2010 Bowl Matchups: 25 Bold Predictions, Shockers and Surefire Upsets
The 2010 Bowl Season is in full swing, and already there has been some exciting games and stunning endings.
However, that's only the beginning. This season still holds shocking upsets, unthinkable performances, and plenty of future NFL stars buckling under the pressure. Every year, teams rise to the occasion when they weren't expected to compete, and every year teams expected to blow out their opponents get knocked out.
With so much drama unfolding on your TV set, it may be too much to handle. Therefore, we are here to help you, and keep your head from exploding due to the awesomeness.
Here are 25 predictions that just might happen, or not.
25. Boise State Vs. Utah Will Be Closer Than You Think
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While the Utes got pummeled by TCU, they face a slightly different look when squaring off against Boise State and Kellen Moore.
The Broncos will bring a steady passing attack to the MAACO Bowl in Las Vegas, and Utah has a stronger defense than the one that showed up against the Horned Frogs. Kellen Moore has benefited from a deep receiving corps, and it only takes a few bad decisions from the Heisman runner-up to make the game interesting.
Utah has a balanced offensive attack, averaging over 400 yards per contest, but they will still need near-perfection to beat the Boise State. Many have predicted this game as a blowout win for the Broncos after seeing what TCU did to the Utes in November.
However, it wouldn't be wise to overlook Utah, and this game may not be decided until the fourth quarter, even if Boise State still claims victory.
24. Air Force Upsets Georgia Tech, If You Can Call It an Upset
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The Falcons' loss to TCU is a game they'd like to have back. They were beaten through and through, in stark contrast to the their other three losses. Air Force will head into the AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl with four losses, and three of them were by five points or less.
Georgia Tech enters the game with a 6-6 record, having become bowl eligible with a 10-point win over Duke. The Yellow Jackets have seen better years, but are still a talented team. However, they may under-estimate how solid the Air Force football program has become over the last few seasons.
Falcons QB Tim Jefferson Jr. is a dual threat hybrid. He has a strong arm with the ability to take off at any moment. While RB Asher Clark has just over 1,000 yards on the ground, Jefferson has over 1,300 yards through the air and another 769 yards on the ground.
Air Force is ranked second in the country in rush yards, and if they can control the game clock and tempo on offense, Georgia Tech may not see enough possession time to put up any points. While Georgia Tech is the bigger program, this one may sway the Air Force way.
23. Sheraton Hawaii Bowl Not Just For Getting Lei'd
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Bryant Moniz is a beast. The Hawaii QB has made 508 passing attempts on the season, completing 337 of them for 4,629 yards. The Warriors lead the country in passing yards, and have a very fast paced offensive style.
When a fierce passing attack meets a strong running attack, what is the result? Well, with Nevada getting temporarily knocked out of the Top 25, it appears passing claims victory. The Wolfpack finished the 2010 season with just one loss, and it was at the hands of the island Warriors.
Tulsa brings a nearly-even offense to the table, using well-timed runs to mix up the passing game. Against a similar spread of opponents, Tulsa finished 9-3 on the season with that strategy, while Hawaii finished a game better.
This game will me one of the more exciting games of the Bowl Season this year, and shouldn't be overlooked. The match-up pits two high octane teams, so it would be wise to catch this one. Game time is set for 8 pm ET on Christmas Eve.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
22. Missouri Just Might Blow Out Iowa
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Missouri will show up to the Insight Bowl in Tempe, AZ, having won their last three games to finish the year with a 10-2 mark. They crept their way up the rankings near the Top 10, and will be facing an Iowa squad in disarray.
The Hawkeyes are limping into the post-season, and while they were once ranked in the Top 10, they seem to be in no shape for a Bowl game.
Historically, the Insight Bowl has been an exciting game to watch, as two established programs go head to head in a close match-up. However, this season might change up the beat.
This contest features two strong defenses. Missouri allows just 15 points per game, while Iowa is close behind with 16 allowed per clash.
The major difference in this game is the momentum of the teams entering the post-season. The Tigers are riding high and ready to finish off the 2010 campaign with a dominating victory. Meanwhile, the Hawkeyes are reeling and just might get blown out if they don't score early to set the pace.
21. Baylor Is The Team to Beat in The Texas Bowl
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With the fall of an empire comes the rise of its neighbor. Texas struggled mightily this season, while the Baylor Bears are 7-5 and in a Bowl game. They have one of the most under-rated QBs in college football, too.
Robert Griffin III has thrown for over 3,000 yards this season with a QB rating of 144.23 while completing 66% of his passes. The most dangerous thing about Griffin? He's only a sophomore.
Baylor looks like a program on the rise, so don't underestimate them when they take on Illinois, a Big-10 school on the tail end of a mediocre season.
Ron Zook may be fighting for his job, and how strange would it appear if he lost it losing to Baylor? Well it could be a reality in just a few short days. Illinois' Points For versus Points Against is about as mediocre as their 6-6 record. They average 32 points per game while allowing 24 to their opponents.
One thing to count on: This game with be a high-scoring affair, but more scoring will be done by Baylor, who will lay their claim as a legitimate football program.
20. UNC Vs. Tennessee Signals Changing of The Guard
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Tennessee isn't the program it once was, and the Tar Heels are suddenly a legitimate football team. It's simply a part of sports; dynasties rise and fall, unless you're the Yankees.
T.J. Yates has North Carolina in a solid position. The senior QB has thrown for over 3,000 yards and carries a passer's rating approaching the 150 plateau. While stumbling over William & Mary and escaping with a victory, the Tar Heels upset Florida State and finished the regular season with a win over intrastate rival Duke.
There were so many seasons, even recently, where the Tar Heels were irrelevant and Tennessee was a SEC powerhouse. However, it appears the times they are a changin', and don't expect anything less than a victory in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl, and another strong season from UNC next season.
19. Army Upsets SMU In a Shocker
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Last week I predicted SMU to roll over Army, but taking a closer look at this game, and watching Troy steamroll Ohio, suddenly I am not so convinced.
Army is a solid squad, but they still have some growth to accomplish before they can be comfortably considered a winner. Meanwhile, SMU hasn't been in the media much this season, and I confess I haven't seen them play. Looking at the numbers, Army has a shot at this one.
Both the Black Knights and the Mustangs lost to Navy, and Army has a loss to Rutgers, but SMU has a loss to Houston by 25 points. This teams are much more evenly matched than people might think, and an Army win would gain some talk around the water cooler.
This one might just go to the Black Knights!
18. Nebraska Blows Out Washington, Again
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Notch another disappointment into Jake Locker's belt this season, the Huskies are going to be man-handled in the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl.
When these two teams met in Seattle back on September 18, Nebraska thoroughly dominated, returning home the victors of a 56-21 massacre. Washington QB Jake Locker was still being shopped in the media as a Heisman candidate at that time, but was overshadowed by the amazing abilities of Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez. The freshman has drawn countless comparisons to Eric Crouch while still having a style all his own.
The young QB still has a lot of growing to do, but seems already capable of running the Cornhuskers' offense while Jake Locker's draft stock seems to be slipping and withering away.
The Huskies won't have the benefit of a home crowd either, and don't appear to have many weapons at their disposal to take on a much more talented Nebraska squad. This one might be a barn-burner again, and Martinez might return next season to find he's on Heisman watch.
17. Miami Over Notre Dame, Brian Kelly Stays Put
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Another idea that may need some second thought is Brian Kelly and his standing with Notre Dame. Earlier I mentioned that the new Head Coach might be on the Hot Seat with the 7-5 finish his team put forth this season.
However, the Fighting Irish didn't give up on Charlie Weis that easily, and he had no business being a HC for any team. Offensive Coordinator is where he belongs, where the media doesn't eat him alive.
Meanwhile, Kelly has done a solid job of at least returning Notre Dame back to a respectable standing. Two games over .500, which is really one win away, is better than finishing in the slums. When it comes to the Hyundai Sun Bowl on the other hand, well Miami seems like the better squad.
The Irish have losses to Tulsa and Navy on their season, while the Hurricanes went down to USF in OT and Virginia by just five. Their other losses are to ranked teams, and they were competitive. Notre Dame has a legion of fans that rival anyone, but Miami seems to have the upper hand.
The Hurricanes will probably win this one, but Brian Kelly isn't going anywhere just yet.
16. Watch Your Back Georgia, Central Florida Is For Real
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While not having any major wins over major programs, the UCF Knights are still a solid team this season. They finished out C-USA play with a 7-1 mark, winning the conference championship.
The Knights will have a tough task ahead of them, facing a Georgia program that knows success in a conference that knows major college football. The Bulldogs, however, are having a season isn't necessarily vindictive to its history.
Georgia will participate in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl with disappointing losses to Mississippi State, Colorado and Florida. The Bulldogs seemed confused for these games, unable to come together when it mattered most.
UCF's Ronnie Weaver may have a field day, and UCF can take this one in a stunner.
15. Steve Spurrier Still Hates The Seminoles
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Well, he didn't tell me so but I can see it in his eyes. This match-up at the Chick-Fil-A-Bowl seems too good to be true for newspapers and sports networks everywhere.
Steve Spurrier's crew will once again go up against the Florida State Seminoles, but with a different look, and a different name. The Head Coach knows what it takes to beat Florida State, having defeated them several times while coaching the Florida Gators.
Now the head honcho at South Carolina, Spurrier has found success in a new place. The Gamecocks finished their schedule with a SEC West title, but was embarrassed but a much more talented Auburn team in the SEC Championship, and we all know how Auburn is doing.
However, South Carolina still appears to have the upper hand against Florida State. The Seminoles have just one win against ranked opponents this season, a steamroller against Miami. They benefited largely from a soft ACC schedule, before getting dropped by Virginia Tech in the conference championship.
South Carolina features an impressive freshman running back that broke the 1,000 yard mark on the season. Marcus Lattimore is in line to have a strong game, and South Carolina takes this one in a close contest.
14. Cardiac Cats Come Up Short
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Live by the thrill, die by the thrill. The Northwestern Wildcats have done it all season, but against Texas Tech in the TicketCity Bowl, they will come up just short.
The game is practically a home game for the Red Raiders, who will be playing in Dallas, some 250 miles from their home in Lubbock. Crossing the 289 freeway doesn't seem like a problem, and the Red Raiders will have this one under control.
Northwestern's most impressive win was over Iowa, and even that isn't looking so pretty. Texas Tech's QB Taylor Potts is going to have a big day while Northwestern's defense struggles to keep him off the field. Look for Potts to have at least 200 yards through the air, if not more.
Texas Tech takes this one in a thriller, and Northwestern has a heart attack.
13. Outback Bowl: Florida Vs Penn State, Anyone Else Want To Take This One?
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Yep, he's still kickin' and still coachin'. Joe Paterno takes his Nittany Lions to Tampa to take on the Florida Gators. Both schools this season are having disappointing years. The Gators still haven't escaped post-Tebow talks, while Penn State still can't beat ranked teams.
The Gators look like a team missing that one key piece to be successful, and I think we all know that piece is now in the Rocky Mountains. For Florida, their future replacement is already present in John Brantley, but he is a raw talent in need of refinement.
Perhaps the biggest story in this game is the departure of Florida Head Coach Urban Meyer, who has announced his retirement following the game. Paterno just turned 84, but has no intentions of going anywhere.
No one wants to predict how this game will unfold, but I'm going to say Florida in a close game. Brantley will perform terribly, but Penn State's struggles with continue.
12. LaMichael James Is Shut Down By Auburn's Defense
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Here is the one that will get all the comments. I am predicting LaMichael James to have a slow game against Auburn's tough defense. This game is going to boil down to which school did the better research.
We all know the Tigers will bring Cam Newton to the table, and the Ducks will focus all of their attention on him. We all know Oregon has the fourth-most productive running game in the country, led by LaMichael James.
What will set these two teams apart is the research done by coaches and scouts of both schools, which will favor Auburn and a more established program. Don't get me wrong, the Ducks have arrived as a new powerhouse on the West Coast, but Auburn is just more prepared for this game, and it may take a few more seasons for the Ducks to be as prominent.
The biggest result in scouting will be the ultimate failure of Oregon's running game, and the strong performance of Cam Newton despite constant pressure from Oregon's swift defensive line.
11. Alabama Ruins Michigan State's Stellar Year
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Michigan State has had a year to remember, but it may be remembered for a different reason. The 2010 campaign may be marked by the loss to Alabama in the Capital One Bowl.
Alabama features two talented running backs in Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson. When Ingram leaves for the NFL, Alabama still has plenty of talent, and Trent Richardson figures to slide into the spot Ingram vacated.
Michigan State has impressive victories over Wisconsin and Michigan, but hasn't seen a smash-mouth style like Alabama. The Spartans will come out heavily motivated in this one, but it might not be enough.
10. Denard Robinson's Strong Performance Not Enough
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Denard Robinson is the real deal. However, his teammates let him down on the other side of the ball. Michigan's defense has been dreadful this season, allowing 34 points per game. The Wolverines could easily be in the Top 25, even the Top 15 if their defense could stop anybody.
Mississippi State has a rushing attack and an overall offense similar to Michigan's pass/run threat in Denard Robinson. MSU's Chris Relf is the lesser of the two QB/RB hybrids, but his surrounding cast is what makes the difference.
Mississippi State takes this one, and Denard Robinson's performance will once again be overshadowed by shotty defense.
9. Oklahoma-UConn Might Be Something To Watch
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The Tostitos Fiesta Bowl is gaining attention for a stranger reason than most seasons in the past. No. 7 Oklahoma will play the champion of the Big East, that being the UConn Huskies and their 8-4 record.
UConn earned their BCS bid in an AQ conference while not being ranked in the major polls. Many are already saying the Huskies will be blown out, as Oklahoma brings their fourth-ranked passing game to the table. The Huskies have a strong defense, but it will be tested at the highest level against the Sooners.
This game will be closer than you think, but Oklahoma still gets the win. Don't count the Huskies out, they will play well and are the right candidates to represent the Big East, but they just don't line up well against the Sooners in Glendale.
8. Nevada Should Be Ranked Higher
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The Wolfpack get no respect! They play a near-flawless season, like Boise State, and are playing in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl against Boston College.
This program has grown under the leadership and athleticism of QB Colin Kaepernick, another QB with the amazing ability to run for big gains. Nevada is third in the country in rushing yards, and Boston College's tight defense will make it interesting.
However, Boston College's offense is nearly non-existent, so when Kaepernick begins to take over the game, BC is in trouble.
Nevada deserves more national attention and will prove it with a big win over the Eagles.
7. Middle Tennessee Chips Miami (OH)
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Don't sleep on the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee. While finishing 6-6 and coming from the Sun Belt Conference, this teams displays signs of life.
Miami (OH) may be 9-4, but they average less points scored than points allowed, and their defense isn't ready for the tandem of Dwight Dasher at QB and RB Philip Tanner. This just might be the upset that gets talked about before the National Championship game.
6. Terrelle Pryor Chokes As Ryan Mallett Increases Draft Stock
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The Razorbacks' QB Ryan Mallet will put forth his best effort while Knile Davis builds his national spotlight stock.
Bold Prediction
This game should be everything it's hyped up to be. However, contrary to popular assumption, Lee Corso would be wise to wear a pig on his head. The Arkansas Razorbacks will take this one in a down-to-the-wire affair.
I stick to my words on this one, and I still think Mallett is ready for the NFL, and ready to defeat Ohio State. Terrelle Pryor is a solid athlete, but Arkansas seems better prepared for this high-powered match-up.
5. Wisconsin Wins Big Over TCU
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The Rose Bowl rivals the competitiveness of the National Championship this year, and Wisconsin will come to Pasadena having run over their last few opponents like a runaway freight train.
The Badgers are led by two running backs, both around the 1,000 yard mark. James White is averring seven yards per carry with 14 touchdowns and 1,029 yards rushing on the year. His counterpart on the roster is no slouch, John Clay has 936 yards of his own with 13 touchdowns.
This match-up with be a showcase of two superior defenses, but Wisconsin is just too big for TCU, who is fast but will not be capable of slowing down Wisconsin's offense. Also, the Badgers will be too big up front for the Horned Frogs to mix up their offense effectively. TCU has many weapons on offense but won't get it done.
Wisconsin takes this one, and may run away with it towards the end.
4. Stanford Handles Virginia Tech
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This is the game I am looking forward to the most. These teams seem very evenly matched, with two different ways to play the game matching up head-to-head.
Stanford is very pass heavy, while Virginia Tech has a fast QB with a strong arm. Andrew Luck is projected in nearly every Mock Draft, including mine, as the first pick. He is the most successful stereotypical QB in college football, and has plenty of protection to make smart choices.
Meanwhile, Virginia Tech's line isn't as solid, but it doesn't need to be. Tyrod Taylor has really turned it on since two disappointing losses to start the season. He is a duel threat, and does most of his rushing scrambling out of the pocket for big gains.
However, I see Luck getting the best of it, finding his plethora of receiving options down-field against VT's pass-weak defense.
3. Texas A&M Wins Thriller Over LSU in The Cotton Bowl
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Les Miles and the LSU Tigers are red hot, and their only two losses on the year are to Auburn and Arkansas, which makes them a prime candidate for a surprise upset.
Texas A&M's Cyrus Gray will have a big game, for no apparent reason. There are many more successful seasons ahead for the Bayou Bengals, but they fall short in this one that defies logic and statistics.
2. Cam Newton Has Solid Game, Still Falls to Back of Draft First Round
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The runaway-Heisman Trophy Winner will have a solid performance in the National Championship game, but his draft stock is still not high enough to rival Andrew Luck in the upcoming NFL Draft. He's still just a junior and many NFL teams feel that extra year could increase his knowledge of the game.
It's hard to imagine a player with such raw abilities needing more time to groom, but the only knock on Newton is his game knowledge.
Don't expect him to be in the first five, maybe even first ten picks of the draft, but he is still a sure-fire first rounder.
1. National Championship Will Be Low-Scoring Affair Compared to Expectations
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Both the Oregon Ducks and the Auburn Tigers feature high-octane offenses, but there is another element to this game that is being consistently overlooked: These two teams have no experience facing one another with the current rosters.
As mentioned earlier, this game will come down to who did the better scouting, and who can make on-the-spot adjustments. Both teams racked up serious yardage and high point totals in the regular season, playing conference opponents they see often.
This game will have all the excitement it has been billed to have, but the scoring won't be nearly as prolific as most are predicting.
Expect these two teams to be feeling each other out most of the first half, with several offensive strikes late in the game.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
