Memphis Lagniappe's Fabled College Football Playoff Predictions Week of 11/27/06

Memphis Lagniappe's Fabled College Football Playoff Predictions are published weekly to show a possible college football playoff format. Similar to the NCAA basketball tournament, 11 conference champions receive automatic bids. 5 additional spots are available for at-large bids.

Round 1 games would be hosted by the higher ranked seeds. Rounds 2 - 4 would incorporate the bowl system with host cities/bowls bidding to host the games. The "Big 4" BCS bowls would be permanent playoff hosts on a round-rotating basis (Championship, semi-finals and 1 round 2 game).

The playoff field for the week of 11/27/06:

1. Ohio State (Big 10 Champion)
2. USC (Pac 10 Champion)
3. Michigan (At Large Big 10)
4. Florida (SEC Champion)
5. Louisville (Big East Champion)
6. LSU (At Large SEC)
7. Wisconsin (At Large Big 10)
8. Oklahoma (Big 12 Champion)
9. Arkansas (At Large SEC)
10. Boise State (WAC Champion)
11. Rutgers (At Large Big East)
12. Wake Forest (ACC Champion)
13. BYU (MWC Champion)
14. Houston (CUSA Champion)
15. Central Michigan (MAC Champion)
16. Troy (Sunbelt Champion)

Dropped out: West Virginia (#6, At Large Big East), Notre Dame (#7, At Large Independent), Texas (#10, Big 12 Champion), Georgia Tech (#12, ACC Champion), Middle Tennessee State (#16, Sunbelt Champion)

Number Of Teams by Conference:
Big 10 (3), SEC (3), Big East (2), ACC (1), Big 12 (1), CUSA (1), MAC (1), MWC (1), Pac 10 (1), Sunbelt (1), WAC (1), Independent (0),

Thanksgiving Week

Its that time of year again...cooler weather, turkey, wine, football, horse racing, family and friends. What more could anyone want?

Turkey day will be spent in the blossoming metropolis of Slidell. The standard Thanksgiving menu will be in place, along with family favorites. While getting fatter and drinking good wine, I will watch at least 2 NFL games featuring Dallas and Detroit. My evening hours will be spent with friends at homes or at one of Slidell many watering holes.

A some what new family tradition will be renewed on Friday. I'm not talking about waking up at the wee hours of the morning to save $5 on a Tickle Me Elmo or to get a free spatula with the purchase of a $500 blender. You will find me and my family at the New Orleans Fair Grounds for day two of the 2006-2007 horse racing season. I can't wait to suck down a Bloody Mary or two, while going big with my $2 across the board bets. Heck, I might even hit a quinella.

On a sad note, my Saturday trip to Hattiesburg will require me to miss the Bayou Classic. In honor of DJ Jubilee, I'm going with Grambling in a clean sweep over Southern. The Tigers will win the game and the battle of the bands. Ya heard me.

I will make my last trip of the year to Hattiesburg Saturday evening. The Golden Eagles will take on the Thundering Herd of Marshall. This game is big for both teams. If Marshall wins, they will be come bowl eligible. If Southern Miss wins, USM will win the Eastern division of C-USA and play in the championship game on Dec 1 in Houston.

This game will be a war, with lots of big plays and hard hits. With a big, loud crowd at the Rock it will be hard for Marshall to win. Unless the Herd brings Jesco White, the Golden Eagles will win 27-24.

Memphis Lagniappe's Fabled College Football Playoff Predictions Week of 11/20/06

Memphis Lagniappe's Fabled College Football Playoff Predictions are published weekly to show a possible college football playoff format. Similar to the NCAA basketball tournament, 11 conference champions receive automatic bids. 5 additional spots are available for at-large bids.

Round 1 games would be hosted by the higher ranked seeds. Rounds 2 - 4 would incorporate the bowl system with host cities/bowls bidding to host the games. The "Big 4" BCS bowls would be permanent playoff hosts on a round-rotating basis (Championship, semi-finals and 1 round 2 game).

The playoff field for the week of 11/20/06:

1. Ohio State (Big 10 Champion)
2. Michigan (At large Big 10)
3. USC (Pac 10 Champion)
4. Arkansas (At Large SEC)
5. Florida (SEC Champion)
6. West Virginia (At Large Big East)
7. Notre Dame (At Large Independent)
8. Louisville (Big East Champion)
9. Wisconsin (At Large Big 10)
10. Texas (Big 12 Champion)
11. Boise State (WAC Champion)
12. Georgia Tech (ACC Champion)
13. BYU (MWC Champion)
14. Houston (CUSA Champion)
15. Central Michigan (MAC Champion)
16. Middle Tennessee State (Sunbelt Champion)

Dropped out: Rutgers (#6, Big East Champion), LSU (#9, At Large SEC), Wake Forest (#11, ACC Champion)

Number Of Teams by Conference:
Big 10 (3), Big East (2), SEC (2), ACC (1), Big 12 (1), CUSA (1), Independent (1), MAC (1), MWC (1), Pac 10 (1), Sunbelt (1), WAC (1)

Dream Job: Chief Beer Officer

This is no BS, Starwood Hotels and Resorts is conducting an executive search for a knowledgeable beer drinker as part of its Best Brew program. The CBO's compensation package will include Starwood Guest points, a travel and expense account to travel around to world to sample beers for hotel menus.

How kick ass would this be? I think I'm going to apply for this jobby job.

Memphis Lagniappe's Fabled College Football Playoff Predictions Week of 11/13/06

Memphis Lagniappe's Fabled College Football Playoff Predictions are published weekly to show a possible college football playoff format. Similar to the NCAA basketball tournament, 11 conference champions receive automatic bids. 5 additional spots are available for at-large bids.

Round 1 games would be hosted by the higher ranked seeds. Rounds 2 - 4 would incorporate the bowl system with host cities/bowls bidding to host the games. The "Big 4" BCS bowls would be permanent playoff hosts on a round-rotating basis (Championship, semi-finals and 1 round 2 game).

The playoff field for the week of 11/13/06:

1. Ohio State (Big 10 Champion)
2. Michigan (At large Big 10)
3. Arkansas (At Large SEC)
4. Florida (SEC Champion)
5. USC (PAC 10 Champion)
6. Rutgers (Big East Champion)
7. Louisville (At Large Big East)
8. West Virginia (At Large Big East)
9. LSU (At Large SEC)
10. Texas (Big 12 Champion)
11. Wake Forest (ACC Champion)
12. Boise State (WAC Champion)
13. BYU (MWC Champion)
14. Houston (CUSA Champion)
15. Central Michigan (MAC Champion)
16. Middle Tennessee State (Sunbelt Champion)

Dropped out: California (#6, PAC 10 Champion), Auburn (#9, At Large SEC)

Number Of Teams by Conference:
Big East (3), SEC (3), Big 10 (2), ACC (1), Big 12 (1), CUSA (1), MAC (1), MWC (1), Pac 10 (1), Sunbelt (1), WAC (1), Independent (0)

Memphis Lagniappe's Fabled College Football Playoff Predictions Week of 11/6/06

Memphis Lagniappe's Fabled College Football Playoff Predictions are published weekly to show a possible college football playoff format. Similar to the NCAA basketball tournament, 11 conference champions receive automatic bids. 5 additional spots are available for at-large bids.

Round 1 games would be hosted by the higher ranked seeds. Rounds 2 - 4 would incorporate the bowl system with host cities/bowls bidding to host the games. The "Big 4" BCS bowls would be permanent playoff hosts on a round-rotating basis (Championship, semi-finals and 1 round 2 game).

The playoff field for the week of 11/6/06:

1. Ohio State (Big 10 Champion)
2. Michigan (At large Big 10)
3. Louisville (Big East Champion)
4. Texas (Big 12 Champion)
5. Florida (SEC Champion)
6. California (PAC 10 Champion)
7. Arkansas (At Large SEC)
8. West Virginia (At Large Big East)
9. Auburn (At Large SEC)
10. USC (At Large PAC 10)
11. Boise State (WAC Champion)
12. Wake Forest (ACC Champion)
13. BYU (MWC Champion)
14. Houston (CUSA Champion)
15. Central Michigan (MAC Champion)
16. Middle Tennessee State (Sunbelt Champion)

Dropped out: Tennessee (#5, At Large SEC), Boston College (#11, ACC Champion), Tulsa (#14, CUSA Champion)

Number Of Teams by Conference:
SEC (3), Big 10 (2), Big East (2), Pac 10 (2), ACC (1), Big 12 (1), CUSA (1), MAC (1), MWC (1), Sunbelt (1), WAC (1), Independent (0)

An Evening At Brookhaven Pub and Possible Weekend Fun

My return to mid-week drinking continued last night at Brookhaven Pub in East Memphis. Tired of the same old Midtown establishments and the desire to watch West Virginia and Louisville play at the Oven inspired us to take the trip out East. We contemplated going to the Downtown Saucer, but everyone agreed that its not a good place to watch games.

Brookhaven had a great crowd going for a Thursday night, including a bachelorette party and a cameo appearance by the Swingers. The bachelorette party had potential to be big fun for us, but they seemed to only want to talk about work. One benefit from the party is that A Friend To Be Named Later (AFTBNL) snagged a free beer for threatening to show his junk to members of the group. Luckily for us, he kept it in his pants. Props go out to NL for providing AFTBNL the line to get in with the party. Simple, but effective..."Do you want me to take your picture?"

We knew the bar would be fun when the Swingers walked through the door. The line of the night was from Swinger Man. All we heard was "I get belligerent and competitive." I'm not sure what that has to do with the swinging lifestyle, but it doesn't sound like fun.

There was a push to change venues and go the Windjammer, but I went home since I had to work the next day.

So what's on tap for the weekend?

I'm pondering heading to Newby's tonight to see the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. These guys are a great jazz/blues/jam band from New Orleans. I've listening to them for years and I know this will be a good time.

Saturday will be reserved for much needed house cleaning, yard work and college football. Not sure about Saturday night plans just yet.

Sunday evening will be the 57th Black and Blue Bowl. The game will be played in Memphis at Liberty Bowl Stadium. This is a series dominated by Southern Miss, but Memphis has had the Golden Eagles' number the past few seasons. The Tigers have struggled this season and are sporting zero wins against 1-A competition. USM has struggled this year as well, but I look for the boys in Black and Gold to have breakout game after suffering an overtime loss to East Carolina last week. Southern Miss 28 - Memphis 10