Bowl week has officially begun.
Last week we had the lovefest news conferences. That's when the coaches from opposing teams in a bowl meet with the media and talk about respect for each other and their programs.
Sometimes it is real, very real, like when Arkansas' Bret Bielema and Kansas State's Bill Snyder met in Memphis. Early in his career, Bielema worked for Snyder, and there is a true respect that a young guy develops for a mentor. That's what Snyder, the Hall of Fame coach, has been to many aspiring young coaches.
Mostly those news conferences are to drum up interest and sell tickets, something that may become more difficult in years to come as more focus grows on the Final Four -- the College Football Playoffs.