The Wiz of Odds

Texas Dominates California in the Holiday Bowl

All the fireworks were before kickoff of Wednesday night's Holiday Bowl in San Diego. Texas and California entered with 7-5 records and the game turned into a dud, with the more athletic Longhorns prevailing, 21-10, before 56,313.

Texas sacked Cal quarterback Zach Maynard six times and forced five turnovers.

San Diego Union-Tribune columnist Nick Canepa wrote that the game was "a flop" and says "the Holiday, once among the top six bowls, has allowed itself to slip past the likes of the Alamo."

Photos in this post are from Image of Sport. There are more photos after the jump and on this link.

Bottom Line: Both California, Oregon Were Cheating

The big controversy in the Pac-10 this week has centered on assertions that California defensive players faked injuries to slow the Oregon offense in Saturday's game at Memorial Stadium. Such assertions aren't new. Tennessee is said to have employed the strategy, and this video shows several questionable stoppages of play in the Ducks' games against Arizona State and Stanford.

The Oregonian also reported that a source within the Cal program said faking injuries to slow down Oregon was a big part of the defensive gameplan, although not all Golden Bear coaches were on board with the strategy.

This week, ESPN picked up on Cal's fakery and amplified the practice even more. The Bears' strategy was highlighted on Jim Rome Is Burning, First Take, Pardon The Interruption and ESPNews, the clip of which is shown above.

Technically, there is no NCAA rule against faking an injury, but the rulebook does mention feigning injury under "coaching ethics,'' calling the teaching of it "indefensible.''

But Oregon was not alone in bending the rules in Saturday's game. Check this pick play the Ducks run in the second quarter, just behind the unsuspecting umpire. This is in the rule book and it's illegal.

Just Like Old Times for USC

USC rolled out the red carpet and the Song Girls to welcome new university president C.L. Max Nikias and his wife Niki for Saturday's game against California at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. The Trojans didn't disappoint, rolling to a 48-14 victory. Image of Sport was on the scene and you can view their gallery from the game by clicking here.

'Equity Seat Rights' Take Hold in Kansas

Kansas is following the lead of California in entering the business of "equity seat rights," the latest marketing innovation that requires fans to pay big bucks in order to secure the best seats in the house.

Jayhawk fans who pay as much as $105,000 over 10 years will earn the right to buy guaranteed top seats at Memorial Stadium for the next 30 years. In return, the seats will stay locked in at 2010 prices. Fans will also be able to take a tax write-off for donating to a university.

The Chicago-based Stadium Capital Financing Group is behind the plan, and chief executive officer Lou Weisbach says it's a win-win for all involved.

"Even in difficult financial times, the price of the best seats in professional stadiums and university programs go up," Weisbach said. "This is the ultimate solution for the shortfalls universities are facing in their athletics programs."

Kansas is targeting fans interested in securing seats in the new 3,000-seat Gridiron Club, an addition to 90-year-old Memorial Stadium that will open for business in the fall. The club will offer cushioned seats, catered food, private restrooms and preferred parking. The university is hoping to cover $34 million in stadium renovations, with long-range plans of raising $200 million.

One problem: Jayhawk fans have not been receptive to the plan. Only $5 million of the $34 million has been raised.

Don't Mess With the Mountain West

The bowl season isn't a week old, but the Mountain West is already 3-0. Utah's 37-27 victory over California in the Poinsettia Bowl followed Brigham Young's win over Oregon State, making the Mountain West 2-0 this postseason against the Pacific 10. Wyoming started the league's run with a victory against Fresno State.

Our friends at Image of Sport were in San Diego on Wednesday night for the Utes' victory, and you can view other images from the Poinsettia Bowl after the jump. View Image of Sport's gallery by clicking here. 

Best's Horrifying Landing After Touchdown

California running back Jahvid Best was knocked unconscious after scoring this touchdown in the second quarter against Oregon State. Best was strapped to a board, loaded on a gurney and wheeled away wearing an oxygen mask. Officials at a local hospital said he suffered a concussion.