TWTW Bowling: Is Tulsa's Todd Graham Still A Honk...?

The reason the HQ asks is that the Golden Hurricane ran up 62 against the host Hawai'i squad in the bowl game on the big island in a 62-35 win on Christmas Eve...

The Warriors lost star wideout Kealoha Pilares early in the game and were never the same offensively... and the reason we ask the question above is that the Warrior defense seemed to tank in the fourth quarter- perception can go either way.

Here's some sound from Graham about how important it was for the team to get to a 10-win season, thanks to our friends at KJRH-TV in Tulsa


G.J. Kinne, Damaris Johnson and 15 other starters return for Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane should be the favorites to win Conference USA going into 2011. As for Hawaii, the Warriors return QB Bryant Moniz, who threw for more than 5,000 yards this season.

Tulsa's Damaris Johnson became the career leader for all-purpose yards in the NCAA with 7,799. He had 329 all-purpose yards against Hawaii and three touchdowns.

Both teams combined for 1,076 total yards of offense, but Warrior quarterbacks threw 5 interceptions and a fumble lost is thrown in for good measure.

Highlights when we have them...

TWTW: Ault Lang Syne, SMU Rolls In Hawai'i

((HT: KTVN-TV Reno))

Nevada Head Coach Chris Ault is, probably, ready and willing to forget his whole Hawai'i Bowl experience against SMU.

He had the most prolific rushing offense in Division I- averaging over 350 yards per game on the ground. He had three rushers clocking in with over 1,000 yards each on the season.

But then the fun began...

Two of those rushers didn't play. Vai Taua, who led Nevada with 1,345 yards rushing, has been ruled academically ineligible. Luke Lippincott, who ran for 1,034 yards, was sidelined with a toe injury.

Then, Ault said that he had suspended safety Duke Williams for the game. Linebacker Andre Davis has been dismissed from the program. Davis, it was disclosed was busted for shoplifting.

Here's KTVN's coverage of the loss...


And here's KGMB-TV's version of June Jones' homecoming...

Tuesday Bowl Carousel: Let The Cycle Begin

Here's what we know...

Central Florida has accepted a bid to travel all the way from Orlando to St. Pete to play at The Juice Box against an as-of-yet-unknown opponent... could be Rutgers, UConn, or South Florida...

SMU accepted its first bowl bid in 25 years. They're going to the Hawai'i Bowl to take on an unknown opponent...

Looks like the Outback has Auburn and Wisconsin on New Year's Day. But Northwestern has a shot there as well.

The Gator is leaning toward the Bowden back-To-The-Future Bowl with Florida State and West Virginia on New Year's... the ACC is currently finagling that one...

Navy is heading to the Texas Bowl on New Year's Eve to take on a Big 12 opponent.

Jerry World gets Oklahoma State and Ole Miss for the Cotton Bowl...

Tennessee and Virginia Tech have the Chick-fil-A bowl on New Year's Eve...

Georgia gets to travel to Shreveport for the Independence Bowl, according to WSB-TV in Atlanta and the Athens Banner-Herald newspaper...

While the bowl executive director would not commit one way or the other on the Dawgs, Missy Setters acknowledged UGA and South Carolina are on their radar. Missouri, Iowa State, and Texas A&M are rumored from the Big 12 side.

The Memphis Commercial Appeal has Arkansas heading to the Liberty Bowl to take on the Conference USA champ- either East Carolina or Houston. They also have LSU headed to the Citrus to play Penn State.

That means that the Music City gets Kentucky to play either Miami or North Carolina, and the Pizza Bowl in Birmingham gets South Carolina to play a Big East opponent.

Got all that...???
There's a test later...

Poinsettias and Paradise

San Diego, California is beautiful in late December. Hawaii is of course paradise. The college bowl season heads to two great locales so here's the breakdown, if that's what you want to call it, of the next round of bowl games.

San Diego Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl - December 23rd - Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA
Boise State vs TCU (I like TCU)

Here's a special prize chosen just for you: Your very own 8 gig IPOD touch for the players of both teams. There's more, a Tommy Hilfiger Watch, a certificate from Best Buy and a hooded sweatshirt from Sports Tek

The sweat shirt is re-giftable but the rest sounds great. Way to go Poinsettia Bowl.

SWAG Meter: 8.5

Bowl Event: Grand Prix carting for the players. They must of spent all their money on the SWAG.

Final Analysis: Did the Poinsettia Bowl luck out with this marquee match-up or what. Unbeaten Boise State was a long shot for a BCS bowl, didn't get it and has landed in the Poinsettia Bowl. The Broncos will face the TCU Horned Frogs who finished 10-2 and have the 2nd best defense in the nation. This WAC - Mountain West showdown is must see TV.

Sherton Hawaii Bowl - December 24 - Honolulu, HI
Notre Dame vs Hawaii (It's a pick'em)

What Do They Win Don Pardo: Well each player from both teams will receive Hawaii Bowl custom backpack, KICKER IKick500 ipod/iphone, a custom Hawaii Bowl tie, Oakley sunglasses, a Kahala Aloha shirt, a Wearever beach chair, a beach towel, a team t-shirt, an SHB calendar, a Hawaii Bowl hat, a Hawaii Bowl visor and Luggage Spotter with bag tags.

A trip to Hawaii and a bag of gifts. The Fighting Irish will be thrilled. Keep it all, even the tie.

SWAG Meter: 9.5

Bowl Event: Forget the formal events, just go to the beach and chill. Check out the scenery (if you know what I mean.)

Final Analysis: Hawaii may be paradise but this match-up is anything but. It's a home game for the Warriors against Notre Dame. Unless your family is just annoying the hell out of you or your football withdraws are so severe you can't stop shaking, avoid this one. Besides, the warm weather scenics will tick you off.