Wednesday, December 31, 2008

New Years Eve = Bowl Bonanza

5 bowl games on New Years Eve. No reason to leave your lazy boy recliner today. Grab a bag of chips and dip plus a cold beverage of your choice and watch the football day unfold. Here's what's on the docket and the perks.

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl - December 31 - Amon G. Carter Stadium, Ft. Worth, TX
Air Force vs Houston (I'm leaning toward the Cougars)

What's In The Prize Box?: Players from both teams receive a flip video recorder, an official bowl watch, a commemorative football, a rolling suitcase, a mini-helmet with bowl logo, an ESPN t-shirt and a luggage tag with bowl logo.

The flip video recorder sounds good but the rest, give it away. An ESPN t-shirt, PLA - leese.

SWAG Meter: 5

Bowl Event: Team Kickoff Luncheon and the Armed Forces Adventure. The bowl always tries to have an inspirational speaker and this year is no exception. Lt. Col. Greg Gadson, who lost both legs to a bomb in Iraq and has served as an inspiration for the Super Bowl champion New York Giants, was the featured speaker

Final Analysis: Not a bad match-up for non-BCS schools that fly under the radar (pardon the pun). Should be an entertaining game. It's worth a serious look because both teams love offense.

Brut Sun Bowl - December 31 - Sun Bowl Stadium - El Paso, Texas
Oregon State vs Pittsburgh (I'll take the Panthers to win)

Swag Me: Players from both teams receiver a Sony DVD Handycam, a Timely Watch Co. silverstone watch, an Armor Gear Dolly Liama Travel Bag. a Majestic Therma Fleece Pullover, a Brut hair dryer, a VP Sports Stone cap and an official Brut Sun Bowl souvenir cup.

A HAIR DRYER!!!! Both teams will be well groomed for this one. Other than that and a coin the gift haul is not bad.

SWAG Meter: 7 (The hair dryer and coin really effected this score)

Bowl Event: A Day with the Troops. Players will have an opportunity to get an up close look at what the U.S. Army does. They will get a rare look many pieces of military equipment and check out U. S. Army training simulators. Really cool.

Final Analysis: 2 teams I'm really not the crazy about. I may sit this one out. If you do watch I suspect this game will be a grid with Pitt winning because of their stingy defense.

Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl - December 31 - LP Field, Nashville, TN
Vanderbilt vs Boston College (I like the Eagles)

Gifts That Keep On Giving: Today is the day the Vanderbilt players learn about bowl swag. Did they have swag 27 years ago, the last time the Commodores went bowling. Players from each team get a Music City Bowl Fossil watch, a Sony Electronics package that includes noise cancelling headphones and MP3 player, an Addias fleece jacket and an Armor Gear backpack.

You have to love the Sony package and the watch isn't bad either.

SWAG Meter: 9

Bowl Event: Rib eating contest between Vandy and B.C. 4 player from both teams try to eat as many ribs as they can in 2 seconds. Boston College won a close one 29-28 to take the rib eating title.

Final Analysis: This should be a good match up so for me it's a must see. Boston College's defense is stout and should carry the day in Nashville. The game probably won't be as close as the rib eating contest. By the way, Vanderbilt waits 27 years to play in a bowl game and the Commodores can't leave town. They stay in Nashville. Unbelievable.

Insight Bowl - December 31 - Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, AZ
Kansas vs Minnesota (KU should win this one by 2 TD's)

What Do They Win Dan Pardo?: Well players from each school will receive a Vizio 26" LCD HD television, a Bulova Insight Bowl watch, a snack pack and a game hat.

Small gift package but pretty darn good

SWAG Meter: 8 (You get an HD TV and you score high)

Bowl Event: Block party in downtown Tempe. Its combined with the Fiesta Bowl. This year Styx is performing.

Final Analysis: The outcome of this game will be a secret since it's being shown on the NFL Network. Read your morning paper for results.

Chick-Fil-A Bowl - December 31 - Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA
LSU vs Georgia Tech (I pick the Yellow Jackets)

This Isn't Chicken Scratch: Players on both teams will get a $300 Best Buy gift card, a travel bag, a commemorative watch and a Chick-Fil-A football and gift card

Disappointing. This is one of the best bowls BCS or non-BCS but it's player gifts rank with the New Orleans Bowl. I guess the players can eat more chicken.

SWAG Meter: 2

Bowl Event: The Georgia Power Football Feud. Think Family Feud with very large men.

Final Analysis: I love this match up. I can't wait to see how Georgia Tech's offense does against LSU's NFL caliber defense. The Tigers still have athletes but I think the Jackets may be disciplined enough on offense to get by, but it will be a close one.

No comments: