New Year's Day Is Finally Here

Nailed two of three yesterday to improve my record to 11-6 straight up and 9-8 against the spread.

The Mississippi Burning that took place yesterday was a big hit for the SEC. The SEC West was billed as the toughest division in football outside of the NFL. Thanks to TCU and Georgia Tech, the SEC West has been exposed.

I am so happy today is New Year's Day. This will be the final day ESPN reminds us over and over and over that the Rose Bowl and the Sugar Bowl are being played today.

Let's quickly look at today's selections:

Outback Bowl -- Wisconsin vs. Auburn (-7)
Can Wisconsin recover from its no-show effort in the Big 10 Championship game? Can Auburn put something together after getting hammered by Georgia and Alabama? I hate the term SEC speed, but I think it makes a difference in this game. Take Auburn and give the points.

Cotton Bowl -- Michigan State vs. Baylor (-2.5)
The pundits raved about Baylor last season, and Bears promptly got upset by Central Florida in the Fiesta Bowl. Michigan State is about defense first. Playing in Dallas at Jerry World, I am sensing a statement game from the Bears. If the Bears rout the Spartans, the committee will get some well deserved criticism for not including Baylor or TCU in the four-team tournament. Take Baylor both ways.

Citrus Bowl -- Minnesota vs. Missouri (-4.5)
I look at this game and have no initial reaction. After thinking about it for a few seconds, I'm going to take the Golden Gophers and the points.

Rose Bowl Semifinal -- Florida State vs. Oregon (-8)
Nobody outside of Tallahassee believes in Florida State. The Seminoles have been sliding by the entire season. Some have called it playing bored. This is a rare match up of Heisman Trophy winners -- Florida State's Crab Leg King Jameis Winston vs. Oregon's dynamic Marcus Mariota. This looks like a shootout. It should be a shootout. I think it will be a shootout. Florida State has been on this stage before. Oregon has not. Eight is a lot of points. Most pundits believe the Ducks will roll. I don't. Take the Seminoles both ways.

Sugar Bowl Semifinal -- Ohio State vs. Alabama (-9)
Ohio State shocked the college football world by drilling Wisconsin in the Big 10 Championship game with third-team quarterback Cardale Jones at the helm. Alabama has just one blemish -- a loss to Ole Miss. Offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin has transformed the Tide offense. Kiffin said earlier this week that he would have worked in Tuscaloosa for free. Yeah, right. My evil side wants to see Ohio State pull off a miracle, rout the Tide, and cause an explosion at ESPN/SEC Lovers. But I just don't think it his going to happen. Nine is a lot of points, but take the Tide both ways.