Bowl season really sheds the hoodie tonight as junkies can score 24 games in 13 days. I’m 6-2 with the Bruins up tonight against Florida State. I expect UCLA has something to prove, that the win over USC, which sent the BCS lower than Tonya Harding’s Q rating, was no fluke. FSU has a chance to keep Bobby Bowden from a losing season for the first time since the wheel rolled. Go Bruins.
Here’s the rest of the winners, according to Bawls and Bats’ team of “experts” consisting of myself, former sports journalist and part-time tout, Eddie Ripon, and a guy named Lou from Philly:

Alabama over OSU — Tide pretties itself up for coaching suitors.
Cal over A&M — Bears have too many weapons with Lynch, Longshore et al
Rutgers over Kansas State — How can the Scarlet Knights go from discussion about a national championship to the Texas Bowl against KSU? They need a win.
Clemson over Kentucky — Great ground game for this Bowden.
Missouri over Oregon State — Chase Daniel the difference here but not by much.
South Carolina over Houston — It’s tough to root for Spurrier but I’ll hold my nose here.
Texas Tech over Minnesota — Coach Mike Leach auditions for Alabama job with a win.
Maryland over Purdue — This was not quite a “Fear the Turtle” pick. I went against the Big Ten on principle and I love the Under Armor on the Terps.
Boston College over Navy - BC can play the game although the lame duck coaching situation is an issue. Could be close.
Texas over Iowa — Colt McCoy is back and so are the Horns. Could be ugly if the passing game is working.
Georgia over Virginia Tech — Homefield and a Ouija board explains this one.
Miami over Nevada — The Hurricanes are due, even on a blue field in freezing temps. I won’t drink the Kool Aid on the Canes, but I like their chances.
Tennessee over Penn State — A couple of underachievers but the nod to the Vols because they can move the ball.
Nebraska over Auburn — Yeah, go figure. Should be a good game. We win late.
Arkansas over Wisconsin — McFaddin et al my pick to run all over the Badgers who are from a conference where they haven’t seen much speed.
West Virginia over Georgia Tech — I had the Mountaineers even with Reggie Ball playing. Healthy Slaton and White the big difference.
USC over Michigan — Some wishful thinking here although there is some logic considering schedules and the fact that the Trojans puked it up when the had a chance to play in the Big Game. My pick, too, as best matchup in bowl season. USC by a touchdown because embarrassment is a strong motivator. (At least it should be.)
Oklahoma over Boise State — Sooners could walk, at very least will win this thing. Adrian Peterson is back in the saddle. Lookout.
Wake Forest over Louisville — Feel good story continues in Orange Bowl.
LSU over Notre Dame — Tough draw for Irish who are still trying to justify their special status as a protected entitlement group of college football. Tigers will be growly at home.
Cincinnati over Western Michigan — Cincy was close a couple times this year against big hitters. And I know nothing else. Pick ‘em.
Southern Miss over Ohio — Eagles to fly; Solich grounded.
Florida over Ohio State — OK, OK, so I’m playing the percentages. The pool winner needs one big upset. Mine just happens to be the biggest. Better conference. No pressure. Speedier than most. Luck? Would you believe divine intervention?

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President Gerald Ford who died Tuesday played football on back to back national champs at Michigan. I think it was 1932 and 1933. Lyndon Johnson used to kid the very likable Ford that he had played to long without his helmet. Ford is second Wolverine family member to die in six weeks, Bo Schembechler passing away on the eve of the Michigan/Ohio State game this year. Ford was born in Omaha.