Predictions Lite: Jackets, Tide, Gators win Leach-free bowls
Weekend Predictions was put to bed a few weeks ago, the result of a slight misunderstanding by my late ghost writer who typed that Florida would defeat Alabama in the SEC championship game after I specifically relayed to him via Ouija that the Gators would be so thoroughly dominated that Urban Meyer would retire, unretire, ponder, brood, mull, retire, unretire, declare sweet victory after I guess the greatest football practice in the history of the universe and eventually was told to stand in a dark closet for three hours by Lubbock Commandant Mike Leach.
Anyway, back to Predictions. I wasn’t supposed to dispense any more financial advice this season. But I’m already getting tired of Melky Cabrera jokes and we’re jumping into the heart of the bowl season — yes, after the Independence Bowl; shirts still available here! — I had nothing else to blog about this morning. So we give you Absolute Financial Locks Lite.
Just remember how this works: I give you the winners. But it’s your job to find them. The others were just miscommunications.
♦ Orange Bowl (Georgia Tech-Iowa): The Jackets celebrated for so long after last year’s win over Georgia that they were still hung over by the time they got to the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Then they were dismembered. Fortunately, they only play a Big Ten team this time. South Florida has never seen so many Winnebagos. Jackets cover 4.
First title: LSU. Second title: Alabama.
♦ BCS Championship (Alabama-Texas): Asked whether he can relate to Meyer’s stress issues, Nick Saban cracked, “I could work here and take the stress, or I could retire and go home and work for [wife] Terry and take the stress there.” I hope he enjoys the BCS trophy. Because it’s the only thing he’ll be grabbing for a while. Tide covers 4.
(Remaining cast, in order of appearance)
♦ Chick-fil-A (Tennessee-Virginia Tech): Lane Kiffin arrived in town early. With Tennessee’s “Orange Pride” coeds on holiday break, he had to pick up several Hooters waitresses on the way to his next recruiting trip. VaTech covers 5 1/2.
♦ Outback (Auburn-Northwestern): Wasn’t it about a year ago we were making Gene Chizik jokes? Even Auburn running back Ben Tate said this week, “Most of us were like, ‘Who is he?’” Well, he would be the guy going to a better bowl game than Georgia or Tennessee or Ole Miss. Oops. Tigers cover the 8.
Rejoice, Dogs fans. At least one guy will be going.
♦ Capital One (LSU-Penn State): I never really believed John Chavis was a serious candidate for the Georgia defensive coordinator’s job until he was asked about it Wednesday and responded to a reporter, “Nice shoes,” or something like that. Dude. If Chavis is really looking to bolt LSU after only one year, what does that say about Les Miles? Penn State covers 2 1/2.
♦ Gator (FSU-West Virginia): Sorry, but amid the everything-stinks-until-we-have-a-playoff screams, this is pretty cool. It’s the Bobby Bowden Retirement Bowl. He left West Virginia on his own for Florida State, where he won two national championships, then had his legs broken in a board room. Football just ain’t what it used to be. Noles win in an upset, but take the 2 1/2.
I know I used this picture the other day. But it makes him look like such a dork, I had to rerun it.
♦ Sugar (Florida-Cincinnati): It’s Tim Tebow’s last game. It might be Urban Meyer’s last game. Unfortunately, Brian Kelly already had his last game — the Cincinnati coach left for Notre Dame. There goes that upset pick. Gators cover 12 1/2.
♦ Alamo: (Texas Tech-Michigan State): For all the people criticizing Texas Tech for firing Mike Leach, which of these three things do you not have a problem with? 1) Minimizing that significance of a player’s concussion; 2) humiliating a college student in front of teammates by making him stand in a closet; or 3) seeking a restraining order against his superiors who suspended him from the bowl game while they tried to sort this mess out? All I know is, whoever runs the Alamo Bowl is buying drinks for the house and screaming, “I am somebody!” Forget distractions. Raiders cover the 7 1/2.
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209 comments Add your comment
dentaldawg
December 31st, 2009
8:59 am
Wow, you picked tech and took a shot at UGA for the 10,000th time this year. Congrats! Paul will give you an extra big kiss when he gets home.
Top Dawg
December 31st, 2009
9:00 am
Iowa wins the Orange. LSU wins the Citrus.
GT
December 31st, 2009
9:00 am
Interesting court decision yesterday, in small print on the back of this paper, where a former Georgia football player cannot sue the Georgia Athletic Department because it is an arm of the state as is the coach named in the suit. Does anybody believe that? Mike Leach certainly didn’t feel part of that organizational chart, I am not sure he felt he reported to anyone, the University was there to serve him. After watching that documentary on “the U” where Coach Jimmy Johnson sounded more like a thug dictator than a molder of young man, a picture develops of rogue coaches, a picture continued by Leach with dozens of arrogate over paid coaches that should not be allowed near a higher educational facility. Back to Georgia which really doesn’t have that problem, but does have the disconnect between the purpose of education and football. Seems to me a good lawyer could blow the Athens judge’s opinion to kingdom come, of course you need another venue. The old picture of football being a part of college curriculum is so very outdated, it is a freak event sponsored by everybody but the college and thus the state. In a world where we love catching a politician taking a boondoggle trip with tax payer’s money and then think we sponsor the likes of a Leach or Johnson in that same system is high comedy in the least.
Smoke
December 31st, 2009
9:06 am
Obviously a lot of people on here didn’t watch Iowa play this season. CPJ will not lose 2 bowl games in a row. Iowa will not be able to match gt’s athleticism. They lost to NW and struggled in games vs Indiana. They nearly lost to N Iowa.
GT 30
Iowa 19
PMC
December 31st, 2009
9:09 am
Auburn was gifted into that game for the record. Getting a hopeful ticket sales grab from a rebuilding team that is coming off a down period doesn’t mean you had a great year and or deserve the game
JTH
December 31st, 2009
9:12 am
Smoke-”GT 30
Iowa 19″
I think along similar line. I’ll say 30-21. Tech will control the clock running the ball. Iowa has no offense so 3 or 4 scores at most.
He Who Knows
December 31st, 2009
9:13 am
The Leach deal is a set-up. He got a new contract because the alums demanded it, but the Pres. and AD were determined to get rid of him. And then along came “Helicopter Dad” Craig James (don’t forget he went to SMU when it was a payola school) and his ego…
red5.ws
December 31st, 2009
9:19 am
Iowa’s defense with a month to prepare will shut down tech’s high school offense. Iowa wins 17-3…….On another note 60-39*-5
* tech used players from other schools during the war and academically inelgible players in 98-00.
I miss St. Simons
December 31st, 2009
9:22 am
<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
HHa!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!
Bama Bill
December 31st, 2009
9:24 am
Wow, those predictions of yours are outrageous – hope you placed no bets ! The SEC will rock and roll again in the BOWLS.
athensdawg
December 31st, 2009
9:26 am
Wonder which coach is going to be stupid enough to take a chance on another ESPN broadcaster’s kid…..such a joke…..daddy, he is being cruel…i am having to run windsprints…..turn him in.
First, Herbstriet, in an obvious play to ruin Michigan, out’s Les Miles’ move to UM.
Now Craig James “takes down” Mike Leach.
I find it hard to believe that a school who had Bobby Knight running its basketball team could fire another coach for “cruelty” to players.
While at the same time, ESPN runs a special that glorifies the thuggery of the Miami Football program.
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone…….
LizDawg
December 31st, 2009
9:26 am
Iowa’s gonna smash yet another unprepared Coach Paul Johnson bowl team. 29-24, the Hawkeyes won’t quite make it to the 30-24 loss the state’s best team handed the wreck to the tune of 330+ rushing yards.
null
December 31st, 2009
9:28 am
It’s The Peach Bowl:
Screw that….I won’t eat there until they start opening their stores on Sunday. What a ridiculous way to run a business “let’s shut down on a day when 95% of consumers DON’T have to work”. Idiots…all of ‘em.
suwaneedawg
December 31st, 2009
9:28 am
Eric, I am hoping you can save your $$$ and not buy me a beer. I am pulling for Iowa and Alabama. Got to pull for the SEC and anyone playing Tech. Sorry big guy but, if it goes your way it won’t ruin my day.
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
December 31st, 2009
9:28 am
So I don’t need to watch the games now that you’ve ruined them by telling me what’s going to happen? Your predictions are always so spot on that I’ll just go bowling. (you know with the lanes and pins and beer) Hope your New Year is prosperous and you lose the rose colored glasses you see Paul Johnson through.
Tom
December 31st, 2009
9:32 am
Of course the sec will win most. They play easy opponents. Oooh uconn. Oooh E carolina. The acc already took care of those teams winning 3/3. Then you have that power northwestern. Oooh. I would hope you win these games. LOL
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
December 31st, 2009
9:35 am
Phat Phil, maybe not Kiffin, but SOMEONE directed those call girls to that particular game. Does the phrase “lack of institutional control” ring true? Methinks it does
RockytopATL
December 31st, 2009
9:36 am
Agree with Phat Phil’s sentiments, though not his insults, which are totally unnecessary. We need to be nice to Jeff because he’s finally moved on from the fat jokes. But now to the points — hostessgate is indeed nothing and may not even be a secondary violation. And the Vols will roll over VT — 24-13. Book it.
Smokewagon
December 31st, 2009
9:37 am
Tom- Sit back and watch SEC powerhouse Alabama blowout Texas for the #1 spot. Tickle pile on 2?
suwaneedawg
December 31st, 2009
9:37 am
Tom, give us a break. Your ACC could not handle Wisconsin in Florida and once again the SEC is playing for the championship. Let’s compare bowl records when it is over and judge it then. How many ACC teams are in BCS games this year? Yeah that’s right, one and who did they lose to? An SEC team, yeah that’s right.
collegeballfan
December 31st, 2009
9:40 am
Re the lawsuit by the former Georgia player. Judge kicked the suit out as UGA is an arm of the State of Georgia. Question – is the UGA Athletics Department a part of the State? I would think that the Athletic Department is a separate, chartered corporation. You lawyers out there – am I correct?
DS
December 31st, 2009
9:41 am
Sour Grapes huh Tom. Get a clue. SEC is the best conference in CF. Can’t argue that at all. I’m guessing your favorite team in in the ACC……. Stinks to be you. Especially after the two best ACC teams lose to two middle tiered SEC teams. Please tell me how the ACC is better than the SEC in football. That’s like an SEC person claims that they are better than the ACC in Basketball. Just does not hold water.
RockytopATL
December 31st, 2009
9:44 am
Hey Chin — I know this might not work for you since you are into conspiracy theories, but one of the players invited one of the girls to come see him play after they met at a football camp. One of the girls is from the area and drove her friend home for the weekend. Nobody at UT knew they were going, and no, they didn’t have “Come to Tennessee” signs like the NY Times incorrectly reported. You might also note that the Memphis blowhard hoops coach who told the Times the wild tale about flirting chicks refuses to talk to the NCAA. Why? He lies. This same guy told whoppers several years ago about the Arkansas basketball program. An NCAA investigation there also led to nothing.
Dave In Tampa
December 31st, 2009
9:49 am
In actually look forward to watching the GT/Iowa game. It should be a good game. Iowa has a decent defense, better than the Dawgs for the most part. Don’t agree with VT winning. I think the vols will pull out a close game. I don’t see Auburn winning. It just appears that they start off quickly and other teams make a couple adjustments and then shut them down.
If the same Bama team shows up against Texas that showed up against UF they should win big. Good luck Bama. Keep the NC in the SEC! Good luck to all the SEC teams and GT!
FUGLYDAWG
December 31st, 2009
9:49 am
Jeff – hate to go against the SEC but I think Texas is going to take Bama. They have the athletes and Colt McCoy is mobile and accurate – the prescription to beat Bama’s defense. Horns ain’t happy about Ingram getting the Heisman nor the perceived lack of respect from the media.
Impartial
December 31st, 2009
9:50 am
Great column Jeff…got a laugh out of the Saban comments.
Suwaneedawg…fair enough. Nobody but UGA fans ever root for your Bulldogs.
Happy New Year.
BIG UGLIES WIN GAMES!!!
December 31st, 2009
9:53 am
36th.
James
December 31st, 2009
9:57 am
I actually agree with all the picks except LSU-I think the tigers take it. But I’m not sure why, because even though JoePa is 900 years old, he can still count better than Les Miles.
I think that if Texas plays twice as well as they did against ‘Braska, and Bama plays half as well as they did against Florida, Bama still wins in a blowout. Sorry Texas…
Go Tech! (Georgia, not that silly team from Lubbock)
jw
December 31st, 2009
10:02 am
Stay tuned for the next chapter in the Leach drama. I have a feeling Texas Tech just bought themselves a BIG settlement in a law suit. They have no chance to win and Leach will be coaching somewhere else hardly scathed at all by this event. The person who is going to end up a fool, and looking for work, will be Craig James.
James
December 31st, 2009
10:03 am
PMC—
You’re right, Auburn was gifted into that game–but I feel like they deserved it–first year coach, new coordinators, etc.
I know you could say the same about Tennessee, but they also had Monty coaching defense, which will guarantee you wins against weaker teams–take a look at Tennessee’s staff salary compared to other first year programs!
DawginLex
December 31st, 2009
10:08 am
Gt will win against Iowa because stanzi will be rusty from the layoff
Ole Miss will destroy Okie state
Bama wins a close one
UT will beat VT
FSU will win
Penn state will whip LSU
Auburn wins in a shootout
TT will win in a blowout
2010 preseason rankings
Bama(1)
Florida(6)
LSU(12)
UGA(14)
Ark(23)
UT(24)
Aub(25)
JD
December 31st, 2009
10:10 am
Craig james contributed to the demise of SMU. Now, he is killing the program at TT. What is the next school to feel the wrath of the James’?
Bravissimo
December 31st, 2009
10:12 am
Dawg in lex…You really think UGA will be ranked THAT high? please
$1.4 million Shreveport vs. our $14 million BCS Orange bowl
December 31st, 2009
10:16 am
ACC (Academic Colleges Conference)
SEC (Special Education Conference)
Dawg Gone
December 31st, 2009
10:18 am
can’t you fire a coach if you want to. A big shed is still a shed. And who believes what lawyers say or put on vidio.
Orange, should be a high scoring game. I predict the team that scores the most points will win. Quote me on that.
boots
December 31st, 2009
10:19 am
Does that chair Mike Leach is in recline? I could use one of those in my den to sit in for tomorrow’s games.
jokerman
December 31st, 2009
10:20 am
Some reason you didn’t include the Rose Bowl?
Tom
December 31st, 2009
10:21 am
Yep it’s easy to win when you play lousy crap opponents. At least the teams we play are all ranked, aside from uh that team from your conference that beat YOU. LOL
Dave
December 31st, 2009
10:22 am
This isn’t to bash Auburn but to point out that the bowl games are not about placing the best team in your game. The Outback had their choice of South Carolina, Tenn, Kentucky, and maybe Ole Miss. Of that group, they took a team that is coming in on a 2 game skid, losing 5 of it’s last 7 with a losing conference record. The Outback has always been roge in that sense, but their only objective and that of most bowls is to sell tickets. Bring on the playoffs!
Bravissimo
December 31st, 2009
10:25 am
From what Ive read so far, it seems Leach hasnt been to amicable to the powers that be at TT. Regardless of what happened, he should have been more open with the admin if he really wanted to keep his job.
I have to agree with the AD that he cost himself the job.
As far as James(the dad) only time will tell if hes just whining about his son.
I guess it gives the story a little more credence that TT also had Bobby Knight also?
boots
December 31st, 2009
10:27 am
Dave’s right about the Outback Bowl. Those guys pound a bunch of Fosters, sit around eating blooming onions and just take the craziest SEC team they can. Their picks have always been odd – like they think it is an Australian Rules game.
$1.4 million Shreveport vs. our $14 million BCS Orange bowl
December 31st, 2009
10:27 am
Hey recruits,
Quite simply, you can either ride the short busses to Shreveport every Christmas or fly first class to the BCS Orange Bowl every New Years. Just saying….
Tide Rising
December 31st, 2009
10:32 am
Jeff,
Its okay with me if Saban won’t be grabbing anything other than a bcs trophy. Its better that he concentrate on recruiting and keep it going rather than trivial things like grabbing at Terry. On the other hand I would hate to think that if Terry won’t let him grab at her after his comment that he could end up doing something like grabbing at a manly looking stripper from a seedy Pensacola strip club. Yikes!
Tom
December 31st, 2009
10:33 am
I’m a loser.
DawginLex
December 31st, 2009
10:33 am
$1.4 million,
Why don’t you give it a rest.
UGA’s bowl destination this year was a one year fluke. Tech’s history says that they will retun to mediocrity soon and UGA will rise back up. Either way, UGA will beat Tech head to head.
BTW, those things on South Beach walking around in bikinis are called girls. Don’t try to inflate them or find the valve stem to put air in them like your blow up doll date. The live girls will slap you.
Dave
December 31st, 2009
10:34 am
Listening to a techmite bragging about finally winning something is like a lottery winner explaining the skill that went into selecting the quick pick numbers that were printed on his ticket. Nothing but pure chance.
reservoirDAWG
December 31st, 2009
10:34 am
It’s rolling baby!
boots
December 31st, 2009
10:35 am
$1.4 million Shreveport vs. $14 million = St. Simons. Oh, and if revenue is so important, then look up how much money UGA athletics pulls in vs. Tech. Look, good luck in your bowl, and I hope you enjoy your 1-in-every-10-years glory.
pensacola dawg
December 31st, 2009
10:35 am
No way tech beats Iowa, look what old slow wisconson did to Miami and Miami beat tech and Iowa beat Wis
AuburnGirl21
December 31st, 2009
10:35 am
Personally I think that since all else was equal, Outback sided with us because they knew we would travel well and support our team win or lose. Not saying Georgia would not have but I think there was some doubt in their minds.