Going Bowling? (Part II)

One weekend of football is in the books since the last edition of "Going Bowling?" so it's time t o step back and take another look. None of the teams on the bowl bubble did anything last weekend to help their causes, as Kansas State, Colorado, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma State all took it on the chin.

The Big XII still stands to have no fewer than 8 teams in bowl games, which could be altered if the Conference is in some way able to take two teams to the BCS. The number could also be increased if another Conference is unable to fill their own allotment of bowl teams, which is looking to be a real possibility. If Oregon makes the MNC Game, the Pac 10 will have an additional bowl slot open, and a few other Conferences will be in similar scenarios. But, as it stands right now, the Big XII is still looking at the following options:

BCS
Cotton
Holiday
Gator
Alamo
Sun (if Gator does not select a Big XII team)
Insight
Independence
Texas

Things could get really interesting, however, as possibly two bowl eligible teams from the Conference (UNL, A&M) may be sans coach immediately after the regular season. I don't know enough to be sure if that would impact a bowl committee's decision to select either team, or even if either of those schools would accept a bowl invitation dure to their coaching searches.

Now then, let's take a look at the teams with a chance at becoming bowl eligible, their remaining schedules, and their chances of not only making bowls, but what bowls they will make. Keep in mind that these are all predicated on the Big XII placing only one team in the BCS. If there are two, which could happen with multiple scenarios, then simply move each team up a slot:

Kansas, 10-0 (6-0)
The remaining schedule: Iowa State, Missouri (@KC)
Predicted finish: 11-1 (7-1)
Thoughts: I've been calling Kansas a fraud all year, and while they still haven't played a top 25 team, they have been able to show up every week and play good football. I still see them losing to a Missouri team with more talent and experience, but that is looking more and more like a very good matchup. Iowa State could be the all too common "trap game" if they are looking towards Arrowhead. For now, I am still predicting a loss to Missouri, although things could definitely change over the next 96 hours. That would likely land them in sunny San Diego, which is actually German for a Whale's Vagina.
Buhl's Bowl Pick: Holiday

Oklahoma, 9-1 (5-1)
The remaining schedule: @ Texas Tech, Oklahoma State
Predicted finish: 12-1 (7-1); Big XII Champion
Thoughts: Nothing has changes since last week. They should win every remaining game. Potential stumbling blocks lie ahead with Tech and the Bedlam game. That said, I still see the Sooners winning out and then beatin a North team in the Big XII Championship game. The possibility also exists that by running the table they could play for a National Championship.
Buhl's Bowl Pick: BCS/MNC Game

Missouri, 9-1 (4-1)
The remaining schedule: @ Kansas State, Kansas (@KC)
Predicted finish: 11-2 (7-1); Big XII Runner-Up
Thoughts: Missouri is a real wildcard here. They are running into a one of those potential "trap games" that I mentioned this weekend against Kansas State. It is Senior Day in a stadium where teh Tigers haven't been victorious since 1989. And they could very easily be looking ahead to the Border War with Kansas. However, smart money is likely still on the Tigers in this weekend's game, setting up next weekend's matchup which I also see them winning. I have already predicted Missouri to beat Kansas in that game, although it is becoming more and more difficult to predict. If that happens, they will find themselves in a rematch with Oklahoma for the Big XII Championship. I honestly don't see Oklahoma losing that game, but with a solid showing Missouri could still find themselves in the BCS with a loss particularly is Oklahoma lands in the MNC Game.
Buhl's Bowl Pick: Cotton/BCS

Texas, 9-2 (5-2)
The remaining schedule: @ Texas A&M
Predicted finish: 10-2 (5-2) Thoughts: This is where things start getting interesting. Last week I predicted Texas to lose on of their remaining two, with the Texas Tech game in mind. Well, they did away with Tech and now I don't see any real way that they will lose to Texas A&M. Here is what's interesting: would the Holiday Bowl take a two loss Texas team over a one loss Kansas team? I honestly think they could, but at this point I'm not ready to predict anything too wacky.
Buhl's Bowl Pick: Gator

Texas Tech, 7-4 (3-4)
The remaining schedule: Oklahoma
Predicted finish: 7-5 (3-5)
Thoughts: I predicated a win at home last week against Texas. That didn't happen, but with everyone below them basically losing, it really didn't have any bearing on their bowl destination. I don't see them beating Oklahoma, although that could be a very interesting game to watch. As of right now, they're still heading to San Antonio in my book.
Buhl's Bowl Pick: Alamo

Texas A&M, 6-5 (3-4)
The remaining schedule: Texas
Predicted finish: 6-6 (3-5)
Thoughts: The Aggies put up a fair fight last weekend in Columbia, but it just wasn't enough. As predicted before, and I'll stand by this, Texas A&M will finish the season on a four game losing streak, losing 5 of their last 6, and looking for a new coach. Again, you have to wonder how attractive this would be to a bowl right now, or even how attractive a bowl would be to this program.
Buhl's Bowl Pick: Staying Home

Oklahoma State, 5-5 (3-3)
The remaining schedule: @ Baylor, @ Oklahoma
Predicted finish: 6-6 (4-4)
Thoughts: The Baylor game still looms large, because if they aren't able to knock off unbeaten Kansas at home this weekend, it will likely be their last legitimate shot at bowl eligibility. The Bedlam game is Oklahoma is always competitive, but Oklahoma will have too much riding on that home game for the Cowboys to expect anything less than their best effort. The Cowboys finish the season with an even record, and are a bit uneasy as they watch the bowl selection shows.
Buhl's Bowl Pick: Texas

Kansas State, 5-5 (3-4)
The remaining schedule: @ Nebraska, Missouri, @ Fresno State
Predicted finish: 6-6 (3-5)
Thoughts: Can this team rebound from last weekend's thumping in Lincoln? Yes. Will they? That's the million dollar question right now. While the Missouri game is exactly the type of game the Coach Prince and the Cats have won, and can win, it's a risky proposition right now. I still have to believe that this team will be able to muster up enough for one more win this season, and for right now the game at Fresno State is the most likely option.
Buhl's Bowl Pick: Insight

Colorado, 5-6 (3-4)
The remaining schedule: Nebraska
Predicted finish: 6-6 (4-4)
Thoughts: And then there were two. Colorado and Nebraska square off on Thanksgiving weekend. The winner will become bowl eligible, and the loser will be staying home. After what Nebraska did to Kansas State over the weekend, it will certainly be difficult to pick against them. Was that game, perhaps, just what the doctor ordered for the Huskers? Maybe, but I've been led to believe that there is further decension among the Nebraska coaching staff and administration, and Colorado has played well in big games at home this season. I think Colorado wins, but they might be the least attractive of all Big XII bowl eligible teams due to their abyssmal fan support. That said, I am going to predict right now that they still get picked ahead of Texas A&M, or maybe moreso that A&M declines a bowl game...I don't know, we'll just go with this for now and figure something else out later.
Bowl Pick: Independence

Nebraska, 5-6 (2-5)
The remaining schedule: @ Colorado
Predicted finish: 5-7 (2-6)
Thoughts: Again, it was touch to pick that game in Boulder already, but I decided to go with the Buffaloes for the reasons stated above. That leaves Nebraska home for the Holidays, and looking for a new coach.
Buhl's Bowl Pick: Staying Home

Keep in mind that these predictions are as of this week. With any luck, I should be able to make this a weekly feature up until the end of the season. Should be fun. Keep checking back.

A View From The Cheap Seats

Just a couple amateur pictures that I took at the KSU-Sacramento State basketball game last Friday night. How amateur? Well, these are about the best ones I could get out of over 100 pictures. Take a look through and feel free to leave me some comments if you wish:

The loge boxes really added a nice touch to the arena, I thought. Although some had worried, it doesn't look like the view from them will be in any way impaired by standing students.

I wouldn't be opposed to seeing these line the west side of Bramlage as well. Assuming, of course the the demand is there.

More of the loge boxes. I really like the "Kansas State University" above them

Blake Young at the line. In this game he showed a knack for being able to knock down open jump shots. That will be big as the season progresses, and teams double down on Beasley, Walker, and Hoskins. This is a much different Blake Young than we saw last season. He will be fun to watch.

The man himself. Better enjoy him while he's here, Cat fans.

Coach Frank has some fire. I love it! He is very, very intense and I think his guys would jump through fire for him.

Coach again, with Andre Gilbert. I was very impressed by Andre's length and athleticism. Could he potentially be the replacement for Akeem Wright as a defensive specialist.

Dave Hoskins flashing some Bling before the game. Guy looked sharp, I must say. But I prefer him in his jersey. I liked our warm-ups as well. Have a feeling these guys are going to get more K-State gear than they will ever know what to do with this year.

Beasley once again. I think when Coach Martin called him "efficient" that it was spot on. Honestly, if you would have asked me to predict his stats at the end of the game I would have said 25 points and 15 rebounds. When I got to my car and turned on the postgame show, I almost wrecked when they said he had 24 rebounds and 35 points. If there's such a thing as a "quiet" 35 & 24 game, that was it.

Overall, wasn't a terribly impressive showing. Very sloppy, but it was fun to watch all the new kids. Man, this team even without Beasley, Walker, and Hoskins next year is going to be fun to watch. These guys are athletic, they're talented, but they're raw and will need some time to develop. A lot of talent here. Just typical preseason sloppiness right now that I'm sure will be cleared up. The sky is literally the limit for these guys.

Going Bowling?

Well, it's that time of year again. Teams are fighting for their respective postseason lives. As we all know, it gets really tense when teams are on the bowl "bubble," looking to not only make themselves bowl eligible, but also looking to make themselves more attractive to bowl committees around the country.

Let's step back and take a look at the Big XII bowl picture and how it may unfold. First, we have to know which bowls are available to Big XII teams. There are technically nine, but only eight will select a team. They are as follows (in order of selection):

BCS
Cotton
Holiday
Gator
Alamo
Sun (if Gator does not select a Big XII team)
Insight
Independence
Texas

It is possible for the Big XII to get two teams into the BCS, especially with there now being five BCS bowl games. If that happens, the Big XII could be looking at 9 available bowl slots, if not then it will likely just be the 8 listed above.

Now then, let's take a look at the teams with a chance at becoming bowl eligible, their remaining schedules, and their chances of not only making bowls, but what bowls they will make:

Kansas, 9-0 (5-0)
The remaining schedule: @ Oklahoma State, Iowa State, Missouri (@KC)
Predicted finish: 10-1 (7-1)
Thoughts: I've been calling Kansas a fraud all year, and while they still haven't played a top 25 team, they have been able to show up every week and play good football. I only see them losing to a superior Missouri team, leaving them likely out of the Big XII Championship game and playing in San Diego.
Buhl's Bowl Pick: Holiday

Oklahoma, 8-1 (4-1)
The remaining schedule: Baylor, @ Texas Tech, Oklahoma State
Predicted finish: 11-1 (7-1)
Thoughts: They should win every remaining game. Potential stumbling blocks are obviously the last two games of the season. That said, I see the Sooners running the table at this point and also winning the Big XII Championship game. The possibility also exists that by running the table they could play for a National Championship.
Buhl's Bowl Pick: BCS/MNC Game

Missouri, 8-1 (4-1)
The remaining schedule: Texas A&M, @ Kansas State, Kansas (@KC)
Predicted finish: 11-1 (7-1)
Thoughts: Missouri is a real wildcard here. They are likely favored in all three of their remaining games, but they could easily lose any one of those games. Regardless, at this point in time, I think Missouri runs the table setting up a rematch with Oklahoma. That, again, will likely result in a Sooner victory.
Buhl's Bowl Pick: Cotton

Texas, 8-2 (4-2)
The remaining schedule: Texas Tech, @ Texas A&M
Predicted finish: 9-3 (5-3)
Thoughts: I think the Longhorns will lose one of their remaining two games. For the sake of argument, I'll pick the Red Raiders to upset the Longhorns especially with the drama that is occurring in College Station. This would again leave the Longhorns sitting at home during the Big XII Championship game and waiting for the bowl selection shows. Forunately for them, I have heard the Gator Bowl really covets the Horns, and would jump at a chance to grab them after not having a Big XII team in last year's game.
Buhl's Bowl Pick: Gator

Texas Tech, 7-3 (3-3)
The remaining schedule: @ Texas, Oklahoma
Predicted finish: 8-4 (4-4)
Thoughts: An even split against the Longhorns and Sooners would be a very nice way to end the season for Mike Leach and his team. Did it seem to anyone else like their record was worse than this? They played in the Insight Bowl last season, and that is not a likely destination for them regardless of their finish.
Buhl's Bowl Pick: Alamo

Texas A&M, 6-4 (3-3)
The remaining schedule: @ Missouri, Texas
Predicted finish: 6-6 (3-5)
Thoughts: Considering the recent news of head coach Dennis Franchione getting the axe, I see no reason to think the Aggies will be able to win either of their remaining two games. They will be likely underdogs in both games, perhaps by double digits. A 6-6 Aggie team with a losing Conference record and no head coach won't be very attractive to potential bowl committee members.
Buhl's Bowl Pick: Staying Home

Oklahoma State, 5-4 (3-2)
The remaining schedule: Kansas, @ Baylor, @ Oklahoma
Predicted finish: 6-6 (4-4)
Thoughts: The Baylor game looms large, because if they aren't able to knock off unbeaten Kansas at home this weekend, it will likely be their last legitimate shot at bowl eligibility. The Bedlam game is Oklahoma is always competitive, but Oklahoma will have too much riding on that home game for the Cowboys to expect anything less than their best effort. The Cowboys finish the season with an even record, and are a bit uneasy as they watch the bowl selection shows.
Buhl's Bowl Pick: Texas

Kansas State, 5-4 (3-3)
The remaining schedule: @ Nebraska, Missouri, @ Fresno State
Predicted finish: 7-5 (4-4)
Thoughts: Last weekends loss to Iowa State knocked the Cats a few rungs down on the bowl ladder, but it isn't something that they can't overcome. Realistically, K-State should be favored in two of their remaining three games. Nebraska and Fresno State will both be very difficult games to win, but the Cats have been impressive coming off of losses this season as they likely will be in both of these matchups. After going to the Texas Bowl last season, K-State takes a step up.
Buhl's Bowl Pick: Insight

Colorado, 5-5 (3-3)
The remaining schedule: @ Iowa State, Nebraska
Predicted finish: 6-6 (4-4)
Thoughts: Both of the remaining games for the Buffaloes could become trap games. Iowa State has been playing pretty good football the past three weeks, and Nebraska could have new life if an interim coach is named in the bye week after the K-State game. While either game could potentially be a loss, I see the Buffaloes winning on the road and losing at home.
Buhl's Bowl Pick: Independence

Nebraska, 4-6 (1-5)
The remaining schedule: Kansas State, @ Colorado
Predicted finish: 5-7 (2-6)
Thoughts: They've got to win one game, right? I mean, they are Nebraska! I don't see any way the Huskers win the two games necessary to become bowl eligible. They will be underdogs in both of their remaining contests, and their only chance to win either is if they come out with a renewed energy. I honestly don't see it happening with Bill Callahan still at the helm. Now, if they were to find an interim coach, then they may be able to pull some kind of energy for the Colorado game. Maybe.
Buhl's Bowl Pick: Staying Home

Keep in mind that these predictions are as of this week. With any luck, I should be able to make this a weekly feature up until the end of the season. Should be fun. Keep checking back.

Rainy Days and Mondays Always Get Me Down

Just some random thoughts about Wildcat athletics as we sit here on a Monday afternoon:

• Michael Beasley is good. Damn good. And so is Bill Walker. This will truly be a once in a lifetime experience for K-State fans to be able to watch two players of this caliber on the court at the same time. Every K-State fan should make a point to be at at least one Wildcat basketball game this year.
• Speaking of good. How good is Jordy Nelson? Just another ho hum 200 double digit receptions game for Jordy.
• Remember, Cat fans. This is the same Ron Prince that coached the Wildcats in the Texas game. The same Ron Prince that coached the Wildcats in the Colorado game. Well, you get the point.
• Perhaps the most disappointing thing from Saturday's game was, again, our defenses inability to stop the run. The 3-4 defense is based on having a steady rotation of big defensive linemen who can come in and eat up blocks so the linebackers can fly around and make plays. In this scheme, you simply cannot have a starting defensive line of Ian Campbell, Rob Jackson, and Brandon Balkcom. But, don't worry, help is on the way.
• Back to Jordy. You think he might be licking his chops heading into this weekend's game in Lincoln? The 'Skers are giving up an average of almost 250 passing yards per game. That number would be higher, except teams have rarely found it necessary to pass since the Blackshirts have the worst rushing defense in the Conference by almost 100 yards (250ypg).
• Word is that Nebraska may be accepting resignations early this week. I guess we'll see. If that happens, we could be facing a Huskers team with an interim head coach. That could mean that the players will rally around their new (short-lived) coach, or they may face a team that has given up altogether. I guess it remains to be seen, but I personally don't see any way that changing coaches mid-season is in any way positive.
• Another note on coach changes. Looks like Dennis Franchione is out at Texas A&M. Might as well start calling those recruits right now.
• Don't forget the men's basketball regular season opener this Friday night at 7pm. If you can't make it to the game, it's also on FSN Midwest. This should be a really fun season of basketball for the Cats, and the sky really is the limit for this team. Shades of Syracuse in 2003? I guess we'll have to wait and see.
• If you're like some Cat fans, you'll simply stop through Manhattan Friday night for the basketball game on your way up to Lincoln for Saturday morning's football game. Remember, that one starts at 11:30 again.
• Anyway, that's all for now. It's gonna be a long week.