.260 Hitters

It’s amazing how the addition of a seven-pound person to your home can disrupt, well, everything. Thrice I have sat down to write a bowl picks article. One attempt ended with a blank sheet, one with words that were clearly out of order, and another with a readable piece that was so boring, it made watching paint dry seem like a better option. I needed something to get me going … get the ole creative juices flowing … something to get me excited about the bowl season.

BYU crushing Oregon State? It’s a start!
Wisconsin upsetting Miami? Sure, that’s pretty good.
Texas Tech suspending Mike Leach! Now we’re talking!

Since Leach is a lawyer and is in a court room as I type this article, let’s review the facts of the case. Adam James, a third-string receiver for Texas Tech, suffered a mild concussion on Dec. 16 and was sent to walk the track for the remainder of practice. On Dec. 17, James showed up to practice wearing sunglasses saying his doctor said it would help. In order to assist with his need to be out of the sun, Leach sent him to the equipment room for the duration of practice … and yes, accounts by all who have actually been there (minus Adam James), it’s an equipment room … not a shed, not a closet. No one is denying this happened … not James, not Leach.

Now let’s review the more important facts. Adam James’ dad is crybaby ESPN reporter Craig James, who is known at Texas Tech for complaining to the coaching staff and university officials frequently about his son’s playing time (“like a little league dad”). One other tidbit, Texas Tech AD Gerald Myers and Leach hate each other.

James’ complained to Myers, Myers told Leach to apologize, Leach refused, Myers suspended Leach. Got it? Is Tech going to fire Leach over this? Not if they have half a brain and don’t want a student, faculty, and alumni revolt on their hands. Is ESPN going to fire Craig James? Probably … and hopefully they’ll send Lou Holtz packing as well.

Now back to football.

Badger fanatic and long-time .260 Hitters reader Larry G. needed the .260 Hitters bump for Wisconsin’s matchup against Miami last night, and to make sure he got it, Larry flew in from Chicago to watch the game in my living room. Smart move on his part as the Badgers defense clobbered Miami, punching them in the face early and often. I guess being fast doesn’t do you much good when you’re constantly face down in the grass.

My inexplicable affinity for BYU only increased after a three-day trip to Salt Lake City earlier this month. Beautiful mountains, extremely polite citizens, not a piece of trash on the street … what’s not to like? Sadly, I didn’t get the chance to make the quick trip south to Provo, home of Max “I hate Utah and everything about them” Hall and the BYU Cougars. I did however, get to see them destroy Oregon State. Being that I don’t know the secret Mormon handshake, I’m pretty sure my opinion doesn’t count, but I’ve already started collecting signatures for Max Hall to be the next prophet.

On to games that haven’t been played yet … how about Oklahoma v. Stanford. The Stanford QB is out — who cares. How hard can it be to turn around and give it to the real Heisman winner Toby Gerhart? A cheerleader could do that. OU hasn’t had its QB all season, or the 13 other injured starters. Then you add the “who cares” factor. OU expected to put itself in that January 7 game. Now it’s 7 – 5 playing in El Paso… Stanford won this game before it ever began.

Keeping on the upset train, so far I’ve nailed BYU, Utah and Wisconsin (missing with my Texas A&M picks, thanks for that one Aggies), I’m going on a limb and picking Tennessee to beat Virginia Tech. It’s more SEC v. ACC than anything else, but this is one I just feel – which is about as reliable as thoughtful analysis, especially during bowl season.

Toughest game to call this season is no doubt tonight’s matchup between Arizona v. Nebraska. No. 20 v. No. 22… Pac 10 v. High school offense with a NFL-caliber defense. My money is on Arizona, but only because I think the Wildcats will score about nine points, and that should be more than enough against the Huskers.

In other games, I’m taking Ole Miss over Okie Lite, Texas Tech over Michigan State, Penn State over LSU, and Northwestern over Auburn.

For the BCS bowls, my picks are as follows:

Rose Bowl: Oregon over Ohio State. I just don’t have any faith in Ohio State, and Oregon has been looking really good.

Fiesta Bowl: TCU over Boise. TCU is just as good as Texas or Alabama this year, and it plans to show it.

Sugar Bowl: Cincinnati over Florida was my original pick. Then Urban said he was resigning after the game due to health reasons, which gave Cincy ZERO chance of winning. Then Urban went all Brett Favre and un-resigned, taking a leave of absence til the season started in an “I want to coach but not do the work” kind of move. That puts me back to Cincy, since Urban has plummeted down and off my list of likeable coaches.

Orange Bowl: My heart says Iowa, but my money says Georgia Tech.

Nat’l Title: The smart money is on Alabama. That being said, in 2005 the smart money was on USC and we all know how that turned out, but in the words of an anonymous Texas fan that I happen to live with, “yeah, but we had Vince Young then.” Well said.