Complete 2010-11 College Bowl Game Predictions

After a summer of hyperventilating over conference realignment that was more whimper than bang, the 2010 college football season is two weeks from kickoff.

While FCS programs mess around with that whole playoff system (sarcasm), the goal of the big boys in the FBS is to get into a postseason bowl game.

With 35 games on tap (34 of which are meaningless) that means 70 of 120 FBS programs will play in a bowl.

Anybody can predict the college bowl season after actual games have been played.

But it takes a real prognosticator (or a damn fool) to predict the college bowl season four months before it begins.

So here I put my powers of football observation to good use and predict the teams that will play in the 2010-11 bowl games.

New Mexico Bowl—Frenso St. vs. Florida Atlantic

The Bulldogs return 15 starters, but 1,800-yard RB Ryan Matthews isn't one of them. Senior QB Ryan Colborn will carry to bigger load, but sophomore RB Robbie Rouse needs to step up to give the offense a balanced attack.

Owls junior RB Alfred Morris will lead the Sun Belt Conference in rushing for the second straight season. However, it will be the maturation of QB Jeff Van camp that powers FAU to a winning record and a bowl appearance.

Prediction: Frenso St. 24, FAU 20

Dec. 18, 2pm/ET on ESPN

uDrove Humanitarian Bowl—Nevada vs. Ohio

Nevada will challenge Boise St for WAC supremacy but come up just short. Last season's top rushing attack (fifth overall offense) returns its top weapons in dual-threat QB Colin Kaepernick (3,185 offense total yards and 36 TDs) and RB Vai Taua (1,345 yards, 10 TDs). The Wolf Pack must improve its passing D, which was second worst in the country in 2009, to be competitive.

Ohio QB Boo Jackson returns after missing most of 2009 season with a shoulder injury. While he has WRs LaVon Brazill and Terrence McCrae to haul in his passes, the Bobcats running game remains weak. Six starters return to last year's 32th ranked defense, including the whole D-line.

Prediction: Nevada 23, Ohio 17

Dec. 18, 5:30pm/ET on ESPN

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl—Middle Tennessee St. vs. Southern Miss.

Blue Raiders QB Dwight Dasher gained nearly 4,000 total yards and scored 36 TDs last year. MTSU might want to find a RB who can relieve some of the burden off Dasher's legs.

The Golden Eagles passing attack will be strong again in 2010 with QB Martevious Young and WRs DeAndre Browwn and Gerald Baptiste back. But Southern Miss. has to replace their top two rushers from 2009.

MTSU won a 42-32 shootout when these teams met in last year's New Orleans Bowl. Expect a repeat performance.

Prediction: MTSU 38, Southern Miss 35

Dec. 18, 5:30pm/ET on ESPN

Beef 'O' Brady's St. Petersburg Bowl—Rutgers vs. Tulsa

Rutgers offense might struggle more this season than it did in 2009 with WR Tim Wright out for the year, and Quron Pratt missing the first few games with a shoulder injury. That will force last year's 15th best D to be even better in 2010 just to stay competitive in the Big East.

Tulsa's G.J. Hinne and Damaris Johnson are the best QB-WR combo in C-USA outside of Houston. Hinne also led the Golden Hurricane in rushing last year. Tulsa needs to find a rusher other than the QB to lead them.

Prediction: Rutgers 20, Tulsa 10

Dec. 21, 8pm/ET on ESPN

MAACO Las Vegas Bowl—Utah vs. Washington

Utes QB Jordan Wynn went 3-2 as a starter last year with eight TDs to four INTs. More will be expected of the sophomore, especially without leading WR David Reed gone. With only four defensive starters returning, Utah's D will get shredded, particularly the secondary.

Pro scouts will get one final look at Washington QB Jake Locker here before making him the top pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. With eight other returning offensive starters, Locker will head one of the best offenses in the nation. Unfortunately, the Huskies D was the second worst in the PAC-10 last year, and looks to be there again in 2010.

Prediction: Washington 35, Utah 31

Dec. 22, 8pm/ET on ESPN

S.D. Country Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl—Navy vs. BYU

Navy is the only school already committed to a bowl game before the season even starts. (How Notre Dame hasn't worked out a similar deal, I'll never know).

Senior QB Ricky Dobbs will have a second straight season of over 1,000 yards passing and rushing—giving the Midshipmen a 50/50 shot at going undefeated.

BYU has major holes to fill on both sides of the ball. Cougars coach Bronco Mendenhall will use a collective approach to filling the vacancies at QB, RB, TE, DL and LB. Expect a falloff from last year's 11-2 record

Prediction: Navy 27, BYU 17

Dec. 23, 8pm/ET on ESPN

Sherton Hawaii Bowl—SMU vs. Idaho

Mustangs QB Kyle Padron went 5-1 as a starter last year, with 10 TDs to  four INTs. Expect more of the same in 2010. SMU has lots of holes to fill in the front seven, but the secondary is very good.

As high-powered as Idaho's offense is with junior QB Nathan Enderle, that's how bad their defense was last year, finishing 112th in the country. The Vandals will squeak out a winning record this season.

Prediction: SMU 38, Idaho 35

Dec. 24, 8pm/ET on ESPN

Liitle Caesars Bowl—Temple vs. Louisiana-Lafayette

Temple's offense will continue to run through sensational sophmore RB Bernard Pierce. However, the Owls will win the MAC in 2010 because junior QB Chester Stewart provide enough of a passing game to keep defenses from stacking eight or nine in the box.

The Ragin' Cajuns will earn their first bowl game appearence since 1970. Junior QB Chris Masson has great targets in TE Ladarius Green and WR Marlin Miller. The ULL defense grabbed 16 INTs last year, but the front seven were terrible at getting into thier opponent's backfield. That will improve a liitle this season

Prediction: Temple 34 , ULL 10

Dec. 26, 8:30pm/ET on ESPN

AdvoCare V1000 Independence Bowl—North Carolina vs. Air Force

Tar Heels DT Marvin Austin returns to lead  one of the nation's best defenses. Head coach Butch Davis will improve the offense by replacing turnover-prone QB T.J. Yates with freshman Bryn Renner early in the season.

Falcons coach Tony Calhoun has to replace his entire offensive line, but Air Force's triple option scheme will continue to churn out yards. Even with NT Ben Garland gone from last year's 10th ranked D, the Falcons will still be stifling with Rick Ricketts and Wylie Wikstrom on the D-line.

Prediction: UNC 16 , Air Force 13

Dec. 27, 5pm/ET on ESPN

Champs Sports Bowl—Cincinnati vs. Florida St.

Former Bearcats coach Brian Kelly left the cupboard half full for new coach Butch Jones. Zach Collaros and Armon Binns are the best QB-WR duo in the Big East. Cincinnati's D will play better than the final five games of last year, when they allowed almost 40 points a contest.

Last year, Florida State scored 391 points and surrendered 390. New Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher has charged Mark Stoops with improving the 109th ranked D with a 4-3 zone defense. Expect Florida St. to rise to third in the ACC.

Prediction: Florida St. 28, Cincinnati 24

Dec. 28, 6:20pn/ET on ESPN

Insight Bowl—Missouri vs. Michigan St.

Despite losing WR Danario Alexander, Tigers QB Blaine Gabbert (3,593 yards) could throw for 4,000 yards this year. Now all Missouri needs is a running game to keep defenders honest.

Led by junior QB Kirk Cousins, the Spartans offense is young but capable of being explosive. Running against Michigan State's D will be tough with All-American LB Greg Jones on the prowl; however, they gave up always 27 points per game. Will the rest of Spartans D stand up?

Prediction: Missouri 31, Michigan St. 13

Dec. 28, 10pm/ET on ESPN

EagleBank Bowl—UTEP vs. Bowling Green

Without QB Tyler Sheenan and WR Fred Barnes to generate the nation's sixth best passing attack, the Eagles offense will be spearheaded by RB Willie Geter this season. The senior was hit-or-miss last year; he will be more consistant in 2010.

Five the Miners eight losses last year were by a touchdown or less. Senior QB Trevor Vittatoe, behind a massive offensive line, will find a way to turn those close games into victories this season.

Both defenses were horrendous against the run last year (Bowling Green ranked 103rd and UTEP 106th). Don't expect much improvement there.

Prediction: Bowling Green 24, UTEP 21

Dec. 29, 2:30pm/ET on ESPN

Texas Bowl—Michigan vs. Texas Tech

Michigan fans rejoice! Three years after bringing his spread offense to the BIg Ten, Rich Rod will lead the Wolverines to a bowl game with a 6-6 season. Hail to the victors! GO BLUE!

Red Raiders head coach Tommy Tuberville might want to be more balanced on offense than his predecessor Mike Leach. But the Texas Tech returns senior QB Taylor Potts and their top six WRs from last year. Call this "Air Raid 1.5".

Prediction: Texas Tech 42, Michigan 17

Dec. 29, 6pm/ET on ESPN

Valero Alamo Bowl—Oklahoma vs. Oregon St.

Why people are picking Oklahoma to win the Big 12 in 2010 is a mystery to me. The Sooners are loaded with talent, but they lost a lot of leadership in Sam Bradford and Gerald McCoy. Plus, Texas are and Nebraska are better and deeper this year, and head coach Bob Stoops has lost his touch when it comes to winning big games.

For the Beavers, the Rodgers brothers (junior RB Jacquizz and senior WR James) combined for 32 TDs last year—more than 32 FBS schools had. If sophomore QB Ryan Katz can stay upright and relatively mistake-free, the duo will do even more damage this year.

Prediction: Oklahoma 31, Oregon State 28

Dec. 29, 9:15 pm/ET on ESPN

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces—Central Florida vs. UNLV

Rob Calabrese replaces Brett Hodges as the Knights starting QB, but his best skill this season should be handing off to RB Brynn Harvey. He should chew up C-USA defenses for at least 1,500 yards.

As for UNLV, well, I don't where they'll get that sixth win to be eligible, but they get it.

Prediction: UCF 27, UNLV 9

Dec. 30, Noon/ET on ESPn

New Era Pinstripe Bowl—Notre Dame vs. Kansas St.

At Notre Dame, an eight-win season is more often considered a disaster than a success. But for first-year Irish coach Brian Kelly, it will be the initial step to rebuilding the program. Besides, it will be the first eight-win Irish team since 2006.

The Dayne Crist-Michael Floyd connection should be as prolific as Jimmy Clausen-Golden Tate was last year. But Kelly can not make the running game an afterthought as it has been. Can RB Armando Allen carry a heavier workload?

In the second year of his second stint at Kansas St., coach Bill Synder will ride stud RB Daniel Thomas to a bowl appearance. But the rest of the Wildcats are only good enough to produce an 6-6 campaign.

Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Kansas St. 13

Dec. 30, 3:20pm/ET on ESPN

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl—Boston College vs. Ole Miss

Don't expect the Eagles's offense to improve much from last year, which averaged less than 25 points per game. However, RB Montel Harris could gain 1,500 to 1,700 this season. The defense, however, will be even more fearsome with the return of LB Mark Herzlich from cancer.

The Rebels defensive front seven will be one of the best in the country. But there lots of holes to fill on offense. Jeremiah Masoli can't do it all.

Prediction: Boston College 16, Ole Miss 10

Dec. 6:40pm/ET on ESPN

Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl—Texas A&M vs. Oregon

Experts say Oregon will win the PAC-10 this season, despite four players arrested (including LaMichael James), two of which were kicked off the team (including former QB Jeremiah Masoli) during the offseason.

I'm not. Ducks coach Chip Kelly still has plenty of talent and depth, but QBs Darron Thomas and Nate Costa have 197 passing yards combined.

Aggies OLB Von Miller led the country with 17 sacks last year, but will the rest of the D show up? On offense QB Jarrod Johnson, RB Christine Michael and WRs Uzoma Nwachukwu and Jeff Fuller comprise perhaps the best quartet in the country.

The Holiday Bowl is known for producing high-scoring games, and this year's edition will be no different.

Prediction: Oregon 48, Texas A&M 45 2OT

Dec. 30, 10pm/ET on ESPN

Meineke Car Care Bowl—West Virginia vs. Georgia Tech

The Mountaineers have 18 returning starters, but new QB Geno Smith has only thrown one TD pass. So RB Noel Devine will get plenty of touches and a shot at 2,000 rushing yards.

Even without Demaryius Thomas and Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech's triple-option offense will be very good.

Josh Nebitt is a dark horse Heisman candidate. However, the Yellow Jackets are switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense this season, which can tricky.

Prediction: West Virginia 21, Georgia Tech 16

Dec. 31, Noon/ET on ESPN

Hyundai Sun Bowl—Clemson vs. Stanford

Cardinal QB Andrew will become one of the country's best behind a tough offensive line and with WRs Ryan Whalen and Chris Owusu.

But replacing Toby Gerhart's production in the backfield will be impossible. Stanford's D will be inconsistant, switching from 4-3 to 3-4 scheme.

Clemson should have a top notch D-line with Da'Quan Bowers, Jarvis Jenkins, and Brandon Thompson back.

QB Kyle Parker won't be as effective in 2010 without C.J. Spiller to keep defenders honest.

Prediction: Stanford 21, Clemson 16

Dec. 31, 2pm/ET on CBS

AutoZone Liberty Bowl—Tennessee vs. Houston

Cougars QB Case Keenum won't win the Heisman Trophy this year, but leading Houston to the Conference USA title is a good second prize.

Vols new head coach Derek Dooley has a lot of rebuilding to do from he smoldering ashes left by Lane Kiffin. Rocky Top should be grateful to get 6-6 mark out this year's team.

Prediction: Houston 31, Tennessee 21

Dec. 31, 3:30pm/ET on ESPN

Chick-fil-A Bowl—Miami vs. Auburn

Many experts are picking Auburn to finish third or fourth in the SEC because they have a top-5 recruiting class. That might help next year, but not this season.

The Hurricanes, behind junior QB Jacory Harris, are too deep, too talented and too explosive for the Tigers to keep pace.

Prediction: Miami 41, Auburn 20

Dec. 31, 7:30/ET on ESPN

Dallas Football Classic — Oklahoma St. vs. South Florida

This is scheduled to be a Big 12-Big Ten matchup, but the Big Ten won't have enough bowl-eligible teams available to compete.

So enter the South Florida Bulls to beatdown an Oklahoma State team replacing 15 starters from last year's squad.

Prediction: South Florida 33, Oklahoma St. 16

Jan. 1, Noon/ET on ESPNU

Outback Bowl—Penn St. vs. Georgia

No one will confuse this Nittany Lions-Bulldogs matchup with their 1983 Sugar Bowl clash that determined the national championship.

Georgia head coach Mark Reict will be on the hot seat after another 7-5 campaign.

Joe Paterno, who will be 84(!!!) by game time, will add a 25th bowl victory to his legendary career.

Prediction: Penn St. 20, Georgia 10

Jan. 1, 1pm/ET on ESPN

Capital One Bowl—Wisconsin vs. Arkansas

Behind one of the best offensive lines in the country, Wisconsin RB John Clay could set the Big Ten single season rushing record (2,175) this season.

With a wide receiver corps that combined for 118 catches last year, Arkansas QB Ryan Mallet could set the SEC single season passing record (4,275) this season.

The difference in this potentially explosive offensive matchup is the Badgers defense will make one more big play than the Razorbacks.

Prediction: Wisconsin 35, Arkansas 31

Jan. 1, 1pm/ET on ESPN

Gator Bowl—Northwestern vs. South Carolina

By his sixth year at Florida, Steve Spurrier had turned that program into a national championship contender. He's not even close to doing that at South Carolina this season.

Wasn't he suppose to turn the the Gamecocks around by now? Instead, they are just good enough to be mediocre.

Expect Northwestern will win only its second bowl game ever (the other was the 1949 Rose Bowl).

Prediction: Northwestern 21, South Carolina 13

Jan. 1, 1:30pm/ET on ESPN2

Rose Bowl Game—Iowa vs. USC

The NCAA-imposed sanctions against USC won't take effect until next season. So Trojans fans might consider this a last hurrah for a while. For Lane Kiffin, it will be his first taste of success as a coach.

Unfortunately, the PAC-10 champs will run into Adrian Clayburn and a Hawkeyes team that is more physically dominant on both sides on the ball.

Prediction: Iowa 27, USC 10

Jan 1, 4:30/ET on ABC

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl—TCU vs. Texas

Good news TCU fans (Part I): QB Andy Dalton will lead the Horned Frogs to consecutive undefeated campaigns.

Bad news TCU fans (Part I): You won't be playing for a national title again despite the unblemished record.

Good news (Part II): TCU will get to prove it's the best college football team in the state of Texas.

Bad news (Part II): That won't happen after the Big-12 champion Longhorns demolishes TCU in front of a national television audience.

Prediction: Texas 38, TCU 10

Jan.1, 8:30 pm/ET on ESPN

Orange Bowl—Pittsburgh vs. Virginia Tech

Sophomore running back sensations Dion Lewis (Pitt) and Ryan Williams (Va Tech) should put on a show in this matchup of Big East and ACC champions.

The winner of the Lewis-Williams battle will probably head into the 2011 season as the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy.

While both teams are stout on defense and like to pound the rock, the Hokies do both just a little better than the Panthers.

Prediction: Virgina Tech 27, Pittsburgh 14

Jan. 3, 8pm/ET on ESPN

Allstate Sugar Bowl—Boise St. vs. Florida

Good news Broncos fans: Boise St. will go undefeated for the second straight season, and for the third time in five years.

The bad news: The Broncos won't play in the BCS Championship Game again.

Boise St. will have to settle for beating a perennial SEC powerhouse, earning more respect and hope the AP voters split from the coaches poll.

Prediction: Boise St. 21, Florida 17

Jan. 4, 8pm/ET on ESPN

GMAC Bowl—Troy vs. Central Michigan

These same team met in the GMAC Bowl last year, with Central Michigan outlasting Troy 44-41 in double overtime.

Without former QBs Dan LaFevour (Chippewas) and Levi Brown (Trojans)gone, don't expect type of offensive fireworks this time around.

Prediction: Troy 21, Central Michigan 17

Jan, 6, 8pm/ET on ESPN

AT&T Cotton Bowl—Nebraska vs. LSU

The so-called experts are underestimating LSU this season, predicting the Tigers to finish fourth in the SEC West. I see them placing second to Alabama.

LSU and Nebraska haven't met since the 1987 Sugar Bowl.

The Cornhuskers head coach Bo Pelini goes up against the school he helped lead to the 2007 BCS title as its defensive coordinator.

In the last good bowl game before the national championship, expect this contest to be a defensive slugfest.

Prediction: LSU 13, Nebraska 10

Jan. 7, 8pm/ET on FOX

PapaJohns.com Bowl—Connecticut vs. Northern Illinois

Two average teams will travel below the Mason-Dixon Line to pound the rock for four quarters in Birmingham.

At least with all the rush attempts, this bowl should wrap-up quickly.

Prediction: Connecticut 23, Northern Illinois 13

Jan. 8, Noon/ET on ESPN

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl—Arizona vs. Wyoming

Is this the first bowl game ever sponsored  by a corporate charity?

It will take lot of charity to get fans to watch this mediocre PAC-10/WAC matchup.

Prediction: Arizona 24, Wyoming 20

Jan. 9, 9 pm/ET on ESPN

Tostitos BCS National Championship Game—Alabama vs. Ohio St.

For the first time since 2006, the preseason No. 1 and No. 2 teams will play in the BCS title game.

Unfortunately, Ohio St. will endure the same butt-kicking they took in their last two championship games against the SEC (2007 vs. Florida and 2008 vs. LSU)

Alabama becomes the first repeat BCS national champion.

Prediction: Alabama 28, Ohio St. 10

Jan. 10, 8 pm/ET on ESPN