Commentary

Bowl-season appetizers offer tasty match-ups

Arkansas State head coach Blake Anderson during their game against Georgia Southern Wednesday night Oct. 5, 2016 in Jonesboro.
Arkansas State head coach Blake Anderson during their game against Georgia Southern Wednesday night Oct. 5, 2016 in Jonesboro.

It all begins Saturday, and when it ends 23 days later on Jan. 9 for the College Football Playoff championship, there will have been 41 total postseason football games involving 80 of the 128 FBS schools.

That's 62.5 percent of the teams, including Baylor -- which is in the Motel 6 Cactus -- proving bowl games have no morals clauses. Despite all that has gone on at that once-proud university and losing its past six games, the Bears were rewarded with postseason action.

It needs to be pointed out that the NCAA Basketball Tournament takes 68 of 347 teams, or 19.6 percent.

Before getting into the first nine bowls, it needs to be pointed out that Hampton High School had an amazing season. Yes, it lost to Mount Ida -- another great success story -- in the Class 2A state championship 27-26 after the Lions stopped a two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter.

Not taking anything away from the Lions or putting too much emphasis on the fact Hampton had four touchdowns called back by penalties, but the truly amazing part of the Bulldogs' story was that last season it didn't have enough players to field a team. That's a 30 for 30 documentary waiting to be produced.

New Mexico Bowl

As for the bowls, they begin Saturday with the New Mexico Bowl at 1 p.m. in Albuquerque, N.M., which was made famous in 1983 when North Carolina State upset Houston to win the NCAA basketball championship. Texas-San Antonio takes on New Mexico in its home stadium. Not much of a reward for the Lobos' 8-4 season, or for the Roadrunners for that matter. It's OK to Christmas shop during this one. New Mexico 35-21.

Las Vegas Bowl

Next up is the Las Vegas Bowl, and it features two high-powered offenses. Should be a fun game to watch as San Diego State's Donnel Pumphrey (6,290 rushing yards) needs 108 yards to set the NCAA career rushing record held by Wisconsin's Ron Dayne. New Houston Coach Major Applewhite isn't Tom Herman, but the Cougars feature a great freshman defensive lineman in Ed Oliver. San Diego St. 28-24.

Camellia Bowl

The Camellia Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., is a matchup of Appalachian State's defense vs. Toledo's offense. Take a nap early and catch the fourth quarter. Toledo 31-27.

Cure Bowl

The AutoNation Cure Bowl in Orlando, Fla., pits the Red Wolves of Arkansas State against home team Central Florida, which could Uber to the game. The Red Wolves were 7-1 down the stretch. The Knights are 6-6 but played an extremely difficult schedule, and it is a home game. Central Florida 24-21.

New Orleans Bowl

The New Orleans Bowl closes the first day of bowls with an 8 p.m. kickoff, an injustice to the fans and teams since that's a good time to start eating in the Big Easy. Almost a home game for Louisiana-Lafayette, but it wasn't a long bus ride for Southern Miss. Both are 6-6. The Golden Eagles' signature victory was against Kentucky, the Ragin' Cajuns' was Arkansas State. Southern Miss 28-23.

Miami Beach Bowl

Monday's only game could be a decent afternoon game with Tulsa and Central Michigan hooking up. Tulsa 31-21.

Boca Raton Bowl

It is a good thing Tuesday's Boca Raton Bowl is spelled without a D, because there may not be much in this high-scoring affair between Memphis and Western Kentucky, which is favored. The Tigers' colors are blue, and this is a blueblood city. Memphis 54-42.

Poinsettia Bowl

Former conference foes Brigham Young and Wyoming meet in San Diego on Wednesday, and both like to air it out. If one team doesn't visit Tijuana, Mexico, that could help. BYU 35-34.

Idaho Potato Bowl

This is not a home game for Idaho, whose home is 300 miles north in Moscow, when it faces Colorado State on Thursday. The Vandals are going to the FCS in 2018; the Rams aren't. Colorado St. 35-17.

Sports on 12/16/2016

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