Indiana 70, Illinois 72

FIRST HALF:
Despite the best efforts of the refs to make this game suck in accordance with the Big Ten Game Stylesheet, the Hoosiers and Illini are having one heck of a battle in Champaign. And I almost went to this game. Damn!

The Jordan alley-oop (to Paul?), Verdell Jones getting on a roll, Demetri McCamey looking like the best point guard in the conference, Jordan Hulls nailing treys, and that Devan Dumes steal and halfcourt make as time expires? Awesome.

It's 36-36 at the half as we return to The Other Assembly Hall. God, I hate having that much ugly orange on my TV, but if this game keeps up, it's worth it.

Orange, pink, and Crimson = TV overload. My eyes are on fire.

SECOND HALF:
Well, at least it was a good game. Indiana lost on a last-second runner by McCamey that cancelled out Hoosier heroics.

Somebody in the Big Ten studio suggested that Watford should have slid over on the last play and tried to take a charge. I say that's nuts. No way you put yourself in that position, knowing that if the Illini guard goes to the line, he's going to hit at least one and end the game for sure. No, the Hoosiers did their best and were foiled.

That McCamey shot, by the way, was eerily reminiscent of the one he hit last year against Northwestern which spoiled a monster effort by the Wildcats. Same freakin' heartbreak.

Anyway, Indiana's now 9-11 (3-5). It's a good time to try and remember that this team is still better, by leaps and bounds, than last year's.

Classic Super Bowl Commercials

Found this link to some classic Super Bowl commercials. My biggest question, where did Michael get his outfit for the McDonald's commercial.

Bill Simmons wants to write like Noffke

Isn't it interesting that the Sports Guy puts out his tortured fan article a week after Noffke puts out his? If I didn't steal so many of his ideas, I'd go after him for plagiarism.

Bulls Make Trade at Center

It is being reported that the Bulls have traded Center Aaron Gray to the New Orleans Hornets gaurd Devin Brown. Brown is a 6-5 Guard who will add depth to the Bulls perimeter.

I know this isn't the major trade most Bulls fans are hoping for, but even though he never played, I liked Aaron Gray. The Bulls will now be looking for a new end of the bench guy to high five players as they come off the floor.

Knox Goes Bowling

It's been annouced that Johnny Knox will be in South Florida this week to particpate in the Pro Bowl. Johnny Knox will officially replace Percy Harvin as the return specialist for the game. Even though he is listed as kick return specialist, look for Knox to get a lot of playing time at wide receiver as well. Traditionally the stars don't want to play very long and will let the younger guys play a greater number of snaps. This used to happend to Bears special teamer Brendon Ayanbadejo who would rarely play a snap at linebacker for the Bears, but would play linebacker for 40 or 50 plays in the pro bowl because no one else wanted to play.

Congrats to Johnny, who will be the first Bears rookie since Hester to make the Pro Bowl, hopefully he can win the MVP trophy for a nice little bonus.

Trivia: Super Bowl Style

I have a few of Super Bowl related questions for everyone.

A personal favorite of mine. Can you name the three teams have won a Super Bowl, but have a losing record in the Super Bowl?

Which team has been to the most Superbowls and how many?

How many times has a team making their Super Bowl debut won the Super Bowl and which was the last team to do this?

How good is Adrian Peterson?

Upon watching the NFC championship, I wondered to myself, "How can somebody who fumbles as much as AP be considered so great?".

So being the curious fan that I am I decided to break it down by the numbers. Over the past three seasons, AP has had 4,484 rushing yards on 915 carries (YPC 4.900546 [after all it is a game of inches]). He has also had 40 rushing TD's and 20 fumbles over the same span. However, this data all by itself means nothing.

I chose to compare this to a halfback who hasn't had the blessing of a great o-line to run behind, Jones-Drew. Over the same time span (the last three years), JD has only 2,983 yards but only on 658 carries (YPC 4.533434). Even though he had a significantly lower amount of touches, he scored almost as many TD's with 36. One might expect that if AP is really the best that JD would also have about as many fumbles, however, this is not the case. JD only had 10 fumbles in the 3 year period. So according to my stat sheet even though we see AP setting records on Sportcenter and running all over the NFC north, there is no eveidence to say that he is any better than sombody else in a different situation. In fact I would even be as so bold to say that most any starting halfback in the NFL would do an equally good if not better job in Minnesota.

Peyton Manning Yells at his Protection

I am not sure if anyone notices, but durning Colts games, networks always crank up the microphones when Peyton is on offense so that the viewers can here all of his audibles. Well this weekend, CBS might want to turn it down a notch. Last week, the boom mic caught Peyton Manning swearing and his protection mid play. Below is the line of what transpired (Fodor if you want to post the video that works too)

Jets-Colts: Destiny?

Jets-Colts: Destiny? What the hell am I talking about? What's more, why is this damn picture of LOST here? Where is this all going? Well, come on in my friends, relax, and read this article about absolutely nothing. Do me one favor first, Ponder this: The Colts were sitting at 14-0, two games left when they play the J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS. Coach Caldwell decides that we don't need to go undefeated so he benches his starters in the second half... when they were up 9-3. The Jets come back and to beat the Colts second string defense, and because of that, they get propelled to the playoffs. Fast forward to today: Jim Caldwell is getting flack for not trying to go 19-0. However, if the Jets win, that flack will only grow because he allowed the Jets in the playoffs, and the Colts demise. The postseason loss, if it happens, could be his own fault. I think it is an interesting display of the old adage: We decide our own fate. One thing is for sure, if this was the Island (LOST) I think we all know who would win this game: The Chicago Bears. (Que LOST background and music which ends this post).

Hard Luck NFL Fans

I was watching ESPN the other day and they were showing NFL’s greatest games. The feature game was the 1998 NFC Championship game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Atlanta Falcons. This was the season where the Vikings went 15-1, sent 10 players to the pro-bowl and looked destined to meet the defending Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl. The Vikings were dominating the game early, but could never put the falcons away. The Vikings had a chance to go up by 10 and seal the game with Gary “35-35” Anderson attempting a 38 yard field goal. He ended up missing the field goal, and the Falcons came back to beat the Vikings in overtime. Great game when I watched it live and when I rewatched it now.

While I was watching it, I remembered a scene in the TV show How I Met Your Mother where Marshall is at a Minnesota bar with a sign that says, “I will drink until I forget the 1998 NFC Championship Game.” This got me thinking, man, Vikings fans have had it rough. Can they reverse their bad luck this season? Is there another fan base that has had it as tough as the Minnesota Vikings? I came up with 3 other contenders; The Buffalo Bills, the Cleveland Browns and the Philadelphia Eagles. I am going to lay out each case for the most hard luck fans, and then let you decide who you think has had it the hardest.

Minnesota Vikings

Super Bowl Record: 0-4 (1969, 1973, 1974 and 1976)

The Vikings went to the Super Bowl 4 times in 8 seasons including 3 of the last 4 seasons in that run, but were unable to win any of them. They were heavily Favored in 1969 over the Cheifs but lost 23-7.

Non Super Bowl Heartbreak


The before mentioned 1998 NFC championship where Gary Anderson missed the game sealing field goal.

Buffalo Bills

Super Bowl Record: 0-4 (1990-1994)

The Buffalo Bills used their no huddle offense to go to a record four straight Super Bowls, but were unable to win any of them.

In 1990 they sweeped through the AFC relatively easily and were favored to beat the New York Giants by 7. It was a close, low scoring game. The Bills had a chance to win the game, but Scott Norwood’s last second field goal went wide right by less than a yard.

Non Super Bowl Heartbreak

Music City Miracle

The Buffalo Bills started Rob Johnson in this game instead of 15 game starter and 10 game winner Doug Flutie, a move that only Wade Phillips know why it happened. Buffalo had taken a 16-15 lead in the closing seconds of the game on Steve Christie field goal. On the ensuing kickoff, Lorenzo Neal Received the Kickoff, handed the ball off to Frank Wycheck who then threw a lateral to Kevin Dyson who ran 75 yards for the score as time expired.

(Editor’s Note: I watched the entire game on my couch. The game was relatively boring and I feel asleep at the 2 minute warning. I missed Buffalo’s drive and score (with Rob Johnson only wearing one shoe) and woke up with from my dad yelling with excitement as Dyson crossed the goal line)

Philadelphia Eagles

Super Bowl Record: 0-2 (1980 and 2004)

The Eagles, coached by Dick Vermeil and quarterbacked by Ron Jawsorski, were favored by 3 over the Raiders in 1980. The Raiders got up 14-0 in the 1st quarter and dominated the Eagles the rest of the game.

In 2004 the Eagles were 7 point underdogs to the Patriots. They scored first and matched the Patriots scoring output in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. They were down 10 in the fourth, and scored a TD to bring it within 3. They got the ball back with one last drive to try to win, but McNabb’s pick to Harrison with 9 seconds left ended the game.

Non Super Bowl Heartbreak

5 NFC Championship games in the 2000s, only 1 trip to the Super Bowl, 0 Super Bowl Wins.

The Eagles went to 4 straight NFC championship games starting in 2001, but lost their first 3. They finally won the NFC Championship in 2004 where the lost the Super Bowl. They returned to the NFC Championship games in 2008 where the lost the Arizona Cardinals.

Cleveland Browns

Super Bowl Record: 0-0

The Cleveland Browns are 1 of 5 teams to have never reached the Super Bowl (Texans, Jaguars, Lions and Saints)

Non Super Bowl Heart Break

AFC Championship Games.

The Cleveland Browns played in 3 AFC Championship games in 4 years and all 3 were the Denver Broncos.

1986

This game is best remembered for “The Drive”. Cleveland was at home and up 7 with 5:11 remaining. The Browns then pinned the Broncos down on their own 2-yard line with the wind in their face. John Elway led the Broncos down the field on a 98 yard touchdown drive that ended with a 5 yard pass to Mark Jackson to tie the game at 20. The Broncos ended up beating the Browns in overtime

1987

A rematch of the previous years AFC Championship game, and this one was just as heartbreaking for the Browns fans. The game is best remembered for “The Fumble.” The Browns were on the road and marching towards the game tying touchdown. Earnest Byner took a hand off and appeared to be going into the score, when he was stripped at the 3 yard line with 65 seconds remaining. The Broncos took an intential safety and went on to win the game.

1989

On the road again against the Denver Broncos, the Browns did not keep it as close as their previous two AFC championship game match ups. The Browns ended up watching the Broncos head to the Super Bowl instead of them for the 3rd time in 4 years.

This is a scary sight for Browns fans.




Super Bowl Heartbreak

Baltimore Ravens win Super Bowl XXXV

In 1995 the Cleveland Browns were Sports Illustrated’s pick to win the Super Bowl, this was also the year the team announced it would be moved to Baltimore, once the announcement occurred the teams performance deteriorated. The Team moved in 1996 and became the Baltimore Ravens and 4 seasons later won the Super Bowl. Ouch.


So there you have it, the 4 most hard luck fans in the NFL. So who had it the hardest? I tend to lean toward the Buffalo Bills because of their 4 straight Super Bowl losses including the gut wrenching wide right in their first one. I do feel bad for the Cleveland Fans to be so close to the Super Bowl, and never making it, only to see their “franchise” win it 4 years after leaving their city.

This week’s NFC Championship game will be interesting for hard luck fans. Either the Saints will make their first ever Super Bowl or the Vikings will be one step closer to forgetting about their hard luck of the past with a Super Bowl win.

President Vs SuperBowl

For the first and only (most likely) time in United States history, the 44th President will be in office for the 44th Super Bowl. So in honor of this, ESPN.com boxing writer Don Steinberg is matching each SuperBowl vs it's corresponding President. He started 44 days from the SuperBowl and will end on Super Sunday. He is matchup 24 right now the 49ers & Broncos vs Grover Cleveland. I thought the history nerds out there might enjoy this.

Mr. Adams

6/8/83 - 1/17/10

Chicago Bears DE Gaines Adams was reported dead Sunday morning after being rushed to the ER. He was 26. An autopsy to determine cause of death will be done later this week. He was the fourth player chosen in the 2007 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and became a Bear on October 19, 2009. To acquire Adams, the Bears gave up their 2nd round pick in the 2010 draft.

Personally, this is upsetting on two levels. One because Adams showed promise for the future, and secondly because the Bears have now used a future draft pick on a deceased individual. Unless we draft somebody this year, it appears that Mark Anderson and Alex Brown are going to have to step up their efforts at the end positions. One thing is certain at this point, and that is that Tampa Bay is sure glad they called no trade-backs.

All tasteless jokes aside, this is a huge loss for his family and friends around the league. Thoughts and prayers with them in this their time of mourning.

EDIT: Tribune story here. Apparently, Gaines passed away from an enlarged heart causing cardiac arrest.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had this to say: "He seemed like a very genuine, nice man. He seemed focused on being a good person, not just a good NFL player. I was always taken with him."

Water Polo All-American Teams Announced

Okay, so I've got a personal stake in this one, but hell, we have shamefully neglected the great Olympic water sport for too long here at the Superstar. (First one to crack a horse joke wins a prize)

Tim Fodor (Illinois) and fellow THE Evanston Township High School alum Alex Negronida (Arizona) were both named to the Collegiate Water Polo Association's All-American Teams today. Alex is on the First Team and Tim made Honorable Mention.

Oh, and the little bro also won Big Ten Most Valuable Player. I'm especially impressed by this because Tim's always been a defensive stopper more than a high-scorer - it's kind of like if Ndamukong Suh had won the Heisman this year, like he deserved.

This one goes out to club athletes around the country that work hard in their sports and make time for social lives and introducing out-of-towners to Illini Inn Mug Clubs. Cheers to you all, and congratulations to the former Wildkits. Somewhere, Coach Lee is very proud.

Race for Haiti

Due to the fact that Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker injured his knee, a replacement had to be selected for the pro bowl. Luckily for everybody, the always entertaining Chad Ocho Cinco was voted to be the replacement. His antic this time is not only entertaining but a great thing to do. According to ESPN's James Walker Chad Ocho Cinco will be participating in a footrace against Chris Johnson. Ocho Cinco said in a text that he would race Johnson and that the loser would donate their probowl check to the Haitian relief effort. If I were a betting man my money would be on Johnson, but its good to see that no matter the outcome the people of Haiti will benefit.

Indiana Tips Off a Critical Four-Game Stretch Tonight

Bloomington, IN - Tom Crean's Hoosiers (7-8, 1-2) will face the inconsistent Michigan Wolverines (8-7, 2-2) in Ann Arbor tonight, kicking off a crucial sequence of four mid-January games in the Big Ten.

There's one good thing you can say about this Indiana team - it sure has been interesting in Crean's second year. That December 8 win over Pittsburgh is looking like it could be a solid resume builder (wishful thinking, I know), and even after losing leading scorer Maurice Creek for the season in a meaningless blowout against Bryant, the Hoosiers have continued to scratch and claw for wins.

They toppled Michigan in the teams' New Years Eve meeting, and dominated most of the Illinois game before fading down the stretch in a game that was decided at the free throw line.

Clearly, the loss of Creek and sophomore gunner Matt Roth haven't crippled Indiana. But scoring is always at a premium in the stingy Big Ten, and losing your two best three-point shooters forces others to step up in low-scoring battles where a few points can make the difference between a win and a loss.

It would be easy to look at the next four Hoosiers matchups and shrug. Starting tonight at Michigan, Indiana alternates road and away games, getting Minnesota (12-5, 3-2) at home, Penn State (8-8, 0-4) on the road, and then Iowa (6-11, 0-4) back home at Assembly Hall. It's not exactly the cream of the conference crop.

Regardless, this is, without a doubt, the crossroads for the youthful Hoosiers. Why? Because these are all winnable games. For a team desperate to show its loyal fans some improvement and hope, the best possible thing to do is win the games you're supposed to.

Indiana has already beaten Michigan once this year. Guard Jeremiah Rivers did solid defensive work on Manny Harris, and these two veterans will be seeing a lot of one another again tonight.

Beyond forward DeShawn Sims, the Wolverines are painfully shallow in the frontcourt, which should allow Indiana's big men to dictate the tone of the game inside. Freshman Christian Watford scored 19 on New Year's, and needs to have another solid effort tonight.

In addition, Rivers and backcourt mate Verdell Jones totaled 17 rebounds in that first game, combining for the majority of the Hoosiers' boards. Crashing the boards for second-chance buckets and fouls will be crucial if IU wants to steal one on the road.

Michigan really doesn't want to give the rebuilding Hoosiers a season sweep, and should come out with an intense effort to defend their home court. But the Ann Arbor 'advantage' hasn't been quite as strong as others found around the Big Ten - in fact, Michigan just dropped one to Northwestern at home.

Indiana needs to build some momentum tonight, because next up is a talented Minnesota team that has been tested early in the conference season, falling to conference leaders Michigan State and Purdue but defeating an Evan Turner-dominated Ohio State squad in Minneapolis.

Will the Golden Gophers look past Indiana to their revenge date with MSU? If so, the scrappy Hoosiers could catch Minnesota off guard. They'll still have to pull off something crazy, though, because Ralph Sampson III, Damian Johnson, and the rest of the Gopher forwards present serious size problems, and IU has struggled to defend big men this year.

Jordan Hulls and Devan Dumes will need to shoot lights-out if Indiana wants to keep up with the high-scoring Gophers, who average over 77 points per game, second in the Big Ten.

By contrast, scoring shouldn't be a problem in the final pair of this four-game trial by Big Ten fire. Indiana, to date, is averaging a solid 72.3 ppg on the offensive end. Penn State, who will host the Hoosiers next Thursday, is completely reliant on guard Talor Battle on the offensive end.

They have yet to win in the Big Ten (though they were close against Illinois last week, falling 53-52). This is a prime chance to steal a road win in State College against last year's NIT champs.

Which brings us to Iowa. Iowa is just awful. Last year the Hawkeyes gave Crean his first Big Ten win in Bloomington, easily the brightest spot in that dismal season. The 2009-10 Hawks may be even worse than last year's squad, and this is truly a must-win if the Indiana bench wants to keep their fans' confidence.

These four games will define this Indiana team. Even if they win only two, they will still have improved on last year's conference total, proving that Tom Crean is leading the way up the right path out of basketball Purgatory. If they can make a good showing in all four games, their confidence in each other should skyrocket and perhaps even fuel some upset victories down the stretch.

My fellow Indiana fans, a .500 record and an NIT berth is not even remotely out of reach. I'm not saying this is an NCAA tournament team (although with Creek, it might have been), but just making the postseason would represent a quantum leap forward. Heck, even being alive for a .500 finish come Valentine's Day would be huge!

Right now, in the doldrum days of mid-January, the youthful Hoosiers can take four critical steps towards a return to national relevance. It all starts tonight.

Lovie Smith to... Tennessee?

Since Lane Kiffin's abrupt departure from the University of Tennessee there has been speculation about the next head coach. It seemed Will Muschamp was in the lead for the position, but he declined it, probably realizing he would rather be the Texas Longhorns head coach when Mack Brown retires. According to ESPN, Troy Calhoun was also on the list, but has also rejected the offer. There are reports (Tribune; PFT), or speculation rather, that since Lovie was offered the Job in '08, he might be offered the job this year. That would make my day. Bring in Da Chin! I know, I know, it's only extremely wishful thinking.

Wrigley Field Still Big Enough to Play Football

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that Wrigley Field is still big enough to safely play football in.Seats have been added since the 1970s when the Bears have last played there. There was concern that these additional seats would not allow football to be safely played at Wrigley anymore. The Safety issue being resolved is good news for Northwestern who has been considering playing a game there. ACSS commented on this when it was first reported. As a resident of Wrigleyville, I would love to see a football game there and would welcome any Northwestern and Illinois (most likely opponent) to come and enjoy the day. I hope I can get tickets.

Lane Kiffin: Ultimate Scumbag

Seriously, I think Lane just took the title from such legendary coaching scum as Bobby Petrino, Nick Saban, or... who else defines the word "mercenary?"

Kiffin did more trash talking in his fourteen months at Tennessee than Michael Jordan did in the average NBA season. And that's really saying something.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4821378

I'm so proud of the UT fans for rioting in the streets tonight and burning Kiffin in effigy. This is about the most obvious betrayal of a fan base, ever. Ever.


I hope your trophy wife leaves you for Pete Carroll, Lane.

Triva: NCAA QB's who went 4-0 in Bowl Games

Had the Texas Longhorns defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide, Colt McCoy would have become the 2nd quarterback to go 4-0 in Bowl Games. Since they lost, who is the still the only QB to go 4-0 in Bowl Games. Answer in comments on Wed or Thur.

Famous Jan. 9 Birthdays

Chad Ocho Cinco - 1978

Muggsy Bogues - 1965

Radek Bonk - 1976

Sergio Garcia - 1980

Mark Fodor - 1984

Michael Beasley - 1989

Herd’s Logic Sucks

I know a lot of people do not like Colin Cowherd’s show, but I enjoy it for the most part. He talks a lot of football and specifically college football. If you listen to the show you know Colin is accused of being a SEC and Southern Cal homer. I don’t think he’s a homer, but he does like to talk about those schools and why there the best, which they have been for the decade. For the most part, I don’t like hearing his arguments, but can’t say anything because the Big Ten, ACC, Big East and Big XII haven’t backed it up on the field. However, today, on his show, he had some very dumb comments.

Colin was comparing BCS records of each conference and it shows that SEC is the best, ACC is terrible and the Big Ten right in the middle. A caller comes on and says, “Colin, the one item you are dismissing is the Big Ten travels to Southern Cal and has to play Southern Cal (aguably the best team of the 00s) while the SEC gets to play in the Sugar Bowl against lesser competition like Hawai’i and Notre Dame.”

I find these two points to be very good points, Big Ten plays best team in land every year, while SEC stays home and beats up lesser teams because the Sugar Bowl only has 1 tie in. Not to mention the year Ohio State played Louisiana State in Louisiana.

Colin to dismiss this thought goes, “Alamaba had to travel across the country while Texas only had to go 800 miles.” Umm what? Austin is 1,400 miles away almost twice as much as he said. Maybe El Paso is only 800 miles, but Texas is a huge state. Tuscaloosa is 1,700 miles. So 300 mile difference isn’t that bad.

He followed that up with, “Florida played Ohio State in Arizona. Columbus to Glendale is a quick flight, it’s across country for Florida.” A quick flight to Glendale? It’s 1900 miles, Gainesville is 2000. What the hell is he talking about? Ooooo the adversity for Florida to go to Glendale, they had to travel an extra 100 miles (which via plane is what 20 minutes) because Columbus and Arizona are neighbors. Stop talking a listening to a good argument for once in your life Colin. And if you are going to dismiss one so easily, know the facts.

NBA Jam Returns

According to this article on ESPN.com EA sports has annouced it is going to bring back NBA Jam. I think this is a fantastic idea. The 2 on 2 basketball games have always been some of my favorite, and I still think this game could work today. There is a semblance of real basketball, but we all loved the dunks and then lighting the net on fire.

That annoucement led to this article discussing some other 80s games that need to come back.

Bears Coaching Shakeup

ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that Lovie Smith will be back to coach the Bears next year. ESPN Radio 1000 and the Chicago Tribune are reporting that Ron Turner will not be back with the Bear's next season. ESPN Radio 1000 and the Chicago Tribune are also reporting Rod Marinelli is now the defensive coordinator.

With Turner gone the discussion turns to who will replace him. Names being mentioned included Mike Martz, Charlie Weis and Mike Leach.

Trivia: Most FBS Wins in the 00s.

Which school had the most FBS wins in the 00s. I'll give you a hint, it's not IU!

Now that the Bears 2009 season is over time to look at 2010 Opponents.

Even though we are months away from the NFL officially releasing the schedule, as of today, we know the Bears are going to play. We also know what games are going to be home and what games are away. How do we know this? The NFL schedule is predetermined years in advance. Each NFL team plays 6 games against division opponents. One home game and one road game against each. Each division is then scheduled to play all four teams of another division in their conference and out of their conference. In 2010, the NFC North will be playing the AFC East and NFC East. The remaining two games are determined by each teams place in their division from the previous season. Each team will play games against teams that finish in the same place as them in the other two conference divisions that their division isn’t playing. The Bears finished third in the NFC North, so they will play the third place teams in NFC South and NFC West which are the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks respectively. CBS breakdowns each teams opponents here.


Here are my quick thoughts for each game.

Division – 6 Games


Detroit (Home and Road): Detroit is still fully in rebuilding mode. They will continue to build around Stafford and Calvin Johnson and whoever they get with their 2nd pick in this spring’s draft. They should be better next year, and will hopefully have better games to watch then week 17’s snooze fest.

Green Bay (Home and Road): It’s Bears vs Packers in the oldest rivalry in the NFL, so we know what we are getting ourselves into. This game has been put in primetime a lot, I wouldn’t be surprised if one of these games is put there as well.

Minnesota (Home and Road): Ideally, the Bears can get the dome sweet dome Vikings to come to Chicago late in the season and use the weather to their advantage especially since Brett Favre has been performing poorly the cold weather.


NFC East – 4 Games

Dallas (Away): Cowboys are division winners and a playoff team in 2009. Bears playing in the Death Star or Jerry’s world or whatever you want to call Cowboys Stadium would be a good reason to actually take the trip down and see the Bears on the road.

New York (Away): Which Giants team will show up next year, the team that had the 5-0 start or the Giants that limped to the finish. The Giants will be playing in a new stadium next year and no, the Bears will not be returning there to play the Jets.

Philadelphia (Home): It seems like the Bears play the Eagles every year at home on the lake front, and it always seems to be a primetime game. So until I hear otherwise, I am just going to assume this happens again for the McNabb homecoming.

Washington (Home): Washington will have a new coach in 2010 and could potentially be the first meeting between Cutler and Shanahan.


AFC East – 4 Games

Buffalo (Away): I personally would love to see the Bears go to Buffalo late in the season and have a snow game like what the Bills and Colts played in Week 17.

Miami (Away): Miami plays smash mouth power football which would challenge the Bears Defense. Jake Long is a treat to watch blocking. If you decide to take the trip to south beach, be sure to sing this song.

New England (Home): The team of the 00’s coming into town is as close to a must see game as there is. Hopefully Tom Brady won’t juke Brian Urlacher this time.

New York (Home): Buddy Ryan’s son comes back to Chicago coaching a blitz happy defense. I will be interested to see how many times will Cutler throw Revis’ way?


3rd Place in NFC South – 1 Game

Carolina (Away): After getting a bye in the playoffs in 2008, Carolina took a nose dive in 2009. If Delhomme is still playing, we can wager on which QB has more turnovers.


3rd Place in the NFC West – 1 Game

Seattle (Home): Seattle is another team the Bears seem to play a lot. I’d much rather play them in Soldier Field then the loud and sometimes distracting Qwest Field.


Bears Schedule includes.

8 games against teams that made the playoffs in 2009
3 games in domes/retractable roofs

Three O'Clock: It Never Ends

Auburn beat Northwestern 38-35 in overtime to win the 2010 Outback Bowl.

In a surprise, Florida State is leading West Virginia 16-14 early in the third quarter of the Gator Bowl.

Penn State is winning the Mud Bowl at Orlando, 13-3.

And in West Lafayette, the No. 4 Purdue basketball team is leading West Virginia (No. 6) 28-20 with six to go in the first half.

I need a water break after that Outback Bowl.

From Greg Kinczewski at the game [via Blackberry]: "If your QB throws five picks and your kicker misses three field goals and an extra point and you still should have won but didn't, it makes you wonder what cosmic fates are at work."

*****

Okay, how about a tough question for everyone:

Say Stefan Demos makes that 37-yard kick in overtime, and Auburn still gets the roughing the kicker penalty. If you're Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald, do you take the tie and give Auburn the ball back for a second overtime, or do you take the first down, knowing your kicker is hurt, and go for it all?

Hindsight, of course, is 20/20. I'd say you take the points and trust your defense to slow Auburn. But Fitz is a gambler, so you never know. The way the kicking game had been going, trusting to any future field goal attempts was risky, especially with Demos hurt.

*****

Gator Bowl: Florida State scores again to make it 23-14, but Noel Devine comes right back for the Mountaineers and they're driving into Seminole territory.

Mud Bowl: LSU got a 24-yard Jordan Jefferson TD pass to Brandon LaFell and is back in the game, 16-10.

Halftime, Purdue-WVU: Purdue leads 37-32. Forward JaJuan Johnson has gotten to the line early and often (9-10 FT) and has fifteen points and six boards to lead the Boilers. Erstwhile Kelvin Sampson recruit Devin Ebanks has six as part of a balanced West Virginia attack.

*****

Some final stats from the wild and wacky Outback Bowl:

Mike Kafka: 47-for-78, 532 yards, 4TD, 5INT, 29 rush yards, TD.
Zeke Markshausen: 13 rec, 90 yards, 2 rush, 7 yd, failed fake field goal rush.
Andrew Brewer: 8 rec, 133 yards, 2 TD, 1-1 2pt conversion passes.
Sidney Stewart: 10 rec, 97 yd, TD
Drake Dunsmore: 8 rec, 114 yd, TD
Stefan Demos: 0/2 FG, 3/4 XP, 5 punts for 159 yd (31.8 average). Auburn's Wes Byrum hit his only field goal and all five extra points, while punter Clint Durst averaged 42 yards on six boots.

Chris Todd: 20-for-31, 235 yd, TD
Kodi Burns: 0-for-2, 2INT
Ben Tate: 20 rush, 108 yd, 2 TD
Darvin Adams: 12 rec, 142 yd. The rest of Auburn's offense caught eight passes.

*****

Noel Devine has sixteen carries for 168 yards and a TD. West Virginia is back within two at 23-21. LSU just punched in a one-yard rush and has taken the Mud Bowl lead 17-16 in the fourth quarter.

This is turning into one heck of a day for college football.

*****

Robbie Hummel and JaJuan Johnson are wrecking West Virginia. It has turned into a blowout in West Lafayette, as the Boilers lead 62-39 about midway through the second half.

*****

Penn State just got a clutch field goal from the right hash mark to take a 19-17 lead. One minute to go in the Capital One/Mud Bowl.

Florida State is going to win the Gator Bowl and send Bobby Bowden out with one last victory, as they lead by twelve with less than a minute left.

*****

Rose Bowl, coming up next! I've got Oregon, but would like to see Ohio State keep it close, and certainly wouldn't mind a Big Ten win.

Capital One/Gator Bowls/Outback Half #2

I thought about titling this article "How to Take Advantage of Your AD/HD While Watching Sports."

Seriously, three games at once? And, by the way, my DVR isn't working. It's goanna be the Outback Bowl on my computer (thanks, ESPN360) and channel flippin'.

*****

Bob Griese: "Without those three interceptions, Northwestern would be tied 14-14."

"Northwestern is definitely the Rodney Dangerfield of the Big Ten: They get no respect."

Bob Griese is definitely the John Madden of this broadcast booth. Minus, you know, the likeability.

"Auburn is dominating the turnovers, that'd square things up real quick." Uh, yeah.

*****

Outback: Auburn's 'wildcat' QB Kodi Burns throws INT #2 near the goal line. Cats have the ball again. No mistakes, boys. FYI (Papa Noffke asked) the Over-Under for this game is 54.5. Auburn is giving 8 points.

*****

Capital One: Anyone else miss the Citrus Bowl? Terrible field conditions are no surprise after watching Wisconsin-Miami play here a few days ago. They couldn't fix that thing up? Penn State punts, LSU has the ball early in the first.

*****

Gator: West Virginia touchdown! Jarrett Brown rushes for it. Apparently, he wanted to play for Florida State, but wasn't recruited there. 32 yard rush TD.

*****

Outback: Another defensive stand for the Wildcats. You really can't fault their defensive effort this game. After an incomplete and a sack, they face 3rd and 12:

Deep ball, intercepted. 4 for Kafka. I just threw up a little bit. I'm guessing this is not how he saw this game going. Honestly, it's not much worse than a punt, but all the pressure goes on the D again. If I wanted to watch a Bears game, I'd be doing this on Sunday. Kafka threw seven INTs all year in the Big Ten and has four today?

*****

Capital One: Penn State punting again. Still 0-0. It's midway through the first and that field is already half mud. It's goanna be a mess.

*****

Gator: FSU trails 7-0, but is driving in Jacksonville.

Outback: NU linebacker Nate Williams just about forced a fumble, but it will go as an incompletion. 4th-and-7, Auburn punts into the end zone.

*****

Outback: Auburn is starting to turn the heat up on Kafka, with a sack and a hurry.

WR Andrew Brewer just drew a huge pass interference call for the first down. On 3rd-and-8, it's another bomb down the right side... Brewer beats his man and TOUCHDOWN, WILDCATS! This one is for 35 yards and gives #12 two TDs on the game. He and Walter McFadden are jawing out there. 21-14, Auburn. One possession game. Six turnovers, total. Cats still alive!

*****

I'm going to go ahead and focus on the Outback for now, since it's a "quagmire" in Orlando according to ESPN and the Gator Bowl can wait.

Nate Williams comes up with a huge sack of Chris Todd. The Wildcat band plays "Mambo." Auburn punts to Brewer on the 34-yard line, and Northwestern will have it again in good field position. Big possession.

!!!!!! DRAKE DUNSMORE 66 Yard TD REC !!!!!

What a play down the sideline for Dunsmore! He got it out of the flat on a screen pass, dodged two Auburn defenders, broke a tackle around the fifteen, and busted into the endzone. Huge, huge play. Demos sticks the extra point. 21-21.

End of the 3rd quarter, and who woulda guessed that after throwing four interceptions, including two in the endzone, Mike Kafka could come back and toss a pair of huge TDs. Northwestern's receivers are having themselves a monster game.


*****

Whew. Talk about momentum swings. In other news, LSU just moved inside the 10 at the Capital One Bowl and looking to knot things up at 7-all. I didn't catch how Penn State scored.

At the Gator Bowl, West Virginia has stretched their lead to 14-3 as Noel Devine punched in a one yard touchdown with five minutes to go in the first quarter. I don't think Florida State can keep up with this Mountaineer offense.

*****

Outback Bowl: Northwestern has the ball again, and the Wildcats are tearing into the War Eagle defense now. Auburn gets a roughing the passer penalty tacked on to what was already a Northwestern first down.

Zeke Markshausen just bobbled a long, diving grab down the middle. Tough play to make.

Aaaand... Mike Kafka just threw a fifth interception. He overthrew Andrew Brewer, who was wide open, and the Auburn defender got up after slipping and found the ball falling into his hands.

Kafka is 29/47 for 389 yards, 3 TD, and 5 INT. He also has 13 carries for 29 yards, leading the team. Nobody else has more than twenty yards on the ground.

Drake Dunsmore: 7 rec, 109yd, TD
Andrew Brewere: 5 rec, 108yd, 2 TD
Sidney Stewart: 5/56
Jeremy Ebert: 4/49
Zeke Markshausen: 7/41

Some good work from the wideouts there. Kafka has got to get it under control.

*****

Outback: Auburn WR Darvin Adams has twelve huge receptions, out of Chris Todd's 19 completions. Northwestern's defense has three sacks and two picks.

The crew just missed an obvious hold on Corey Wootton, and Auburn is inside the ten yard line for the first time in a while. First and goal, Auburn.

Ben Tate scores from five yards out. 28-21, War Eagle back on top.

*****

It's 7-3 in the Capital One Bowl early in the second quarter. Daryll Clark is over 100 yards passing with a TD for Penn State.

With time winding down in the first quarter of the Gator Bowl, Florida State trails 14-3 but is in the red zone.

*****

Outback: 4th quarter, 9:34 to go - Kafka just threw the ball out of bounds instead of forcing it! Progress!

Northwestern has a first down in Auburn territory near the 50. Big Drake Dunsmore is a tough matchup for Auburn, and Jeremy Ebert is having himself a surprising game, too.

3rd-and-4 - Kafka airs it out... BREWER ONE-HANDED, but there's a flag.

Offensive pass interference and Fitzgerald is furious. 3rd-and-20. Steward catches it out of bounds and NU will have to punt.

::bleep:: that.

Text from Noffke: "Bullshit." Couldn't have said it better.

*****

Outback: Auburn just ran a tricky end-around all the way to the fifteen. Fifty yard gain and it's Ben Tate Time, as he punches it in, with the excessive celebration penalty that Auburn appears so fond of. 35-21, and coach Gene Chizik is not pleased with the penalties.

Auburn: 10 penalties for 114 yards.
Northwestern: 3 penalties for 25 yards.

Those five picks are absolutely the story of the game. That, and the Brewer pushoff for offensive PI that stalled a key drive.

Just around seven and a half minutes left, and NU trails by two scores.

*****

Auburn kicks from the fifteen, again. Stephen Simmons bobbles the kick but scoops it up and gets a good return to near midfield. Markshausen makes another possession catch. He has 87 receptions on the season!

Dunsmore takes it to near the Auburn 40. Stewart catches one for no gain, and the 'Cats will face another third-and-medium, which they can't convert. Northwestern will try to get this fourth down play - the broadcast reminds us they're 8 of 15 on the year....

Jacob Schmidt gets it, but the clock keeps tickin'.

5:20 to go.

*****

4th-and-6, Wildcats. We see a highlight reel of Kafka's five picks today. Interesting comparison to Houston's Case Keenum, who Dave Pasch reminds us had only six INTs on the season before throwing six more in his bowl game vs. Air Force.

First down catch for Stewart with 4:44 to go, and the 'Cats keep rolling (barely).

*****

Kafka just got bailed out in the end zone when Andrew Brewer tipped a pass away from the Auburn defender. Would have been an INT. After another short Ebert reception, it will be a third fourth down attempt for the Wildcats.

Auburn calls timeout. Fourth-and-five.

*****

In the Gator Bowl, Florida State has pulled it to 14-10.

Penn State leads 10-3 in the Capital One Bowl. I want a picture of that muddy field on my Capital One Card!

*****

Markshausen converts the fourth down and then gets the Wildcats inside the five. 2nd-and-goal.

Aubun has nine in the box, Kafka keeps it...

He got a nice push there from one of his offensive linemen and is in for a TOUCHDOWN, which is under review. Probably goanna stand.

It does, but Demos has his extra point blocked! Oh no. 35-27, as Demos just kicked it too low.

With 3:20 to go, do you go for the onside kick? Northwestern has two timeouts.

Stephen Demos continues his rough day with a weak onside kick attempt, which Auburn keeps easily.

*****

Why are two guys in Auburn visors wandering around on the Northwestern sideline?

*****

Outback Bowl, CRUNCH TIME - Ben Tate fumbles right in front of Pat Fitzgerald! Unreal!

The Wildcat offense has the ball again after Brad Phillips forces a fumble. Shades of Anthony Thomas, anybody?


*****

Auburn is playing prevent. 1:46 left in the fourth. That Auburn defensive line is suckin' air.

Walter McFadden continues to play well as he just defended a pass aimed for WR Ebert.

3rd-and-10: Sidney Stewart gets it short, and it'll be yet another fourth down. Northwestern timeout.

*****

Here goes. Five wideouts, Auburn blitz, and on the SACK, Auburn facemasks Kafka!

It's goanna be a first down! They could have called either a horse collar or a face mask there.

11 penalties for 130 yards.

Kafka to Sidney Stewart... TOUCHDOWN!

Can they get the two point conversion? 33-35.

YESSSSS!!!! I hate to use all caps, but I am screaming and hollering here in Bloomington! Kafka reverses to Andrew Brewer, and he throws a wide open two point conversion toss. How about that comeback? The Outback Bowl is knotted at 35-all. 1:15 to play.

(West Virginia-Purdue has started in West Lafayette)

*****

OUTBACK: Northwestern's special teams comes up huge, forcing a fumble on the kickoff which gives the 'Cats the ball on the 50. Less than a minute to go.

Arby Fields gets a good run, his first of the game.

According to sideline reporter Rob Stone, Demos "feels comfortable from 52-53 yards." However, he just missed an extra point. Right now, it would be a 40+ yard attempt, and Schmidt runs up the middle.

Field goal coming. Suspense is unreal. Three seconds to go. It will be a 44-yarder.

*****

Stefan Demos: Wide Right. We're going to overtime at 35-all. Demos has missed two field goals and an extra point today.

I can't help but remember the 2005 (?) Sun Bowl, when my neighbor in Evanston was the Northwestern kicker and had a terrible game.

*****

Penn State leads LSU 13-3 in the Capital One Bowl.

West Virginia has a one point advantage on Florida State in the Gator, 14-13.

Purdue leads 6-2 on West Virginia in basketball action.

*****

Auburn goes on offense, as Pat Fitzgerald is working the crowd. Get up, fans!

Ben Tate should be getting a heavy work load in this overtime.

Yep. He gets a first down and then punches it within the ten. He's over 100 yards on the game and here comes Kodi Burns, who can't get the first down. It's third and goal. Tate should be coming back in.... nope!

Todd gets deflected by LB Quinn Davie and Auburn will settle for a field goal by Wes Byrum. He nails it and it's 38-35.

Northwestern ball.

*****

Whooooo boy. Bang-bang play there on a Zeke Markshausen attempted reception. There are flags on the play, which was ruled a catch and fumble. Kafka recovered it back near the...

It looked like an incomplete pass to me. And then the ground jarred the ball loose.

Everybody is dying in suspense. What are these flags?

"Illegal Bat of the Ball," Bynes, Auburn. Now it's under review. Did Markshausen have possession?

*****

Review calls it a catch, and Zeke was down before the fumble. It'll be 3rd-and-1.

Kafka: 46-for-75 today, over 500 yards. WOW.

Northwestern pulls the "rugby scrum" play again, and Kafka barely gets the first down at the 15.

*****

Ohhhh no. Kafka just got sacked, maybe fumbled, it's under review. GROUND CAUSED THE FUMBLE. This should get reversed.

Reversed. It's going to be second down at the 30, and Northwestern has GOT to move the ball here and not force Demos to kick another long one.

*****

2nd-and-24, incomplete.

3rd-and-24, complete to Markshausen in the middle of the field at the 19.

Come on, Demos. 37 yard attempt. He hit the &^#$% upright. Flag down. You're kidding me.

Roughing the kicker, #46, Auburn! First down! And Demos is hurt.

*****

So here we go again. Northwestern has a first down on the nine yard line and just needs a touchdown. Kafka goes short to Zeke around the six, incomplete.

2nd-and-goal. Trips left. Five wideouts. Kafka dodges a sack but only gains two yards, and it's goanna be third down.

3rd-and-goal. Four wide. Auburn plays good coverage and Kafka rushes for a few.

Here comes totally inexperienced freshman kicker... A FAKE!

Northwestern gets stopped at the two as Markshausen can't get in on the tricky snap.

Auburn's going to win 38-35 despite a ton of penalties.

*****

Well, you can pretty much blame Stefan Demos for this loss. 0-3 on FGs, missed an extra point. At least he beat Indiana with a 49-yarder earlier this year, right?

Mike Kafka overcame five interceptions to finish strong, but ultimately it's just not enough and the Northwestern Wildcats can't finish the unlikely comeback. What a heartbreaker.

Props to Auburn for getting a difficult stop in overtime.

I'm moving to Live blog #3 for the second halves of the Cap1 and Gator Bowls and the Purdue/West Virginia game.

The Outback Bowl - Live Blog Madness

Dragged myself out of bed just in time to catch a cool Capital One Bowl Week montage, and the Outback Bowl kickoff.

Some excitement right out of the gate here, as Auburn gets a tip drill INT off of Scott Concannon's fingertips and the ball on the 32. Northwestern's defense is going to have their hands full with Auburn RB Ben Tate. He's a powerful downhill runner.

1st Quarter, 12:25 to go: Touchdown, Auburn. Kodi Burns punches it in from the one yard line. Auburn runs a no-huddle, which Northwestern's defense normally only sees while they're on the sidelines watching their own offense. 0-7, Tigers.

Ahh, the Outback Bowl commercial! Outback CEO Jeff Smith appears to be watching the Outback Bowl from the... bar of an Outback Steakhouse? Really? Whatever, he's happy to be there.

The announcing team today is Dave Pasch, Bob Griese, and Chris Spielman.

Northwestern gets the ball back.

******
1Q, 8:05: 4th & 1 on the Auburn 31. Timeout, Northwestern. Go for it? Kick a field goal? It's 65 and rainy in Tampa. (16 and sunny in Bloomington... why am I not at this game?)

First down, Kafka rollout to Stewart! Northwestern dinkin' and dunkin' their way down the field.

*****

Oooooooohhhh.... that's not good. Auburn corner Walter McFadden got the ball in the end zone off Zeke Markshausen's fingertips and took it all the way down the sideline... touchdown. His second INT, both off Wildcat hands, and we're only midway through the first quarter. 102 yard pick-n-grin.

That was the seventeenth play of the drive for Northwestern. Not. Good. 14-0, Tigers.

*****

Touchdown, Kafka to Brewer! Corner of the end zone. 14-7. Northwestern's defense follows it up by forcing a three and out, and gets the ball back. Can you recover from two first quarter INTs? McFadden's excessive celebration penalty set up fairly good field position, and Mike Kafka is really looking sharp.

It's worth noting that much like Jay Cutler this year, neither of those picks was really his fault.

(From the announcers: "Florida gets a chance to send Urban Meyer off to his rest with a win. Jesus, don't bury him yet, guys!)

Outback Steakhouse commercial count: 4. Again, it's the first quarter.

*****

Stefan Demos misses a 48-yard FG attempt.

Bob Griese, your thoughts on the Texas Tech/Mike Leach debacle? "Well, you don't treat a kid with a concussion by putting him in a closet..." Yes, Bob. That's the problem.

According to Outback Steakhouse, I can get a six ounce sirloin, three lobster tails, and a famous side (steamed vegetables! Score!) for $14.95. If it's a langostine lobster, does that really count? Regardless, I'm goin' Outback tonight. Using my Capital One card. After telling my friends from my Konica Minolta and/or Nokia phone... yeesh, maybe I should tape delay and avoid these commercials.

*****

Northwestern just got bailed out on a failed fourth down conversion review. Ball on the 38, but Drake Dunsmore gets stuffed on the inside delay toss, and Demos rugby-punts it to the 20. Auburn ball again. Let's make a play, defense.

Just spotted Corey Wootton (I can NEVER remember how to spell that name... Wooten? Wooton? Two T's, Mark.) on the sideline by Fitz. He is a huge guy. If he goes later than the mid-second round this spring, he's a steal. Why isn't he playing?

*****

Auburn WR Darius Carr just pushed off Brendan Smith and caught a 46-yard TD from Chris Todd. Offensive pass interference? Apparently not. 21-7, Auburn. Damn. Looks like my projection may be a wee bit off... nothin' new there.

*****

2Q, 8:00 Another Northwestern drive founders near their own 40. It's raining again in Tampa. Looks warm... sigh.

Good time to NOT let this game get out of hand if you're Northwestern.

A nice montage of Auburn running backs through the years; Bo Jackson, Cadillac Williams, Ronnie Brown, Rudi Johnson James Brooks... Ben Tate is #5 on the all-time list. Impressive.

Auburn reverse, and Tate gets the first down, carrying Northwestern defenders across the line. The bench is "fired up." Again, NU needs a stop here.

Injury Timeout, and it's Vincent "Bo" Jackson headlining the obligatory Auburn commercial! In response, Northwestern's ad features a large purple door. Darnell Autry, where you at? We couldn't get Wilbon, either?

*****


We're down to two minutes in the second half, and Northwestern faces third-and-long deep in their own territory after finally stopping that Auburn offense. Timeout, Auburn. Kafka and the Wildcats really need a first down here, if nothing else to keep War Eagle off the field and go into the locker room with no further damage...

Long ball, triple coverage on Brewer, way overthrown. Punt upcoming. Raining more heavily. I think this favors the Auburn running attack in the second half. Demos gets an awful punt which the officials are spotting... on the 24? The 36? An 18-yard punt and you can freakin' BET that Auburn comes out running.

*****

Option toss to Auburn's 'wildcat' quarterback Kodi Burns... long pass...

INTERCEPTION, Sherrick McManus! And Northwestern gets it back in lousy field position. Let's do something, boys!

Walter McFadden, who has been Auburn's playmaker with those two picks, is limping, but out there. Big reception to Stewart around midfield, and he gets one foot in. This should stand up in review. Still 21-7.

As the commentators note, why didn't Auburn just run the ball? Bob Griese: "How dare you question [Auburn OC] Gus Malazhan?" Well, Bob, he just turned the ball over on what should have been an easy 3.

Play stands, Northwestern is driving with 1:04 to go. Timeout.

*****

Auburn end zone INT. Mike Kafka is doing his best Jay Cutler now, with two redzone INTs.

Halftime, and Northwestern trails Auburn 21-7. Story of the game? Kafka's three interceptions. Not a good half. It's amazing that the Wildcats are still in this game.

*****

Halftime Show: Mike Leach has some very strong words on Adam and Craig James. It's amazing how much this guy sounds like Bobby Knight. Wonder if they went huntin' together down there.

Just for fun, here's a list of Northwestern's draft prospects in 2010, according to cbssports.com:

Corey Wootton: No. 9 overall, No. 1 DE (!!!)
Sherrick McManus: No. 126 overall, No. 16 CB
Brad Phillips: No. 187 overall, No. 9 FS
Mike Kafka: No. 207, No. 11 QB (ESPN has him as #15)

... WR Andrew Brewer, SS Brendan Smith, FB Brendan Mitchell, OT Kurt Mattes, WR Zeke Markshausen, and DT Marshall Thomas are also listed as free-agent calibre.

Auburn's guys?

Ben Tate: No. 89, No. 5 RB
Antonio Coleman: No. 204, No. 20 OLB
Walter McFadden: No. 303, No. 31 CB

DT Jake Ricks, QB Chris Todd, TE Tommy Trott, LS Clayton Crofoot and others are also listed. Tommy Trott? Clayton Crofoot? Zeke Markshausen would fit right in on this squad.

It's 12:49, and the Capital One Bowl will be starting in about ten minutes, along with the Gator Bowl and Bobby Bowden's Swan Song. I'll go ahead and start up a parallel live blog for the 1 PM Games.

Also, No. 4 Purdue vs. No. 6 West Virginia is coming up in CBB after the Outback, which sounds like a must-watch.

ESPN360, AHOY!

*****

From Greg Kinczewski, who is at the Outback Bowl in Tampa [via Blackberry]:

"I don't know whether to laugh or cry. We make two trips inside the ten and come away with negative seven points. Oh well, the defense should be well rested and hope springs eternal."

A well-rested defense could be big against Ben Tate and the Auburn offense in the second half.

No more mistakes, Kafka. NU is still very much alive. Somehow.

*****

Consolidating live blog into post with Capital One and Gator bowls, which have now started. You can read above.