Pretty much wrapped up another bowl season with this one being memorable for transfers, players sitting out, covid cancellations, and more distractions now more than any other bowl season I can remember.
Some stats I keep an eye on every year:
1h over/under - I remember a thread was on these forums for about 3 years running going on about the "Under System", which did fairly well some years. This year, it would have tanked hard.
1H Over - 22
1H Under - 14
Push - 1 or 2 (depending on which line you got)
Game total over/under almost dead even at 19-18
Upsets - usually figure about 12 or 13 upsets each bowl season - This year by my count there were 11 total which is about par with what it usually is. - Correct my count if I am wrong please
Random Thoughts:
SEC as a whole was pretty pathetic this year IMO. I thought they were THE conference to beat this season and only had a couple of their teams losing, boy was I wrong. No excuses for the players sitting out and coach changes cause all the conferences are going through the same BS. However, the two "Big" games were dominated and now we have yet another ALL SEC National Championship - touch more on this game in a bit.
PAC12 - My goodness ... 0-5 showing. Utah blew their game and best chance for a victory this bowl season. History repeats itself with PAC12 having a bad bowl showing. When will they be back?
Tennessee got robbed - The refs I feel did not call this game evenly at all and should be ashamed. That OT forward progress call I feel was in the wrong as you can clearly hear the whistle in the replay AFTER he crosses the plain. The Pass Interference calls some justified, others missed, just a very poorly called game. Hate to see it end the way it did.
Ohio State is known for having a super entertaining bowl game. I may not like OSU overall, but wow I love watching their games. Utah/OSU was one of the more fun to watch games of the year. - 14 sugar bowl Alabama, Rose Bowl 2018 Washington, Fiesta Bowl Clemson - All super fun games to watch.
Notre Dame - how does this team manage to blow the big big game every time? At least this year it was close but wow what a huge disappointment after being up 28-7 1st half
Kirby vs Harbaugh in the "coach cannot win the big game" bowl - Really impressed with the way Stetson played. He was very mobile and extended the plays, had a couple big runs and overall very accurate against a tough defense. Him and Bowers are going to be a problem if Kirby schemes them right.
UCF beat down an SEC team which means they will soon claim their part of the national championship. All jokes aside, great game UCF.
Kentucky has won their bowl game in 4 straight years now. Impressive for a basketball school
Maryland with Taulia and Coach Locksley absolutely man-handled a (very) depleted Virginia Tech team. Could tell immediately which team wanted to be there. I love seeing a program on the rise with a good coach and a QB that is improving. Excited to watch them play next year.