It is that time again! We are on the verge of probably the most controversial and talked about college football season. BCS, stay or go? I don't really care I'm enjoying it now and would probably enjoy it if we had a playoff system. As an OU fan a playoff system sounds nice right now. But, we hurt ourselves.
Alright folks here is the challenge. Watch at least 3 bowl games, as always I am going to do my best to watch them all (With some help from the DVR). Then I will break each one down after it is completed. The past 2 years I have had the same results, with a difference of 3 games. I have been able to finish with 3 more wins than losses, hopefully this year I can get a couple more right. Look forward to the comments. Well enough of all that junk. It is time to get into the bowls baby!
San Diego County Poinsettia Bowl
San Diego, CA
December 20
ESPN 9 pm et.
Utah (7-5) vs. Navy (10-2)
Accuscore: Utah 61%
My Pic: Navy
Reason To Watch:
This is Navy's second appearance in the Poinsettia Bowl and they are hoping that this appearance will be as nice as their 2005 showing. Beating Colorado State 51-30. Navy has the nations top offense and they will face the top scoring defense in the Utes. Don't think the departure of Navy's head coach will be a factor. They hired an assistance the very next day. I think the old triple option will end Utah's streak of 6 straight bowl wins.
R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
New Orleans, LA
December 21
ESPN2 8 pm et.
Florida Atlantic U. (7-5) vs. Memphis (7-5)
Accuscore: Memphis 52%
My Pic: FAU
Reason To Watch:
Florida Atlantic didn't even have football before 2001. Howard Schnellenberger has brought the Owls along quickly. When they beat Troy they received a share of their conference title. Now they are looking to get their first bowl win, in their first bowl appearance, to go along with their first conference title. Memphis looked to be on another disastrous trail when they started 2-4, but had since went 5-1 and locked up their 4th bowl game in 5 years.
Papajohns.com Bowl
Birmingham, AL
December 22
ESPN2 1 pm et.
Cincinnati (9-3) vs. Southern Mississippi (7-5)
Accuscore: Cincinnati 80%
My Pic: Cincinnati
Reason To Watch:
It will be the final game for Southern Miss. Coach Bower. He has been at the helm for 17 years. His golden eagles will not go down without a fight. The Bearcats have just completed their best season since 1953. Coach Kelly has the Bearcats in great position to keep on winning.
New Mexico Bowl
Albuquerque, NM
December 22
ESPN 4:30 pm et.
New Mexico (8-4) vs. Nevada (6-6)
Accuscore: New Mexico 50%
My Pic: New Mexico
Reason To Watch:
This is a definite toss up game. The accuscore is almost giving this one an even push. They have the Lobos barely over 50% to give them the edge. I think the main factor in on that is likely to be this close is New Mexico is getting a home game. Getting to play this game in their home stadium.
Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl
Las Vegas, NV
December 22
ESPN 8 pm et.
BYU (10-2) vs. UCLA (6-6)
Accuscore: BYU 62%
My Pic: BYU
Reason To Watch:
This is BYU's 3rd straight appearance in the Las Vegas Bowl. BYU will be looking to exact a little revenge from there 27-17 beating they took from UCLA earlier this year. UCLA being with out their head coach will leave them wide open for BYU to open it up and put a beating on the Bruins. The Las Vegas Bowl is a second home to BYU this being their 3rd straight appearance in Vegas.
Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
Honolulu, HI
December 23
ESPN 8 pm et.
East Carolina (7-5) vs. Boise State (10-2)
Accuscore: Boise State 74%
My Pic: Boise State
Reason To Watch:
Boise States last trip to Hawaii cost them a share of the WAC title. This trip however will be more festive. The Broncos coming off a big upset last year in the BCS may be a little down after their last trip to the Big Island cost them a shot at a second straight BCS game, but I don’t think so. Boise will play all out again and their offense will be humming.
Motor City Bowl
Detroit, MI
December 26
ESPN 7:30 pm et.
Central Michigan (8-5) vs. Purdue (7-5)
Accuscore: Purdue 70%
My Pic: Central Michigan
Reason To Watch:
That’s right folks upset alert! The Chippewa’s are coming off a good season that saw them win the MAC championship in fine fashion, beating Miami (OH) 35-10. QB Dan LeFeveor is the only the second QB, along side Vince Young, to have 3000 passing yards and 1000 rushing yards in a season. Purdue went 3-5 in a weak in a weak Big 10. This is a different and better team than the Boilermakers beat earlier in the year.
Pacific Life Holiday Bowl
San Diego, CA
December 27
ESPN 8 pm et.
Texas (9-3) vs. Arizona State (10-2)
ESPN Accuscore: Texas 60%
My Pic: ASU
Reason To Watch:
This is two teams that are both feeling a let down. They just feel short of being in the BCS mix. This is a return for Texas who made plenty of appearances before some QB named Vince Young pushed the longhorns to national prominence. The Sun Devils coming off one of their best seasons since 1996. This could one of the better earlier games. Look for the two teams to air it out.
Champs Sports Bowl
Orlando, FL
December 28
ESPN 5 pm et.
Michigan St. (7-5) vs. Boston College (10-3)
Accuscore: Boston College 61%
My Pic: Boston College
Reason To Watch:
People where pushing BC's QB Matt Ryan as a Heisman hopeful early on, but as BC lost, so declined the hype on Ryan. Michigan State did not get to a bowl game last year. Look for the Spartans to come out hot, but BC will be over powering.
Texas Bowl
Houston, TX
December 28
NFL 8 pm et.
Houston (8-4) vs. Texas Christian University (7-5)
Accuserve: TCU 65%
My Pic: TCU
Reason To Watch:
Unfortunately for Houston their coach just took off the Baylor. TCU had to win their final two games to get in this bowl. I would normally pick the Cougars in this match up, but with the departure of their leader the Hornedfrogs will get it done.
Emerald Bowl
San Francisco, CA
December 28
ESPN 8:30 pm et.
Oregon State vs. Maryland
Accuscore: Oregon State 52%
My Pic: Maryland
Reason To Watch:
The Maryland Terps are a story of two different teams. One that beats two top 10 teams and on that self implodes and finishes the year 6-6. OSU is a good team as always, as of late, they just aren't good enough. The Beavers can't find a way into the PAC-10 championship and a BCS birth. If you the Terps that can get it done show up, Oregon will have a fight on their hands.
Meineke Car Care Bowl
Charlotte, NC
December 29
ESPN 1 pm et.
Wake Forest (8-4) vs. UConn (9-3)
ESPN Accuscore: Wake Forest 50%
My Pic:
Reason To Watch:
Two young teams in every sense. Their rosters are both full of young talent, that will be shown off in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Both programs are young in their success. This is a good bowl for all the good reasons.
AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Memphis, TN
December 29
ESPN 4:30 pm et.
Mississippi St. vs. University of Central Florida
Accuscore: UCF 63%
My Pic: UCF
Reason To Watch:
Central Florida had dreams of the BCS and the National Championship at one point this season. But that all came crashing down on them. You will get to see the Black Knights RB Kevin Smith who has rushed for 2,448 yards. He is closing in on Barry Sanders single season rushing record and could break it during the bowl game. Sylvester Croom has got the bulldogs playing in great fashion and is probably the SEC coach of the year.
Valero Alamo Bowl
San Antonio, TX
December 29
ESPN 8 pm et.
Accuscore: Penn St. 74%
My Pic: Penn St.
Reason To Watch:
The Aggies head coach was forced to resign under a lot of scrutiny. Joe Pa will be coaching his 500th game. With the Aggies being coached by their defensive coordinator for one game, seeing as to how they have already hired their next head coach, there is not much stability in the program. I’m looking forward to watching Paterno on the sidelines.
PetroSun Independence Bowl
Shreveport, LA
December 30
ESPN 8 pm et.
Colorado vs. Alabama
Accuscore: Alabama 65%
My Pic: Alabama
Reason To Watch:
John Parker Wilson is good. Alabama’s QB will be slinging the ball all over the place and the Crimson Tide has better athletes than Colorado. This is a bowl game that has 2 teams that have 2 different personalities. Alabama beat the snot out of Tennessee and the proceeded to lose the last two games of the regular season, which included a loss to Louisiana Monroe. Which Colorado team will show up, the one that beat Oklahoma and hung with Kansas or the team that got beat on by Iowa State.
Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl
Fort Worth, TX
December 31
ESPN 12:30 pm et.
Air Force vs. California
Accuscore: California 52%
My Pic: Air Force
Reason To Watch:
Air Force has seen an offensive explosion this year under new head coach Troy Calhoun. California has lost 6 of there last 7 and probably don’t have a lot enthusiasm going into this one.
Roady's Humanitarian Bowl
Boise, ID
December 31
ESPN2 2 pm et.
Geogia Tech (7-5) vs. Fresno (8-4)
Accuscore: Georgia Tech 59%
My Pic: Georgia Tech
Reason To Watch:
Two years in a row the Boise State Broncho's aren't manning the sideline of their home field Bowl. The yellowjackets are going to have to what they do best, stop the run. Interim Head Coach and current Defensive Coordinator is excited to put his D to the test and getting to man the head spot, even if it's just for one day. Both of these teams previous trips to the Smurf Turf were successful ones.
Brut Sun Bowl
El Paso, TX
December 31
CBS 2 pm et.
Oregon (8-4) vs. South Florida (9-3)
Accuscore: South Florida 71%
My Pic: South Florida
Reason To Watch:
Two of the many teams this season that found themselves sitting in that #2 spot. They both lost 3 games this season to fall into mediocrity. With Oregon physically falling apart the Bulls have a great chance of this one.
Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl
Nashville, TN
December 31
ESPN 4 pm et.
Florida State University vs. Kentucky
Accuscore: Kentucky 56%
My Pic: Kentucy
Reason To Watch:
Florida State is reeling in the aftermath of a cheating scandal that has 25 of the Seminoles suspended for the game. Not that the Wildcats needed the help. Remember this is a Kentucky team that gave LSU all they wanted in regulation and won the game in OT.
Insight Bowl
Tempe, AZ
December 31
NFL 6 pm et.
Oklahoma State (6-6) vs. Indiana (7-5)
AccuScore: OSU 64%
My Pic: OSU
Reason To Watch:
Indiana is the feel good bowl team of the year. Making their first bowl game in 14 years. Even though the Pokes Offensive Coordinator has moved, I don't see much of a difference for the O. The Hoosiers have no chance in the game. But, this is what Bowl games are all about. A team having a good year and getting rewarded for it.
Chick-fil-A Bowl
Atlanta, GA
December 31
ESPN 7:30 pm et.
Auburn (8-4) vs. Clemson (9-3)
Accuscore: Clemson 64%
My Pic: Clemson
Reason To Watch:
Clemson's balanced offense will be tested by Auburn's top Defense. These teams have met a lot in the past, around 45 times since 1899. The last time they met was in 1998 in the Peach Bowl with Auburn winning 21-17. There's a whole lot of tradition between these two teams, it will be fun seeing it all clash.
Outback Bowl
Tampa, FL
January 1
ESPN 11 am et.
Tennessee (9-4) vs. Wisconsin (9-3)
Accuscore: Tennessee 61%
My Pic: Tennessee
Reason To Watch:
Two very young teams, but the difference in this one will be SEC. I don't care what anybody says conferences do matter and SEC is arguably the best. Whoever wins this one will have that daunted 10 win season that makes next seem so promissing.
AT&T Cotton Bowl
Dallas, TX
January 1
FOX 11:30 am et.
Arkansas vs. Missouri
Accuscore: Mizzou 54%
My Pic: Mizzou
Reason To Watch:
As much as I got tired of Chase Daniels and all the Tigers during the wek leading up to the Big XII championship, they are a good team. Arkansas head coach has left for Ole Miss. Stating it wasn't that fun under all of that pressure. The seniors and the juniors that are leaving are already looking forward to the combines and the draft. Although you will get to see my pic for the Heisman, Darren Mcfadden.
Konika Minolta Gator Bowl
Jacksonville, FL
January 1
CBS 1 pm et.
Virginia vs. Texas Tech
Accuscore: Texas Tech 69%
My Pic:
Reason To Watch:
Capitol One Bowl
Orlando, FL
January 1
ABC 1 pm et.
Florida vs. Michigan
Accuscore: Florida 74%
My Pic:
Reason To Watch:
Rose Bowl
Pasadena, CA
January 1
ABC 4:30 pm et.
USC vs. Illinois
Accuscore: USC 79%
My Pic:
Reason To Watch:
AllState Sugar Bowl
New Orleans, LA
January 1
FOX 8:30 pm et.
Georgia vs. Hawaii
Accuscore: Georgia 70%
My Pic:
Reason To Watch:
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Glendale, AZ
January 2
FOX 8 pm et.
Oklahoma vs. West Virginia
ESPN Accuscore: Oklahoma 67%
My Pic:
Reason To Watch:
FedEx Orange Bowl
Miami, FL
January 2
FOX 8 pm et.
Virginia Tech vs. Kansas
ESPN Accuscore: Virginia Tech 51%
My Pic:
Reason To Watch:
Internation Bowl
Toronto
January 5
ESPN2 12 pm et.
Ball State vs. Rutgers
ESPN Accuscore: Rutgers 66%
My Pic:
Reason To Watch:
GMAC Bowl
Mobile, AL
January 7
ESPN 8 pm et.
Tulsa vs. Bowling Green
ESPN Accuscore: Tulsa 62%
My Pic:
Reason To Watch:
AllState BCS National Championship Game
Glendale, AZ
January 7
FOX 8 pm et.
Ohio State vs. Louisiana State
ESPN Accuscore: LSU 64%
My Pic:
Reason To Watch:
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