Surprise must sees

The quick guide to college football bowl games: And why Auburn-Oregon isn't thefairest of them all

Patrick Petersen and LSU could be in the best bowl game of 2010.
Even though Auburn-Oregon will live up to the hype.

For the average college football fan — hell, even the informed fan — 35 bowl games is a ton to sift through. Seventy teams, or a shade under 60 percent of all Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) schools play in a bowl game. It's not such a privilege anymore.

But now we're in the heart of the bowl season, when many of the dubious matchups are over and things get good. Don’t worry, CultureMap has you covered: Here is a breakdown of every remaining bowl game in five seconds or less.

Thursday
Nеw Era Pinstripe Bowl
Kansas State vs. Syracuse
A close, close game, I like the Big 12 toughness here.
Kansas State 24, Syracuse 21
2:15 p.m., ESPN

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl
North Carolina vs. Tennessee
One of the better “weaker” games of the season, UNC takes down Rocky Top.
North Carolina 35, Tennessee 31
5:30 p.m., ESPN

Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl
Nebraska vs. Washington
Washington and future NFLer Jake Locker can’t get close to Taylor Martinez and the Nebraska offense.
Nebraska 34, Washington 21
9 p.m., ESPN

Friday
Meineke Car Care Bowl
South Florida vs. Clemson
Clemson takes it in a defensive game. Look for lower point totals.
Clemson 24, South Florida 17
11 a.m., ESPN

Hyundai Sun Bowl
Notre Dame vs. Miami (Fla.)
Renewing Catholics vs. Convicts, the ’Canes will this one out despite a poor Jacory Harris performance.
Miami (Fla.) 28, Notre Dame 21
1 p.m., CBS

AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Georgia vs. Central Florida
Georgia takes their stellar second-half of the season into the bowl game, downs the Golden Knights.
Georgia 28, Central Florida 24
2:30 p.m., ESPN

Chick-fil-A Bowl
South Carolina vs. Florida State
Banged up Christian Ponder can’t out duel Gamecock stars, RB Marcus Lattimore and WR Alshon Jeffery.
South Carolina 24, Florida State 21
6:30 p.m., ESPN

Jan. 1
TicketCity Bowl
Northwestern vs. Texas Tech
Northwestern snuck out some good wins during the season, but Taylor Potts has a game.
Texas Tech 35, Northwestern 27
11 a.m., ESPNU

Outback Bowl
Florida vs. Penn State
Two former powerhouses in disappointing seasons look to make a splash. I’m looking for a Nittany Lion upset.
Penn State 24, Florida 21
Noon., ABC

Capital One Bowl
Alabama vs. Michigan State
Michigan St. could be overrated. Alabama has the potential to beat the NFL's Carolina Panthers.
Alabama 31, Michigan State 17
Noon., ESPN

Progressive Gator Bowl
Mississippi State vs. Michigan
Another head-scratcher, Wolverines’ QB Denard Robinson makes or breaks this game.
Mississippi State 31, Michigan 28
12:30 p.m., ESPN2

Rose Bowl
Wisconsin vs. TCU
Another great game, Wisconsin upsets the Horned Frogs’ (and the non-BCS programs’) hopes.
Wisconsin 31, TCU 27
4 p.m., ESPN

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Connecticut vs. Oklahoma
Oklahoma all the way. This game is a joke.
Oklahoma 38, Connecticut 17
7:30 p.m., ESPN

Jan. 3, 2011
Discover Orange Bowl
Stanford vs. Virginia Tech
Andrew Luck takes the underrated Cardinal to a win over overrated Va. Tech.
Stanford 31, Virginia Tech 24
7:30 p.m., ESPN

Jan. 4, 2011
Allstate Sugar Bowl
Ohio State vs. Arkansas
Can Terrelle Pryor shake his recent off-the-field mistakes? Can the real Ryan Mallett please stand up?
Ohio St. 34, Arkansas 28
7:30 p.m., ESPN

Jan. 6, 2011
GoDaddy.com Bowl
Middle Tennessee St. vs. Miami (Ohio)
A classic, “Oh, I forgot there was a bowl game today.” Flip a coin.
Middle Tennessee St. 31, Miami (Ohio) 24
7 p.m., ESPN

Jan. 7, 2011
AT&T Cotton Bowl
LSU vs. Texas A&M
Might be the best game of the bowl season. Can’t help but think A&M finds a way to lose though.
LSU 31, Texas A&M 28
7 p.m., FOX

Jan. 8, 2011
BBVA Compass Bowl
Pittsburgh vs. Kentucky
Kentucky has it in them. They upset the defensive Panthers.
Kentucky 24, Pittsburgh 17
11 a.m., ESPN

Jan. 9, 2011
Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl
Nevada vs. Boston College
High-powered, Boise State-bubble busters Nevada take on a low-scoring, defensive Boston College.
Nevada 38, Boston College 21
8 p.m., ESPN

Jan. 10, 2011
Tostitos BCS National Championship Game
Oregon vs. Auburn
A truly great national championship game, Auburn’s defense contains just enough for the title.
Auburn 42, Oregon 35
7:30 p.m., ESPN

unspecified

chill out

Houston Astros ballpark gets cool new name for the next 15 years

Courtesy of the Houston Astros

The Astros' stadium will have a new name in 2025.

The Houston Astros are about to have the coolest ballpark in Major League Baseball. The team announced on Monday, November 18 that its has reached a naming rights agreement HVAC manufacturer Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc.

Beginning on January 1, 2025, the stadium will be known as Daikin Park (die-kin). Scheduled to run through the 2039 season, the new name replaces Minute Maid Park, which has been the stadium’s name since 2002. It opened in 1999 as Enron Field.

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Astros fans online are already calling the new stadium “The Ice Box,” replacing its informal “The Juice Box” moniker. That name feels likely to stick.

Japan-based Daikin Industries is a leading manufacturer of HVAC systems. It sells air conditioning units and other products under brand names such as Daikin, Goodman, Amana® and Quietflex. Critically, it operates Daikin Texas Technology Park in nearby Waller, which is the largest HVAC manufacturing facility in North America. The company employs approximately 10,000 people in Greater Houston, according to a release.

“We are excited to be partnering with Daikin for our ballpark’s naming rights,” Astros owner Jim said. “Daikin is an international company that proudly calls the Greater Houston area its North American home. The Houston Astros and Daikin share the same values, a commitment to excellence and a desire to give back to our local community. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this ballpark in 2025, I am proud to have Daikin alongside us to create even more special memories for our fans now and in the future.”

The Astros will use the revenue for new stadium amenities and other upgrades. It will also continue the team’s various community initiatives. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. the Houston Chronicle notes that naming rights deals may be worth anywhere from $3.5 million per year (T-Mobile park in Seattle) to $11 million per year for the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field.

The team’s first game in Daikin Park will take place on Monday, March 24, which it plays an exhibition against its Triple-A affiliate, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. It will open the regular season on Thursday, March 27 against the New York Mets.

“Daikin fit all of the criteria we set out to find in a naming rights partner,” Astros senior vice president Matt Brand added. “Their name and reputation fit our iconic downtown Houston home, and their values mesh perfectly with those of the Astros. We are grateful to partner with the entire Daikin team and to help them succeed in their business goals. Daikin Park will be a special place for our fans for many years to come.”

houston astros daikin park business

Surprise must sees

The quick guide to college football bowl games: And why Auburn-Oregon isn't thefairest of them all

chill out

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