2016 BOWL MATRIX CHALLENGE: Round 7... Games of Sat. Dec 31st (Privately sponsored by Russell & Ciara Wilson)

 Saturday,  December 31st
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BUFFALO WILD WINGS CITRUS BOWL
11:00 #20 LSU (7-4) vs. #13 Louisville (9-3) ABC

TAXSLAYER BOWL
11:00 Georgia Tech (8-4) vs. Kentucky (7-5) ESPN

NOTE: You can roll up to 20 CONFIDENCE POINTS on CFP SEMIFINAL GAMES...


CHICK-FIL-A PEACH BOWL - CFP SEMIFINAL
3:00 #4 Washington (12-1) vs. #1 Alabama (13-0)  ESPN

PLAYSTATION FIESTA BOWL - CFP SEMIFINAL
7:00 #3 Ohio State (11-1) vs. #2 Clemson (12-1) ESPN

2016 BOWL MATRIX CHALLENGE: Round 6... Games of Fri. Dec 30th (Privately sponsored by Russell & Ciara Wilson)

 2016 Friday, December 30th
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AUTOZONE LIBERTY BOWL
12:00 Georgia (7-5) vs. TCU (6-6) ESPN

HYUNDAI SUN BOWL
2:00 #18 Stanford (9-3) vs. North Carolina (8-4) CBS

FRANKLIN AMERICAN MORTGAGE MUSIC CITY BOWL
3:30 Nebraska (9-3) vs. #21 Tennessee (8-4) ESPN

NOVA HOME LOANS ARIZONA BOWL
5:30 South Alabama (6-6) vs. Air Force (9-3) ASN

CAPITAL ONE ORANGE BOWL
8:00 #6 Michigan (10-2) vs. #11 Florida State (9-3) ESPN

2016 BOWL MATRIX CHALLENGE: Round 5 (Privately sponsored by Russell & Ciara Wilson)

 Wednesday, December 28th
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NEW ERA PINSTRIPE BOWL
2:00 #23 Pittsburgh (8-4) vs. Northwestern (6-6) ESPN

RUSSELL ATHLETIC BOWL
5:30 #16 West Virginia (10-2) vs. Miami, THE U (8-4) ESPN

FOSTER FARMS BOWL
8:30 Indiana (6-6) vs. #19 Utah (8-4)  FOX

ADVOCARE V100 TEXAS BOWL
9:00 Texas A&M (8-4) vs. Kansas State (8-4) ESPN

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Thursday, December 29th
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BIRMINGHAM BOWL
2:00 South Florida (10-2) vs. South Carolina (6-6) ESPN

BELK BOWL
5:30 Arkansas (7-5) vs. #22 Virginia Tech (9-4) ESPN

VALERO ALAMO BOWL 
9:00 #12 Oklahoma State (9-3) vs. #10 Colorado (10-3) ESPN

2016 BOWL MARIX CHALLENGE: Round 4 (Privately sponsored by Russell & Ciara Wilson)

 Monday, December 26th
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ST. PETERSBURG BOWL
11:00 Miami, Ohio (6-6) vs. Mississippi State (5-7) ESPN

QUICK LANE BOWL
2:30 Maryland (6-6) vs. Boston College (6-6) ESPN

CAMPING WORLD INDEPENDENCE BOWL
5:00 NC State (6-6) vs. Vanderbilt (6-6) ESPN2

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Tuesday, December 27th
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ZAXBY'S HEART OF DALLAS BOWL
12:00 Army (7-5) vs. North Texas (5-7) ESPN

MILITARY BOWL PRESENTED BY NORTHROP GRUMMAN
3:30 #24 Temple (10-3) vs. Wake Forest (6-6) ESPN

NATIONAL FUNDING HOLIDAY BOWL
7:00 Minnesota (8-4) vs. Washington State (8-4) ESPN

MOTEL 6 CACTUS BOWL
10:15 Boise State (10-2) vs. Baylor (6-6) ESPN

2016 BOWL MATRIX CHALLENGE: Round 3 (privately sponsored by Russell & Ciara Wilson)

Friday, December 23rd
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POPEYES BAHAMAS BOWL
1:00 Eastern Michigan (7-5) vs. Old Dominion (9-3) ESPN

LOCKHEED MARTIN ARMED FORCES BOWL
4:30 Louisiana Tech (8-5) vs. #25 Navy (9-4) ESPN

DOLLAR GENERAL BOWL
8:00 Ohio (8-5) vs. Troy (9-3) ESPN

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Saturday, December  24th
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HAWAI'I BOWL
8:00 Hawai'i (6-7) vs. Middle Tennessee (8-4) ESPN

2016 BOWL MATRIX CHALLENGE: Round 2 (privately sponsored by Russell & Ciara Wilson)

(YOU CAN PICK GAME TO GAME OR ALL AT ONCE... JUST MAKE SURE PICK IS IN ON TIME!!!)


Monday, December 19th

MIAMI BEACH BOWL
2:30 Central Michigan (6-6) vs. Tulsa (9-3) ESPN
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Tuesday, December 20th

BOCA RATON BOWL
7:00 Memphis (8-4) vs. Western Kentucky (10-3) ESPN
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Wednesday, December 21st

SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION POINSETTIA BOWL
9:00 Brigham Young (8-4) vs. Wyoming (8-5) ESPN

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Thursday, December 22nd

FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL
7:00 Idaho (8-4) vs. Colorado State (7-5) ESPN

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2016 BOWL MATRIX CHALLENGE: Round 1 (privately sponsored by Russell & Ciara Wilson)

REMEMBER... assign a point value for CONFIDENCE level for each game (10 highest > 1 lowest)

If you pick game correctly, you get the assigned points. If you pick game incorrectly, you lose those points. 


Saturday, December 17th
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GILDAN NEW MEXICO BOWL
2:00 New Mexico (8-4) vs. Texas San Antonio (6-6) ESPN

LAS VEGAS BOWL (PRESENTED BY GEICO)
3:30 Houston (9-3) vs. San Diego State (10-3) ABC

RAYCOM MEDIA CAMELLIA BOWL
5:30 Appalachian State (9-3) vs. Toledo (9-3) ESPN

AUTONATION CURE BOWL
5:30 Central Florida (6-6) vs. Arkansas State (7-5) CBS Sports Network

R+L CARRIERS NEW ORLEANS BOWL
9:00 Southern Mississippi (6-6) vs. Louisiana Lafayette (6-6) ESPN

2016 COLLEGE FOOTBALL CHALLENGE STANDINGS (privately sponsored this year by Russell & Ciara Wilson)

2016 College Football Challenge Standings
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               Overall    LW     GB        Pct.



Richard       108-32    9-1              -           .771
DGray         107-33   7-3              1           .764
Will             103-37    7-3             5            .736

 

Jeff              98-42     7-3            10           .700
Ryan           96-44     5-5            12           .711

Bruce         95-45     6-4             13           .679
Craig          93-47     7-3             15           .664
DGreen      92-48     6-4             16           .657
Chuck        89-51     7-3              19           .636
Matt           86-54     6-5              22           .614

(Ryan was actually overcome by cold medicine last weekend and only got 5 of his picks in. He was 5-0, but had to count the rest as L's because there are no make-up games next weekend).

WEEK #14 GAMES: 2016 College Football Challenge (privately sponsored by Russell & Ciara Wilson

Friday, December 2nd
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MAC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME @ Ford Field, Detroit
7:00 #17 Western Michigan (12-0) vs. Ohio (8-4) ESPN2

PAC 12 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME @ Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara
9:00 #8 Colorado (10-2) vs. #4 Washington (11-1) FOX
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Saturday, December 3rd
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12:00 Kansas State (7-4) at Texas Christian (6-5) Fox Sports 1

AMERICAN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
12:00 Temple (9-3) at #19 Navy (9-2) ABC

CONFERENCE-USA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
12:00 Louisiana Tech (8-4) at Western Kentucky (9-3) ESPN

12:30 #10 Oklahoma State (9-2) at #9 Oklahoma (9-2) FOX

SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME @ Georgia Dome, Atlanta
4:00 #1 Alabama (12-0) vs. #15 Florida (8-3) CBS

MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
7:45 San Diego State (9-3) at Wyoming (8-4) ESPN

ACC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME @ Camping World Stadium, Orlando (should have been Charlotte)
8:00 #3 Clemson (11-1) vs. #23 Virginia Tech (9-3) ABC

BIG 10 + 4 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME @ Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis 
8:00 #6 Wisconsin (10-2) vs. #7 Penn State (10-2) FOX


MATTY ICE'S make-up game (he was distracted by Macy's Parade and missed a play on LSU-A&M)

3:00 Louisiana-Lafayette (5-6) at Louisiana-Monroe (4-7) ESPN3.com


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ALMOST made the cut...

Troy at Georgia Southern (Can't believe the 9-2 Trojans are only favored by a TD over 4-7 Eagles)

Louisiana-Lafayette at Louisiana-Monroe (Tough game to call between middlin' Louisiana teams).

Baylor at West Virginia (Jim Grobe did get defunct Bears to bowl eligibility)

New Mexico State at South Alabama (Can Jaguars get to bowl eligibility?)

Georgia State at Idaho (Vandals a sneaky-good 7-4 and in sole possession of 2nd place in Sun Belt).

THAT'S A WRAP ON THE REGULAR SEASON, BOYZ!!! (I wonder if we will need that Army-Navy game next weekend as a tiebreaker???)

WEEK #13 GAMES: 2016 College Football Challenge (privately sponsored by Russell & CIara Wilson)

Thursday, November 24th (HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!)
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7:30 LSU (6-4) at Texas A&M (8-3) ESPN

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BLACK Friday, November 25th
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12:00 NC State (5-6) at North Carolina (8-3) ESPN

3:30 #5 Washington (10-1) at #23 Washington State (8-3) FOX

3:30 #16 Nebraska (9-2) at Iowa (7-4) ABC

5:00 Toledo (9-2) at #21 Western Michigan (11-0) ESPN2

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Saturday, November 26th
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12:00 #3 Michigan (10-1) at #2 Ohio State (10-1) ABC

12:00 Georgia Tech (7-4) at Georgia (7-4) SEC Network

3:30 Duke (4-7) at Miami, THE U (7-4) ESPN2

3:30 #13 Auburn (8-3) at #1 Alabama (11-0) CBS

8:00 #15 Florida (8-2) at #14 Florida State (8-3) ABC


ALMOST made the cut...

#19 Boise State at Air Force (Could be a great one, but Broncs favored by almost 10 on the road)

#20 Houston at Memphis (Cougs are stoked after win over Louisville. Lots of points here).

#22 Utah at #9 Colorado (Buffs are for real and too dominant of a home team for Utes).

Mississippi State at Mississippi (Both teams underachieving. Bulldogs only get an egg for winning, Rebs get egg plus bowl eligibility). 

Wyoming at New Mexico (Only hardcore will watch this one. Could be a nice game out west).

WEEK #12 GAMES: 2016 College Football Challenge (privately sponsored by Russell & Ciara Wilson)

(I'll have numbers to the left of the teams after CFP Show tonight on ESPN).

Thursday, November 17th
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8:00 #5 Louisville (9-1) at Houston (8-2) ESPN

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Saturday, November 19th
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12:00 #11 Oklahoma State (8-2) at Texas Christian (5-4) Fox Sports 1

12:30 Miami, THE U (6-4) at NC State (5-5) ACC Network

3:00 Duke (4-6) at Pittsburgh (6-4) RSN

3:30 Virginia Tech (7-3) at Notre Dame (4-6) NBC

3:30 #22 Washington State (8-2) at #10 Colorado (8-2)

3:30 THE Citadel (10-0) at North Carolina (7-3) ACC Network Extra

3:30 Northwestern (5-5) at Minnesota (7-3) Big 10 + 4 Network

7:00 Arkansas (6-4) at Mississippi State (4-6) ESPNU

8:00  #9 Oklahoma (8-2) at #14 West Virginia (8-1) ABC


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ALMOST made the cut...

Stanford at California (Hate to leave out this big rivalry, but Bears D is atrocious)

USC at UCLA (Trojans are rising like THE Donald, Bruins falling like Hillary)

Florida at LSU (Gators have good D, but not much else. Tigers very dangerous but no chance at CFP)

Tulsa at Central Florida (Best game of the day that nobody will pay attention to)

New Mexico at Colorado State (SECOND best game nobody will pay attention to. Betcha didn't know Lobos are 7-3?)

Kansas State at Baylor (Jim Grobe has done an admirable job at cleaning up Art Briles mess)

AFTER FURTHER REVIEW... (WEEK #11)

TOP TEN

(teams in all caps would be in College Football Playoff if season ended today... but why would it?)

1. ALABAMA - #1 with a bullet. Scrimmage vs. UT-Chat before Auburn on Nov. 26th.

2. LOUISVILLE - Not best schedule in the world, but Cards have best first loss of the season among CFP contenders (Clemson) and Lamar Jackson. Must get off to strong start at Houston Thursday.

3. OHIO STATE  -They have beaten Oklahoma, Wisconsin (both on road) and overrated Nebraska. Shouldn't have lost to an even more overrated Penn State team. Can't look past struggling Sparty before clash with Michigan.

4. CLEMSON - Losing at home to Pitt evoked memories of "Clemsoning". Win over Louisville keeps Tigers in Top 4. Must be VERY careful at Wake Forest this weekend (for real).

5. Michigan - Harbaugh's boyz gagged an UGLY one at Iowa. Schedule just not impressive enough to stay in Top 4. Must not overlook Hoosiers before trip to Columbus.

6. Washington  - No real shame in losing to PAC-12's most talented team... USC's Trojans. Should toast Sun Devils before monster game at Wazzu.

7. Wisconsin - Only losses to Michigan and tOSU. Badgers very much in Big 10 + 4 title game contention. Will crush Boilers Saturday.

8. Colorado - Buffs have won 4 straight. Will prove a Top 10 playa or fraud against equally hot Wazzu Saturday afternoon in Boulder.

9. Oklahoma - Stoops has done great job of righting ship after 1-2 start. Still don't believe they are a CFP contender as many in the media. Tough test at Morgantown Saturday NIGHT.

10. Penn State - REALLY can't believe I have PSU here. tOSU win gives them some street cred, but I believe they are fraudulent. Would be funny if they lost to The State College of New Jersey this weekend... but that won't happen.

RANKING THE ACC (plus Notre Dame, App State and ECU)

1. CLEMSON (Lost to Pitt, but beat Louisville. Should still represent ACC Atlantic in title game but might get test from Deacs if everything falls right).

2. LOUISVILLE (Hopes Deacs play all four quarters vs. Clemson like first three last weekend. Must be focused at Houston Thursday). 

3. NORTH CAROLINA (tFSU win keeps 'em at #3, but loss to Duke concerning. Still hoping to take Coastal, but chances are slim).

4. FLORIDA STATE (Probably more talent than UNC, but focus has been problem. Will crush Orange before Gator Nation comes callin')

5. VIRGINIA TECH (Hokies are trying to give Coastal away. Good thing Notre Dame isn't a "conference game')

6. MIAMI (Canes are regaining some strength. Be ready, Wolfpack!) 

7. PITTSBURGH (Program defining win at Clemson. Can't give it back at home against Dookies). 

8. NC STATE (Win over 'Cuse puts Wulffies within one of a 6-pack. Can they beat Miami and/or UNC-Cheat?)

9. WAKE FOREST (Deacs are goin' bowlin'. Might give Clem'son a time at BB&T Field Saturday).

10. GEORGIA TECH (Jackets are bowl eligible. Hoos in Hotlanta this weekend).

11. APPALACHIAN STATE (Tough loss to Troy last weekend. UL Monroe would give Mounties eight wins).

12. DUKE  (Give Coach Cut props for close losses at GT, home VT, and win at Wallace Wade last Thursday vs. UNC. Interesting game at Pitt coming up). 

13. NOTRE DAME (Trying to get to six. Hokies in South Bend). 

14. SYRACUSE (Future looks nice with Dino Babers. Will get crushed by FSU Saturday).

15. VIRGINIA (Hoos have a nice future ahead... but it's hoops time).

16. EAST CAROLINA (I would like to see a match-up with Boston College). 

17. BOSTON COLLEGE (I would like to see a match-up with East Carolina).  

WEEK #11 GAMES: 2016 College Football Challenge (sponsored privately by Russell & Ciara Wilson)

Thursday, November 10th
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7:30 #17 North Carolina (7-2) at Duke (3-6) ESPN

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Saturday, November 12th
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12:00 #16 West Virginia (7-1) at Texas (5-4) Longhorn Network

12:00 Tulsa (7-2) at Navy (6-2) CBS Sports Network

12:30 NC State (4-5) at Syracuse (4-5) ACC Network

3:30 Appalachian State (7-2) Troy (7-1) ESPN3.com

7:00 #24 LSU (5-3) at #25 Arkansas (6-3) ESPN

7:00 South Florida (7-2) at Memphis (6-3) ESPNU

7:30 Minnesota (7-2) at #19 Nebraska (7-2) Big 10 + 4 Network

 7:30  #20 USC (6-3) at #4 Washington (9-0) FOX

10:15 Colorado State (5-4) at Air Force (6-3) ESPNU

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Due to a technical error in submitting last week here are David S. Green's make-up games...

THURSDAY
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7:30 Louisiana-Lafayette at Georgia Southern
9:30 #15 Utah at Arizona State

SATURDAY
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12:00 Kentucky at Tennessee
12:00 Southern Methodist at East Carolina
3:00 Wyoming at UNLV
3:30 Vanderbilt at Missouri
4:00 Stanford at Oregon
4:00 Idaho at Texas State 
6:00 UTEP at Florida Atlantic
7:00 Middle Tennessee at Marshall

 ________________________________

ALMOST made the cut...

Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech (Jackets defensive performance last two weeks vs. Duke & UNC took this game off the grid)

Stanford at Oregon (Tress are only favored by FG, but Ducks have looked positively AWFUL at times this year)

#16 Utah at Arizona State (Possible upset special, but Sun Devils have been falling like an unadulterated rock)

Texas Tech at Oklahoma State (Lots of points, but Pokes just the better team in Stillwater)

Vanderbilt at Missouri (Razor thin point spread, but Mizzou is 2-7... you know how I feel about 2-7 teams on the grid).

WEEK #10 GAMES: 2016 College Football Challenge (privately sponsored by Russell & Ciara Wilson)

Saturday, November 5th
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11:30 AM Navy (5-2) vs. Notre Dame (3-5) @ Jacksonville, FL CBS

12:00 Texas (4-4) at Texas Tech (4-4) Fox Sports 1

12:30 Georgia Tech (5-3) at #21 North Carolina (6-2) ACC Network

12:30 Pittsburgh (5-3) at Miami, THE U (4-4) ACC Network Extra

3:30 #19 Virginia Tech (6-2) at Duke (3-5) ESPNU

3:30 #11 Florida (6-1) at Arkansas (5-3) CBS

7:00 #22 Florida State (5-3) at NC State (4-4) ESPNU

7:30 Iowa (5-3) at #12 Penn State (6-2) Big 10 + 4 Network

8:00 #1 Alabama (8-0) at #13 LSU (5-2) CBS

8:00 #10 Nebraska (7-1) at #6 Ohio State (7-1) ABC

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ALMOST made the cut...

#8 Wisconsin at Northwestern (Really intriguing game as Cats are rapidly improving. Came down to this one and Iowa at #12 Penn State).

Virginia at Wake Forest (Should be a close game, but no 2-6 team shows its face on game day slate)

Oklahoma State at Kansas State (Two good Big 12 - 2 teams at Little Apple).

Texas Christian at #17 Baylor (That number to the left of Bears could keep rising if Bears aren't on "A game")

Brigham Young at Cincinnati (Both teams are 4-4, but not all 4-4s are the same)

WEEK #9 GAMES: 2016 College Football Challenge (privately sponsored by Russell & Ciara Wilson)

 Thursday, October 27th
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7:00 #25 Virginia Tech (5-2) at Pittsburgh (5-2)  ESPN

7:30 Appalachian State (5-2) at Georgia Southern (4-3) ESPNU
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Friday, October 28th
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7:00 #22 Navy (5-1) at South Florida (6-2) ESPN2

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Saturday, October 29th
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12:00 Duke (3-4) at Georgia Tech (4-3) RSN

12:00 #10 West Virginia (6-0) at Oklahoma State (5-2) FOX

12:30 Boston College (3-4) at NC State (4-3) ACC Network

3:30 #4 Washington (7-0) at #17 Utah (7-1) Fox Sports 1

7:00 #7 Nebraska (7-0) at #11 Wisconsin (5-2) ESPN

7:15 #15 Auburn (5-2) at Mississippi (3-4) SEC Network

8:00 #3 Clemson (7-0) at #12 Florida State (5-2) ABC

NOTE:  The North Carolina Tar Heels have the weekend off

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ALMOST made the cut...

Miami at Notre Dame (Could be a tough game to pick, but glory days are gone...)

#14 Florida vs. Georgia (World's Largest Cocktail Party is tough to pass up)

#8 Baylor at Texas (Bears are only favored by a FG by Vegas... as of Monday)

Texas Tech at TCU (Red Raiders Patrick Ma' Homey through for over 700 yds vs. OU last weekend)

Arizona State at Oregon (these two teams are mind blowingly hard to figure)

Stanford at Arizona (see above)

WEEK #8 GAMES: 2016 College Football Challenge (privately sponsored by Russell & Ciara Wilson)

Thursday, October 20th
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7:00 Miami (4-2) at Virginia Tech (4-2) ESPN

10:15 Brigham Young (4-3) at #14 Boise State (6-0) ESPN

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Saturday, October 22nd
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12:00 NC State (4-2) at #7 Louisville (5-1) ABC

12:00 Indiana (3-3) at Northwestern (3-3) Big 10 + 4 Network

3:00 Colorado (5-2) at Stanford (4-2) PAC 12 Network

3:00 #22 North Carolina (5-2) at Virginia (2-4) RSN

3:30 #6 Texas A&M (6-0) at #1 Alabama (7-0) CBS

3:30 Memphis (5-1) at #24 Navy (4-1) CBS Sports Network

6:00 #17 Arkansas (5-2) at #21 Auburn (4-2) ESPN

9:00 #23 Mississippi (3-3) at #25 LSU (4-2) ESPN


NOTE:  The Duke Blue Devils have the weekend off.

________________________________

ALMOST made the cut...

Texas at Kansas State (Battle of 3-3 Big 12 - 2 teams)

#10 Wisconsin at Iowa (Badgers should win, but will have to be emotionally ready vs. Hawkeyes)

Central Michigan at Toledo (Big MAC game)

Washington State at Arizona State (Lots of points. Cougs becoming surprise team out west).

#19 Utah at UCLA (Bruins due for a big win, Utes looking for PAC-12 title game). 

WEEK #7 GAMES: 2016 College Football Challenge (sponsored privately by Russell & CIara Wilson)

 Friday, October 14th
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7:00 Duke (3-3) at #7 Louisville (4-1) ESPN
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Saturday, October 15th
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12:00 NC State (4-1) at #3 Clemson (6-0) ABC

12:00 #20 West Virginia (4-0) at Texas Tech (3-2) Fox Sports 1

3:30 #1 Alabama (6-0) at #9 Tennessee (5-1) CBS

3:30 North Carolina (4-2) at #16 Miami, THE U (4-1) ABC

7:00 #12 Mississippi (3-2) at #22 Arkansas (4-2) ESPN

7:30 Stanford (3-2) at Notre Dame (2-4) NBC

8:00 Arizona State (5-1) at Colorado (4-2) PAC 12 Network

8:00 #2 Ohio State (5-0) at #8 Wisconsin (4-1) ABC

10:30 UCLA (3-3) at Washington State (3-2) ESPN

______________________________

Jazzy Jeff's make up game (didn't get the memo about the LSU/FLA, UCLA/ASU swap):

3:30 Northwestern (2-3) at Michigan State (2-3) Big 10 + 4 Network
 
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ALMOST made the cut...

Northwestern at Michigan State (It was a razor thin decision with Stanford/ND, David S. Green)

#24 Western Michigan at Akron (Good to see MAC back in Top 25. Big conference game)

Pittsburgh at Virginia (Hoos better than most people thought)

USC at Arizona (BOTH of these teams more talented than their record indicates)

Kansas State at #19 Oklahoma (Bill Snyder usually has troops ready for Boomer Sooner)

WEEK #6 GAMES: 2016 College Football Challenge (privately sponsored by Russell & Ciara Wilson)

Celebrating 50 YEARS of Carter-Finley Stadium (to the day) vs. Notre Dame. (Will there be a parade on Hillsborough Street if Pack beats Irish a la 2003?)

All apologies to Florida State/Miami and Virginia Tech/UNC. Should be two outstanding ACC games will all four teams having a number to the left of their name.

Saturday, October 8th
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12:00  * Notre Dame (2-3) at NC State (3-1) ABC

12:00 Texas (2-2) vs. #20 Oklahoma (2-2) @ Dallas "Red River Shootout" Fox Sports 1

12:30 Georgia Tech (3-2) at Pittsburgh (3-2) ACC Network

3:30 #25 Virginia Tech (3-1) at #17 North Carolina (4-1) ABC

3:30 Army (3-1) at Duke (2-3) RSN

3:30 Brigham Young (2-3) at Michigan State (2-2) ESPN2

3:30 #9 Tennessee (5-0) at #8 Texas A&M (5-0) CBS

7:00  #1 Alabama (5-0) at #16 Arkansas (4-1) ESPN

8:00 #23 Florida State (3-2) at #10 Miami, THE U (4-0) ABC

10:30 UCLA (3-2) at Arizona State (4-1) ESPN2

_________________________________________________

ALMOST made the cut...

#5 Washington at Oregon (Huskies try to end 12 year drought vs. Oregon. Ducks are sliding)

Georgia at South Carolina (Can DAWGS recover from miracle Vol finish last week?)

#21 Colorado at USC (Buffs are a sneaky good team)

Auburn at Mississippi State (Just another ugly SEC game...)

WEEK #5 GAMES: 2016 College Football Challenge (sponsored privately by Russell & Ciara Wilson)

Friday, September 30th
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9:00 #7 Stanford (3-0) at #10 Washington (4-0) ESPN

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Saturday, October 1st
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12:00 #22 Texas (2-1) at Oklahoma State (2-2) ABC

12:30 Virginia (1-3) at Duke (2-2) ACC Network

3:30 #11 Tennessee (4-0) at #25 Georgia (3-1) CBS

3:30 North Carolina (3-1) at #12 Florida State (3-1) ESPN

3:30 Wake Forest (4-0) at NC State (2-1) RSN

3:30 #8 Wisconsin (4-0) at Michigan (4-0) ABC

5:00 Oklahoma (1-2) at #21 Texas Christian (3-1) FOX

8:00 #3 Louisville (4-0) at #5 Clemson (4-0) ABC

10:30 Arizona (2-2) at UCLA (2-2) ESPN

_______________________________________

ALMOST made the cut...

#18 Utah at California (Should be great game, but if Bears are on slate again this week, some might think I have a Cal infatuation... I DON'T)

Missouri at LSU (first game post-Mad Hatter Era... some Pack Backers want Les?)

#14 Miami at Georgia Tech (not as sexy of an ACC game as it looks)

Arizona State at USC (Trojans might be best 1-3 team in country)

Memphis at Mississippi (Tigers are 3-0 with Justin Fuente leftovers)

Kansas State at West Virginia (Just another classic Big 12 - 2 game)

WEEK #4 GAMES: 2016 College Football Challenge (sponsored privately by Russell & Ciara Wilson)

Will Rocky Top snap 11 game skid vs. Gator Nation this weekend?

(You could also make a good case for Arkansas at Texas A&M for Game of the Week)

Saturday, September 24th
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12:00 #12 Georgia (3-0) at #23 Mississippi (1-2) ESPN

12:00 #11 Wisconsin (3-0) at #8 Michigan State (2-0) Big 10 + 4 Network

12:30 East Carolina (2-1) at Virginia Tech (2-1) ACC Network

3:30 Duke (1-2) at Notre Dame (1-2) NBC

3:30 #19 Florida (3-0) at #14 Tennessee (3-0) CBS

3:30 Pittsburgh (2-1) at North Carolina (2-1) ESPNU

3:30 Brigham Young (1-2) at West Virginia (2-0) ESPN2

6:00 #18 LSU (2-1) at Auburn (1-2) ESPN

9:00 #17 Arkansas (3-0) vs. #10 Texas A&M (3-0) Southwest Classic @ Arlington ESPN

10:00 California (2-1) at Arizona State (3-0) ESPN2

NOTE:  NC STATE has week off before mighty Demon Deacs invade Carter-Finley on Oct. 1st.



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ALMOST made the cut...

USC at #24 Utah (Trojans desperately need win vs. undefeated Utes. I don't like Friday games) 
#5 Clemson at Georgia Tech (This game LOOKS much sexier than it actually is this year)
#13 tFSU at USF (Da Bulls are 3-0 and crowd will be pumped. Jimbo will have Noles ready)
#7 Stanford at UCLA (Trees should get W in second straight weekend vs. school from LA)
Colorado at Oregon (Might be most entertaining game of weekend nobody is talkin' about)
#9 Washington at Arizona (Sneaky sucker game. Huskies might be for real, but creampuff schedule thus far)

WEEK #3 GAMES: 2016 College Football Challenge (privately sponsored by Russell & Ciara Wilson)

Saturday, September 17th
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12:00 #2 Florida State (2-0) at #10 Louisville (2-0) ABC

12:00 #25 Miami, THE U (2-0) at Appalachian State (1-1) ESPN

3:30 #1 Alabama (2-0) at #19 Mississippi (1-1) CBS

3:30 #22 Oregon (2-0) at Nebraska (2-0) ABC

3:30 James Madison (2-0) at North Carolina (1-1) ACC Network Extra

4:00 East Carolina (2-0) at South Carolina (1-1) SEC Network

6:00 Old Dominion (1-1) at NC State (1-1) ACC Network Extra

7:30 #12 Michigan State (1-0) at #18 Notre Dame (1-1) NBC

7:30 #3 Ohio State (2-0) at #14 Oklahoma (1-1) FOX

8:00 Duke (1-1) at Northwestern (0-2) Big 10 + 4 Network

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ALMOST made the cut...

UCLA at BYU (Sorry, Jazzy Jeff... maybe I should rethink the Triangle Area team requirement?)
USC at Stanford (Trojans have the talent to beat Trees, but Alabama game says otherwise)
Texas A&M at Auburn (Trying to decide if AU close loss to Clemson was mirage. CU struggled w/ Troy)
Mississippi State at LSU (Just another uuuuugly SEC game)
Pittsburgh at Oklahoma State (Could be sneaky-good game if officials read rule book beforehand)

WEEK #2 GAMES: 2016 College Football Challenge (sponsored privately by Russell & Ciara Wilson)

Saturday, September 10th (probably weakest slate of games in 11 year history of CFC)
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12:00 NC State (1-0) at East Carolina (1-0) ESPNU

12:00 Penn State (1-0) at Pittsburgh (1-0) ESPN

12:00 Cincinnati (1-0) at Purdue (1-0) Big 10 + 4 Network

3:30 Wake Forest (1-0) at Duke (1-0) ESPNU

3:30 Old Dominion (1-0) at Appalachian State (0-1) ESPN3.com

7:30 Brigham Young (1-0) at Utah (1-0) FOX

7:30 North Carolina (0-1) at Illinois (1-0) Big 10 + 4 Network

8:00 Virginia Tech (1-0) vs. #17 Tennessee (1-0) ABC @ Bristol Motor Speedway

10:00 Texas Tech (1-0) at Arizona State (1-0)  Fox Sports 1

10:30 California (1-0) at San Diego State (1-0) CBS Sports Network

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ALMOST made the cut ...

Louisville at Syracuse (Pitino and Jimmy B are going to be mad at me)
UCF at Michigan (Knights can be sneaky good, but won't beat Harbaugh at Big House)
South Carolina at Mississippi State (ugly SEC game, ODU/AppSt much more entertaining)
Arkansas at TCU (meh?)
Iowa State at Iowa (maybe if Cyclones hadn't lost to UNI last weekend)

WEEK #1 GAMES: 2016 College Football Challenge (sponsored privately by Russell & Ciara Wilson)

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!!
 
Thursday, September 1st
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7:30 William & Mary at North Carolina State ACC NETWORK EXTRA

Saturday, September 3rd
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7:30 AM Georgia Tech vs. Boston College  ESPN2 (@ Aviva Stadium, Dublin)

12:00 #3 Oklahoma vs. #15 Houston  ABC (@ NRG Stadium, Houston)

13:30 #16 UCLA at Texas A&M  CBS

5:30 #22 North Carolina vs. #18 Georgia ESPN  (@ Georgia Dome, Hotlanta)

6:00 North Carolina Central University at Duke ESPN3.com (Battle for Bull City)

8:00 #20 USC vs. #1 Alabama  ABC (@ AT&T Stadium, Arlington)

10:30 Brigham Young vs. Arizona (@ University of Phoenix Stadium)  FS1

Sunday, September 4th
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7:30 #10 Notre Dame vs. Texas  ABC

Monday, September 5th
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8:00 #11 Mississippi vs. #4 Florida State  ESPN (@ Florida Citrus Bowl, Orlando)

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ALMOST made the cut: 
 
South Carolina at Vanderbilt
Boise State at Louisiana Lafayette (both always seem to be bowl bound)
#5 LSU at vs. Wisconsin (Badgers will be ready playing at Lambeau Field, but should be blowout)
#2 Clemson at Auburn (Dabo's team too talented, but strange things can happen at Jordan-Hare)
Missouri at West Virginia 
Richmond at Virginia (Rocco gets a tough test in maiden voyage as Hoos coach)

MY AFC & NFC CHAMPIONSHIP PICKS

Sunday, January 24th
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AFC CHAMPIONSHIP

Patriots 29 Broncos 23:
Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady Round 17, and I couldn't be more nauseous. (Seriously, this will be another great match-up between these two grizzled veterans. I will enjoy the game despite myself). The Pats are riddled with injuries (up to 16 players listed at best as questionable), but one of them is NOT Tom "The Deflator" Brady. The Broncs are a bit healthier and playing at Mile High, but Manning is not back to 100 by any stretch. New England not afraid to play on the road at all. Brady finds a way like he did last weekend vs. Chiefs.


NFC CHAMPIONSHIP:

Panthers 37 Cardinals 34:
As long as Bank of America field is in DECENT shape (and after last week's game vs. Seachickens, that is a BIG IF), there should be lots of points in this one. Larry Fitzgerald and the AZ receiving corps will be a challenge to defend with a depleted Carolina secondary. Carson Palmer will need to be on top of his game for this battery to work (he did not bring his "A game" last weekend vs. Pack). But, let's face it, this IS the year of THE CAM and the now 16-1 Panthers. As long as Carolina doesn't take a half off (a la Seattle game) and plays a full and intense 60, Newton & Co. will be a Gano FG better to set up another Panthers-Pats Super Bowl at Levi Stadium. 

MY NFC & AFC DIVISIONAL PICKS

Saturday, December 16th

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New England 26 Kansas City 23:

Pats come into playoffs losers of 4 of last 6, but home field advantage will be a big help in this one (although no snow predicted). Alex Smith having an incredible year for Chiefs, and the defense is stout. Tom Brady will find some way to pull this one out of his hat (or another 3 letter word). #gochiefs

Cardinals 37 Packers 33:

Cards laid waste to Pack a couple of weeks ago in the desert (38-8). Aaron Rogers looked sharp (as did the running game) vs. Redskins last weekend, but Skins are by far the weakest team in playoffs. Green Bay makes it a much better game this time around, but AZ moves on. 

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Sunday, December 17th

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Panthers 30 Seahawks 27:

I have been flip-flopping on this pick all week. Russell Wilson is playing VERY well (even in the negative zero conditions in Minneapolis he showed out), and he knows a thing or two about playing well in Charlotte (college & pro). Wilson wants this game badly back in the Ol' North State, but CAM is the MVP!!! Jonathan Stewart is back of the DL for Panthers, and Marshawn Lynch says he is "ready" to come back this weekend (although he said the same about the Vikings game). Gano gives the Panthers a win with a FG late. 

Broncos 33 Steelers 27:

Yeah, Peyton Manning is back, but not sure how close to 100% he really is. Steelers probably shouldn't be in Divisional round after that UGLY and somewhat lucky win over Bengals last weekend. Steel Curtain won in Pittsburgh a couple of weeks ago, but Broncos find a way at Mile High. (I will get physically ill if I have to watch another Pats-Broncos game). 

2015 BOWL MATRIX CHALLENGE (sponsored by Shreddie's & Bojangle's)

2015 BOWL MATRIX CHALLENGE STANDINGS
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                         R4   R5     R6   R7     R8    Champ   Overall       W/L

Will                   26      5       5     45     35         -10       241        30-12
Jeff                    13      0      20     31   16            9        217        28-14
DGray               15      2      -5     50    20           -10      207        28-14
Bruce                17     -4     12     14      0           -35      128        27-15
Richard             24     25     15     23    13           -95      118        29-13
DGreen             18      18   -12     -9     3            -48       97         23-19
Ryan                 18     10     20    10      0             -95      82        24-18
Chuck                21    -14     20    -5    -15          -25       65        19-23
Craig                -10     -10     -7     30   -1            -65       48        20-22


Matt                    4        0     -10    15    -1            X       95         22-19
(Matty Ice became infatuated with UNC basketball and sat out the title game).




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42 GAMES AND HERE WE GO...

NEW SCORING SYSTEM:
This year we will be using a CONFIDENCE level pick system (game by game). Here's how it works... each game will be assigned a range (most games will be from 1 to 5, but some games will be 1 to 10). Instead of assigning point values to each game as in years past, you will pick the winner and what level of CONFIDENCE you have in that pick (5 being MOST, 1 being LEAST). You will receive the amount of CONFIDENCE points towards your BOWL MATRIX total. If you do not get the pick correct, those number of CONFIDENCE points you assigned to at pick will be SUBTRACTED from your total.