Don't Look Ethel. It Was Too Late.

What was the number of that truck? Wow, what an awful day. Wisconsin rose up, Baylor had a playoff hangover, Missouri was better than expected, Oregon ran wild over disorganized Florida State, and the best third-team quarterback I've ever seen led Ohio State to a victory over the Evil Tide Empire.

Yes, I took the doughnut. Goose egg. Nada. Zilch. I guess I should try out for a revival of Leonard's Losers.

After the carnage Thursday, my record stands at 11-11 straight up and 9-13 against the spread.

The only thing remaining is junk bowls. It is my opinion the only game that should be played after Jan. 1 in the National Championship game.

There are four games Friday, one Saturday, and one Sunday. Nobody cares, but I'm going to make selections anyway because I like the pain. Feel free to go in the opposite direction of my selections. You have my permission.

Friday, Jan. 2
Armed Forces Bowl -- Houston vs. Pittsburgh (-3.5)
These two programs are in transition. Houston has scored 31 or more points in three of its last four games. Take the Cougars and the points.

Taxslayer Bowl -- Iowa vs. Tennessee (-3.0)
I liked this bowl better when it was the Gator Bowl. Butch Jones has Tennessee moving in the right direction, and the Vols have SEC speed (LOL). Take the Vols and give the points.

Alamo Bowl -- Kansas State vs. UCLA (-1.5)
This looks like way too good of a game to be scheduled for Jan. 2. I think the Bruins will be too much for the Wildcats. Take UCLA and give the points.

Cactus Bowl -- Oklahoma State vs. Washington (-6.0)
Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy made an unusual move late in the season when he took the redshirt off of freshman quarterback Mason Rudolph, a native of Rock Hill, S.C. Rudolph has played well and led the Cowboys to an upset of Oklahoma in Norman. It has been a tough year in Stillwater, but I believe the Pokes picked up some late-season momentum in Norman. Take Okie State and the points.

Record Friday was perfect 4-0 both ways. Overall record through Friday -- 15-11 straight up, 13-13 against the spread.

Saturday, Jan. 3
Birmingham Bowl -- East Carolina vs. Florida (-7.0)
How did Florida even get to a bowl game? The Pirates can score. Give me East Carolina and the points.

Sunday, Jan. 4
GoDaddy Bowl -- Arkansas State vs. Toledo (-4.0)
I am beyond caring at this point. I just hope Danica Patrick makes a personal appearance. Ride the Rockets.

Some Thoughts On Clemson Basketball --
Several years ago during the days of Cliff Ellis, my friend Mark Packer coined a term -- "0-for-Snow." In other words, no wins in January and February. Clemson basketball would dominate its weak competition in November and December then hit the ACC schedule and start a long losing streak.

Clemson enters ACC play Saturday night at home against North Carolina. The Tigers have some good wins (Arkansas, LSU) and some bad losses (Winthrop, Gardner-Webb). The most disturbing thing about this team is its lack of improvement the first two months of the season. Since mid-November, this team has played the same way game in and game out. This team lacks a vocal leader, which means there is some passion and emotion missing.

There are major problems -- lack of outside shooting (a Clemson standard), poor free throw shooting (a Clemson standard), sloppy turnovers, lack of punch from the bench, inability to hold a lead late in the game. Head coach Brad Brownell is pushing every button he can, but the response has been limited. It is easy to see during the games that Brownell is extremely frustrated with his team.

Jaron Blossomgame and Donte Grantham are starting to make major impacts on both ends of the floor and look like an effective duo in development. But that's about the only positive. Point guard Rod Hall is not playing like a senior, and there is nobody on the bench who can help at point. The Tigers really need Landry Nnoko to start playing like he played late last season.

The first five ACC games will pose a brutal gauntlet for the Tigers -- North Carolina at home, at Louisville, at Pittsburgh, at Virginia, Syracuse at home. Thank you, John Swofford. Winning two of those would be a major accomplishment. Most pundits believe 0-for-5 is more likely.

Maybe entering ACC play will energize the Tigers and end their sleepwalking. It is way past time to get over K.J. McDaniels leaving for the NBA.

Here's hoping the Tigers can put something together. But at the moment, it doesn't look good.