Runway Challenge, Final week

Got my trip for Charlotte squared away. Call me a masochist, but I'll be on a 6:20 a.m. flight out of JFK on the morning after Christmas. Fortunately, I imbibe all my cups of holiday cheer on Christmas Eve (along with a lot of fish and pasta). Still, I'm not looking forward to that 3 a.m. wakeup on the morning of the 26th. Can I hit the snooze 'til 4?

I've been to both Toronto and Birmingham, Ala., and UConn fans should be dancing in the streets over a trip to Charlotte (granted, a city I've never seen, aside from the airport). Toronto is actually a cool place, although I was there in June a few years back. Might be a bit chillier in January. But how would it have been possible to get excited after an improbable 9-3 season and second place finish in the Big East to head to the Great White North for a game against Miami-Ohio or Central Michigan?

You can't help but feel bad for Cincinnati and Rutgers, both banished to obscurity. But don't be too upset, 'Cats and Knights' fans. It could have been worse. Here are the alternative bowls that the Big East turned down during last contract negotiations a few years ago:

The Exit 16W Bowl: To be held at Giants Stadium against an opponent from the I-AA Northeast Conference (loaded with New Jersey teams). Among the schedule of events leading up to the game was the Tollbooth Experience, where participating teams had the chance to work the tolls on the Jersey Turnpike for an afternoon, as well as the Jimmy Hoffa dig for charity.

Hey folks, it's on me..EZ-Passes for everyone at the Exit 16W Bowl!!!

The Egghead Bowl: To be held at the Yale Bowl against the Ivy League all-star team. The Ivies can't participate in the I-AA playoffs, but would have been granted a waiver to play this game since it came after exams. The final results of a four-day academic decathlon, modeled after Billy Madison and Old School, would be factored into the game score to even things out.

The academic decathlon is a staple of the Egghead Bowl

The Wire Bowl: Named in honor of the Baltimore-based HBO series and held at Ravens Stadium against an all-star team from the Prince George County Correctional Facility. Panhandlers outside the stadium will donate 50 percent of their take on game day to charity. Halftime entertainment by a dancing Ray Lewis.

Award-winning halftime entertainment at the Wire Bowl.

The Delaware Bowl: Held at the University of Delaware against the Colonial Athletic Association champions. In order to accept a bid, a team must first identify Delaware on a map of the U.S. Pre-bowl events include trips to the Kalmar Nickyl Shipyard and Brandywine Zoo, which is all they've got for tourist attractions in Delaware, at least according to the Things To Do In Delaware website. Still, it can't be any worse than Birmingham as a destination, right?

Imagine how jealous your pals would have been when you sent them this postcard. It could be worse. It could be Birmingham.

Needless to say, the Big East has a lot of work to do when re negotiations come around.

On to the picks. This is it for the Runway Challenge. It's a three-man race, and winner gets the blog for a day. I will also run my second annual bowl game challenge, in which yours truly will look to defend his title.

Game 1: MAC championship, Central Michigan (-3.5) over Miami-OH: If you know anything about either one of these teams, well, you're a better man than I. Rutgers anxiously awaiting the results of this one, however.

Game 2: Army (+14) over Navy: Always a great game to watch, even if the football is dull. Be sure to stand for the national anthem.

Game 3: C-USA championship, Central Florida (+7.5) over Tulsa: Daunte Culpepper returns to play for his alma mater. He didn't make the depth chart.

Game 4: ACC championship, Virginia Tech (-5) over Boston College: Dishonorary captains are Michael Vick and Mark Chmura.

Game 5: SEC championship, LSU (-7.5) over Tennessee: Les Miles believes LSU is still undefeated in regulation. Then why did you let your team even participate in OT? Should have just headed for the locker room after the fourth quarter ended, coach.

Game 6: USC (-20) over UCLA: Mighy Bruins, who lost to Notre Dame, Utah, Arizona and Washington State and has five loses all together this season, can still win the Pac-10 and play in the Rose Bowl. And they laugh at the Big East for being lame?

Game 7: Oregon State (pick 'em) over Oregon: Dennis Dixon was a fairly important cog for the Ducks, yes?

Game 8: Cal (-13.5) over Stanford: Twenty-five years after "The Play", I still can't get enough of that trombone player getting nailed in the end zone. Love it even more that trombone players are commonly referred to as "tromboners".

Game 9: West Virginia (-29) over Pitt: Have a feeling the Mountaineers won't roll up 66 this week. But is there a sadder sight than the Wannstache hobbling around the sidelines on crutches? He looks like he's a week away from being taken for a long ride and dropped of in the country. "Go on boy! You're free now!"

Game 10: Arizona State (-7) over Arizona:

Game 11: Big 12 championship, Missouri (+3) over Oklahoma: That spread is correct. I looked it up several times. The No. 1 team in the nation is an underdog. How's that for respect?

Game 12: Hawaii (-14.5) over Washington: Colt Brennan is legit. Any doubts of that were squashed with his 495 yards against Boise St. last weekend. Can't wait to see him in a BCS game.

Last week's results
1. Will 10-2
2. Pete 9-3
P.J. 9-3
Sammy 9-3
5. Chip 8-4
Vinny 8-4
Kooch 8-4
ian
9. Mitch 7-5
Dan 7-5
Caleb 7-5
12. Sturge-Rock 6-6
13. Jerry 5-7
SeanO's Ghost 5-7

Overall standings
1. Kooch 90
2. Sammy 89
3. SeanO's ghost 88
4. Will L 82
5. Ian 81
6. Chip 79
7. Pete 76
8. Vinny from East Haven 72
9. Caleb Mandrake 68
10. Dan 66
11. Sturge-Rock 48
Mitch Kumpstein 48
13. DetroitTigersHater 47
14. P.J. 38
15. Kevin 37
16. Alex 16
17. Jerry 12
18. Steve P 8
19. Luc 7
Tonto Kowalski 7

Get your pick in by clicking the "comments" key below.