Bowl Preview: Champs Sports Bowl

Champs Sports Bowl
Florida Citrus Bowl, Orlando
Wisconsin vs. Miami
Date: Dec. 29
Time: 8 p.m.
TV: ESFREAKINGPN
Line: Miami -3.5

About Wisconsin (9-3): After completely falling apart last year, Wisconsin recovered by beating such powers as Northern Illinois and Wofford in 2009. The Badgers started the season 5-0 and then quickly came back to earth. As it tradition at Wisky, they run the ball and run it and run it some more and really hope they don't have to pass. Because that's bad.

Intangibles:
Darrell Bevell; +2
That guy who played QB last year: -3
Ron Dayne NCAA career rushing leader on 15 million carries: -2

About Miami (9-3): Randy Shannon was feeling the hot seat before the 2009 season and saved his butt by hiring offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, who turned the 'Canes offense around. Lots of TV yappers like to ooh and aah over Jacory Harris, but it's Miami's ability to run the ball effectively that sets up the pass game. That and Patrick Nix no longer calling the plays.

Intangibles:
Da 'U: -2
Da U ESPN salute to 20 years of thuggishness and general stupidity: -3
Gloria Estefan: +7
Miami Sound Machine: -4

Impact Player: Wisconsin QB Scott Tolzien. Unfortunately for the Badgers, at some point they're going to have complete some passes to have a chance in this game. Tolzien should really attempt to not throw them to the other team. He hasn't been so good at that in the second half of the season.

Bowl slogan: "Remember those stupid jersey that said "05" on them? We totally sold that to you."

Little Known Fact: Both of these schools like to pretend they're important in the college football scene. (Hint: Important teams don't play in the Champs Sports Bowl.)

Watchability (1-5): 3.4

The Pick: Miami 24, Wisconsin 23

Picks of the Week: No. 14

I got a little redemption last week by ending my 12-week losing skid in picking upsets, but still only managed a 3-2 outcome. At one game over .500 I'm putting my winning season on the line in the final week.

USC (-7.0) over Arizona
It appears the winner of this game gets a Holiday Bowl invitation. Nice for ’Zona, not so much for the Trojans. The Wildcats would be a serious contender for an upset here if not for the fact no one in the Pac-10 plays well on the road and QB Nick Foles is injured. Looks like USC will get to 9-3 with a chance to add a 10th victory in the Holiday Bowl.
Pick: USC 27, Arizona 14

Wisconsin (-12.0) over Hawaii
Maybe when this game was scheduled Badgers coach Bert Bielema was looking for a warm location to coach his last game at UW. Then he did a remarkable job this year and Wisconsin is 8-3. The Badgers should just pound the ball on the ground with RB John Clay, who will more than likely have a career day against a Hawaii defense that allows 193 yards per game.
Pick: Wisconsin 38, Hawaii 12

Alabama (-5.5) over Florida
Look, the SEC officials will not let Tim Tebow lose this game. The Gators will get every call Saturday. But they’ll keep it close and the Tide will be in this game because of Nick Saban and the best defense in the nation. Mark Ingram’s injury hurts Alabama’s offense. Sorry Bama fans, Florida wins for a second year in a row.
Pick: Florida 24, Alabama 21

Central Michigan (-13.0) over Ohio
One week after picking the Bobcats to pull the upset of Temple (finally an upset pick in 2009), I’m going against Frank Solich’s team. Ohio QB Theo Scott is beat up and the Chippewas are clearly the class of the Mid-American Conference. CMU’s Dan LeFevour will officially become the greatest QB in conference history (statistically speaking) after this championship game in Detroit Friday night.
Pick: Central Michigan 34, Ohio 15

Upset of the Week
Florida Atlantic (+1.5) over Florida International
This is the eighth annual Shula Bowl and the Owls hold a 6-1 advantage over the Golden Panthers. This is a nice South Florida rivalry that includes a wild 57-50 overtime victory by FAU last year. Owls QB Jeff Van Camp should be the difference in this game. He threw for three TDs and ran for another in last week’s 29-23 win over Western Kentucky.
Pick: FAU 39, FIU 38

Last Week: 3-2
Season Record: 33-32

Ahh, list journalism. Creating angry fans wherever you go

So, which one of these guys is the better coach?

I've enjoyed the work of Tom Dienhart for years. A former Sporting News editor, Dienhart is now writing college football for Rivals.com.

But this column, smells of the "what can I write to generate hits by really pissing someone off" variety.

Dienhart lists the coaches in the Big 10 as such.

1. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
2. Rich Rodriguez, Michigan
3. Jim Tressel, Ohio State
4. Joe Paterno, Penn State
5. Mark Dantonio, Michigan State
6. Ron Zook, Illinois
7. Bret Bielema, Wisconsin
8. Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern
9. Danny Hope, Northwestern
10. Tim Brewster, Minnesota
11. Bill Lynch, Indiana


I know, I know. Bill Lynch at #11??!?!?! OUTRAGEOUS!

You can read Dienhart's reasons by clicking the link.

Bowl Preview: Champs Sports Bowl

Champs Sports Bowl

Citrus Bowl, Orlando

Wisconsin vs. Florida State

Date: Dec. 27

Time: 4:30 p.m.

TV: ESPN

Line: Florida State -5.5

About Wisconsin: The Badgers had a long overdue implosion this year, splitting into a thousand pieces after losing to Michigan (Michigan!), Ohio State and Penn State in consecutive weeks. That sound you heard was not Barry Alvarez’ offspring microwaving another parrot, though, it was the crushing weight of expectations falling on Bret Bielema’s ginormous head.

Intangibles:

Darrell Bevell at QB: +2

Jump Around: -4

Wisky marching band hazing: -5

Wisky marching band hazing by having chicks make out with each other: +9

About Florida State: Rumors abound that Bobby Bowden is still coaching this team. We call bunk on that one, unless you count wearing a letterman’s jacket and answering sideline reporter questions as “coaching.” Other than that, same old FSU. Can’t run or throw. On defense, stick 13 guys in the box and blitz.

Intangibles:

Tallahassee: -5

Burt Reynolds: +6

Lee Corso: -2

Chief Oscewhatshisface and flaming spear: +9

Impact Player: FSU quarterback Chris Rix. What’s that? Rix isn’t there anymore? Oh whatever, they all play like they’re Chris Rix. I’m still picking Rix.

Bowl slogan: “Orlando: the only reason to be in Florida and not be near an ocean.”

Little known fact: FSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher didn’t get the Auburn job because he has a $5 million buyout as the “coach-in-waiting” for the Noles. I don’t even have a $12 buyout.

Watchability (1-5): 3

The Pick: Florida State 18, Wisconsin 16