College Football Bowl Picks 2013 Season

A lot of things have been learned during this final season (thankfully) of the BCS. We have relearned that a decent FCS team can indeed take down a major program (ND State over KSU and GSU over Florida), we also must note that a very good FCS squad (again ND State), would be at least a top 15 team if in the ranks of D1. Last but not least we have most assuredly learned that Auburn gets into the big game on the heels of a unbelievably lucky play and that FSU arrives after trouncing (mostly) very inferior competition. Oh and we learned that Big Twelve expats can certainly compete in the SEC.

All that being said let's take a look at this years plethora of bowl games.

New Mexico Bowl: Colorado State and Washington State are on tap here in this "who cares" game between two (let us be honest) who cares programs. I like the Pirate and he should come back south where he belongs. He will probably not find the success he is capable of in the Pacific NW. That being said I would go with his Cougars here. Go with WSU.

Towson vs EWU: This FCS match up will decide who gets to be trounced by ND State in the FCS Championship. Quality FCS programs both (remember the Towson Tigers gave Les Miles and Co a scare last season) and I will go with Towson. Probably a toss up....

Las Vegas Bowl: It seems that USC can play a little ball after all soon as Kiffin was out of the picture. Fresno State still just does not convince me they are a top 25 program. I will go with the Trojans here.

Idaho Potato Bowl: Another bowl game on the blue field with this year's rendition being the Bulls of Buffalo and SDSU. The Aztecs started off slow but may, in reality, be a pretty decent team. Buffalo had a good season as far as such things go and surprised a few folks in the MAC. I would go with SDSU here though. I think they are hands down the better team

New Orleans Bowl: Getting the party started this year for NOLA is a very good match up between Tulane and Louisiana. The Cajuns have fallen off the last couple weeks but managed to put together pretty good season. Tulane has far over reached any expectation that anyone would have had for their program but a good team they really are not. I would go with the Cajuns here.

Beef O'Brady Bowl: The what? The Bobcats of Ohio U had a rather successful (albeit disappointing) season and ECU may well be under rated. Both squads are well coached and Ohio may have one of the best QBs in the nation that you have never heard of (along with Browning at ULM). I will go with ECU in this toss up match.

Hawaii Bowl: Peterson is out at BSU and that, in my opinion, is a mistake on his part. Boise State is just a flat out better program than his new home but he may have "needed" to jump for more money while the iron was still hot. Another just above average season in Boise and his stock would not be so high likely. That being said, both Boise and Oregon State have been a bit off track this year but still pretty decent (and dangerous to anyone) squads non the less. This is a toss up and I will go with OSU here.


Little Caesar Bowl: Pitt vs Bowling Green may get ugly. BGSU is the better team and should win. Never count out the MAC to surprise....

Poinsettia Bowl: NIU must guard against the let down of not making it to the BCS this year. They were trounced and totally embarrassed by BGSU in the MAC Championship. A top 10 team they are not. Still they are probably better than the Aggies of Utah State. Those guys can be dangerous but just did not seem to play to their potential. This may be closer than expected but I will go with NIU.

Military Bowl: Marshall vs Maryland may or may not be a good game. Depends really on which Maryland team shows up. I will go with the Turtles here in a close one.

Texas Bowl: It would be nice if this game held in Houston matched up some teams of local interest. Still, the game will draw some folks trying to escape the cold and money will be spent (some at gentleman's establishments likely) and that is what it is all about. Oh - the game? Yes, well Syracuse will lose to Minnesota.

Fight Hunger Bowl: The what? There are just a few too many bowls although BYU will trounce Washington in this contest.

Pinstripe Bowl: Notre Dame, again, did not make it into the big time. The program is now relegated to not much above a top MAC or CUSA squad. Rutgers had a decent year as far as such things go but do not have the talent to beat the Irish. ND should be a contender every year for top spot but no coach in recent memory can take them there. Something is wrong up that way but they will win this one.

Belk Bowl: The what? Good Lord. Cincinnati vs North Carolina has the potential to get ugly. Tuberville may have actually found his sweet spot in southern Ohio and his team is far better than any middle of the road ACC squad. Go with Cincinnati here.

Russell Athletic Bowl: A disappointing year for both Miami and Louisville in that Miami did not compete for the ACC Championship and Louisville did not run the table and make it into a BCS game. Louisville is the better team but have shown a tendency to play down to their competition all season. Miami, a decent team, has the potential to win here but likely will not. Go with the Cardinals.

Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl: KSU and Michigan could be a very good match up. KSU started off in a dismal fashion but finished pretty well. Michigan has some potential and Hoke may have saved his job by taking Ohio State down to the wire. Michigan has more talent likely but KSU has faced marginally better competition and that experience will show. Go with the Wildcats.


Armed Forces Bowl: Someone has to go and this year it is MTSU. This actually could be a good match up. Navy has had a lot of exposure due to the nature of the institution but not many folk know so much about the Blue Raiders. I will go with the team from Tennessee here.

Music City Bowl: The Houston Bowl folks should take a look at how it is done up Nashville way. Two teams of local interest squaring off.....This year the Rebs will be taking the Yellow Jackets of Georgia Tech to the woodshed. Maybe. I will go with the team from Mississippi.

Alamo Bowl: This is a home game for the Horns in Mack Brown's last game. I wonder who they will find that will be better than old Mack? Probably no one. At any rate the Longhorns may have some problems with the speed that the Ducks bring to the table. It really depends on which Longhorn team shows up. I will go with Texas to play hard for Mack and pull it out of the hat.

Holiday Bowl: Arizona State vs Texas Tech could be good. Tech is coached by a young gun who will find success although his squad certainly fell off the pace the second half of the season. ASU is coached by an utter ass although the man does know how to win. ASU is probably the better team and will find some way to pull this one out of the hat in what promises to be an ASU home game of sorts.

Advocare V100 Bowl:  This utterly forgettable bowl game pits Arizona and Boston College. Take your pick. I will go with BC here for no particular reason.

Sun Bowl: I have always liked this one. Don't know why. UCLA is up and coming and may be a force nationally in the not too distant future. Virginia Tech is Virginia Tech. Usually a good team that is just not quite ready for prime time. I will go with UCLA here. This could be a good game.

Liberty Bowl: Memphis - my old stomping ground. Great town although, much like NOLA, you gotta always be aware of who is behind you. Always. This will be a home game for the Bulldogs of Mississippi State sure. Rice, a very small school, does not travel real well and has a limited fan base to boot. That being said, I think the Owls will win here. They are perhaps an under rated football team and coached by, in my opinion, one of the best coaches in the game you may have never heard of. Go with Rice.

Chick fil A Bowl: TAMU is a better team than Duke. More speed, power, depth, etc. The Blue Devils have had a wonderful season and the coaching staff should probably receive some sort of "best of the year" award. It would be fun to see Duke take that silly "Johnny Football" to the woodshed but I don't think it will happen. Go with the Aggies.

Gator Bowl: This could be a good game between two teams that desperately want to show that they matter (the don't). Both coaches are on the hot seat and I would not be surprised if the losing coach finds himself pounding the pavement. They just don't take mediocrity well in Athens or Lincoln. This will be a toss up and we should see some outstanding QB play......I will go with the team from Georgia.

Heart of Dallas Bowl: UNLV vs North Texas? Can't get any more ho hum that this. I will go with the Mean Green here. It will be a home game for them. Denton is just up the road......

Capital One Bowl: Wisconsin and South Carolina may be a good one. I will go with the "SEC is better than the Big Ten" scenario here and pick the team from the Southeast.

Outback Bowl: Iowa will not beat LSU unless Miles has anything to do with it. I would go with the Tigers here but if Miles gets a bit too "proactive" in coaching......? Anything could happen. Put your money on the Tigers none the less.

Rose Bowl: Stanford vs MSU will be good. The only fly in the MSU ointment is that one inexplicable loss. Both teams are quite good and I will go with MSU to power over the Cardinal here. It is possible that the Spartans are the second best squad in the country this season.

Fiesta Bowl: UCF made it in to the BCS. They are a rather big, powerful team but will not be able to match up well with the speed of the Bears. Go with Baylor. This is perhaps not the high profile match up that the folks in AZ are accustomed to but Baylor is better than many teams they have seen recently.


Sugar Bowl: Oklahoma will not beat Bama. Both schools may well be rather even on talent but Bob is not half the coach that the Evil One is. Not even close. It is pretty likely that Bama is still the best team in the land despite the fluke loss to War Eagle.

Cotton Bowl: This game between OSU and Mizzou may well be the most fun match up of the bowl season. OSU has shown they can play "national championship" type football and shown also that they can be rather mediocre. Mizzou has proven that they can well compete in the SEC. This one will be a toss up but I think the team from Missouri is marginally better and will go with them for the win.

Orange Bowl: Both Clemson and Ohio State had some delusions of grandeur this season. Still both are very good (although OSU may be a bit over rated) teams. This will be a match up between two possible NFL caliber QBs and it will be fun to see who comes out on top. It is a Even Steven type match and I will toss a coin and go with the team from Ohio.

BBVA Compass Bowl: Vanderbilt had a good season as such things go. Well coached squad to be certain. U of H surprised some folk and their young QB is going to be another outstanding addition to the list of stellar Cougar QBs. This could be good but Vandy has faced much tougher competition and that experience will show.

FCS Championship Game: Whether Towson or Eastern Washington reach the big game is likely a moot point. ND State will be your champion of the FCS ranks.

GoDaddy Bowl: Arkansas State is a good Sun Belt team but probably not as good as they have been in recent past. Their last two coaches have had success in the SEC (one wild success) and the jury is still out on the Red Wolves staff at this point. Still they have reached a bowl game (of sorts) and that does say something. Ball State is a pretty good MAC squad and can be dangerous to a lot of teams including, I suspect, this year's rendition of Arkansas State. I am going out on a limb and predicting a victory for the Cardinals. Win or lose the Red Wolves can say they are the best team in the state of Arkansas...for many years in a row now.


BCS "National Championship" Game: Auburn may or may not belong. They had an unbelievable turn around from bottom to top in the SEC after just one season and that says a lot. A hell of a lot. Still, most of us think that Alabama is still the better club. FSU? Undefeated sure says something but one does have to take a look at the level of competition. Doesn't one? Guess not. What we have here is what we have here.
Many folks think that a rematch of the Bama/Auburn game would be the true "national championship" game and I have heard some bleat (with a bit of merit) that Michigan State is a better team than FSU. Doesn't matter. This is the match up we have.
The game? FSU is quick and Winston is a good young QB but Auburn will likely prove to be the better team and we again, will have an SEC Champion.

Just the way it is.

I don't think I missed any. There are entirely too many bowl games. A 6-6 (or even 7-5) team should not go "bowling" in my mind. Still the bowl games are entirely about getting money into the community and that friends is, in reality, what it is all about. Sad but true.....


This was one of the better seasons I can remember in quite some time and I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have. Won't be long before this humble blogger will be going about regularly scheduled business of calling bullshit on various politicians and other assorted dickweeds, and this year, being committed to bringing you some stellar Rule 5.

What else is blogging for?

Week 15 College Football Predictions 2013

The season draws to a close. Conference championships are being decided while other teams play their last regular season games.  Meanwhile championships are decided the proper way the FCS, DII, DIII, and NAIA as their respective playoffs are in full swing. Last week saw another 6-4 outcome for a season total of  92-43.



1. Louisville vs Cincinnati: Who would have thought that Tuberville was actually going to accomplish something down in southern Ohio? The Cats have been quietly building a successful season and are likely a bit under rated by the BCS asshats. Earlier in the season I myself equated them on the same level as Memphis but that proved to be an incorrect assessment. Louisville is a good team that has had what some would consider a below par season in that they did not run the table. That is ridiculous of course but there you go. The Cardinals have not been really all that impressive in many of their wins but win they do. Who will win this one? Well if you must have it - have it then. I will go with Cincinnati to pull off the minor upset. It will be close.

2 Memphis vs UCONN: The Huskies come off a rather improbable win and the Tigers fell to a team that they should have handled. This one is a toss up and I will go with Memphis.

3. Bowling Green vs Northern Illinois: The Huskies may truly be a team that can play with most of the top "big time" schools. Don't think they are up there with Auburn, Mizzou, Bama or Ohio State but I do think they could play with some of the others in the top 10. That being said this may be a rather close game - I would imagine the Falcons want it bad but I would still go with NIU for the win.

4. Texas vs Baylor: Baylor will be out to prove they still matter (they might)and the Longhorns will be out to prove that they are a much better team now than when they go started (they are). This game really could come down to the wire and I will go with the Horns for the upset.

5. Oklahoma vs OSU: OSU is the better group. They may not have the better talent of the two teams but there is something just not quite right in Norman. I will go with the Cowboys here.

6. Auburn vs Mizzou: Auburn power vs Mizzou speed. Should be interesting and the Bears will win by 2 touchdowns. Mark it.

7. Rice vs Marshall: Both are good teams for CUSA but in no way would I consider either team a real good team. Toss up here and I will go with the Owls.

8. FSU vs Duke: A no brainer they say. Lambs for the slaughter the Blue Devils I've heard. Nonsense. FSU has, (and let us be honest) had a very weak schedule. Clemson and Miami (well sort of) have  been about the only quality opponents. Same can be said for Duke of course but the Devil faithful are not jumping around like they have just invented lightning. This game may be close but the Seminoles' talent level will grind the Duke squad down. And then of course we will see another specter of a lower level top 10 team in the BCS "Championship" Game. Happens all the time. Nothing new citizens.

9. Ohio State vs MSU: The Buckeyes were one failed two point conversion away from irrelevance. MSU may be a better team than many suspect but it is possible (just possible) that OSU is one of the two best in the country and deserve to be in the big game at the end. We will see directly and I will go with OSU in a tough, hard fought game.

10. Utah State vs Fresno State: These particular Aggies are a better team than they are given credit for. The Bulldogs have, frankly, been very lucky. This will come down to the wire and I will go out on a limb and predict Utah State to knock the Dogs out of the top 25.

Bartendercabbie College Football Top 25 Dec 1, 2013

Yesterday was one of the most fun days in college football that I can remember in a long time. I guess fun would be a relative term for some depending on where their loyalties lie. I suppose I could just use the word "interesting" instead......That being said the Bartendercabbie System Top 25 (the real BCS?) is out of the closet 1 December, in the year of our lord 2013...


1. Auburn: One loss to an SEC opponent not named Kentucky does not disqualify one from the top spot. They took arguably the best team in the country down to the wire and won on perhaps the biggest fluke play in the history of the game. It has, as I understand it, happened only four other times in the entire time that organized college ball has been played. A hell of a game between two great teams.

2. Alabama: Could still be the best team in the land. A loss to Auburn does not rule them out.

3. Ohio State: The Buckeyes? Yes. I said it. The offense is hard to stop certain. May be ranked a bit high. May be ranked a bit low.

4. Missouri: How did they get here? Doesn't matter. This is one good and fast football team.

5. FSU: Schedule strength is perhaps as suspect as that of Ohio State. The "controversy" over whether the starting QB is a groper or no seems to be dying down somewhat.

6. Oklahoma State: A loss to WV leaves one scratching their head. Other than that? This team should scare anyone.

7. Baylor: A good team that could beat anyone on any given day.

8. Stanford: This is a good football team that has flashes of brilliance and also periods of utter incompetence. Perhaps ranked a bit high.

9. South Carolina: Can play with anyone some days. Others? Not so much.

10. Michigan State: Ok. So they say. We will see next week. The only(other than OSU) squad in the Big Ten that appears to be a real danger to top level teams.

11. Clemson: Falls off a bit. Still a dangerous team to anyone. Well coached.

12. Northern Illinois: The best QB in the country you have never heard of. Would be ranked no lower than 3rd if in the Big Ten. Perhaps 2nd.

13. Oregon: The bloom is off the rose here but catch this team on the wrong day and you will lose. That goes for anyone.

14. Arizona State: Coached by an utter ass but the man knows how to win. It is a travesty that any university will stoop to hire this trash. The coach with the least class in major college ball not named Petrino.....

15. UCF: Well coached. George is paying his penance still down Orlando way. If I were him, I would stay put. He would have been long gone at ND by now anyway. Those folks are delusional

16. UCLA: Will be a national force in the years to come. Mark it.

17 .TAMU: Without that "Johnny Football" twit this may not be a top 25 team. Horrible defense which incidentally is a Sumlin trademark. Kevin has been blessed with unreal college QB's during his time in the HC ranks. Wonder how he will do with your average Joe. If he had a defense while coaching UH, he would have had a BCS buster on his hands. May be ranked a bit high here. Have lost games they should not have. More than one.

18. Texas: The Longhorns disaster of a start keeps them lower in the ranks. Can play outstanding football at times.

19. Oklahoma: Lots of noise and lots of talent a great team does not make. That is a coaching problem. The staff is over rated likely.

20. LSU: Some folks are screaming for Miles' head but who you gonna call? Ghostbusters?

21. Louisville: I doubt Bridgewater or Strong will be here next year. This was the season to get it done and they fizzled. Don't misunderstand that for this being a bad team. They can play with all but the top on a good day.

22. Duke: A magical season as far as Blue Devil football is concerned. Next up? FSU. Wouldn't it be nice?.....

23. Fresno State: No BCS buster this season. Still not totally convinced this is a real top 25 squad.

24. Cincinnati: This team perhaps does not get their due.

25. Vanderbilt: Vandy? Yes. Those guys. Survived a scare with a dismal WF squad Saturday last.

On the bubble in no particular order.
Wisconsin: May be a top 25 squad when it all shakes out.
Georgia: Ditto
Iowa: Maybe. Haven't paid much attention. It is usually not worthwhile. A mistake perhaps.
Rice: A good CUSA team
Louisiana: Would have run the table in the Sun Belt had they not come across the 2nd best QB in the country no one has heard of. Yes that would be Browning of ULM who apparently recovered from injury...
Utah State: Pretty good squad for the Mountain West this season. May be better than the record reflects.
Ole Miss: Maybe next year. Well coached.
Notre Dame: Ummmm. Nope. Should be. Gotta be the coaching staff.
BYU: Better team than some think. Can shows flashes.
USC: The season began when Lane left. This group has not done so bad since then. Maybe next year. Loaded with talent.
Minnesota: As far as the Gophers go, this team is a huge success.
Marshall: A good CUSA team
ECU: Ditto
Miami: Another year where the "U" disappoints the faithful. Well coached squad which could be a danger next year. But they always say that. For years now.
Ball State: Good MAC team which is in the unfortunate situation of playing in the same MAC division as NIU.
Houston: Fell off some. Appears to be well coached with some talent. May be a force next season
Nebraska: I'm still betting Pelini is gone. His brother got the axe at FIU (or was it FAU? No matter).
KSU: Horrific start. Has improved a good deal. Could be a danger to a lot of top squads on a good day.
Boise State: An off year. I wouldn't count on that lasting.
Michigan: There is some second guessing Hoke's decision to win or lose to the vaunted Buckeyes with a two point conversion attempt by the armchair types. Whatever else may be said about him no one can deny his minerals. His team has probably played a good deal below their talent level this season and that is his fault. I like him all the same. He will be successful somewhere before it all shakes out. Maybe even in Ann Arbor.

Week 14 2013 College Football Predictions

This week is "rivalry week" and there are always some good games on tap. They say one can throw talent level and the w/l records out the window this weekend. Don't know so much about that but there will be some surprises none the less. Mark that. Last week I went an inauspicious 5-5 for a total of 86-39 thus far this season.........


1. Texas vs TTU: This one could be good. Both teams have shown that they can, at times, play top 20 ball. Both have also shown that they can be beaten by just about anyone on any given day. This game is a complete toss up and I will go with the Longhorns here.

2. Ole Miss vs Miss State: The Rebs are the better team and will find a way to win.

3. Grambling vs Southern: This game, believe it or not, has a huge following. The Grambling program is in shambles and Southern will win this. It is true, and for good reason, that many people tune in just to watch the respective bands prance about.

4. Oregon State vs Oregon: The "civil war" does not really mean much this year from a national perspective. The bloom is long off the rose for OSU and Oregon has been exposed. That being said, OU is the vastly better team and should win. They must guard against the let down though of not being considered a team of note from a national standpoint.

5. Kansas State vs KU: KSU is better and will win. The Jayhawks are probably missing Mangino right about now.

6. Auburn vs Alabama: The "big one" they say. Bama may, or may not, be the best team in the land at this point but will find a way to win this one. It will be close and War Eagle will have their chances....One can only hope....


7. Louisiana vs ULM: The Cajuns are nationally ranked in the AP Poll. I am not sure I would quite yet go there but they are, hands down, the best team in the Sun Belt. There is a legitimate argument that they are the best college ball team in Louisiana this season. Now that would be an interesting game sure. Oh well. Go with the Cajuns here although it may be closer than some think.

8. Florida vs FSU: This one should be a no brainer but I have a premonition that it will be closer than expected. Go with FSU in a hard fought, tough game. The Gators will play above their talent level and make it close before ultimate defeat.

9. Ohio State vs Michigan: OK. Despite the Big Ten being rather weak - Ohio State has proven to be a team of note. There are those that say this is the best squad in the land. They may be correct. While the Big Ten competition is not so great, and therefore the Buckeyes have not seriously been challenged (except oddly enough by Northwestern), there has not been a UT Chattanooga or Georgia State on the schedule as there has been down Tuscaloosa way. With all that being said it is almost a no brainer here to go with Ohio State. Hoke may find himself out of a job quicker than most expected.

10. Temple vs Memphis: The Tigers are actually a better team than their record reflects. Not to say they are a good team of course, but they will find a way to edge the Owls here. Go with Memphis.


Have a good week and enjoy the games.

Week 13 2013 College Football Predictions

Another 6-4 week last week for a total of 81-39 thus far straight up. We will see where we are after this upcoming week. .......Oh, as usual some of the "power" teams in the SEC are playing FCS competition. One can only hope someone gets embarrassed. Could it be the Gators?.......



1. Northern Illinois vs Toledo: The BCS honks are certainly hoping that the Rockets knock off the Huskies. Toledo is a very good MAC team but the Huskies may well be under ranked. It could certainly be argued that NIU, if in the Big Ten, would be the 2nd best team in that conference. I would go with NIU here in what could be a good close game.

2. Rutgers vs UCF: UCF certainly dodged a bullet last week in their tilt with one win Temple. Rutgers is a step up from the Owls and UCF likely just had an "off" day Saturday last. Go with the Knights here.

3. Duke vs Wake Forest: The Blue Devils are the surprise of the season likely. Wake Forest is not a good team. That being said I am suspecting that Wake Forest will pull off the upset here. The folks at Duke may be feeling just a bit over confident right about now.

4. Wisconsin vs Minnesota: Evenly matched. The Gophers have likely been playing a bit above their talent level and Wisconsin is Wisconsin. That is to say they are a good team that just can't quite get over the top. This is a toss up and I will go with the Badgers.

5. TAMU vs LSU: This is, some say, the "big one" this week. That is ridiculous but if the Tigers can find a way to stop that silly ass "Johnny Football" then they might have a decent shot. They won't though. Go with the Aggies in what has the potential to be an ugly game.

6. Vanderbilt vs Tennessee: A good match up. I would go with the Commodores here in a close one.

7. BYU vs Notre Dame: This could be a good one. Both of these squads are on the cusp of making it into the Bartender Cabbie (the real BCS) top 25. Here and there as it might be (kind of a week to week thing). BYU is probably the better club and will find some way to win. In reality this one is a probably a toss up.

8. Baylor vs Oklahoma State: Yes I know that many SEC honks think that LSU/TAMU is the big game but that is, of course, asinine. This particular game has possible "national championship" implications and Baylor must win to be considered to be in standing with the Crimson Tide and FSU. (Oh and Ohio State I suppose)  It helps that both the Seminoles and the Tide face inferior competition this week. If Baylor can win then they could very well be considered for at least number two team in the land. I will go with the Bears in a close one.

9. Boise State vs SDSU: The Broncos are having an off year. SDSU seems to have improved as the season progressed but are in no way a good team. I would go with the Broncos here.

10.. Missouri vs Ole Miss: This will be a good one. The Rebs are a dangerous football team that could beat anyone in the top 10 on a great day (providing of course the top 10 squad has an off performance). That being said I will go with the Tigers in a close one.


Have a good week and enjoy the games.

Week 12 2013 College Football Predictions

Last week went 6-4 with a season total thus far of 75-35. There are some good games this week so without further adieu....


1. Ball State vs Northern Illinois: The two best teams in conference square off in the Wednesday night tilt. Go with the Huskies in a very close game.

2. Ohio State vs Illinois: A Buckeye victory here would not mean much  nationally. Just too many teams playing tougher competition to seriously consider the Buckeyes for the big game at the end. I  have said before that the 2nd best team in the Big Ten is likely not as good as the 1st and perhaps 2nd best teams in the MAC. That being said this should be a cake walk for the Ohio team. One can hope otherwise.....

3. Houston vs Louisville: Both good teams with exceptional coaching staff and field generals. The Cougars have a good bit less experience behind center and will fall here. Go with the team from Kentucky.

4. Buffalo vs Toledo: UB is a pleasant surprise. They should win here.

5. Miami vs Duke: Miami is the better team but their confidence could be shattered. Duke has been playing some good ball of late. Upset in the making? Probably not. Go with the Canes to get back on track.

6. San Diego State vs Hawaii: Aztecs are the better team. I doubt that Norm will be working in the islands much longer. Go with SDSU.

7. Memphis vs South Florida: Evenly matched? Maybe not. The Tigers are the better team and will prevail.

8. Oklahoma State vs Texas: The Cowboys are a little bit over rated. The Longhorns can be good and can be horrible. If the good Texas team comes out they will win. I will toss a coin and go with Texas here.

9. Georgia vs Auburn: Georgia is not playing to expectations and Auburn has come back surprisingly fast from a horrific season last year. I will go with Auburn here.

10. Idaho State vs BYU: Can I throw in a ringer? Why not? What on earth is BYU doing playing this level of competition as the season winds down? Are they trying out for the SEC? Go with the Cougars. Wouldn't it be nice if though?.........

Have a good week and enjoy the games.

Week 11 2013 College Football Predictions

There are big games coming up with national championship implications and, interestingly enough, this week, some are not played on Saturday. Last week I went 7-3 with a 69-31 record to date. On to the predictions......



1. Central Michigan vs Ball State: Ball State is one of the better teams in the oft overlooked (and under rated) MAC. CMU has struggled some this year and will likely not be able to stay with the Cardinals.

2. Oklahoma vs Baylor: The Sooners are starting to show they can play a bit of ball and have some power. They will likely have trouble with the quickness the Bears bring to the table but Baylor will have to man up on D to take this one. They will. I go with the Bears in a rather close one.

3. Oregon vs Stanford: Upset? Not this time. Go with the Ducks.

4. Hawaii vs Navy: The Warriors are dismal. Navy is not much above that but should have enough to keep Hawaii out of the win column. Do you think they miss Jones in the islands? Perhaps. I 'm pretty sure they have had enough of Norm by now though. Go with the Midshipmen here.

5. Nebraska vs Michigan: Both teams will be out to prove that they still matter in big college ball. They don't. Toss up game and I will go with the Wolverines to get back on track somewhat with a win.

6. Houston vs UCF: A big game for both teams. Toss up and I will go with the Coogs for the upset.

7. LSU vs Alabama: Is Alabama ripe for an upset. If so the Tigers are about the only team left that could keep them out of the big game at the end. Miles and CO. would like nothing more than to do just that. Won't happen. Bama will relegate the Bayou Bengals to some "who cares" bowl.

8. KSU vs TTU: The Raiders have been exposed. It was bound to happen sooner or later. Still, they are a dangerous team to any but the top squads in the land. KSU has improved greatly after a disastrous start. This one is a toss up and I will go with KSU for the win.

9. SDSU vs SJSU: Evenly matched clubs. I literally toss a coin and go with the Spartans.

10. Southern Miss vs Louisiana Tech: Remember when both of these clubs were feared by all but the top teams in country? No more. That being said, Tech is the better team and will win here.

Have a good week and enjoy the games.

Week 10 2013 College Football Predictions

Last week I went 6-4 for a total of 62-28 for the season thus far straight up. A friend of mine placed some bets for me over the weekend (he was in Vegas) and I can close to winning a pot full of money. Damn Fresno State didn't cover. Anyway......this week has some decent games on tap but really the only thing that remains to be seen is who will be in the big game at the end and be crowned the BCS "National Champion." Conventional wisdom says it will be a Bama/Oregon match up (which would end in predictable fashion), but neither Ohio State nor FSU can be counted out and how 'bout those Bears of Texas.....Still a lot of football left to be played..



1. Cincinnati vs Memphis: Two even teams here. I will go with the Tigers for the win. I like them better.

2. South Florida vs Houston: The Coogs are in the Bartender Cabbie Top 25 and deserve to be so. They should have little problem here. Coach Willie I bet wishes he had stayed at WKU. He will find himself jobless before long I wager.

3. Rice vs North Texas: A good CUSA team will prevail here. Go with the Owls.

4. Ohio State vs Purdue: Again the Buckeyes face inferior competition. They will win and still be considered in the BCS conversation.

5. Michigan vs Michigan State: An interesting game. Neither team  amounts to near what some thought they would this season but this rivalry game will be fun. It is a toss up and I will just guess that the Spartans will pull this one out.

6. Iowa State vs KSU: A down year for both but KSU seems to be pulling out of the tailspin somewhat. I go with the Wildcats for the win.

7. Georgia vs Florida: The "Worlds Largest Cocktail Party" is a fizzle this season. Still could be a fun game though. Georgia has played well below their talent level and Florida is just not good. The Bulldogs will win here.

8. Miami vs FSU: A big one with national championship implications here. Miami has been living very dangerously and is not as good a team as the Seminoles but anything can happen in this one. I go with FSU to pull it out of the hat although it has the potential to be very close.

9. New Mexico State vs Louisiana: Last week these Aggies scored their first win of the season over a, get this, Division II squad. To my knowledge this is the first match up of this nature in quite some time. NMSU had some trouble and was lucky to pull out the W. The Cajuns may well be a borderline top 25 squad at this point in the season and will have little trouble here.

10. Oklahoma State vs Texas Tech: In reality, these two teams are probably about even. I will go with the Raiders to win. It is a toss up and it could be close.

Have a good week and enjoy the games.

College Football Predictions Week 9 2013

Week 8 is in the books and it was one of the better weekends for the game that I have seen in a long time. I went a less than stellar 5-5 straight up for a total thus far of 56-24. Wonder what the upcoming week will bring......


1. Louisiana vs Arkansas State: The Cajuns appear to be in the driver seat in the Sun Belt but ASU can not yet be ruled out. The Red Wolves are not the team they have been in the last few years but still a dangerous opponent for any SBC squad. The Cajuns must guard against a let down after last week's win at WKU. They will do so and squeak by with a victory. It will be close.

2. Kentucky vs Miss State: Two  bottom of the barrel SEC squads face off in what could be a good game. I will go with the Bulldogs in a close one.

3. Wake Forest vs Miami: Wake Forest had a good win last week and further exposed a Maryland team for what they really are. Miami is a good, but far from great, team. They should have enough in the tank to beat the Deacons though. Go with the Canes.

4. Boise State vs BYU: Both of these teams are on the cusp of being included in the Bartender Cabbie Top 25. I will go out on a limb here and predict a Bronco "upset."

5. Houston vs Rutgers: Two other teams right on the verge of inclusion in the BC Top 25. Both are probably about even and I will go with Rutgers in a close one. They have just faced better competition this season.

6. UTEP vs Rice: Rice is turning out to be a pretty good CUSA team and will win here. It may be rather close.

7. Fresno State vs SDSU: Could it be that the Aztecs are turning things around a bit? Perhaps. Will they have enough to roll to victory over the Bulldogs? No. Go with Fresno State.

8. Texas Tech vs Oklahoma: This will be a real test for the Red Raiders. Look for the Sooners to upset the cart a bit a squash any (rather ridiculous) talk of TTU being included as a legitimate "national championship" contender. Of course on always hopes for a Sooner loss. Not much is sweeter..........

9. Oregon vs UCLA: This is allegedly the big game of the week. Oregon will roll. As usual.

10. Stanford vs Oregon State: OSU had one hiccup against a (very good) FCS opponent but that is still hard to come back from. That being said, they are a pretty good football team that has an outside shot at a PAC 12 Championship. Stanford is perhaps a bit over rated and this game should be a toss up. I am going with OSU for the upset here.

Have a good week and enjoy the games.

Week 8 College Football Predictions 2013

There were a lot of close games last week and some of the big dogs found themselves in the losers column. Other top schools had one heck of a time with lower level competition and thus it is hard to say really just who are the top teams. Well, with a couple of notable exceptions........Last week I went 7-3 straight up with a total thus far this season of 51-19. That being said, on to the predictions for week 8.



1. Louisiana vs WKU: The winner of this game is in the driver seat in the Sun Belt race. It is likely that one of these two will be the SBC winner before all is told, although no one is talking about an upstart South Alabama squad. Why should they? This is the Sun Belt after all. At any rate, this one could be close, both teams are pretty even and I will go with the Cajuns in what some would consider a minor upset.

2. Miami vs NC: The Canes are the better overall team hands down but they have to be better on any given day. This will be closer than expected but look for Miami to come away with the victory.

3. Louisville vs UCF: Louisville had a great deal of trouble with a better than many think Rutgers team. If anything the Knights of Florida are a step above the Knights of New Jersey. It could be another close one if the Cardinals again come out flat. Go with Louisville.

4. Florida vs Mizzou: Mizzou showed the SEC crowd that they are a team that just might need to be taken seriously this season. We will see. I go with the Bears to edge the Gators here and remain unbeaten. Let us be honest. Florida is just not that good.

5. Maryland vs Wake Forest: The Terps are still out to prove that they are a better team than the one that was pounded by FSU a couple weeks back. They should win this one. Go with Maryland.

6. UMASS vs Buffalo: A surprisingly good MAC team this Buffalo team is this season. The Minutemen are among the bottom of the D1 pile. I would go with Buffalo here.

7. TAMU vs Auburn: Is this the big one this week? We will see. Auburn is vastly improved and there are some chinks (defensive mainly, after all Sumlin is in command), in the Aggie armor. I will go with the Aggies to win this one although it may be rather close.

8. BYU vs Houston: This non conference bout will tell us a whole lot about the Houston Cougar squad this year. They are undefeated sure but the competition level has been dubious at best. I am going to go way out on a limb here and predict a Cougar (Houston) victory.

9. FSU vs Clemson: Some say this is the big one. Could be. Clemson struggled last week against vastly inferior competition and that certainly sends up some red flags. They will get back on track this week and edge the Seminoles.

10. UCLA vs Stanford: Another big one here. Stanford was embarrassed last week but should get back on track here. UCLA is good but they are just not quite top 10 material. The Stanford team needs to show that they belong in the national conversation still. They don't but should have enough to edge UCLA in a good game.

Week 7 2013 College Football Predictions

The season is at the mid  point and as usual the cream has risen to the top. Oregon and Alabama along with Clemson and perhaps another four or five (Georgia, LSU, Stanford, Baylor, FSU, Ohio State) are in the running for the mythical BCS "National Championship." There is no more room for error for anyone..........Last week was an 8-2 week with the total thus season of 44-16. That being said, on to the predictions..


1. Rutgers vs Louisville: The Scarlett Knights are one of the few teams on the Cardinals schedule with a slight possibility of tripping them up. They won't. Go with Louisville to have a rather easy time.

2. Missouri vs Georgia: Missouri is 5-0 at this point and a well coached club to boot. Georgia still has a legitimate shot at the "National Championship." Mizzou is a better team than most expect and may give the Bulldogs some problems but will come out on the short end of the stick. Go with Georgia.

3. Memphis vs Houston: Memphis is an improved ball club this season and it is still a mystery if the Cougars are worth a flip or not. Houston is probably the better team and should prevail. I would put my money on the Cougars. It could be close. Or not.

4. Buffalo vs Western Michigan: Buffalo may actually make some noise in the MAC. WMU is going nowhere. Go with Buffalo here.

5. Baylor vs KSU: This is the game that will end any possibility of KSU having a top twenty five season. Go with the Bears. It could get ugly depending on which KSU team shows up. I would not discount the Bears having a shot to reach the "Big Game at the End."

6. Texas vs Oklahoma: A major rivalry game and anything can happen. Right? Won't happen for the Horns with Little McCoy behind center. Go with the Sooners. It has the potential to get ugly although the Sooners are, let us be honest, no great shakes.

7. ULM vs Texas State: Browning is out for the Warhawks and thus the season seems to be ended. Go with Texas State here.

8. Oregon vs Washington: The number one team in the land (sorry Tide goobs) should be able to handle a pretty good Washington squad.

9. Florida vs LSU: Florida looked somewhat improved in their win over a rebuilding Razorback group. LSU had some trouble with MSU but that was sort of expected. I would go with LSU here although it may well be a close one.

10. California vs UCLA: The Bruins are inexplicably ranked rather high in the major polls. They are a solid lower top 25 squad but in no way approaching top 10 status. With that being said, they should take the Bears in this one. Go with UCLA.

Week 6 2013 College Football Predictions

Last week I went a 9-1 with a total for the season of 36-14 straight up. If it wasn't for the LSU defense staying at home it would have been a 10-0 week.
Let's take a look at the predictions for next week.

1. UCLA vs Utah: I am going with UCLA here. It is time to show what they are about. Of course, the Utes are no longer a good team and a victory over them may or may not move the Bruins up in the Bartender Cabbie Top 25. A loss would certainly drop them significantly.

2. Texas vs Iowa State: The Longhorns will be out to prove they are a team worth watching. They  aren't.  Iowa State is coming off a nice win over Tulsa but that doesn't say too much this season. The Horns should win this one but it may be close.

4. WKU vs ULM: Early in the season I figured the ULM was the class of the Sun Belt. They still might be but I kind of doubt it.  I would go with the Hilltoppers here despite them being coached by the Petrino scum.

5. Louisville vs Temple: A no brainer here. Go with Bridgewater and CO. to decimate the Owls. Maybe they will have some sympathy and not score 70 points.

6. Kansas State vs Oklahoma State: This one might be good. Snyder needs to figure out which QB he intends to lead this team. Frankly I would go with Sams. OSU will be out to prove that the loss to WVU was an anomaly. It wasn't.  This game is a toss up and I will go with KSU.

7. Fresno State vs Idaho: The Vandals finally won one. Good for them. Temple ain't Fresno State however. Even if the Bulldogs play below what they are capable of (as they did last week against Hawaii), they should still have enough in the tank to take this one from the Idaho. The Vandals should have retained Akey. Getting rid of him was almost as stupid as Fresno State sending Pat Hill packing.

8. Arkansas vs Florida: This is a rather important SEC game. No it is not Bama/LSU or even LSU/Georgia but the game may well have bowl implications. The Hogs did have some success in stopping that ass "Johnny Football" and the Gators have no comparison to that wily little scammer. I would go with the Hogs to pull off a minor upset here and drop Florida out of the rankings altogether.

9. Oregon vs Colorado: Well at least I am not padding my stats with the Bama/Georgia State match up. Go with the Ducks in a big way. If they win in normal fashion it is possible they will move ahead of Alabama in the Bartender Cabbie rankings on general principals alone. 

10. LSU vs Mississippi State: The Tigers will be mad as hell from letting one slip away last week in Georgia. The Bulldogs of MSU are certainly not the 'Dogs of Georgia but they will be out to prove they belong in the SEC conversation. They don't, but they may still give the Tigers a good game none the less. I would go with LSU. It may be closer than expected.

Have a good week and enjoy the games.

Well Heck No College Sports Players Don't Need A Salary

There is a lot of talk now days about the "need" to offer some sort of compensation to college athletes. The focus is of course on football as the highest revenue is usually (not always) generated by the gridiron game.
Scholarship players are already being paid with a free or reduced cost education (which, let us be honest, many are not smart enough to benefit). Playing college ball with an education to boot is a privilege.

Some of these punks in the college game (and the honks behind them) who are screeching for some sort of payment are lucky they are not told to "get in the truck," "get in your cell," or "lock and load."

Yes, Yes I know that some big time programs are corrupt as all get out and these players are being "used" for their prowess on the field of play. Thems the breaks.

You know this sense of entitlement is beyond comprehension.

Bartender Cabbie College Football Top 25 9/29/2013

There were some pretty good games on tap this weekend with two or three of them being important in race for the BCS "National Championship."



Top 25 for 9/29

1. Alabama: Pretty easy thumping of a team that is better than a lot of folks suspect.

2. Oregon: Not good enough (yet) to knock off the Tide but certainly no reason to drop them in the standings

3. Clemson: Has a shot at the big game at the end. Class of the ACC.

4. TAMU: Needs to play a bit of defense. Typical Sumlin team with great offense and little D. Showed they could run the ball a bit.

5. Georgia: Edged the Tigers. A good football team with a shot at the SEC Championship.

6. LSU: For some reason the defense stayed at home. Vastly improved QB play over last season.

7. Stanford: We will see how good this team really is shortly.

8. Louisville: I don't care who they play. This team has a shot at the "National Title."

9. Ohio State: Finally a win against an at least decent football team. Which QB is the better is the question here. The hot shot Heisman candidate or his back up.

10. Miami: A team to contend with in the ACC. Probably second best in that league.

11. South Carolina: Struggled mightily against a very good albeit under the radar squad.

12. Florida State: As usual the weakness was exposed. Could not cover against a very weak BC squad. A win that drops them in the standings.

13. Oklahoma: Very good team for the Big Twelve. Should be in a BCS game.

14. Baylor: Waiting for the Sooners to falter.

15. UCLA: Still hanging around the top 25. This team is better than most realize likely.

16. Washington: So they say.

17. Northwestern: Ditto

18. Maryland: Amazingly enough the Terps make the grade.

19. Texas Tech: A pretty good team. Still a bit of a mystery.

20. Florida: OK. Maybe.

21. Mississippi: Will still make some noise in the SEC and reach a respectable bowl game.

22. UCF: This team will make some noise in the new fangled AAC (or whatever it is called).

23. Texas: Perhaps. Might be a bit of stretch including them here at this point.

24. Oregon State: Just might have them ranked low. Perhaps substantially....

25. Fresno State: Right on the edge of being excluded after their by the seat of the
 pants win over the Warriors of Hawaii. They probably should be excluded after that performance to be frank.

On the Bubble (in no particular order)
Michigan: Drops out. Buffalo (yes Buffalo) blew out the Huskies of UCON, a team which the Wolverines had real trouble with. Hoke better get it together.
Wisconsin: Perhaps
Vanderbilt: A pretty decent lower level SEC squad.
Mississippi State: A top 25 finish would always be a win
Houston: Haven't really played anybody but 4-0 is 4-0.
Auburn: Should reach a bowl
Arizona: Looking pretty good.
USC: Nope. Doubtful. Canning Lane is at least a start in the right direction. It can take years to undo the type of carnage he caused.
Arkansas: Right coach at the right time. Like USC, it may take a while to right the ship that was sunk by Petrino and, to some extent, Smith.
Boise State: Don't count out a top 25 finish quite yet.
Utah State: Same.
Oklahoma State: I had a feeling there were some chinks in the Cowboy armor.
West Virginia: Doubtful but a good win yesterday none the less
Northern Illinois: Not to be counted out in the MAC race for certain. Probably the favorite at this point.  Could reach top 25 before all is said and done.
Illinois: Hard to imagine but they are 3-1 at this point.
Missouri: Under the radar and could be a pretty good team.
East Carolina: The class of CUSA.
Ball State: Good MAC squad
Bowling Green: Ditto
Ohio: and ditto again.
Penn State: Doubtful
Minnesota: Started strong but will fade fast. It would be a major accomplishment to reach the top 25 this season (or any season for that matter).
Arizona State: Coached by an idiot but an idiot capable of winning.
Notre Dame: Over rated. As usual. That being said, a top 25 finish is not out of the question.
Kansas State: Hard to count them totally out the picture quite yet.

Probably missing someone but whoever that may be is such a long shot that it is probably not worth the time typing them in.

Obama and the UN

As luck would have it I was actually at home today to watch the POTUS speech at the UN. Good words. Convincing words. Also words that are totally out of touch with reality.

 To be fair, Obama is not the first president to truly believe that Democracy is the cure all for the world's (in particular the Mohammedan world) ills. Bush I believed it as did Clinton. Bush the Second certainly was a true believer. All of them were and are wrong.

There is nothing that can solve the problems in the Mohammedan world except the Muslims themselves. They have, thus far, proven themselves incapable of maintaining democracy in any of the "classic" Muslim nations. Afghanistan is doomed to fail and fall again into chaos. It is already there frankly. Iraq is no different likely in this regard. Democracy did not take hold in Egypt for long, and for the brief time it was in existence, it was dominated by Islamists. The lands of the "Palestinian" State have shown that extremists would be in power and there would be infighting among the "less" extreme and those even more intent on self destruction. The only lands in the region where there is some stability are virtual dictatorships. This appears the only way the Mohammedan nation can truly function and "do business" with the rest of the world. Even Iran, which is a dangerous nation no doubt, is more stable than many others. No one can say democracy is really practiced there.

The President also touched on the possibility of better relations with Iran. He did not back off the position that Iran would not be allowed to have nuclear weapons but, in the same breath, did mention that a peaceful nuclear program was not out of bounds. A foolish and naïve notion. Iranian "peaceful" access to nuclear power is not far removed from having the ability to weaponize the technology. A forceful president would have let it be known, in no uncertain terms, that Iran will have to cease and desist research into the technology or face the gravest possible consequences.

His "lecture" (as indeed that was what it truly was) on the subject of the Mohammedan/Israeli conflict was instructive and also wrong. He rightfully pointed out that the United States would not allow Israel to be victimized by the Muslims in the region but he also noted that the "Palestinians" are to be allowed to have their own secure state. A pipe dream. The regions that the Palestinians occupy; their "state" is doomed to failure.
 For one, it is too small without enough resources to sustain a population. It is now, frankly, a ward of  Israel. It is fractured, divided in territory as well as ideology with both the "moderates" and extremists not backing really backing off the notion that Israel does not have a right to exist and that all of the land of Israel is, in their eyes, really the land of the "Palestinian." Lip service is paid to peace with the Jewish state but it is doubtful that they (or any other Mohammedan group) truly want peace. They want dominance.

Jerusalem? The President seemed (to me) to leave open the status of Jerusalem. The reality is that Islam and Judaism are not the only religions of the world that have interest in the ancient city. This is a tough one perhaps to some but it seems that "might does make right" here and that this is truly a city to be administered by the Jewish state. No one sane is advocating keeping Muslims away from an important site in the history of their religion but a stable powerful nation state must be in control. If not Israel - who? The "international" community? As long as the holy sites of all the religions represented here are respected, then the whole of the city should be administered by the nation most capable of keeping order. Of course the fact (and it is fact) that Jerusalem is the true capital of the Jewish State is overlooked here. A bone of contention for many.....

The Jewish settlements seem to also be a bone of contention for many, including this particular president. These settlements on supposed Palestinian lands do seem to pose a political problem for all concerned. The "Zionists" among us of course believe that they are not encroaching but are claiming what is their rightful heritage. Their birthright as Jews as it were. This is a tough problem for a president, any American president, whose population is predominantly anti Muslim at this point. Many of us vividly remember the rejoice of the "Palestinians" after the attacks of Sept 11, 2001 and have no sympathy with the plight of these same "Palestinians."

What this president (or any other) need to understand perhaps is that this country has had enough of Mohammedans and their problems. The vast majority of us, while certainly horrified by the excesses supposedly perpetrated by the Syrian regime, have no further interest in giving aid or comfort to those who are in sympathy (and some directly and indirectly allied with) those who were responsible for numerous attacks on this country. Perhaps it would be best to let them slug it out?
There are however populations of Christians in these lands and perhaps they need to be protected. Or do they? So what is the answer? In the particular case of Syria, if one group has to actually be supported, would it make more sense to support the regime that, while no doubt evil, and has been a problem at times, and while fighting the Jewish State via proxy, has shown no inclination to lock horns with Israel conventionally?  Very tough geopolitical problems that, to be fair, put a president of this country in a no win situation.

A strong president would have made it clear that Iran would not have any nuclear technology whatsoever, Israel would be supported, and that intervention into Mohammedan internecine wars would only occur if there was a tangible benefit to the western world to do so and that, in most cases, the Mohammedan would be let to his own devices.

Week 5 2013 College Football Predictions

Last week I went an inauspicious 5-5 straight up with a season record to this point of 27-13.. It would have been exceedingly easy to go 10-0 with the ridiculous match ups we had to chose from. It will be nice when this disastrous BCS system finally goes away for good and perhaps some of these silly contests with it. The Hell spawned BCS has gone a long way toward ruining the college game.

On to the predictions for week 5.......

1. Utah State vs San Jose State: This could be a good game or not. Utah State is the better team but San Jose State, while not the squad they were last season, is still much better than the usual Spartan group. I will go with the Aggies of Utah State to take this one. It may be rather close.

2. Miami (FL) vs South Florida: The Bulls are dismal. Plain and simple. The Canes at the very least are a top 20 squad and may just be banging on the door of top 10. That being said South Florida will be gunning for them. It may be closer than expected but I will have to go with Miami here.

3. South Carolina vs UCF: This will be the week that the Gamecocks prove they are top 10 worthy. UCF has a lot to prove here also. The Knights could very well be a top 20 team and the Gamecocks, while high in the Bartender Cabbie Top 10...........Well, they need to win here. They will but it will be a hard fought game and will be close.

4. SMU vs TCU: This historic rivalry could be a good game. TCU is not the squad they have been the past few years and the June Jones era in Dallas is, thus far, disappointing. Another game that has the potential to be close and I will go with TCU.

5. Oklahoma vs Notre Dame: While far from being the "big game of the week," this is an important match up from a national perspective. The Sooners have not been really tested except perhaps by WVU (and we have seen what the Mountaineers amount to this season) and the Irish have already had a couple of tests with one major failure (against a Michigan team that may or may not really have top 20 potential). Neither of these schools figures to challenge for a spot in the "National Championship" game but one of them will likely find themselves in a BCS bowl. I would go with the Sooners here. We will see come Saturday whether either of these teams is the real deal.

6. Houston vs UTSA: The Coogs had a nice win last week against a good (for CUSA) Rice team. They should be able to handle Coker's squad with relative ease. We will see. Go with the team from Houston.

7. Fresno State vs Hawaii: June Jones should have stayed in the islands where he had consistently decent teams. He isn't amounting to much on the mainland it seems. But Jones is gone and the Rainbows err Warriors are a dismal bunch. The Bulldogs earned a spot in the Bartender Cabbie top 25 last week with a win over a pretty good Boise State squad. To stay in the rankings they will have to win here. They will. Go with Fresno State.

8. Texas Agriculture vs Arkansas: The Razorbacks may be heading in the right direction with a new coaching staff but they are a long way from hanging with the Aggies. Go with the team from Texas. It could possibly get ugly.

9. Ole Miss vs Alabama: Conventional wisdom says that the Tide will roll here. Not so fast. Ole Miss might not be LSU quite yet but they are a quality team that is on the rise. This should not be a cake walk for Nick and it might be a closer game than many expect. I would go with the Tide here.

10. LSU vs Georgia: This is unarguably the big one of the week. Georgia had more trouble than they should have against the Mean Green last week and that does send up some red flags 'round here. I will pick the Tigers in a close one. Probably decided by less than a touchdown.

Have a good week and enjoy the games.

Bartender Cabbie Top 25 College Football 9/22/2013

Yesterday was a pretty good day of football with not too many surprises. Some of the "power" teams did struggle a good bit against "lessor" competition, but there were no earth shattering upsets...



1. Alabama: Got off to a slow start against the Rams but not slow enough to knock them off the top spot.

2. Oregon: Idle. No reason to move them up or down.

3. TAMU: Johnny Football and CO. will continue to roll.. Must improve on defense or they may have a nasty surprise (or two) in store before all is said and done.

4. Clemson: Another team that struggled a bit but not enough to move up or down from last week's ranking.

5. South Carolina: Moves up one without playing. Might be ranked a bit high. They are getting the benefit of the doubt.

6. LSU: May really be a team worth watching after all. Improved play on offense and a good defense might propel them into a national championship. Miles still coaches though.........That is problem.

7. Florida State: Easy win against a pretty good FCS opponent.

8. Louisville: Easy win against inept competition doesn't really say much. They are the real deal though. Believe it.

9. Stanford: Better than expected. Had an easy time with Graham's Sun Devil squad. Graham is an ass anyway.

10. Georgia: Struggled against the Mean Green of North Texas. The Dogs really didn't look like a top ten team. They are.

11. Ohio State: A win against FAMU proves nothing. Nothing at all. Probably the best team in the Big Ten, Not sure exactly what that says about the Big Ten......

12. Miami: A good football team that is still under the radar. Could challenge for top spot in the ACC.

13. Oklahoma: Might be the best of the Big Twelve. Or not. Talent is there but coaching staff is suspect.

14. Baylor: Utterly destroyed a pretty decent Sun Belt squad. Could possibly be the best in the Big Twelve. Well coached.

15. UCLA: Turning out to be a pretty good football team. Well coached.

16. Washington: We will see. May be better than some suspect.

17. Northwestern: OK

18. Maryland: Very easy to overlook (and I have done so). The Terps are playing some ball. When was the last time that happened?

19. Mississippi: Could surprise some folk in the SEC before all is said and done.

20. Fresno State: Could be the best of the MWC. Nice win over the Broncos.

21. Texas Tech: Still too early to see what they are really about. Something is going right. Anyway that Tuberville is gone and that is a start in the right direction.

22. Florida: Not convinced they are a team that can challenge in the SEC quite yet.

23. Michigan: Struggled mightily against a less than mediocre team for the second week in a row. If Hoke was not coaching they would be out of the top 25. I am still, at this time, a believer in Mr. Hoke.

24. Notre Dame: OK

25. Texas: Texas? Yes.


On the bubble in no particular order
Oklahoma State: Fell out of the top 25 due to the uncertainty whether some rather wild allegations will be a distraction.
Houston: Not real sure what they have yet.
USC: Should be top 25 but just aren't there. Kiffin coaches. Nuff said.
Utah State: Will challenge to top spot in the MWC
Boise State: A dangerous football team that could finish strong. A bit of a down year.
Michigan State: Maybe. Will have to improve.
Washington State: The Pirate might be the man to right the ship here
Arizona: Well coached.
Arizona State: Probably not
UCF: Might be a top 25 team before all is said and done.
Oregon State: Another well coached and rather under the radar team.
Mississippi State: Perhaps - A top 25 finish would be a major success in Starkville.
Toledo: Good MAC squad
Ohio: Ditto
Northern Illinois: and Ditto again.
Anyone else? Maybe Nebraska or Kansas State. Both would have to improve a great deal. Not convinced that Pelini is the man in Lincoln. I know that Snyder is the man for KSU. No one else can win there it seems.
Arkansas: Probably not this year.
Auburn: Improved over last season. A bowl game of sorts likely but a place in the top 25 is a long shot.
Vanderbilt: Well coached. Nashville is a hard place to win in the SEC. Vandy would be a better fit in CUSA, the ACC, or that newfangled American Athletic Conference. They won't go anywhere though. Commodore fans would rather lose in the SEC than win in a lessor conference I would wager.
Penn State: Perhaps
Missouri: Easy to overlook. Might be a team worth watching.
Wisconsin: Probably should not forget about the Badgers.

Week 4 2013 College Football Predictions

Week four is upon us. Going by pretty fast. Isn't it? Last week I went 8-2 for a total this season of 22-8 straight up. Let's see about this week.......
It would likely be very easy to go 10-0 this week with a whole slew of power teams trying to pad their w/l record with teams that they should run over. Hopefully at least one of the "powers" will have a very unpleasant surprise before the week 4 is in the books. That is always fun....


1. Boise State vs Fresno State: This game is a toss up with the winner, I think, being a legitimate top 25 ball club. I will toss a coin and go with the team from Idaho to again edge the Bulldogs. They have had their number a great deal in the past. I like both teams but think that perhaps Fresno State letting Pat Hill go was a stupid mistake.

2. Clemson vs NC State: This Thursday night match up should prove to be a rather easy run for the Tigers. Clemson is a (legitimate) dark horse for the national title and will showcase their talent with a victory.

3. Tulane vs Syracuse: Neither of the teams is very good but Tulane has improved a great deal over last season. This is probably about a toss up and I will go with the group from the Big Easy.

4. Houston vs Rice: The Bayou Bucket is always an interesting game. The Cougars are a bit of a mystery yet and Rice has shown they are a good CUSA team. I will go with the Owls in a close one.

5.  ULM vs Baylor: ULM may well be the best team in the Sun Belt. Probably a toss up between the Warhawks and Arkansas State: ULM does have the best QB/receiving corps combination in conference but will not quite be able to keep up with the Bears. Chalk up another win for Baylor here. May be closer than expected.

6. KSU vs Texas: This game will be interesting. The Longhorns are an embarrassed bunch. Surely they aren't as bad as they have looked recently. Are they? KSU will prove to be a pretty good team before all is done despite an opening defeat against the best (by far) of the FCS. I will go with the Wildcats in a rather close game. Win or lose, Mack's job is in jeopardy. Bill's? He can stay until he decides it's time to go.

7. Oregon State vs SDSU: This is not (even close) the most ridiculous match up this week if you can believe that. Go with Oregon State with relative ease. Rocky Long is a good coach but he just doesn't seem to have much in sunny Southern California this season. Perhaps another time......

8. Utah State vs USC: This, believe it or not, may be a good match up. Utah State could be a top 25 team and USC......Who knows? They should be but that means nothing as long as Lane is HC. These Aggies of Utah will face an uphill battle and I will go out on a very very long limb here and predict the Utah State bunch to "upset" the Trojans.

9. Auburn vs LSU: We will see shortly how much Auburn has improved. We will also see if perhaps LSU is the real deal and a serious challenge to take the SEC. I'm thinking that the Louisiana Tigers are probably not ready to challenge Alabama (or the Aggies for the matter), and that the Tigers of Alabama are an improved team but just not improved enough quite yet to knock off LSU. Go with the team from Baton Rouge here. Of course Miles may well find a way to screw it up.....He does that from time to time you know.

10. Michigan vs UCONN: Michigan was darn near defeated by what is supposed to be one of the bottom dwellers of the MAC last week. I guess they just overlooked the kids from Akron. A major mistake that turned out to be. If anything, Connecticut is not as good as Akron and Michigan will be out to prove that they really are a team of note. They aren't I don't think (although I do like Hoke as much as the next guy), but they should have no problem beating up on the Huskies. Go with Michigan.


Have a good week and enjoy the games.

Argo Did It

I may be one of the last people in the country to have watched the movie Argo. Until the other night....It was interesting and edge of the seat type entertaining to watch a portrayal of the rescue of six Americans right from under the noses of the Islamist garbage during the "Iranian Affair."

Oh, the movie also had a great soundtrack. I almost forgot about this one. Enjoy this under valued classic from the Rolling Stones.

Well Maybe Pizza Does Make the World Go 'Round

It goes without saying that oil and petrochemical industry is the engine that fuels the economy of the United States, but I would say that without coffee and soft drinks things would move at a much slower pace. Who can deny that without that first cup of mud many of us are just not ready to face the day?  Some folk use soft drinks in the same manner though I personally would rate sugary cold drinks a poor substitute. Oh yes, that does include those iced coffees. Gotta be hot or it ain't the real deal. I suppose that is a matter of opinion though.


Recently one below par pizza chain (let us be honest) has had advertisements on the tube telling us that without pizza a whole lot of things just would not get done. Funny but they may have a point there. All of us, at one time or another, have had to work late to get something accomplished and pizza was ordered to pacify the herd. It can be argued that pizza does indeed help fuel the economy I suppose. Who would have thought the pizza delivery boy is an integral part of the economy. In some parts I guess Chinese take out has the same effect. Or so it seems in the movies.........

 

Also in the movies (and only there) this is what shows up to deliver your pie. Real life? Not so much, and that my friends and countrymen, is a damn shame.

Bartender Cabbie College Football Top 25 9/15/2013

Week three of the college football season is in the books and there are no real surprises. At least not yet.

1. Alabama: Look for Nick and CO. to be in the big game at the end. Again.

2. Oregon: Top notch talent that destroyed a lower level SEC squad. The victory wasn't a surprise but the margin was an eye opener.

3. Texas Agriculture: Johnny Football is the real deal. Perhaps he will grow up some before long. Probably not though.  Defense is a bit suspect perhaps.

4. Clemson: The class of the ACC and could challenge for the national title before all is said and done.

5. Georgia: Right behind BAMA and TAMU.

6. South Carolina: One mediocre outing does not count them out. A threat in the SEC.

7. Florida State: Perhaps ranked a bit high. A quality team none the less.

8. Louisville: A sluggish start against an inept team keeps them down a bit. To be fair it was against their cross state rival. Never can tell about a rivalry game..

9. Ohio State: The competition level has them looking like a top 5 team. They aren't. Yet.

10 LSU: Miles is coach. Probably won't rise higher. He will single handedly snatch defeat from the jaws of victory at least once this season. It's what he does.

11. Miami: Believe it. Al Golden will bring them a top 20 finish this season.

12. Oklahoma: The best in a mediocre Big Twelve.

13. Stanford: Probably not the team they were the last couple of years.

14. UCLA: Moving up. Shedding years of mediocre performance. Well coached.

15. Michigan: Quality win over Notre Dame two weeks ago. Embarrassed by a very close call with a lower level MAC squad. A well coached team that could move up. Or down.

16. Baylor: Possibly ranked a bit low. One of the best coaches in the game today.

17. Texas Tech: A good deal of speed equals a top 20 finish in the polls. Has to shed the disaster that was Tuberville.

18. Northwestern: OK. Some say they are a quality squad and I will give them the benefit of the doubt. For now.

19. Oklahoma State: Has yet to play a real game. A lot of negative allegations may become a distraction here.

20. Washington: OK. Might be a good team.

21 Utah State: May be the best of the MWC. Will be challenged by Boise State and Fresno State.

22. Ole Miss: Perhaps ranked a bit low.

23. Boise State: May finish in the top 25. A bit of an off year in Boise.

24: Notre Dame: OK. Maybe.

25: Florida: Over rated. A bit of a stretch to include them at this point.

On the bubble (in no particular order):
Rice: Rice? Yep.
Fresno State: May make it in before all is done. Would have traded them out with either Boise or Utah State had they played and (of course) beat Colorado. The game was ppd due to a flood disaster in Colorado.
Wisconsin: A let down yesterday.
Houston: Next week will be a challenge
Auburn: Better than last season. Way better. Well coached and will reach a bowl game.
Vanderbilt: Not the worse team in the SEC. By a long shot.
Mississippi State: Ditto.
Penn State: Over rated but will win some games
Navy: The best of the service academies. Again.
Ohio: May make noise in the MAC. Top notch HC.
Northern Illinois: Ditto.
Oregon State: Not sure what we have here.
Toledo: Another good MAC team.
Kent State: Well coached and could make some noise in the MAC
Arkansas State: May be the best of the Sun Belt and the best team in the state (sorry Hogs fans). Defeated Troy and will be further challenged by ULM. ULM has the best QB and one of the best receivers in conference but it might not be enough to unseast Arkansas State.
West Virginia: We will see what Dana really has before long. Hung tough with a good Sooner squad a while back.
Kansas State: Never count out Snyder. He does wonders with often mediocre talent.
TCU: Not as good as originally advertised. Looks like a rebuild.
UCF: Good win yesterday. This could be a top 25 team.
Arizona: Well coached.
Arizona State: Coached by a fool, but the guy does seem to know how to win. May make some noise in the PAC 12.
Nebraska: Could squeak into the Top 25. How the mighty have fallen.
Washington State: Could break in. The Pirate may be just what the doctor ordered here.
Arkansas: Trying to come back after the program was near destroyed by Petrino. Smith didn't help matters either. Probably has the right coach at the helm now.
ULM: May challenge for the Sun Belt. Would have to run the table to have any possibility of a top 25 finish. Should lose to Baylor next week but may make it closer than expected.
USC: Horrible coach. Should win year in and year out with the talent they have on the field. Still a possible top 25 finish in store.

Week 3 2013 College Football Predictions

I watched a little college ball Thursday night. Kind of hard switching back and forth between four games (three FBS and one D2 contest). The TTU/TCU game was fair but the best was the Arkansas State/Troy match up. At any rate, last week I went 8-2 with a total of 14-6 thus far. Let's see what can be done this week....

1. AFA vs Boise State: It doesn't look like this will be one of the Broncos' better seasons although they certainly should be right in the thick of the MWC race. Air Force is not very good at this point in the season. I would look for the Idaho bunch to take this one with relative ease in tonight's contest.

2. Delaware vs Navy: This one will be a toss up likely. I will go with the Squids in a close contest.

3. West Point vs Stanford: A no brainer here. Go with Stanford. It is almost embarrassing to put this one on the board.

4. Ohio State vs Cal: There are those who are saying that the Buckeyes are ripe for an upset. They may not really be quite as good as the pundits say. Cal is well coached but then, so is Ohio State. The team from Ohio will prevail. Hope not.

5. Nichols vs Louisiana: This is the week the Cajuns carve out their first win. If they don't then it will be a very very long season down in Lafayette.

6. Memphis vs Middle Tennessee State: This one has become a rivalry of sorts and is probably pretty even. I will go a bit out on a limb here and predict the Tigers will come away with a (very) minor upset. Go with the team from Memphis.

7. UCLA vs Nebraska: This is the big one some say. Of course that is ridiculous but it could be a good game none the less. UCLA is well coached and is moving up it seems after years of mediocrity. The glory days of the Huskers is long past and likely won't be returning anytime real soon. That being said this is an even game and I will have to go with the team from California.

8. Ole Miss vs Texas: There are problems in Austin. There have been for a number of seasons if truth be told. Ole Miss is supposed to be a vastly improving team and the Horns were embarrassed last week by a somewhat below average BYU club. It is still likely that the Longhorns will find a way to win this one at home. It may be close.

9. Northern Illinois vs Idaho: The Vandals are dismal. Why they didn't keep a very good head coach is beyond me.  NIU might be a pretty good team. Not near what they were last year likely but still a pretty solid MAC club. The Huskies should win with relative ease.

10. Alabama vs TAMU: OK. Everyone knows this is the game of the week and may even have national championship type implications. A bit early for all that but there you have it.
It is relatively certain that young "Johnny Football" will show a few moves and have a few surprises. He is talented football player. He is also a punk. Be that as it may, he will make the Tide defense look foolish and inept on a number of occasions but just not enough to matter. Look for the Crimson Tide to win here.


Have a good week and enjoy the games.

Lessons learned after Week 2 2013 College Football

It is really too early to tell who is going to have a great season, who will have an average season, and who will be disappointed. It is also a bit early yet to see which team will rise above expectations and perhaps challenge for a "BCS" game. Way to early yet. Be that as it may there are a few things that we have learned after week 2 of play in the college game......



One of the most obvious lessons learned was taught to us very early in the second half of the Aggies/Rice game in week one.. It didn't take long for "Johnny Football" to prove that he is a horse ass of the highest order. If I were a betting man (and I am) I would wager that this kid has his clock cleaned but good before all is said and done. A hard lesson like that might go a long way in correcting the lad's behavior.


Could it be already that we can write off the ten team Big Twelve as weak. Perhaps a bit early. KSU did lose to a very very good FCS team (could happen to all but the top 4 or 5 in D1), and Texas suffered some humiliation at the hands of BYU. The Sooners may (or may not) be a team to watch out for nationally as with their up the road rivals. Texas Tech will likely prove to be a bit inexperienced yet and WVU, well, not much to them....TCU just doesn't look like a real good team at this point.
I would look for Baylor to be the dark horse in taking top honors in the Big Twelve but I would not expect any team from this conference to be a serious challenger for the big game at the end.

The SEC, some say, is going to be down this season. Not so sure about that quite yet. They may not have the best team in the land this year, but someone from this conference will be in the final BCS "National Championship" game. I would suspect it will again be the Tide. As usual they have a rather weak schedule as far as such things in the SEC go....

Is there really anything else worth talking about? I suppose it is a foregone conclusion that Lane will be out at USC at seasons end. Perhaps before that?
Oregon looks like they will have what it takes to challenge Alabama and or Ohio State. Their quickness is still apparent and I am starting to have some doubts whether the Buckeyes are quite as good as advertised. Time will tell.....It may be a mistake to discount Stanford. Somehow easy to forget them...

It is usually a foregone conclusion that Michigan has a good football team but one just not quite ready for prime time. I don't know. I may begin to believe in Hoke before all is said and done.

I am suspecting that no one is wanting to play Louisville right about now. Of course, before all is done, we will hear a great deal about Louisville's "weak schedule" (as if that matters). This is one dangerous team for anyone.

 Just like folk have discovered (many against their will) that Louisville is the real deal, the same could be said about Miami perhaps.  I would suspect that the Hurricanes are going to make some noise in conference and perhaps, just perhaps, be in the national picture. Whether they have enough to knock off either Clemson of FSU for top spot is a good question. FSU perhaps. Clemson? Probably not....


Which non BCS squad will make some noise and challenge this season?Won't be Boise State. Houston? Probably not. Just don't see one on the horizon this season. There are some teams that are quite good and almost there (Utah State perhaps), but I just don't see anyone making the kind of move that will rank them as a "BCS buster" this season. Could be wrong and hope I am.


Have a good week.

Week 2 2013 College Football Predictions

Well so far the U.S. and whatever "coalition of the willing" has not attacked Assad and Co. McCain continues to prove his senility wherever he may roam, Excalibur is still, after all these years, a stupid movie, and my work load is off the charts. Despite all this the second week of the 2013 college football season must be played....Last week I went 6-4. Let's see how this one plays out....



1. Houston vs Temple: The Coogs proved nothing in their beat down of a SWAC opponent last week. The Owls are a bit of a mystery. This one could prove to be a good one and I will go with the team from Houston in a close one.

2. SE Louisiana vs TCU: The Frogs lost to the "premier" team in Louisiana last week and will take it out on this lower level FCS opponent. This one is a no brainer.

3. Chattanooga vs Georgia State: Georgia State transitions into the upper division but they are still, in reality, a lower tier FCS squad. The Mocs are habitual lower tier FCS in their own right. This one is a toss up and I will go with the team from Tennessee.

4. SDSU vs Ohio State: Some folk say this is the year of the Buckeye and I may be inclined to agree. Time will tell. SDSU may yet have a decent squad this year (although last week they sure didn't show it) but likely will not be able to hang long with the team from Ohio. Wouldn't it be nice though............Nothing is more annoying than Buckeyes and their fans except for perhaps the honks of Notre Dame.......Go with the Ohio team here.

5. South Carolina vs Georgia: This is the big one of the week (Florida and Miami notwithstanding). Georgia was tripped up last week against a Clemson squad that may be a dark horse in the race for the national title. South Carolina, also a dark horse, will have just enough in the tank to edge the Bulldogs here. I will go with the Gamecocks in a close one.

6. Notre Dame vs Michigan: Some folks tout this as the big game of the week but let's be honest. Neither will make any noise in the national race. Notre Dame was over rated all season last and are no better this year. Michigan is a  good team for the Big Ten and not much more. This one is another toss up and I will flip the coin and go with the Wolverines.

7. La. Lafayette vs KSU: NDSU came to town last week and "upset" the Wildcats. In reality NDSU would be a top 25 team would they play in D1. The Cajuns had a horrible outing against the Hogs last Saturday and, if week one is any indication, are not as good as they were season last. I would go with the Wildcats here.

8. Sam Houston vs TAMU: One thing that was confirmed last week after the Aggie opener is that this "Johnny Football" is an ass. An over rated arrogant ass if truth be told. We also learned that a top level FCS, (ok I will get on the bandwagon and refer to the lower division as FCS), squad is every bit as good as just a whole lot of teams in what was formerly referred to as Division I. Sam Houston is one of those teams. Not quite the squad that North Dakota State is likely but a dangerous opponent for anyone outside of the top 10 in "big time" college ball. That being said, it is not likely that SHS will have what it takes to upend the Aggies. This would be another "wouldn't it be nice" game.......

9. Duke vs Memphis: At least the Tigers aren't playing a powerhouse in their opener. We will soon see if Memphis is going to be as inept as they are usually. I would go with Duke here.

10. Arkansas State vs Auburn: Auburn may be somewhat better than they were last season. The Red Wolves probably have fallen off a bit. That would make this a good game likely. I will go out on a limb and predict an upset of sorts here and go with the team from Arkansas.

Have a good week and enjoy the games.

Week 1 2013 College Football Predictions

The college football season is underway. There are a lot of other things one hell of a lot more important going on right now but..........why worry about that right about now. On to the predictions for the first week of the  2013 season.


1. NC vs SC: South Carolina may (or may not) be right there in the hunt for the SEC crown and a big time bowl. They are having no problem with North Carolina in the 1st quarter and will win by three touchdowns. Go with the Gamecocks here.

2. Utah State vs Utah: The Aggies were a solid bunch last season and of course the coach went on to "greener pastures." It will be interesting to see if Utah State can continue to have success in their new conference. The Utes on the other hand have been a disappointment since moving to the "big time" of the PAC 12. I will go with the Aggies here in perhaps a close one.

3. Western Carolina vs Middle TN State: Go with the Blue Raiders of MTSU.

4. USC vs Hawaii: This will likely be Lane's last year as coach of the mighty Trojans. His squad will fall shy of the top 25 again but their spiral won't begin this week. Go with USC.

5. Sacramento State vs San Jose State: The Spartans had a surprisingly good season last year and of course the HC moved on. SCSU is a pretty good IAA (err FCS) club. It might be close but I will go with the Spartans.

6. TTU vs SMU: The Mustangs may be on the right track with Jones' rebuild (supposedly) of the program. TTU is in disarray after the disaster that was Tuberville. Both of the squads are a bit of a mystery and the game may be a toss up. I would go with SMU in a minor upset.

7. Southern vs Houston: Houston has certainly fallen off since Case moved to the NFL and Sumlin moved on to Aggie land. Still this should be a no brainer. Go with the Coogs.

8. North Dakota State vs Kansas State: This will be a good one. ND State (FCS)would certainly be able to compete with the lower tier of the top 25 and KSU is probably (again) under rated. I would go with the Wildcats in a good close game.

9. TAMU vs Rice: Rice came on strong the second half of last season and finished with a winning record (thus saving Bailiff and co.). That annoying "Johnny Football" is supposedly suspended for at least part of the opener with the Owls. I would still go with the Aggies here but wouldn't it be fun if......?

10. Louisiana vs Arkansas: We will see how the Hogs fare after the disaster of the last couple of years. How one can come back from Petrino is beyond me. John L. Smith had some problems of his own and was not the man to right the ship. We will see........The Cajuns are a good team and they may well "upset" the Razorbacks. I will go out on a limb and pick the team from Louisiana here.


Don't know about you but I for one am glad for the distraction that is college football...

Things Not To Do In Corporate America

Somehow or other I find my way back in corporate America. A trucking company true, but some of the nonsense that comes down the pike from the corporate types makes me wonder if we are in the trucking business at all.....The new one is some sort of truck rodeo that we have to plan (on a Saturday no less) for the drivers to participate in. Of course a couple of drivers (the nine to five types) are all for it, but the real drivers are cynical and those that are even home, are likely not to give up their time to come in for such nonsense. Still we must plan and put on this circus......

It is interesting yet predictable that the corporate honks misunderstand driver psychology to the extent that they do. Most drivers are not all that impressed with "free" hats and t shirts and could care less about the occasional "safety" banquets that they are "required" to attend. They find it silly and a waste of valuable home time. What a driver wants is a load that pays decently, equipment that does not leave them stranded, and reasonable home time. Period. Most are not interested in nonsense..........

Enough of all that driver talk. That can come later. Right now however I feel it my sacred duty to give some advice on the things you should just refrain from while working in a corporate environment. Read on.......

1. One should always refrain from greeting coworkers with a "how you doing" in some way out "urban" dialect. If done correctly it comes out as a "how you durin" and, well, some folks would just take that the wrong way. Keep this one in mind....

2. Never ever tell a person of color that they remind you of someone else. Ever. That will bring forth a "we all look alike to you don't we" thing and you just don't want to travel down that road. Do you? I'm pretty sure you don't.

3. If you have access to "random drug test" information, then it would be prudent to wait until the list for the current month is out before partaking in the bounty of the earth. Once you have it and you are in the clear, smoke a little then cleanse and wait until the next month. Works for some folk.  So I hear.

4. Never sing the Sophie B Hawkins' tune I wish I Was Your Lover while dancing wildy in front of an attractive co worker. Might give the wrong impression.

5. Don't play country music at your desk. Believe it or not you could be considered a racist of sorts. I shit you not.(I'm in the clear here as I detest most country music). It is ok however to play gangsta rap as long as the "fucks"  and "niggas" don't get too loud and disturb your fellow sheep. (Although if someone does complain you can always say you are a victim of "discrimination." It might work for you and could extend your career by years before the corporate "legal team" decides it is ok to can your silly ass.

6.. You probably need to scrape the Confederate flag sticker off the bumper of your vehicle before parking in the corporate lot. Might save you some heartache. It is ok however to have "La Raza" or some sort of Black "separatist" memorabilia plastered on your vehicle. Taking a stand as it were......

7.. Don't announce to your coworkers that you are going home to "get your knob polished" or any type thing similar.

8. Probably be best not to point out the obvious on the state of Islam either.

9. If you think that Sharpton, Jackson and Co. are a bunch of race baiting opportunists, it would be in your best interest to keep that to yourself.

10. Don't use the word "fag" in any context. Ever.

Just following these few simple steps might keep you off the radar of the HR dept and save you untold grief.



You're welcome.

How 'bout some corporate babe Rule 5? Again, you're welcome.