Bowl Schedule 2010: Setting the Odds for All 35 Bowl Matchups
The bowl schedule will be released tonight, and then we'll know for sure who's facing who.
Until then, there's still time to have some fun and do a little guesswork at the possible bowl matchups. Some are already totally locked in, while others have one team that has accepted an invitation. Most BCS bowls are set, based on conference affiliations or bowl-related rules, so it's just a matter of waiting for a formal announcement.
As the hours tick away, and fans sit waiting, here's one last shot at predicting the bowls with the odds of who would be favored and by how much.
Let's go ahead and break down the games:
BYU vs. UTEP in the New Mexico Bowl, Dec. 18
1 of 35
Who's accepted: Both teams
Favorite: BYU by 10
The Cougars are averaging 24 points per game, which ranks 84th nationally. Their talent alone should give them an edge over a Miners team that has lost five of its last six.
Southern Miss vs. Louisville, Beef O' Brady's Bowl, Dec. 21
2 of 35
Who's accepted: Both teams
Favorite: Louisville by 3
Yes, the Cardinals (6-6) are a .500 team, but they are 15th nationally in points allowed (18.7) and 30th in rushing yards (180.5). Five of their six losses have also been by eight points or less.
Pittsburgh vs. Kentucky in the BBVA Compass Bowl, Jan. 8
3 of 35
Who's accepted: Both teams
Favorite: Kentucky by 6
The Wildcats average 274 yards passing per game. Of their six losses, four were by 10 points or less.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
San Diego State vs. Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl, Dec. 23
4 of 35
Who's accepted: Both teams
Favorite: Navy by 6
Both teams have strong offenses, but the edge goes to the Midshipmen (8-3), who played right with Maryland in its 17-14 season opening loss. Navy also slowed down Air Force's triple option and held the Falcons to 14 points and dropped 76 points on East Carolina.
Hawaii vs. Tulsa in the Hawaii Bowl, Dec. 24
5 of 35
Who's accepted: Both teams
Favorite: Hawaii by 3.5
The Warriors (10-3) will get to stay home and face the Golden Hurricane. Hawaii has the nation's top passing attack, which averages nearly 388 yards per game and is ninth in scoring (39.9). Tulsa has won six straight, but four victories have come by six points or less.
SMU vs. Army in the Armed Forces Bowl, Dec. 30
6 of 35
Who's accepted: Both teams
Favorite: SMU by 12
The Mustangs get to play at home, since TCU's Amon Carter Stadium is being renovated. The Black Knights have big losses to Notre Dame and Air Force and also lost to Rutgers 23-20 in overtime. Rutgers had 250 total yards, including minus-1 yard rushing.
Syracuse vs. Kansas State in the Pinstripe Bowl, Dec. 30
7 of 35
Who's accepted: Both teams
Favorite: Syracuse by 9
The Orange will almost have a home advantage by playing at Yankee Stadium. Syracuse is allowing just over 18 points per game and could cause fits for a Kansas State team that barely beat North Texas.
Miami vs. Notre Dame in the Sun Bowl, Dec. 31
8 of 35
Who's Accepted: Both teams
Favorite: Miami by 6
Two old powers will meet up in El Paso. Both have question marks, but we'll give the Hurricanes a slight edge. There's way too much talent on both sides not to be successful against the Fightin' Irish.
Nevada vs. Boston College in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, Jan. 9
9 of 35
Who's accepted: Both teams
Favorite: Nevada by 14
Boston College is allowing just under 20 points per game, but the Eagles simply can't score, and that could be a problem with a Wolf Pack team that averages almost 43 points per game.
Central Florida vs. Georgia in the Liberty Bowl, Dec. 31
10 of 35
Who's Accepted: Both teams
Favorite: Georgia by 11
It's been a down year for the Bulldogs (6-6), but they still average 34 points and 246 yards passing per game. The talent gap and level competition is also dramatically different and must be taken into account here.
Advantage 'Dawgs.
Northwestern vs. Texas Tech in the Ticket City Bowl, Jan. 1
11 of 35
Who's accepted: Both teams
Favorite: Texas Tech by 4
You could give the Wildcats the same margin, but this is in Dallas, which makes it a home game almost for the Red Raiders. And coach Tommy Tuberville has plenty of postseason coaching experience as well. Neither team really stands out, but give Northwestern credit for its upset of Iowa this season.
Penn State vs. Florida in the Outback Bowl, Jan. 1
12 of 35
Who's accepted: Both teams
Favorite: Florida by 3
Based on talent, and the fact that a subpar Gators team still finished second in the SEC East, you've got to give Florida a slight edge. But there's a strong chance that Matthew McGloin could have a big day against Florida too.
Michigan vs. Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl, Jan. 1
13 of 35
Who's accepted: Both teams
Favorite: Mississippi State by 3
The Denard Robinson factor gives Michigan a chance, but the Bulldogs have faced much better competition and came close to knocking off Auburn and Arkansas this year.
Miami (Ohio) vs. Middle Tennessee in the GoDaddy.com Bowl, Jan. 6
14 of 35
Who's accepted: Both teams
Favorite: Middle Tennessee by 1
The Blue Raiders average nearly 179 yards rushing per game, and that may be enough against a Redhawks team that is barely scoring (20.5 ppg).
Utah vs. Boise State in the Maaco Bowl, Dec. 22
15 of 35
Who's accepted: Utah
Favorite: Boise State by 11
Both teams are ranked, and the Utes are 5-0 in bowl games under coach Kyle Whittingham. The Broncos, however, have the nation's second-highest scoring offense, which averages nearly 47 points per game. Their defense is giving up just under 14 points a contest (13.6).
Air Force vs. Georgia Tech in the Independence Bowl, Dec. 27
16 of 35
Who's accepted: Both teams
Favorite: Air Force by 6
Both teams use the Triple Option and are the top two rushing teams in the country. Air Force (317.9 yards rushing/game) held Landry Jones to one touchdown pass and out-gained Oklahoma 458-367 in a 27-24 loss. Georgia Tech (327 yards) is allowing over 26 points per game.
East Carolina vs. Maryland in the Military Bowl, Dec. 29
17 of 35
Who's accepted: Both teams
Favorite: Maryland by 8
You could easily say the Pirates have the ability to torch you with the pass (319.3 yards per game) and put up points (38.2 ppg). But East Carolina is also allowing 43 points per game and is 1-2 against ACC teams this year.
Fresno State vs. Northern Illinois in the Humanitarian Bowl, Dec.18
18 of 35
Who's accepted: Both teams
Favorite: Northern Illinois by 3.5
The Huskies (10-3) have a balanced offense and can put up points (37.8 ppg), but the Bulldogs have faced stiffer competition. The x-factor? Fresno State's defense, which has allowed over 29 points per game.
Troy vs. Ohio in the New Orleans Bowl, Dec.18
19 of 35
Who's accepted: Neither
Favorite: Troy by 3
Troy leapfrogged Florida International into this bowl, after Florida International lost to Middle Tennessee 28-27 and was forced to share the Sun Belt title. The Trojans' passing attack gives them the edge in this matchup.
Toledo vs. Florida International In The Little Caesars Bowl, Dec. 26
20 of 35
Who's accepted: Both teams
Favorite: Toledo by 10
Toledo's tandem of Terrance Owens and Eric Page could exploit a Golden Panthers defense that is allowing 27 points per game.
Illinois vs. Baylor in the Texas Bowl, Dec. 29
21 of 35
Who's Accepted: Both teams
Favorite: Baylor by 3
Baylor would be playing in their backyard but needs to show dramatic improvement on defense. The Bears' talent on offense gives them the edge.
North Carolina Vs. Tennessee in the Music City Bowl, Dec. 30
22 of 35
Who's accepted: Both teams
Favorite: North Carolina by 7
The Volunteers struggled against talented quarterbacks. That could be problematic if they face Tar Heels quarterback T.J. Yates, who's thrown for 3,184 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Florida State vs. South Carolina in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl, Dec. 31
23 of 35
Who's accepted: Both teams
Favorite: No line
Neither team does anything jaw-dropping, and you'll have to watch Seminoles quarterback Christian Ponder and see if his elbow heals up. And you'd be ridiculous to try and predict how South Carolina would fair after its performance in the SEC Championship.
South Florida vs. Clemson in the Meineke Car Care Bowl, Dec. 31
24 of 35
Who's Accepted: Both teams
Favorite: South Florida by 3
Neither team is extremely impressive, but South Florida's defense is allowing just under 20 points per game.
Texas A&M vs. Alabama in the Cotton Bowl, Jan. 7
25 of 35
Who's accepted: Texas A&M
Favorite: Alabama by 10
The Aggies may have a home game practically at Cowboys Stadium, but this will be the most aggressive, talented defense Ryan Tannehill has faced. And you have to factor in the Auburn loss for the Crimson Tide, who watched a 24-point lead disappear. It's also hard to imagine the Aggies being able to shut down Julio Jones. In their 38-35 loss to Oklahoma State, Justin Blackmon caught 10 passes for 127 yards and one touchdown.
West Virginia vs. North Carolina State in the Champs Sports Bowl, Dec. 28
26 of 35
Who's accepted: Neither team
Favorite: West Virginia by 6
The Mountaineers have won four straight and a share of the Big East title. Earlier this year, the Mountaineers almost upset LSU in Baton Rouge. North Carolina State has lost to Clemson but has also been impressive, finishing with 507 total yards in a 41-30 loss to Virginia Tech.
Nebraska vs. Iowa in the Insight Bowl, Dec. 28
27 of 35
Who's Accepted: Neither team
Favorite: Nebraska by 10
If the Cornhuskers can improve on protecting the quarterback and limiting turnovers, they showed just how talented they are against Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship game.
Oklahoma State vs. Washington in the Alamo Bowl, Dec. 29
28 of 35
Who's accepted: Neither team
Favorite: Oklahoma State by 14
The country's most explosive offense could shred a Huskies defense that is allowing over 31 points per game.
Arizona vs. Missouri in the Holiday Bowl, Dec. 30
29 of 35
Who's accepted: Neither team
Favorite: Missouri by 6
A very tough game to pick. Arizona has a talented offense but also is coming off a shocking loss to Arizona State. Missouri's had some questionable losses as well, but has a talented defense that is allowing just over 15 points per game. Slight edge to the Tigers.
LSU vs. Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl, Jan. 1
30 of 35
Who's accepted: Neither team
Favorite: LSU by 3
A great offense against a great defense. This will be one of the better bowl games to watch, and you could say this is a pick-em, but Tigers kicker Josh Jasper could be the difference if this is tight late in the fourth quarter.
Wisconsin vs. TCU in the Rose Bowl, Jan. 1
31 of 35
Who's accepted: Neither team
Favorite: TCU by 1
Both offenses have put up huge numbers, but the Horned Frogs have consistently had one of the nation's top defenses and relish the chance to play college football's best. They've got their chance.
Oklahoma vs. Connecticut in the Fiesta Bowl, Jan. 1
32 of 35
Who's accepted: Neither team
Favorite: Oklahoma by 10
The Sooners are their own biggest enemy but have shown what they're capable of the past two weeks on both sides of the ball.
Virginia Tech Vs. Stanford in the Orange Bowl Jan. 3
33 of 35
Who's accepted: Neither team
Favorite: Virginia Tech by 1
You have the Hokies' winning streak against the Cardinal, which have a balanced offense and defense that's posted three shutouts. Give Virginia Tech a slight edge based on their special teams.
Arkansas vs. Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl, Jan. 4
34 of 35
Who's accepted: Neither team
Favorite: Arkansas by 7
The Razorbacks are peaking at just the right time and have a defense that is very underrated.
Auburn vs. Oregon in the BCS National Championship, Jan. 10
35 of 35
Who's Accepted: Neither team
Favorite: Auburn by 6
The top two teams in the BCS rankings should give fans a treat. Vegasinsider.com updated their odds, with Oregon having a 9/5 shot at winning the title and Auburn at 3/1.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
