Due to popular demand and public outcry, I have been convinced (easily) to share with the readers of UED my picks for each of the 34 bowl games. That being said, there are at least three great things that happen every holiday season: Family, acquiring gifts you didn’t know you needed, and college football. Sitting down with the family and watching the madness ensue while sipping a nice glass of eggnog, can’t you just imagine it? Well, since not all of us, mostly the unemployed, get to enjoy these festive events, I’ll tell you what’s going to happen ahead of time. Here are my choices in chronological order of how the bowl games will play out.
1. New Mexico Bowl: Fresno St. (8-4) vs. Wyoming (6-6)Fresno State comes into this game with the leading rusher in the nation against a Wyoming team that barely scraped by at the end of the season. It’s a good step for the Wyoming Cowboys to make it to a bowl, but it would have to be their biggest upset of the season to pull away with this one. Fresno wins big. Fresno St. over Wyoming
2. St. Petersburg Bowl: Central Florida (8-4) vs. Rutgers (8-4)
Rutgers is the favorite in this game but not by much. Rutgers has had most of the national attention as a team going to their fifth straight bowl game, while UCF is celebrating making it at all. However, UCF takes this game in my first upset of the bowl season. UCF sports a nice win over Houston and is playing rather close to home where they have a 6-1 record. Rutgers has lost a majority of their big games this season and I see it happening again. UCF upsets Rutgers
3. R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: So Miss (7-5) vs. M Tenn State (9-3)
Another close game on paper and it should turn out to be a fun one indeed. Southern Mississippi is the slight favorite because of their strength of schedule, but MTU has had stronger play overall this year. Another factor is that both teams showcase a high scoring offense, with MTU edging the Golden Eagles in the defense category. I think the game will come down to who can play better on the road, and since USM sports a 1-6 away record, I’m giving it to the Blue Raiders. Middle Tennessee State upsets Southern Mississippi
4. MAACO Las Vegas Bowl: Oregon State (8-4) vs. BYU (10-2)
One of the most highly anticipated bowl games of the season should live up to its potential for excitement. Sean Canfield and Max Hall, the starting quarterbacks for each team respectively, will be trying to showcase themselves in their last games as collegiate players. Each team has a lot of talent in their skill positions, so it should come down to who gets up the most for this game. After narrowly missing a Rose Bowl birth, Oregon State should have a tough time feeling motivated, while BYU’s coach Bronco Mendenhall is going up against his Alma Mater. BYU over Oregon State
5. SDCCU Poinsettia Bowl: Utah (9-3) vs. California (8-4)
Another bowl game where both teams were looking for BCS bids and ending up underachieving. Utah was coming off a great season last year with thought of a national title this year, but ending up losing to BYU and TCU late in the season. Cal was no.6 in the nation until two consecutive drubbings by Oregon and USC. Cal is also coming off a horrible loss to Washington, which bodes negatively for this young team. The key to this game will be which team holds on in the second half and wears down the front seven. With a stronger running attack and better defensive line, the edge has to go to the Golden Bears. California over Utah
6. Sheraton Hawaii Bowl: Nevada (8-4) vs. Southern Methodist (7-5)
This game consists of two teams who don’t get a lot of national attention, but not for lack of good stats. Nevada is the first team to ever have three 1,000 yard rushers in a season. That’s just plain ridiculous. SMU’s freshmen quarterback threw for almost 1,500 yards and 8 TDs in 6 games. While those stats are impressive, the negatives are also an important part of what will ultimately decide this game. Nevada is ranked 119th out of 120 teams in pass defense, while SMU gives up over 400 yards a game. Using that triple headed run game, Nevada controls possession of the ball and takes this high scoring match up. Nevada over Southern Methodist
7. Little Caesar’s Bowl: Marshall (6-6) vs. Ohio (9-4)
Ohio is playing for their first bowl victory in its last four tries and Marshall is looking for its first win since 2002. Marshall’s coach just recently resigned after having a few unsuccessful seasons, leaving the team in a bit of a lurch. Ohio is heading back to the stadium where they just lost the MAC Championship, which would have been their first since 1968. Both teams have a valid passing attack, while the Thundering Herd’s back Darius Marshall is clearly the better player. Ohio will get over the last loss on that field and redeem its name. Ohio over Marshall
8. Meineke Car Care Bowl: Pittsburgh (9-3) vs. North Carolina (8-4)
Pittsburgh was a missed extra point and 33 seconds away from an Orange bowl appearance this year. North Carolina lost to their rivals N.C. State the last game of the year. However, for UNC, now they get to play in Chapel Hill, only a couple hours away from home. For Pittsburgh, they’re coming off probably the toughest loss of the season going into a hostile crowd. While everything is pointing in the direction of UNC, I still think Pitt is too talented to let another game slip away. Pittsburgh over North Carolina
9. Emerald Bowl: Boston College (8-4) vs. Southern California (8-4)
The major story that everyone is talking about for this bowl is how far the great USC has fallen. It happens to everybody sooner or later, get over it. USC is still an elite team, the Pac-10 just happened to catch up a bit this year. Boston College is sneaking into this game, being almost written off by everyone around the country. It wouldn’t be smart to overlook sophomore running back Montel Harris, who is coming off a great year. Both times the Trojans really were exposed, it was by a solid running attack. If the Trojans get up for this game, which they should with a huge fan base in attendance, there will be no contest. USC big. Southern California over Boston College
10. Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl: Kentucky (7-5) vs. Clemson (8-5)
An ACC-SEC match-up with a bit of star power is the calling card for this game. Clemson is putting forward Heisman contending running back and return man CJ Spiller against a Kentucky defense that lets up 183 yards a game. Unless the Wildcats can pick up their run defense, there isn’t much else to talk about here. Clemson over Kentucky
11. Advocare V100 Independence Bowl: Texas A&M (6-6) vs. Georgia (7-5)
Here is an Independence Bowl that has seen better records, but not too many offenses like the one at A&M. Quarterback Jerrod Johnson has thrown for 3,217 yards and 28 touchdowns, with only six picks. Oh yeah, he also has 455 yards on the ground with 8 accompanying TDs. Georgia just recently fired three of their defensive coordinators, leaving the defense to the head coach and the d-line coach. Even though Georgia is favored by a touchdown and Texas hasn’t played well on the road, I’m smelling an upset. Texas A&M upsets Georgia
12. Eaglebank Bowl: UCLA (6-6) vs. Temple (9-3)
This was one of the tougher games to pick solely based on strength of schedule. UCLA has beaten some tough opponents, but has a worse record. Temple has been victorious over a bunch of teams that haven’t had the best seasons this year. Statistics wise, Temple should take this game because of it highly potent rushing attack. However, I’m not sure they can stand up to the raw talent that UCLA has sprinkled throughout their team, including 4 All-Americans. In the end, UCLA shows up to play and takes this game. UCLA over Temple
13. Champs Sports Bowl: Miami (9-3) vs. Wisconsin (9-3)
One of my chosen games to watch in the past segment, should definitely be on everyone’s TV come December 29th. This was one of the hardest games to pick for me because the teams are so evenly matched. Miami’s touts a massive passing attack, while Wisconsin is showcasing a bruising running game for over 200 yards a game. Miami’s quarterback Jacory Harris has had trouble with interceptions this year, but the Badgers don’t have an amazing secondary. Playing the game in Florida will be huge in this game as the Hurricanes put on an aerial assault early to put away the Badgers. Miami over Wisconsin
14. Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl: Bowling Green (7-5) vs. Idaho (7-5)
The Humanitarian Bowl hasn’t seen the Idaho Vandals since 1998, and probably for good reason. This game should be like a home game for the Vandals who are playing in their state capital Boise on the blue turf. Bowling Green brings in their talented passing attack featuring the runner up in the Biletnikoff award, receiver Freddie Barnes. Five more receptions this year and he’ll set an NCAA record. I predict that happening and more because regardless of the area, Bowling Green is just the better team with more momentum going into this game. Bowling Green over Idaho
That does it for the first half of my bowl picks this year. Check in tomorrow for the final 15. Editors note: (5 picks were in the last segment on BCS selection weekend. 14+15+5=34)
