Bowl Preview: Emerald Bowl

Emerald Bowl
PacBell Field, San Francisco
USC vs. Boston College
Date: Dec. 26
Time: 8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Line: USC -7.5

About Boston College (8-4): The Eagles fired their somewhat successful coach last year because he interviewed for another job. That's what happens when you work for the clergy. They don't F around. So BC hired some other guy and they're fine like they always are. Frankly, they could have hired some patio furniture to be the coach and they'd finish 8-4. It's just what they do.

Intangibles:
Doug F*in Flutie: -2
Doug F*in Flutie's hair: +2
In the ACC despite being in BOSTON: -5

About USC (8-4): A plucky, upstart program from a well-regarded program in Los Angeles, USC showed plenty of promise for the future by finishing fifth in the Pac 10. I would like to say I did predict USC would lose three games this year. I also predicted one of them would be to Ohio State. Mother#@@$##$%W$%#@!!#@@!@ Anyway, about time these jokers had a crappy year.

Intangibles:
Pete Carroll: -1
Not Rick Neuheisel: +3
Joe McKnight's Land Rover that's not his: +0
USC in the Emerald Bowl: +45

Impact Player: USC wide receiver Ronald Johnson will catch many passes for many yards and many touchdowns.

Bowl slogan: "Old school football! And by that we mean playing the game in a facility ill-suited for football, like they used to do in the 1890s."

Little known fact: USC losing a couple starters to academic ineligibility won't matter much because they're playing Boston College.

Watchability (1-5): 3

The pick: Men of Troy 34, Eagles 14

Second thoughts?

Do you think Ball State standout quarterback Nate Davis is second guessing his decision to leave early for the NFL?

Probably not. Davis doesn't think that way. He is now a member of the San Francisco 49ers after being selected in the fifth round Sunday. However, this is well below early expectations.

When the athletic kid stepped away from college football to chase the fame and riches of pro football he never thought he would slip this far. Many experts were saying he could find his way into the first round, but he was definitely a second-round selection.

Then he had a poor showing at the combine and he joked about his poor performance in high school classes. Now word is out that he has dyslexia, which explains his learning difficulty.

But the NFL doesn't want a quarterback who struggles with basic reading and math. There were also concerns his unorthodox throwing style, small hands and those gloves he wears. Plus, he struggled in the Cardinals biggest games of 2008.

He has a chance, though. Many players who have been overlooked or slipped have proven many GMs to be wrong. Nate Davis just may be that guy. The Sporting News believes Davis could be the future QB in San Fran.

We'll see. Davis could be a huge fifth-round steal.

Bowl Preview: Emerald Bowl

Emerald Bowl
AT&T Park, San Francisco
California vs. Miami, Fla.
Date: Dec. 27
Time: 8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Line: Cal -8

About Miami: Watch Miami run. Fast, Miami, fast! Watch Miami stretch. Stretch, Miami, stretch! Watch Miami warm up. Run, Miami, Run! Watch Miami play football. Oooh. Never mind, Miami. Go home, Miami, go home.

Intangibles:
The Rock: +5
Michael Irvin: -6
Glenn Sharp pass interference in 2002: +50
Bernie Kosar wearing #20: +4

About Cal: Good running back. Rest of the team. Eh. Does it make Jeff Tedford a good coach that he has hardly any talent and has a good team or does it make him a poor coach that he doesn’t have any talent?

Intangibles:
Berkeley: +3
Oakland: -4
USC “challenger” in Pac 10: -6
Jeff Tedford QB genius: -5

Impact Player: Miami QB Jacory Harris gets his first shot at running the show as Robert Marve won’t be there for the Canes.

Bowl slogan: “Cramming two mediocre football teams into a baseball field ill-suited for football since 2002!”

Little known fact: Miami defensive coordinator is Bill Young. That SOB. One word, Bill – Biakabutuka.

Watchability (1-5): 4

The Pick: Cal 31, Miami 21