Bowl Previews and Predictions

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Bowl season is right around the corner, and with the way this year's college football season has panned out, nothing is certain.

Who would have thought that, at one point this season, USF would be ranked #2?

Heck, who could have seen them even being ranked?

After this season, most college football fans finally realize the weakness in the Big East and that West Virginia was clearly the best team in the conference.

But, again, you can never be too sure in this day in age.

In my personal playing experience, I know how hard it is to win every single week, and sometimes it's not easy to beat the teams you are supposed to beat. Each of this year's surprises has demonstrated the sheer quantity of quality athletes, and proven that anyone can beat anyone on any given day (Appalachian State).

But now that this wild season is over, here are my predictions on every bowl game, from the Poinsettia Bowl to the BCS Championship game, all my picks are here... 

Dec. 20-Poinsettia Bowl
Utah (8-4) vs. Navy (8-4)  

The #8 ranked scoring offense and the #1 ranked rushing offense (at 4,218 yards) give Navy the upper hand in this one against the #3 scoring defense in the nation, Navy wins 24-17

Dec. 21-New Orleans Bowl
Florida Atlantic (7-5) vs. Memphis (7-5)

FAU played 3 ranked teams, Memphis played none in a very weak C-USA this year. Based on how this season went, I'll take the Sun Belt. FAU is coming off a tough win against a very good Troy team. But we can still expect a classic shoot-out, FAU wins 49-42

Dec. 22-PapaJohns.com Bowl
Cincinnati (9-3) vs. Southern Miss (7-5)

This is our first chance this bowl season to see how good (or bad) the Big East really is, even as Cincinnati gets a fairly easy opponent in Southern Miss. The Bearkats wont have much trouble with this one, 28-10

Dec. 22-New Mexico Bowl
New Mexico (8-4) vs. Nevada (6-6)

This is an interesting match-up in what I believe will be one of the more interesting small bowls. New Mexico comes in after not playing against many big teams, with the exception of beating Arizona back in week three. I think Nevada comes away with this one, after all, they almost beat Hawaii. Nevada wins, 13-10

Dec. 22-Las Vegas Bowl
BYU (10-2) vs. UCLA (6-6)

UCLA is coming in with a beat up team, after limping their way out of the Pac 10, and barely making a bowl game. Unfortunately for them, BYU is better than half of the teams in the Pac 10, and will they show the rest of the country just how far the smaller conferences have come by crushing the Bruins 38-14.

Dec. 23-Hawaii Bowl
East Carolina (7-5) vs. Boise State (10-2)

No question about this one. Boise State, after their extraordinary game last year in the Fiesta Bowl, had a team good enough to make yet another BCS bowl. But the hic-up against Washington killed their chances at that, and the loss to Hawaii doesn't tell the true story about this team. Another bowl win for the Blue Turf, 42-20.

Dec. 26-Motor City Bowl
Central Michigan (8-5) vs. Purdue (7-5)

Purdue constantly beats up on bad teams. The Chippewas are not a bad team. Enough said. Purdue WILL get beat up. Try 28-14 as a final score.

Dec. 27-Holiday Bowl
Arizona State (10-2) vs. Texas (9-3)

I really like this match-up as well. Even though the Holliday Bowl has been an absolute massacre the last few years, I see the return of Texas to San Diego as the return of a good bowl game in San Diego. Unfortunately for the Longhorns, with Limas Sweed out, UT doesn't have enough weapons to counter Rudy Carpenter and the Sun Devils. ASU wins 42-35

Dec. 28-Champ Sports Bowl
Boston College (10-3) vs. Michigan State (7-5)

The Big 10 may have had a lot of hype around them at the start of this year, but apart from the four top teams, it was a pretty weak conference compared to where it usually stands. I like BC coming out of a much tougher ACC, and Matt Ryan will show why he was the Heisman front-runner for about half the season. BC wins, 35-17. 

Dec. 28-Emerald Bowl
Maryland (6-6) vs. Oregon State (8-4)

Oregon State has the #2 rushing defense in the country, and with wins over Oregon in the Civil War, and over Cal when they were ranked #2, one gives the Beavers the edge in this Bowl. They take it, 24-14.

Dec. 28-Texas Bowl
TCU (7-5) vs. Houston (8-4)

TCU started the year with such high expectations going into their game against Texas earlier this year, and for about two quarters, competed with them, but this team has not lived up to the expectations all year. However... Neither have the 'Coogs, and after gettin blown out by Tulsa, I have no reason to believe U of H can pull off this one. TCU wins, 31-27

Dec. 29-Meineke Bowl
Connecticut (9-3) vs. Wake Forest (8-4)

Out of UCONN's last three games, they played two real teams... they got killed by both. WF played almost everyone close except for Clemson, but I see another close one here, with the Big East showing a little bit of fight in this one, but falling just short.  Expect an outcome of 24-21.

Dec. 29-Liberty Bowl
Mississippi State (7-5) vs. UCF (10-3)

Mississippi State has had a remarkable season based off of how tough the SEC was this year. Even though UCF dominated C-USA, and two of their losses came to teams in the top 10. I really like this game as well, as I think it could possibly be one of the best overall match-ups out of the non-BCS bowls. UCF is hot right now, and I think the win streak will continue in a close one. UCF wins 16-10. 

Dec. 29-Alamo Bowl
Penn State (8-4) vs. Texas A&M (7-5)

Three of A&M's five losses were teams in the Top 10, and coming off the big win against Texas, the Aggies will be tough to stop. Penn State beat one quality team this year, and that was the struggling Badgers of Wisconsin. Now given that A&M only beat one good team also, makes this a match-up of huge under achievers... seems to be a re-occurring theme for the Alamo Bowl, but I think A&M staying close to home gets this one. They win it, 28-27. 

Dec. 30-Independence Bowl
Colorado (6-6) vs. Alabama (6-6)

Colorado beat OU, BAMA killed Tennessee... BAMA has also lost 4 straight, but I strongly believe that Nick Saban can't lose 5 in a row... can he??? I mean seriously, who loses to UL-Monroe, even the Aggies beat them. CU says "see you later" to Saban and the Tide 42-31

Dec. 31-Armed Forces Bowl
California (6-6) vs. Air Force (9-3)

It doesn't make a difference how far Cal has fallen since they were just seconds away from being ranked #1, they still have DeSean Jackson, who is possibly THE most explosive player in the country, and I believe he is the difference in this one. Cal gets back on track 38-21 

Dec. 31-Sun Bowl
South Florida (9-3) vs. Oregon (8-4)

2 teams previously ranked #2 at one point, but if Dennis Dixon is out, so are the Ducks. USF had a very good, and very surprising season with such a young team and they are definitely going to be a force next year as well with Grothe returning under center. The Bulls beat the Ducks 35-20 

Dec. 31-Humanitarian Bowl
Fresno State (8-4) vs. Georgia Tech (7-5)

Frenso State didn't beat anybody good.. Georgia Tech beat Miami..... I guess that means something. Although Fresno hasn't beaten anyone, they haven't been blown-out, so I think this one will be a little closer than some may think. Fresno wins 28-24

Dec. 31-Music City Bowl
Florida State (7-5) vs. Kentucky (7-5)

I really like Andre Woodson, and I honestly believe that he is the best QB in the nation. FSU always puts up a fight especially in the bowls, but I think Kentucky coming out of the best conference in football wins this one. 38-27 

Dec. 31-Chick-fil-A Bowl
Clemson (9-3) vs. Auburn (8-4)

Tigers and Tigers and.... more Tigers oh my! Clemson has the talent to compete or just flat out blow-out anyone they play. But that hasn't been shown much until now, I believe that Clemson comes out of this one against one of the weaker teams in the SEC. 21-16

Dec. 31-Insight Bowl
Indiana (7-5) vs. Oklahoma State (6-6)

"Come after me! I'm a man, I'm 40!" -Mike Gundy.. Not only is he 40, he's a winner with the best WR duo in the country with Adarius Bowman and freshman phenom Dez Bryant. Indiana is a nice story, but this game comes down to play-makers and OK State has more on both sides of the ball. Not very close, OSU 45-21

Jan. 1-Outback Bowl
Wisconsin (9-3) vs. Tennessee (9-4)

If P.J. Hill is healthy, this could possibly be a competition. But Erik Ainge is on fire right now, and there is now way Wisconsin will be able to put him out. The Vols win 31-20

Jan. 1-Cotton Bowl
Missouri (11-2) vs. Arkansas (8-4)

Run DMC vs. Chase Daniel. Two Heisman finalists in one non-BCS game, this will be a good one. The key in this one though, is neither of the two. Jeremy Maclin is the best player for Mizzou, and he is a freshman. I guarantee you will see him a lot in this one as both offenses light up the scoreboard. If you like high-scoring games, this is the MUST SEE GAME on New Year's day. Mizzou wins 55-49

Jan. 1-Capital One Bowl
Michigan (8-4) vs. Florida (9-3)

At the beginning of the season some may have picked this to possibly be the national championship game. Unfortunately for Michigan, there has never been a player to play this game as well as Tim Tebow, who will win the Heisman again next year, and he'll win the Capital One Bowl as well. One more note... Urban Meyer doesn't lose bowl games he's 5-0, this year makes it 6-0. 28-17 Gators

Jan. 1-Gator Bowl
Virginia (9-3) vs. Texas Tech (8-4)

Graham Harrell was the best quarterback in the history of high school football in the state of Texas... and that's saying something. He hasn't disappointed in college either, leading the nation in yards and TD's. He's also got freshman sensation Michael Crabtree, the best freshman at any position in the country. Tech wins... big. 49-20

Jan. 1-Rose Bowl
Southern California (10-2) vs. Illinois (9-3)

Does anyone besides Ron Zook honestly believe that Illinois can beat USC? If someone does... I would like to hear from them. Weak Big Ten, same old USC with the whole team finally healthy. John David Booty and the Trojans have a field day with the Fighting Zooks. 42-17

Jan. 1-Sugar Bowl
Hawaii (12-0) vs. Georgia (10-2)

Hawaii is not Boise State... Georgia is not OU. Unfortunately for Colt Brennan, Georgia is just a little bit better than Washington. Another blow-out in a BCS bowl. UGA could possibly be the best team in the nation but because of the loss to Tennessee, they couldn't show the rest of the nation in the SEC championship just how good they really are... Well, they get to show it in this game. 38-14

Jan. 2-Fiesta Bowl
West Virginia (10-2) vs. Oklahoma (11-2)

Our first good BCS match-up so far. This is the game to watch if you have any interest in this year's BCS whatsoever. Pat White and Steve Slaton will do what they do, but the loss to Pitt shows how vulnerable they are to efficient offenses with good o-lines. That is exactly what OU has, with Sam Bradford at QB, and Murray and Patrick running the football, OU comes away with this one 27-21.

Jan. 3-Orange Bowl
Kansas (11-1) vs. Virginia Tech (11-2)

The dream run ended for Kansas after the loss to the Tigers, and unfortunately, the dream ends as a nightmare. Beamer ball will be in full force but I really believe Mark Mangino is the next Frank Beamer. Both coaches have similar styles except for the Jayhawks having a little more balanced pass attack. Unfortunately for Kansas though, Beamer is still the best at his game, and the Hokies win 17-10

Jan. 5-International Bowl
Rutgers (7-5) vs. Ball State (7-5)

Ray Rice.... enough said, Scarlet Knights win 31-7 

 
Jan. 6-GMAC Bowl
Tulsa (9-4) vs. Bowling Green (8-4)

Tulsa has the best offense in the nation, although they didn't really test it against anybody, I wouldn't call this a test either. 52-38

Jan. 7-BCS National Championship
Ohio State (11-1) vs. LSU (11-2) 

Ohio State.... should not be in this football game.

Notice that LSU played one more game.

That game would be the conference championship.

Now, you can say all you want about the Big 10 and how Ohio State and Michigan WAS a conference championship, but I will give no credibility to a team that waits two weeks, and watches the rest of the country take each other out, then works their way up in the rankings.

You can say what you want about the defense, but LSU is a better team than Florida was last year, and Ohio State is a worse team than last year. This game will prove just how flawed the BCS system is.

Get the Big 10 one more team, play a conference champioship, and give us a contender, or don't give a team at all.

LSU... BIG... 31-7

So there you have it. There's my thoughts on the Bowl Season, and I would like to hear yours as well, just comment on the article and let me know what you think.

I may not be right on all of my picks, but I do know one thing. This will be yet another exciting bowl season, and a great ending to the most exciting season in the history of the sport.