job done. No, building a farm system, that allows prospects to better themselves before getting called up is the real secret, and the Yankees had done this in the early 90's. What happened? Rings in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000.

How is this the answer? One name comes to mind- Tampa Bay Rays, with a payroll of $84million (doesn't even cover A-Rod and Jeter), that has affirmed the idea of small gaining huge by using their farm system. The fact that the Yankees did not get to the playoffs is not something that the Steinbrenners could point the finger to Girardi or anyone else. The finger should be pointed into a mirror, because the day they took emphasis off their farm system is the day they left themselves open for this moment.

The worst part? The Dodgers, and Joe Torre are closing in on winning their division. Ouch.


See you around like a donut.
-The Guru

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24 Sep, 2008 | McDaniel Guru | Leave comment - 0 - | Share on Facebook | Email this article | Viewed: 2032 times