After taking Christmas Day off, college football is back with a week straight of bowl games. We will now preview and predict the games come December 26-30. I’d like to say SMU you need to be very excited with what June Jones is doing. With so many good young players, bowls should become an annual event. BYU has been the most impressive team with the way they dominated Oregon St. in Vegas. Hopefully these games help turn my pathetic 2-4 record so far in the bowls around. Here we go:
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26
Little Caesars Bowl
1 PM ET on ESPN
Marshall (6-6) vs. Ohio (9-4)
Marshall fired their coach at the end of the regular season so they’ve got interim coach Rick Minter leading them into this bowl. Frank Solich takes his Bobcats back to Ford Field after dropping the MAC Championship game there earlier this month. A win this time gives his team a 10-win year. Ohio has a strong defense that leads the nation in turnover margin. They’re going to be the key to the win for Ohio.
THE PICK: Ohio 38, Marshall 20
Meineke Car Care Bowl
4:30 PM ET on ESPN
Pittsburgh (9-3) vs. North Carolina (8-4)
What is Pitt’s mindset coming in to this one? Are they still thinking how a botched extra point cost them a Big East Championship a BCS Bowl? Or are they focused at the task at hand. North Carolina was in this game last year so they’re probably headed in focused. This should be a defensive battle. Tune in to watch freshman Dion Lewis go against the UNC defense. He’s a superstar and will be a Heisman favorite heading into the 2010 season. He won’t be able to get Pitt the win in this one though.
THE PICK: North Carolina 20, Pitt 17
Emerald Bowl
8 PM ET on ESPN
Boston College (8-4) vs. USC (8-4)
USC has had a lot of off-field issues since the end of the regular season. They’ve lost three players to academic suspensions and Joe McKnight has been investigated by the NCAA. It’s looking like he’ll have the opportunity to play in this game. I look at this as a game where USC will come out to prove a point and with their speed be able to pull away from BC. Pete Carroll will have his team very well prepared and they’ll win.
THE PICK: USC 31, Boston College 20
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27
Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl
8:30 PM ET on ESPN
Kentucky (7-5) vs. Clemson (8-5)
I’m going to cover this game even though they turned down my request for a press pass. Clemson features the most exciting player in the nation in C.J. Spiller. Spiller can score in a vareity of ways so keep your eyes on him in this one. Clemson is coming off a close loss in the ACC Championship to Georgia Tech. Kentucky has had injuries but have seemed to adjust and still be able to win games. I think playing in the SEC will have Kentucky ready for whatever Clemson brings at them but I look for C.J. Spiller to find a way to make a play that wins it for Clemson.
THE PICK: Clemson 38, Kentucky 34
MONDAY, DECEMBER 28
AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl
5 PM ET on ESPN
Texas A&M (6-6) vs. Georgia (7-5)
This is a step down for Georgia. Mark Richt is an excellent coach though and will have his squad ready. Texas A&M is glad to make a bowl game and brings in an offense that played great against the Texas Longhorns in the season finale. Neither one of these teams bring in a strong defense so I look for this to turn into a shootout. I like offense so I’m excited to watch this game.
THE PICK: Georgia 45, Texas A&M 42
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29
EagleBank Bowl
4:30 PM ET on ESPN
UCLA (6-6) VS. Temple (9-3)
UCLA had to wait on this one. They never responded to our invitation to the Macho Rhino Bowl so instead they fly across the country to play in Washington D.C. against a Temple team making it’s first bowl in 30 years. UCLA has played well most of the year but just hasn’t had the skill players to win the big games against the strong Pac-10 teams. I think the Owls will stay in this one until the end by UCLA has more talent.
THE PICK: UCLA 21, Temple 17
Champs Sports Bowl
8 PM ET ON ESPN
Miami (FL) (9-3) vs. Wisconsin (9-3)
Both teams enter trying to hit that nice benchmark of 10 wins for a season. Wisconsin brings the typical physical style of smash mouth football from the Big 10 while the Hurricanes are a more balanced team with the ability to use their pro-style offense to keep defenses guessing. Wisconsin hasn’t show me much this year and I think they’ll have a big time problem with the speed of Miami. The Canes get 10 wins and help Randy Shannon keep the momentum going.
THE PICK: MIAMI 35, WISCONSIN 21
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30
Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl
4:30 PM ET on ESPN
Bowling Green (7-5) vs. Idaho (7-5)
Watch this one to see All-American Freddie Barnes. He has 16 touchdowns and over 1500 years receiving this year. Idaho travels to in-state rival Boise St.’s homefield for this one so that should help motivate them for this one. This one has the makings of another shootout. If you can stand to look at the blue turf in Boise, this is definitely one to watch.
THE PICK: Bowling Green 49, Idaho 48
Pacific Life Holiday Bowl
8 PM ET on ESPN
Arizona (8-4) vs. Nebraska (9-4)
I’ve been going back and forth on this one since it was announced weeks ago now. Both had good seasons. Nebraska was one second away from winning the Big 12 and crashing the BCS. Arizona had hopes of winning the Pac-10 but fell short. Mike Stoops still has the Cats heading upward and this should be a great game like the Holiday Bowl typically produces. I’m going to go with Ndamukong Suh leading the Huskers to a win in this one. I think he caps his college career with two dominate performances.
THE PICK: Nebraska 16, Arizona 13
