Giving new meaning to the epithet Rose Queen...or queen in general...

Dusty Gibbs is crowned as the 96th Rose Queen for the Rose Parade next Tuesday. That's nice...name your daughter Dusty and she will end up turning Pasadena into a complete laughingstock [sic] of its own tradition by being crowned Rose Queen.

Does this scream FIX!!!!1111!!1!111/"I don't think that's a woman." or what!?

Contact: PASADENA TOURNAMENT OF ROSES ASSOCIATION Caryn Eaves or Vanessa Flores (626) 449-4100 Devon Gebhart (316) 371-1500 or ROSE QUEEN® DUSTY GIBBS CROWNED AT OFFICIAL CORONATION CEREMONY As Her First Official Act, Queen Dusty Joined Tournament of Roses President CL Keedy to Kick Off the Art-Inspired Roses on Parade Program PASADENA, Calif. (October 25, 2007) – The Pasadena Tournament of Roses crowned the 90th Rose Queen, Dusty Gibbs, today in an official Coronation ceremony at the Tournament House presented by Citizens Business Bank. As her first official act, Queen Dusty helped Tournament of Roses President CL Keedy unveil Roses on Parade, a new initiative designed to provide art for the public and funds to support art in Pasadena-area schools. “I can’t think of a better way for Dusty to begin her reign than by joining me on stage to usher in this exciting art program,” said CL Keedy. “Rose Parade floats are a unique American art form. Supporting art education for our children through Roses on Parade will help us foster their unique and creative talent and hopefully inspire the next generation of local artists.” Queen Dusty and the six Rose Princesses were selected from more than 1,100 Pasadena-area young women based upon a combination of qualities, including public speaking ability, poise, academic achievement and community involvement. Dusty is only the fourth Rose Queen to wear the recently designed crown made by Mikimoto featuring 10 white South Sea pearls, 632 Akoya pearls and 6.09 carats in diamonds set in sterling silver. The handmade crown is valued at $100,000. Each of the six Princess tiaras are valued at $45,000, bringing the total value of the crown and tiaras to $370,000. As an official ambassador of the Tournament of Roses, Queen Dusty, a 17-year-old Senior from Arcadia High School, will participate in approximately 100 community and media functions along with Rose Princesses Zena Brown, 18, Alverno High School; Chloe Ghoogassian, 17, Pasadena High School; Kelsey MacDougall, 17, La Cañada High School; Katie Merrill, 17, Pasadena High School; Courtney Rubin, 17, San Marino High School and Gaelen Stanford-Moore, 17, South Pasadena High School. Roses on Parade The Tournament of Roses launched Roses on Parade with the unveiling of the first rose in the collection by President CL Keedy and Queen Dusty. Sponsored by Citizens Business Bank and designed by local artist, Peter Adams, this rose will reside at Tournament House through New Year’s Day before moving to Citizens Business Bank in Pasadena. “We are so pleased to be sponsoring the first rose in this important initiative,” said Chris Myers, President and CEO, Citizens Business Bank. “Supporting art programs for our children is so very important and we encourage others to join us and build another beautiful rose garden for Pasadena.” The Tournament invited Southland sponsors to purchase the remaining 29 roses throughout 2008. Each sponsored rose will be 5’8”. Each rose will be painted by a different artist and displayed in a public area, creating a new rose garden throughout Pasadena. Sponsors will have the option of keeping their rose or submitting it to the cause to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. All of the roses will be brought together for one day to form a “new rose garden” at Tournament House next year during the Coronation ceremony. All proceeds will go through the Tournament of Roses Foundation. “As a long-time resident of Pasadena and as current President of the California Art Club, I am honored to be the first artist to paint a rose for the Tournament of Roses Foundation and support our children,” said Peter Adams. “I chose to pay honor to Pasadena’s commitment to the arts and sciences, and have created vignette paintings on the rose and its vase to pay tribute to many of Pasadena’s famed landmarks, cultural institutions and important creative minds.” In addition to the professionally painted roses, local students will be invited to promote their budding talent and paint smaller roses. The roses will be made available through the generosity of the John Hench Foundation and will also be auctioned off to support the arts. John Hench, a member of the Walt Disney Imagineering team and a member of the Disney creative team for 65 years, was passionate about art and animation and he wanted students of all ages to have an opportunity to learn these programs in the schools. The 119th Rose Parade themed Passport to the World’s Celebrations will take place Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008 at 8 a.m. (PST) featuring majestic floral floats, high-stepping equestrian units and spirited marching bands from throughout the nation. Following the Rose Parade, at 2:00 p.m. (PST), the 94th Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi will feature an exciting match up between two championship teams, showcasing the best of collegiate football. For additional information, please call (626) 449-ROSE, the 24-hour information hotline, or visit www.tournamentofroses.com.

© 2007 Pasadena Tournament of Roses tel:(626)449-4100 – fax:(626)449-9066 – Pasadena, CA 91184

Who is the first name of the next Rose Queen going to be next? Jake? Spike? Papillon!!?



Ohhhh, my head is spinning at a jizzillion Dean screams per minute. Someone get me tape and bandage me up Abiru-style. I have been mentally scarred to start the new year. Thanks a lot for taking away my interest, you Tournament of Roses bastards. And congratulations [sic] to Gibbsy, I guess.


Even though I am convinced that you are a guy in a girl's outfit. You lucky motherfucker...

Long Beach State..a top 500 university?

One of the most interesting things I stumbled on: Long Beach State ranked in the top 500.
From this site...

Ironically, I am watching FAU's win over Memphis in the New Orleans Bowl, as I am posting this.

Merry Christmas from the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue!

I am so stoked. I found out just today that my grade in IS 380 changed...drastically. Last Spring, my grade for the Database Management course was a D. This semester, I checked Beachboard for my final grade. At that point, I knew that I had a B in IS 445 (ASP.net) and a C in MGMT 425 (Business Strategy and Policy, the capstone course of the undergraduate path). So I clicked on IS 380 section under My Grades, and I saw that next to my grade, it had a letter "A". My voice was already spent from watching the women's basketball team defeat Washington State a few days ago.
I pumped my fist, and told my mom about the news. She was surprised. Actually, she told one of her friends that I already got the A...ahead of it being official. Originally, I wanted to retake the course to get another crack at the Semester Project. Turns out, not only did I get an 86-point turnaround, but the average for the final was a paltry 54 points. I got a 79. Normally, this would give me a B. However, thanks to the curve, I ended up getting the A anyway. That D will be stricken from the record. And that is with two more courses whose instructors have yet to give me their grades.

One of them is IS 484, the Electronic Commerce course. Now I am a bit worries about this, because I don't know if I kicked major butt on this final exam. I did very poor on the midterm and the quizzes. If I got a high score on the final, this has to be at least a C or higher, preferably a B. The other course that I have yet to get the final grade is MKTG 437, the Internet Marketing course. Even if I got a perfect on the Group Project, I still would be getting the B due to bombing the third midterm. It's similar to the IS 445 scenario, because even if I got a perfect on the final project there, I still would have a B due to not pulling my weight on the midterm.

If those two courses are indeed B grades, then I have a 3.0 for the semester, and at least a 3.1 GPA. I don't want to jinx myself, though, but I do know that one of the goals for this Final Push that I touted at the beginning of the semester had already been done.

I would like to take the time to wish you guys a happy holiday, season's greetings, and a prosperous new year.

BoBA 2007 Bowl Preview: Week 4

BoBA 2007 Bowl Preview: Week 4

As the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl gets ready to begin at the time this post goes to blog, I am going to go ahead and take a preview of the five big-money games that make up the Bowl Championship Series. All of the games save one will be on FOX. The main exception is the 2008 Rose Bowl, which will be covered by ABC (via ESPN).

And speaking of which, that is where I will start the final part of this 2007 Bowl Preview

ROSE
Presented by Citi

USC vs. Illinois
Pasadena, California
Tuesday, January 1, 4:30 PM EST (ABC)

In a season where USC turned into a national title also-ran, the Trojans salvaged their campaign by winning the Pac-10 title with a victory over UCLA in the Coliseum. Meanwhile, thanks to the BCS Selection Committee picking Big Ten Champion Ohio State to go to New Orleans to battle for the crystal football of legend, Illinois got the nod to represent the Big Ten in the Granddaddy Of Them All.

This might not be as sexy as the USC-Georgia matchup many hoped would occur, but don't sleep on this traditional Big Ten/Pac-10 matchup. I really like the twist we get with this Rose Bowl. This time, the Big Ten brings in the more exciting and explosive offense. Illinois' spread offense, led by QB Juice Williams, will be a great matchup with USC's great defense. The Trojans have the best set of linebackers in college football (Brian Cushing, Keith Rivers and Rey Maualuga), and they're all finally healthy for the first time this season. The last time USC faced a spread offense like this was against Oregon (with a healthy QB Dennis Dixon), and the Trojans lost 24-17 to the Ducks. I can't wait to see this defense against Illinois' top-ranked Big Ten rushing attack and the Big Ten's second-leading rusher, RB Rashard Mendenhall. In addition, WR Arrelious Benn gives the Illini balance in the passing game.
Illinois will have its hands full with the USC offense. The offensive line is finally healthy and the Illini haven't faced a tight end as big and as fast as Fred Davis (6-foot-4, 250 pounds). With the Trojans having just average wide receivers, Davis is the offensive MVP of USC (55 catches, 7 TDs) because he bails out QB John David Booty. Freshman RB Joe McKnight has come on lately and gives USC the fast, big-play guy it has lacked most of the season. The key to handling the Trojans is stopping Davis and McKnight -- not an easy thing to do. But the Illini already have pulled off one big upset this year (Ohio State). -- Rod Gilmore

The Tournament of Roses chose tradition (sorry, Georgia) over a better matchup. The Trojans won their third consecutive Jan. 1 trip up the 110 Freeway by getting healthy, especially thanks to quarterback John David Booty. USC should have the speed to contain Illinois junior quarterback Juice Williams, whose elusiveness confounded Ohio State.
-- Ivan Maisel

BoBA call for those darn Men of Troy taking care of something that is familiar to them.

BoBA predicts: USC 49, Illinois 28

ALLSTATE SUGAR

Hawaii vs. Georgia
New Orleans, Louisiana
Tuesday, January 1, 8:30 PM EST (FOX)

For Colt Brennan, June Jones, and Hawaii, this is a great opportunity for the Warriors to show that Boise State's breakthrough victory in last year's Tostitos Fiesta Bowl wasn't a fluke. Georgia will feel that they were shafted by the system, but this will be a great chance to show the committee why they deserved to be in the big show.

Hawaii should feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment: The Warriors completed their first 12-0 season, won the WAC championship and finished the season ranked No. 10 in the BCS standings. That said, Hawaii can't just be glad to make it to the Sugar Bowl. The Warriors are going to need to do some serious prep work to stop Georgia. The Dawgs aren't afraid of teams from the non-automatic BCS conferences; they ran up the score on Boise State 48-13 in their 2005 opener. That said, I think every team learned an important lesson from the Broncos' stunning win over Oklahoma last season.

Hawaii's best bet against Georgia will be to keep the Dawgs' offense off the field. Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno will give Hawaii's defense fits. The Warriors haven't faced as physically dominant an opponent all season. Hawaii's prolific quarterback, Colt Brennan, will be able to take advantage of Georgia's struggling pass defense. These teams match up really well, and this game should be a lot of fun to watch. There is certainly a David vs. Goliath aspect to this game, and it would be the perfect ending to an already perfect season if Hawaii pulled off the upset.

One thing all coaches worry about in bowl games is attention to detail, particularly on special teams. When Hawaii and Georgia meet, neither will have played a game in weeks. Watch to see whether the teams are rusty making open-field tackles and making mistakes in the kicking game.

-- Jim Donnan

There's no truth to the rumor that Georgia's players and coaches voted to play this game in Honolulu. The Bulldogs are one of the hottest teams in the country. They're also probably pretty hot under the collar that LSU passed them in the final BCS standings. The unbeaten Warriors and Colt Brennan get a chance to prove they're for real in only their second postseason game ever on the mainland.
-- Chris Low

I think Hawaii is going to fling the pigskin and brandish the Run-&-Shoot to near-perfection, while the defense give Knowshon Moreno no chance, and Matthew Stafford hosts an unexpected pick party. Warriors finish the season right.

BoBA predicts: Hawaii 38, Georgia 28

FedEX ORANGE

Kansas vs. Virginia Tech
Miami, Florida
Thursday, January 3, 8:00 PM EST (FOX)

Can it be sweet redemption for Todd Reesing? No matter what happens, for Kansas, this is the breakthrough season that has placed the Rock Chalk Jayhawks back on the college footbal map. Meanwhile, Senan Glennon, Tyrod Taylor, and the Virginia Tech Hokies are looking to put closure to a season that went off on the wrong foot long before it even started with the massacre of many a month ago.

This certainly isn't one of the strongest matchups of the BCS bowls -- in fact, there are non-BCS games that are more compelling than this game (the Holiday Bowl's Arizona State-Texas matchup comes to mind). Kansas will struggle to score against the fastest defense the Jayhawks will face this season. Virginia Tech's starting cornerbacks, Victor "Macho" Harris and Brandon Flowers, are arguably the best set of corners in the country and have the ability to control Kansas wide receivers Dexton Fields and Marcus Henry. I can't see how Kansas will run the ball against Virginia Tech.

Hokies LB Xavier Adibi has the speed to shadow QB Todd Reesing and keep him in the pocket, but he won't be safe there against the Virginia Tech pass rush. Kansas' best bet is to get stud cornerback/wide receiver Aqib Talib more offensive touches to create matchup problems for Virginia Tech. Otherwise, I don't see the Jayhawks moving the football consistently.

Offensively, the Hokies are playing much better now that they've settled into a comfortable two-quarterback system with Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor.

The bottom line is that Virginia Tech is too fast on both sides of the ball for Kansas.

-- Rod Gilmore

It might take more than two quarterbacks to match the balanced offense of this speedy Kansas team, which leads the Big 12 in scoring offense at 44.3 points per game. After an embarrassing loss to LSU in the second game of the season, this is a chance for the ACC champs to redeem themselves on the national stage.
-- Heather Dinich

I look for Mark Mangino and Todd Reesing to send the Jayhakws out with a win.

BoBA predicts: Kansas 42, Virginia Tech 31

TOSTITOS FIESTA

West Virginia vs. Oklahoma
Glendale, Arizona
Wednesday, January 2, 8:00 PM EST (FOX)

Well, the Sooners can take solace that they won't be facing Hawaii or Boise State. This will be a great chance to redeem themselves for their futility last year on the Statue of Liberty handoff play of death. Meanwhile, West Virginia is in a state of flux, with Patrick White injured, and Rich Rodriguez vamoosing off to Ann Arbor to take over for Lloyd Carr.

Now, Oklahoma can exhale. You just know the Sooners and their fans were praying, "Please, any team other than Hawaii." After playing the wicked stepsisters in last year's Cinderella Fiesta Bowl story with Boise State, Oklahoma didn't need to face another WAC team. Instead, the Sooners draw a West Virginia team that is reeling from blowing a chance to play in the BCS Championship Game.

This is a good matchup for Oklahoma. Although the Sooners have given up big plays in the passing game (ranked No. 68 in pass defense), they are very strong against the run (No. 8, 92 yards per game). Oklahoma isn't afraid to commit eight men to stop the run and has the speed to match West Virginia's triplets (QB Pat White, RB Steve Slaton and WR Darius Reynaud). West Virginia will have to make big plays in the passing game to beat Oklahoma.

Offensively, Oklahoma's offensive line will have a size and strength advantage over West Virginia's smaller 3-3-5 stack defense. The Mountaineers have played solid run defense (108 yds/game), but they haven't faced a rushing attack like Oklahoma's that is complemented by a solid passing attack. WVU handled a good Rutgers team by keying on Ray Rice, but Oklahoma has many more weapons: tailback Allen Patrick, QB Sam Bradford, RB Chris Brown, and receivers Juaquin Iglesias and Malcolm Kelly.

The wild card in this deal is West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez. He has pulled off big upsets before (including beating Georgia in the 2005 Sugar Bowl) and usually comes up with a tweak to his run-oriented spread option that throws the opposition for a loop. Maybe he'll open the game with a trick play a la Boise State just to give Oklahoma a flashback to last year.
-- Rod Gilmore

The Sooners are coming off a 38-17 rout of then-No. 1 Missouri and are playing as well as any team in the country. The Mountaineers must recover from a 13-9 loss to unranked Pittsburgh that knocked West Virginia out of the BCS Championship Game. The Mountaineers will have to slow down tailbacks Allen Patrick and Chris Brown, and must get more from tailback Steve Slaton on offense.
-- Mark Schlabach

The Sooners will finish off the Moutaineers in convincing fashion.

BoBA predicts: Oklahoma 40, West Virginia 14

BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

#1 Ohio State vs. #2 LSU
New Orleans, Louisiana
Tuesday, January 7, 8:00 PM EST (FOX)

For both the Buckeyes and the Tigers, it's been there, won that. Enough said. Set your VCRs, bring your friends, and have plenty of food to go around, this will be a classic to remember.

The BCS Championship Game is as close to a home game for LSU as it gets. The crowd definitely will be an advantage for the Tigers, but Ohio State is no stranger to big games. The Buckeyes will need a quick start to take the crowd out of the game. Ohio State's is extremely physical up front and should test the Tigers. Look for running back Chris "Beanie" Wells to establish his power game early and open up the passing game for quarterback Todd Boeckman.

As LSU proved in the SEC championship game, the Tigers have two talented quarterbacks to choose from. Senior Matt Flynn, who was held out of the game with an injury, gives LSU more of a traditional passing attack and a veteran leader under center. Sophomore Ryan Perrilloux is more of a scrambling quarterback. Although Flynn most likely will start, the Buckeyes' defense will have to prepare for both.

For Ohio State, this is a chance to avenge its title game rout by Florida in 2006. Getting back to the game so quickly is really a credit to Jim Tressel and his team. There is no doubt the Buckeyes will be ready to go on Jan. 7. For Les Miles, nothing less than a trip to the championship game will do for hungry Tigers fans, and to accomplish that lofty goal in just his third year is impressive.

-- Jim Donnan

If you like defense, you like Ohio State, which allowed only two rushing touchdowns all season. The Tigers' quarterbacks -- Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux -- can move around, the kind of a player that has been a problem for the Buckeyes. Both teams have a penchant for winning close games, which bodes well for a game that might have trouble generating excitement over the next month.
-- Ivan Maisel

Most people are looking for LSU to take this one. Poppycock. The Ohio State Buckeyes can play Carmen loud and proud, for Jim Tressel will be adding another crystal football of legend to his collection down in Columbus.

BoBA Predicts: Ohio State 42, LSU 35

The return of an all too familiar set of faces...

...was something the locals couldn't pass up.

East coast bias!? What east coast bias?

My name is Dervish. Whirling Dervish. And I have some news that is past due for those suffering from the jibjabs down in Bristol, Connecticut.

From the AP...

ESPN set to add West Coast
facility

By Greg Johnson
Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES — West Coast fans who have long suspected an East Coast bias
from Bristol, Conn.-based ESPN can begin to rest easier, because the cable
sports giant is on track to open by spring 2009 a full-fledged broadcast
production facility across from Staples Center.
The five-story ESPN building
that is taking shape will house an ESPN Zone restaurant on the first two floors
and two television production studios with digital control rooms on upper
floors. One studio will become home for the late-night edition of its signature
"SportsCenter" that now is produced on the busy Bristol campus. ESPN also will
house its 710 AM radio station studios next door in an office building now under
construction.
"The scope of this project makes sense on a lot of different
levels," said ESPN President George W. Bodenheimer, who was in town last week.
"And, frankly, having toured it today, I feel very good about our decision to
come out here."
Bodenheimer declined to state the cost of the new building.
But, during a groundbreaking two years ago for the entertainment district that
will surround Staples Center, television industry insiders speculated that the
building would cost ESPN about $100 million.
One broadcast industry engineer
recently estimated the cost of digital technology for the West Coast television
studio at between $35 million and $45 million, with related construction costs
of about $20 million — not including the restaurant, which will open late next
year.
ESPN executives are still wrestling with how to introduce fans to a
bicoastal "SportsCenter," with early shows originating in Bristol and the late
edition coming from L.A. The network regularly incorporates feeds from studios
in New York City, Washington and Charlotte, N.C., but the show's hosts always
have been in Bristol.
ESPN hopes to make the switch in a manner that won't
confuse viewers. For example, there's a good chance that the two studios will be
identical in appearance, and ESPN must decide if broadcasts will be regularly
labeled as "live from Los Angeles."
The network that reaches about 94
million U.S. homes has yet to announce what other programming will originate in
the new facility. But one studio is large enough to accommodate a studio
audience, and Bodenheimer said the L.A. facility "can only mean good things for
ESPN Deportes," the network's Spanish-language channel.
ESPN's television,
radio and Internet operations will have about 100 employees here when the
facility opens, according to Bob Eaton, ESPN's former managing editor who is
overseeing the project as a consultant.
Perhaps the most unusual need? Extra
insulation.
"For street noise," Eaton said, "which we don't have in
Bristol."
He also said the technology that is being added "seems to change
overnight" as digital advances occur. Beyond the studios, which are now little
more than big (7,500 and 5,000 square feet, respectively) empty rooms, the upper
floors will have more than half a dozen editing bays where crews will piece
together video and audio clips.
There also will be a newsroom that will
house reporters, editors and others who feed the never-ending demand for instant
updates and analysis.
As for the larger studio with room for an audience,
Eaton said ESPN isn't sure it would produce such a show, but "it's better to be
forward-thinking at this stage."
On the day of the tour, crews were working
on the massive air-conditioning ducts, which will counter the heat generated by
the studio lighting and wealth of electronic equipment. The walls have yet to be
installed, though conduits are in place for the miles of wiring that are needed.
While ESPN's headquarters will remain firmly rooted in Bristol, Bodenheimer
said, "We'll be moving some of our highest-potential folks out here."
The
network also expects to leverage its proximity to Hollywood to create its own
entertainment offerings.
The new studio and restaurant mark the latest in a
series of collaborations involving ESPN, a subsidiary of Burbank-based Walt
Disney Group, and AEG, which owns and operates Staples Center and theaters and
arenas in the U.S. and overseas.
Next summer, ESPN will move its ESPY Awards
show into the neighboring Nokia Theatre, which AEG recently opened. ESPN also
holds its Summer X Games in Staples Center and at the Home Depot Center.
The
new broadcast facility is expected to shorten the workday for some in Bristol,
where crews now staff the overnight shifts that are necessary to keep ESPN's
sports programming fresh. The West Coast facility will be linked to the Bristol
studios by digital pipelines that promise to give L.A.-based staffers almost
immediate access to content now stored at the headquarters, Eaton
said.

Cue the Hallelujah chorus.

The Rice Bowl 2008 matchup

On a weekend which saw plenty of American football championships contested (congratulations Carroll, Wisconsin-Whitewater, Valdosta State, Jackson State, and Appalachian State), there were a couple of championships going on in Japan. The Rice Bowl, on January 3, 2008, will feature the Matsushita Electric Impulse of the X-League and the Kwansei Gakuin Fighters, one of Japan's most storied college teams.

Kwansei wins Koshien Bowl

OSAKA (Kyodo) Running back Shota Yokoyama scored a touchdown in the dying seconds as Kwansei Gakuin University beat Nihon University 41-38 in the Koshien
Bowl collegiate championship on Sunday. Kwansei won its 23rd Koshien Bowl title
and first in six years after Yokoyama's 1-yard dive turned a four-point deficit
into a 40-38 lead with three seconds left in the fourth quarter and a Fumitaka
Onishi conversion capped the scoring in the seesaw contest. Kwansei took a 27-17
lead 4:49 into the fourth quarter following a pair of touchdowns by Yokoyama and
one from wide receiver Kisei Sakakibara coupled with Onishi's two field goals
and conversions. Nihon University struck back to go ahead 31-27 and 38-34, only
to allow Kwansei to start a drive that rolled to four consecutive first downs in
the last series of the game at Nagai Stadium. The winner of the annual matchup,
which features the winners of the Kanto and Kansai collegiate leagues, will face
the champion of the X League made up of corporate and club teams at the Rice
Bowl on Jan. 3. Kwansei quarterback Kazuta Mihara was named the MVP of the
Koshien Bowl as well as the 2007 collegiate league season.

Impulse power to X Bowl victory
Ken Marantz / Daily Yomiuri
Sportswriter

Tetsuo Takata renewed his college connections to score his first big title in Japan's corporate league.
Takata passed for two touchdowns and the Matsushita Electric Impulse took advantage of five turnovers in powering to a 33-13 victory over the Fujitsu Frontiers in the Japan X Bowl on Monday night at Tokyo Dome.
"I thought it was going to be a tough game, but we were able to score first and things went our way from there," Matsushita coach Hirokazu Murakami said.
With its record sixth X-League title, the Impulse earned a place in the Rice Bowl on Jan. 3, when they will face collegiate champion Kwansei Gakuin University for the national title.
Before a crowd of 17,629, Masahiro Ishino scored on a 1-yard touchdown run and Masahiro Ota kicked four field goals as the Impulse won their first title since 2004 and broke a tie for most ever that they had shared with the Asahi Beer Silver Star.
Matsushita, which won its eighth straight West Division title this season, scored on its first possession en route to a 17-6 first-quarter lead that swelled to 27-6 by halftime.
"In the first half, we got the ball in good field position and were able to convert it into scores," said Takata, who was named the game's MVP after completing 19 of 30 passes for 253 yards with one interception.
Unlike in its semifinal victory over the Obic Seagulls, when the Impulse blew a 17-point fourth-quarter lead before winning 29-26 in overtime, there would be no letting the Frontiers come back.
"In the last game, we lost a 17-point lead and we didn't want that to happen again," Murakami said.
Helping assure that was linebacker Kentaro Azuma, who capped his selection to the All X-League Team by forcing two fumbles--both of which were converted into points--and had a team-high 6-1/2 tackles and one sack.
"Play by play, our defense stood tough," Azuma said. "Our aim was to force three turnovers. That the fumbles both led to points was really good."
It looked like it might be a long day for the defense when Fujitsu, looking for its first-ever title, moved the ball easily on its first possession, only to end up with a missed field goal. The Frontiers, running out of the shotgun, at times employed an unusual formation in which the entire interior line set up to one side of the center.
"They had some formations we had never seen," Azuma said. "But after the first series, we made some adjustments and we able to respond to whatever they came up with."
A combination of the pressure from the Impulse defense and rookie jitters got to Fujitsu quarterback Akihiro Izuhara, who completed 13 of 27 passes for 118 yards and one touchdown but had three interceptions.
"He's a rookie and we thought to be aggressive and not let him settle down, to make him rush things," Azuma said.
Takata, who led Ritsumeikan University to victory in the 2004 Rice Bowl, hooked up for touchdowns with fellow alumni Shinji Shimokawa and Shoei Hasegawa, who caught seven passes for 101 yards.
Takata combined with Shimokawa on a 12-yard TD strike to cap a nine-play, 80-yard drive on Matsushita's first possession.
After Fujitsu's Koji Yoneyama fumbled the ensuing kickoff, the Impulse needed five plays--including three from inside the 2-yard line--before Ishino, stiff-arming his way out of a tackle in the backfield, went in from the 1.
Yoneyama made up for his miscue a short time later, following a 41-yard field goal by Ota by taking the kickoff 90 yards for a score to end the first quarter.
Matsushita was hardly shaken, marching 81 yards in 11 plays in its next drive, with Takata hitting a wide open Hasegawa with a 30-yard touchdown toss to make it 24-6.
The key play came after Takata was sacked twice and Matsushita faced third-and-21 from its own 45. But Takata calmly hit Hasegawa with 24-yard strike to keep the drive alive.
At the start of the second half, Matsushita finally gave Fujitsu a break when Shinsuke Kashino fumbled away the opening kickoff, giving the Frontiers the ball on the Impulse 31.
Two plays later, Izuhara connected with tight end Yuji Oya on a 26-yard touchdown pass to cut the gap to 27-13.
Fujitsu, which made the playoffs for the first time since 2002, was playing in the title game for just the second time in its history. The Frontiers made the 2002 final, but lost to the Obic Seagulls 14-7.
In the Rice Bowl, Matsushita will be aiming for its third title. The Impulse previously won in 1995 and 2005.
(Dec. 18, 2007)

Here is the current history of the Rice Bowl thus far, courtesy of Wikipedia.

January 3, 1984 Kyoto University Gangsters 29-28 Renown Rovers
January 3, 1985 Nihon University Phoenix 53-21 Renown Rovers
January 3, 1986 Renown Rovers 45-42 Kwansei Gakuin University Fighters
January 3, 1987 Kyoto University Gangsters 35-34 Renown Rovers
January 3, 1988 Kyoto University Gangsters 42-8 Renown Rovers
January 3, 1989 Nihon University Phoenix 47-7 Renown Rovers
January 3, 1990 Nihon University Phoenix 42-14 Asahi Beer Silver Star
January 3, 1991 Nihon University Phoenix 35-13 Matsushita Denko Impulse
January 3, 1992 Onward Oarks 28-6 Kwansei Gakuin University Fighters
January 3, 1993 Asahi Beer Silver Star 29-20 Kyoto University Gangsters
January 3, 1994 Asahi Beer Silver Star 28-23 Kwansei Gakuin University Fighters
January 3, 1995 Matsushita Denko Impulse 16-14 Ritsumeikan University Panthers
January 3, 1996 Kyoto University Gangsters 35-21 Matsushita Denko Impulse
January 3, 1997 Recruit Seagulls 19-16 Kyoto University Gangsters
January 3, 1998 Kajima Deers 39-0 Hosei University Tomahawks
January 3, 1999 Recruit Seagulls 30-16 Ritsumeikan University Panthers
January 3, 2000 Asahi Beer Silver Star 33-17 Kwansei Gakuin University Fighters
January 3, 2001 Asahi Soft Drink Challengers 52-13 Hosei University Tomahawks
January 3, 2002 Kwansei Gakuin University Fighters 30-27 Asahi Soft Drink Challengers
January 3, 2003 Ritsumeikan University Panthers 36-16 Recruit Seagulls　
January 3, 2004 Ritsumeikan University Panthers 28-16 Onward Skylarks
January 3, 2005 Matsushita Denko Impulse 26-7 Ritsumeikan University Panthers
January 3, 2006 Obic Seagulls 47-17 Hosei University Tomahawks
January 3, 2007 Onward Skylarks 30-29 Hosei University Tomahawks

Kwansei Gakuin have won the Rice Bowl once, in 2002, while Matsushita has already won this twice, their most recent victory in 2005. The X-League currently leads in the all-time series of the January 3 classic, 13-11.

My university's buyback system sucks. FACT.

I gotta coerce my mom into providing a box to send a couple of books down to Beaverton, Oregon.

With a couple of classes down (one of them pending completion of the final), I try to sell a couple of my books back to the bookstore, only to find out that they have been turned back. I have yet to complete my transaction with cash4books.com, but it is clear that these turds who do the buyback stuff let me down. TWICE. In a row. Dating back to the beginning of the semester.

If I was Saint Peter, I would deny them access to the pearly gates, and instead send them to Satan's fun house of double hellraisers with cheese. Bloody underpaid failures. I may have to send all my books I purchased down to cash4books.com, but that's only if they approve what I sent them. And that's pending final approval from the man and woman of the BoBA house.

It's these things that can get on my bad side. Fast.

------

With that already out of the way, I like my chances of getting a grade better than a D in IS 380. The reason I went out of my way to retake the class was the semester project. In the Spring of 2007, I took this same class, with the same instructor. In the semester project, a project in which you have to create all these programs using Oracle database, I got a paltry 5 out of 100. I didn't take the time to work on this, and from the start, the program failed. Because of that, I got a D in the class. That was the first D I ever had.

Fast forward to December 2007 (this month). I sent an e-mail to Sophie Lee, my instructor, regarding my semester project. In spite of a few problems with the code (two of the same phone number, and forgetting the in one program, etc.), the programs worked without any error messages. When I received the response, she told me: "JR, you got a 91 out of 100 on the project. Hope this helps."

I think she didn't need to mention that last statement. It was 91 points out of 100. It wasn't the perfect score I was hoping for, but it was still an A. That was an 86-point change. As I got on campus to prepare for my final, I knew that the days of having that D on my transcript in IS 380 would be numbered.

---

Later in my blog, I will wrap up the Bowl Preview with a look at the big-money bowls: the Bowl Championship Series, and the national championship game.

BoBA 2007 Bowl Preview: Week 3

BoBA 2007 Bowl Preview: Week 3

In this part of the BoBA 2007 Bowl Preview, we take a look at the teams that will be facing each other in the non-BCS bowl games from January 1 onward, as well as my picks for the games.

OUTBACK

Wisconsin vs. Tennessee
Tampa, Fla.
Tuesday, Jan. 1 (ABC, 11:00 AM EST)

One of the more tastier bowls (not just the name, but also the opponents in it), this year's edition of the Outback Bowl features two resurging teams that have young talent for the future.


The Volunteers won close and lost big, and senior quarterback Erik Ainge's guile had to make up for a lot of mistakes by a young defense. But the Vols kept improving and won the SEC East. The Badgers finished sixth in the Big Ten in points (30.5) and points allowed (23.3) but fourth in the league. They, like the Vols, are young. Sophomore Shane Carter (seven picks) is a budding defensive star.
-- Ivan Maisel

In a strong contest like this, I look for surprises at every corner. I like Wisconsin to pull off a stunning performance and trump the Volunteers at Raymond James Stadium.

BoBA predicts: Wisconsin 38, Tennessee 28

AT&T COTTON

Missouri vs. Arkansas
Dallas, Tex.
Tuesday, Jan 1 (Fox, 11:30 AM EST)

This year's Cotton Bowl showcases a couple of Heisman finalists: Missouri's Chase Daniel and Arkansas's Darren McFadden. It will be the pass for the Tigers, against the Razorbacks' rushing attack and Wild Hog formation. For Arkansas, the arrival of Bobby Petrino, who has flown the coop in Atlanta to call out the Hogs, effectively alienating the Falcon naton, has put the team from Fayetteville in a state of flux.

For the first time since the 1997 season, Houston Nutt won't be on the Arkansas sideline. He bid adieu to "Hog Heaven" and took the job at Ole Miss a day later. The Razorbacks still have the best player in the country in junior tailback Darren McFadden, who's always worth the price of admission. You wonder how excited Missouri will be after going from No. 1 to being left out of the BCS bowls.
-- Chris Low

McFadden will have his numbers, but Chase Daniel will savor avenging the fact that he finished two spots behind Darren in the voting with a stellar aerial assault under head coach Gary Pinkel.

BoBA predicts: Missouri 59, Arkansas 35

CAPITAL ONE

Florida vs. Michigan
Orlando, Fla.
Tuesday, Jan. 1 (ABC, 1:00 PM EST)

This is a great opportunity for Tim Tebow to prove why he deserved the Heisman Trophy this year. Meanwhile, credit should go to Michigan, who, after being humbled by Appalachian State (who at the time this is going to blog is facing Delaware for the Division I FCS national championship in Chattanooga) and Oregon, to rebound and go bowling once again, at the expense of Lloyd Carr riding off into the sunset.

The defending national champion Gators and the Wolverines have met only one other time, with Michigan winning 38-30 in the Outback Bowl after the 2002 season. The Gators are led by Heisman Trophy hopeful Tim Tebow, who has run for 22 touchdowns and passed for 29. The Wolverines opened and closed the season with consecutive losses.
-- Mark Schlabach

Florida is going to slice and dice the Wolverines in this one.

BoBA predicts: Florida 49, Michigan 21

KONICA MINOLTA GATOR

Virginia vs. Texas Tech
Jacksonville, Fla.
Tuesday, Jan. 1 (CBS, 1:00 PM EST)

The Red Raiders come into Jacksonville with Mike Leach's Air Raid offense and showcase signal-caller Graham Harrell. However, they face a vaunted Virginia defense led by Chris Long, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Howie Long.

The Cavaliers squeaked out enough wins to earn Al Groh the ACC Coach of the Year award and a contract extension, but nobody in the ACC put up the kind of offensive numbers Texas Tech did (41.8 points per game). The one thing Virginia's Chris Long-led defense won't have to worry about is stopping the run.
-- Heather Dinich

Defense wins championships. And the Wahoos will stand testament to that.

BoBA predicts: Virginia 34, Texas Tech 28

INTERNATIONAL

Ball State vs. Rutgers
Toronto, Ont.
Saturday, Jan. 5 (ESPN2, 12:00 PM EST)

It's a battle between one of the players behind Rutgers's resurgence, and a quarterback under the radar from the Mid-American conference. Ray Rice vs. Nate Davis. Can the Cardinals pull off one of the biggest wins in the recent history of its progam?

Rutgers (7-5, 3-4) started this season near the top and plummeted straight to, well, Canada. In its second year of existence, the Toronto-based bowl will feature standout running back Ray Rice and the Big East's best pass defense against silently successful quarterback Nate Davis (3,376 yards and 27 touchdowns).
-- Heather Dinich

BoBA says no.

BoBA predicts: Rutgers 42, Ball State 17

GMAC

Tulsa vs. Bowling Green
Mobile, Ala.
Sunday, Jan. 6 (ESPN, 8:00 PM EST)

Another aerial showcase that will brings the fireworks from every corner of the field. Tulsa's Paul Smith faces Bowling Green's Tyler Sheehan in a match in Alabama that will make for a nice final appetizer to the BCS National Championship.


You might want to loosen up the old necktie for this one. Tulsa quarterback Paul Smith throws it all over the park and -- with 4,753 passing yards and 42 touchdowns -- is behind only Texas Tech's Graham Harrell nationally. His counterpart, Tyler Sheehan, has thrown for 3,123 yards and 23 touchdowns for Bowling Green, which is making its third bowl trip in the past five years.
-- Chris Low

I look for the Falcons to stun Tulsa through a balanced attack and a complete shutdown of the Golden Hurricane's gunslinger here.

BoBA predicts: Bowling Green 56, Tulsa 35

On the tough times in Atlanta and lucky pennies

On the tough times in Atlanta and lucky pennies

As if things weren't any worse for the Falcons, after Michael Vick got 23 months in prison for dogfighting, head coach Bobby Petrino leaves town on a midnight plane for Fayetteville to be the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks. The players and owners watch Petrino smiling and calling out the Hogs, and don't have anything other than "Traitor," Coward," "Unmanly queef," "Cancer," "Abuser," and what have you to say on national television.

On a poll by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, over 60% say that it's Petrino's fault for this whole mess. However, there are nearly a quarter of voters who say that the whole organization should be blamed. I agree with them. In defense of Petrino, owner Arthur Blank, general manager Rich McKay, and the players should also clain responsibility.

* Blank and McKay should have known about what Petrino did just to be the head coach of the Falcons. At Louisville, he duped the administration, and the school, and the players into thinking that he will be their coach. Now they understand how it feels to have been duped at Louisville. And the people and Arkansas should have known the bigger picture, and they will be the next ones to be duped. Watch.

* The players should have embraced Petrino more. When you're not winning, and there is no chemistry, you have to rally around your coach. But they weren't winning, and they weren't delivering. It probably was better for Petrino to leave than to have to go the distance and face the music. They say that no one should question your fanhood. Shouldn't it be the same in terms of questioning your manhood? Mike Gundy, send help!

This team HAS hit rock bottom. Mark Bradley of the AJC is not lying. And they will be in flux for while. Enjoy breaking out the brown bags, Falcons fans. And while you're at it, bring a dakimakura.

---

I love picking up pennies.

On the bus, or on the sidewalk, I see a penny, and I pick it up. Once I pick it up, I think, "Oh. Something good might happen today." On rare occasion it could be a nickel, dime, or quarter. But that's because it fell off my wallet or pockets. But when I pick up a penny, I know something good is going to happen. Maybe not today, but somewhere down the road.

---

BoBA 2007 Bowl Preview: Week 2

BoBA 2007 Bowl Preview: Week 2

In this part of the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue Bowl Preview, I break down the second week on non-BCS bowl action, featuring games from December 28 to 31. Okay, so it isn't a full week, but this will allow Week 3 to focus on the January non-BCS bowls, with Week 4 focusing on the BCS bowls. Here we have some of the more tantalizing matchups. Enjoy.

CHAMPS SPORTS

Boston College vs. Michigan State
Orlando, Fla.
Friday, Dec. 28 (ESPN, 5 ET)

Matty Ice...that's the nickname bestowed on Eagles QB Matt Ryan. After a Heisman campaign that just went south in a hurry, Ryan is looking to finish off a disappointing year with a solid outing in Orlando against the Michigan State Spartans.

The Spartans will be supercharged for their first bowl appearance since 2003, but for the Eagles, who thought they'd be in the Orange Bowl, it's more of a consolation prize. First-year Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio led his team to an eighth-place finish in the Big Ten. His Spartans will face Matt Ryan, the top quarterback in the ACC.
-- Heather Dinich

I am seeing this as a big Eagles victory, though Sparty is looking to capitalizing on a revitalized year under Mark Dantonio.

BoBA predicts: Boston College 38, Michigan State 28

TEXAS

TCU vs. Houston
Houston
Friday, Dec. 28 (NFL Network, 8 ET)

It wouldn't be the Texas Bowl without two teams from Texas duking out in Texas. It's only proper. But with Art Briles heading off to Waco to take over for Guy Morris at Baylor, the Cougars are in a state of transition against the always consistent Horned Frogs.

Houston is looking for a coach after Art Briles left for Baylor. He led the Cougars to four bowl games in five seasons but isn't expected to coach against the Horned Frogs. TCU had grand visions of a BCS bowl game in the preseason, but finished 7-5. The Horned Frogs beat UNLV and San Diego State in their last two games to become bowl eligible.
-- Mark Schlabach

This game will be hosted on NFL Network. I am looking for Texas Christian to make the Mountain West proud here.

BoBA predicts: TCU 24, Houston 21

EMERALD

Maryland vs. Oregon State
San Francisco
Friday, Dec. 28 (ESPN, 8:30 ET)

The Oregon State Beavers will come into the City by the Bay on an emotional high after winning the Civil War over the Dennis Dixon-less Ducks. Meanwhile, a schizophrenic season for Ralph Friedgen's Terrapis have them flying to the other side of the country looking for answers.

The Terps' reward for beating two top-10 teams this season? A mediocre finish and a trip to San Francisco to face the No. 3 team in the Pac-10. The Beavers will have an edge staying on the West Coast, but Maryland has a chance -- depending which side of its split personality shows up.
-- Heather Dinich

The power of coast advantage, plus momentum, has the Beavers taking this one.

BoBA predicts: Oregon State 41, Maryland, 20

MEINEKE CAR CARE

Connecticut vs. Wake Forest
Charlotte
Saturday, Dec. 29 (ESPN, 1:00 ET)

Here is a tasty Big East-ACC matchup. Randy Edsall vs. Jim Grobe. A co-Big East champion against an Atlantic Coast also-ran. It will go down to who wants it more. When it comes to a non-BCS bowl featuring BCS teams, this is what defines them.

UConn coach Randy Edsall and Wake coach Jim Grobe both beat Duke, and somehow they both managed to lose 17-16 to Virginia. The Deacs, playing roughly 80 miles from their home turf, should bring a strong crowd, but can quarterback Riley Skinner beat the Big East co-champions a second straight year?
-- Heather Dinich

This is a huge opportunity for UConn to exact some payback, after losing to Riley Skinner and the Demon Deacons last year. BoBA predicts that redemption will be granted in an ambush in the Tar Heel State.

BoBA predicts: Connecticut 38, Wake Forest 35 (OT)


AUTOZONE LIBERTY

Mississippi State vs. Central Florida
Memphis
Saturday, Dec. 29 (ESPN, 4:30 ET)

Sylvester Croom, like Mark Dantonio, is just happy that his team is going bowling, at the expense of Ed Orgeron's Rebels in the Egg Bowl. Meanwhile, under George O'Leary, the Conference USA Knights are looking to flex their muscles against one of the SEC's rising teams.

Trivia question: Who leads the country in rushing? You'll get to see him in the Liberty Bowl, and Mississippi State is next in line to try to stop him. Central Florida junior tailback Kevin Smith has rushed for 2,448 yards and 29 touchdowns. Sylvester Croom has worked wonders in turning around Mississippi State's program. He ought to be a lock for SEC Coach of the Year honors.
-- Chris Low

I am looking at UCF getting the job done. Kevin Smith will run rings around the Bulldog defense.

BoBA predicts: Central Florida 45, Mississippi State 38


VALERO ALAMO

Texas A&M vs. Penn State
San Antonio
Saturday, Dec. 29 (ESPN, 8:00 ET)

Joe Paterno makes another bowling round, as he has done for just about every year as the Nittany Lions coach. Meanwhile, the Aggies, who have made a head coaching change in Mike Sherman, have home field advantage, but with the team in transition despite a victory in the Lone Star Showdown, how will A&M adjust against Penn State?

Penn State's Joe Paterno will be coaching in his 500th game; Texas A&M's Gary Darnell will be coaching in his first as the Aggies' interim coach. Darnell, the team's defensive coordinator, replaces Dennis Franchione, who resigned after upsetting rival Texas in the regular-season finale. Penn State shut out the Aggies 24-0 in the 1999 Alamo Bowl.
-- Mark Schlabach

Lighting will strike twice here. Penn State will take this one.

BoBA predicts: Penn State 40, Texas A&M 35

PETROSUN INDEPENDENCE

Colorado vs. Alabama
Shreveport
Sunday, Dec. 30 (ESPN, 8:00 ET)

Every bowl features different storylines. In this bowl, the storylines couldn't be any more similar. Both teams are coming off emotional lows. Alabama was embarrassed by Louisiana-Monroe a few weeks ago, while the Buffaloes under Dan Hawkins had a season marked by blowout losses to Iowa State and Kansas State. And both teams only had one big win to note (Alabama over Tennessee, while Colorado defeated Oklahoma).

Alabama and its $4 million man, Nick Saban, went from overachiever to underachiever after an impressive 41-17 win over Tennessee on Oct. 20. The Crimson Tide never won again, including an inexcusable loss to Louisiana-Monroe two weeks ago. Which Colorado team is going to show up: the one that beat Oklahoma and played Kansas close, or the one that lost to Iowa State and gave up 47 points to Kansas State in a blowout loss?
-- Chris Low

Given the eventual outcome of the opponents mentioned...CU must win.

BoBA predicts: Colorado 31, Alabama 10

BELL HELICOPTER ARMED FORCES

Air Force vs. California
Fort Worth
Monday, Dec. 31 (ESPN, 12:30 ET)

Exit Fisher DeBerry, enter Troy Calhoun and an Air Force side rediscovering the winning edge they lost the past few years. For Jeff Tedford, the moods couldn't be any more somber. After losing six of their last seven games (the exception being a successful defense of the Stanford Axe against the Cardinal), a loss to the Falcons and Tedford will be on the hot seat.

Air Force plays in its first bowl in five years thanks to a revitalized offense under first-year coach Troy Calhoun. Sophomore Chad Hall blossomed in the second half of the season and leads the MWC with 1,415 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Falcons want to be in Fort Worth, and then there are the Bears, who lost six of their final seven games. Motivation might be a problem there.
-- Ivan Maisel

Air Force feasts on bowls that have a military touch to it, and saluter their fellow soldiers overseas. You can bet that the Falcons will be ready for this one.

BoBA predicts: Air Force 42, California 28

ROADY'S TRUCK STOPS HUMANITARIAN

Fresno State vs. Georgia Tech
Boise
Monday, Dec. 31 (ESPN2, 2:00 ET)

With Hawaii heading to the Sugar Bowl, Boise didn't want to stay in Boise, heading to the Hawaii Bowl, leaving Fresno State to take their place. Pat Hill's Bulldogs look to finish another solid season off against a Georgia Tech team looking for answers after Chan Gailey was fired days ago.

The Yellow Jackets already have lost their coach, now they have to avoid losing to Fresno State for the second time; the teams' only previous meeting was a 30-21 Bulldogs win in the 2002 Silicon Valley Classic. Under the direction of interim coach Jon Tenuta, aka the defensive coordinator, Georgia Tech has a chance to salvage its season by doing what it does best -- blitzing and stopping the run.
-- Heather Dinich

Fresno State will take this one in a high-scoring festival on the craziest 100 yards in America (assuming you do not put Barrow, Alaska in the same boat). The Hornets will be Ramblin Wrecked in a hurry.

BoBA predicts: Fresno State 63, Georgia Tech 49

BRUT SUN

South Florida vs. Oregon
El Paso
Monday, Dec. 31 (CBS, 2:00 ET)

After an ugly 3-game slump, Matt Grothe and the South Florida Bulls made amends by winning 3-straight games heading into the match with the Ducks. For the Ducks, who had the wheels fall off with Dennis Dixon busting his knees, they stumble into El Paso like a drunken boor looking to quench their thirst at a saloon.

Oregon's BCS championship hopes were derailed when quarterback Dennis Dixon tore knee ligaments late in the season. The Ducks lost their last three games -- against Arizona, UCLA and Oregon State -- without him. The Bulls were ranked as high as No. 2 in the country before losing three games in a row. South Florida recovered to finish the season with three straight wins.
-- Mark Schlabach

South Florida will have fun against the lame [sic] Ducks. Aflac anyone?

BoBA predicts: South Florida 36, Oregon 24

GAYLOR CITIES MUSIC CITY

Florida State vs. Kentucky
Nashville
Monday, Dec. 31 (ESPN, 4:00 ET)

Here is where Jimbo Fisher will need to show that he deserves to be Bobby Bowden's successor. You have to deal with a first-rounder in Andre Woodson. A man with an arm, great agility, and a release that will make the Seminole secondary scream at the heavens when the Wildcat offense scores.

Kentucky heads back to Nashville for the second straight year. Hope the Wildcats like country music. Andre Woodson has been one of the most improved quarterbacks in the country the past two years and should be a first-day pick in the NFL draft. He'll face a Florida State defense that deserved better this season. Yep, the Seminoles were that bad on offense.
-- Chris Low

As we all should know (especially when you are at a job interview), first impressions are important. Jimbo's will not look good as Kentucky slices and dices Florida State like meats at a teppanyaki grill.

BoBA predicts: Kentucky 51, Florida State 23

INSIGHT

Oklahoma State vs. Indiana
Tucson
Monday, Dec. 31 (NFL Network, 5:30 ET)

We all know Oklahoma State's head coach is a man. And so are his players. And Indiana's. The question is: is it going to be shootout, or a match between men against boys posing as men? Aside from all the talk about getting the facts straight, one fact is for sure: Indiana is bowling once again.

The Hoosiers, playing in their first bowl game in 14 seasons, are the feel-good story of the bowl season. The combination of quarterback Kellen Lewis and wide receiver James Hardy is fun to watch. The Cowboys scored at least 39 points in their six victories. They needed to. Their defense allowed 35 points in five of the six losses.
-- Ivan Maisel

Watch for the Lewis-to-Hardy connection in this game down in Tucson. Indiana will take down the Cowboys in a game where a solid defensive effort from the Hoosiers is going to be just as vital. This one's for you, Terry Hoeppner. Here's another fact: this is the second bowl game covered by the NFL Network.

BoBA predicts: Indiana 42, Oklahoma State 38

CHICK-FIL-A

Clemson vs. Auburn
Atlanta
Monday, Dec. 31 (ESPN, 7:30 ET)

The selection process for one of the most stories non-BCS bowls out there is one that you should check out on ESPN.com. Back to the game: it's a match of Tommy vs. Tommy. Bowden vs. Tuberville. It's an ACC-SEC matchup that will be one to savor as the New Year dawns on the world.

Auburn and Clemson are familiar foes, having played 45 times since 1899. The teams played in the 1998 Peach Bowl in Atlanta, with Auburn winning 21-17. Clemson has one of the country's most balanced offenses, led by tailbacks James Davis and C.J. Spiller and quarterback Cullen Harper. Auburn has one of the country's best defenses, allowing only 298.3 yards and 16.7 points per game.
-- Mark Schlabach

I am taking Auburn to pip Clemson in this one.

BoBA predicts: Auburn 24, Clemson 21 (OT)

Good times...

Note the drumsticks in my hands, a symbol of defiance of such assfaced NCAA rules like "no artificial noisemakers." They are as stupid as the Third Reich declaring war on America. As stupid as Decca ditching the Beatles. As stupid as Art Modell and Robert Irsay moving their respective NFL teams behind their former cities' backs.

That Bob Rogers, bless his heart, he must have felt like the sickest old man in San Jose, if not California, if not the entire country last Saturday night. I am watching the CIF State Volleyball Division I final between Lakewood and Nevada Union. If I was there, and the Lancers got that 26th point in Game 4, I would have taken off my shirt and waved like a rally towel at a football match in the Middle East. It was that good.

To Hal, Larry, and Bret...many mahalos to you.

Hawaii wins over voter

By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com

The Hawaii Warriors are clearly No. 1 to the vast majority of people in the 50th State.

But they're also at the top of the list for three voters this week, one in each of the major polls. Only one has a tie to UH and even that person -- New Mexico State coach Hal Mumme -- is a competitor of the Warriors.

Mumme's vote in the coaches' poll and retired sportswriter Larry Keech's in the Harris poll contributed to the 12-0 Warriors moving up to 10th in the BCS standings, cementing their spot in the Sugar Bowl.

The third No. 1 vote, that of El Paso (Texas) Times sportswriter Bret Bloomquist, did not affect the BCS. But it could have the most interesting long-term effect on the Warriors.

Bloomquist votes in the Associated Press poll of media members. The BCS national championship will be determined by the outcome of the game between No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 LSU, Jan. 7, also in the Louisiana Superdome.

But the AP voters are not restricted, and can vote for anyone they want as No. 1 in their final poll.

Bloomquist gave Hawaii its first No. 1 vote ever in the AP poll. He said he plans to put the 10th-ranked Warriors in the top spot again in the final poll after it plays fourth-ranked Georgia (10-2) in the Sugar Bowl.

"I expect Hawaii to win," he said. "I think they could beat Ohio State. I think they can line up with anyone in the country. Their offense can score against anyone, and you win with quarterbacks."

Bloomquist said he didn't have UH very high in his rankings early in the season but, "once teams stared losing, I moved them up quickly."

The 41-year-old UTEP beat writer said he watched the entire games as Hawaii, the only undefeated team in the country, beat Nevada and Boise State, and he saw the end of the Washington game last week.

"I got to see a lot of highlights, too," Bloomquist said. "I do take schedules into account. But winning is certainly the biggest thing."

Bloomquist said he received four e-mails regarding his No. 1 vote for the Warriors. Three (two of them from Hawaii) applauded his choice. One criticized it.

This is Bloomquist's first year covering Division I college football, and his first year as an AP voter. The University of Texas graduate has been a full-time professional sportswriter the past 14 years.

He is also a Heisman Trophy voter. Bloomquist said he selected Florida's Tim Tebow first, Hawaii's Colt Brennan second and Arkansas' Darren McFadden third.

UH junior linebacker Solomon Elimimian said the Warriors appreciate the No. 1 votes and loftiest rankings in school history, but they're not the reason they play.

"It's humbling to know that they think we're that good," Elimimian said. "We are a great team, we played against Coach Hal Mumme, so he would know. At the same time I don't know how much we care. We know we have to win this upcoming game. (The BCS ranking) matters, but it doesn't. We did all we can do and we let the chips fall where they may."

If the Warriors beat the Bulldogs, does UH deserve a share of the national championship? With the game still nearly a month away, Elimimian wisely tiptoed around the question.

"Honestly I don't know. It's very complicated. A lot of people don't know how good a team we are," he said. " If we beat Georgia, more people will come around and understand that Hawaii is a great team. We know we're a great team, and we know Georgia is a great team."

Senior receiver Jason Rivers took a very humble approach when asked if UH should be No. 1 if it goes to 13-0 on New Year's Day.

"I would say no, because these other teams have been good for a long time," Rivers said. "We just started being good. Just like they paid their dues, we gotta pay our dues, too. You can't just come out of nowhere and go straight to the top. You gotta go through the ranks.

"At least some people are giving us respect."

UH coach June Jones said three No. 1 votes is nice, especially one from his colleague Mumme.

"Hal respects what we've done and how we've done it," Jones said of his fellow passing-game advocate.

Jones also deflected the question of deserving a share of the national championship with a win over Georgia.

"I don't have any feelings either way on that," he said. "We're just going to try to play our best. We'll have our hands full."

---

Brilliant.

BoBA 2007 Bowl Preview: Week 1

Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
2007 Bowl Preview:
Week 1

In this first part of the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue 2007 Bowl Preview, I will take the time to preview the first week of action in the bowl season. After a turbulent football season which saw upsets, a battle royale for the best team in America, and one team going through the paces unscathed...we now enter the postseason.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION POINSETTIA

Utah vs. Navy
San Diego
Thursday, Dec. 20 (ESPN, 9 ET)

This is a tantalizing way to start the college bowl season. The Mountain West runner-ups against an option system led by Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada.

From the AP...

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Utah coach Kyle Whittingham knows all about wild December games in San Diego, having played in the first four Holiday Bowls with BYU.

Now he'll be bringing his Utah Utes to town to play Navy on Dec. 20 in the Poinsettia Bowl, which will kick off the bowl season with a matchup of 8-4 teams at Qualcomm Stadium.

"We're elated. We can't wait," Whittingham said Sunday. "It should be a great matchup."

The Midshipmen clinched a berth in the bowl by virtue of their sixth win back on Nov. 10, when they beat North Texas 74-62 in the highest-scoring game in major-college history.

Navy, a natural to play in a bowl game in a Navy town, played in the inaugural Poinsettia Bowl in 2005, beating Colorado State 51-30 as the teams combined for what was then a bowl-record 1,183 yards.

"San Diego's a great Navy city," Midshipmen coach Paul Johnson said. "We couldn't ask for a better destination. Everybody's excited."

The Midshipmen routed Army 38-3 on Saturday, their unprecedented sixth straight win in the big rivalry. Earlier this season, Navy beat Notre Dame for the first time in 44 years, 46-44 win in three overtimes.

"To have two teams with 8-4 records, both of which are having exciting seasons, we couldn't be happier," said Bruce Binkowski, executive director of both the Poinsettia and Holiday bowls.

"The interesting thing here is Utah has a very strong defense and Navy has an amazing offense, so I think we're really going to see a great matchup," Binkowski said.

Binkowski hopes the Poinsettia Bowl can mirror the Holiday Bowl's history of crazy finishes.

While Navy has played some wild games this year, Johnson isn't so sure.

"You can never tell," he said. "We played our best defensive game of the year Saturday. Our last two efforts on defense were our best two, and our last two offensively might not have been."

The Utes, of the Mountain West Conference, will be making their fifth straight bowl appearance. They have won their last six bowl games dating to 1999, the second-longest postseason winning streak in the country.

While this will be Utah's first bowl game in San Diego, Whittingham needs no introduction. He returned a kickoff 16 yards and had one carry for three yards in BYU's 23-16 loss to Navy in the first Holiday Bowl in 1978, then played as a linebacker in the next three games.

He had 16 tackles in 1980, when Jim McMahon rallied the Cougars to a memorable 46-45 win over SMU.

"I was tackling Eric Dickerson, but 10 of the 16 were probably 20 yards downfield," Whittingham said.

Whittingham said Navy's option offense is similar to the one run by Air Force, one of Utah's conference rivals.

"The best way to defend an option offense is to keep it on the sideline," Whittingham said.

The Utes won seven straight games before losing its regular-season finale to MWC champion BYU.

I believe that Navy is going to wear down Utah, pounding and grinding their way to the win.

BoBA predicts: Navy 28, Utah 14

R+L CARRIERS NEW ORLEANS

Memphis vs. Florida Atlantic
New Orleans
Friday, Dec. 21 (ESPN2, 8 ET)

Howard Schnellenberger has been in big games before...with the Miami Hurricanes.
This should not be any different, as Florida Atlantic, once a semifinalist in the Division I-AA (FCS) playoffs, now are the Sun Belt Champions, and face off against the Memphis Tigers in the first of three postseason games to be held at the Louisiana Superdome।

Florida Atlantic didn't even start playing football until 2001. Now, the Owls are going to a bowl after winning a share of the Sun Belt title. Veteran coach Howard Schnellenberger has brought this program along quicker than anyone could have imagined. Memphis started out 2-4 and went through the tragic shooting death on campus of one of its players, Taylor Bradford. But the Tigers rebounded to win five of their last six games.
-- Chris Low

Rusty Smith and Charles Pierre have their work cut out for them, but should have enough firepower against Memphis. Not even the spirit of Taylor Bradford can stop the Owls.

BoBA predicts: Florida Atlantic 31, Memphis 21

PAPAJOHNS.COM

Southern Miss vs. Cincinnati
Birmingham, Ala.
Saturday, Dec. 22 (ESPN2, 1 ET)

Southern Miss is in a state of flux, after head coach Jeff Bower resigned. Not good news for the Eagles, who will face a Cincinnati side looking to make a statement.

You probably could find Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly's name on the short list of just about every athletic director out there. It's not a question of "if" he's going to get a big job, but rather of "when." Southern Miss is looking for a coach after parting ways with Jeff Bower. Doubt Brett Favre will be tuning in. Word is he's not real happy with his alma mater for pushing Bower out the door.
-- Chris Low

The Bearcats will blast the Eagles out of the water here. No pizza for you, Seymour d'Campus.

BoBA predicts: Cincinnati 49, Southern Miss 24

NEW MEXICO

Nevada vs. New Mexico
Albuquerque, N.M.
Saturday, Dec. 22 (ESPN, 4:30 ET)

Is this the year Rocky Long's Lobos break through and get their first bowl victory in over four decades? BoBA thinks so.

The Lobos went 5-1 in Albuquerque this season, with two of those victories coming by three points apiece. Kicker John Sullivan has been automatic (26-of-29), which is doubly impressive because he has no ACL in his plant leg. Nevada's fortune turned on injury. Freshman quarterback Colin Kaepernick went 4-3 as a starter, with the three losses coming by a total of seven points.
-- Ivan Maisel

Who needs an ACL anyway to be on the money? What matters for UNM is a WIN.

BoBA predicts: New Mexico 42, Nevada 35

PIONEER LAS VEGAS

UCLA vs. BYU
Las Vegas
Saturday, Dec. 22 (ESPN, 8 ET)

There comes a day where one wishes he never left the school he originally signed with.
For UCLA's Ben Olson, that day couldn't have come any sooner, with Karl Dorrell being sacked. BYU should be licking their chops in an opportunity to exact payback.

BYU's nine-game winning streak is the second-longest in the nation, and UCLA went 6-6, but there's little chance the Cougars will overlook the Bruins. UCLA defeated BYU, 27-17, in the second week of the season. Sophomore Cougars quarterback Max Hall has been a revelation, and the defense hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher all season.
-- Ivan Maisel

They say it's tough to beat a good team twice. Brigham Young looks to make that adage true. Max power, Max Hall.

BoBA predicts: BYU 31, UCLA 10

SHERATON HAWAII

Boise State vs. East Carolina
Honolulu
Sunday, Dec. 23 (ESPN, 8 ET)

Boise State decided to snub the Humanitarian Bowl for a shot at getting payback for being ambushed by the Warriors in a matchup with East Carolina.

Boise returns to the Big Island, where a 39-27 loss to Hawaii on Nov. 23 ended the Broncos' hopes of a second straight BCS bowl game berth. Boise State still has a high-powered offense, with quarterback Taylor Tharp and tailback Ian Johnson. The Pirates lost to two ranked teams in the regular season: 17-7 at Virginia Tech and 48-7 at West Virginia.
-- Mark Schlabach

Thank God the Broncos won't be facing the Warriors on the gridiron until next year's meeting in Boise.

BoBA predicts: Boise State 42, East Carolina 34

MOTOR CITY

Purdue vs. Central Michigan
Detroit
Wednesday, Dec. 26 (ESPN, 7:30 ET)

The Chippewas can't be feeling any more chipper that being at the Motor City Bowl once again in Detroit. They take on a Purdue side that is looking to go out on a high note.

The Chippewas won four of their last five games and beat Miami (Ohio) 35-10 in the MAC championship game. Quarterback Dan LeFevour is a dual threat, with 3,360 passing yards and 1,008 rushing. The Boilermakers lost their last three games, after an impressive 5-0 start, and finished 3-5 in Big Ten play.
-- Mark Schlabach

Shouldn't be any surprise that Joe Tiller will be on the hot seat next season. Unless he isn't.

BoBA predicts: Central Michigan 48, Purdue 20

PACIFIC LIFE HOLIDAY

Arizona State vs. Texas
San Diego
Thursday, Dec. 27 (ESPN, 8 ET)

Here is one of the more tantalizing matchups for this week.
Rudy Carpenter faces off against Colt. But not the Colt he faced last year. This Colt's last name is McCoy, and Texas is looking to finish off looking like the Real McCoy.

Dust off the Longhorns-in-San-Diego jokes. Texas played in this game three times in four years (2000-01, 2003) before the magic of Vince Young swept them into national contention. All-Big 12 tailback Jamaal Charles became the Longhorns' most consistent weapon this season, as sophomore quarterback Colt McCoy had a bad case of the picks (co-leading the league with 18). Arizona State quarterback Rudy Carpenter will enjoy watching the Texas defense, which allowed 275.5 passing yards per game.
-- Ivan Maisel

If at first you don't succeed against Colt, try and try again. That's what the Sun Devils will be keen to do.

BoBA predicts: Arizona State 52, Texas 49 (OT)

Some thanks and fucks before the Union does theirs

I decided to come up with my own list of thanks and fucks. Just because. First, the thanks.

Thanks to:

• Long Beach State's fellow super fans: the students, the parents, and the boosters, as well as the alums who showed up to the volleyball match against USC.
• Alexis Crimes, Misha "Ole!" Hasalikova, Talaya "TW-17" Whitfield, Sarah "6" Hudson, Cynthia Buggs (a.k.a. Bugsy [BANG!]), Iris Murray, and Dyanne Lawlor the White House intern from Washington for all the memories.
• Ashley Lee, Nicole Moore, Quincy Verdin. We'll need you next year.
• Mike Wadley. The guys helped Lakewood's girls volleyball team win the state title over Nevada Union. Quantity is no match for quality.
• The hospitality by most of the people (read: MOST) at the Galen Center.
• Colt Brennan, June Jones, and the rest of the Hawaii football team. One more game, and it will probably be the Sugar Bowl. Good luck against Georgia (or whoever they may be).
• Rammstein
• Oscar Wilde
• Uncyclopedia

A huge-ass fuck you to:

• Asia Kaczor of the USC women's volleyball team for single-handedly pulling off a Logan Tom on us. Something must be in that water down in Wroclaw, Poland.
• The post-menopause hag official from the NCAA who tells me that drumsticks are not allowed, but after I am using my pom-poms, tells me that they aren't allowed either. You know who you are. You are not welcome at the Beach unless you pay the sum of $500 for your faggotry. Bitch.
• Myles Brand. He deserves it, since he and the people he works with came up with these stupid double-standard artificial noisemaker rules. You take out a huge part of the atmosphere...and games are like watching grass grow. Fuck off and die already. Asshole. No, seriously. Send those rules back to Davy Jones' locker from whence they came.
• Britney Spears
• The guy who tells people to leave Britney Alone
• Michael Vick
• Michael Vick's other people
• Barry Bonds
• Floyd Landis
• UC Irvine (to hell with em!)
• The USA men's volleyball team for losing to the Russians.
  

Keep your heads up, UNLV

Normally I do not like to say such words of advice to the teams we face, because they don't need such pity. It's a fact. However, given the circumstances of this matchup, I decided to bend over backwards and make exceptions. Tonight, we faced a UNLV side that gave us a good match. So, Rebel supporters, I have some kind words to say as your season draws to a close.

1. This was your very, very, very first-ever NCAA tournament appearance. Now, I did not find this out until I got back home from the game and looked up the history. You should be proud of just getting here. There are over, what, 300+ teams in Division I women's volleyball. Not even half of them have ever been to this Big Dance. Savor it.
2. You lost to a Long Beach State side that has been here for over two decades straight. Once again, this was your first-ever appearance. My guys have been here, finished and won that, many times. If it makes you any happier, in our very first appearance...we had a first round exit, too. AND, we were swept. Which leads to my next point...
   
3. This match went to five games. Most first-timers would get run over in a sweep. You're not like many of those "happy-to-be-here" scrubs. Anyone who said it was a lucky win by us is a disgrace to sports journalism in general, because you were a quality side we faced. Heck, you're the Mountain West Champions! We only finished second to Cal Poly (who has also been here, and is champs in our conference [something I detest, but it has nothing to do with you]) this season. Quality side, and a valiant effort from you guys. As you know, the best teams will win in five games. I was surprised that you also, like us, came into this match riding on two straight five-game wins. We had to do it against Pitt and then-#8 ranked Florida (now ranked #10 and now in the Sweet 16), which shows you the type of team you were up against.
4. This was the best season by far for you guys. Next year, we're going to be on our heels when we face you guys again in our next meeting..whenever that will be.

So, good luck and keep your heads up, UNLV, and move aside, and let a team who's been there and done that and won that face off against another team who's been there and done that and won that.