#1 Notre Dame (12-0 Independent) vs. #2 Alabama (12-1, 8-1 SEC)

Monday, January 7th, 8:30 EST, ESPN Television

It all comes down to this: The Fightin’ Irish attempting to “wake up the echoes” from the coma they have been in for nearly twenty years against Nick Saban and his SEC juggernaut, the defending national champion Alabama Crimson Tide. Historically this is a match-up for the ages. Two of the nations all-time premier programs, a north versus south pride war for all the marbles.

History: Given the recent history of the SEC some would consider this a surprise, but coming into the championship game Notre Dame holds a 5-1 all-time record vs the Crimson Tide in head to head match-ups. Perhaps the surprise is lessened when it is revealed that these two have not met on the gridiron since 1987, a 37-6 blowout by the Irish in South Bend. The only … [Read More]

January 4th, 2013   Arlington, Texas Cowboys Stadium   Kick-0ff 8:oopm FOX-TV

Second, you … [Read More]

(4) Oregon (11-1, 8-1 Pac 12) vs (5) Kansas State (11-1, 8-1 Big 12)

Thursday January 3rd, 8:30 EST ESPN

The History:  The Tositos Fiesta Bowl has been a staple in Glendale, AZ for 42 years.  A group from Arizona State originally pitched the idea to the NCAA in 1968 but the NCAA rejected the proposal.  One year later the NCAA approved the bowl as part of their annnual bowl games.  The Fiesta Bowl is played at The University of Phoenix Stadium and has hosted 7 National Championship games (Does anyone remember 2002?) since it was first played in 1971. Not only is this Fiesta Bowl important to college footbal, it is important to the Glendale area.  Over a 5 year span the bowl has generated over $1 Billion in the Glendale economy.

Oregon Scouting Report:  Chip Kelly once again has his Ducks offense in the Top 5 in the nation.  Freshman QB Marcus Mariota leads … [Read More]

2013 started almost the same way that every other year has started since I can remember… with a slate of B1G Ten games, highlighting how many people who live in the midwest want to flee to warmer climes for some semblance of a vacation.  I still haven’t figured out how the scheduling geniuses who have an entire slate of games and “bowl week” to work with decide to run four of them at semi-simultaneous time times, though.

You’ll note that I said “almost”… one of the major differences this year was the lack of Buckeye football; in case you hadn’t heard, they had a one year vacation from the post-season. What’s intriguing about that fact is that we seemingly had it shoved down our throats throughout the … [Read More]

Michigan (8-4, 6-2 Big Ten) vs. South Carolina (10-2, 6-2 SEC)

Tuesday January 1st, 1:00 EST ESPN

The History:  Originally called the Hall of Fame Bowl when it began in 1986, the Outback Bowl became the staple it is today in 1995 when Outback Steakhouse became its official sponsor.  The last 21 years the game has been played in Tampa, Florida and will feature a cool $7.2 million payout this year. Since 2000, the game has been between the Big Ten conference and the SEC conference with the SEC holding an 8-5 edge.

Michigan Scouting Report:  It’s no secret that the defense is the most consistent part of the Michigan team.  DB Jordan Kovacs’ 65 tackles, 5 stops for loss, 2 sacks, an interception, and one forced fumble make him an important compnent for the Wolverine defense.  Offensively, … [Read More]

Northern Illinois (12-1, 8-0 MAC) vs. Florida State (11-2, 7-1 ACC)
Tuesday, Jan. 1, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

The History: The Orange Bowl has been played annually since 1935, making it the second-oldest bowl game, along with the Sugar Bowl and the Sun Bowl, behind the Rose Bowl. Played in Miami, Fla., the Orange Bowl has been sponsored by Discover since 2010 after FedEx sponsored the game for 21 years before that.

Northern Illinois Scouting Report: The Huskies squeaked their way into the BCS party by finishing in the top 16 of the BCS standings after their 44-37 double overtime win against Kent State in the MAC Championship Game. Quarterback Jordan Lynch has thrown for 2,962 yards and 24 touchdowns this season and rushed for 1,771 yards and 19 touchdowns. To put it mildly, he’s decent.

Florida State Scouting Report: The Seminoles … [Read More]

Wisconsin (8-5, 4-4 Big Ten) vs. Stanford (11-2, 8-1 Pac-12)
Tuesday, Jan. 1, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN

The History: “The Grandaddy of Them All.” The Rose Bowl is the oldest of all the bowl games, with the first game being played in 1902. The game then took a break until 1916 and has been played annually since. Traditionally, the Rose Bowl sees the champion of the Big Ten and the Pac-12 square off and this year is no different. USC has made the most appearances in the Rose Bowl with 33. After the Trojans, the teams with the most appearances are: Michigan (20), Washington (14) and Ohio State (14). The game is held in Pasadena, Calif.

Wisconsin Scouting Report: Wisconsin the the first team five-loss team to ever appear … [Read More]

Georgia (11-2, 7-2 SEC) vs. Nebraska (10-3, 7-2 B1G)

January 1, 2013 1:00 PM ET ESPN

The History: This is one of the oldest games in the country, and was formerly the “Tangerine Bowl”. Because of it’s location, African American players were not allowed to participate, causing Hillsdale to decline their team’s offer to the game in 1955, and Buffalo choosing to do the same in 1958.  In 1966, Morgan State (a historically black college) won the game and finished their season undefeated.

The “gifts that you can’t sell at all” for the student athletes in this game include yet another Fossil Watch and a $420 shopping trip to a … [Read More]