Thirsty Thursday Week 1

(Pumpin’ for Thursday has been replaced this year by “Thirsty Thursday”. The best drinking times most people had in college took place on Thursday, the night before the day only freshman and MBA students scheduled classes. While it’s not the best chance for a “social encounter” the stay at home drinking game is always an economical way to get plastered and if there’s college football on what better setting for a drinking game. Mr. Prime Rib of Pageantry will help you each week by setting some rules for your “Thirsty Thursday” drinking game)


NC State at South Carolina (-11.5), Over/Under (47.5)





Take a sip…

Every time you hear the words “Ole Ball Coach”.

Every time you hear the words “Tom O’Brien” and “rebuilding job” in the same sentence.

Every time a school besides NC State or South Carolina is mentioned



Take two sips…

Whenever Chris Folwer stops rambling about the other 117 teams in Division I and starts calling the game again.

Every time you hear the words “Boston College”.



Chug if…

If the “Gamecocks” are ever referred to as “undersized” (after giggling of course)

If you flip over to Barack Obama’s speech and he doesn’t say “Hope”, “Change”, or “tax breaks for the rich” before you have to flip back.



Do a Keg Stand if…

If someone mentions that the football scenes for “The Program” was filmed at Williams-Brice Stadium

If Steve Spurrier does that thing with his lips that he used to do when he coached the Redskins.




Buy a Round if…

NC State covers the 11.5 and the Under. Wait until South Carolina’s offense covers an 11.5 point spread before putting money on it.

Welcome to Mr. Prime Rib of Pageantry!

The Pride and The Pageantry is now Mr. Prime Rib of Pageantry!

The truth is I was never really married to the name "The Pride and The Pageantry", it was a little too poetic for what I was really looking to do with this blog. Which is cover college football in an irreverent fashion. Yet, for the first year, I did exactly the opposite. I broke down stats and rankings and picked games and did a lot of stuff that a lot of other people do better. What I have is a sarcastic wit and I think this name better reflects it. So where does it come from?

Zoolander, the ill-timed comedy that had at least six laugh out loud moments and is an enjoyable rainy day movie whenever its on. When Derek Zoolander receives thanks from the Prime Minister of Malayasia, he acknowledges him as "Mr. Prime Rib of Propecia". Substitute Propecia with the often used word to describe all intangible things college football, Pageantry, and you have the new title...Mr. Prime Rib of Pageantry.

With the name change comes an easier to use URL. No pausing to see if a comes before e or vice versa, because the word Pageantry isn't in the URL at all. It is simply http://mrprimerib.blogspot.com

Also URL's show up on your address or location bar alphabetically. So visitors to Mr. Prime Rib of Pageantry will be reminded of the new address briefly before checking their Myspace. I know, devious.

Anyway I hope you enjoy Mr. Prime Rib of Pageantry as much if not more so than The Pride and The Pageantry as I aspire to covering college football with my tint of sarcasm, year round.

Who is Terrelle Pryor?

He is the consensus #1 Quarterback High School Prospect...

He draws comparisons to Vince Young...

He is the prototypical "Spread Offense" Quarterback.

He has a well produced video...



He's also a pretty good basketball player...



His school choices appear to be narrowed down to Ohio State, Michigan, Oregon, Penn State and Florida. But most people feel that his choice is between Ohio State and Michigan where Rich Rodriguez was recruiting him once to go to West Virginia to succeed Pat White.

Michigan fans are finding his connections to The Ohio State sketchy.

He's being guided in his recruiting process by Charlie Batch which is kind of like looking for law schools with Jackie Childs.

His choice is seen as the first contest for Rich Rodriguez against The Ohio State University and as a recruiter in general. If he is able to land Pryor away from Columbus it should make what some say will be a rebuilding year in Ann Arbor a little more tolerable.

Bertuccci's Bowling for Bowls Classic: BCS National Championship Game

Welcome to the Bertuccci's Bowling for Bowls Classic! brought to you by Bertuccci's...Bertuccci's, What's not to Love!

BCS National Championship Game

Location: Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Matchup: LSU (SEC Champ) vs. The Ohio State (Big 10 Champ)

Spread: LSU -3.5

Smartass Comment about the Bowl Itself: Isn't it strange that the most important game is the only one with an eponymous corporate sponsor? Where's Lay's Potato Chips at?

Thoughts: Because Ryan Perriloux didn’t get into a night club fight (that I know of), allowing Gary Crowton to use both his quarterbacks… Because I don’t think James Laurinatis will be able to tackle Jacob Hester… Because Les Miles will treat this like a home game and go for it on 4th and anything less than 4…Because it pretty much IS a home game for them…Because the administration at Michigan deserves to see the coach they never wanted dismantle their biggest rival…Because I picked them back in August…Because my brother doesn’t read this blog…and because when you’re head and your heart disagree its better to go with the former…

Pick: LSU

Confidence: 24 out of 32

Bertuccci's Bowling for Bowls Classic: GMAC Bowl

Welcome to the Bertuccci's Bowling for Bowls Classic! brought to you by Bertuccci's...Bertuccci's, What's not to Love!

GMAC Bowl

Location: Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama

Matchup: Bowling Green vs. Tulsa

Spread: Tulsa -5.5

Smartass Comment about the Bowl Itself: I find GMAC Bowl Sunday has become more about parties and the commercials than the actual game itself, still a uniquely American tradition.

Thoughts: This bowl has traditionally been an offensive shootout since the 2001 classic between Marshall and East Carolina that everyone who saw it remembers. This matchup promises to hold to that tradition. Tulsa's QB Paul Smith was second in the country in passing yardage. While Tulsa's pass defense ranked 108the nationally. That is the formula for a high scoring, pass filled shootout. The game features two coaches, Tulsa's Todd Graham and Bowling Green's Gregg Brandon who will likely be considered for bigger schools coaching jobs in 2009. I like Smith and the Golden Hurricane in a pinball game.

Pick: Tulsa

Confidence: 10 out of 32

Bertuccci's Bowling for Bowls Classic: International Bowl

Welcome to the Bertuccci's Bowling for Bowls Classic! brought to you by Bertuccci's...Bertuccci's, What's not to Love!

International Bowl

Location: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Matchup: Rutgers vs. Ball State

Spread: Rutgers -9

Smartass Comment about the Bowl Itself: It doesn't help our reputation across the globe that we export this one of all bowl games. And why isn't Mexico vying for this bowl or do I need to ask?

Thoughts: One thing I love about Ball State is that they have a player older than me. Which makes me feel better about my place in life. Brandon Crawford and the rest of the Ball State defense will be responsible for stopping Ray Rice in his last game. I almost never pick against Rutgers and don't see any reason to do here. The MAC, which used to be a breeding ground for great NFL players like Ben Roethlisberger and Byron Leftwich is down and has been down for a couple years now. I don't see the conference winning any bowl game, nonetheless this one.

Pick: Rutgers

Confidence: 23 out of 32

Bertuccci's Bowling for Bowls Classic: FedEx Orange Bowl

Welcome to the Bertuccci's Bowling for Bowls Classic! brought to you by Bertuccci's...Bertuccci's, What's not to Love!

FedEx Orange Bowl

Location: Dolphin Stadium, Miami, Florida

Matchup: Kansas (At-Large) vs. Virginia Tech (ACC Champion)

Spread: Virginia Tech -3

Smartass Comment about the Bowl Itself: The arrow between the E and the X points you to insignificant victory.

Thoughts: Kansas will try to score its first win over a Top 25 team this season, IN A BCS BOWL GAME. That's all I need to know. And oh by the way Missouri won by thirty-one two days ago. I don't mind that Kansas is here because it gives us our own day to giggle at Mark Mangino several times and see if he found any new places to gain weight over banquet season.

Pick: Virginia Tech

Confidence: 26 out of 32

Bertuccci's Bowling for Bowls Classic: Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

Welcome to the Bertuccci's Bowling for Bowls Classic! brought to you by Bertuccci's...Bertuccci's, What's not to Love!

Location: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

Matchup: West Virginia (Big East Champion) vs. Oklahoma (Big XII Champion)

Spread: Oklahoma -9

Smartass Comment about the Bowl Itself: The Tostitos Fiesta Bowl...where there are more sights of the word Tostitos than Tostitos in a bag of Tostitos. Yumm...Tostitos!

Thoughts: If yesterday didn't provide enough excitement for you, here's a game with two teams with something to play for. West Virginia with a chip on their shoulder due to the departure of their old Head Coach. Oklahoma returning to the site of last year's embarrassing loss to Boise State. That matchup here is Oklahoma's 8th ranked Rushing Defense against Pat White and Steve Slaton and the West Virginia spread option offense. While an angry West Virginia team may be tough to bet against, Oklahoma is as talented on the offensive side of the ball and much better defensively.

Pick: Oklahoma

Confidence: 28 out of 32

Bertuccci's Bowling for Bowls Classic: Allstate Sugar Bowl

Welcome to the Bertuccci's Bowling for Bowls Classic! brought to you by Bertuccci's...Bertuccci's, What's not to Love!

Location: Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Matchup: Hawai'i (At-Large) vs. Georgia (At-Large)

Spread: Georgia -7.5

Smartass Comment about the Bowl Itself: Where would people from Hawai'i be excited to travel to for a bowl game? Can someone answer me that?

Thoughts: Nobody loves the mid-majors more than me. Last year's Boise State win over Oklahoma was one of the greatest moments of my sports watching life. A Hawai'i win wouldn't make it any less special, in fact it would further the cause for more access to BCS and New Year's Day bowls. I just don't think this Hawai'i team is capable. They have playmakers at the WR position and June Jones' offense could frustrate Georgia for a while. But Georgia is the tougher more talented team, playing as well as anyone in the country. They slept on a smaller conference opponent the last time they were in the Sugar Bowl. I don't see them doing that again.

Pick: Georgia

Confidence: 21 out of 32

Bertuccci's Bowling for Bowls Classic: Rose Bowl presented by Citi

Welcome to the Bertuccci's Bowling for Bowls Classic! brought to you by Bertuccci's...Bertuccci's, What's not to Love!

Location: Rose Bowl (duh!), Pasadena, California

Matchup: Illinois vs. Southern Cal

Spread: USC -13.5

Smartass Comment about the Bowl Itself: Haven't I said enough. The most arcane institution in the sport and all that holds back college football from being even better than it is.

Thoughts: Juice Williams is a fun player to watch and Rashad Mendenhall is a bruising runner. That's great but they are a step below USC and the rest of the teams playing in the BCS for that matter and should be outclassed here. Any other team but Illinois makes this perhaps the best game of the day but instead we're stuck with what we have. Which could be a close game for a half just to make me worry about such a bold prediction but I doubt it.

Pick: USC

Confidence: 31 out of 32

Bertuccci's Bowling for Bowls Classic: Capital One Bowl

Welcome to the Bertuccci's Bowling for Bowls Classic! brought to you by Bertuccci's...Bertuccci's, What's not to Love!

Location: Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Florida

Matchup: Michigan vs. Florida

Spread: Florida -10

Smartass Comment about the Bowl Itself: Any chance I won't see an ad where some family's frequent flyer miles are blacked out?

Thoughts: I'm sure Michigan's seniors are going to play hard in their last game. I'm sure the Wolverines are going to play hard for Lloyd Carr. But this is the same spread offense that Appy State and Oregon ran on them, run better than anyone. It's almost impossible for Michigan to stop Tim Tebow in this game, forget the Heisman curse. Forget Michigan

Pick: Florida

Confidence: 30 out of 32

Bertuccci's Bowling for Bowls Classic: Gator Bowl

Welcome to the Bertuccci's Bowling for Bowls Classic! brought to you by Bertuccci's...Bertuccci's, What's not to Love!

Location: Jacksonville Muncipal Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida

Matchup: Texas Tech vs. Virginia

Spread: Texas Tech -6

Smartass Comment about the Bowl Itself: Jacksonville...Florida's New Jersey!

Thoughts: Lot of talent on display. Especially when Texas Tech has the ball. Quarterback Graham Harrell will try to get the ball to Michael Crabtree while being rushed by Defensive End Jake Long for Virginia who projects to go in the first five picks of the draft. While Texas Tech had a good season last year, it should have a great one next year. Starting with this game.

Pick: Texas Tech

Confidence: 17 out of 32

Bertuccci's Bowling for Bowls Classic: AT&T Cotton Bowl

Welcome to the Bertuccci's Bowling for Bowls Classic! brought to you by Bertuccci's...Bertuccci's, What's not to Love!

Location: Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas

Matchup: Arkansas vs. Missouri

Spread: Missouri -3

Smartass Comment about the Bowl Itself: Is this why a stadium that hosts 3 games a year and is 75 years old is still standing?

Thoughts: If Darren McFadden doesn't play for Arkansas, you don't really need any but here we go just in case. Its been history that teams that are spurned by the BCS lay eggs in the bowls they are usually sent to but I don't think this will be the case for Chase Daniel and Mizzou. There are some legit doubts about how good the Big XII North is the meat behind Mizzou's 11-2 record. I think Daniel, who won't come out for the draft next year wants to start off a Heisman campaign right in this game and more importantly prove that Missouri is as good as their record. A one dimensional (or no dimensional) team like Arkansas would be a good win.

Pick: Missouri

Confidence: 15 out of 32

Bertuccci's Bowling for Bowls Classic: Outback Bowl

Welcome to the Bertuccci's Bowling for Bowls Classic! brought to you by Bertuccci's...Bertuccci's, What's not to Love!

Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Matchup: Wisconsin vs. Tennessee

Spread: Tennessee -2

Smartass Comment about the Bowl Itself: Because at 11am on New Year's Day all you want to see is Aussie Chips on your television set every commercial break.

Thoughts: Who would've thought Wisconsin's season of high expectations would end up here? Bret Bielema is once again challenged with stopping another SEC offense, like he did last year in the Capital One Bowl against Arkansas. We'll see Erik Ainge without OC David Cutcliffe, who took the head coaching job at Duke and six players who were declared Academically Diseligible (last time I promise). Plus you have to wonder how good the practices were for Tennessee with all this going on weeks after they almost won the SEC.

Pick: Wisconsin

Confidence: 11 out of 32