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March Madness

I’ve got the bracket filled out. I have Duke winning it all,  but am not very confident in that. Then again, last time I had Duke taking it all in my bracket they won the ‘ship, so we shall see. Before we get down to business, let’s have some fun with these non-basketball brackets:

Top 5 Non-Basketball Brackets:

Now these are just plain fun to pass the time at work.

1. Garden & Gun’s Southern Food Bracket

2. The Bert Show’s Hottest Trainer Bracket

3. Inside Pulse’s Best TV Couples Bracket

4. The Cooking Channel’s Best College Eats Bracket

5. Yahoo’s Best Dressed at the Grammy’s Bracket

Now it is time to get serious. Here is what you need to know if you are talking b-ball with the fellas–

Top 5 Stories of the NCAA Men’s Tournament:

1. Kentucky is not in it. The Wildcats are the defending national champs, but they failed to qualify. They even lost to Robert Morris in the first round of the NIT Tournament, aka the “Not In Tournament tournament.” For a basketball school, that is like in football if Alabama went to the lowliest bowl and lost to Georgia State.

2. The top seeds are: Louisville, Gonzaga, Kansas, and Indiana. Ladies, this is a must know factoid if you get wrapped up in tournament talk. These are the top four teams in the country…upsets happen, but you need to know these schools and expect them to go far.

3. Saint Louis is playing for more than just Ws. The team lost their coach, Rick Majerus, to heart failure in December. They have only had three losses since the death of Majerus. The Billikens are playing in memory of a great coach that revived the program. Heart means a lot at tournament time!

4. Miami has maturity on their side. Miami isn’t traditionally a basketball school, though they had a blip of success in the early 2000s and made the dance a few times. What is cool about this team is that the average age of their top six players most often on the court is 23. They are the first ACC team to win the regular season and conference tournament and not receive a 1 seed. They might be feeling slighted and want to prove something.

5. Northwestern still ain’t in the tournament. They are the only school in one of the major conferences to never make the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. That’s just a fun trivia fact to throw out after a few beers. All the boys will be impressed. Northwestern just fired their coach, Bill Carmody, after 13 years.

Let the madness begin! Well, it already has and I am off to a good start. How about you?

2012 Hottest College Quarterbacks

Everyone sing along…”it’s the most wonderful time of the year”…time for the annual Hottest College QB list that is. In 2012 the quarterback position saw a lot of good-looking guys taking snaps. Mind you, there were not a lot that stood out to me as great- there were no Tom Brady’s- but somewhere between 15-20 fairly good-looking dudes. I’m sure you can think of some that could arguably be on the list, but I have made the final selections. Remember, this is based on looks only, not talent or congeniality. Enjoy, ladies:

10. Seth Doege, Texas Tech

Check out that close up photo of Seth with his helmet on and then swoon over those eyes! Seth was a semi-finalist for this year’s Davey O’Brien award. Though 2012 was not slip up free, he led Texas Tech to victories over the No.5 ranked team on Oct. 13 and over in state rival TCU on Oct. 20. He and the rest of the Red Raiders just earned a victory in the Meineke Car Care Bowl where Seth won MVP honors.

9. Taylor Martinez, Nebraska

Taylor has graced my list before. That chiseled jaw line is to die for. Nebraska has had a pretty good season under the duel threat quarterback, though their last outing was pretty embarrassing  The Huskers will face another conference runner- up, Georgia, in the Capital One Bowl on January 1st. Taylor’s nickname is “T-Magic”. This reminds me of Magic Mike, which leads me to picturing him shirtless. yeeaaahhh!!

8. Kain Colter, Northwestern

This guy’s athleticism is what makes him so hot. In 2011 Kain alternated between quarterback and wide receiver, wherever the team needed him, but in 2012 he took the reigns as primary QB. He has great vision and can make things happen in a game whether he is throwing, running or catching the ball. He does it all! Northwestern takes on the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the Gator Bowl on Jan. 1. You can catch Kain in all his glory!

7. Everett Golson, Notre Dame

Would you look at that smile?!!! Isn’t it adorable how he crinkles his nose when he laughs?  I could write a novel on Everett’s successes this year, but to put it shortly he has led the Irish to their first undefeated season since 1988. Notre Dame is back! Golson and the Irish will play for the National Championship against Alabama on January 7th. While I think ND got some lucky breaks this season, I am a big believer in the talent of Everett Golson!

6. Trent Steelman, Army

Who doesn’t like a man in uniform? Tall, dark and handsome is an accurate description of this Army man. While the record does not reflect it, he has been one of the leaders in turning around the West Point football program. Army used to be the team everyone destroyed. They now have a lot of close losses, including a 41-40 loss to Orange Bowl bound NIU. They beat rival Air Force for the first time since 1996. The record only shows two wins, but Steelman has redirected the course for this program.

5. Chuckie Keeton, Utah State

A-dor-able. That describe’s Utah State’s Chuckie Keeton. The Aggies finished the season with an 11-2 record, the best in school history, were WAC Champs, and nationally ranked for the first time since 1961. In 2012, Chuckie set USU records for both completions and passing yards. Chuckie and the team capped off the historic 2012 season with a Famous Idaho Potato Bowl win. The future looks very bright for this smoldering sophomore!

4. A.J. McCarron, Alabama

I think A.J. is the QB on the list that most matches my personal taste- a southern boy with a slightly devilish look. Apparently Miss Alabama agrees with me, as the QB looker is reportedly dating beauty queen Katherine Webb. The Crimson Tide has been riding high during Nick Saban’s tenure and will play in yet another National Championship game on January 7th. As for McCarron’s part in all that success- as a starting quarterback he is 24-2 and has the best pass efficiency rating in college football for 2012. Pretty remarkable!

3. Aaron Murray, Georgia

I received quite a bit of fan response to put Aaron Murray on this list. The lady Dawgs are passionate about their football, and they are also passionate about the charm of their quarterback. Aaron is the SEC’s leading active player in total offensive yards, completions, TD passes, and total passing yards. He sits less than a point behind A.J. McCarron in pass efficiency. Famed NFL coach, Tony Dungy, feels Aaron could be a franchise player at the next level. Here’s hoping so, because we want to see this looker in uniform for years to come. You’ll get to see Aaron on January 1st as he and the Dawgs take on Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl.

2. Jordan Rodgers, Vanderbilt

It’s no surprise the younger brother of NFL QB, Aaron Rodgers, has made this list…just look at that body! yowza! Jordan has reached the highest pass efficiency rating for a Vanderbilt QB since Jay Cutler. He was on the 2012 Unitas Watch List and will take on the NC State Wolfpack  on December 31st in this year’s Music City Bowl.  I know I will be tuning in

1. EJ Manuel, Florida State

A lot of people are going to call me a homer for this selection. I too am a Florida State grad, but one look at these photos and you will see EJ deserves the title this year. He has mastered the art of a sexy stare…a “smize” as Tyra would call it. Jimbo Fisher has steadily led the Noles back to national prominence with bowl victories over big name programs and at last a reappearance in a BCS bowl. EJ is 24-6 as a starter during the rebuilding phase and looks to bring FSU their first BCS bowl victory in 12 years. Part of the culture change at Florida State has been EJ’s willingness to accept victory with grace, defeat like a leader, and  a continued effort to be a great ambassador to the school. And did I mention he is HOOOOOTTT?! As with all our winners, here are your bonus pictures:

Here’s to warm wishes…and warm thoughts…in the New Year! Once again, you’re welcome ladies.

Game Day Style: Syracuse/ UVA/ Auburn

Navy and orange- very classic and very collegiate! I hope you guys like today’s look. I think it is adorable.

Orange Cardigan: This is a Gap cardigan, but I bought it at Goodwill. Similar Option.

White polka-dotted Navy tank: I think this was also Gap and was at Goodwill, but it might be Express. Def from Goodwill though. Similar Option1. Similar Option2.

Jeggings: Vera Wang Kohl’s collection. Similar Option.

Boots: DSW. Similar Option.

There is nothing more comfortable when it comes to fall looks than leggings under boots. Love it!

Game Day Style: Iowa State

This may also work for USC, though I know their “red” is actually a much deeper color.

Red Dress: Forever21 many years ago. Similar Option.

Sunglasses: Wal-Mart. Similar Option.

Necklace: I do not remember where I got this :/ Similar Option.

Flip Flops: Gift in my Easter basket 2012. My link is to a size 7.5 on eBay. I hope these fit a Cyclone fan somewhere, because they are perfect! Similar Option.

Game Day Style: LSU/TCU

Behold, the power of a great purple dress. I got this about two months ago at Target and have worn it dressed up with heels and dressed down with flip flops. Here I have looks for both LSU and TCU:

Dress: Target. I bought this just this past Summer, so they may still be carrying some summer styles in your local Target. If not, here is a Similar Option.

LSU Look:

Yellow Earrings: Hand made out of old hair pins. Similar Option.

Yellow Aviators: Wal-Mart a few years ago. Similar Option.

Yellow skinny belt: This came on another dress I bought. Similar Option.

Gold Sandals: I don’t have any yellow-gold sandals, so here is a Better Option for you Tiger fans.

TCU Look:

Statement Necklace: I LOVE these square clear stones for the Horned Frogs. This necklace came from the Country Dollar- one of my best finds in that store. Similar Option.

Black Flats: Target once upon a time. Similar Option.

Go Team!

 

Game Day Style: Washington State

At this point I am positive my husband doesn’t know how to work the focus feature on my phone’s camera. All pictures taken at work are with the same phone. Double tap in the center! Come on. Anyway, here is my nod to Washington State. These gray boots get a lot of wear from me in the cooler months. Aside from this particular game day look, they go with everything!

Deep red sparkly tank: Express last year. Looks like they still have it. When you link to it, it looks maroon, but as you can see in my picture very reddish. I’ve worn it for FSU and Bama. It passes.

Gray Jeans: Also Express. It doesn’t look like they still carry the gray color. Similar Option.

Cardigan: Nordstrom Rack. Similar Option. You can probably find this for cheaper than the link I listed, but if you are shopping at Express anyway for the other pieces, they have tons of deals once you hit $75 or $100.

Boots: Target. They aren’t really this dark, not sure why they came out that way in the picture. Similar Option.

Bling Ring: Similar Option.

Go Cougs!