Bowl Previews and Predictions: Papajohns.com Bowl

Papajohns.com Bowl





Background:
The series is tied, 7-7

Cincinnati: 1 game winning streak
Southern Miss: 2 game winning streak

Cincinnati Advantages:
Quarterback Ben Mauk has 27 touchdown passes compared to just 4 INTs
They were a very solid 5-1 in games away from home this season.
The Bearcats feature the 15th ranked run defense and the top defense in INTs

Cincinnati Disadvantages:
Terribly undisciplined, 81.42 penalty yards per game
Excluding Oregon State, they had an woeful out of conference schedule
Barely over .500 in the ho-hum Big East

Southern Miss Advantages:
Damion Fletcher has proven to be a solid runner
Playing Boise State and Tennessee in the out of conference was impressive, though both losses.

Southern Miss Disadvantages:
No real quality wins this season
Can't get the pass game going.
Sorry, but Brett Favre is playing for Green Bay now.

Writer Predictions:

Zorgon: Cincinnati. They've faced a tough Big East Schedule, while beating Connecticut, Rutgers, and South Florida. They also have put up very good fights against very good teams. Southern Miss has virtually no power wins (East Carolina) with the rest being over crap, and their losses coming to the likes of Rice. Cincinnati has a tremendous pass proven against good teams. There is no reason the 4team in Conference USA should play the 2nd team in the Big East in a bowl. Biggest Mismatch so far. Cincinnati by a sizeable abount, but Southern Miss will not doubt play hard, this being the last game of long time coach Jeff Bower.

okluschen: Cincinnati. Southern Miss is only 5-3 in conference, and played possibly the three worst CUSA West division teams. Their offense also does not match up well against the Bearcat defense. The only way Cincy loses this game is if they beat themselves, which is entirely possibile, as it appears to be Flag Day every time they take the field

Jason Frost: Cincinnati has just finished one of the best regular seasons in school history and will most certainly get on a roll early. This one could get ugly, as Cincinnati will score dominate on offense and force turnovers on defense (23 int for the season is tops in Div 1).

Bottom Line: Cincinnati 3, Southern Miss 0

Bowl Previews and Predictions: New Orleans Bowl

New Orleans Bowl




Background:
The two teams have never met.

Florida Atlantic: 2 game win streak
Memphis: 3 game win streak

Florida Atlantic Advantages:
Almost all losses have been against Quality Opponents (Oklahoma State, Kentucky, South Florida, and Florida) with arguably one fluke loss (Louisiana-Monroe, by a Field Goal).
They have an old, very experienced coach in Howard Schnellenberger, who won't be leaving for a new job anytime soon (he's 73).

Florida Atlantic Disadvantages:
This is their first bowl game, so they are arguably inexperienced.
They may have quality losses, but the majority of their wins have been against lay-down opponents, with the exception of Troy.
They have a lower tier total defense and a mid-tier offense.

Memphis Advantages:
They're on a roll, having won 5 out of their last 6 games (perhaps out of sheer motivation) after the death of Taylor Bradford.
Memphis commands the #13 pass offense in the nation.
A lot of their games have been really close, so thyey have a lot of experience in pressure situations.

Memphis Disadvantages:
Their wins have been against sheer crap. There is no quality wins except perhaps over the Starting QB-less Southern Miss, with the rest being against teams that are at least 3 games below a winning record.
Their best opponent has been UCF, who whooped them, and the rest of their losses haven't been against exactly strong opponents.

Writer Predictions:

Zorgon: Florida Atlantic. You can tell who's gonna win this game simply by reasoning and strength of schedule. Memphis has had an absolute joke of a schedule, while Florida Atlantic pretty much had the toughest schedule possible. The only reason Memphis would be in over say, Troy is because of the massacre that occured at the school. My heart goes out to them, but all signs point to lots of burgers with schnellen sauce.

OKLuschen: Memphis. Don't get me wrong, ole' Schnell has done a great job. But comeon, it's FAU. They had a very nice win against Troy, but without that one game, they aren't even taking the field this holiday season. Memphis big.

Jason Frost: Memphis. The highpowered Memphis passing game will overpower the weak FAU secondary, look for a close, high scoring game with Memphis winning by a TD.

Bottom Line: Florida Atlantic 1, Memphis 2

Bowl Previews and Predictions: Poinsettia Bowl

At lack of anything better to do, I've decided to start a new feature here on Adonal Obsessed: Bowl Previews.

We will preview each upcoming bowl, and then give our predictions. Hopefully, it will be a good indicator for you if you need to bet on a bowl....or something. Anyway, on to the Preview!

Poinsettia Bowl


Background:
This is the first time these teams have met. A new rivalry, perhaps?

Navy: 4 Game Winning Streak, mostly against poo
Utah: Loss to Brigham Young, but 7 game tear through Mountain West Opponents

Utah Advantages:
Utah has gone through a much more rigourous schedule, and seems to have pulled it together after a 1-3 start.
They have a 6 game bowl winning streak stretching back to 1999. Considering they've gone through 3 coaches in this span, I'd consider this stat irrelevant.
They have the top scoring defense in the Mountain West.
They've been studying film since before the bowl was even announced. They're prepared.
They have one of the nations best kickers, Louie Sakoda.

Utah Disadvantages:
Although Navy has had a terrible schedule, Utahs hasn't exactly been strong.
Utah has relied a lot on their defenses scoring to win games.
They pretty much laid down against the stronger opponents early on.

Navy Advantages:
The coach losing thing is really overblown. The replacement is a guy who knows the type of offense they run well (Triple option rushing attack, I'm told), and the defensive coordinator is still there. Says Junior QB Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, "Personally, I'm happy because we've got a coach who really knows the option. We got a curveball thrown at us, but we woke up and found out we already have a new coach."
Even though they have key bad losses, none of those teams has successfully stopped their monstrous rushing attack, and it's doubtful that Utah (who is mostly good at pass defense) can do that.
Navy has never exactly been blown out.... Had the ball gone the other way, Navy could easily be 10-2, and dare I say....ranked?

Navy Disadvantages:
They've lost their coach, which could be a moral blow. Historically, teams who lose their head coaches don't do very well.
The best team they've beaten is Pittsburgh, and after that, there's a huge dropoff. They've also recorded losses at Ball State, Delaware, and Wake Forest.
Their Passing attack is average at best, and that's against bad opponents.
Navy is only there because they have a contractual agreement to play in the Poinsettia Bowl every time they get a winning record.

Writer Predictions:

Zorgon: Utah. Navy probobly wouldn't even be in a bowl if it weren't for some stupid contract. Why not Troy? In any case, Navys defense has been kind of overlooked, but it's an absolute abhorration....and that's with a weak schedule. In any case, even if all of that equals out, I think Utah will win it through their star kiacker, and Navy still has their coach to worry about. Utah all the way.

OKLuschen: Utah. Inconsistancy is the key here. I like the more versatile Utah attack. Navy is also facing distractions thanks to coach Paul Johnson leaving for Georgia Tech. Utah will win, but take Navy in the points.

Jason Frost: Navy. Because they own.

Final Verdict: Utah 2, Navy 1

A Poem From a Die Hard Fan

From lack of anything better to say (Mitchell Report Smitchell Report), here is a poem from Lat We N Trash:

i m far away
it is 8:26AM
i haven't slept
i m cold
ill
too much coffee (really too much)
puddle in my yard is in ice
but i feel perfect

*Sniff* The best poem I've ever read!

On a Lighter Note, here's Troy Hudson:

Where did AdonalObsessed Go....Again?

After our big comeback, something else big happened....Winter Storms. Ice toppled trees and powerlines, leaving many powerless. Including me. I had no electricity from Sunday Morning until this Morning. So yeah, that's why it's been so quiet here. More to come.

Quick Note

On Sunday, December 9th, 2007, CBS ended coverage of the Bills vs. Dolphins game a couple of seconds before it actually ended. (The ending of a game was a knee.) It was so because the game extended about 20 minutes into the 3 CST games, the Dolphins were winless, and the Bills had basically clinched the game since mid 1st Quarter.

It Came From Sports Illustrated: Four Terrible Ads

I was perusing through my weekly Sports Illustrated when I came across these little gems....It makes you wonder how much these guys get paid.

In any case, enjoy!

Ad #1: Brett Favre: Wrangler Jeans

Ah, jeans. They just make Pro Football players want to go out into the middle of a field, wear a shirt that looks vaguely like your teams uniform, and play touch football with 8 or so other random guys. Seriously, when does this happen? And how many times do you sit in the passenger seat of a buggy with your foot on the dashboard and gaze dreamily into the sky? According to this ad, that's what men do.

Ad #2: Tiger Woods and Friends: Gillette Fusion Power Razors

Take Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, and some Soccer player noones heard of, and you've got the Secondary United States Sports All-Stars! Then, instead of doing an ad that makes sense, have them wear all-black suits and pretend to shave their ties. Bonus points for showing a nonsensical glowing orange calendar in the background!

Ad #3: Tom Brady: Movado Watches

"Hello, I'm Tom Brady. Yes, I am a homosexual."

Ad #4: Eli Manning: Citizen Eco-Drive Watches

Unstoppable from throwing interceptions!

Don't have the money to get a real superstar for your ad? Just put in second-rate QB Eli Manning! The irony will get you laughed out of the papers!

Note: No ill will meant towards any of you who happen to be homosexual. It's just implied from the Tom Brady ad. I support Gay Marriage, so please don't get angry at me.

Heisman Tonight, Alternatives!

Don't Watch.

I really don't care who's gonna win....okay, I DO care, I'll admit.

But will I ever watch the presentation? No. I didn't even watch it when Josh Heupel was in the running.

Robbed!

(And Josh Heupel looks like a total (excuse my language) asshat today. He may not be an asshat, but he sure does look like one. I can't stand his face.)

But, if you really need to watch something tonight, I have some options for you:

ISS Mission Coverage, The NASA Channel, 10 CST
Watch that satellite move around the globe! Watch technicians at Mission Control eat donuts!

2007 Powerade Jam Fest, ESPN 2, 7 CST
Watch High-School students play basketball! Then, have the ESPN Z-List reporters ask the school Administrators why that High School has that highest drop out rate in the country, and why none of the players know where Denmark is!

Womens' College Volleyball, ESPN U, 8 CST
Okay, you out there who DO watch this know why you will watch this.

Texas at Rice, College Sports Television, 7 CST
Watch as how none of the players on Rice are Asian!

1998 Boxing: Zab Judah v.s Mickey Ward in Miami, ESPN Classic, 7 CST
Just tape the faces of two famous people on your television screen, and it's Celebrity Boxing!

Playbook AFC, NFL Network, 7 CST
So much football analysis your brain hurts!

NBATV GameNight, NBATV, 7 CST
Watch Andre Aldridge (I think he's related to David Aldridge) and Fred Carter (Pround member of the losingest team ever in the NBA) analyze the exciting Jazz vs. Mavericks matchup!

Or......play some chess.

(Note: All Opinions expressed in this article are solely the opinions of Zorgon and do not reflect the opinions of Okluschen in any way, shape, or form. I'm pretty sure he likes the Heisman.)

The Real Reason the Warriors Won Vs. the Heat, Dec. 8th, 2007

You guys don't get the real reason why we won. It's because the Heat lost. The Warriors players may have put up a good fight late, but the Heat made a crucial error with about 10 minutes to go.

They took out both Mourning and Shaq. After winning all game and having it their way, they decide to try to small ball with us when there's 10 minutes to go with a team of half-retired men. That's just stupid, the only guy who could really do it was Dorell Wright. Shaq has the best plus minus on the team at +7! Mourning had third best at -3! The only other person who was not in the negatives was Jason Williams, who was injured in the first half, when the Heat were winning! Shaq was perfect from the field! So why, Pat Riley? Why?

Probobly just to prove some stupid point to Shaq.

So, in any case, it was a good win.

And Miami....I feel sorry for you.

Addendum: Shaq played only 21 minutes last game, and 21 in this one. AND he's complaining about not getting enough minutes. So there goes that point.

The Philadelphia 76ers Myth

Let me begin this article by listing a number of scores:

Chi Win 96-85
NJ Loss 88-93
Cha Win 94-63
Tor Loss 103-105
NO Loss 72-93
Dal Loss 84-99
NO Loss 76-95
Por Win 92-88
Was Loss 101-116
Det Loss 78-83
GS Loss 98-100
Mil Win 114-99
Uta Loss 95-106
Was Win 85-84
NJ Loss 92-94
Atl Loss 79-88
Bos Loss 103-113

Now from those score listed, is this team a HORRIBLE team? It it a team without potential?

Now, let me list all of the scores from the Seattle SuperSonics.

Pho Loss 99-106
LAC Loss 101-115
Sac Loss 98-104
Mem Loss 98-105
Uta Loss 101-103
Det Loss 103-107
Orl Loss 76-103
Mia Win 104-95
Atl Win 126-123
Cha Loss 84-100
Mem Loss 108-125
NJ Loss 93-98
SA Loss 101-116
LAL Loss 99-106
Orl Loss 94-110
Ind Win 95-93
GS Loss 96-109
LAC Win 95-88

Very similar teams, eh? Both of them have close games versus experienced teams, both of them fizzle out in the 3rd Quarter. But, the first team seems to do a better job of it. Both of them are young and have talent. The second team is the Seattle Supersonics. Can you guess the other?

The Philadelphia 76ers.

Now, most people see Seattle and think: "Oh, an up and coming team! With Kevin Durant, anything is possible! Think of the roleplayers, and Jeff Green! A couple more years, and they'll be right where Cleveland is now!"

So you say Okay, and ask about Philadelphia. They say: "Ugh, that craphole? They're nothing without Allen Iverson. All they've got is Andre Igoudala. They'll remain in rebuilding mode for a couple years with Minnesota."

So, why all of the 76er hate? Misconceptions.

Lets compare their stars head-to-head.

Point Guard:

PHI: Andre Miller
PPG: 15.6
RPG: 4.4
APG: 5.2
SPG: 0.8
TO: 2.2

SEA: Earl Watson
PPG: 15.6 7.7
RPG: 2.4
APG: 6.1
SPG: 0.8
TO: 2.3

It's clear who's the better all around player. Watson has to share time with 2 others, yes, but they've been injured enoguh to where his point totals shouldn't be bothered. He has another assist, but it is the only slight advantage. More season, and it'll even out.

ADVANTAGE: Philadelphia

Big Guns:

PHI: Andre Igoudala
PPG: 18.1
RPG: 6.5
APG: 5.2
SPG: 1.9
BPG: 0.8
TO: 2.4

SEA: Kevin Durant
PPG: 19.5
RPG: 4.4
APG: 1.9
SPG: 1.0
BPG: 1.1
TO: 3.4

All around, except for a couple less points, Igoudala IS the better all around player. And even if you did want to argue points, Kevin Durants shooting percentage is slightly less. Now of course, Andre Igoudala is almost fully developed while Kevin Durnat is only in his rookie year, but you have to understand that Kevin Durant has been given the KEYS to the franchise. He can do whatever he wants out there, because this season will be basically written off as "rebuilding". Andre Igoudala has to cooperate with two other proven talents on his team (Miller, Dalembert). He is such a more efficent and effective player. In closing, the final verdict is:

ADVANTAGE NOW: Philadelphia
ADVANTAGE LATER: Seattle

Big Men:

PHI: Samuel Dalembert
PPG: 10.9
RPG: 8.7
BPG: 2.2
TO: 1.7

SEA: Chris Wilcox
PPG: 15.7
RPG: 7.5
BPG: 0.5
TO: 1.2

The players are about evenly matched big man wise. Chris Wilcox has a better offense, while Samuel Dalembert has a better defense. Chris Wilcox has slightly better non-big-man categories (AST, STL), so I'll give the slight edge to him.

ADVANTAGE: Seattle

Now it is clearly seen that the teams are evenly matched. Yet people are still skeptical.

Hell, this same Philly team almost rallied back for the playoffs last year WITHOUT Allen Iverson!

And don't even talk to me about the future. Andre Igoudala is a good player, and while he may not be as good as Kevin Durant, he can definately hold his own. Both teams have their draft picks for next year. They have roughly the same Salary Cap (not to mention Philadelphia will get out of cap hell a year earlier when Chris Webber and Aaron McKies contracts expire, and Seattle will have to wait two years to get under the cap while having to resign some essential players.)

So, I've spit out all of this information, and made it clear that Philadelphia is in the same/a better situation in the long run than Seattle. You may be wondering: What's the point? Why have you done this, are you a 76ers homeboy or something?

Okay, here it is:

If Sam Presti has done such a great job with Seattle, than why in the HELL was Billy King, who's lead Philly through thick and thin and set them up nicely for the future, fired?

I rest my case.

(Good comeback article, eh?)