Bowl Preview: Allstate Sugar Bowl

Allstate Sugar Bowl
SuperDome, New Orleans
Cincinnati vs. Florida
Date: Jan. 1
Time: 8:30 p.m.
TV: FOX
Line: Florida -13

About Cincinnati (12-0): The Bearcats escaped close games all year by outscoring everyone. Brian Kelly thanked them and promptly took the Notre Dame job. So, Tony Pike can throw the ball and Mardy Gilyard can catch it. Defense? nah. Running game? Occasionally.


Intangibles:
Oscar Robertson: +3
Art Long punching a horse (never gets old): -3
Cincinnati Reds: -4
Skyline Chili: +3

About Florida (12-1): Is there really anything I can say about Florida that everyone doesn't freaking know? Urban Meyer is on a pseudo early retirement play/leave of absence. Tebow, Brandon Spikes, Gonzalez. blah, blah, blah.

Intangibles:
Mohammed: +1
Buddha: +2
Jesus: +3
Tebow: +5

Impact player: Cincinnati QB Tony Pike, or more likely, his offensive line. UC can get guys open on the Gators, but Pike needs to be standing upright.

Bowl slogan: "Have a hurricane, Cincy fans. Have two, have three. It will ease the pain."

Little known fact: Call this one the "coaching clusterf*ck". Urban Meyer is on a leave of absence. Brian Kelly took the Notre Dame job. Jeff Quinn is coaching Cincy, but is actually the Buffalo coach. And Butch Jones, the new Cincy coach, is just watching. uh. okay.

Watchability (1-5): 4

The pick: Florida 41, Cincinnati 24

Podcast: Episode 53

Episode 53

An Eye and an Eer: College Football Podcast

Tom may be on vacation, but he wouldn't let his buddy Phil down and not show up for this week's show. Hey, there's way too much to discuss.

We start with coaching hires (Brian Kelly, Turner Gill, Butch Jones and Doc Holliday) as well as coaches signing extensions (Jim Harbaugh). We also discuss the pros and cons of the potential growth of the Big 10 to 12 teams (what will we call the conference then?), as well as talk about the first week of the bowl season (really, are any of you going to watch the New Mexico Bowl?).

Phil also tackles some big topics in our weekly Quick Hitters, including if Mark Ingram was a deserving Heisman Trophy winner and the decision of Jake Locker to return to Washington for another year of apprenticeship under Steve Sarkisian. Tom questions why Virginia Tech DC Bud Foster is never considered a top candidate for head coaching jobs and the strength of Big East coaches.

Another week, another show.

Jones choosing between Marshall, Cincy?

It may be time to turn to Plan B for the Marshall Thundering Herd.

Following a number of reports that Marshall was ready to hire Central Michigan coach and former West Virginia assistant Butch Jones to replace Mark Snyder, it now appears Jones has been stringing the Herd along.

Now there are reports that Cincinnati wants to replace Brian Kelly with Jones, beating out East Carolina's Skip Holtz for the job.

This can't sit well with an overzealous and totally irrational fan base in Huntington. There was also a group in Huntington who wanted Florida State offensive line coach Rick Trickett, but he has said he's staying put.

Former Marshall coach Bob Pruett has also been rumored to be interested in returning, but that one has gained little to no traction.

So are we up to Plan D now?

MAC Championship: Ohio vs. Central Michigan

The 'Eye enjoys ribbing me because I enjoy keeping up with what's going on in the Mid-American Conference. I'm not an expert on the MAC, but I like to think there are some talented players and excellent coaches in the conference.

When Ohio (9-3, 7-1) faces Central Michigan (10-2, 8-0) Friday night in the championship game in Detroit, it's a chance to see two of the nation's best coaches in the Bobcats Frank Solich and the Chippewas Butch Jones.

Ohio has its hands full. The Bobcats are banged up (including QB Theo Scott) after a tough four-week stretch to even get in this game, and they have to figure out a way to stop one of the conference's best all-time players in QB Dan LeFevour.

But Ohio will be ready. The Bobcats are trying to claim their first conference title since 1968, so if you have nothing important on the Friday slate check out this MAC contest.

Coming tomorrow: Weekend predictions.