Sunday, December 30, 2007

Bowl Bonanza #3: New Year's Eve Bash


In the busiest day to date we get a great night cap with the Peach Bowl (or Chick-Fil-A) and have some interesting games throughout the day. Florida State will field the JV squad in the Music City Bowl while Oregon limps into the Sun Bowl against South Florida. The feel good story of the bowl season plays out on the NFL network when Indiana takes on Oklahoma State in a surefire shootout. We are almost into the BCS games and Monday's slate will only further our appetite for them.


Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl (Dallas, 12:30 ESPN)

California 31 - Air Force 21


California phoned it in more than any other team in the country this year while Air Force took many by storm (including lowly Notre Dame). A lot of people are pegging this game for the upset of the bowl season but I like Cal and their speed to be too much for Air Force. Desean Jackson will be the fastest player the Falcons have seen all year and should create some serious mismatches. Air Force will give it a go for a while but Cal simply has too much depth and speed.



Roady's Humanitarian Bowl (Boise, ID 2:00 ESPN 2)

Fresno State 28 - Georgia Tech 20


Georgia Tech is sans coach and playing out West where their pitiful fan base will not travel. Fresno State always plays big teams tough and Tech is not that good. All are signs why I have GT going down. Tech DC Tenuta won't be there as he has decided to leave the program so the one strong point of the GT team will be without its coach. I know little to nothing about Fresno State but I know all I need to about how average Georgia Tech is.


Brut Sun Bowl (El Paso, Texas 2:00 CBS)

South Florida 30 - Oregon 17


Without Dennis Dixon Oregon is lost at sea and that is the case heading into this game. South Florida has a stout D, especially against the run, and should be able to stymie the Duck QB's all day long. The Bulls' offense is not much to write home about but the Oregon D is not the best either. I like the Bulls to put up a TD via the defense and get some solid production out of QB Matt Grothe.


Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl (Nashville, Tenn. 4:00 ESPN)

Kentucky 30 - Florida State 20


Florida State will be without 25% of their roster due to the massive suspensions which leaves them very vulnerable. Andre Woodson is a top notch QB who should be able to get FSU in some tricky spots. The Free Show offense is horrendous but it should be able to move the ball on Kentucky at times. This game would have gone to FSU had it not been for that minor cheating scandal. Woodson will win the MVP as he should have a huge day against FSU.


Insight Bowl (Tempe, Ariz 6:00 NFLN)

Oklahoma State 38 - Indiana 30


This should be one of the highest scoring games of the bowl season with both offenses having great skill players. I think OSU has better skill players as a whole and should match up very well with Indiana. The Hoosiers have a great combo of offensive talent in a shifty QB and a dominant WR in 6-foot-6 James Hardy. I like Adarius Bowman of OSU a little better and the spark plug running back for the Pokes is solid. This should be an entertaining game with OSU coming out on top.


Chick-Fil-A Bowl (Atlanta 7:30 ESPN)

Auburn 17 - Clemson 13


This should be the opposite of the Insight Bowl where defense will rule the day. Auburn has one of the best defenses in the nation led by oft-suspended LB Tray Blackmon. Clemson will be without a few defensive starters due to suspension which should help the always average Auburn offense. There should be some hard hitting defense throughout and some stud RB play as well. Clemson has one of the best RB duo's in the country with James Davis and CJ Spiller while Auburn RB Brad Lester is solid (when not suspended). Look for Auburn to stuff the run and force Clemson to throw the ball where Auburn's D is fierce.

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