2013-12-28 16:06

Second wave of Bowls are over and I will cover now the Saturday Bowls.
But before that some reviews.

Let's have a look at the BLOCK OF GRANITE BOWL GAMES FOR WAVE 2

Thursday, December 26, 6:00 PM ET LITTLE CAESARS BOWL
Pittsburgh vs. Bowling Green @ Ford Field, DETROIT, MI
Close game.
Very Close.
The Falcons were not in control of that game, but always came back.
4th quarter Pitt scored for the 27-20, Bowling Green responded with a score for tied at 27.
Pittsburgh did score a field goal after that and then did Bowling Greens mojo run out and the must-score-situation lead to several sacks and desperate lateral plays.
No Deus Ex Machina here, Pitt stopped them and did run out the clock.
Pittsburgh 30 - Bowling Green 27 -> Jacks Bowl Score: 3-4

Thursday, December 26, 9:30 PM ET SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION POINSETTIA BOWL
Utah State vs. #23 Northern Illinois @ Qualcomm Stadium, SAN DIEGO, CA
This one was close than expected and NIU can thank their QB and their defense for that.
The QB never quit and the defense helped them to not get too much behind.
At the end the lost the onside-kick and Utah State won with a score difference.
Utah State 21 - Northern Illinois 14 -> Jacks Bowl Score: 4-4

Friday, December 27, 2:30 PM ET MILITARY BOWL - PRES. BY NORTHROP GRUMMAN
Marshall vs. Maryland @ Navy Memorial Stadium, ANNAPOLIS, MD
I picked Maryland and I have to admit that Marshall did look terrific in that game.
Maybe Maryland had a bad day, maybe Marshall did play just great, the did look like the better team on the field and they won that Bowl game.
It was more or less open until the 4th quarter, when Marshall did score 2 unanswered scores and did seal the game.
Marshall 31 - Maryland 20 -> Jacks Bowl Score: 4-5

Friday, December 27, 6:00 PM ET TEXAS BOWL
Syracuse vs. Minnesota @ Reliant Stadium, HOUSTON, TX
Beginning of the 4th quarter it looked like the until then leading Orangemen would lose the game.
The Gophers did score for 14-17.
And the next drive, Syracuse had to punt.
Still 8 min. to go.
Minnesota did not get a 1st down and Syracuse still had a chance, but missed a field goal.
1:44 to go, Syracuse got the ball back. Same score.
But because of a nice punt return, they were already in the red zone.
5 plays later they did score a TD.
Wow, UPSET ALERT!
But still 1:14 to go.
Minnesota marched over the field, and with 3rd and 10 on the Syracuse 39 yard line the last pass was thrown.
Into the Endzone.
Through the fingers of a Gopher player. End of the game.
From hero to zero in a blink of an eye.
Syracuse tackles the Gophers.
Syracuse 21 - Minnesota 17 -> Jacks Bowl Score: 4-6

Friday, December 27, 9:30 PM ET FIGHT HUNGER BOWL
BYU vs. Washington @ AT&T Park, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Until halftime this was more or less interesting, but after that did BYU stop playing.
Seems that way.
They were not able to score and Washington did pound in the football, again and again.
That Huskies RB had a hugh day.
BYU 16 - Washington 31 -> Jacks Bowl Score: 5-6

That's the second wave.
Now comes the Saturday Bowls.

Let's have a look at the BLOCK OF GRANITE BOWL GAMES FOR WAVE 3

Saturday, December 28, 12:00 PM ET NEW ERA PINSTRIPE BOWL
Rutgers vs. Notre Dame @ Yankee Stadium, BRONX, NY
This is does operate since 2010.
It does field an American team (normally #4) facing a Big 12 team (#7) or Notre Dame.
Each team gets around 2.000.000$.
Rutgers was supposed to be a bit better this year, but had some up and down gamedays.
They barely made it to the needed 6 wins and actually finished #6 in the American Conference.
Notre Dame had a hangover season after their National Championship game season in 2012.
8 wins did they managed to get and their worst loss was probably the loss against Pitt.
It's hard to expect something else than a Notre Dame win here.
Vegas and the fan base do exactly expecting that and me too.
Rutgers has only a chance to win this if they can bring their A-game on defense.

Saturday, December 28, 3:20 PM ET BELK BOWL
Cincinnati vs. North Carolina @ Bank of America, CHARLOTTE, NC
This is played the home of the Carolina Panthers.
It's played since 2002.
The ACC (around #5) should face up against #3 of the American.
Each team gets around 1.600.000$.
Cincinnati had a nice season for a new HC and low expectations.
North Carolina on the other hand had very high expectations but just made it to the needed 6 wins.
Hard to tell who will win here.
UNC is the favorite in Vegas, the Fans do favor a bit the Bearcats.
I, for myself, see Cincinnati a bit in front, even if UNC can play almost a homegame.
But if, yes if ..., the Tar Heels can bring their A-game and keep the energy for the whole game alive, they will win.
I just did see them suck too many times to believe that.

Saturday, December 28, 6:45 PM ET RUSSELL ATHLETIC BOWL
Miami (FL) vs. #18 Louisville @ Florida Citrus Bowl, ORLANDO, FL
This is played since 1990.
The ACC should face up against the American.
Each team gets around 2.325.000$.
This will be two nice team facing off here.
Miami had some up and downs, but were never a team you would like to play against.
9 wins were the outcome of that.
Louisville was supposed to win the American and go on a perfect season, but sucked against UCF and finished with 11 wins.
I give Louisville the edge here.
They have a nice team and their QB needs to show he's worth the hype. (and he is a very good athlete)
Miami on the other hand had some problems with high speed offenses, but granted this Cardinals team is not FSU.
I'm expecting an open game and a Cardinals win in a close game.

Saturday, December 28, 10:15 PM ET BUFFALO WILD WINGS BOWL
Michigan vs. Kansas State @ Sun Devil Stadium, TEMPE, AZ
This does operate since 1989.
It's played at the home of the Arizona State Sun Devils.
It does field a Big Team facing a Big 12 team.
Each team gets around 3.300.000$.
Funny thing, I did write last season
"If this would have been the matchup LAST year, I would have been excited, but TCU and Michigan State did not play as last year."
Well, the same can be said about Michigan and Kansas State this season.
Vegas is giving KSU the edge, as do I, but the fans of Michigan did turn the pick at ESPN way into Michigans territory.
I think they are wrong here.
Kasas State did play solid football, which can't be said about Michigan.
And Michigan will play a Freshman QB.
No Sir, I think this time Vegas is right.
Kansas State will not dominate, but just win.

‘Til next time
Jack6 on BLOCK OF GRANITE

Tags: Block of Granite