New Mexico Bowl: BYU (6-6) vs. UTEP (6-6) NOT SO FINER
Two lucky-to-be-here teams square off in the battle for Albuquerque. BYU has been awful, but UTEP is that much worse. Look for the 27 yr old, fathers of six from Mormon Country to walk all over the boys from El Paso.
Humanitarian Bowl Fresno State (8-4) vs. Northern Illinois (10-3) NEO
Fresno State enters its 11th bowl in 12 seasons, but NIU has other plans. A tough loss in the MAC title game kept them out of a bigger bowl. Although not an intriguing matchup, the line is only 1 so look for a close one.
New Orleans Bowl Ohio (8-4) vs. Troy (7-5) NOT SO FINER
Both teams are a calamity of errors, and each team's strength is the opposite side of the ball as the others. Ohio's extra win is enough of a reason to say they win this one.
Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl Louisville (6-6) vs. Southern Miss (8-4) SO FINER
Admittedly this one falls at the low end of the 'So Finer' rating, but both teams are former rivals, and each has some NFL ready players on both sides of the ball. That said though, both teams have their issues. I was at a Louisville game in person this year and know what the fans were saying about them. So with that I'll take Southern Miss +3.
MAACO Las Vegas Bowl Boise State (11-1) vs. Utah (10-2) SO FINER
This game is an absolute must see. Both teams had undefeated seasons derailed late, and are out to prove themselves one last time as part of their current conferences. Utah will be without their starting QB though, and BSU's Kellen Moore should put on another offensive display. BSU should win big.
Poinsettia Bowl Navy (9-3) at San Diego State (8-4) SO FINER
A home game for SDSU, they put their prolific pass offense against Navy's fifth rank rush offense. Navy is in its eighth straight bowl, while SDSU is back for the first time since 1998. With that as motivation, a home crowd, and the fact that Navy cost me a parlay early in the season, I'll take SDSU to bring the Aztec faithful a win.
Hawaii Bowl Tulsa (9-3) at Hawaii (10-3) SO FINER
Another home game atmosphere, this should be a true shoot out. Both teams cant throw the ball enough, and defense is non existent. I'll take the mighty Rainbows to win this one at home, if for no other reason because of Tulsa's jet lag and "Island Fever."
Little Caesars Pizza Bowl Florida International (6-6) vs. Toledo (8-4) NOT SO FINER
Not only does FIU have Isiah Thomas for a head basketball coach, they're in their first bowl game ever too! Both teams have split four games the last two years, and that's everything meaningful I have to say about that. I'll go with Toledo and move on.
Independence Bowl Air Force (8-4) vs. Georgia Tech (6-6) NEO
The good: Both teams are ranked two and one in the nation, respectively, in the run offense. The Bad: Their defenses are terrible against the run, and neither offense can throw the ball to save their life. In contrast to Navy, Air Force won me a few parlays so ill take them in a real barn burner.
Champs Sports Bowl NC State (8-4) vs. West Virginia (9-3) NEO
NC State has been an upstart, but will need a more than good performance from their QB play to have a chance. WVU makes up 1/3 of the Big East Champions, and has a defense that hasn't allowed more than 21 points all season. Look for WVU to score enough, and turn it over to the defense to do the rest.
Insight Bowl Iowa (7-5) vs. Missouri (10-2) SO FINER
Despite the record, Iowa was a top ten team before everything just fell apart. Both team are fairly sound on each side of the ball, and should match up well. However, Iowa has had some key offensive suspensions that will hurt their production. I'll take Missouri in a close one.
Military Bowl East Carolina (6-6) vs. Maryland (8-4) NOT SO FINER
I was at the ECU game when they upset NC State, and know that they can put points up on the board, and avg. almost 450 yards a game. Problem is they also allow almost 450 yards a game too. Maryland was the ACC Cinderella this year and should have no problem putting this one away.
Texas Bowl Baylor (7-5) vs. Illinois (6-6) NOT SO FINER
Both teams lost three of their last four, and don't do anythng particularly well. Each team however does have one dynamic offensive piece that could be entertaining. Baylor for the win.
Alamo Bowl Arizona (7-5) vs. Oklahoma State (10-2) SO FINER
Despite Arizona losing four in a row, this could be entertaining if they decide to show up and return to early season form. Oklahoma State was supposed to have a down year, but was a big surprise behind an explosive offense. AZ is hit or miss, while OSU's offense is a sure thing. OSU for the win.
Armed Forces Bowl Army (6-6) at SMU (7-6) NEO
The third and final bowl home game (SMU), both teams strong point on offense is the others weakness on defense. This could make the game entertaining, but not must see TV. I'll once again go with the home team.
Pinstripe Bowl Kansas State (7-5) vs. Syracuse (7-5) SO FINER
If for no other reason to watch, the game is being played at Yankee Stadium. Both teams are back in a bowl for the first time in a few years, and their will be a continuous battle with Syracuse's better than average defense, and the Kansas State run game. What should be a close game, I'll take Syracuse in front of a dominantly home crowd.
Music City Bowl North Carolina (7-5) vs. Tennessee (6-6) NEO
A preseason powerhouse, UNC was undermined by an agent scandal, and will also have key injuries. Despite that, and what should be a crowd heavily dressed in Orange, UNC has won four in a row. They also have a major advantage at QB which should get them a win.
35 GAMES IS A SHITLOAD OF RESEARCH. COME BACK TOMORROW FOR THE SECOND HALF OF WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING THIS BOWL SEASON.
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