SEC Bowl Games: Previewing Every Contest and Predicting the Winners
Another regular season has come and gone. Yet the end of this season resembles the end of each of the last four college football season's--with an SEC team preparing to play for the BCS National Championship.
This was supposed to be a down year for the conference. With both Florida and Alabama taking a step back, it was hard to foresee any other SEC team replicating either of those team's recent success.
But that was before we knew Cam Newton. Well, we knew him as a Gator, but we go to know him much better as an Auburn Tiger.
13 wins and zero losses later, the replacement for Alabama and Florida is well known.
But we must not leave out the other nine SEC teams that achieved bowl eligibility in 2010. 10 of the 12 SEC teams made it to at least six wins this season, the most of any conference, to fill each of its alloted slots in the bowl season.
So much for having a "down year."
Here is a short preview and prediction for each SEC bowl game.
BBVA Compass Bowl: Kentucky Vs. Pittsburgh
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When Rich Brooks retired last December after seven seasons as Kentucky head coach, many wondered if Joker Phillips could duplicate Brooks' recent success--most notably the 'Cats four year bowl appearance streak.
Phillips kept the streak alive and even has the Wildcats in the rivals.com top 40 in recruiting. Suffice it to say, the torch has been passed.
While Kentucky has some very talented athletes, it probably doesn't quite equal the potential of the Pittsburgh Panthers. Unfortunately for Pitt, head coach Dave Wannstedt has yet to tap in to all of that potential. If he had, the Panthers would not be bowling in Birmingham the second weekend in January.
Kentucky ranked No. 79 against the run which could be good news for Panthers running back tandem of Dion Lewis and Ray Graham.
Pitt will probably continue its under-achieving ways in this one. Kentucky wins, 24-21.
Notables
6-6 Kentucky vs. 7-5 Pittsburgh
Common Opponents--Louisville: Kentucky won 23-16. Pitt won 20-3.
Kentucky vs. Top 25: 1-3
Pittsburgh vs. Top 25: 0-1
This will be the first meeting between the programs.
Music City Bowl: Tennessee Vs. North Carolina
2 of 10
After one of the more tumultuous off-seasons in recent college football history, Tennessee finished its first month the 2010 season with a 2-2 record, including a lopsided loss to BCS Championship participant, Oregon.
In October, the Vols went 0-4 and looked completely out-manned in the process. But November was a completely different story for Tennessee, as is usually the case. The Vols finished the season's final month on a four game winning streak which allowed the Vols to become bowl eligible.
Freshman quarterback Tyler Bray emerged as the future of the Tennessee offense, while veterans like Gerald Jones, Denarius Moore and Luke Stocker helped to secure the Vols bowl berth this season.
North Carolina had quite a rocky offseason for different reasons than the Vols. The 'Heels found themselves immersed in the mother of all agent scandals just weeks before the season was to kickoff.
In a matter of weeks Butch Davis's team went from being an ACC favorite to gigantic question mark when three surefire NFL draftees were kicked off the team for illegal contact with agents (Greg Little, Marvin Austin, Robert Quinn).
Each of the Vols six wins have happened in the state of Tennessee. With these teams being fairly evenly matched, there's no reason to think the Vols won't make that seven wins in the Volunteer State.
Vols, 31-30.
Notables
6-6 Tennessee vs. 7-5 North Carolina
Common Opponents--LSU: Tennessee lost 16-14, UNC lost 30-24.
Tennessee vs. Top 25: 0-5
UNC vs. Top 25: 1-2
In August, Tennessee cancelled a two-year agreement to play UNC from 2011-12.
This will be the 32nd meeting between the programs (Tennessee 20-10-1, last meeting 1961).
Liberty Bowl: Georgia Vs. Central Florida
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For the second straight season, the 'Dawgs will appear in a lower-tier SEC bowl. Georgia recovered somewhat from its 1-4 start by winning three games in row to get to .500. But losses to Florida and Auburn in its final four games relegated the 'Dawgs to the bottom tier of SEC bowl games.
Central Florida won the Conference USA championship on Saturday by defeating Southern Methodist. The Knights won 10 games this season. Nine of those wins were won by double-digits. However, two of the Knights three losses came against teams from BCS conferences (NC State and Kansas State).
Central Florida head coach, George O' Leary knows a thing or two about the 'Dawgs. As head coach at Georgia Tech, O' Leary led the Yellow Jackets against their chief rival, Georgia from 1994-2001, winning three in a row from 1998-2000.
For Georgia, redshirt freshman quarterback Aaron Murray and potential top five NFL draft pick, junior wide receiver AJ Green offer a prolific offensive attack. But Central Florida's defense is ranked No. 12 in the nation only giving up 18 points per game.
Still, the Knights have not faced the speed and strength that they are set to contend with in Memphis.
Georgia wins, 31-13.
Notables
6-6 Georgia vs. 9-3 Central Florida
Common Opponents--None
Georgia vs. Top 25: 0-3
UCF vs. Top 25: 0-0
This will be the second meeting between the programs (Georgia 1-0, last meeting '99).
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Chick-Fil-A Bowl: South Carolina Vs.Florida State
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Steve Spurrier knows all about the Florida State Seminoles. As the head coach of the Florida Gators from 1990-2001, Spurrier went 4-7-1 against Bobby Bowden and the 'Noles.
Just in case you haven't watched college football since 2001, this is not your daddy's Florida State team. Sure, it hasn't missed a bowl since the glory years, but it hasn't been the same top ten power that it was for much of those 12 meetings between Spurrier and Bobby Bowden.
In 2010, however, Spurrier is coaching a different SEC team and Bowden is no longer coaching.
South Carolina was drilled by Auburn in the SEC title game last weekend, but the only common thread between that SEC Championship game and the Chick-Fil-A Bowl will be the Georgia Dome.
Florida State made strides in its first season under Jimbo Fisher, but Marcus Lattimore and Alshon Jeffery should give Spurrier his first 10 win season since coming to Columbia in 2005.
Gamecocks win, 27-13.
Notables
9-4 South Carolina vs. 9-4 Florida State
Common Opponents--Clemson: South Carolina 29-7, FSU 16-13; Florida: South Carolina 36-14, FSU 31-7.
South Carolina vs. Top 25: 3-3
FSU vs. Top 25: 1-2
This will be the 19th meeting between the programs. (FSU 15-3, last meeting 1991)
Outback Bowl: Florida Vs. Penn State
5 of 10
This was by far the worst season Florida has had under Urban Meyer. The Gators never seemed to gel offensively. At times it seemed as though the Gators were trying to fit a square peg in a round hole with pro-style quarterback John Brantley.
Meyer and beleaguered offensive coordinator Steve Addazio could not settle on a quarterback and the multiple-personality disorder showed on the field for much of the season.
Penn State, on the other hand, struggled mightily with one quarterback throughout the first half of the season, until Matt McGloin stepped up and led the Nittany Lions to four wins in their final six games.
And of course, one must not forget senior running back Evan Royster's role in the Penn State offense. It wasn't a prolific season for the veteran running back, but his 916 yards this season is a big reason why the Nittany Lions are playing on New Year's Day yet again.
As long as Addazio is running the show, I have no reason to believe Florida can beat anyone of consequence.
Penn State wins, 20-13.
Notables
7-5 Florida vs. 7-5 Penn State
Common Opponents--Alabama: Florida lost 31-6, Penn State lost 24-3.
Florida vs. Top 25: 0-4
Penn State vs. Top 25: 0-4
This will be the third meeting between the programs (Florida 2-0, '97 last meeting).
Gator Bowl: Mississippi State Vs. Michigan
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For a while over the past couple of days, many of the Mississippi State faithful were worried about where their beloved Bulldogs would wind up spending the holidays. The various reports indicating the Gator Bowl was on the verge of taking 6-6 Tennessee over 8-4, nationally ranked Bulldogs drew much consternation from Starkville, Mississippi.
Finally, the Gator Bowl came through and Mississippi State's first eight-win regular season since 2000 was rewarded with the New Year's Day Bowl.
Perhaps known more for their role in the Cam Newton investigation, the Bulldogs quietly amassed an impressive resume that included a win at the Swamp (Florida) and a three point home loss to Auburn.
Michigan started strong at 5-0, but the Wolverines lost five of their last seven games to land Rich Rodriguez back on the hotseat before the season even ended. Denard Robinson is an electric athlete, but the Wolverines lack of defense cost them in all five losses.
Mississippi State wins, 30-21.
Notables
8-4 Mississippi State vs. 7-5 Michigan
Common Opponents--None
Mississippi State vs. Top 25: 1-4
Michigan vs. Top 25: 0-4
This will be the first meeting between the programs.
Cotton Bowl: LSU Vs. Texas A&M
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Call it skill. Call it luck. Call it voodoo magic. Whatever you call it, its name is Les Miles. After nearly allowing North Carolina to tie the season opener, which LSU lead by three touchdowns at halftime, with mere moments remaining, LSU should have known the ride it was in for in 2010.
It wasn't until getting an un-timed down from the Tennessee one-yard line with 0:00 on the clock for the win, that we all knew the truth--Les Miles knows someone who knows someone. The following week Miles called a timeout to seemingly freeze his own kicker with 35-seconds remaining versus the Florida Gators only to end up calling a fake field goal that went for a first down. Seconds later, LSU scored a touchdown to win the game.
Texas A&M had a slightly more sane season in College Station. The Aggies started out 3-0 before losing three games in a row, two of those games by a combined 10 points. A&M wouldn't lose another one, however.
The Aggies have played well for much of the season and their only losses came to teams with juggernaut offenses (Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Missouri).
Expect a low-scoring, slobber-knocker in this one, as both offenses have struggled at times this season.
Aggies win, 16-13.
Notables
10-2 LSU vs. 9-3 Texas A&M
Common Opponents--Arkansas: LSU lost 31-23, A&M lost 24-17.
LSU vs. Top 25: 4-2
A&M vs. Top 25: 2-2
This will be the 50th meeting between the programs (LSU 26-20-3, last meeting 1995).
Capital One Bowl: Alabama Vs. Michigan State
8 of 10
Alabama's title defending season did not go quite as planned for the Crimson Tide. Playing six teams coming off a bye week can have negative impact on any team, much less a team with a gigantic target already on its back after winning the 2009 National Championship.
'Bama was ambushed in Columbia, South Carolina, but its other two losses were by a combined four points. Despite the three losses, this Alabama team still has the two-headed beast of Trent Richardson and Mark Ingram, in addition to the No. 5 overall defense in the land.
Michigan State has put together a remarkable season for coach Mark Dantonio. To think he missed a handful of games after suffering a heart attack following the overtime victory over Notre Dame, while his team continued winning, is an incredible testament to the job Dantonio and his staff did this season.
If the Spartans had not been blown out of Iowa City in late October, they would be playing in the Rose Bowl or the BCS National Championship Game instead of the Capital One Bowl.
Alabama wins 26-19.
Notables
9-3 Alabama vs. 11-1 Michigan State
Common Opponents--Penn State: Alabama won 24-3, Michigan State won 28-22.
Alabama vs. Top 25: 4-3
Michigan State vs. Top 25: 2-1
Nick Saban will face off against Michigan State for the first time since leaving East Lansing for LSU following the 1999 season.
This will be the first meeting between the programs.
Sugar Bowl: Arkansas Vs. Ohio State
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At the risk of making Buckeyes fans mad, it must be pointed out that Ohio State has yet to defeat an SEC team in nine tries. Now that the elephant in the room has been exposed, I should also point out the fact that Ryan Mallett was a quarterback at Michigan until Lloyd Carr retired following the 2007 season.
Arkansas came up short twice this season, against Alabama and Auburn, but the prolific offensive attack that the Razorbacks boast is nothing to take lightly. The Hogs ranked No. 16 in scoring offense and No. 3 in passing offense this season behind Mallett's golden arm and Bobby Petrino's incredible playcalling.
Meanwhile in Columbus, Ohio State ranked No. 5 in the nation against the pass in 2010. Jim Tressel led his Buckeyes to another 10-plus win season behind the stellar play of junior quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Ohio State could not get back into the national title conversation after its loss to Wisconsin, but make no mistake, the Buckeyes are still a formidable foe in January.
Neither team has lost since October 16 and both should be well rested going into the January 4th game.
Until Ohio State proves it can beat a good SEC team, however, I won't pick the Buckeyes.
Arkansas wins, 31-27.
Notables
10-2 Arkansas vs. 11-1 Ohio State
Common Opponents--None
Arkansas vs. Top 25: 3-2
Ohio State vs. Top 25: 2-1
This will be the first meeting between the programs.
BCS National Championship Game: Auburn Vs. Oregon
10 of 10
It has been an incredible season on the Plains for the Auburn faithful. Just two seasons removed from a 5-7 disaster that cost Tommy Tuberville his job, the Tigers find themselves playing for a national championship.
Quarterback Cameron Newton has been nothing short of remarkable all season long. Whether he's bolling over linebackers, who he's actually equal to in size, or throwing the ball with accuracy, Newton has proved to be unstoppable all season long.
He's been un-fazed even by the NCAA investigation into his eligibility which threatened to take it all away from Cam and Auburn. But even Cam might not have been so unstoppable without a remarkable offensive line that has paved the way for the junior quarterback this season.
Oregon, on the other hand, has relied totally on speed and quickness to get it to 12-0 this season. Head coach Chip Kelly has pulled all the right strings in 2010 and his Ducks have been nearly as unstoppable as Cameron Newton has been for Auburn.
Whether it's Heisman candidate La'Michael James, the speedy Kenjon Barner, or the athletic quarterback Darron Thomas, the Ducks have run past, around, and through every opponent on the schedule.
This is likely to be one of the best BCS National Championship games in a very long time. Expect a lot of scoring and a very long game.
In the end, it's just too hard to pick against Cam Newton.
Auburn wins, 49-48.
Notables
13-0 Auburn vs. 12-0 Oregon
Common Opponents--None
Auburn vs. Top 25: 5-0
Oregon vs. Top 25: 3-0
This will be the first meeting between the programs.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
