Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas from My Super Fun Times. As much money as you had to spend, or rotten family time you log, just remember, it could be worse. You could be a mall Santa with a fat kid who keeps following you around. So from my family to yours, Merry Christmas...
Ahh the holidays. A time to get together with friends and family and rejoice and be thankful for all the things we have.
And what am I thankful for? Many things of course. But one of the biggest is that I don't live in Africa.
But thanks to YouTube, we can still bond together for those less fortunate and sing them a crappy song that they will never hear, because they are poor and don't have the internet (or in 1984, electricity). Anyway, I'm half asleep and had at least 7 beers tonight, so I'll stop my rambling and show you the video of my favorite Christmas song. It has all the great elements. The 80's, awesome 80's hair, pre-confirmed gay George Michael, Bono trying to make us feel guilty, and of course, good will toward the less fortunate Africans. Enjoy...
That's what it's all about. I was listening to the boobs that make up the 3-7 show on 99.9 The Fan today and all they could talk about was that The U hadn't hired a "big name" coach and that they would never climb back without the "big name" coach. Did anyone consider Howard Schnellenberger, Jimmy Johnson, Dennis Erickson or Butch Davis "big name" coaches when they go the Miami job?
NO!!!
They all became "big name" coaches because of what they did at Miami! It doesn't matter what you start out as, it matters what you finish as!
The same goes for the recruiting websites. Look at the 4 and 5 star recruits. Half of them never make an impact on the college level while under the radar guys become All-Americans. Your reputation can only take you so far. Sooner or later, results matter.
I am pleased with the hiring Miami made. Yes, I was a fan of bringing in John Gruden. But that is because I felt he would get the job done. Not because of his name. I guess we'll have to see when September 2011 rolls around...
I know you have all been waiting eagerly for Part 2. I know you have all been pouring over my fantastically awesome breakdowns. I know you are all betting your hard earned cash on my stone cold lock picks. Well, just for you, my favorite fans, here is Part 2...
Friday December 31
Meineke Car Care Bowl: ESPN Noon Charlotte, NC Clemson vs South Florida (Clemson - 17 South Florida - 13) Skip Holtz makes his return to North Carolina and faces off with a disappointing Clemson team looking to end their season on a high note. With their rabid (sometimes literally) fans packing Bank of America Stadium, the Tigers will prove to be the best felines to play on that field this season. Not a happy homecoming for Skip...
Hyundai Sun Bowl: CBS 2:00 El Paso, TX Miami vs Notre Dame (Miami - 35 Notre Dame - 17) Catholics vs Convicts? Not quite. Not anymore. 1990 was the last time these bitter rivals met. If you had told their respective fan bases back then that the next time they would meet would be a lower mid-tier bowl game in 2010 with both teams having disappointing seasons, they would have thought you were crazy. But that's where it stands. No Tony Rice, Jerome Bettis or Tim Brown for Notre Dame. No Michael Irvin, Jerome Brown or Cortez Kennedy for the Canes. But the Canes do have a ton of talent. And that is the difference here. Jeff Stoutland will have his one day in the sun as the head coach of The U. And that day will be in the Sun Bowl. And that day will be another W in the rivalry for Dem U Boys. See ya'll again in 2012 Irish...
AutoZone Liberty Bowl: ESPN 3:30 Memphis, TN Georgia vs Central Florida (Georgia - 31 UCF - 20) The Dawgs have turned it on late in the season as it's young core, led by QB Aaron Murray has begun to mature. UCF has had a great season and have won some big games, but a Georgia team brimming with confidence is ready to meet them at the gates of Graceland. And the best player in America, Georgia WR AJ Green, is looking to go out in style as he will most likely enter the NFL Draft. I hope Uga has a heavy sweater for this one. Dawgs win...
Chick-fil-A Bowl: ESPN 7:30 Atlanta, GA South Carolina vs Florida State (USC - 34 FSU - 31) The Ole Ball Coach always seems to get a little extra pep in his step when he faces his old nemesis, Free Shoe U. And this time, he is bringing a wounded Gamecock squad that just got blasted by Auburn in the SEC title game. Spurrier will preach to his team the pride they have to find against a team like the Crimi- excuse me- Seminoles. And Steve likes nothing more than sending the Tallahassee boys home with a big L...
Saturday January 1
TicketCity Bowl: ESPNU Noon Dallas, TX Texas Tech vs Northwestern (Northwestern - 23 Texas Tech - 17) Shows how much the country is pining to see this game when it will be shown on ESPNU. If Northwestern QB Dan Persa hadn't blown out his knee against Iowa, N'Western would probably be in a better bowl. That said, give Pat Fitzgerald over a month to prepare and he will have something fun to show. N'Western pulls away late to win over the Red Raiders who will have problems getting up for this one...
Outback Bowl: ABC 1:00 Tampa, FL Florida vs Penn State (Florida - 31 Penn State - 20) With Urban Meyer announcing his retirement earlier in the week, this game will now have the eyes of America on it. Meyer, 46, is stepping down after 6 seasons and 2 national titles to "spend more time with my family". How ironic is it that a guy who has been a head coach for roughly 10 years will coach his final game against a guy who will be 84 when the game kicks off. Meyer is leaving on his own accord. Penn State fans are begging for JoePa to leave and he won't. Just kind of interesting to me. Gators win it to send off Urban...
Capital One Bowl: ESPN 1:00 Orlando, FL Alabama vs Michigan State ( Alabama - 27 Michigan State - 21) This is the best of the non-BCS games. And these two teams are better than half the BCS teams. Michigan State claimed a share of the Big 10 title and Alabama is the defending national champion. If not for some bad injuries, Bama might have been getting ready to defend that national title. But instead, they are trying for their 3rd consecutive double digit win-seasons under Nick Saban. Could this be Mark Ingram's swan song in crimson? The Heisman Trophy Winner will want to go out in style. Bama wins a slugfest...
Gator Bowl: ESPN2 1:30 Jacksonville, FL Michigan vs Mississippi State (Michigan - 41 Miss. St. - 38) The Big 10 always seems to spring an upset that no one sees. This is the one. Denard Robinson was the most dynamic playmaker in the country this season, and that includes Cam Newton. With a month to get healthy, Robinson will be on display for the nation to see. I love what Dan Mullen has done at MSU. I also wonder if he will still be coaching MSU by the bowl game. I for one would love to see him on the sideline of the Miami Hurricanes, and if he takes that job, he won't stick around Starkville. In an up and down the field fun fest, Michigan wins it. Is it enough to save Rich Rod? Stay tuned...
Rose Bowl: ESPN 5:00 Pasadena, CA TCU vs Wisconsin (Wisconsin - 23 TCU - 13) An unstoppable force meets and immovable object. Wisconsin's running game vs TCU's run defense. If you love the smash mouth, old school trenches football, this is your game. I have a feeling that Wisconsin comes out and punches TCU in the mouth in a way no one ever has. the Badgers build a lead before the Horned Frogs can adjust and then they grind out a W, Big 10 style. On a side note, I am so disappointed to see this game on ESPN. The Rose Bowl has always been my favorite bowl game, and part of it was the tradition and pageantry of the game. The game is supposed to be on ABC, following the parade. I guess everything changes. Just wish this wasn't one of them. And of course, nothing will ever replace the legendary voice of Keith Jackson. The man who made me want to be a broadcaster...
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: ESPN 8:30 Glendale, AZ Connecticut vs Oklahoma (Oklahoma - 38 UConn - 13) The least anticipated of the BCS games. UConn is the designated Big East whipping boy and the Sooners streak of BCS misery ends with a route. Just a total joke that a team like Michigan State or LSU gets left out of the BCS because the Big East get an AQ. So now we're left to watch a game that Oklahoma will dominate. Crappy way to end my favorite holiday...
Monday January 3
Orange Bowl: ESPN 8:30 Miami, FL Stanford vs Virginia Tech (Stanford - 28 Va Tech - 24) I love this game. Repeat, LOVE THIS GAME! The best QB prospect in a generation, Andrew Luck in what is more than likely his final college game. Watching Luck play the position is like watching art. He is so smooth and polished. Great arm, great fundamentals, great athleticism and an advanced understanding of the game. And it will be on display against Bud Foster's defense. Could you ask for a better test for Mr. Luck in his final NFL audition? Maybe not the marquee BCS game, but it will be a fun one for the true football fan. Sit back and enjoy your glimpse into the future...
Tuesday January 4
Allstate Sugar Bowl: ESPN 8:30 New Orleans, LA Arkansas vs Ohio State (Arkansas - 31 Ohio State - 24) Can you believe that Ohio State is 0-9 all-time vs SEC teams in bowl games? Crazy huh? Arkansas will make it 10 for 10 for the SEC in the Superdome. Ryan Mallet will be throwing darts all over the field and the Hogs will do just enough to slow down Terrell Pryor as Arkansas wins it's 1st BCS game. Just something about those boys down South that gets to OSU...
Thursday January 6
GoDaddy.com Bowl: ESPN 8:00 Mobile, AL Middle Tennessee vs Miami (Ohio) (Miami - 23 MTSU - 20) So after getting us all hyped up with good games, we get this stinker. Who comes up with the bowl schedules? I thought it was always start with the crappy games and build it up. I can guarantee I won't be watching this one...
Friday January 7
Cotton Bowl: FOX 8:00 Dallas, TX Texas A&M vs LSU (LSU - 27 Texas A&M - 17) Love the Cotton Bowl. It should be on New Years Day. But TV has to screw with everything. A&M has had a really nice season, winning 6 straight after starting 3-3. And LSU, who the hell knows! Les Miles is a grass eating, riverboat gambling, idiot-savant. One second, he's the second coming of Bear Bryant. the next, he is channeling his inner-Jerry Glanville. Who knows what he'll do next. He is bordering out of control, but somehow it works out for the Mad Hatter. LSU overwhelms a game Aggie team...
Saturday January 8
BBVA Compass Bowl: ESPN Noon Birmingham, AL Kentucky vs Pitt (Kentucky - 27 Pitt - 14) Who cares...
Sunday January 9
Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl: ESPN 9:00 San Francisco, CA Nevada vs Boston College (Nevada - 42 BC - 14) Even less people care about this one...
Monday January 10
Tostitos BCS National Championship Game: ESPN 8:30 Glendale, AZ Auburn vs Oregon (Auburn - 42 Oregon - 35) The game that decides it all. The two most dynamic offense in college football. Both playing in their first BCS Championship game. The best player in the country vs the best system in the country. The difference: Auburn plays in the SEC. You play Alabama, LSU, Florida, South Carolina, Arkansas and Mississippi State, you get tough. And this game of speed and finesse will come down to who is tougher at the end. You get tough playing an SEC schedule. That is why the SEC is 6-0 all-time in BCS Championship games. If they have survived and made it there, no one is going to knock them off. You give an SEC team over a month to get healthy and prepare, turn out the lights. Ladies and gentlemen, your 2011 BCS National Champions, The Auburn Tigers...
Well, that does it. I hope you have enjoyed My Super Sweet End of the Year Bowl Preview Spectacular. Just FYI, parts 1 and 2 have taken me a grand total of 6 hours to produce. But I knew America needed to hear from me once again. So until next time...
Since my last post was pretty much by college football preview, I figured that almost 4 months later, I should at least wrap up the 2010 season. I'm so considerate like that. So sit back and enjoy My Super Sweet End of the Year Bowl Preview Spectacular. I can't promise the spectacular, but I will try. Listed is the date of the game, the name of the bowl, network and kickoff time. I will give you my pick and my expert analysis. Because let's not forget, I am an expert.
Because there are a whopping 35 bowl games (which btw is so ridiculous it's not even funny) this will be a 2 parter. So here we go with Part 1:
Saturday December 18
New Mexico Bowl: ESPN 2:00 Albuquerque, N.M. BYU vs UTEP (The Pick: BYU - 20 UTEP - 10) Analysis: Well, the bowl season has to start somewhere. So I guess this is it. BYU showed a lot of guts to rebound from their awful start. They win one on their way out of the Mountain West and into the land of Independents. Joseph Smith would be proud. As would his many wives...
Humanitarian Bowl: ESPN 5:30 Boise, Idaho Northern Illinois vs Fresno State (Fresno - 21 Northern Illinois - 17) Oh my sweet God who decided this game needed to be played! If anyone outside of Fresno or Northern family members watch this game, I will be shocked. I'll take Fresno just because the game is on the West Coast. Gag me...
New Orleans Bowl: ESPN 9:00 Duh, New Orleans, LA Ohio vs Troy (Troy - 38 Ohio - 17) Another clunker, but at least this one takes place in one of my favorite cities. It is also the site of my upcoming honeymoon. So nothing too bad to say here. Troy runs a nasty spread and will out-athlete Ohio all over the field. And my rule of thumb: When in doubt, choose the team from the South...
Tuesday December 21
Beef 'O' Brady's St. Petersburg Bowl: ESPN 8:00 St. Petersburg, FL Southern Miss vs Louisville (Southern Miss - 24 Louisville - 10) Picking Southern Miss in this game because Louisville just doesn't have the horses on offense to get it done. Yet. Charlie Strong has done a great job in starting a turnaround in Louisville and in a couple of years, the Cardinals will be back to being a force. That man can absolutely recruit with the best of them, and if the culture change around there is any indication, Louisville won't be back in a crummy bowl like this one anytime soon...
Wednesday December 22
MAACO Las Vegas Bowl: ESPN 8:00 Las Vegas, NV Boise State vs Utah (Boise State - 52 Utah - 20) Talk about a kick in the nuts. Two weeks ago, we were talking about Boise in a BCS game. And now after being stunned in overtime by Nevada, Boise plays in the 5th bowl game of the season and will be an afterthought before Christmas. It's a damn shame because this team deserved better. I don't think they were BCS title game worthy, but this is a hell of a team. And they will prove it when they blitzkrieg Utah, who is playing their final game before heading to the Pac-10 (Pac-12?). Kellen Moore is legit and I just hope America watches...
Thursday December 23
Poinsettia Bowl: ESPN 8:00 San Diego, CA Navy vs San Diego St. (Navy - 35 San Diego St. - 20) I am actually somewhat interested in this game. Not really interested enough to watch it, but I will care about the outcome. I saw Navy steamroll ECU earlier this year and if San Diego St. isn't careful, it could happen again. Navy will win it, but I love the job Brady Hoke has done at San Diego St. And playing in their home town will help the Aztecs. But Navy has a huge San Diego following as well (thank you Tom Cruise and Top Gun)...
Friday December 24
Sheraton Hawaii Bowl: ESPN 8:00 Honolulu, HI Hawaii vs Tulsa (Hawaii - 45 Tulsa - 38) If you are anything like me, you will be clamoring to avoid family interaction on Christmas Eve. This is your out clause and it is a great one! Not many people will pay attention, but 2 of the most explosive offenses in the country will be going head to head in an island shootout. Last team with the ball wins. As is usually the case in Honolulu...
Sunday December 26
Little Caesars Bowl: ESPN 8:30 Detroit, MI Florida International vs Toledo (FIU - 38 Toledo - 24) I wouldn't watch this game for all the free Little Caesars pizza in the world. We can only pray the Packers-Giants game gets flexed to Sunday night, or like Elvis once said, it will be a Blue (Day After) Christmas...
Monday December 27
AdvoCare V100 Independence: ESPN2 5:00 Shreveport, LA Air Force vs Georgia Tech (Air Force - 28 Georgia Tech - 24) In what may be the fastest of all bowl games, the nations #1 and #2 ranked rushing offenses square off in what is sure to be frigid Shreveport. For some reason i have always liked this bowl game. It will be a nice appetizer for...
Tuesday December 28
Champs Sports Bowl: ESPN 6:30 Orlando, FL N.C. State vs West Virginia (N.C. State - 38 West Virginia - 28) The state of North Carolina's bowl season begins with the Wolfpack facing the Mountaineers in a game that is much bigger for NCSU than WVU. The Pack comes out firing early and build a comfortable lead and cruise home with the W in Russell Wilson's last game. State fans will be happy to see Wilson go so they can slide back to mediocrity behind they over-hyped arm of Mike Glennon. But just remember, it will always be Wilson's fault...
Insight Bowl: ESPN 10:00 Tempe, AZ Missouri vs Iowa (Iowa - 24 Missouri - 21) In a game that the Falk brothers will surely stay up for, a fantastic Big 10 vs Big 12 match up takes place. Missouri is coming off one of it's best seasons while the Hawkeyes look to stop the late season bleeding on what had been a very promising year. I may have to join the Falks in viewing this one. Iowa wins on a late field goal...
Wednesday December 29
Military Bowl: ESPN 2:30 Washington, D.C. East Carolina vs Maryland (ECU - 45 Maryland - 42) Ruffin McNeil brings the undermanned Pirates to the Nation's Capital to take on a pissed of Maryland team that had hopes of a bigger bowl after knocking N.C. State out of the ACC Championship Game. Maryland has a talent advantage and the ACC pedigree, but the Pirates will have a month to get healthy and a month for Lincoln Riley to throw some new wrinkles into the playbook. Look for a focused Purple and Gold group to come out attacking early and then hang on in a wild finish as the Pirates end a great 2010 with a bowl win and a building block to McNeil's future...
Texas Bowl: ESPN 6:00 Houston, TX Baylor vs Illinois (Baylor - 31 Illinois - 20) Ladies and gentlemen, meet Robert Griffin. The Baylor Bears are back in a bowl game for the first time since 1995 and they look to take full advantage of the opportunity. Griffin is a special talent that you have to see to believe and he will make believers out of the Fighting Zooks from Champagne...
Valero Alamo Bowl: ESPN 9:15 San Antonio, TX Arizona vs Oklahoma State (Arizona - 38 Oklahoma State - 31) Justin Blackmon is the best wide receiver in college football. But the one thing he is not? He is not from Rocky Mount. Arizona's Travis Cobb is. Advantage - Cobb. Win - Arizona. This will be a VERY fun game to watch...
Thursday December 30
Armed Forces Bowl: ESPN Noon Dallas, TX Army vs SMU (SMU - 17 Army - 13) Not a lot to this one, but it's always nice to see a program with the proud tradition of Army back in a bowl game. It's not Red Blake with his Heisman Trophy winners, but it's a hell of a lot better than those 1-11 Army teams we have seen recently. But SMU is at home and that will be the final factor. But Army still has the best fight song ever...
New Era Pinstripe Bowl: ESPN 3:20 Bronx, NY Kansas State vs Syracuse (Syracuse - 20 Kansas State - 10) K-State will be so busy trying to find an escape route from the hell hole known as The Bronx that football will be the farthest thing from their minds. Who in their right mind would put a meaningless college football game in The Bronx and have a start time to where the game will not end before dark? I have been to The Bronx twice. In broad daylight. And I was terrified. No thanks...
Music City Bowl: ESPN 6:40 Nashville, TN North Carolina vs Tennessee (Tennessee - 23 UNC - 21) Tennessee stormed back from a 2-6 start to secure a bowl berth in Derek Dooley's first season at the helm. Their reward: a North Carolina team that UT dropped from the schedule to try and avoid. No avoiding them here. Tennessee has really grown up over the last month. North Carolina has shown great resolve in a season that began with so much promise, yet crumbled under NCAA investigations. I'm giving Tennessee the win on home soil. But it's a coin toss...
Holiday Bowl: ESPN 10:00 San Diego, CA Nebraska vs Washington (Nebraska - 38 Washington - 10) Remember when these two met in in September? You can bet Jake Locker does. He completed 4 of 20 passes and had 2 picks. Locker will play better, but Washington doesn't have the horses to hang with the Huskers. Nebraska waves so long to the Big 12 with a dominating performance...
That concludes Part 1 of My Super Sweet End of the Year Bowl Preview Spectacular! Check back Friday morning for Part 2 including the BCS bowls and more of my fantastic analysis...
In case you don't get the pleasure of listening to me spit my knowledge, I'll let you in on some of the important things about Wes Bradshaw.
BIRTHDAY: May 8 (Taurus aka The Brahma Bull)
ACTVITIES: Calling sports on the radio and the occassional TV gig. Going to the gym (that's a new one). Watching college football and Boston Red Sox baseball. Listening to 'The Herd' on ESPN Radio, Monday-Friday 10:00 to 2:00 Eastern. Teaching The Boy how to do endzone dances after he scores touchdowns. Yes, I am hoping he takes after a late 1980's Miami Hurricane. And finally spending time with the people I love. There aren't many of them, so if I spend time with you, feel special...
FAVORITE MOVIES: Including but not limited to the following 15: The Godfather, The Godfather 2, Goodfellas, Varsity Blues, Friday Night Lights, The Hangover, Step Brothers, Anchorman, Apocalypse Now, Platoon, Tombstone, The Good The Bad And The Ugly, Top Gun, We Were Soldiers, Legends of the Fall. And if you laugh at Legends of the Fall, you have obviously never seen it.
FAVORITE MUSIC: (Update, we're making this a Baker's Dozen): Pearl Jam, Jay-Z, George Strait, Tim McGraw, The Rolling Stones, The Eagles, Nirvana, The Police, 2pac Shakur, The Killers, Guns 'n Roses, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors.
MY THEME SONG: If I was followed everywhere by music, it would be 'Requiem For A Dream'. Unbelievable. It gets you equally hype as well as intensely focused.
MY DREAM DESTINATION: ALCS. Game 7. Fenway Park. Boston, MA. Red Sox vs Yankees. I think this would be better and more intense than any World Series game could ever be.
6 DINNER GUESTS: (My grandfather) Wes Parrish, Robert E. Lee, Bear Bryant, John F. Kennedy, Ted Williams, George S. Patton
4 HOURS. 4 GUITARISTS. PRIVATE CONCERT: Hendrix, Page, Clapton, Slash. Melt your face and blow your mind.
Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas from My Super Fun Times. As much money as you had to spend, or rotten family time you log, just remember, it could be worse. You could be a mall Santa with a fat kid who keeps following you around. So from my family to yours, Merry Christmas... 
