Tuesday, Dec. 26Motor City Bowl
CENTRAL MICHIGAN -11½ Middle Tenn St
This year, the Detroit Bowl features the MAC Champion Chippewas and the Sun Belt Co-champion Blue Raiders of MTSU. Um, yeah. Pretty exciting stuff. Here's my question - since this game is obviously not tops on anyone's "to watch list" and Detroit is not tops on the "to visit" list, why not spice this game up and invite Ted Nugent to perform at halftime? There's no way I wouldn't tune in to at least part of the game to see the Nuge perform, and possibly take someone out with a high-powered rifle or a bow and arrow. Who's with me here? Anyhow, MTSU features a relentless defense but no passing game, and I don't think CMU will have too much difficulty finding open receivers (five have 5+ TDs this season). I'll take Central Michigan to cover in this one.
Wednesday, Dec. 27
Emerald Bowl
UCLA -4½ Florida State
Me (to an FSU alum in my office): So what do you think about Florida State's chances in the Emeral Nut Bowl?
Her: What's with all these stupid bowls? Seriously, they don't even deserve to go to a bowl game. I'm done with them this season. They'd better step it up next season or I'm buying Rutgers season tickets.
When you're willing to abandon your alma mater for Rutgers, you know your team had a bad season. I'll take UCLA in this one.
Thursday, Dec. 28
Independence Bowl
Oklahoma State -3 Alabama
6-6 Alabama square off against 6-6 Oklahoma State - its the SEC and the Big XII only on ESPN! I could go in so many different directions with this one. If a big-name program without a coach plays a bowl game in Shreveport at 4:30pm on a Friday, will they make a sound? Will anyone outside of Alabam or Oklahoma watch it? I'd like to say yes to both, but since I don't have ESPN HD at work, and I'm not at "degenerate gambler" level yet, I'll have to say no. How does Alabama get motivated for this one? "Well guys, let's look at it this way, if we go 6-7 this season its still better than that time our coach got caught at the nudie bar, right?" Even if Alabama's offense will be run by their defensive coordinator, I still think they'll fare well against the Cowboy's defense (giving up an average of 30.8 points per game over their last 9 games). Aside from an upset win over Nebraska, Oklahoma State really hasn't impressed that much this season. I'll take Alabama with the points this week.
Texas Bowl
Rutgers -7 Kansas State
When the biggest storyline from this game is whether or not New Jersey residents will be able to watch the game on the NFL Network, you know the analysts are scraping the bottom of the barrel for something to talk about. Not me though. I've been watching the Scarlet Knights all season, following their stats, reading post-game interviews and reports, and I can honestly say that . . . hmmm. They're wildly inconsistent? After starting the season 9-0, they lost 2 of 3 to end the season tied for 3rd in the Big East. I'd like to say that Ray Rice, Brian Leonard and QB Mike Teel are the strongest trio to come out of New Jersey since the Fugees, but as solid as Rice has been, Teel has been as shaky. I think this game will hinge on whether Mike Teel can play like he did against Navy (215 yards, 3 TDs) and not like he did against Ohio (83 yards, 3 INTs). As long as Teel can complete enough passes to keep the Wildcat defense from effectively focusing on the run (which they have had trouble with all season), Rutgers should have no problem winning and winning big. I'll take the State University of New Jersey to cover the spread.
Holiday Bowl
CALIFORNIA -5 Texas A&m
Remember when Cal lost to Tennessee and it became the defining loss of their season, Nate Longshore played with a chip on his shoulder and Cal won 8 in a row? And then they lost to Arizona and USC in consecutive weeks and ended up playing in the Holiday Bowl instead of the Sun or Rose Bowl? Good times, good times. I really don't have too much to say about this game other than I think A & M beating Texas was a bit flukey, as was Cal losing to Arizona. I'll stick with Cal in this game, even though I'm sure it will be a lot closer than expected.
Friday, Dec. 29
Liberty Bowl
SOUTH CAROLINA -6½ Houston U
Man, I hate Tom Penders. Yes, I know he doesn't coach the football team, but I don't care. I'll take the Ole Ball Coach and the Cocks to cover against Houston.
Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl
Clemson -11 Kentucky
This game was a lot easier to call before Clemson CB Duane Coleman was arrested for pot possession this week putting his status for the game in jeopardy, and earning him Maurice Clarett award nominee status. Duane, what were you thinking? You go to Clemson, not Miami! I know both teams wear orange, but that's no excuse for getting caught with weed a week before the bowl game. This is Coleman's second suspension from the team (the first in was in 2005 for whining too much - seriously). Clemson lost 3 of 4 to end the season, and though they're giving up just over 15 points per game with Coleman, I'm not sure they'll do much worse without him. I'll take Clemson to cover the spread here; Kentucky's passing game just won't be able to overcome the Tigers' defense.
Sun Bowl
Oregon State -3 Missouri
Oregon State's running back is named Yvenson Bernard. What a cool name, Yvenson. And he's not even from Norway or Sweden or one of those World's Strongest Man Competition places. I'll take Yvenson and the Beavers to cover the spread.
Champs Sports Bowl
Maryland -3½ Purdue
Maryland has been tough to read all season. Their only real quality win was a 1 point victory over Clemson, and they've lost all four games to ranked opponents. Purdue lost to 4 ranked opponents as well this season, and had the luxury of being in the Big Ten (11) and not playing Ohio State or Michigan this season. Yes, both teams had rough schedules, but neither one was overly impressive at any point. The edge here goes to Maryland just because the Boilermakers are 1-5 in their last 6 bowl appearences and Maryland has given up only 10 points in their last two. I'm going with the Terps even though my GW roots tell me otherwise.
Insight Bowl
Texas Tech -7½ Minnesota U
It isn't games like Florida - Ohio State with USC on the outside looking in that make me hate the BCS. Its games like this one - teams such as Minnesota who were absolutely dreadful (3-5) in conference this year and won 2 of their games against cupcakes like Temple and North Dakota State, and 2 more against Kent State (6-6) and Indiana (5-7). Those games accounted for 67% of the Golden Gophers' wins. I can't wait to see Red Raiders QB Graham Harrell light up Minnesota's defense for 600 yards passing. After putting up 519 against Texas and 483 against Baylor it could certainly happen, and I hope it does. Why does this make me so upset? I have no idea, but it might have something to do with a mascot camp incident involving Goldie the Gopher. Don't ask. I'm going with Texas Tech to cover.
Until next week . . .
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment