Friday Five

Games all day starting at noon with the finale at 10:15pm - too much really. I've railed on previous BowlQuest journeys that a game or two could be played on Christmas Day but ESPN uses that day for the NBA and won't counter program themselves. 

Prior to the games I did get out for some exercise, walked a few miles taking in the splendor of my neighborhood. Gotta stay in shape. Radio ratings also were in so I had that to do during the first game.

North Carolina vs. Temple

This was a dog of a game from the get go. North Carolina's 6-6 record was not indicative of how they played including a couple one score losses and a one point loss to Clemson. The Tar Heels took Temple to the woodshed. 

North Carolina 55  Temple 13

My pick:  North Carolina

My bet:  North Carolina -5, winner 

Game notes

North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell was the game MVP, with 294 yards passing, three touchdowns, 53 yards rushing and a TD catch. Give him two trophies. 

What Did I Eat:  Leftovers, pork roast and mashed potatoes. 

Bowl Swag:  It's a secret.

Michigan State vs. Wake Forest

My Spartans finished another season 6-6 but at least found themselves in a slightly better game than last year's Red Box Bowl. Much better venue although the seating in Yankee Stadium looks terrible except for the end zone by home plate. 

Wake opened the scoring but MSU got a TD on a pick six by a defensive lineman. Down 21-20 at the half, the Spartans defense made needed adjustments and held the Demon Deacons scoreless in the second half. Typical of MSU, they had multiple chances to have a bigger lead but bogged down in the red zone. For the season they were 26 of 52 on scoring touchdowns in the red zone. Rough. 

Michigan State 27  Wake Forest 21

My pick:  Spartans, of course

My bet:  The under at 51.  I thought it was a loss with 41 points at the half but you never know what will happen in a bowl game. 

Game Notes

The referee in the game was Cooper Castleberry, who was officiating for the final time. 

Castleberry spend his last 17 years as an official in the Big 12, has been married to Julie (Noland) since 1974, has three kids, three grandchildren and founded his own church. And now you know. 

What Did I Eat:  Nothing. 

Bowl Swag:  JBL/Harmon gift card, a variety of New Era products. 

Go Green! On to the night games. I'll admit, I was gassed after two full games plus I was over invested in the MSU game. I did get the night games in but we're going quick hits here. 

Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma State 

I watched this game until the Holiday Bowl.  Good game, good crowd in Houston. 

Aggies 24  Cowboys 21

My pick:  Texas A&M 

What Did I Eat:  My wife Theresa made baked potato soup in her new Instapot. It was good but I think it was just creamy potato soup since there was no baking involved. I wasn't going to argue, she cooked.

Bowl Swag:  Academy Sports & Outdoors gift card, Justin cowboy hat, belt buckle, bandana, Adidas duffle bag, shoe bag and toiletry bag.  That's a bag heavy haul. 

Iowa vs. Southern Cal

This one was pretty much all Hawkeyes. They scored in every quarter and overwhelmed the Trojans. Good win and the final game for Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley who's been at Iowa since 2003, give or take a year. 

Iowa 49  USC 24

My pick:  Iowa, congrats to BowlQuest reader Bobby Hansen. 

What Did I Eat:  Nothing, the potato soup was pretty filling. 

Bowl Swag:  Gift suite, Fossil watch, wireless speaker. 

Air Force vs. Washington State

I flat out had no interest in this game despite the beautiful disaster that was last year's Cheez-It Bowl - nine interceptions and going to overtime to finish 17-10. 

Air Force had a 12+ minute drive for a score that went into the second quarter.   I was done after that. 

Air Force 31  Washington State 21

My Pick:  Air Force, my record is at 12-6 and I'm currently in 3rd place in the bowl pool I'm in. 

My bet:  Instead of three bets I did a three team parlay on the night games and did not win. Still, 2-for-3 on the day. 

What Did I Eat:  Nothing although we do have Cheez-Its if I wanted them. I had enough cheese with the potato soup. 

Bowl Swag:  Go Pro Hero 7 with accessories and carrying case, Fossil watch, Oakley sunglasses, Ogio backpack, History Of the Bowls: Celebrating The Good Of the Game book, Ice Shaker insulated bottle, Branded Bills cap and travel case. How about a year's supply of Cheez-Its? 

Four games today including the playoff games. I like LSU and Clemson to move on to the championship game.