2011 Bowl Predictions: Favorites That Will Obliterate Spread

The 2011 college football bowl schedule has a few decent games mixed in with ones that will either be blowouts or are simply not interesting. These games listed will obliterate the point spread that is used by Vegasinsider.com. 

Texas (-3) vs. California: Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl

Both Texas and California have endured average 2011 seasons. But, for one team, average isn’t acceptable.

Texas will be looking to destroy California when they meet up on Wednesday for the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl to prove that they aren’t as bad as people think.

The Longhorns are good on the defensive side of the ball. They have one of the better defenses in the Big 12. Besides the Baylor 48-24 loss, Texas hasn’t allowed more than 30 points since the Oklahoma State game on October 15.

California’s offense is ranked No. 47 in the country. Texas should be able to have a decent day on the defensive side of the ball.

Texas isn’t a poor team, they have just played tough competition. Four of their five losses came against ranked opponents. Compare that to California’s two losses against ranked teams and it’s easy to notice that the Big 12 is head-and-shoulders better than the Pac-12 this season.

The same will be said after Wednesday.

Prediction: Texas 30, California 20

Georgia Tech (-3) vs. Utah: Sun Bowl

Georgia Tech (8-4) brings its triple-option attack to El Paso, TX to face Utah (7-5) at the Sun Bowl on Saturday December 31.

The Yellow Jackets have the third-best rushing attack in the nation, averaging 317 yards per game. Utah’s defense is solid, allowing 19.7 points per game, but they will have their fair share of struggles on New Year’s Eve.

Utah has had plenty of time to watch Georgia Tech's offensive style excel on tape, but it’s a completely different story when you are on the field. It’s the type of thing that they need to face once before gathering a game plan in the future.

Georgia Tech has been a top-15 team this season, which pays homage to their talent level—and Utah hasn’t been great against quality competition this season.

The Utes lost to USC by nine, Washington by 17, Arizona State by 21 and California by 24. They even lost to 3-10 Colorado at home to end their regular season.

Georgia Tech will be another quality team that easily defeats the Utes.

Prediction: Georgia Tech 37, Utah 24

NC State (-1) vs. Louisville: Belk Bowl

The 7-5 Wolfpack of North Carolina State are slight favorites to defeat 7-5 Louisville on Tuesday in the Belk Bowl.

Louisville plays in the worst BCS Conference (Big East) in the country. They have had success this season, at times, but five of their seven victories have come against Big East competition.

The Cardinals lost to Florida International and Marshall earlier in the season, two losses that look horrible on their resume.

NC State will have the advantage because the game will be played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.

Talk about an advantage.

The Wolfpack are by no means a dominant team, but they do have an offense capable of putting up 30 or more points, which they have done six times this season.

In the biggest game of their season, against No. 7 Clemson (at the time), the Wolfpack hung 37 points on the board and held the Tigers to 13 total points.

They have the ability of playing well in big games.

Mike Glennon has thrown for 2,790 yards and 28 touchdowns this season. He has thrown eight touchdowns compared to just one interception in the past two games.

NC State uses its hot quarterback and virtual home field to grab a blowout victory.

Prediction: North Carolina State 31-17