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College Football Bowl Game Predictions and Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 08:58:54 AM EST
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I'm off to a rocky 1-2 start in the bowl games. Here are my picks for games from 12/23-30, using (using these lines):

Cal (-2.5) over Utah tonight. Nevada (-13) over SMU tomorrow night. In the December 26 games, I like Marshall (+3) over Ohio U., North Carolina (+3) over Pitt and Southern Cal (-7.5) over BC. In the December 27 game, I like Kentucky (+7) over Clemson. In the December 28 game, I like Georgia (-7) over Texas A&M. In the December 29 games, I like UCLA (-4.5) over Temple and the U (of Miami) (-3.5) over Wisconsin. In the December 30 games, I like Bowling Green (-2) over Idaho and Arizona (-1.5) over Nebaska.

This is an Open Thread.

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    College Football Bowl Game Predictions and Open Thread | 66 comments (66 topical)

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    PRK eye surgery update (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by ruffian on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 10:56:49 AM EST
    For those who asked...the pain went away after Sunday night, which was Day 3 after surgery. My vision is still not 20-20, but is getting better bit by bit, which is as advertised. Also it fluctuates throughout the day, also as advertised. Just got back from a follow-up appt in which they removed the bandage contact lens. It did not make a difference in the vision, and she warned the eye might be a little scratchy again for a day or two, but nothing as bad as before. Since the other eye is 20-20, I can drive and do normal distance things just fine without glasses.

    Actually before the surgery I felt better with glasses for driving, so I think the vision is, if not 20-20, at least improved from pre-surgery.

    Glad you're feeling better... (none / 0) (#33)
    by kdog on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 11:14:54 AM EST
    and the surgery improved your vision...now stop staring at computer screens!!...:)

    I need to stop myself...never had a problem with my eyes till recently...distances are getting blurry, need to get 'em checked, but knowing me I'll have to be half-blind before I get my arse to the eye-doc.

    Parent

    Welcome to my world (none / 0) (#40)
    by jondee on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 12:19:39 PM EST
    Ruffian, did they by any chance give you any warnings about the possible ill-effects of barometric pressure post-op?

    I remember reading in Into Thin Air about one of the climbers, who had recently had similar surgery, experiencing extreme discomfort and major vision impairment at high altitude. Though I doubt you're planning anything like an Everest climb.

    Good luck.

    Parent

    That might have been on the (none / 0) (#46)
    by ruffian on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 01:52:22 PM EST
    page of warnings and disclosures I got. Living in FL and not having plans to go to altitude anytime soon, it didn't stick in my mind!

    I swear, I was wondering why anyone does any of these procedures. It is like the drug ads on TV - I always wonder why anyone takes these drugs with all these possible side effects. Then I shrugged and went ahead and did it anyway.

    Parent

    Well (none / 0) (#50)
    by jondee on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 02:17:52 PM EST
    make sure you tell your doctor if you have an eye-erection lasting longer than four hours. Before you wind up looking like crustacean.

    Parent
    LOL (none / 0) (#56)
    by ruffian on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 02:45:28 PM EST
    I'll keep that in mind

    Parent
    thanks! Are you a minimal-driver like andgarden? (none / 0) (#48)
    by ruffian on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 01:57:02 PM EST
    What put me over the top was never being able to read road names when I'm driving. I think if driving were not an issue I would have been content with the vision I had. Once you need glasses for driving, you are taking them on and off all the time and dealing with clip-on sunglasses, etc.

    I had contacts and glasses for most of my life, and dealt with all of that. But after my Lasik 10 years ago life was so good I got spoiled!

    Parent

    I have to drive a lot, unfortunatley (none / 0) (#53)
    by jondee on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 02:34:09 PM EST
    Im o.k during the day, but night time driving can be very nerve wracking at times, mainly because of a seeming slight oversensitivity to bright lights; which may be because Im driving a small car and all these suvs and mega-pickups headlights are coming at me at eye-level. Talk about annoying. Time to get a bigger car, I guess.

    Then, on top of everything else, we get a lot of black ice around here -- Western, NY -- in the winter time. Dont get me started on that.

    Parent

    do you wear glasses? (none / 0) (#54)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 02:36:26 PM EST
    if so have you tried non glare lenses?
    I got some recently and then did a trip where I was driving at night and I was amazed how much it helped.


    Parent
    Cap (none / 0) (#59)
    by jondee on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 02:59:36 PM EST
    I've been a poindexter since third grade. I think Im going to look into those non glare glasses.

    Thanks for the tip.

    Parent

    Love the non glare lenses (none / 0) (#68)
    by caseyOR on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 05:19:51 PM EST
    Driving at night was such a pain because of the approaching lights. I got the non glare lenses a couple of years ago, and the change was wonderful. Night driving is no longer a problem. I will never get another pair of glasses without the non glare.

    Parent
    I drive a good bit... (none / 0) (#57)
    by kdog on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 02:54:50 PM EST
    thats how I noticed the distance vision slipping, the road signs you mentioned.  I used to be eagle-eye reading them from way off...not no more.  And if its dark forget it, I gotta be right on top of the thing to read it.

    Parent
    Stupid eyeware trick while recovering (none / 0) (#64)
    by Ellie on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 03:51:41 PM EST
    If it benefits you, happy recovery.

    My dubious fashion of wearing my prescription swim goggles around my workshop (where I have to deal with different irritating materials) paid off on the bonus discovery that the goggles are better than safety-glasses.

    The "look" tends to scare the crap out of the occsional delivery person, but WTF.

    The goggles aren't expensive at all and might be more comfortable if you have to pad your healing eye(s) with a dressing and/or want to protect the surrounding area while you sleep.

    If they fog up, you can get anti-fog wax or just ask the eyewear provider to rig them for your particular circumstance.

    Parent

    Ha! I had my own stupid eyewear trick (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by ruffian on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 07:32:58 PM EST
    They gave me nice padded safety glasses to wear when sleeping for the first 3 nights. That was the only time I really needed safety type protection.

    But, even with sunglasses, driving was excruciating over the weekend. I limited it to one short trip out each day, but what I had to do was completely cover the left eye of the sunglasses with black duct tape.  I was very careful cuz I realized my depth perception was impaired, but I was sure I was gonna get a ticket.

    My tip is: DO NOT get both eyes PRK'd at once unless you have someone to take care of you for a week. I'm sure the doctor would have warned me against that, had I needed it, but just in case, don't even think about it.  LASIK was fine. I had both eyes done at once and did not miss a beat.

    Parent

    Congrats on coming through with flying colors (none / 0) (#73)
    by Ellie on Wed Jan 13, 2010 at 08:15:47 AM EST
    Don't go by me over your health pro, but when I had eye problems my nutritionist recommended highly pigmented plant foods for recovery (also, to achieve and maintain good night vision):

    Carrots, red peps, beets, radicchio, red cabbage, radishes, cranberries and other berries, rhubarb ...

    Maybe someone with more med/health and chem expertise can weigh in. Apparently those "old wives" and their "tales" were right all along -- again!

    Evidently there's a direct connection with the body having to process the pigments that not only boosts the immune system overall, but particularly enhances eye health.

    Parent

    You missed one (none / 0) (#1)
    by Steve M on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 09:01:26 AM EST
    BYU over Oregon State last night was a gimme.  Everyone knows a single Mormon can handle at least 2 or 3 Beavers!

    Yeah (none / 0) (#2)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 09:04:10 AM EST
    I did not put a pick up in time, which is good for me as I would have picked the Beavers.

    For the record, I got your Big Love reference, but choose not to respond to your lewd comment . . .

    Parent

    No how, no way (none / 0) (#5)
    by jondee on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 09:24:24 AM EST
    North Carolina beats Pitt. Not gonna happen. Figure out how much you wanna put down and give me a call on my cell. Ask for "Manny".

    Parent
    Link? (none / 0) (#6)
    by oculus on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 09:24:59 AM EST


    Parent
    Ooh "The lines." Must study (none / 0) (#3)
    by oculus on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 09:23:13 AM EST


    Is kdog making any money on this? (none / 0) (#12)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 10:05:02 AM EST


    Parent
    Who wants ta know? (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by jondee on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 10:13:13 AM EST
    I mean, never heard of him.

    That some friend of yours?

    Parent

    LOL... (none / 0) (#23)
    by kdog on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 10:41:35 AM EST
    For all my self-confessed degeneracy, I'm not much of a sports bettor...poker, horses, casino games are more my speed....though I do play the football sheets off and on, I usually stick to the pro game when I do play.

    Parent
    After that sad, pathetic showing... (none / 0) (#7)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 09:41:36 AM EST
    ...by OSU last night, I'd be awful weary of any PAC10 team.  Talk about an over-rated conference.  

    I think the Utes do to Cal what BYU did to the Beavers last night-(insert your own lewd reference here).

    Appropos of nothing (none / 0) (#10)
    by jondee on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 10:03:00 AM EST
    I heard funny interview with Keith Richards recently in which he talked about how the official name of his childhood Boy Scout troop was the "Beaver Patrol" -- all the while chuckling with that great English rogue, smoke and whiskey laugh of his.

    Parent
    I have a hard time... (none / 0) (#15)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 10:10:14 AM EST
    ...imaging Keith as a Boy Scout given the comformity that is thrust upon its members.  Of course, I say that as someone who was kicked out of my troop for being "too disruptive".  

    Parent
    My experience (none / 0) (#21)
    by jondee on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 10:21:38 AM EST
    was that it was some variation on Lord of Flies in which the fathers stuck around to make sure no actual homicides took place.

    Parent
    heh (none / 0) (#22)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 10:27:04 AM EST
    I can see that

    Parent
    Me too... (none / 0) (#24)
    by kdog on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 10:44:08 AM EST
    It took all of one boy scout troop meeting as a boy to know it wasn't for me...but I left on my own accord before I got the boot:)

    Parent
    not before you got (none / 0) (#25)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 10:48:12 AM EST
    the bong badge I hope

    Parent
    I was born... (none / 0) (#31)
    by kdog on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 11:03:40 AM EST
    with one of those...its in my bloodlines:)

    Parent
    very funny (none / 0) (#8)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 09:45:19 AM EST
    right wing review of Avatar

    Avatar is the CGI-enhanced, $400 million version of the dark dreams peddled by Monbiot and Toynbee. It's a suicide fantasy, the Hollywood blockbuster equivalent of a troubled teenager's notebook sketches, scribbled by someone who hates himself only marginally less than he hates the rest of the world.

    LOL -- and btw you silver-TONG'd devil you (none / 0) (#66)
    by Ellie on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 04:40:12 PM EST
    ... lemme know before or afterwards (as is the case) if/when you're listing your silver bling at craig's or ebay.

    Like I said in another thread, I got gifted some too and might want to pre-emptively lay some on my covetous sissy for Easter so she doesn't, you know, touch my freakin' stuff -- except for helping me restore it, of course. :-D

    I'm not making a freebie hint here; if you let me know what your dominent style/flavah is around Casa del Howdy, maybe I can swap some righteous vintage swag on you in exchange.

    Parent

    tis the season (none / 0) (#9)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 09:53:28 AM EST
    I guess

    Transvestites, Mao And Obama Ornaments Decorate White House Christmas Tree

    Better than those crappy ole red shiny (none / 0) (#14)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 10:09:46 AM EST
    balls that Barney was always knocking off and then chasing around.  Must have been unbreakable version, but something in Barney's body language told me that Barney had experience with breakable at some point :)  Bo is a more intelligent breed though, I'm sure he only responds to bouncy balls :)

    Parent
    Cr@ppy old red shiny balls Barney knocked around (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by Ellie on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 03:36:16 PM EST
    ... is a great (and gross) reminder to neuter (or spay) your pets.

    Really.

    [Insert BlueDogs follow-up jokes here.]

    Parent

    and no Bo-cam so far, right? (none / 0) (#16)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 10:13:04 AM EST
    thank god

    Parent
    Shoot (none / 0) (#18)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 10:15:01 AM EST
    the whole country was on pins and needles every year waiting.

    Parent
    Baby Needs New Shoes ! (none / 0) (#11)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 10:04:10 AM EST


    Parker Griffith (none / 0) (#13)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 10:09:37 AM EST
    saw an interesting bit about this guy last night which sort of illustrates why I am not as worried as others seem to be about a republican surge in 2010.

    it seems the local republicans in Alabama do not think him "pure" so they plan to run a "real republican (read gop-bagger) against him in the primary which some people seem to think could set the whole situation up for another upstate new york kind of thing where the republican infighting gave the seat to a democrat for the first time since reconstruction or something.

    this is why I worry less.

    I think this is going to happen more and more as the teabaggers take control. and they are taking control. their ideological fanaticism is going to seize defeat from the jaws of victory again and again by chasing away all the independents that might vote for them.
    they have shown very little ability to take advantage of dem ineptitude.

    This is happening all over... (none / 0) (#19)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 10:15:40 AM EST
    ...the country, I think.  Lots of anger here over the RNC annointed candidates for Senator and Governor by from Baggers.  

    Ideological fanaticism with ever growing amounts of flat out crazy isn't going to win over many independents and pushes whatever "reasonable" R's remain further away from the party.

    Parent

    He telegraphed that he was going to do this (none / 0) (#20)
    by andgarden on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 10:20:43 AM EST
    months ago. Anyway, don't worry about Alabama.

    Parent
    Looking forwrd to the same dynamic (none / 0) (#26)
    by ruffian on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 10:49:02 AM EST
    in Florida in the Crist-Rubio primary. It will be interesting. I get the sense (just man-in-the-street gut feel, no evidence) that Crist will eke it out, but it sure is going to get ugly.

    Parent
    really? (none / 0) (#27)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 10:55:52 AM EST
    I have been thinking Rubio might pull it off.
    Crist has baggage.


    Parent
    Yeah, he might. (none / 0) (#29)
    by ruffian on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 10:57:34 AM EST
    As I said - no evidence, just my usually wrong gut!!

    Parent
    Based mostly on the fact that (none / 0) (#30)
    by ruffian on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 10:59:23 AM EST
    I never hear anyone talk about Rubio, outside the media. I doubt most people I see regularly even know who he is, and most of the people I see regularly are conservatives at work. Could be different in other parts of the state though.

    Parent
    Damn... (none / 0) (#34)
    by kdog on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 11:30:37 AM EST
    ya know the recession ain't over when St. Nick is robbing a bank to make elf payroll.

    There was no chimney (none / 0) (#44)
    by jondee on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 01:26:15 PM EST
    so he came down through a ventilation duct.

    Im starting to think we should have "the holiday season" every four years, like the Olympics; alot of people have been flipping around here: a beloved professor just murdered his wife a few days ago, and some guy in the 'burbs, not too far from here, just a couple of days ago, apparently distraught over his cat dying, got way-too-drunk and "committed suicide by police" (wouldnt put the gun down, dont get me started).

    Parent

    I don't know... (none / 0) (#55)
    by kdog on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 02:39:50 PM EST
    I can get the holiday blues as much as the next guy, but seeing those smiling faces of my nieces on Christmas Day makes it all worthwhile...if we do it every 4 years they might only get two proper Christmas' before the Santa secret is out.

    Parent
    Well, that's true (none / 0) (#58)
    by jondee on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 02:56:50 PM EST
    little smiling faces and laughter can cure a lot of ills.

    Im convinced that most of these incidents are due to people being either isolated, or feeling overly-isolated. We've all gotta do what we can to help people not feel that way as best we can; maybe say a prayer now and then, and keep the faith in the essential goodness of everyone even when we dont always see it.

    Parent

    If I didn't believe... (none / 0) (#60)
    by kdog on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 03:06:17 PM EST
    in the basic goodness of people I may have given up already myself...ya gotta believe, amen brother.

    And it never hurts to prove it with random acts of kindness.

    Parent

    Amen indeed (none / 0) (#61)
    by jondee on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 03:12:03 PM EST
    and pass the holly.

    Parent
    Balloon Dad (none / 0) (#35)
    by CoralGables on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 11:34:56 AM EST
    Goes to jail for 90 days

    No way!... (none / 0) (#36)
    by kdog on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 11:43:04 AM EST
    That is outrageous...we'll cage people for just about any two-bit reason won't we...collectively we are sicker than Balloon Dad could ever be, and we set a poorer example for the children then he does for his child...I swear.

    Parent
    Technically only 30 full days (none / 0) (#37)
    by CoralGables on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 11:50:03 AM EST
    the other 60 is work release. Mom gets 20 days.

    Parent
    Mom avoided jail... (none / 0) (#38)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 11:57:08 AM EST
    Richard Heene, who last month pleaded guilty to a felony charge of attempting to influence a public servant, will have to serve 30 days of the sentence full-time in the Larimer County jail, with the remaining 60 days served on work-release. Larimer County Court Judge Stephen Schapanski said Heene would start serving the jail sentence on Jan. 11.

    "I will delay this until after the holiday in fairness mostly to his children," Schapanski said.

    Mayumi Heene, who helped hatch the scheme and who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of false reporting, was sentenced to 20 days of jail, to be served through a program that allows her to perform jail-supervised community service a couple days a week and return home at night.

    Link

    Parent

    I guess it depends which... (none / 0) (#49)
    by kdog on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 02:15:39 PM EST
    baboozy gets your goat more Don.

    The ones in robes and badges get mines...

    Parent

    It makes sense but (none / 0) (#39)
    by CoralGables on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 12:08:28 PM EST
    The Big 10 over the last three years is 6-15 in Bowl Games. It almost makes sense to go against the entire Big 10 straight up in each of their bowl games if anyone would take the bet.

    Betting against the Big 10 (none / 0) (#42)
    by CoralGables on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 01:19:17 PM EST
    Is almost like free money.

    Parent
    Who (none / 0) (#67)
    by CoralGables on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 04:49:25 PM EST
    said anything about Miami?

    I said bet against every Big 10 team.

    Parent

    Not sure you'd like to (none / 0) (#71)
    by CoralGables on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 09:49:28 PM EST
    My income has come from the gambling industry since the year Nixon resigned.

    The last time the Big Ten had a winning record in Bowl games was in 2003. Guess you could always say they are due.

    For the record. I'll be pulling for the Badgers.

    Parent

    I'd almost be willing to bet... (none / 0) (#72)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Dec 24, 2009 at 08:26:43 AM EST
    ...that the Big 10 wins more bowl games than the Pac 10--especially after the beat down that the Utes put on those Cal Bears last night.

    Parent
    So, we haven't talked HOLC recently (none / 0) (#51)
    by ruffian on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 02:18:01 PM EST
    and the developments without it have not been good. I quote Atrios:

    Principal Modification

    It was always the only way to deal with the foreclosure crisis meaningfully. And they didn't do it.

        The troubled loans' outstanding balance is around $700 billion, there are many subprime loans and the homeowners will just give up on the mortgages as they will go deeper and deeper under water, according to Geanakoplos.

        "Almost all of these people are going to end up defaulting and being thrown out of their homes," he said.

        The fact that the government is not writing down the principal on troubled mortgages is a "bad move," Geanakoplos also said.

        "The FHA (Federal Housing Administration) is giving out loans at 3.5 percent - we're repeating the same mistakes," he added.

    The policy has been to prop up prices, not people.

    Heckuva job.

    Seems to me just one more thing that is going to have to be revisited because it was not done right the first time. If Obama thought his first 100 days were busy....

    I agree with the last line (none / 0) (#52)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 02:23:48 PM EST
    Sully needs to account for his whereabouts:

    Police Searching for Butt Sniffer

    some cheery holiday news (none / 0) (#63)
    by Capt Howdy on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 03:48:15 PM EST
    China's last tiger is eaten

    good god.
    one question.  do you think the eat blue dogs?

    on the cheery note. happy holidays. see you next year.

    Jane's got dirt on Rhambo and (none / 0) (#65)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Dec 23, 2009 at 04:06:21 PM EST
    she's going for it.  If he's dirty and she takes him down I don't care.  Bu Bye

    College Football Bowl Game Predictions and Open Thread | 66 comments (66 topical)

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