Bowl season gets underway Saturday with the first of 34 bowl games. Damn, that’s 68 bowl bids. I guess when a team loads up on FCS and Sun Belt teams in the nonconference, being bowl eligible doesn’t mean much. But here we are anyway, and I’ll attempt to pick all 34, though I will likely only watch about half of them.
New Mexico Bowl – Fresno State vs Wyoming
Fresno finished strong with a dramatic overtime win over Illinois in Champaign. A loaded schedule included losses to Wisconsin, Cincinnati and Boise State, but that should have them ready. Props for Dave Christensen for getting Wyoming back to a bowl in his first season.
Pick: Fresno State
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl – Central Florida vs Rutgers
When Rutgers lost by 32 at home to Cincinnati in week one, things weren’t looking good. But the Scarlet Knights pulled it together and finished 8-4 in a surprisingly competitive Big East. However, Central Florida basically has a home game here, and containing Tim Brown’s big play ability will be key. Rutgers’ D ranks 99th.
Pick: Central Florida
New Orleans Bowl – Southern Mississippi vs Middle Tennessee State
Sub Belt runner-up Middle Tennessee’s lone conference loss was to Troy, and 9-3 should be considered a success. Al logic says pick the Blue Raiders, but I’m going against my logic on this. Southern Mississippi had some heartbreaking losses against good teams, which will ultimately have them prepared for this game.
Pick: Southern Mississippi
Las Vegas Bowl – Oregon State vs BYU
The Beavers were just a few plays away from playing Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Instead, they settle for Vegas and a great matchup with BYU. The Beavers played five teams in the top 25, while the Cougars played just two. Max Hall should have fun with the Beaver defense, but Oregon State will win a high-scoring game.
Pick: Oregon State
Poinsettia Bowl – Utah vs California
Jahvid Best should be ready for this game, but how well he will do coming back from the concussion is unknown. The Golden Bears, ranked as high as #6 earlier this year, fell after back to back blowout losses mid-season. Utah’s defense is #20 in the country, while Cal ranks at #70.
Pick: Utah
Sheraton Bowl – Nevada vs SMU
SMU will snap its 25 year bowl drought when it takes the field in Honolulu on Christmas Eve to play Nevada. The Wolfpack got hot at the end of the season, winning eight of their final nine after an 0-3 start. SMU will be happy to be here. Nevada isn’t leaving without a win.
Pick: Nevada
Little Caesars Bowl – Marshall vs Ohio
One of only two bowls north of the Mason Dixon line takes place in Detroit between two virtually equal teams. Marshall is 6-6 but has played a tougher schedule. Ohio is 9-4 after a MAC Championship loss to Central Michigan. Ohio did play Tennessee and UConn tough.
Pick: Ohio
Meineke Car Care Bowl – Pittsburgh vs North Carolina
Like Oregon State, Pittsburgh has to be crushed knowing that an Orange Bowl date with Georgia Tech was probably one or two plays away. After a heartbreaking loss to Cincinnati, the Panthers settle for a “neutral” site game in Charlotte with the Heels. Carolina’s defense will keep it close, but the ‘Heels just can’t score.
Pick: Pittsburgh
Emerald Bowl – Boston College vs USC
I’m really entertained to see what the line on this game will turn out to be. Right now it’s USC -9, and I’ll take the Trojans to cover. Boston College has a terrible offense, and USC’s defense can be good despite some poor games. This is a weird bowl to see USC playing in, and you know they are peeved about it. Watch out BC.
Pick: USC
Music City Bowl – Kentucky vs Clemson
Clemson, suffering from the Pitt/Oregon State virus, will have to watch their team take on a -not-as-good-as-their-record Kentucky team. I’ve thought the ‘Cats were overrated all year, and Clemson has a chance to prove me right. Kentucky’s rush D is ranked #100. C.J. Spiller will have a field day.
Pick: Clemson
Independence Bowl – Texas A&M vs Georgia
The interesting matchup here is Georgia’s fairly good defense against Texas A&M’s explosive offense. The Aggies lit up Texas’ third ranked D and can do it again when they play the Bulldogs. But the Aggie defense is awful, and Georgia should have its chances to score as well.
Pick: Georgia
EagleBank Bowl – UCLA vs Temple
Games like this are the toughest to pick. UCLA is 6-6, but with the #11 schedule in the nation. Temple is 9-3, but had the sixth easiest schedule. UCLA’s offense is ranked #88. Temple’s is #89. UCLA’s defense is #39, Temple’s is #37. I’ll take the Bruins because of the schedule.
Pick: UCLA
Champs Sports Bowl – Miami vs Wisconsin
Another game with no distinct advantage is a good one which features two 9-3 teams. Wisconsin’s loss to Northwestern cost them their shot at a New Year’s Day bowl game despite a better overall record than the Wildcats. Jacory Harris will make enough plays to push the ‘Canes to victory in their home state.
Pick: Miami
Humanitarian Bowl – Bowling Green vs Idaho
Idaho fans were on a roller coaster early this season with the team’s 6-1 start. But that vanished after the Vandals lost four of their final five, and they limp into Boise, where they lost on the same field by 38. This time, Tyler Sheehan and Bowling Green are the opponents. Limiting Sheehan’s big plays will be key for Idaho.
Pick: Idaho
Holiday Bowl – Arizona vs Nebraska
Geographically, Arizona has the edge, but Husker fans will travel to watch their near Big 12 champions play. Both defenses are really good, which is why I think 17 points may be enough. The difference is that Arizona can score, and has, against good teams. The Huskers haven’t shown consistent offense all season.
Pick: Arizona
Armed Forces Bowl – Houston vs Air Force
The Armed Forces have their team, the Falcons, in this game. Awaiting the Falcons is the #1 offense in the nation – the Houston Cougars. Case Keenum and James Cleveland will be faced with its toughest task of the season with the Falcons’ #10 defense. It’s Keenum’s chance to prove he deserved an invite to New York.
Pick: Houston
Sun Bowl – Oklahoma vs Stanford
How about this high-profile matchup? Last year, the final score of the Sun Bowl was 3-0. This year Heisman runner-up Toby Gerhart and the Cardinal will need more than that to beat the Sooners. Gerhart will look to add to his nation-best 26 touchdowns against the seventh ranked Sooner rush defense.
Pick: Stanford
Texas Bowl – Navy vs Missouri
Missouri became the first team in college football history to scout its bowl opponent in a live game, as the Army/Navy game took place after the bowl selection process. It’s Navy’s fourth ranked rush attack vs Missouri’s #12 rush defense. Navy’s only chance is if they can find a way to pass.
Pick: Missouri
Insight Bowl – Minnesota vs Iowa State
The Insight Bowl took the Cyclones, who are bowling for the first time since 2001. That decision makes for a good game. Neither team’s offense or defense is any good, but the Gophers at least have a respectable defense. Iowa State can’t stop anyone.
Pick: Minnesota
Chick-fil-A Bowl – Virginia Tech vs Tennessee
Here’s a game that I don’t think will be close. Virginia Tech has an outstanding defense, and Tennessee doesn’t do much to move the ball. The Vols defense may keep it respectable for a while, but eventually Virginia Tech, who was ranked as high as number four even after the ‘Bama loss, will pull away.
Pick: Virginia Tech
Outback Bowl – Northwestern vs Auburn
Would you believe me if I told you Auburn has played seven top 30 teams? That’s right, seven. The Tigers won three of those games, but it’s more about the fact that they played those games that has them prepared for this New Year’s Day dandy. Northwestern played well at the end of the year and won’t go down without a fight.
Pick: Auburn
Capital One Bowl – Penn State vs LSU
The best bowl game of the season is in Orlando. LSU played Florida and Alabama tough, but Penn State will be a monstrous challenge as well. The Lions’ D is eighth best in the country, and LSU has the twelfth worst offense in the nation. It’s going to be tough for the Tigers to score.
Pick: Penn State
Gator Bowl – West Virginia vs Florida State
How ironic is it that Bobby Bowden’s last game is against the team he used to coach? As fun as the Bowden storyline should be, the Seminoles have no business being in this game. Other ACC schools (Clemson, Miami) have to be peeved about the ‘Noles getting the Gator bid.
Pick: West Virginia
International Bowl – South Florida vs Northern Illinois
Sophomore quarterback Chandler Harnish has been very efficient for Northern Illinois, but they haven’t played a team nearly as good as South Florida since a week one loss to Wisconsin. The Bulls played tough in a good Big East conference. The only bowl not played in the U.S. should be a fun one.
Pick: South Florida
Papajohns.com Bowl – South Carolina vs Connecticut
Middle-of-the-pack teams clash in the only bowl named for a pizza. UConn lost all five games by four points or fewer, which is quite unbelievable when you think about it. A few bounces going the other way could make this team 12-0. Four of South Carolina’s five losses came by double digits.
Pick: Connecticut
Cotton Bowl – Oklahoma State vs Mississippi
Both of these teams started the season in the top 10 and had national championship aspirations. Jevan Snead was supposed to win the Heisman and go #1. Zac Robinson, Kendall Hunter and Dez Bryant were supposed to combine to form the best offense in the country. This is a game of disappointment.
Pick: Mississippi
Liberty Bowl – Arkansas vs East Carolina
The Pirates were awfully impressive in capturing their second straight Conference USA championship by knocking off Houston. Their reward is a date with Arkansas. Ryan Mallett had a heck of a year that went unnoticed because the Hogs lost five games.
Pick: Arkansas
Alamo Bowl – Michigan State vs Texas Tech
Everyone knew this would be a down year for Texas Tech following the losses of Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree, but 8-4 is surprisingly respectable for the Red Raiders. First year starter Taylor Potts threw for more than 3,000 yards, and he’ll have another big game against the Spartans.
Pick: Texas Tech
GMAC Bowl – Central Michigan vs Troy
Central Michigan’s turnaround led to a MAC championship. Now Butch Jones is bolting for Cincinnati to fill the void left by Brian Kelly. Coach or no coach, the Chippewas should have no trouble moving the ball at will against Troy. Troy has the offense to keep it close, so look for a high-scoring game.
Pick: Central Michigan
Rose Bowl – Ohio State vs Oregon
Jeremiah Masoli and the Ducks could have folded after losing to Boise State to open the season. Instead, the Ducks won 10 of 11, dethroned USC to win the Pac 10, and earned a Rose Bowl berth. Ohio State is on the other end, making this the best BCS game on this year’s slate.
Pick: Oregon
Sugar Bowl – Cincinnati vs Florida
Tim Tebow lost the game he wanted to win more than anything. Now he plays his last college game against a team without a coach. Cincinnati has scored a lot of points on a lot of people, but they haven’t faced a defense like Florida’s. Tebow won’t let the Gators lose this one.
Pick: Florida
Fiesta Bowl – Boise State vs TCU
We can talk all we want about the fact that these are two non-BCS teams playing each other, or about them both being undefeated, or about them playing in the national championship game. But the matchup is what it is, and it should be entertaining. TCU won last year, and they’ll repeat this year.
Pick: TCU
Orange Bowl – Iowa vs Georgia Tech
The Hawkeyes were an overtime loss away from winning the Big Ten, but they’ll take their first BCS bowl game since the era began. Awaiting Iowa and its #11 defense is Georgia Tech’s second ranked rush offense, led by Jonathan Dwyer and Josh Nesbitt.
Pick: Georgia Tech
BCS National Championship – Alabama vs Texas
Which Texas team will show up? The Horns that blew out Okie State in Stillwater? It better be. The team that “beat” Nebraska? Stay home. We know the Tide and Heisman winner Mark Ingram will be there. Both teams have good enough defenses to keep from getting blown out. Bottom line: roll Tide.
Pick: Alabama
