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The hours and minutes until kickoff are ticking away and the buzz is reaching a fevered pitch.  First things first, a brief recap of today's events.

Today the guys had a formal breakfast and attended an awards ceremony where the Offense-Defense Player of the Year awards were handed out by the lovely Lauren Nelson, 2007's Miss America pageant winner.  Pictures will be being posted sometime later of the ceremony as well as a rundown of all the award-winners but if you weren't there don't fret, you didn't miss everything!  You'll have a chance to catch Miss Nelson tonight as she opens the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl with her rendition of the National Anthem!

After the ceremony, it was back to Orange Bowl Stadium itself for a final walkthrough before tonight's big game.  You might expect these young men to be nervous but surprisingly the mood seemed more...expectant.  There were no jitters.  A more appropriate word to describe how the guys seem to feel is amped.  Maybe that'll change closer to game time.  I'd wouldn't put my money on it.  The poise alone that the Bowl athletes display is enough for a look from scouts, nevermind their playing ability.

Of course then there's the playing ability and I'll say this.  Folks traveling to the game tonight or watching at home on Fox College Sports are going to get their money's worth.  I don't want to say outright that this year's squad is better than last year's but neither will I say they are worse.  To be honest, if tonight's game is even half as exciting as last year's, you'll be talking about it for weeks.

I. Can't. Wait!