Bowl Schedule 2010: 25 Bold Predictions, Shockers and Surefire Upsets
Bowl Schedule 2010 is about halfway done. There are many games already in the books. That does not mean that the fun is over. No, there are still plenty of exciting plays and intriguing matchups on the way. In fact, the bowl season is just getting started.
We are at but the tipping point of the bowl season. This weekend will treat us to a myriad of storylines, none better than the Rose Bowl. After that, we still have the national title game to look forward to.
So, as the year comes to a close, let's take a look at the bowl games that are left to be played.
I can tell you there are a bunch of surprises in store for college football fans. Let's dive right in.
25. Music City Bowl: Tenessee Takes It to the Tar Heels
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They say defense wins championships. Coincidentally, it also wins mediocre bowl games played in December.
The Volunteers have their hands full Thursday night in Nashville. The Tar Heels boast a fantastic offense that they do not mind stretching around the field. Quarterback T.J. Yates has a powerful arm. So, there is a lot to like about this game from the North Carolina standpoint. I just can't get past the Volunteers and their stout defense.
They should do well in limiting the Tar Heels receivers. Tennessee has swift secondary defenders that will keep up with them all day. This game goes to Tennessee and the home crowd.
24. Holiday Bowl: Bet the Farm On Cornhuskers
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The not so great aspect of bowl season is some of the more arbitrary matchups we are forced to witness. That is what we have in Nebraska versus Washington. You may want to see Jake Locker and his future NFL arm go to work. But after that, it will be all Nebraska.
The Cornhuskers are too big on both sides of the ball. Washington will need a miracle to get over on them.
23. Meineke Car Care Bowl: Clemson Does the Little Things
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This is not the best looking game on paper. But it very well could go down to the wire, especially if South Florida's BJ Daniels bounces back from a leg injury. He has the skills and body to change the game on his own.
But even if he does return, he will not be as explosive. Meanwhile, Clemson boasts a terrific defense that has kept them in games all year long. They are adept at taking care of the ball on offense as well. The name of the game is the little nuances. That is where Clemson will get over on the Bulls.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
22. Sun Bowl: Smells Like Upset Time to Me
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Miami is a better team. There is no question there. The fact is, though, the Hurricanes have too much to deal with to win this game.
Miami is coming off a horrible season. They have been flat all year and there is no reason to think they will be up for this one. They will also have to contend with the fat that their head coach Randy Shannon was fired right after the regular season.
When you consider that a starting quarterback has still yet to be named for Miami, you have all the ingredients for an upset. Notre Dame is athletic and extremely well coached. They will keep it close. That may be all they have to do for Miami to press late in this game.
21. Liberty Bowl: Bulldogs Rule the Ground Game
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The Liberty Bowl will belong to the Bulldogs. They have the offense to keep the chains moving all game. Lead by a two headed running attack, the Bulldogs will never be want for points in this game.
Running backs Caleb King and Washaun Ealey should make great use of the stout offensive line. Ealey is a back that needs gaping holes to be effective; he should have just that in this affair. A 100 yard game a piece is well within reason.
20. Chick-Fil-A Bowl: The Two Teams Break the Over/under
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It is nice to know that when you sit down to watch a game you will be treated to a shootout. That is precisely what this affair will be. The over/under is currently set at 54.5. That is a bit high, yet I am fully confident these two teams will smash it.
Florida State is quite aware that they will need to put up a monster number in order to contend with South Carolina and their prolific offense. Christina Ponder will be lobbing the ball all over the field, sore arm and all. You also have the tandem of Stephen Garcia hoking up with Alshon Jeffrey early and often. This will lead to a game that may get a little out of hand. But either way, it will be a joy to watch.
19. Chick-Fil-A Bowl: Gamecocks Come Away With Win
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Christian Ponder is hobbled by a sore throwing elbow. That may be the small item that leads the Gamecocks to victory. Without a healthy gunslinger to put up the requisite number of points, the Gamecocks have this one in the bag.
I like Stephen Garcia. But more than him, I like Alshon Jeffrey and his play making ability. He will get loose in the open field more than once. South Carolina will rule the roost in Atlanta.
18. TIcketCity Bowl: Texas Tech Too Much for Northwestern To Handle
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Texas Tech is too much team. They have a tough defense that is undermined by their much better offense. Northwestern will struggle to even matter in this one.
My main concern, though, is Northwestern quarterback Evan Watkins. He has the propensity to turn the ball over with his ill-timed passes. You cannot throw interceptions and still hope to beat the Red Raiders. I am fairly confident that Texas Tech will cruise to a comfortable margin by the end of the third quarter.
17. Outback Bowl: Urban Meyer Leaves a Winner
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This will be a fitting end to the career of one of the most successful coaches in the BCS era. Urban Meyer will get one last win at the sake of Penn State.
Meyer shocked us all be revealing he would once again step aside. This time, it looks to be truly the end. His players will have that much to shoot for. They will want to give their mentor a fantastic send-off. It also helps that Florida has more talent and athleticism than the Nittany Lions as well.
16. Capital One Bowl: Mark Ingram Runs for 120 Yards
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The Spartans have too much to contend with on New Year's Day. They will have to worry about Greg McElroy and his ability to stretch the field with his arm. They will try and limit Julio Jones, a task that will necessitate two defenders.
That will leave Mark Ingram to make his mark before he heads to the NFL. Ingram will have the luxury of a gaping holes and defenders on the heels of their feet. He will be a marvel on this day.
15. Capital One Bowl: Alabama Cruise to Victory
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Michigan State may have been hurt to find that they did not get into a BCS bowl game. But they will show that the decision was not without merit.
They already had a tall order in taking on the Crimson Tide. They will now have to face them without their top receiver, BJ Cunningham. Alabama is too deep and too talented to let this slip away. The Crimson Tide will get over on the Spartans. Let's just hope it's not a rout.
14. Gator Bowl: Rich Rodriguez Keeps His Job With Win
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Rich Rodriguez is on the brink of losing his job. The lackluster season he has provided have brought him to this, a possible do or die scenario.
It is a good thing for him that he has Denard Robinson. The Wolverines prized quarterback will amaze us with his ability. Robinson will have plenty of friends and family in his home state come and watch him live.
Mississippi State will have their hands full trying to keep up with his explosive running and ability to dump the ball to his receivers. Sorry, Michigan fans; you will be stuck with Rodriguez for a awhile longer.
13. Rose Bowl: Andy Dalton Gets to 200 Yards Throwing
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The Badgers have a very tough and talented offensive line. There is no doubt that Andy Dalton will be forced from the pocket on many occasions throughout this game.
But that fact is, I feel very comfortable with Dalton throwing on the run. The man knows how to handle pressure and he has a plethora of options to throw to. There is no way to completely stop Dalton and his pinpoint accuracy. Wisconsin will find you can't keep a good man down.
12. Rose Bowl: Little 'Ol TCU Wins the Big Game
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TCU is favored going into the 2011 Rose Bowl. There are good reason for this, namely Ed Wesley and Andy Dalton.
Both players will be fighting for man of the match honors. Wesley is elusive. Though the Badgers are big up front on defense, Wesley has a knack for getting around behemoth linemen. Dalton is just as prolific. He will light up the Rose Bowl with his long passes. I hope the Wisconsin secondary have their track shoes on. They will need them for this one.
11. Fiesta Bowl: This Game Will Struggle To Be Interesting
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Oklahoma does not even have to play their starters to get this one. This is a glaring illustration as to why the Bowl system as it is does not work. You get a lopsided affair that has all the makings of a blow out.
Tell me. What is interesting about one team completely annihilating another team? Nothing. The Sooners can boast an advantage at nearly every single position. That gives them a myriad of options that will allow them to take this game. Make sure you watch the kickoff. That will be the closest the game will be.
10. Orange Bowl: Andrew Luck Will Show He Is a First Pick Talent
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Andrew Luck is flirting with the first pick of the 2011 NFL draft. The Orange Bowl is his first job interview. Luck has all the signs of being a top NFL player. He is a huge figure that is extremely tough to take down. He boast tremendous speed and elusiveness.
But more than all that, the kid has quite the arm. A 200-yard game is doable. It is also going to be fun to watch.
9. Orange Bowl: Cardinal Complete Fantastic Season
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The Stanford Cardinal have a tall order in stopping Tyrod Taylor. But the Stanford are a Pac-10 team and limiting a talented quarterback was a weekly occurrence for them this season.
Andrew Luck will have a huge game. And for once in this bowl season, the Pac-10 will reign supreme. The Hokies will be chasing Andrew Luck all over the field with little to no success.
8. Sugar Bowl: OSU Corrals Their Squad To Take Down Razorbacks
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We have not heard much from Terrelle Pryor this season. What little we have heard has not been good for his image. He and a group of star juniors were caught accepting gifts this season. They now face a five game suspension in 2011.
That fact means at least more than one of these players will jump to the NFL. This being the last game they will play together, the Buckeyes will make it count. Terrelle Pryor will try his best to boost his draft status with an amazing game. If he does enough at the Sugar Bowl, millions of dollars await.
The Buckeyes get enough points on the board to take down the Razorbacks.
7. GoDaddy.com Bowl: Red Hawks Dominate
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This is not exactly the game that we are all clamoring to see in 2011. But it is not without its looming star figure.
Austin Boucher is a gifted quarterback that has been lighting up defenses all season long. He will make mince meat of Middle Tennessee. That should be enough to sell you on watching this game. It hasn't? Well I have nothing else.
6. Cotton Bowl: LSU Stings Texas A&M
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I can't wait for this one. This has the making of a bowl classic. But I have to pick a side and I am going with more than my gut on this one.
LSU has too good of a defense. Sure, Ryan Tannehill is a great quarterback. But the LSU defensive line is better. They will get to the Aggies QB on a numerous amount of occasions. The Tigers have a way of rattling even the most solid of players.
This will be a close affair, but in the end, the Tigers will be victorious.
5. Compass Bowl: Dion Lewis Becomes a Household Name
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There is always one player in every bowl season that breaks out and gives us a few highlights to fawn over. That player will be Dion Lewis and the Compass Bowl will be his stage.
Pittsburgh should win this one comfortably. They boast a wide range of weapons that Kentucky will need to consider. Lewis should be left to his own devices. The Wildcats can ill afford to stack the box. That will allow the Pittsburgh running back to get out of the gates early. Mark my words, several long runs will be featured in this game.
4. Hunger Bowl: Colin Kaepernick Throws for 200 and Runs for 50
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This is the last game before the main event. But this under-card is full of talented players, none more so than Colin Kaepernick.
While the world is uttering Cam Newton's name, they overlook another versatile talent. Colin Kaepernick was made for the Nevada pistol offense. He is long and lean and can throw bullets in an instant. He can also gallop to quick fist downs.
It is amazing how quickly he accumulates stats. You don't want to miss this collegiate marvel.
3. Hunger Bowl: Wolfpack Slaughter the Eagles
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The Nevada pistol offense has a way of making teams look utterly foolish. There is no way to tell if a play is a designed run or pass or some goofy hybrid. Many teams have died by the simply confusing manner of the prolific offense.
It also helps that the Wolfpack have a QB seemingly created to run the offense. Colin Kaepernick and the Wolfpack will have Boston College befuddled all night long.
2. Tostitos BCS National Championship Game: Cam Newton Will Dazzle
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There is no shock there. Newton is a Heisman Award recipient for one reason: he is the best player in the nation. There is no way the Ducks can stop him from being amazing. It will just happen of its own accord.
Newton can kill the Ducks with his rushing ability. The man is elusive and extremely hard to bring down. He can also rifle the ball down field with ease. This will be the Cam Newton show for Auburn.
1. Tostitos BCS National Championship Game: Ducks Win
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Auburn has the best player in this game. There is no denying that fact. But the Ducks have the best game plan. Their no-huddle offense is an unappreciated killer of their opponents.
I have witnessed many a Pac-10 team struggle and completely lose their legs in the second half against the Ducks. There is no way to prepare for such an onslaught until you have faced it. The Auburn defense will have little to no rest. In this game of inches, the Ducks will be fresher towards the end of the game.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
