Font Size:

Normally I would have no interest in the outcome of the upcoming "Kraft Fight Hunger" Bowl game between Nevada and Boston College.  This year it matters.

With four boys, two brother-in-laws and countless nephews in my extended family, it's one competition after another.  Every year we battle for the traveling March Madness basketball plaque.  Later, during our annual vacation we match skills at the beanbag tailgating game called "cornhole."  And now we're going head-to-head in ESPN Bowl mania.

Before the first bowl game was played, all of our respective picks were locked in and now with six bowl games to go, crunch time has arrived.  As I write this blog, Ohio State has a comfortable halftime lead on Arkansas.  It's important for me because if the Buckeyes can hold on I will close the gap with one of my sons who has the overall lead.  He chose Arkansas because that's where his girlfriend is from.

Naturally there is a lot of trash talk from start to finish and young Mitch will having a hard time living it down if his selection based on love knocks him from the top.

And forget about a cash reward for the first place winner.  The bragging rights are more valuable because they're good for an entire year.

My overall pick to win the National Championship is Oregon.  But first things first.  I'll be rooting for Boston College this weekend in a bowl game that nobody has even heard of before.  Go Eagles!

Knicely Done.