The SEC Has Tough Road in Bowl Games: Match-ups and Predictions

For many years the SEC was said to be the toughest conference in football.  No one can reasonably argue that. This was not a down year for the bunch as a whole.  Will the bowl season redeem or cement that assumption?  Let's see.

Game One: Vanderbilt vs. Boston College in Music City Bowl

Vandy started on fire and then did a late season collapse, barely getting that last win to become bowl eligible.  That kind of momentum won't help them against a hot Boston College team playing great ball right now.  Larry's Pick - Boston College Big!

Game Two: LSU vs. Georgia Tech in Chick-fil-A Bowl

It sounds like a broken record, but LSU started hot and then fell apart at the end of the season including embarrassing blowout losses.  Tech got red hot at the end and may be the toughest team in ACC at this point even though they didn't play for the championship.  LSU continues in downward spiral.  Larry's pick - Georgia Tech

Game Three: South Carolina vs. Iowa in Outback Bowl

Ready for repeat?  South Carolina started out hot and then lost three out of the last five.  Iowa ends on a high note winning its last five out six games including knocking off undefeated Penn State.  With Iowa's defense going and South Carolina's struggling offense, here's the third loss in the SEC.  Larry's pick - Iowa by 12 or more

Game Four: Georgia vs. Michigan State in Capital One Bowl

Finally a chance for SEC redemption.  Georgia had a few let downs this season, but played solid ball for much of the season.  Michigan State had an exceptionally good year, but here it's a good SEC team against a good Big 10 and the SEC wins as usual.  Larry's Pick - Georgia by at least two scores

Game Five: Ole Miss vs. Texas Tech in Cotton Bowl

Ole Miss beat the number one team in football and gained confidence as the season went on.  They don't have the best defense in the SEC and it hurts them here against a team wanting to prove a point.  Houston Nutt did a wonderful job with the rebels this year, but not good enough to hold back this wave of offense.  I do see it closer than most though.  Larry's Pick - Texas Tech

Game Six: Kentucky vs. East Carolina in Liberty Bowl

Ok, I've skipped a few, so let me repeat, Kentucky started out great and played a fine game in a loss to Alabama, then the late season fall apart began.  East Carolina just upset a heavily favored Tulsa team and could be on fire at the wrong time for Kentucky.  Watch out East Carolina, some schools may come to pick your coach away!  Larry's Pick - East Carolina

Alabama vs. Utah in Sugar Bowl

Alabama comes in as one of the top three teams in the nation.  The Utes were lucky to have beaten Texas Christian University (TCU) this year.  Utah can score, but that defense has nothing to stop Alabama who will beat that defense with any play it wants.  Larry's Pick - Alabama big

Florida vs. Oklahoma in BCS championship

A game that matches up well in most areas, but in this one, Tebow and company shows why they are rated where they are.  Florida exposes the Okie defense as suspect and with a month to recover, Florida will hit on all cylinders on offense.  I don't think the Sooners will be embarrassed though, but in the end, the Gators will win.  Larry's Pick - Florida

So there you have it.  The SEC goes 3-5 in the bowl games.  They'll win the biggest of the three and lose the minor ones.  This will fuel the debate over how solid the SEC is once you get past the top few teams.

On the other hand, the top teams in the SEC will win their games, so expect the arguments to continue.