College Confidential

30-minute quarters: gotta love 'em

Air Force's running game won't surrender the ball, and we're moving along briskly here at TCU. Falcons lead 7-0. Fisher DeBerry, the former Air Force coach who retired after the 2006 season after 23 seasons, is on the AF sideline.

--Troy Phillips

Air Force will pass

On passing, that is.

The Falcons scored of a 9-play, 87-yard drive to take a 7-0 lead on Cal here at the Armed Forces Bowl. All nine plays were on the ground, including three rushes by Air Force quarterback Shaun Carney who scored the opening TD on a 1-yard run.

Running count: 9 Air Force plays, 0 passes.

He would have gone "splat"

His words, not mine. Former Air Force defensive lineman Chad Hennings, the academy's most famous former football players just said he never had a chance to jump with Air Force's Wings of Blue parachuters or any jump team. You can't be over 220 pounds to do it, and Hennings was about 30 pounds over the limit in college.

Still would have been cool to see a football player that size do it, especially with the American flag in tow.

--Troy Phillips

Here come the parachuters ...

The Wings of Blue jump team are slowly making their arrival her on the field.

Members of the parachute team average nearly 600 jumps by the time they graduate.

Three players won't start for Cal

Thomas DeCloud, DeSean Jackson and Robert Jordan will not start today due to violation of team rules.

Sophomore Brett Johnson will make his first career start at free safety in place of DeCloud. Senior Sam DeSawill replace Jackson at wide receiver for his second career start while senior Lavelle Hawkins will start for Jordan at receiver.

Don't be surprised if DeCloud, Jackson and Jordan are only out for a few plays, though.

-- Keeli Garza

Greetings from ... the Armed Forces Bowl!

It's a cool 51 degrees here at Amon G. Carter Stadium as the teams are going through drills in preparation for today's matchup between Cal and Air Force.

People are slowly starting to trickle into the stadium for the 11:30 a.m. kickoff this morning.

Wendell's New Year's Eve Bowl picks

Fort Worth Bowl: Air Force 28, Cal 24.

Air Force has the incentive and the crowd on its side. The Bears end a disappointing season with a disappointing loss.

Sun Bowl: South Florida 31, Oregon 21.

The Bulls have a healthy QB; the Ducks are down to fourth stringers. The only way Oregon keeps this close is if RB Jonathan Stewart runs wild; he'll get his yards, but it won't be enough.

Humanitarian Bowl: Fresno State 24, Georgia Tech 10.

Jon Tenuta is the Yellow Jackets' interim coach. Interim coaches haven't fared well during bowl season. Also, the Bulldogs are the better team.

Music City Bowl: Kentucky 31, Florida State Junior Varsity 17.

The Seminoles are missing nearly three dozen players because of an academic scandal. Even with a full roster, Florida State would have a tough time winning this game.

Insight Bowl: Oklahoma State 42, Indiana 38.

Expect a scoreboard malfunction. Both teams have prolific attacks but the Cowboys have a better running game.

Chick-fil-A Bowl: Clemson 24, Auburn 17.

Clemson has more stability and a capable offense. Auburn is using a new spread offense favored by recently hired offensive coordinator Tony Franklin.

Prediction record so far: 6-9.

Your Turn: Give us your prediction for the New Year's Eve bowls by leaving a comment below.

-- Wendell Barnhouse

Wendell's Independence Bowl prediction

Alabama 24, Colorado 10.

In a game between two 6-6 (read: mediocre) teams, I'll go with the Southeastern Conference representative.

Prediction record so far: 5-9.

Your Turn: Give us your prediction for the Independence Bowl by leaving a comment below.

-- Wendell Barnhouse

UTA men back in the win column

After losing consecutive road games against TCU and Oklahoma St. by a combined eight points, the UT-Arlington men's team was in need of some good fortune. That good fortune came for the Mavericks in the form of an overmatched Hardin-Simmons team on Saturday at Texas Hall. UTA (9-2) prevailed 74-54 in its first game back at Texas Hall since Western Illinois visited the stage on Dec. 1.

The Mavericks were led by sophomore guard Ro'ger Guignard's 23 points,including seven three-pointers (7-of-15). Sophomore forward Tommy Moffitt, in the starting lineup in place of the injured Brandon Long, scored seven points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Junior Anthony Vereen also added 15 points off the bench for UTA.

Guignard said he and the rest of the team were relaxed and did not put too much pressure on themselves.

"Before this game, I decided to just have fun and play ball," Guignard said. "We were all playing with a lot of confidence."

UTA led by as much as 30 after a 13-0 run in the second half, but the Cowboys were able to pull back to within 20 by the final horn.

Hardin-Simmons (4-5) was led by Mardochee Jean, who finished with 12 points.

The win extends the best start UTA program's history.

--Trey Benedict

Texas women beat No. 12 DePaul

The Texas women late Friday night enjoyed their biggest victory yet in their first season under coach Gail Goestenkors.

No. 19 Texas defeated No. 12 DePaul 91-81 in the first round of the Maggie Dixon Surf ‘N Slam Classic in San Diego. DePaul (10-1) entered the game as one of only four unbeaten teams remaining in Division I.

Texas is 10-2 overall with an eight-game winning streak and is 2-1 against Top 25 foes, including a win over then No. 23 Arizona State on Dec. 20 and a road loss to No. 1 Tennessee on Nov. 18.

Said guard Brittainey Raven, the former North Crowley standout who had 15 points: “Everyone contributed tonight and we had six players scoring in double figures, which is what Coach G wants to see from us — balanced scoring and good transition defense.”

UT plays in the championship game at 10 p.m.Sunday against host San Diego (8-4) at the USD’s Jenny Craig (yes, Jenny Craig) Pavilion.