Bowl Games 2010: Predicting New Mexico, Humanitarian and New Orleans

The bowl season is upon us. Bowls are great. We’ve got 35 this year, and while that’s a lot, I don’t think there are too many. 

College Football beats anything else on television this time of year. 

We get the bowls started with three games on Saturday, December 18th.  They are all on ESPN, so you can sit down and watch college football all day.

Let’s get to the picks of the first three games of the 2010-11 bowl season:

New Mexico Bowl: BYU (6-6) v. UTEP (6-6)

The Cougars come into this games having won four of five to become bowl eligible, while UTEP has lost five of six. 

UTEP is banged up with their QB Tervor Vittatoe and need to rely on their running game in this one. 

BYU’s defense has been improving, but motivation is the key in this game. 

UTEP hasn’t been to a bowl in five years while it’s something BYU expects each season. 

I look for UTEP to play well early before BYU pulls away in the second half.

My Pick:  BYU 31, UTEP 21

Humanitarian Bowl: Northern Illinois (10-3) v. Fresno State (8-4)

Northern Illinois has lost their coach, Jerry Kill, to Minnesota and will have an interim for this bowl game. 

Fresno State finished their season with a win over Illinois and should be ready for a good Northern Illinois team. 

Just how do the Huskies come out and play in this one after a disappointing loss in the MAC Championship and then losing their coach?

Fresno State will edge Northern Illinois on the smurf turf in Boise.

My Pick:  Fresno State 27, Northern Illinois 26

New Orleans Bowl: Troy v. Ohio

Troy come in as champs of the Sun Belt, while Ohio finished a disappointing second in their division of the MAC. 

Ohio brings in a good passing game led by receiver Terrence McCrae so Troy will be looking to get pressure on the QB and disrupt the offense. 

Troy brings in a good offense that led the Sun Belt in total offense and points scored, while the Bearcats have a solid defense that will be tested. 

Troy hasn’t fared well against good competition this season. 

This should be a close one but I think Frank Solich’s Bearcats will break through and he’ll get his first bowl win as Ohio’s head man.

My Pick:  Ohio 28, Troy 27

Keep checking back at machorhino.com for picks throughout the bowl season!