MCR – New Year’s Eve Eve Eve

The bowl games are moving along like a truck heading down 322 on the Seven Mountains without breaks (central PA reference). Today we take a look at the games you probably are going to miss because you’re stuck at work. As always we review our scientifically derived ratings system.

Gaylord Hotels Music City
Clemson (8-4) vs. Kentucky (7-5)
Dec. 29, 1 PM - ESPN

Nashville hosts the bowl of contrasts. Kentucky is playing in its first bowl game in a long time while Clemson lost 3 of its last 4 to land here. The Wildcats have one of the most potent passing offenses ranking 9th in the nation while the Tigers have one of the strongest ground attacks ranking 5th. Wildcats QB Andre' Woodson is a gunslinger passing for 3216 yards, 28 TD’s and only 7 picks. Clemson has one of the best one-two punch combo backfields in James Davis and C.J. Spiller who combined for 2048 yards and 27 touchdowns. Unfortunately, Kentucky has the 112th ranked rushing defense and is 118 overall on that side of the ball – the Wildcats will need to limit mistakes and be the peak of efficiency on offense if they want to come away with a win.

+1 Road Grater backfield
+1 Cinderella story team
+1 two strong offenses
- 1 blowout possibility

MCR 2 (Microwave Dinner)

Brut Sun
Oregon State (9-4) vs. Missouri (8-4)
Dec. 29, 2 PM - CBS

Hey the first game not covered by ESPN or the NFL Network – Yippee! For a team that beat USC, Oregon, and outscored Hawaii, OSU doesn’t get much respect. The mighty Beavers have a strong defense ranking 19th against the run and 35th in pass efficiency. Missouri has the better statistics offensively ranking 12th in both passing and total offense, but Oregon State has a well-balanced attack. OSU QB Matt Moore has 2666 yards passing and RB Yvenson Bernard rang up 1210 yards rushing, so this offense is nothing to sneeze at. When Tigers QB Chase Daniel gets in a rhythm he can be deadly throwing for almost 3200 yards and 26 touchdowns but has the tendency to be a tad inconsistent. Both teams like to spread the field and open up rushing lanes.

+1 even statistical matchup
+1 no ESPN dipshits in the box or sideline bunnies to listen to
+1 two strong offenses

MCR 3 (Jessica Simpson Sex Tape)


AutoZone Liberty
South Carolina (7-5) vs. Houston (10-3)
Dec. 29, 4:30 PM - ESPN

Hey, here’s a shock – there was an ongoing quarterback controversy at a school coached by Steve Spurrier! Hope you were sitting down. It appears that quarterback Blake Mitchell has regained the starting job and will be throwing to one of the best receivers in the country in Sidney Rice (951 yards, 9 TDs). The Cougars are statistically superior in all offensive categories with QB Kevin Kolb throwing for 3423 yards, 27 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. Although Houston looks good on paper, the C-USA champs have beat no one of note and lost to Ragin’ Cajuns of Louisiana-Lafayette while Spurrier’s Gamecocks lost to teams ranked at the time and they managed to beat Clemson. Houston has a lot to prove and this could be the game to do it.

+1 Spurrier, QB controversy, Gamecocks, and two guys named Jasper and Casper on defense
+1 frustrated visor throwing possibility
+1 two statistically strong offenses
-1 misleading record

MCR 2 (Microwave Dinner)

Insight

Texas Tech (7-5) vs. Minnesota (6-6)
Dec. 29, 7:30 PM - NFL Network

Call this the bowl game of the proud fat chicks – both teams have glaring weaknesses and neither are afraid to show it. The Red Raiders are 3rd in passing and 112th in rushing while Minnesota will run the ball right at you trying to set up the play action pass – you know it’s coming, but they don’t give a damn. Gophers QB Bryan Cupito, who seems like he’s been around for 8 years now, has a perfect target for play action in John Mackey Award winner Matt Spaeth. Dr. Cupito will be looking Spaeth’s way a lot this game because Texas Tech’s pass defense is a pedestrian 51st and is prone to wear down in the forth quarter. For the Red Raiders it’s pass, pass, pass, pass and then pass some more. QB Graham Harrell has thrown for more then 4000 yards and 36 touchdowns.

+1 first Big Ten team
+1 high probability of pirate sighting with Mike Leach – yaaarrrh!
+1 offense, offense, offense
+1 ground vs. air
-1 two average records

MCR 3 (Jessica Simpson Sex Tape)

Champs Sports
Purdue (8-5) vs. Maryland (8-4)
Dec. 29, 8 PM - ESPN

Dink and Dunk vs. Dash and Flash. Purdue quarterback QB Curtis Painter (I’ll spare you the paint jokes) has thrown for 3721 yards and 21 touchdowns but really, have any of them traveled more the 5 yards through the air? Purdue’s run D is one of the worst in the land and Ralph Friedgen loves to set the pass up with the run. Terrapin QB Sam Hollenbach is serviceable completing 61.8% of his passes for 2148 yards and 13 touchdowns but he has thrown 11 interceptions. Painter has the same problem throwing 18 picks himself. The team that manages to complete more passes to their team then the other may end up being the winner. Purdue hasn’t beat a team with a winning record.

+1 one strong statistical offense
+1 Ralph Friedgen’s shear girth
-1 questionable record

MCR 1 (Woman’s Heart)