The last post of the year

I felt it necessary to post tonight, largely because it appears that I’m snowed in, and also, to bid a fond farewell to you (for a week or so) and 2006 with a few miscellaneous bits of information/drivel.
First, as I mentioned, something has come up and I will be out of the office for a week. Thankfully, loyal commenter JustBeth has agreed to man (or woman, as the case may be) the helm for a while, while Steve might just throw in an NFL recap, but who knows, because the week was chock full of terrible games, and Steve claimed he might not even watch them.
If you must know, I have to drive down to Indianapolis tomorrow, which leaves me a little bitter, since it a) prevents me from really tieing one on tonight, b) causes me to miss the bulk of the New Years Day Bowl Action, and c) thrusts me into the weather I’m trying to avoid. But speaking of Bowl Game Action, I finished off the simulations of all the Bowl games, so Beth wouldn’t have to go out and pay the 39.95 to get the a game, and perhaps the 100 bucks for an Xbox. This has been a long weekend. Here are the results. (Of games played thus far, EA has gotten 5 correct. 5. Take that in mind before wagering.)
Insight: Already played, and it featured the largest comeback in bowl history, and the eventual termination of Glen Mason. Needless to say, EA got this wrong, predicting Brian Cupito would lead the Gophers over the Red Raiders of Texas Tech 30-14.
Champs Sports: In an equally spurrious prediction, EA picked Purdue DB Brandon King to lead the Boilers over Maryland 23-3. The Purdue defense hasn’t held a team to 3 points in probably 34 years.
Meineke: George Foreman says that the BC Eagles won in real life AND in the simulated version. Everyone listens to George Foreman, including simulated BC receiver Tony Gonzalez and simulated Navy LB David Mahoney, who kept it close, but not close enough, as Boston college won in imaginationville, 23-17.
Alamo: In one of the most comical sims, Drew Tate led Iowa over Texas 30-0.
I refuse to call it the Chik-fil-a Bowl: In the second shutout in a row, EA had Virginia Tech shutting out Georgia 28-0, which didn’t happen so much. Although in real life, Josh Morgan DID have a decent game.
MPC: Defensive Back Joe Garcia led Nevada over Miami 27-14 on the smurf turf of Boise. I thought this was a little unfounded, but as it turns out, Nevada is giving the Hurricanes a pretty good game.
Outback: In a game I thought would be better, but probably won’t be tomorrow either, Tennessee wide receiver Robert Meachem ran all over Penn State scoring three touchdowns as the Vols beat the Nittany Lions 33-7.
Cotton: In one of my traditional favorite bowls, Auburn smoked Nebraska 34-8 on the arm of Brandon Cox, who is better than Brady Quinn.
Gator: In an ugly, disgusting Gator Bowl, in which no player did anything to seperate themselves from the pack, Georgia Tech nipped West Virginia 14-6.
Capital One: In a blowout nobody probably expects, even though they probably should, John Stocco and Wisconsin trounced Arkansas 38-7.
Rose: In bowl sims I hope don’t actually happen news, Chad Henne led Michigan to a 51-10 victory, even leading 42-7 at the half. I really hope Michigan doesn’t do this.
Fiesta: Cinderella squad Boise State couldn’t hold their own against Adrian Peterson and Oklahoma. The Sooners stymie the Broncos 24-8.
Orange: In a game that will probably be interesting for 2 quarters was interesting simulated for about 2 quarters as Louisville QB Brian Brohm thre 4 touchdown passes in a 44-20 win over Wake Forest.
Sugar: Notre Dame turned the ball over 9 times, including twice to LSU DB Daniel Francis as Fighting Irish lost 55-3. You can’t turn the ball over 9 times! Especially in a dome! Later, Brady Quinn’s simulated stock fell and he was drafted 18th by the simulated Bills.
International: In the best college football game played in Canada all year, Western Michigan QB and unit of ancient measure Ryan Cubit threw all sorts of touchdowns as WMU beat Cincy 49-10.
GMAC: THE Ohio University put on a shootout with Southern Miss in Mobile, with AustEn Everson and Jeremy Young putting on passing clinics. Young’s clinics were a little more advanced, however, and Southern Miss won 45-28, after coming back from 14 down.
BCS Championship: Part two of the BCS’ worst case scenario came to be, as Florida beat Ohio State 20-3

Lastly, my contact in Pittsburgh (what’s up A.J!) left me a note regarding my post on team moves, and a glaring innacuracy on my perception of Pittsburghians. I’ll let him explain.

Ryan, you’re wrong about one thing in you Victoria Times Post. The city of Pittsburgh did not stand their morals or anything like that. They are still having gambling, it is just not going to be with the Isle of Capri, it is with the same guy who owns the Gary Casinos. It really wasn’t the city’s choice, it was the state government. The mayor and most local officials were behind Isle of Capri, basically because of the money to keep the Penns. The other proposal won because things like “better parking” and the area were the Isle of Capri was going to put their slots is basically the ghetto of Pitt and community leaders were complaining. The slot parlor that won is right next to Heinz Field and right down the road from PNC Park. The guy who won offered 7 million a year to put in a stadium for the next 40 years, which is peanuts compared to the 290 million today the Isle of Capri offered. Needless to stay the locals are upset.

So that’s that. My mistake. The best to you and yours this New Years, and I’ll see you in ’07! Be nice to Beth!
– Ryan