College Football Bowl Projections: 10 Games With Largest Likely Vegas Spreads
In the college football world, the turn of the calendar from November to December can only mean one thing: bowl season is upon us!
This year's slate includes thirty-five sponsor-saturated bowl games across the country, from those like the chuckle-inducing Beef O'Brady's Saint Petersburg Bowl to the Grand-Daddy of Them All–the Rose Bowl...presented by Vizio.
With so many games on tap, there are likely to be plenty of classics and stinkers alike once all is said and done.
That being said, let's have a look at the early bowl projections and see which ones will make for the most cavernous Vegas spreads.
10. MAACO Las Vegas Bowl: Utah Vs. Ohio
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utah 20th in bcs
With the Pac-10 short on bowl-eligible teams, this year's edition of the Las Vegas Bowl will likely pit 20th-ranked Utah of the Mountain West against Ohio University of the Mid-American Conference.
As well as the Bobcats fared this year, with an 8-4 overall record bolstered by a 6-2 mark in the MAC, they may have a tough time keeping up with the Utes.
Granted, Ohio head coach Frank Solich knows plenty about preparing for big games, having previously succeeded the legendary Tom Osborne at Nebraska before being unceremoniously fired, making way for the failed Bill Callahan Era in Lincoln.
However, having spent most of the year among the top 25 teams in the country, including a short stint as the fifth-ranked squad, it's hard to imagine Jordan Wynn and the Utes, at 10-2, capping off their up-and-down (but mostly up) season on anything less than an emphatic high note.
9. U-Drove Humanitarian Bowl: Nevada Vs. Northern Illinois
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On paper, the potential match-up between Nevada and Northern Illinois in the Humanitarian Bowl looks like it should be close.
After all, both teams are ranked in the lower half of the BCS, with Nevada at 17th and NIU at 25th, and both sport nicknames with feral origins.
Additionally, both programs rank in the top 10 nationally in rushing offense and in the top 40 nationally in rushing defense. Considering that both teams utilize run-first offenses, with Nevada's led by the prolific duo of Vai Taua and Colin Kaepernick and NIU's catalyzed by MAC player of the year and senior running back Chad Spann, this game looks more and more like a wash.
However, statistics don't always tell the whole story of how things play out on the field.
And, after watching the Wolfpack's spirited comeback against formerly-fourth-ranked Boise State and the more than 500 yards of offense that they put up against the nation's fourth-ranked defense, it's tough to imagine Nevada not having a significant advantage in this one.
8. Capital One Bowl: Michigan State Vs. Alabama
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No disrespect to Michigan State, which performed admirably in compiling an 11-1 record on its way to a share of the Big Ten title, but the Spartans could find themselves in a world of hurt should Alabama be selected to play against them in the Capital One Bowl.
And it's not just about the legacy of Big Ten teams struggling against SEC teams, although that's certainly a part of it.
Alabama's schedule has been something of a gauntlet this year, with five games against teams in the top 25 and two more against teams that were, at one point or another, in that category.
Michigan State, on the other hand, has one game against a current top 25 team on its resume, with two others against teams no longer ranked.
Why does this matter?
The Crimson Tide currently sit at 9-3 and 16th in the BCS despite ranking 27th in total offense and 7th in total defense nationally.
The Spartans, on the other hand, are 11-1 and eighth in the BCS despite being 39th in total offense and 31st in total defense.
Get the picture?
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. Insight Bowl: Iowa Vs. Nebraska
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So who is going to tend to the corn fields if Iowa and Nebraska both make it to the Insight Bowl?
Farmers will find their solutions, with the question of who wins this one being left up to pundits until the game is actually played.
Of course, this is assuming that Bo Pelini won't take down his mentor, Bob Stoops, and Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game.
Should the Cornhuskers fall short, they should find little problem shucking the Hawkeyes into defeat.
As is the case with the Capital One Bowl, the Insight Bowl will likely feature one team (Nebraska) from a significantly stronger conference than its opponent's (Iowa).
Add in the difference in overall record (10-2 for the 'Huskers vs. 7-5 for the Hawkeyes) and statistics (both teams are top 10 in total defense, but Nebraska's national rank in total offense is 30 places higher), and it becomes tough to ignore which corn-centric club should be the heavy favorite.
6. Valero Alamo Bowl: Oklahoma State Vs. Arizona
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Typically, good defense beats good offense.
That would seemingly give Arizona the edge should the Wildcats match up with Oklahoma State in the Alamo Bowl.
Arizona's offense ranks a solid 35th nationally, while OK State's is a paltry 90th.
However, as impressive and successful the 'Cat's 19th ranked offense may prove to be against that soft Cowboys D, it's tough to not let the pendulum swing in Oklahoma State's favor when considering the Pokes sport the nation's second-most prolific offense, ranking only behind Oregon.
Not that the Pokes are anywhere near the Ducks' category, but Oregon trumped Arizona this season, 48-29.
It's difficult to imagine Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon coming up dry against an Arizona pass defense that has been torched on multiple occasions this season.
5. Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman: Georgia Tech Vs. East Carolina
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Sure, Georgia Tech's football team, at 6-6, may be more Wreck than Ramblin' this season.
That being said, Paul Johnson's Yellow Jackets should have no problem stinging East Carolina into submission.
Why is that?
Simple: Tech is tops in the nation in rushing offense, while Skip Holtz' Pirates are 116th in rushing defense.
Yikes!
4. Gator Bowl: Michigan Vs. Florida
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Two big time college football programs, both at 7-5.
What a catch for the Gator Bowl.
Michigan and Florida may very well be facing off this bowl season, with a number of factors in the Gators' favor.
First and foremost, Urban Meyer's team will undoubtedly have the home-field advantage, especially considering the bowl game is named after it!
Beyond that, the battle between Michigan's offense, led by Denard Robinson and ranked sixth nationally, and Florida's defense, placing 10th nationally, could very well turn out to be a push.
Once the two sides get down to business, the Gators may find themselves with a hefty advantage thanks to Michigan's defense, which was only the 109th-best unit in the country.
In other words, expect the Gators to chomp up yardage and points against the Wolverines.
3. Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl: Boise State Vs. Boston College
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As a consolation prize for going 11-1, splitting the WAC title, and missing out on a BCS berth, if not a spot in the national championship game, Boise State will likely face off against Boston College in the prestigious Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.
And while disappointment may potentially be a factor in this one for the Broncos, this is still a tough gig for Boston College to cope with.
The contest between Boise's fourth-ranked offense and BC's 14th-ranked defense should be close, but the Bronco's defense (also fourth nationally) should do more than enough to swallow up the Eagles' enigmatic offense (104th nationally) to help Boise State fight off hunger and defeat with ease.
2. Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl: Missouri Vs. Washington
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This year's paradigm of parity in the Pac-10 may turn out to benefit Missouri, of all schools.
The Tigers will likely find themselves in the Holiday Bowl, which typically features an upper-echelon Pac-10 team, making for an entertaining tussle at the very least.
However, the race to the middle out West has yielded none other than the Washington Huskies for 12th-ranked Mizzou to feast on this time around.
Assuming Jake Locker and the Huskies don't fumble away their bowl hopes against lowly Washington State in the Apple Cup, they'll have the honor of facing off against one of the Big 12's best.
Chances are, fans in Columbia will be smiling wide when their Tigers come away with an easy 11th victory while soundly handing the Huskies their seventh loss.
1. Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: Connecticut Vs. Oklahoma
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Should Oklahoma emerge victorious from the Big 12 Championship against Nebraska in Dallas on Saturday, the Sooners will likely play on New Year's Day in the Fiesta Bowl against an upstart team that has never even gotten a whiff of a BCS bowl before.
Sound familiar?
Well, don't expect Bob Stoops' squad to be surprised by UConn the same way they were against Boise State.
Not that Randy Edsall doesn't deserve heaps upon heaps of credit for leading the Huskies to the brink of the BCS just six years after joining the Big East in football.
Should UConn beat South Florida this weekend to take the Big East title, the newcomers will sit at 8-4, with double-digit losses to Temple, Michigan, and Louisville on their resume, with none of those other teams currently anywhere near the top 25 in the BCS.
Oklahoma, on the other hand, has lost only to Big 12 South co-champ Texas A&M and Big 12 North runner-up Missouri while also beating 14th-ranked Oklahoma State and destroying ACC Championship participant Florida State.
On a statistical level, Oklahoma's 63rd-ranked defense should be enough to handle UConn's 91st-ranked offense, while Landry Jones and Ryan Broyles should have a field day against the Huskies' secondary.
All in all, it'll take a lot more than a miraculous Statue of Liberty play for UConn to even come close to beating Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
