Pacific Life Holiday Bowl
Arizona State vs. Texas
Thur. Dec. 27th 8pm ESPN @ San Diego, CA
In a match up of a 10-2 and 9-3 teams respectively, usually you get overachieving teams that are happy to be in a bowl. In this instance, ASU could easily have been in a BCS Bowl, and Texas was a Top 5 team for part of the season, and lost some games they probably shouldn't have. ASU finished the season ranked 11th in the nation and Texas 19th, meaning this game has the highest ranked teams not in the BCS games. The QB's will be the big guys in this game, as ASU's Rudy Carpenter has thrown for over 3000 yards and 28 TDs this season. On the other side, Texas Sophomore QB Colt McCoy has thrown for over 3100 yards and 21 TDs. Should be a shootout, and I'm pretty sure both these teams can beat a few of the teams that play in the NFL. My prediction: Arizona State 41 Texas 31.Champs Sports Bowl
Boston College vs. Michigan State
Fri. Dec. 28th 5pm ESPN @ Orlando, FL
Former #2 ranked BC ended the season in disappointment with a loss to Virginia Tech, and are stuck playing a mediocre Big 10 team in Orlando. The good part about this game is we get to watch Matt Ryan play for the overrated Eagles. The Big East may be a bit overrated this year, which could lead to a possible upset situation with Michigan State. The Spartans have ran all over the field this year with Jehuu Caulcrick and Javon Riger running for 2159 yards and 27 TDs combined. Boston College just doesn't care enough about this game, and Matt Ryan doesn't want to get hurt in his final NFL audition. My prediction: Michigan State 27 Boston College 21.
Texas Bowl
Texas Christian vs. Houston
Fri. Dec. 28th 8pm NFL Network @ Houston, TX
The Battle of Texas should be a great game for anyone that loves Texas football and has a cable company with rights to the NFL Network, so that makes about 1,000 people. These former conference foes will face each other for the 25th time, and these old rivals have some very different styles of play. Houston is 4th in the country in total yards and 16th in total points, and TCU is 16th in total defense, so something will have to budge. My guess is TCU's defense, as they barely got into this bowl and may be over matched. My prediction: Houston 38 TCU 17
Emerald Bowl
Maryland vs. Oregon State
Fri. Dec. 28th 8:30 pm ESPN @ San Francisco, CA
The Terps beat 2 top 10 teams this year, although one of them was Rutgers, but they always seem to play well against good teams, and poorly against bad teams. In this case, Oregon State started the season slow, but are one of the hottest teams right now winning 6 of their last 7 and their defense was 2nd in the country giving up 74.9 rushing yards per game, so we know which team will show up for the Beavers. This game depends of which Maryland team shows up, as these 2 teams are the epitome of mediocrity. My prediction: Maryland 24 Oregon State 20.
Meineke Car Care Bowl
Connecticut vs. Wake Forest
Sat. Dec. 29th 1 pm ESPN @ Charlotte, NC
A great match up on the hard court, these two teams are surprising and up and coming football schools that are trying to make a 'football name' for themselves. I think this is going to be a really hard fought game with both teams leaving it all on the field. The problem is most of the stories are about the guys off the field, the head coaches. UCONN's Randy Edsall and Wake's Jim Grobe were both considered both better jobs, but have stayed at their current programs to make them better. Both teams plays incredibly aggressive defense, as UCONN was 2nd in the country with 22 interceptions, and Wake Forest CB Alphonso Smith led the country with 8 INTs, 3 of which he took to the house. In the end this is almost a home game for Wake, so when all else fails go with the home team. My prediction: Wake Forest 27 Connecticut 16.
Autozone Liberty Bowl
Central Florida vs. Mississippi State
Sat. Dec. 29th 4:30 pm ESPN @ Memphis, TN
If you are going to watch 1 player this entire Bowl year, watch Kevin Smith the RB for Central Florida. He is an amazing runner, and is only 181 yards away from breaking Barry Sanders single season rushing mark. UCF is 10-3 and 2 of those losses came to teams ranked in the Top 6 at the time. The problem for MSU is they don't score enough, and with Kevin Smith on the other side it's going to be tough for them to stay in the game. MSU is another year away from being really good with a Freshman QB and Sophomore RB. My prediction: Central Florida 34 Mississippi State 17.
Valero Alamo Bowl Penn State vs. Texas A&M
Sat. Dec. 29th 8 pm ESPN @ San Antonio, TX
This is a game between two schools that were great at college football and are now just good at college football. In the early 90's, this would have been a great New Year's Day game, but now it's the game that will go against the undefeated Patriots on the same night. These two teams are so similar on paper, that it really is a hard game to guess. In the end it is so annoying watching Joe Paterno's corpse coach a game with marionette strings holding him up, I have to pick against the Nittany Lions. My prediction: Texas A&M 21 Penn State 10.
Petrosun Independence Bowl
Alabama vs. Colorado
Sun. Dec. 30th 8pm ESPN @ Shreveport, LA
The ultimate mediocre teams game. Both teams were 6-6 this past season, and both ended the season losing a few bad games. It doesn't get much worse than two mediocre teams on losing streaks playing each other in a game no one cares about. One of these teams has to end up with a losing record this season, and I give a small edge to Nick Saban, because he is suppose to be a good coach. My prediction: Alabama 10 Colorado 3.
4th and Goal
- Even if the Giants played all their good players and starters will they beat the Patriots? I don't think so, I'd rather see them rest the players that are banged up. Look I am a huge Giants fan, and I would love for them to win that game, but more importantly I would love for them to win a freakin' playoff game. For the 3rd time in their last 4 trips to the playoffs the Giants will face Jeff Garcia in the first round of the playoffs with 3 different teams (SF, PHI, TB). Best game of the final weekend will be San Francisco @ Cleveland. the Niners have looked good, and the Brown have to win to control their own destiny. One of the playoff teams will lose a big player to injury in the final week of the season that will impact them in the playoffs. Jacksonville is going to be really dangerous in the playoffs, and will make it to the Conference Championship. Isn't it funny how everyone's sleeper pick in the NFC was the Vikings, now they will be sleeping during the playoffs. Miami wins at least 7 games next year with Parcells in charge. Message to NY Football Giants Fans: Don't sell your tickets to this Saturday's game. Be a fan, what is a few hundred bucks mean to you. C'mon show that we are good fans.
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