Bowl Schedule 2010: 25 Shocks, Locks, Upsets and Bold Predictions
Bowl season begins this Saturday with a triple-header of games.
There are a ton of games that will follow, and plenty of storylines to watch as well. You have a rivalry being renewed (LSU-Texas A&M), a coach on the hot seat (Rich Rodriguez), another saying goodbye (Urban Meyer) and two Heisman finalists in a single game (Cam Newton and LaMichael James). The triple option will be in the spotlight when Air Force and Georgia Tech - which both use the scheme - play in the Independence Bowl, while Andrew Luck will try to beat a Virginia Tech team that's won 11 straight games.
That's just scratching the surface.
With all the storylines and compelling match-ups also comes the chance to make some bold predictions. Will Ryan Mallett outshine Terrelle Pryor? Can Washington even hang with Nebraska? Who will have the better game among the trio of talented receivers in Alabama's Julio Jones, Justin Blackmon at Oklahoma State and A.J. Green of Georgia? Does Utah have any chance against Boise State?
Time to call some shots and make some predictions. Here are 25 shocks, locks, upsets and bold predictions for the upcoming bowl season:
25. Chad Spann Will Rush For Over 100 Yards
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The Northern Illinois running back has rushed for 1,293 yards and 20 touchdowns, but has been held under 100 yards rushing for four straight games. That string should end against a Bulldogs defense that is allowing nearly 155 yards rushing per game and gave up 318 yards rushing to Illinois.
24. The Mountain West Will Go Undefeated
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You have to say Air Force, BYU and San Diego State will be favorites in their games, but obviously Utah and TCU have the toughest match-ups. The Horned Frogs' defense, however, is among the nation's best and Utah has won nine straight bowl games.
23. Daniel Thomas Will Shine
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The Kansas State running back has 276 carries for 1,495 yards and 16 touchdowns. He's also rushed for over 100 yards in four of his last six games, and is about to expose Syracuse to some tougher competition than it faced in the pathetically awful Big East.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
22. Hawaii and Tulsa Will Combine For Over 110 Points
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It's definitely possible. Both average nearly 40 points per game, and Tulsa is coming off a 56-50 win over Southern Miss. Hawaii leads this all-time series 5-3, having won four of six when they played each other in the WAC from 1999-2004.
21. Everyone Will Talk About Ryan Lindley
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San Diego State will get all the attention Dec.23 when it faces Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl. If you've followed the Mountain West, you probably already know about Lindley, who's thrown for 3,554 yards and 26 touchdowns. He almost led the Aztecs to an upset over TCU this year and finished with 528 yards passing against Utah.
20. Colin Kaepernick Will Finish With 225 Yards Passing and Three Touchdowns
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The Nevada quarterback is among the nation's best, and may be a little underrated too. He's thrown for 2,830 yards and 20 touchdowns on the season. Boston College is near the bottom nationally in scoring at just under 19 points a game, and when you can't score you'll be punting the ball away. Which means more chances for the Wolfpack offense.
19. Northwestern Will Beat Texas Tech
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This has been a down year for the Red Raiders. Besides losing to the Big 12 South Champs, they also lost to a bad Texas team and had Iowa State finish with 441 total yards in the Cyclones' 52-38 victory. A win would also be impressive, since Texas Tech can stay in state and play at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
18. Notre Dame Will Edge Miami
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The Fighting Irish have been resilient and overcome plenty this year. Miami has a ton of talent, but has underachieved under former coach Randy Shannon. I think it will be a competitive game, but I can see Notre Dame doing just enough for a win. Brian Kelly laid a great foundation in his first year.
17. Rich Rodriguez Will Coach His Last Game at Michigan
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The guessing games will come to an end for the Michigan head coach. He's never quite lived up to expectations, and now the quest will begin to bring Jim Harbaugh back home. If I'm Michigan, I'd also take a shot at Chris Peterson, Gary Patterson or Les Miles.
16. Wisconsin Won't Score Over 40 Points
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The Badgers have a potent, dangerous offense but they're facing a TCU defense that is first in the nation in points allowed (11.4). TCU allowed three points over a three-game span, and has allowed 10 points or less in eight games.
15. Nebraska Will Be Cruising By Halftime
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Nebraska and Washington may be one of the biggest bowl mismatches of the season. Washington is allowing just over 31 points, and I just can't see them containing a Nebraska offense that is rushing for 260 yards per game.
14. Urban Meyer Will Lose His Final Game
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It sounds insane to say such a thing, but I also know this isn't the same kind of Florida team that fans are used to.
13. Les Miles Will Attempt Two Trick Plays
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LSU and Texas A&M are renewing an old rivalry in the Cotton Bowl, and the Mad Hatter has used a trick play or two this year. The Aggies offense is very talented while the Tigers have shown glimpses of promise with their offense. Watch Miles turn it loose and let LSU play fast and aggressive in this game.
12. Stanford Wins In Overtime
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Think Virginia Tech's season opener with Boise State, and you'll get the idea of how good this game could be. Andrew Luck, though, gives the Cardinal an edge here, helping Stanford end Virginia Tech's 11-game winning streak.
11. Oklahoma State Wins By Three Touchdowns
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The Cowboys have the nation's top offense and should be no problem for an Arizona defense that is allowing nearly 22 points per game. Oklahoma State was held in check by Oklahoma in its 47-41 loss, but still finished with 379 total yards.
10. Ryan Tannehill Will Have a Long Night
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The Texas A&M quarterback has had a great season and been a difference maker, but LSU's defense will be the toughest he's faced this year.
9. SMU Wins By a Touchdown
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The Mustangs are playing a home game at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in the Armed Forces Bowl, but are playing an Army team that's averaging 256 yards rushing and hung with Hawaii (31-28) and Temple (42-35) in losses.
8. South Carolina Will Actually Show Up
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Whether they beat Florida State is a completely different question, but no way are they non-existent for two games in a row.
7. Utah Shocks Boise State
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Utah has won nine straight bowl games and is undefeated under head coach Kyle Whittingham in bowl games. They beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, but this would probably be an even bigger upset.
6. Mississippi State Wins By 14 Points
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The Bulldogs almost knocked off Arkansas and the Wolverines aren't near as talented. It wouldn't be surprising to see Dan Mullen's team win, and it could be big if they're playing to their ability.
5. Alabama and Michigan State Will Be The Best Bowl Game
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The Crimson Tide almost knocked off Auburn and will now get a second chance for another upset against the Spartans. Two great coaches, tremendous talent and the SEC vs. Big Ten will make this one of the premiere match-ups. I'll go with Bama 42-35.
4. The Wide Receiver Trio Will Shine
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Alabama's Julio Jones, A.J. Green at Georgia and Justin Blackmon at Oklahoma State are all considered first round picks in next year's NFL Draft. Many think Green is the top receiver of the bunch. Do you agree? Also, who will have the most yards and touchdowns in their bowl game? Call your shot.
Prediction: I'll go with Blackmon. Give me 220 total yards and three touchdowns.
3. Big Game Bob Returns
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Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has been criticized for his coaching in big games, especially in the Sooners' recent BCS bowl struggles. But that streak will end, as Oklahoma thumps Connecticut 38-21.
2. Mallett Torches The Buckeyes
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Ryan Mallett and Terrelle Pryor are one of the marquee quarterback match-ups of the bowl season. Watch Mallett solidify his status as a top 10 pick for next year's draft with a huge outing against Ohio State.
1. Auburn Wins In The Final Two Minutes
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Oregon and Auburn will go toe-to-toe but expect the Tigers to get a big stop late, and Cam Newton scores the game-winner.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
