Let’s Go Bowling

The Bills and Sabres stink. It's time to stop throwing things at your tv and change the channel to a college football bowl game. I'll give you a rundown of the already underway bowl season.

The Thomas Vanek League

(Games that are good despite 7 million dollar contracts)>

Fiesta Bowl. January 2nd, 8:30 P.M.
Oklahoma St. vs. Stanford

In my eyes, this is the marquee matchup of the entire bowl season. #3 Oklahoma State has one of the highest scoring offenses in all of college football led by star receiver Justin Blackmon (ahem, Bills). On the other sideline, #4 Stanford is led by "the next great one," Andrew Luck, the sure-fire number one pick in next year's NFL draft. Both of these teams could of challenged LSU for the national championship, but instead, they'll play each other. You won't hear any complaints about that from over here.

Cotton Bowl. January 6th, 8:00 P.M.
Arkansas vs. Kansas St.

While it features lesser-known teams than one might expect, this is sure to be a fun game to watch. Again, both teams had national-championship aspirations but fell short at the end. Kansas St. quarterback Collin Klein led the team in both rushing and passing, racking up over 38 TD's over the year. It is sure to be one of the more exciting games of the year.

Rose Bowl. January 2nd, 5:00 P.M.
Oregon vs. Wisconsin

This game will be all about points, as both teams are top-5 scoring teams in the country. Also featured will be two of the best college running backs, both Heisman candidates, LaMichael James of Oregon and Montee Ball of Wisconsin. An interesting aspect of this game is the contrasting styles of offense the two teams use. Oregon is known for their spread and speed, while Wisconsin is known for their bruising power rushing attack. Turn it on and watch the offense roll.

The Ryan Fitzpatrick League

(Games that were bad before, and will be bad again)

National Championship. January 9th, 8:30 P.M.
LSU vs. Alabama

These two teams played in November and it was close. 9-6. Is that a hockey score? Did we make a mistake? Nope, the team's offenses are just dreadful. A nicer way of putting that is to say that both defenses are very good. Either way, we are surely in for another snooze-fest. It's the national championship, you're probably going to watch it, but don't expect to see anything spectacular. You've been warned.

The Tim Tebow League

(Games you should watch just to see one player)

Alamo Bowl. December 29th, 9:00 P.M.
Baylor vs. Washington

Let's be clear here, this is not going to be a good game by all expectations. Baylor is #12 in the country and Washington is…well…not. If you're going to watch this game, it will be to see Baylor's quarterback, Robert Griffin III (aka RG3). RG3 one the Heisman trophy as the top college football player and may go highly in the NFL draft (again, Bills…). He can run and throw with the best of them making this game worthwhile.

Sugar Bowl. January 3rd, 8:30 P.M.
Virginia Tech vs. Michigan

Here's another sort of undesirable matchup you may choose to watch to see one player, Michigan's Denard Robinson. Like RG3, Robinson is an extraordinary athlete and can both run and throw effectively. Both teams have large fan bases, which should make the game's intensity stronger than most. With that being said, turn it on for the crowd, watch it for Robinson.

The Bills' Defense League

(Games where one team may score 100)

MAACO Bowl Las Vegas. December 22nd, 8:00 P.M.
Boise St. vs Arizona St.

Boise St. is going to be angry. They finished with an 11-1 record and #7 in the country, yet play in an extremely undesirable and low-key bowl game against a bad Arizona State team. Boise St. is led by one the best quarterbacks in the country, Kellen Moore, who must be licking his chops at this matchup. I can see Boise St. trying to make the statement to the rest of the country that they deserved better. They may score a lot of points here…and when I say a lot, I mean a lot.

The French Connection League

(Games you watch for the prestige factor)

Champs Sports Bowl. December 29th, 5:30 P.M.
Notre Dame vs. Florida St.

Neither of these teams have been anything special this year, but you'll watch this game because it between two of the most storied schools in the country. You either hate Notre Dame or you love them, with nowhere in between (this also has a direct correlation to your Michigan fandom). Florida St. has a huge following as well, and will essentially be playing at home as the game will be played in Orlando, Florida. Neither of these teams like to lose; more importantly neither of these teams' fan bases like to lose. Although at face value it seems like a meaningless mid-quality bowl game, the teams will bring the intensity to make it worth your time.

Gator Bowl. January 2nd, 1:00 P.M.
Florida vs. Ohio State.

Here's another seemingly meaningless game between two 6-6 teams that you'll watch because of who it's between. These two perennial football powerhouses (although not this year) square off in a game more about pride than anything else. Another interesting aspect to this game is the fact that former Florida coach Urban Meyer will coach Ohio State next year after a brief retirement. The game will be played in Jacksonville, Florida, meaning the home state fans will surely want to send the Buckeyes home in defeat.

The John Rigas League

(Games you watch because of a scandal)

Ticketcity Bowl. January 2nd, 12:00 P.M.
Houston vs. Penn State

Despite that fact that this will be a good game between two strong teams (Houston nearly went undefeated), most will tune into this game because of the recent and well-documented scandal at Penn State. The situation forced the school to fire long time coach Joe Paterno, much to the dismay of students. The team will be playing hard for their former coach, but will have their hands full with Houston's potent offense.

The Memorial Auditorium League

(Games you watch because of their location)

Pinstripe Bowl. December 30th, 3:20 P.M.
Iowa State vs. Rutgers

Let's be honest here, you would not watch this game unless it's played where it is, Yankee Stadium. Just like you'll watch the NHL's Winter Classic because it is played outdoors, you'll watch this because of it's location. A game at Yankee Stadium? I'd watch 30 year olds play bar league football if it was played there.

Hawaii Bowl. December 24th, 8:00 P.M.
Southern Mississippi vs Nevada

Like the previous game, you're not going to watch this for the intriguing matchup, you're going to watch it because it is played in Hawaii. That's right, while your college student is home on break driving you insane, these college players will be basking in the Hawaiian sun. See, maybe you should have signed your son up for that football camp when he was younger.

Happy Bowling.