Independence Bowl/Pinstripe Bowl

Blogging while BowlQuesting.  Two of the four games on the schedule today.

Florida State vs. Southern Miss

My last day at work for the rest of the year.  Not that work is done, I just don't have to go in until January 2nd.  I wrapped up what I had to do to be able to watch the full second quarter in our common area.  I may have dozed off for a moment or two.

A real garbage game, with Florida State keeping their bowl streak alive at 32 years with a sketchy win over Delaware State.  I had no doubt FSU would win, they're loaded with talent, but just played awful all season after their starting QB was injured in their first game against Alabama.

The Seminoles were never challenged in this one, up 23-6 at halftime and never looked back.

The most intriguing thing about this game was how little money a company can spend to sponsor a bowl game.  Walk On's is a small chain of 16 higher end Louisiana-themed sports bars co-owned by Drew Brees.  The Saints QB was in all their commercials. Their Boom Boom shrimp Po' Boy looks pretty good.

The larger point is that a small chain of sports bars or a small lawn mower company can now sponsor a bowl game because there are no sponsors left.  At least it was better than when this game was sponsored by pyramid scheme Advocare, also using Brees as a spokesperson.

Oh yeah, the game.  Florida State won in a rout. The Seminoles have a couple running backs that will play on Sundays.  No idea how they could go 6-6 with those two guys on their team.  Their lousy season did give former coach Jimbo Fisher the opportunity to fly the coop for a huge payday at Texas A&M. 

Florida State 42  Southern Miss 13

My Pick:  Florida State, huge confidence pick.  I think my record is now 10-8.

What Did I Eat:  Nothing. My pregame lunch was low sodium Progresso wedding soup which had no resemblance to actual wedding soup and Cheez-Its from the vending machine.  And a bag of peanut M&M's. 

Bowl Swag:  Gift suite, Timely Watch Co. watch, New Era skull cap, football.  Lame, just like Shreveport.

Fun Fact:  I contend Shreveport, Louisiana is the absolute worst bowl game destination for players and fans.  It's in the northwest part of the state.  There is no reason for anyone to ever go there.  The mayor is always in the tourism ad that runs during the game.  The message is always, "Hi, we're Shreveport and we're not that bad.  We have a casino!  And disregard that smell."

Doing a google news search, the first item that came up was "Three victims identified in Shreveport Christmas shooting."  Second story, "Shreveport man arrested four times for DWI."

Meet Brett Burdges, who was arrested for DWI back in August.  Also in 2006 and 2009.  He was passed out at a red light in his most recent infraction.

I'll never forget the time Air Force played in this game and their Falcon mascot just flew away, presumably to escape Shreveport.

From Shreveport to New York City.

Iowa vs. Boston College

Still at work, I caught the full first quarter.  It was 23 degrees at game time, probably good punishment for two teams that were 7-5.  Iowa was here to break their five game bowl losing streak.

They did.

I did watch the end of this game.  Boston College had the ball back after Iowa went up for their final score and the first two plays were runs up the middle.  There was little time on the clock and they ran it up the gut for next to no gains two times in a row.  While I have zero experience coaching I do think I could substitute for some offensive coordinators and no one would notice.

Game.  The Pinstripe Bowl is played at Yankee Stadium and its obvious they don't have the coils under the field to keep the grass from freezing like actual football stadiums.  Players were slipping and falling all game. 

Iowa 27  Boston College 20

My Pick:  Iowa, bowl record now 11-8.  I'm sure Kirk Ferentz somehow fleeced the state of Iowa for a $500,000 bonus for tying Hayden Fry's wins record.  Ferentz is easily the most overrated long term coach in big time college football. 

What Did I Eat:  Some of those spicy pecans I still have around.

Bowl Swag:  A variety of New Era products.  This game has always been secretive of their swag.

Fun Fact:  Sometimes one player can win a game.  That was the case here with Akrum Wadley who had 88 yards rushing, 24 yards receiving and 171 yards of kick returns.  NFL teams would be wise to not let this guy slip too far down in the draft.  It would also have been wise for BC TO AVOID KICKING TO THIS GUY.