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What do you think the Stardust's odds would have been on Rutgers having more wins this year than Miami, Florida? Back in August, could you have ever imagined that "Windbag" Mark May would be using the words Rutgers and BCS in the same sentence? Well, for a few weeks the Scarlet Knights were the Cinderella of College Football. When they hosted Louisville on Nov. 9th, the city of New York lit up the Empire State Building in red, a practice only previously used when the Yankees were playing a World Series game. Yes, it was quite a season for state university of New Jersey, located just across the river from NYC. Then the fairy tale ended faster than this year's Yankee post season. Although 10-2 is a great year, for our purposes, Rutgers was 6-4-1 ATS. (Howard was a I-AA opponent) They played on National TV 5 times and were only 2-3 ATS in those "get up games." Now that their BCS slipper was cracked for good in Morgantown, WV. three weeks ago, the humbled Knights headed back home to find they've drawn Kansas St. in the Texas Bowl. Yup, a far cry from the Orange Bowl. While disappointed and regrouping are the appropriate words in NJ, rejuvenated and BACK are the words thrown around the local bars in Manhattan, Kansas these days. K-State had played in 11 straight bowls from 1993-03, before missing out the last two. Whereas Rutgers started leaking oil down the stretch, the Wildcat's picked up steam. At midseason the quarterback switch to freshman Josh Freeman was made. After two "getting his feet wet" poundings at the hands of Nebraska and Mizzou, Freeman started to show why his parent's living room became a recruiting hangout. K-State closed out the season strong, going 3-1 both SU and ATS, including an impressive upset win over Texas on a night they were 17 point 'dogs. This game opened at Rutgers -7 and enough money came in on the Knights to add on the hook. No surprise there, in fact, as the days go by that number will only go up. Where's the Money? Let's think about this. Rutgers was a ranked, national team all year. They're playing the team that received the LAST Big 12 bowl tie in and they only made them -7? Schiano can talk all he wants about playing this one for HIS seniors and the "R" on the helmet and he may win, but folks, here it is. Rutgers has been a favorite six times this year. In those six, they are 1-4-1 ATS and the one winning ticket was back on Sept. 9th vs. Illinois. That means they haven't covered as chalk in over three and a half months!! On that note, let's put Kansas State plus whatever in our Xmas stocking. Oklahoma St. (-2½) vs. Alabama 12/28-4:30pm (ESPN) Remember back on Sept. 2nd when Alabama was a 17 point favorite vs. Hawaii? (They didn't cover by the way) What would THAT line be now? Well, if you decide to continue reading this column, forget that game was even played. OK? Good! The Tide have played in more bowl games (53) than any other team, and have an NCAA record of 30 wins. This is the only rational reason that I can see as to why they are even in a bowl this year. If not for a cupcake win over Florida Int'l, they wouldn't be. This Tide team is more confusing than a Rubik's Cube. They were a hole in your pocket 4-8 ATS this year BUT strangely, the four covers were all vs. ranked teams and even more oddly, they were all on the road. Even more crazy is that those were the ONLY games they played away from home. They averaged just 15 points in them. While Alabama was a dirty subway ride south for their backers, Oklahoma St. was a first class flight to the payout window, going 7-3-1 ATS and a wallet filling 6-1 ATS the last seven times they took the field. THAT, my friends is the type of team we're looking to unwrap during "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!" The Cowboy's broke out of the gate like a first time starting two year old at Tampa Bay Downs, young and inexperienced. But as the season went on, they put it together and were closing down the stretch. Games vs. K-State, Texas Tech, A&M and Oklahoma (all bowl teams) were lost by a total of just 17 points, and the games weren't decided until the final play. QB Bobby Reid finished 2nd in the Big 12 throwing for over 2,000 yards and 23 TD'S. He also rushed for 466yds. and five TD'S. And he's only a sophomore! Alabama hasn't seen a QB like him all year. Five of Alabama's wins came against teams in the bottom 45 (of 119) in D-IA scoring: (Duke, Vandy, Ole Miss, La. Monroe and Fla. Int'l.) These five were a combined 12-58 SU, and averaged just 15 points per game. Duke and Fla. Int'l both went winless. On December 28th the Tide will play a Cowboy team that finished 8th in the country, scoring 35 a game. 'Bama, 72nd, averaged just over 22. You do the math. Where's the Money? Alabama has won just one game since Oct. 14th and that was vs. the above mentioned Fla. Int'l on Homecoming. They have no head coach. Nobody wants to be their coach. And the assistants that are left are filing unemployment claims. Oklahoma St. is a few bounces and an interference call away from being a 10-win team and playing on New Year's Day. Alabama can't keep up with them. This one comes gift wrapped. Santa Claus will be wearing a Cowboy hat this year!! ----- |
 
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