No defense in what turned into a track meet and point fest. 66 points scored in the first half is a new bowl record for a first half if I heard correctly. I was in for all of the first half. It was difficult to keep up with all the scoring. Didn't come back for the second half, had to go Sun Bowling.
Evidently there weren't enough players running up and down the field. Three women also jumped into the action, armed with some sort of protest signs.
Good luck to new Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher on finding some semblance of defense for 2018.
Wake Forest 55 Texas A&M 52 Hard to believe the game ended on a defensive stop by Wake.
My Pick: Texas A&M, record now 16-10
What Did I Eat: Nothing, the Chuy's lunch had me covered for the afternoon.
Bowl Game Swag: $450 shopping trip at a Belk store, Fossil watch. The announcers in the game made some weird reference on how the jewelry section was closed off to the player shopping trip. Might have had something to do with an Arkansas player being arrested for shoplifting during the Belk shopping trip prior to the game last year.
Fun Fact: While 107 total points is a lot, it doesn't come close to the bowl game record. That was set in the 2001 GMAC Bowl when Marshall and East Carolina would go for 125 points in two overtimes.
North Carolina State vs. Arizona State
Not much to see here. NC State had a nice lead in the first half and didn't need defensive standout Bradley Chubb, who chose to sit out the game. I watched until midway into the second quarter and then had to move on to the next game.
There is some talk now at most of the these game about a player or two sitting out to protect their draft status. I really have no issue with the guys sitting out but don't get why they travel with the team. If you don't want to play, fine, but stay home. Chubb was at this game with his Wolfpack teammates.
NC State 52 Arizona State 31 The Sun Devils put up 21 points in garbage time, probably affecting "the over" in Las Vegas.
My Pick: NC State, record 17-10
What Did I Eat: Again, nothing,
Bowl Game Swag: Gift suite, Timely Watch Co. watch, Majestic Pro Base fleece pullover, Ogio Politan backpack, Under Armour cap, coin.
Fun Fact: This Sun Bowl was the 50th for CBS, commemorated on the game ticket and a special poster.
The Sun Bowl was first televised on CBS in 1968 when Auburn defeated Arizona 34-10 with Lindsey Nelson and Frank Gifford announcing the game.
The first time in 11 BowlQuests that NM State has been in a bowl game but it goes back farther than that. The Aggies had not been in a bowl game in 57 years. And who did NM State play in that game in 1960? Utah State. It's Aggie on Aggie action, again!
I was good for one quarter for the game carried on CBS Sports Network. The Sun and Arizona Bowls are CBS' stand against ESPN buying up every game.
This game ended in overtime with Utah State missing a field goal and NM State scoring the winning touchdown. Good on you Aggies, New Mexico State variety.
CBSSN had nothing to go to after the game so they kept the camera on this guy for a while.
New Mexico State 26 Utah State 20
My Pick: Utah State, record now 17-11
What Did I Eat: Still nothing
Bowl Game Swag: Gift suite, watch, Ogio backpack, beanie.
Fun Fact: This was the first time the Arizona bowl was televised, it had only been on the internet the previous two years. For whatever reason, attendance at this game in Tucson is booming, up to over 40,000 tickets sold. It did look like a good crowd too, not some bogus attendance number like many games post.
After Aggie on Aggie action, let's go Wildcat on Wildcat. I was in for most of the second half here, a game I was actually looking forward to for some reason.
Glad to see a game that had some actual defense played. There was a bizarre ejection of a Kentucky player that definitely impacted the game. UK running back Benny Snell was tossed after what looked like he was being helped up by an official and then pushed away. Snell is one of the top players in the SEC and it definitely hurt the Cats chances of winning.
And yet, there they were at the end of the game, scoring after a Northwestern turnover. I love coaches who go for two and the win and that's what UK coach Mark Stoops did. Unfortunately for Kentucky, the play failed and Northwestern gets the W.
Northwestern 24 Kentucky 23
My Pick: Northwestern, record 18-11
What Did I Eat: Some beef jerky.
Bowl Game Swag: Gift suite, Fossil watch. Not really trying in Nashville.
Fun Fact: Northwestern won back to back bowl games for the first time in school history.
Also, NU head coach Pat Fitzgerald was given a Music City Bowl guitar. They probably gave one to Stoops too but his was taken away by the official that ejected Benny Snell.
While a fifth straight game really didn't seem all that appetizing this game had the best match up of bowl season so far. Traditional powers, both teams feeling snubbed by the playoff committee, big crowd in Jerry World.
What. A. Dud.
Ohio State's defense manhandled Southern Cal's offense from the start. USC QB Sam Darnold looked like another year in school might be a better move than going into the draft. The guy turned the ball over three times in the first half. He did look like a starter for the Browns though.
USC managed to get on the board before the end of the half, capitalizing on an Ohio State muffed punt. Buckeyes up 24-7 at half and that score would stand. Neither team did much of anything in the second half.
Ohio State's defense looked pissed off, their offense looked like they would let the defense do the heavy lifting. There will be some fans who will clamor for an eight team playoff, pointing to Ohio State being left out. I think Ohio State would get beat by any of the four teams in the playoff. Also, what other three teams would be put in that would compete - UCF, Wisconsin? Certainly not No. 8 Southern Cal. Just leave the playoff at four teams.
Ohio State 24 USC 7
My Pick: Ohio State, record 19-11. The Big 10 is undefeated in bowl season.
What Did I Eat: Nothing. And while I'm writing up the recap this came up on a local TV segment about party food for New Year's Eve.
Now my appetite is destroyed for the rest of he day (probably not). What is that? Is the bacon cooked? Are those figs, dates or beetles? Maybe chicken liver? Did anyone think the cranberry garnish would make this look more appetizing?
Four games on Saturday. Let's see if the Big 10 with Wisconsin and Penn State can keep things rolling.
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