Friday, November 9, 2012

Poolsville Picks, Week #11

Good news, bad news with NCAAFConverter tonight. Apparently, we ran out of Miller Lite sometime around 7 p.m.; The Converter left in a huff and has not been seen since. Thankfully, I have a back-up plan; a law school buddy who practices in Boston came across this thing called ORCA (http://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2012/11/meet-orca-romneys-stcentury-turnout-program-that-wasnt-149186.html) completely discarded out on the loading dock of the Boston  Convenion Center in the wee hours of Wednesday morning; he grabbed it, shipped it down to Arkansas overnight (UPS, of course; FedEx is a non-union shop) and although the gears and moving parts on ORCA had been all gummed up with a mix of tea, compressed confetti (never launched) and tears, I think I have ORCA humming like a top now. Let's see how she does...
 
* * *
 
1.  Oregon State - Stanford
ORCA : A Holiday Hello!
Sometimes you just can't make this s#!t up. WTF, Bucky Beaver? Did your life experiences not instruct you on the fact that The Cardinal is a raptor, a bird of prey? This festive holiday scene must have been water-colored right before The Cardinal took that twig and shoved it [wait-family channel...] O.k., no sure what happened to that twig or that beaver but even from across the screened-in porch, I can tell from ORCA's emphatic gestures that The Cardinal will take this one by a wide margin.


* * *
 
2.  West Virginia - Oklahoma State (7 point underdog Mountaineers worth a bonus point)
ORCA : WVU's Poke Sushi Menu?
Did the Big 12 know about this before they extended a conference invite to those hillbillies? And even worse - did they know about the hockey team? But what do I know about the Big 12; all those Iowa schools, and possibly one in Alberta? Big XII, (some of) your football is good, but ORCA became completely side-tracked on this one. OSU for the win you can send your shiny bonus point to the Retire Romney's Campaign Debt fund, O Mayor of Poolsville.

* * *

3.  Penn State - Nebraska (7 point underdog PSU worth a bonus point).
ORCA : No joy in Mudville.

Sorry, Penn State and, by association, on a game-by-game basis, each of their opponents; until Penn State overcomes its Sandusky demons, not even OCRA can find humor in this call. Huskers for the win. The shiny bonus point is lost on you, PSU.

 * * *
4.  Texas A&M - Alabama (13 point underdog Aggies worth three bonus points).
ORCA : WTF, ORCA?
ORCA, I was willing give you the benefit of the doubt. You are the brain-child of the best that bucket-loads of entrepreneurial and political money can buy. Your performance date (that is to say, Election Day) has been on the calendar since, well, since it was spelled out in the Constitution. All you had to do is meet your performance specs. Well, I have repeatedly input key search values such as "12th man and elephant", "farmer and red water", and another dozen iterations on this theme in-between. The only constant image result that I get is this jack-ass. So yes, you'd better believe I'm going conservative on this one; 'Bama for the win. You can send those luxurious, unused bonus points to Florida care of the Allen West Election Recount Heroes' Fund, because that'll be where they'll find their highest and best use.

* * *
5.  Kansas State - TCU (7 point underdog Frogs worth a bonus point)
ORCA : Found it on Pinterest!
ORCA? Surfing Pinterest when BCS football is on the line? Get out. Just get out. I am on to you; TCU is not going to throw a railroad tie in the path of the Snyder bus tomorrow. I'm calling BS on ORCA; this is KSU for the win. Contribute that shiny bonus point to the endowment fund for the Sean Hannity Chair of Evolutionary Thought at Ave Maria School of Law, where it'll be put to its highest and best use.

ORCA's Hail Mary - Self-awarded TWO bonus points for correctly calling the Arkansas-South Carolina final score: Arkansas wins 37 to 31. Old Ball Coach eats his visor on his post-game on his way out to the golf links.  

Friday, November 2, 2012

Poolsville Picks, Week #10


NCAAFConverter : IS BACK!


1.  Oklahoma - Iowa State (11point underdog ISU worth 2 bonus points)
NCAAFConverter : Clear sailing ahead.
 At first, I thought The Converter was predicting cloudy skies for the Sooners. However, upon closer review and a bit of reflection, it looks like the Sooners are putting those storm clouds in the proverbial rear-view mirror. The Converter calls it Oklahoma for the win; you can keep your bonus points, O Mayor of Poolsville.
 
* * *

2.  Texas A&M - Mississippi State (6 point underdog MSU worth a bonus point)
NCAAFConverter : What are YOU doing here?
To be honest, I'm not entirely sure what the Converter is conveying here. Yes, we have the two key ingredients for tomorrow's game - a bulldog, and a collie. But where did the terrier come from, and why? Is Wofford in the in the mix for future SEC expansion? The collie looks as confused as I am, but the bulldog just looks put out, with very little patience for either of these interlopers. I say State for the win, gimme that shiny bonus point.

* * *

3.  Oregon - USC (7 point underdog USC worth a bonus point)
NCAAFConverter : Trojan Ducks
Well, that seals it for me; if Oregon can adapt itself to a 2,500 year old combat ruse (more than once, no less!), the Ducks can do anything. Your shiny bonus point is attractive, O Mayor of  Poolsville, but I think The Converter has correctly divined the final outcome of this matchup. Oregon for the win.

* * *

4.  Oklahoma State - Kansas State (9 underdog OSU worth two bonus points)
NCAAFConverter : Never poke an angry Wildcat with a stick.
In the earliest days of NCAAFConverter, the machine was more focused on video clips than on images, and this game seems to have caused The Converter to wax nostalgic. No question on this one, you can go to the videotape; do NOT poke an angry wildcat with a stick. No no. Kansas State for the win.

* * *

5.  Alabama - LSU (9 point underdog LSU worth two bonus points)
NCAAFConverter : Elephant taps out?
Not this time, Converter; I disagree with this call. Yes, LSU may be the runner-up to last year's natty champ game, but I was there (metaphorically, that is) and I saw what I saw, I know what I know. No way Les Miles heps his Tigers up enough to take on a trained and disciplined elephant. No. LSU's gonna lay down like a kitten and purr softly for a 14+ point loss. Alabama for the win; you can keep your shiny bonus points. I'd rather eat grass!

Bonus - Arkie takes Tulsa in the second overtime Go Hogs!

Friday, October 5, 2012

Poolsville Picks - Week #6

The Converter has had an inexplicable spring in its step this week, for no apparent reason [redundant statement]. Maybe it's apprehended the first arrival of fall not but two hours ago; a raw wind, a little rain and the promise of arctic (or at least non-tropical) air arriving. Odd, that a computing device essentially confined to a climate-controlled surrounding would be so excited to witness the turn of the season. Or maybe, just maybe, it's relief at seeing the Hogs finally exit a horrendous 1-4 September.

So with an elevated processing speed, NCAAFConverter drops its first 5-0 prediction. WITNESSETH:
 
* * *
1.  Oklahoma – Texas Tech (5 point underdog Texas Tech worth a bonus point)
NCAAFConverter : Bringing a cannon to a gunfight.
I would have thought the riflemen of west Texas would have had the advantage over your typical covered wagon - but no, The Converter sees right through conventional wisdom. Who knew the Indian Territories were settled with armament right out of Gettysburg? NCAAFConverter's clearly leaning OU for the win; you can keep your shiny bonus point, O Mayor of Poolsville.

* * * 
2.  LSU – Florida (LSU by 2)
NCAAFConverter : Gator Bait 2.0 a significant upgrade.

Conventional wisdom would indicate that 12 million years' worth of non-evolution would lead to the dominant swamp creature. But that would be wrong! The Converter knows that a floating feline wins the day every day over what is, at the end of the day, just one of many inputs to a stylish alligator boot. LSU for the win; there's only one king of the swamp.

* * *

3.  West Virginia – Texas (6 point underdog WVU worth a bonus point)
 NCAAFConverter : I'm feelin' lucky make my Bevoburger rare.

There is probably a fall analog to the concept of "spring fever"; The Converter's clearly got a bad case of it on this upset pick of the week (or maybe the machine's just enamored with the prospect of picking up the shiny bonus point). College football is surely full of the crazy but something tells me Daniel Boone here takes it to the next level week-in and week-out (bye week included). The Converter may have ghost-written the book on smack-talk but in light of the above, I humbly suggest that Mizzou was the better pick to bring the SEC to an even 14. But over in Big 12 Country it's WVU for the upset win, gimmie that blood-diamond bonus point.


* * *

4.  Georgia – South Carolina (Saukerlina by 2)
NCAAFConverter : This chicken tastes like a heaping hot plate of your worst nightmare, Snoopy.

Yes, UGA has been rolling (the offense, at least) over lesser opponents but they knew this day would come - face to face with the Old Ball Coach. Spurrier's not one to drop his Harley with a hot staffer on-board (there may have been an incident with an intern, a golf cart and a water hazard at some point but that's water under the bridge now). Spurrier's nothing but hot lava white meat and UGA VIXC goes down at the end. Carolina for the win.


* * *

5.  Nebraska – Ohio State (OSU by 3)
NCAAFConverter : Oh so delicious.

 

That's right, even though corn syrup is perniciously present in every bad confection, from Twinkies to Little Debbie, Gummi bears to corn candy, it's the buckeye that lends itself to artisan desserts. So pass me another, and don't think ill of me; it'll be OSU for the win, thank you very much.

Self-awarded bonus point: Arkansas 24 - Auburn 16. Go Hogs! And smile!

Friday, September 28, 2012

Poolsville Picks - Week #5

Week 5 must be the worst week in college football. A dwindling number of undefeated teams lurch uneasily into the heart of the season, apprehensive that some also-ran will catch them napping. Many 3-1 teams (looking at you, USC) are trying to figure out how a season could feel like its over even before its fully begun. The 2-2's are regrouping, reminding themselves that a 10-2 season is still (outside chance) within their grasp. And finally, the 1-3's, you SunBelts and MACs, the C-USAs, are counting up the take on their money trips to Lincoln, to Eugene, to Gainsville, preparing for the beginning of their campaigns for Go Daddy Bowl glory. Or so this is how NCAAFConverter sees it - to me, it's just good-old college football.

The Converter has been subdued this week, coming, as it is, off a 2-3 showing. The swagger has been noticeably absent this week, which has been a good thing. In fact, The Converter's been busily sharpening pencils and jotting down cyphers pretty much non-stop since Monday (taking breaks only to watch The Daily Show and Thursday's SNL Weekend Update prime-time special). So it's on (that is to say, it is literally on, The Converter is switched to 'on') and here we go:

* * *

1.  Baylor - West Virginia (12 pt underdog Baylor worth 2 bonus points)
NCAAFConverter : Do you have this in an extra-large?
Get free shipping at The North Face
Oh, there are no burning couches for this mountaineer. And what relative comfort a burning couch would provide! No, this rugged American classic knows only the kind of hardship and deprivation that would make a Cormac McCarthy novel seem like "a happy place". The Baylor Bears may rule supreme in the land of Whataburger but in West F&#$in' Virginia, there's nothing but pain. WVU for the win, you can keep your bonus points.

 * * *

2,  Ohio State - Michigan State (Sparty by 3)
NCAAFConverter : A little flash of ankle will bring down even the mightiest

Apparently, The Converter stumbled across this original piece of art intended to celebrate the nuptial of a classic House Divided, the marriage of a MSU Spartan and an OSU Buckeye. But so much is left to wonder - what's that creature in the background? A Badger? Wolverine? And does Sparty, even for a second, stand a chance? Guys, you all know how this one's going to end; OSU for the win.

* * *

3.  Tennessee - Georgia (13 point (dang, that's an Arky-sized spread!) underdog UT worth 3 bonus points)
NCAAFConverter : Rocky Top has been infiltrated
I would like to give The Converter credit and indeed, sing the machine's high praises 24-7, but that's kind of hard to do when I found out The Converter bogged down all day yesterday processing images of bulldog puppies at rescue shelters (The Converter's lame excuse was that "gosh they are just soo cute!"). But in amongst the sweetest of sweet ones was this one, UGA a/k/a David O. Dodd, infiltrating enemy lines, wreaking havoc on the boiled peanut supply line down to Knoxville. Wake Up, Volunteer Nation, the Derek Dooley hot seat's gonna be gettin' hotter. UGA for the win and you can keep your bevy of bonus points.

* * *

4.  Texas Tech - Iowa State (Red Raiders by 2)
NCAAFConverter : Up, up and away!
Riders on the Storm
This is where I have to confess that The Converter suffers from a major programming glitch - NCAAFConverter does not know Iowa. At all. Iowa, Iowa State, maybe there is an Iowa Tech in there somewhere, and there's Grenell to factor in. Big 10 (12 members), Big 12 (10 members), and part of the state lies under the CFL's influence (I think). Maybe the Nebraska move to the Big 10 is the biggest confusing factor. But no matter, The Converter is afraid of what it does not understand, so it'll be ISU for the win (and west Texas wept).

* * *

5.  Texas - Oklahoma State (Longhorns by 2)
NCAAFConverter : Too late to close the barn door now, Cowboy
 
In what would appear to be a season in which Mack Brown very subtly courts an HC offer from Jeff Long, The Converter calculates that the Longhorns will run away with this one (the machine is also banking on UT ending the season 8 - 4, with at least one more loss being just a bewilderment to its fans (KSU, your work here is done). Or what about you, Mike Gundy? If you are not going to get it done at OSU, maybe should you step aside for someone who will (and grab lunch with Jeff Long in the meantime)? Another UT win is what The Converter is calling - the remainder of the future is cloudy.
 
WPS!!



Friday, September 21, 2012

Poolsville Picks - Week #4

It is my distinct pleasure to observe that NCAAFConverter is coming off its best week yet here in the second year of its quest for the coveted Ramon Escobar Trophy (http://poolsville.blogspot.com/), landing four winners out of five and nosing out Danny Stehle on the the points total (The Converter did wonder, however, why it is shown as playing under the pseudonym 'Glenn Borkowski'). Yes, The Converter was rather proud of itself and, quite frankly, was starting to get a little annoying about the whole thing. All of that changed, however, when I made a derisive comparison between The Converter and IBM's Watson, and from there forward, The Converter reverted to its sullen old self.

* * *

1.  BYU - Boise State (7 point underdog BYU worth a bonus point)

NCAAFConverter : Bronco comes out on top
 I think The Converter is thinking straight on this one; BYU is probably still in shock after the Ute home crowd stormed the field three times last Saturday. They must have wondered, will it ever end? And the answer is, no, at least not yet. Boise State for the win; keep the bonus point.

* * *

2.  Missouri - South Carolina (10 point underdog Mizzou worth two bonus points)

NCAAFConverter : Tastes like chicken

For a while there, The Converter was practically overwhelmed by images of tigers eating chicken - is that all that the zookeepers feed them? Seems like a very unfair fight to me; hard to see how flightless fowl will ever come out on top. That being said, this Saturday's SEC matchup won't be near as imbalanced and in fact, it'll be a struggle if these tigers come out on top. Nevertheless, Missouri is due at least one high-profile victory in its SEC debut season, and Saukerlina may as well be it. So for two bonus points, I'll take Mizzou for the win.

* * *

3.  Michigan - Notre Dame (6 point underdog UM worth a bonus point)

NCAAFConverter : Leprechaun in charge 
I had no idea what was going on in this picture when The Converter first popped it up. However, on further examination, I am told this is Wolverine Bank's deposits sales and service manager Nick Lyons. Apparently, Mr. Lyons lost a bet and as a result, he had to wear a leprechaun costume on St. Patrick's Day. But I say, shame on, Wolverine Bank, for letting a leprechaun run wild like this; Notre Dame for the win (and keep your bonus point).

* * *

4.  Kansas State - Oklahoma (14 point underdog KSU worth three bonus points)

NCAAFConverter : That cat looks less than comfortable
I think I can see where The Converter was going with this one; while I'm not certain if the classic Radio Flyer properly substitutes for the Sooner Schooner, I am virtually certain that that's a wildcat on board (and a well-fed one at that). So is The Converter calling for the upset here? On that front, I am less sure. I'll be conservative and call OU for the win; you can keep your bonus points.

* * *

5.  Clemson - Florida State (14 point underdog Clemson worth three bonus points)
NCAAFConverter : WWII German Tiger tank paired with Indian motorcycle (with sidecar)
Apparently, The Converter did not use 'Seminole' as its FSU input but instead, the more generic term 'Indian'. And I am so glad it did; I love it when The Converter finds images of this classic motorcycle in various settings. But if I am not mistaken, The Converter is clearly trying to telegraph us with the upset of the week; an Indian motorcycle, even with sidecar, is no match for a German Tiger tank. I'll take Clemson for the win and will happily watch the bonus points pile up by the front door.

* * *

Oh, and be warned; do not click on the link below. Don't do it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0&feature=player_embedded

Friday, September 14, 2012

Poolsville Picks - Week #3

After the Louisiana-Monroe debacle last Saturday The Converter has been running on overdrive, as they say (powered solely on Red Bull and tobacco) trying to determine what happened, how it happened, and what it all means. Alas, the machine found no answers, although it discovered an inexplicable pride in seeing the Razorbacks receive the Tears of Unfathomable Sadness(http://www.sbnation.com/2012/9/11/3316898/arkansas-football-2012), an honor few programs are even qualified to receive. It took a 9 p.m. curfew and mandatory hourly fresh air breaks (and surreptitiously replacing the Red Bull with flat Diet Cokes) to coax The Converter to consider new business.

So no guaranties this week at NCAAFConverter finds five winners for us in week 3 of Div. I college football 2012.
* * *
Florida - Tennessee (Vols by 3)
NCAAFConverter : Get the duck tape outta the truck now and stop taking godd&#ned pictures.
Looks to me like these Volunteers have the Gators under control, but I do suggest that this may not be the ideal time to focus on uploading pictures of your alligator encounter to your twitter feed. Vols for the win; they'll have their hands full but emerge victorious.
* * *

Arizona State - Missouri (bonus point for 6 point underdog ASU)
NCAAFConverter : Classic standoff.
So the designers at Playmobil already gamed out Saturday's contest in Columbia? Well, I don't care how cool your trident is; when your opponent is armed for the Colombian narco wars, you don't stand a chance. Tigers for the win; keep your bonus point.
* * *

USC - Stanford (bonus point for the 8 point undercardinal)
NCAAFConverter : Always put a winner on the cover of your magazine.

Yes, I know, for the past week, The Converter has been dwelling to an unhealthy degree on perhaps the greatest NCAAF upset of all time and surely, this has colored the machine's thinking (it's also picking Louisiana-Monroe for the win against Auburn, even though the Mayor of Poolsville did not choose the game this week). But who am I to say that lightning can't strike twice (or three times)? I'll go with The Cardinal for the win, and I'll take the bonus point. 
* * *

Notre Dame - Michigan State (bonus point for the 3 point underdog Irish)
NCAAFConverter : It's a Stomp Sparty Party.
That's not nice, leprechaun! But what IS nice is the award of a bonus point for going out on a limb for a 3 point underdog. I'll take ND for the win, and I'll take the bonus point.
* * *

BYU - Utah (BYU by 4)
NCAAFConverter : That cougar is more of a pussycat.
Nothing like a painted gourd to round out the picks this week. I'll take the Utes for the win while The Converter looks for the bonus point that should have been hung on this game as well.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Poolsville Picks - Week #2!

I'm late getting The Converter back up and running; my plans to spend spring training and the summer fundamentally overhauling the machine resulted zero progress.  Well, not zero; I did replace some of the baggie ties with real wire (well, the stuff you use for hanging pictures) and I replaced the burned-out bulbs. But the CPU? Same unreliable piece of crap from last year (and on last week's no-image trial run, The Converter is generating wins (3-2) at about the same pace that the Obama Administration is creating jobs.

But it's game time, so let's get to it.

1.  AUBURN v. MISSISSIPPI STATE (State by 3)
NCAAFConverter : Someone call PETA.
I'll throw up my hands and surrender to fate and the strength of the machine on this one; I was of the opinion that Auburn's fall from grace was so great that it was in danger of being eclipsed by State. But maybe not; looks like the Tiger (and sidekick War Eagle) has taken it hard to this poor dog.
AUBURN for the win!

2.  MIAMI v. KANSAS STATE (bonus for 7-point underdog Miami)
NCAAFConverter : Wildcats by a nose.
And this time The Converter appears to be firing on all of the 18 cylinders in its Rolls Royce Merlin engine - America's can-do winning attitude watched the sun set over the British Empire from the cockpit of a Grumman F 4F Wildcat.
KSU for the win!

3.  FLORIDA v. TEXAS A&M (Aggies by 1)
NCAAFConverter : Billboard WHOOP!
What's that ClearChannel - FL, LLC? Someone took a chain saw (and then later, out of compounded frustration, a cutting torch) to one of your $5k-a-month boards? Who the hell was the sales rep on that account, and is maybe is he a damned Texan? Nice start, Aggies.
A&M for the win!

4.  NEBRASKA v.UCLA (5-point underdog Bruins worth a bonus point)
NCAAFConverter : Bear Corn WTF you crazy japanese?!??
Who knew that those crazy Japanese have a whole industry segment dedicated to animating bears in various vegetable forms, including corn? Is there a parallel division where corn takes on the entirety of the animal kingdom? I hope so, and I sure hope The Converter's burning pure ethynol on this one.
UCLA for the win! Gimme the bonus point!

5.  GEORGIA v. MISSOURI (UGA by 3)
NCAAFConverter : another tigers-bulldogs matchup? See AU-MSU above?


Well, Mayor of Poolsville, you managed to piss off The Converter by causing it to use the SAME imputs for two different games. The Converter is now over in the kitchen knocking back Red Stripes like they are Miller Lite. So I'm on my own, and all I can do is search for the face of victory. And I have found it/her. Mizzou, welcome to the SEC.
UGA for the win!

Friday, January 6, 2012

THE POST SEASON IS HERE!

Bowl Week 1 

Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl
Division III Championship
Mount Union - Wisconsin-Whitewater
NCAAFConverter : All Warhawk.

Is it a playoff championship, or a bowl? The Converter don't care. This will be a competitive game but the outcome is all but certain - WIS.-WHITEWATER for the win.

FCS Semifinals
Montana - Sam Houston State
NCAAFConverter : Damn, Grizzly!

Wow, Sam Houston State is undefeated and has home team advantage - I thought this was a runaway Bearkat win until The Converter came up with THIS! Honey Badger does not hold a candle to a grizzly that's determined to win at any cost. Converter gives this one to MONTANA!

Division II Championship
Wayne State - Pittsburg State
NCAAFConverter : Warrior hits the gorilla press...

That's right, not only is The Converter a fan of professional wrestling, but it also knows that Wayne State is known as the Warriors and Pittsburg (inexplicably) is known as the Gorillas. And here, in one image, The Converter shows an image of the Ultimate Warrior (foreshadow alert) subjectingHulk Hogan to the gorilla hold in a match Hogan ultimately lost. I will not argue with The Converter over this one - WAYNE STATE for the win.

Gildan New Mexico Bowl
Temple - Wyoming (Cowboys worth 3 points)
NCAAFConverter : All hat no cattle
 
But that's not the Converter's opinion; that's what Rice Own fan WMD Owl (on http://ncaabbs.com/) thinks of President Obama. WMD Owl can exercise his freedom of expression, and thanks to Mitt Romney (and now that NCAAFConverter has incorporated), so can The Conveter. WYOMING for the win and I'll take that bonus point, thank you very much.

FCS Semifinals
Georgia Southern - North Dakota State (GA SOU worth 3 points)
NCAAFConverter : Catalina Island?

NCAAFConverter is flummoxed on this one. Bison and eagles? California's Catalina Island may have eagles, but bison, too? It is time for the humans to take over, and my read on the situation is that Cali. is closer to ND than it is GA! So it is NORTH DAKOTA STATE for the win. Keep your bonus point.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Ohio - Utah State
NCAAAFConverter : UTAH STATE



R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Louisiana-Lafayette - San Diego State (La La worth three points)
NCAAFConverter : ULL

The New Orleans Bowl is the perfect fusion of Aztec (Triple Alliance) and Cajun traditions and who knows more about this thanAarón Sánchez, the Hebrew-named, Mexican-blooded, Cajun-trained purveyor of Latin flavors on the all-American barbecue. He's a one-man melting pot and he brings to the table the same wonderful product that the Ragin' Cajuns bring to the gridiron. LA LA for the win.

Bowl Week 2
Beef 'O' Brady's St. Petersburg Bowl
Florida International - Marshall
NCAAFConverter : Herding cats.

The Converter clearly remembers  the classic Electronic Data Systems "Herding Cats" Superbowl XXXIV commercial, and who am I to disagree? Gotta give this one to MARSHALL.

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
Louisiana Tech - TCU
7 p.m., Dec. 21, ESPN
Line: TCU by 10
* Underdog worth four points
NCAAFConverter : TCU

MAACO Bowl Las Vegas
Arizona State - Boise State (ASU worth five points)
NCAAFConverter : BOISE STATE

This is a picture of a [sun] devil at a rodeo, and even The Converter can tell when something just does not look right. Sun Devils end a disappointing season in charateristic disappointing fashion; BOISE STATE for the win.
Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl
Nevada - Southern Miss (Nevada worth 3 points)
NCAAFConverter : NEVADA

When the Golden Eagles meet the Wolf Pack, The Converter can see how this ends - a six pack of Golden Eagles. I would have thought this indicated a Southen Miss win but apparently, The Converter is going for the bonus points here. Play for the win, baby! NEVADA!
Bowl Week 3

AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl
Missouri - North Carolina
NCAAFConverter : MIZZOU


Little Caesars Pizza Bowl
Purdue - Western Michigan
Line: Purdue by 2
NCAAFConverter : WESTERN MICHIGAN

Belk Bowl
Louisville - North Carolina State
Line: North Carolina State by 2
NCAAFConverter : LOUISVILLE

Military Bowl
Air Force - Toledo
Line: Toledo by 3
NCAAFConverter : AIR FORCE

Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl
California - Texas
Line: Texas by 3
NCAAFConverter : CAL

Champs Sports Bowl
Florida State - Notre Dame
Line: Florida State by 3
NCAAFConverter : FSU

Valero Alamo Bowl
Baylor - Washington (Washington worth 4 points)
NCAAFConverter : BAYLOR
OK, Washington, you might think you are the Alpha Dog right now but when an ice-cold Heisman Trophy winning bear has had his fill of winter frolicking, The Converter knows those huskies don't stand a chance. BAYLOR for the win.

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl
BYU - Tulsa
NCAAFConverter : TULSA

New Era Pinstripe Bowl
Iowa State - Rutgers
Line: Rutgers by 2
NCAAFConverter : RUTGERS

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl
Mississippi State - Wake Forest (Wake Forest worth 3 points)
Line: Mississippi State by 6
NCAAFConverter : MSU

Insight Bowl
Iowa - Oklahoma (Iowa worth 5 points)
Line: Oklahoma by 14
NCAAFConverter : OKLAHOMA

Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas
Northwestern - Texas A&M (Northwestern worth 4 points)
11 a.m., Dec. 31, ESPN
Line: Texas A&M by 10
NCAAFConverter : A&M

Hyundai Sun Bowl
Georgia Tech - Utah
Line: Georgia Tech by 3
NCAAFConverter : UTAH

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl
Illinois - UCLA
Line: Illinois by 2
NCAAFConverter : ILLINOIS

AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Cincinnati - Vanderbilt
Line: Vanderbilt by 2
NCAAFConverter : VANDY

Chick-fil-A Bowl
Auburn - Virginia
Line: Auburn by 1
NCAAFConverter : VIRGINIA

Bowl Week 4

TicketCity Bowl
Houston - Penn State (PSU worth 3 points)
NCAAFConverter : PENN STATE

Outback Bowl
Georgia - Michigan State
Line: Georgia by 3
NCAAFConverter : UGA

Capital One Bowl
Nebraska - South Carolina
Line: South Carolina by 2
NCAAFConverter : NEBRASKA

Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl
Florida - Ohio State
Line: Florida by 2
NCAAFConverter : OHIO STATE

The Rose Bowl Game
Oregon - Wisconsin (Wisky worth 3 points)
NCAAFConverter : WISC

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Oklahoma State - Stanford
Line: Oklahoma State by 3
NCAAFConverter : OSU

Allstate Sugar Bowl
Michigan - Virginia Tech
Line: Michigan by 2
NCAAFConverter : MICHIGAN

Discover Orange Bowl
Clemson - West Virginia
Line: Clemson by 3
NCAAFConverter : WVU

AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic
Arkansas - Kansas State (KSU worth 3 points)
NCAAFConverter : ARKANSAS

BBVA Compass Bowl
Pittsburgh - SMU (SMU worth 3 points)
NCAAFConverter :
SMU for the win; gimme the bonus point, please.

FCS Championship
Select winner now from final four:
Montana, Sam Houston State,
Georgia Southern, North Dakota State
NCAAFConverter : NORTH DAKOTA STATE

GoDaddy.com Bowl
Arkansas State - Northern Illinois
NCAAFConverter :
ARKANSAS STATE for the win

Final Game

Allstate BCS National Championship Game
Alabama - LSU
NCAAFConverter :LSU