Holy shit that came up fast. It felt like only a week ago we were a ways away from conference tournament time. Then BOOM! Here we are. Even with a leap year, March crept up on me.
This is my eighth time doing this. This will be some of the last games of any sport shown on the Pac-12 Network so indulge yourself. Or don’t. Not like it’s a great conference network or anything. Alright, let us begin.
March 8th
OVC Semi-Final #1
8:00
March 8th
OVC Semi-Final #2
10:30
March 9th
MVC Semi-Final #1
3:30
March 9th
MVC Semi-Final #2
6:00
March 9th
OVC Championship
8:00
March 9th
WCC Quarter-Final #1
10:00
March 10th
WCC Quarter-Final #2
12:30 AM
March 10th
Big South Championship
Noon
March 10th
MVC Championship
2:00
March 10th
A-Sun Championship
2:00
March 10th
Patriot League Semi-Final #1
2:00
March 10th
SoCon Semi-Final #1
4:00
March 10th
Patriot League Semi-Final #2
4:00
March 10th
SoCon Semi-Final #2
6:30
March 11th
CAA Semi-Final #1
6:00
March 11th
Horizon Semi-Final #1
7:00
March 11th
SoCon Championship
7:00
March 11th
Sun Belt Championship
7:00
March 11th
CAA Semi-Final #2
8:30
March 11th
WCC Semi-Final #1
9:00
March 11th
Horizon Semi-Final #2
9:30
March 11th
WCC Semi-Final #2
11:30
March 12th
ACC First Round #1
2:00
March 12th
ACC First Round #2
4:30
March 12th
America East Semi-Final #1
5:00
March 12th
Southland Semi-Final #1
6:30
March 12th
ACC First Round #3
7:00
March 12th
NEC Championship
7:00
March 12th
CAA Championship
7:00
March 12th
Horizon Championship
7:00
March 12th
Big Sky Semi-Final #1
8:30
March 12th
WCC Championship
9:00
March 12th
Summit Championship
9:30
March 12th
Big Sky Semi-Final #2
11:00
March 13th
ACC Second Round #1
Noon
March 13th
Big XII Second Round #1
12:30
March 13th
ACC Second Round #2
2:30
March 13th
Pac-12 First Round #1
3:00
March 13th
Southland Championship
5:00
March 13th
Pac-12 First Round #2
5:30
March 13th
ACC Second Round #3
7:00
March 13th
SEC First Round #1
7:00
March 13th
Patriot Championship
7:00
March 13th
Pac-12 First Round #3
9:00
March 13th
SEC First Round #2
9:30
March 13th
ACC Second Round #4
9:30
March 13th
Big XII Second Round #4
9:30
March 13th
Big Sky Championship
11:30
March 13th
Pac-12 First Round #4
11:30
March 14th
ACC Quarter-Final #1
Noon
March 14th
Big Ten Second Round #1
Noon
March 14th
Big XII Quarter-Final #1
12:30
March 14th
American Second Round #1
12:30
March 14th
SEC Second Round #1
1:00
March 14th
ACC Quarter-Final #2
2:30
March 14th
Big Ten Second Round #2
2:30
March 14th
Big XII Quarter-Final #2
3:00
March 14th
American Second Round #2
3:00
March 14th
MWC Quarter-Final #1
3:00
March 14th
Pac-12 Quarter-Final #1
3:00
March 14th
SEC Second Round #2
3:30
March 14th
MWC Quarter-Final #2
5:30
March 14th
Pac-12 Quarter-Final #2
5:30
March 14th
Big Ten Second Round #3
6:30
March 14th
ACC Quarter-Final #3
7:00
March 14th
Big XII Quarter-Final #3
7:00
March 14th
American Second Round #3
7:00
March 14th
SEC Second Round #3
7:00
March 14th
Big Ten Second Round #4
9:00
March 14th
MWC Quarter-Final #3
9:00
March 14th
Pac-12 Quarter-Final #3
9:00
March 14th
ACC Quarter-Final #4
9:30
March 14th
Big XII Quarter-Final #4
9:30
March 14th
American Second Round #4
9:30
March 14th
SEC Second Round #4
9:30
March 14th
MWC Quarter-Final #4
11:30
March 15th
Big Ten Quarter-Final #1
Noon
March 15th
C-USA Semi-Final #1
12:30
March 15th
American Quarter-Final #1
1:00
March 15th
SEC Quarter-Final #1
1:00
March 15th
Big Ten Quarter-Final #2
2:30
March 15th
American Quarter-Final #2
3:00
March 15th
C-USA Semi-Final #2
3:00
March 15th
SEC Quarter-Final #2
3:30
March 15th
MAC Semi-Final #1
5:00
March 15th
Big East Semi-Final #1
5:30
March 15th
MAAC Semi-Final #1
6:00
March 15th
Big Ten Quarter-Final #3
6:30
March 15th
ACC Semi-Final #1
7:00
March 15th
Big XII Semi-Final #1
7:00
March 15th
American Quarter-Final #3
7:00
March 15th
SEC Quarter-Final #3
7:00
March 15th
MAC Semi-Final #2
7:30
March 15th
Pac-12 Semi-Final #1
8:00
March 15th
MAAC Semi-Final #2
8:30
March 15th
American Quarter-Final #4
9:00
March 15th
Big Ten Quarter-Final #4
9:00
March 15th
ACC Semi-Final #2
9:30
March 15th
Big XII Semi-Final #2
9:30
March 15th
SEC Quarter-Final #4
9:30
March 15th
MWC Semi-Final #1
9:30
March 15th
WAC Semi-Final #2
11:30
March 15th
Big West Semi-Final #2
11:30
March 16th
MWC Semi-Final #2
Midnight
March 16th
America East Championship
11:00 AM
March 16th
Ivy League Semi-Final #1
11:00 AM
March 16th
A-10 Semi-Final #1
1:00
March 16th
Big Ten Semi-Final #1
1:00
March 16th
SEC Semi-Final #1
1:00
March 16th
MEAC Championship
1:00
March 16th
American Semi-Final #1
3:00
March 16th
SEC Semi-Final #2
3:00
March 16th
A-10 Semi-Final #2
3:30
March 16th
Big Ten Semi-Final #2
3:30
March 16th
American Semi-Final #2
5:00
March 16th
SWAC Championship
5:30
March 16th
MWC Championship
6:00
March 16th
Big XII Championship
6:00
March 16th
Big East Championship
6:30
March 16th
MAAC Championship
7:30
March 16th
MAC Championship
7:30
March 16th
ACC Championship
8:30
March 16th
C-USA Championship
8:30
March 16th
Pac-12 Championship
9:00
March 16th
Big West Championship
9:30
March 16th
WAC Championship
11:30
March 17th
Ivy League Championship
Noon
March 17th
A-10 Championship
1:00
March 17th
SEC Championship
1:00
March 17th
American Championship
3:15
March 17th
Big Ten Championship
3:30
March 17th
Selection Sunday
6:00
Some Greg Gumbel-ish notes
Hey what happened to the Selection Sunday show being on TBS every other year? They tried it once, realized it was one of the dumbest ideas in recent college basketball broadcasting history and turfed it. Greg Gumbel (and his Selection Sunday pals) belong on CBS at 6:00 after the Big Ten Championship. Period.
There are still so many conference tournaments in the New York City and Las Vegas areas. I find it hilarious that some of these conferences, despite not even having NYC or Vegas in their conference footprint, continue to put the tournaments there and then wonder why they aren’t selling out games. Mindblowing.
So it looks like if you don’t have TSN+ you aren’t watching much conference tournament action. Damn near every game that TSN is showing is going to their new streaming platform. Is it surprising? Not really. Now, if TSN+ starts getting a shit-ton of everything, including more college basketball and football, junior hockey, maybe some Canadian university sports as well, then I can say it may be worth the cost. It’s the path we are heading towards so if you are a big-time cablehead and don’t want to move off of it then get ready to be frustrated.
As I mentioned above, this is the last few months of the Pac-12 Network, which we have more access to than most Americans. How stupid is that conference. Or was that conference…*pause to shed a tear*…Anyway, the final Pac-12 Network basketball game ever will air on March 15th so if you want to, um, witness some history, watch that game. Then all that will be left, in terms of team sports, is baseball and softball. Then no more Pac-12 come the summer. What a quiet, sad end.
I am under the assumption that the First Four will also go to TSN+. I would be shocked if it didn’t. As for the first round games, with TSN’s wraparound coverage on a few different channels, you should be able to see portions of every single game so no problems there. I will keep things updated here if any conference tournament games magically get pushed from TSN+ to one of the TSN stations (although I don’t see that happening).
The Kreepy Kombine is over so I will be putting up another mock draft. Maybe I will add another round in there. Who knows!
I am slowly putting together the schedule for this upcoming season and it is quite difficult since so much has changed that there are some things I can’t compare to previous years. Hell, the MAC hasn’t even put out their schedule yet so that makes it damn near impossible to complete this puzzle (the MAC finally announced their schedule yesterday). I mean I would I love to put out schedule-based posts in May? Sure. I may even do that and not worry about broadcast information at that point. Everything is up in the air. Have a great week everyone!
Does anyone say that anymore? That something is in high definition (or the now-even cringier term, High Def)? Feels very 2008-ish.
TSN seems to always deliver during bowl season. It’s funny how they absolutely don’t deliver at all during the rest of the season but with TSN+ they now have their very own built-in excuse to not have many games on the main five stations. Now, as I say every year, the TSN portion of the schedule could change so keep coming back for any updates.
Let’s not waste any more time. Bowl schedule. NOW!
Saturday December 16th
Myrtle Beach Bowl: Georgia Southern vs. Ohio
11:00 AM
Thanks to issues with the Bahamas Bowl (that will be explained below if you don’t already know) Bowl Season begins on the eastern coast of South Carolina. This game pits two teams who were kind of forgotten in their conferences this season but quietly put together good seasons. Should be a good start to the college football postseason on the teal turf in Conway.
Celebration Bowl: Florida A&M vs. Howard
Noon
It feels like many times this game features one team that could have caused some damage in the FCS playoffs and one team that scraped their way into this game. This year’s edition is no different. Florida A&M ran roughshod through most of its opponents whereas Howard barely won the MEAC. And as it usually happens, the not-so-good team gives the really good a team a run for their money and sometimes ends up winning. So don’t necessarily think this will be a blowout.
New Orleans Bowl: Louisiana vs. Jacksonville State
2:15
Opening bowl day brings the return of RichRod to postseason competition. With the Cajuns already being there, this should at least have a raucous crowd and really, that’s a big part of the bowl experience. It’s great to see a bowl game with a great crowd as it just continues to prove that most of these bowl games mean something.
Cure Bowl: Appalachian State vs. Miami-OH
3:30
What used to be the worst bowl game matchup almost every season is now being shown on ABC on opening bowl day. Great turnaround for the Cure Bowl for sure. I think we need to have more bowl games set up like this: where a good portion of the money goes to some sort of charity or towards some type of research. I think this way we can decrease the amount of people who think there are too many bowl games. I mean there will always be some that will hate it. I see their point but it’s more football. Would you prefer to take 35 minutes to find something worth watching on Netflix or Amazon Prime or would you rather watch LIVE FOOTBALL? It really shouldn’t be a choice to be honest (at least if you read this blog).
New Mexico Bowl: Fresno State vs. New Mexico State
5:45
Time to watch America’s Team in this one. No, the Dallas Cowboys aren’t playing (and no, they aren’t America’s team and haven’t been since a year that started with a 1). The New Mexico State Aggies, coached by, arguably, the best coach in the land Jerry Kill, is now America’s Team. That’s unfortunate for the Fresno State Bulldogs who won’t have their head coach, Jeff Tedford, on the sideline. They have to face the Aggies in almost a quasi-home game for them. I want to say this won’t be close but the Bulldogs are pretty good so at the very least you should see a good game here. America’s Team. Now you know. And knowing’s half the battle…………………………………………GI JOE!!!!!!
LA Bowl: UCLA vs. Boise State
7:30
For once, the Broncos had to grind to get to a bowl game. 5-5 with their head coach being shitcanned and they somehow win the Mountain West Championship. But now with no potential Chip Kelly drama, this game loses a lot of spots in the rankings.
Independence Bowl: Texas Tech vs. California
9:15
Shreveport seems like an odd spot for two Power Five teams in their bowl game but that used to be the norm. Maybe the Independence Bowl should have been used in the new 12-team playoff somehow. I mean who says no, other than ESPN who would prefer to put every game in the biggest neutral site stadium they can find for MAXIMUM MONEY.
Monday December 18th
Famous Toastery Bowl: Old Dominion vs. WKU
2:30
This will most likely be my favourite one-off bowl ever. Because of renovations at Thomas Robinson Stadium, the Bahamas Bowl could not be played on the island since there are no other stadiums able to hold the game there. Charlotte got the call and this game will be played at the 49ers’ home field and with a new sponsor, Famous Toastery. I don’t think it’s even famous at all in that area of the country but I like their confidence. I pray that the winning coach gets buried in a mountain of toast.
Tuesday December 19th
Frisco Bowl: UTSA vs. Marshall
9:00
Frisco gets two postseason games: this one and then the FCS Championship. The FCS title game is there through at least next season but beyond that, who knows. The Frisco Bowl, on the other hand, is here to stay. At least we have two good Group of Five teams here and with UTSA not being too far away it may approach a sellout.
Thursday December 21st
Boca Raton Bowl: Syracuse vs. USF
8:00
Back to grinding for bowl-eligibility, here are two teams that epitomized that. Syracuse, who has completely re-done their coaching staff and USF, whose close game with Bama earlier on in the season made the College Football Playoff debate that much worse. Look it’s either this or the Saints and the Rams on Amazon Prime. You know what to choose.
Friday December 22nd
Gasparilla Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. UCF
6:30
Interesting start time for this game. I get that it’s only half-an-hour before games normally would start locally but why do that? Bizarre. This is probably the highest-profile matchup this bowl game has ever had and it should bring a good amount of fans with one team not too far from Tampa. Hey, at least’s it not at the Trop.
Saturday December 23rd
Birmingham Bowl: Duke vs. Troy
Noon
This should be a good game and it’s the kind of game I always talk about. A Group of Five conference champion getting their shot at a Power Five team. That’s part of what bowl season should be all about and I have said that often in the past. Will college football listen to me? No. And it’s their loss.
Camellia Bowl: Arkansas State vs. Northern Illinois
Noon
Two teams that have got basically no coverage this season. I’m honestly surprised that no team looked at Butch Jones to be their new head coach. He’s brought ASU back from being horrible for both of Jones’ first two seasons (and Blake Anderson’s last in Jonesboro) to being respectable. I think the fact that the Sun Belt is so damn good now (in G-5 terms), this team gets overshadowed a lot.
Idaho Potato Bowl: Utah State vs. Georgia State
3:30
Again, two teams who were overshadowed by a bunch of better teams in their respective conferences. Plus it’s on the blue turf and that’s always a bit of fun, especially if it’s freezing cold (OK not so much for the players and fans but hilarious for us viewers at home).
Armed Forces Bowl: Air Force vs. James Madison
3:30
The Dukes in a bowl game! As it should be. And it shouldn’t have taken the lengths it did but luckily there weren’t enough 6-win teams to fill all the bowl slots. Air Force had a monumental collapse to end their season after being the Group of Five favourite to go to the New Year’s Six coming into November so momentum is not on their side.
68 Ventures Bowl: South Alabama vs. Eastern Michigan
7:00
Chris Creighton has done amazing things in Ypsilanti. He has made EMU relevant for really the first time ever. As for South Alabama, it looked like they would be the Sun Belt’s darling this year after an early win over Oklahoma State. The bottom fell out for this team and they barely made it to bowling. Massive contrast of seasons here.
Las Vegas Bowl: Northwestern vs. Utah
7:30
Northwestern and Utah aren’t exactly the fanbases I think of when I think of fans who could completely wreck hotel rooms and drink a bar dry…well, Utah maybe. Maybe that is by design. Have to give credit to a Northwestern team that should have been terrible and ended up doing quite well in the final Big Ten West season. And we will never know how good the Utes could have been with the injuries they had.
Hawaii Bowl: San Jose State vs. Coastal Carolina
10:30
It’s the annual Stocking Stuffer Bowl where many parents finally fill the stockings of their children so that when they wake up they will know Santa (or some other fat white dude) came down the chimney (or more like through a window because he’s fat) to give them presents because…we as parents didn’t give them enough? Is that how the story goes? Anyway, I will enjoy a nice scotch after all that stocking stuffer stuff is done and watch some great football during a bowl that should start at one minute before Midnight on Spectrum Sports so most of the college football world has to scramble to find it.
Tuesday December 26th
Quick Lane Bowl: Minnesota vs. Bowling Green
2:00
OK not exactly what I’ve always had in mind but still. It’s a G-5 team against a P-5 team. The P-5 team is in because they are smart. The G-5 team is in because the MAC, past the top three teams, was pretty bad this year. Advantage? The fans who get to watch college football on a weekday afternoon when you probably will be off work. Probably. For those who must work I hope you have a good PVR setup.
First Responder Bowl: Rice vs. Texas State
5:30
Hey remember when this bowl game was cancelled because of weather? What a shitshow that was. I’d be surprised if they ever let that happen again considering the fallout. When it comes to this year’s First Responder Bowl, you have to like what you see in Texas State. In a really good Sun Belt, they were able to go 7-5 and get to their first bowl game ever. Tulsa is going to rue the day they decided not to hire G.J. Kinne as their coach. Rice, I believe, lucked out due to a much-less powerful AAC. Not to say they didn’t play well but I believe the Sun Belt, top to bottom, is the best Group of Five conference.
Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Kansas vs. UNLV
9:00
This is why bowl games matter. UNLV is back in a bowl game for the first time in a decade thanks in large part to a guy who should have got more votes for Coach of the Year, Barry Odom. Speaking of guys who should have got Coach of the Year consideration, Lance Leipold has done wonders and the Jayhawks are doing everything they can to keep him in Lawrence. Big question for this game will be if Jalon Daniels will play after his somewhat mysterious back injury from earlier this year kept him out of action for most of the season.
Wednesday December 27th
Military Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Tulane
2:00
Maybe we will see some snow for this one. Not gonna lie: VaTech was WAY the fuck better than I thought they would be. They did a masterful job in an ACC that, below FSU and Louisville, wasn’t that great. They will face a Tulane squad that just lost Willie Fritz to Houston. I know some teams struggle when their coach leaves before a bowl game and I could see that happening here.
Duke’s Mayo Bowl: North Carolina vs. West Virginia
5:30
North Carolina with a big home advantage at the Mayo Bowl. In the end, though, that advantage means little. The game itself only means so much. No, what really matters, is who is going to get a big tub of mayo dumped on them, Mack Brown or Neal Brown? Either way, Duke’s Mayo is going to be down on Brown in this one………wait, that doesn’t sound right.
Holiday Bowl: #15 Louisville vs. USC
8:00
Caleb Williams has opted out of this one. No surprise there. But they could be playing a team that, despite being ranked 15th in the nation, hasn’t exactly lit it up lately. Let’s see if Louisville can actually play a decent game for the first time in weeks after shitting the bed against Kentucky and looking mediocre against Florida State.
Texas Bowl: Texas A&M vs. #20 Oklahoma State
9:00
Some classic Big XII action here. Cue the Big XII on FOX Sports Net music and get Joel Meyers back to call this one. The Aggies should be doubly pissed since the Pokes had a chance to knock those damn Longhorns off their perch and they couldn’t get it done. So now they have to watch Texas play in the College Football Playoff while the Aggies are in a decent bowl but one quite a ways down the pecking order.
Thursday December 28th
Fenway Bowl: Boston College vs. #24 SMU
11:00 AM
Morning football at Fenway. See, morning football is fine if it bleeds into the afternoon. None of this 9:30 in the morning horseshit. I guess this could be considered the Ponies’ first ACC test as these two teams will be roommates next year.
Pinstripe Bowl: Rutgers vs. Miami
2:15
I honestly think this will end up being a good game. I mean what’s not to like? OK there are probably a few things not to like, such as Mario Cristobal’s continued contract as head coach of the Miami football Hurricanes but I digress. It’s Rutgers football. In NYC. An old Big East matchup (I really wish the Big East was back…in football). I look forward to it, especially if there is some serious football weather that day.
Pop Tarts Bowl: #18 NC State vs. #25 Kansas State
5:45
OK so get this. The mascot for the new Pop Tarts Bowl is, of course, a Pop Tart. So far, so uninteresting. Then everything goes off the rails when we are told that this will be the first edible mascot ever and that the winning team gets to eat it. What? I mean, hey, it’s got me interested just to see what absurdity will unfold after what should be one of the better non-CFP/non-NY6 bowl games.
Alamo Bowl: #12 Oklahoma vs. #14 Arizona
9:15
Usually the Alamo Bowl gives us one of, if not the, best non-CFP/non-NY6 bowl matchups. This year is no exception. Oklahoma’s final ride in the Big XII before they head to the prosperous SEC. Jedd Fisch’s resurgent Arizona Wildcats who are looking to head to the Big XII next year with a lot of momentum. This feels like it will be a slobberknocker to quote good ol’ JR.
Friday December 29th
Gator Bowl: Kentucky vs. #22 Clemson
Noon
If Kentucky hadn’t beat Louisville I would have said this could end up being complete domination by the Tigers. It probably still will be but at least there feels like the Cats could have a fighting chance here.
Sun Bowl: #19 Oregon State vs. #16 Notre Dame
2:00
This game sold out in about an hour or so. And all because of a random draw. All the bowls left with ACC tie-ins wanted Notre Dame so I guess they did the whole coin toss thing they did in Friday Night Lights or a no holds barred cage fight or whatever the fuck they do to figure these things out. The Sun Bowl won out. So for the last time that they get a Pac-12 team, one of the oldest bowl games around got the one with one of the most rabid fanbases and then got them paired with Notre Dame, the team whose fans travel, arguably, the best. OK I changed my mind…this is the best non-CFP/non-NY6 matchup. I’m starting to feel like Bobby Heenan changing my pick all the time.
Liberty Bowl: Iowa State vs. Memphis
3:30
So Memphis is playing at home so this bowl game should have a great turnout. They will have to wait to get eyeballs on their game since the Sun Bowl will overlap the Liberty Bowl’s first half.
Cotton Bowl: #9 Missouri vs. #7 Ohio State
8:00
Quite the prove-it game for a team that some still don’t feel truly belong in the SEC. This is the type of big time bowl game that people expect the Buckeyes to be in but the Tigers, not so much. This will be a definite contrast of styles. Missouri’s run game with one of the best running backs in the country, Cody Schrader going up against the Ohio State passing attack led by Marvin Harrison Jr. The absence of Kyle McCord, as average as he could be at times, could play a role here.
Saturday December 30th
Peach Bowl: #11 Ole Miss vs. #10 Penn State
Noon
Interesting matchup. Fans were making a myriad of arguments as to why one of these teams shouldn’t be in the New Year’s Six. And then both make it and get paired up down in Atlanta. No matter how some fans feel, a potential Top 10 season should cut down on the hate for both teams’ head coaches. It won’t but it should.
Music City Bowl: Auburn vs. Maryland
2:00
Divisions in the Big Ten are going away. “Hooray” – Maryland. Washington, Oregon, USC and UCLA are joining the conference. “FUCK!” – Maryland. Hey Terps fans, look, it could be worse. You could be in the ACC, a conference that seems to be ready to join the Pac-12 in completely imploding.
Orange Bowl: #6 Georgia vs. #5 Florida State
4:00
My brief thoughts on the whole Florida State/College Football Playoff situation is this: The Committee have no plans for anything. Everything is a knee-jerk reaction. Want proof? They knew what they were heading towards. They were going to have to make a decision between a Jordan Travis-less Noles team and two of Texas, Georgia or Alabama, depending on the outcomes on conference championship weekend. So what did they do in the final CFP rankings before that weekend? Have FSU at #4. They could have moved Oregon ahead of them instead into the #4 spot but didn’t. It set everything up for the chaos that occurred during Selection Sunday. Deep down I don’t really care who made it but if The Committee were more transparent and thought about things for more than two minutes then the anger would have been reduced immensely. But no, they fucked up and now FSU fans have a right to be furious. Anyway, I hope this game is at least close because otherwise SEC fans and talking head morons like Paul Finebaum will never let anyone hear the end of it.
One note about this game: it will start on TSN1 at about 6:30. My guess is that it will be because of a World Juniors game being aired at the same time as the start of the Orange Bowl but who knows since the tournament is in Sweden.
Arizona Bowl: Wyoming vs. Toledo
4:00
Could this be an interesting game? Perhaps. Unfortunately, it will be overshadowed by two things: that this game is the first bowl game ever to appear on The CW and that it is sponsored by Barstool Sports. The game is also being called by Barstool personalities and seeing what it was like last year, they go overboard on certain things, especially the gambling aspect of college football. Not saying others don’t talk about it because they do but they beat you over the head with it all game. Oh well, you don’t have to watch if you don’t want to since the Orange Bowl is on at the exact same time (someone didn’t think this one through).
Monday January 1st
ReliaQuest Bowl: #13 LSU vs. Wisconsin
Noon
I have a feeling this game might not be that close. Wisconsin feels like a shell of Badger teams in the past. Then again, there have been crazier bowl results.
UPDATE: Looks like this bowl game is on TSN2 which is a bit surprising. This means no TSN+ and no specialty pack.
Fiesta Bowl: #8 Oregon vs. #23 Liberty
1:00
This could be an big-time shootout if Liberty can keep up. Nice to see Conference USA finally get into the New Year’s Six for the first time. All it took was for a program that many people do not like to jump up from the FCS and immediately become the conference favourite. Easy stuff. Look, I’m sure many players don’t care about what the leaders at Liberty are all about. Same as at BYU or Notre Dame or Baylor or any other university with a religious affiliation. They just want to play football. I think people forget that (or want to forget that).
UPDATE #2: This game will also appear on TSN 1, 4 and 5. It will start on TSN5 right at 1:00 and join in progress on the other three stations at about 3:30.
Citrus Bowl: #21 Tennessee vs. #17 Iowa
1:00
Thankfully Tennessee is in this game. Otherwise, this could smash the record that is repeatedly set by this year’s Iowa team for lowest over/under ever. Kirk Ferentz is desperately hoping for a 7-6 with a good ol’ Iowa touchdown (a field goal and two safeties).
Rose Bowl: #1 Michigan vs. #4 Alabama
5:00
Did Nick Saban do one of his best coaching jobs ever with this group? Yes. Yes he did. Should Michigan be allowed in the College Football Playoff? I’m sure there are many (SEC fans) who think that Michigan should have their entire football program shut down because “Michigan cheated.” Not that I disagree that Michigan cheated because it sure felt like they did but I am under the assumption that at least half the Power Five schools cheat in some manner. It’s college football: it’s never been squeaky clean. Ever. To think it was…well, you’re just wrong.
UPDATE #3: This will appear on TSN1, 4 and 5 as well. There will be an update sometime in the next few days to determine which feed appears where.
UPDATE #6: The entire game will appear on TSN1, 4 and 5.
Sugar Bowl: #2 Washington vs. #3 Texas
8:45
Will I watch this entire game? Abso-fucking-lutely. Will I be a bit tired at work the next day? Maybe. I wonder if I should just book a vacation day. “Hey Bossman, doing anything fun on your vacation day?” “Well I’m definitely not recovering from watching the Sugar Bowl, that’s for sure.” Then they’d look at me like I have six heads.
UPDATE #4: Same update as the Rose Bowl.
UPDATE #7: The entire game will appear on TSN1, 4, and 5.
Monday January 9th
College Football Playoff National Championship
8:00
At this point, this game isn’t appearing on the TSN schedule. Neither are the New Year’s Day ones although that might come as early as tomorrow. If it’s the same as last year then those are three stations it will appear on. Also, I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the special feeds goes to TSN+. Final game of the year (other than the wacky all-star games that are fun but not as exciting as the rest of the games). I will probably be wearing a frown when this game ends.
UPDATE #5: This game will also appear on TSN4. Determination of feed will probably happen closer to New Year’s Day.
Breakdown time!
TSN only (regular channels) – 22 games
TSN+ & specialty pack – 10 games
ABC & TSN – 6 games
ABC & TSN+ – 2 games
FOX – 1 game
CBS – 1 game
The CW – 1 game
TSN is showing EVERY bowl game. Every. Single. One. With a caveat. We are starting to see the TSN+ effect. TSN+ will have 12 of the bowl games, either paired with airing on ABC or paired with appearing on the specialty pack. This is the future. Get ready for it. And also get ready for a day when at least the college football portion of the specialty pack goes away since I think that day is coming as well.
Next up are the bowl game rankings and the NFL schedule post for the upcoming week. I am still going back and forth on whether I will do another post on how I would fix the postseason. It’s a bit tougher now that they have gone to a 12-team playoff but with less conferences. Expect at least (AT LEAST) seven Big Ten/SEC teams in every playoff going forward unless something wacky happens. That would leave, at most, the G-5 champ and two each from the ACC and Big XII. Sounds about right (unfortunately for many schools). Anyway, I will make the decision at some point over the next week or so. Enjoy the rest of your week everyone and get ready for the bowl games in THREE DAYS!
Look I will try to do better this time around OK? Hopefully I get someone in my top, say, five to actually win the damn thing. I think my predictions closely match other actual experts’ selections so at least if I look like a fool at the end of the season, they will too. At least that’s what I’m telling myself. On to the ballot!
My Heisman Ballot of Doom
Sam Darnold, USC – Sam-I-Am seems to be the consensus pick for the Heisman going into the season. I agree with that consensus. This also means that there is starting to be a bunch of HOT TAKES trickle in as to why Darnold won’t be the Heisman winner. That’s fine that everyone can have different opinions. What I balk at is when people make others feel stupid for agreeing that Darnold is the favourite going in. Because he is.
Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma – He came relatively close to winning the Heisman last year. OK, not really that close but he was in the mix. He tosses the ball for like eleventy billion yards so at least he will be exciting to watch. Much of his Heisman campaign will have to do with if the Big XII in general (and the Sooners in particular) can make the College Football Playoff this season with their new fancy conference championship game.
J.T. Barrett, Ohio State – It just feels like Barrett is in his like 8th year of eligibility. It’s about time he gets his due (as long as he can avoid injury). tOSU is going to be a contender all season which will keep Barrett in the spotlight enough to garner some Heisman attention.
Saquon Barkley, Penn State – It has been a while since a running back has won the Heisman. Barkley seems to the best pick out of a few running backs who have the acumen to do it. A lot rides on their team’s offense and the only way Barkley gets hurt in this race is if James Franklin decides that Trace McSorley needs to throw the ball more.
Bo Scarbrough, Alabama – As long as his injury (or whatever is ailing him at the moment) doesn’t cut into the season, Scarbrough should be the focal point of the Crimson Tide offense. Just like Barkley, Bo knows he stands a good chance for some Heisman hype as long as Evil Saban doesn’t decide Jalen Hurts needs to toss the ball around more. Less chance happening here than, say, at Penn State but still a possibility.
Deondre Francois, Florida State – I am still of the belief that the ACC teams (at least the top teams) will beat up on each other and no one will be in the CFP at the end of the season from the conference. That will affect Heisman voting (it almost always does). This is why I have Francois here and not higher up. He should be the ACC’s best player this year (even better than Lamar Jackson) but not being on a team contending for a national title will make things more difficult in this race.
Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State – Now here’s the guy who will get all the stats hype. He will throw for even more than eleventy billion yards and a shit-ton of touchdowns. For Rudolph to get some true Heisman hype, OSU will probably have to overcome Oklahoma twice: once in Bedlam, and once in the Big XII Championship Game (sponsored by Mountain Dew or some shitty-ass pop like that).
Darius Guice, LSU – LSU feels like a dark horse in general this season and Guice fits the dark horse Heisman candidate profile in particular. With Leonard Fournette gone, I believe many people will overlook Guice despite the fact the also had a great season last year. He could sneak up many people’s lists of he can look good in major games against Alabama, Auburn, and BYU to start the season.
Jake Browning, Washington – The Fighting Chris Pedersens will be good again. That much we know. The thing is they now have stiffer competition from Stanford and USC, not to mention a much-improved Oregon and an always-pesky Wazzu. I can see at least a couple of mediocre games from Browning that would prevent him from ascending to the Heisman throne (or at least getting an all-expenses-paid trip to NYC in December).
Lamar Jackson, Louisville – OK before you get pissed at me for putting Jackson this low, hear me out. This is not (I repeat, NOT) the whole “we can’t have a repeat Heisman winner” type of deal (except for, you know, Archie Griffin who didn’t deserve to win two in the first place but that’s a different kettle of fish). I can’t see Louisville getting to double digit victories and I don’t think the team itself will have as prolific an offense. Both of those things will keep Jackson from getting to the absurd heights he got through the first two-plus months of the season.
Honourable Mention
Jalen Hurts, Alabama
Josh Rosen, UCLA
Nick Fitzgerald, Mississippi State
Luke Falk, Washington State
Quinton Flowers, USF
Tanner Mangum, BYU
Josh Allen, Wyoming
Nick Chubb, Georgia
And there it is. I am hoping beyond hope that at least one of these eighteen names is announced as the Heisman winner in December. If not, I might just quit doing this post altogether.
Next up is the FIRST SCHEDULE POST OF THE YEAR!
That’s right Ric I’m excited as well. I am still (STILL!) looking for where Bell has hid the specialty pack since it was overwritten by regional CTV channels thanks to DAZN getting Sunday Ticket. What a mess. Hey, as long as it’s fixed by Saturday morning, that’s all I care about. I have put the first two games that I can see (both on CBS Sports Network) on the PVR so the start is in sight. Once I can get the specialty pack stuff on the PVR I will breathe a sigh of relief and know that we are ready to go for the season.
I still need to do an NFL preview of sorts. That will come next week as long as something unforeseen doesn’t happen. Football season is finally upon us. Let us all rejoice and then watch an unhealthy amount of football for the next four-and-a-half months.
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