We hope that everyone had a great Christmas.  It is now back to some Sabowl action.  We have a big day ahead of us.

If you look at the standings, you can see that we are in the midst of a great battle.  Everyone is still in the fight (except Jonathan).

Let’s see what the day holds.
Will anyone step out as a leading contender?
Will gritty, determined Stephen begin a charge to the front?
Will we reach 100 comments in the Locker Room?
Will Jonathan fall further behind in his hopes for glory?
Will there be any more I-Team investigations?
Will Ellen make anymore appearances in the Locker Room?
Will the Sabowl competition be picked up by a major sponsor?
If so, will the Sabowl accept it due to nothing really being worthy of that honor?
Will Bitcoin be a key part of currency exchange in the near future?
Who is Lane and why is he so quick?

So many questions.  We will only wait to see.

On a closing note…thank you to Josh for again taking the Sabowl to another level with the new animated look of the Sabowl.  I know that I will be able to enjoy this experience even more with that little guy looking at me and even waving.  It gives me hope to the day that the actual Sabowl will have a face and arms.  Thanks again Josh.  Great job.

Take a look at Josh being followed by a giant Sabowl imposter.

1:00 pm           Zaxby’s Heart of Texas Bowl – Louisiana Tech favored over Illinois by 6.5
Louisiana Tech: Rebecca, Emily, Michael, Jonathan, April, Christina, Stephen
Illinois: Jim, Joe, Ellen, Jimmy, Josh, D/J
4:30 pm           Quick Lane Bowl – North Carolina favored over Rutgers by 3.5
NC: Rebecca, Joe, Ellen, Jim, Josh, April, D/J, Stephen
Rutgers: Emily, Michael, Jonathan, Jimmy,  Christina

8:00 pm           Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl – Central Florida favored over NC State by 2.5
Central Florida:  Rebecca, Michael, Jonathan, Ellen, Josh, April, Stephen
NC State: Emily, Joe, Jimmy, Jim, D/J, Christina

Happy News Year everyone!

Very interesting evening for the Sabowl competition. There was a hard charge for the lead but Rebecca held everyone off. That was a true test of what it takes to be a Sabowl champion. Could this be the year? It will not be easy as I know that many others are in striking distance and smelling blood….and it is a sweet, sweet smell.

Good luck to everyone today and I hope that the Sabowl treats you well.

Many games on the schedule today.

Check your spreadsheet and have a good day. There may be updates as the day goes.

We are now ten games and we have quite a battle brewing for the Sabowl. 
Twenty-four games to go.
…And four very big games today.

In honor of Notre Dame playing today, we want to start this day of with the challenge to Sabowl like a champion today.  http://youtu.be/cTdSkVbkZRI

New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium
12:00 pm
ESPN
Notre Dame vs. Rutgers

Yankee Stadium was the site of the famous “Win One For The Gipper” Speech by Knute Rockne in 1928 in a game versus Army.

http://youtu.be/NmY7ttVNiWo

It was created in the 1993 favorite, Rudy, starred by a scrappy and always hungry hobbit-Sean Austin.

When it comes to the game, Notre Dame is by far the better team.  The fact is that if Rutgers was not a New York city team, they would not have ever been considered for this bowl game.  However, they will bring a crowd.  The last thing that the Steinbrenner’s want is an empty stadium for this game.  The tricky part of this will be the spread-17.5 points.  This is the largest spread of the Sabowl and should be interesting to watch.   
Belk Bowl
3:20 pm
ESPN
North Carolina vs. Cincinnati

This game finds some good ole fashioned home cooking that would make Aunt Bea raise her eyebrows.  Belk was founded in 1888 in the town of Monroe, North Carolina.  And of course, who is playing in this game?  North Carolina.  Coincindence I am sure.   At the same time, Cincinnati will be making their second straight Belk Bowl appearance. 

NC is favored by 2.5 points even though Cincinnati ranks higher in almost all catagories. 

Cincinnati is coached by Tommy Tuberville.  I will disclose ground breaking insight on how Reggie Bush and Tommy Tuberville have impacted this year’s championship game. 

Russell Athletic Bowl
6:45 pm
ESPN
Louisville vs. Miami

Earlier this season, this matchup was looking like a potential BCS showdown.  However, there have some bumps in the road and both teams are now playing in the Russell Athletic Bowl.  Miami and Louisville are a couple of good football teams and this should be a good game.  Both have some potential on offense while Louisville has demonstrated significant strength on defense.  This could be the difference maker. 

This video demonstrates how Russell Athletic clothing allow Mark Ingram to do something.  It is too complex for me to understand. 
http://youtu.be/MGl7WafD_RI

Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl
10:45 pm
ESPN
Kansas State vs. Michigan

This game is also called the “Why in the World Do You Start a Bowl Game at 10:45 at Night?  Are You Kidding Me? Bowl”. 

Kansas State is favored by 3.5 here.  The irony is that Michigan will have to start a true freshman at QB and he will have to go back to the hotel at half time due to his age and curfew restrictions.  Kansas State has not won a bowl game in a decade and this may be their time.  It will be up to Michigan QB Shane Morris to step and prove that he is a big, strong man.
http://youtu.be/4XJyH2RJsvM

Welcome to Sabowl VIII The long anticipated event is finally here. 

It is fitting that the Sabowl season opens up with a team coached by Mike Leach.  Leach is a modern day philosopher and 18^th century pirate historian who can provide some great thoughts for all Sabowl participants.

That is right-“Connect With Your Inner Pirate.”

“Swing Your Sword”

Great thoughts to consider and be inspired by as we begin.  You may even be interested in learning more about this by reading a recent book by Mike Leach.

And yes…there is a game today.
Gildan New Mexico Bowl
Washing State vs. Colorado State 2:00 ESPN

Game breakdown:  You will see a lot of passing today.  Both teams like to throw the ball.  Washington  State will have the advantage in this area with being ranked 4^th in the nation in passing.  Colorado State is ranked 40^th , which is not too shabby.  Colorado State has scored more points and is ranked 22^th in the nation with an average of 35.3 points per game.

Key to the game:  Turnovers Watch to see who wins this part of the game.  One thing to watch will be Colorado State QB G. Grayson.  He has thrown for 21 TDs but has also thrown 10 interceptions.  That is not great.  Have a great day.

Welcome to the start of Sabowl VIII.  Hard to believe it is here. 

We have a new Sabowl Champion. It is an honor to announce that Josh will be bringing home the Sabowl to the Land of Lincoln. I believe that Abe would be proud. I can picture Lincoln, standing there with his arms out ready to embrace the Sabowl just as he was ready to embrace the southern states prior to the Reconstruction.

In fact, Josh sort of reminds me of our 16th President.  Both have suffered multiple failures in politics or in previous Sabowls.  However, both persevered to greatness, prestige, honor, and bragging rights. You can truly be proud.  As a two-time Sabowl champion, I understand your jubilation and excitement. It is moments like these that you will be able to tell all of your 13 children about.

In other matters, the Toilet Bowl is still on the line.  Christina and Jimmy are in a battle to the very end.  It will be interesting to see how this one comes out. In the meantime, here are some interesting facts regarding toilets:
-40,000 Americans are injured by toilets every year!
-The first toilet ever seen on TV in the USA was on Leave it To Beaver!
-Green Bay Wisconsin produces the most toilet paper in the world!

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Thursday, Jan. 3 (8:30)
Oregon vs. Kansas State
Favorite: Oregon 9.5

This could be it.  From the calculations that I have made, if Oregon and Josh win tonight…ballgame.  Please let me know if I am wrong.  Kansas State has to win for those remaining.

On the other end…Kansas State has to lose for the Toilet Bowl battle to stay alive for Jimmy.  If not Christina will be the  proud owner!

To everyone else, enjoy the next 11 months of recollecting on your failure.

New set of games!
New opportunities to be disappointed!
See you in the Locker Room.  Great job with the last post.  New Sabowl record: 135+ posts.

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl
12:00 pm ESPN
Vanderbilt vs. NC State
Favorite: Vanderbilt (6.5)

Hyundai Sun Bowl
2:00 CBS
USC vs. Georgia Tech
Favorite: USC (10.5)

AutoZone Liberty Bowl
3:30 ESPN
Iowa State vs. Tulsa
Favorite: Even

Chick-fil-A Bowl
7:30 ESPN
LSU vs. Clemson
Favorite: LSU (3.5)

Here is all I got today.
All of the “snarky” comments will have to come in the locker room!
Enjoy the video:

AdvoCare 1000 Independence Bowl
Louisiana Monroe vs. Ohio
2:00 pm
Favorite: L-M (6.5)

Russell Athletic Bowl
Virginia Tech vs. Rutgers
5:30 pm
Favorite: VT (2.5)

Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas
Texas Tech vs. Minnesota
3:00
Favorite: Texas Tech (12.5)

Sorry, not much today.  However, here is a special treat.  I am able to watch the current game and this gem came on and brought back Sabowl memories.  I hope you enjoy.

Quick rundown of games today:

Military Bowl
San Jose State vs. Bowling Green
3:00
Favorite: San Jose State (7.5)

Picks:
SJS (Danny/Stephen, Joey, Michael, Jim, Jonathan,  Josh, Ellen,
BG (Christina, Jimmy, Emily, April, Rebecca)

Belk Bowl
Cincinnati vs. Duke
6:30
Favorite: Cincinnati (7.5)

Picks:
Cincinnati (Danny/Stephen, Joey,  Jim , Jonathan,  Josh, Emily,  April, Rebecca)
Duke (Michael, Christina, Jimmy, Ellen)

Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl
Baylor vs. UCLA (Even)
9:45

Picks:
Baylor (Danny/Stephen, Joey, Jim , Jonathan, Josh, Christina, Emily, Ellen)
UCLA (Michael, Jimmy, April, Rebecca)

Little Caesars Bowl
Wednesday, December 26, 7:30 p.m.  (ESPN)
Western Kentucky vs. Central Michigan
Favorite: Western Kentucky (5.5)

Picks:
WK (Rebecca, Christina, Ellen, April)
CM (Jonathan, Josh, Danny/Stephen, Jim, Michael,  Joey,  Jimmy, Emily)

Sabowl Storylines for today:
1. The tie for last place and the coveted Toilet Bowl will be broken today.
2. Ellen could take sole possession of the lead with a Western Kentucky win tonight.

Important information:
Western Kentucky just hired Bobby Petrino as their head coach.

What to look for in this game:
Western Kentucky will play in its first bowl game.
Central Michigan won its final three games to make its first bowl since 2009.
*Note: Those three teams had a combined total of seven wins on the season.  Therefore, this is not a strong stat.

For this game, Western Kentucky defensive coordinator Lance Guidry will be the coach. Guidry is an experience interim coach.  He was an interim coach in a bowl for Miami (Ohio) and led to a victory in last year’s GoDaddy.com Bowl.

Guidry’s defense will be without Sun Belt defensive player of the year and defensive end Quanterus Smith due to a knee injury. suffered Nov. 17 against Louisiana-Lafayette. He had an (FBS-leading 1.25 sacks per game with 12 ½ total this season).

Western Kentucky had 31 sacks and ranked 12^th in the nation with 7.42 tackles for loss per game.

Offensively for Western Kentucky, junior running back Antonio Andrews will be someone to watch. He will try to set a single-season NCAA record for all-purpose yards. He will need 274 yards to pass Barry Sanders at 3,250 in 1988.

Central Michigan (6-6) is making its fourth appearance in this bowl. They are coached by Dan Enos.  Zurlon Tipton is their leading running back.  He gained 1,391 yards with 19 rushing TDs and averaged 6.1 yards per carry. With two touchdowns today, he will break a school record.