Week 3 of Bowling: Part 2!

The first part of this busy week of Bowl games was an absolute disaster for me. We will try and turn it around with the games on New Year's eve and New Years!

Bowl Record: 13-15

Meineke Car Bowl: South Florida vs. Clemson

B.J. Daniels has been inconsistent at QB this year

Clemson: While the Tigers had a shaky year on the offense side of the ball, their defense allowed them to have as much success as they did. Da'Quan Bowers was named Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation's top defensive player, leading the Tiger's with 15 1/2 sacks. South Florida ranks 109th in the country in total offense, so this matchup will be an issue for USF.  However, USF isn't to bad on the defensive side of the ball either. Their defense ranked twentieth in total yards this season, and should also provide problems for a struggling Clemson offense. I expect a lower scoring game in this bowl game. Clemson should have plenty of support, as they are playing this game only a couple hours away from campus.  I think Clemson squeaks by in a close one.

Floyd is one of the top wide receiver
prospects in the country

Sun Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Miami


Notre Dame: One of the most legendary matchups continues this year in the Sun Bowl, which is not where either one of these programs wanted to be. While I like Miami much better as a football team than Notre Dame,  with all the off field distractions in Miami I am taking the Fighting Irish in this one. Randy Shannon was very popular amongst his players. I thought the Miami program was going in the right direction, and I think their firing of Shannon may be a step back. Notre Dame hasn't had a perfect season off the field as well. In October a student video taper fell off a tower and died tragically in addition to a sexual assault case that was brought against a Notre Dame player. However the Fighting Irish have stayed together as a family, and played their best football down the stretch. They were impressive in a 28-3 win over then No. 14 Utah and ended a long losing streak to USC. Look for Notre Dame to come out on top. 


Liberty Bowl: Georgia vs. No. 25 Central Florida

Green will be one of the top wide receivers in April's draft

Georgia: Central Florida has had a great season, winning a Conference USA championship going 10-3 under fourth year coach George O'Leary. However, I have a tough time picking against the speed of the SEC going up against a non BCS opponent.  Standout wide receiver A.J. Green should have a huge game against the UCF secondary, as he is one of the top prospects for the 2011 NFL draft.  One stat that Georgia fans are not happy about is the fat that the Bulldogs did not defeat a single team with a winning record this season, and this is a chance to fix that.  Check out up and coming freshman quarterback Jeffrey Godfrey who has been impressive in his first year. If UCF is going to win, he will have to have a huge game. 


Chick-fil-A Bowl: No. 23 Florida St. vs. No. 20 South Carolina


Florida St: When you think of Steve Spurrier vs. Florida St. you think of the fierce rivarly between Florida and Florida State 1990's. Now Spurrier is back, trying to beat Florida St. again but as the head coach of South Carolina.  Despite losing in the ACC championship in a shootout to Virginia Tech, the Seminoles played some of their best football down the stretch, including a 31-7 shellacking of in state rival Florida. Stephen Garcia is one of the most improved quarterbacks in the nation this season, and has really improved his decision making. However, I think Florida St. will be ready to go under Jumbo Fisher, and I expect them to prevail.


Saturday Jan. 1


TicketCity Bowl: Northwestern vs. Texas Tech

Potts continues the legacy of great Texas Tech quarterbacks

Texas Tech: This is a great matchup for passing, as the Red Raiders and Wildcats are both known for their passing attacks in the last decade.  Northwestern will try to win their first postseason game since 1949, when they last won the Rose Bowl. Northwestern will be missing their starting quarterback, Dan Persa, who was hurt in their win over No. 13 Iowa. In addition, they will likely be missing their top three rushers. Northwestern is going to have a tough time putting points on the board. The Red Raiders will be led by quarterback Taylor Potts who has thrown for 3,357 yards and 31 touchdowns this season. Northwestern will have a tough time slowing down their passing attack, which is why I think Texas Tech will walk away as winners. 


Capital One Bowl Game: No. 9 Michigan St. vs. No. 16 Alabama


Alabama: I love Alabama in this game, as I don't think they are over their loss to in state rival Arkansas. While both teams probably have sour tastes in their mouths, Michigan St. because they missed out on a BCS game and Alabama unable to challenge for another National Championship.  While Michigan St. has had one of the best seasons in school history, they face off against one of the most challenging opponents they could ask for. The Rolling Tide at full strength will be a handful, as Tony Richardson and Mark Ingram are a load to handle in the backfield.  If the Spartans are going to prevail they will need a big game from tailback Edwin Baker, who was held to 17 yards in their only loss of the season.


Outback Bowl: Florida vs Penn St.

Demps may be the fastest player in college football

Florida: Two of college football's most storied programs face off in the Outback Bowl. Florida will try to send off coach Urban Meyer in style as he coaches his final football game for the Gators.  The Penn St. defense should have a difficult time corralling the Gator's speedy backs, in particular Jeffrey Demps. Demps is probably the fastest player in college football, and he can get some open space against the Nittany Lions he could easily take it for six. Penn St. quarterback Matthew McGloin will look to throw on the Gators secondary, which has been susceptible to the pass this season. However I expect the Gators to come out playing hard for Urban Meyer and win this game. 

Will Denard have success
 against the Bulldogs?

Gator Bowl: No. 21 Mississippi St. vs. Michigan


Michigan: I have no idea why I am picking Michigan here. Every time I have picked them to do something great, they have failed me. I should not have faith in Rich Rodriguez, but I am still taking the Wolverines. Maybe, like the rest of America, I give Denard Robinson more credit than he deserves. If  Denard couldn't get it done against Big 10 defenses, then why is he going to have success against the faster Bulldogs defense? I just have to hope the Michigan players will play for Rodriguez and win this game. If Michigan loses Rodriguez can start packing his bags because the Michigan faithful are getting restless. 










Rose Bowl: Wisconsin vs. TCU

Dalton will need to have a turnover free game

TCU: It certainly will be a great matchup, but all the attention has been on the TCU defense and the Wisconsin offense. TCU has the number one rated defense in all of the land while the Badgers have hit the 70 point mark three times this season. However, the reality of the situation is that it's the other matchup that is going to decide this game. I think Andy Dalton, one of the most underrated quarterback's in the nation, should have success against the Badgers on defense. In fact, Wisconsin hasn't seem a team with this kind of speed all season. TCU's stellar defense will have to slow down Wisconsin's three horse rushing attack. The Badgers have three running backs over 850 yards. If TCU can't slow down the running game it will open a whole other can of worms, as the Badgers will be able to throw the ball with ease.  However, in their first Rose Bowl appearance I expect TCU to win the Grandaddy of them all.






Fiesta Bowl: No. 7 Oklahoma vs. Connecticut 


Oklahoma: On paper this one is easy, Oklahoma is by far the better team. They should win this game going away. However, you have to wonder if the motivation is there. I think the fact that the Sooners have lossed five straight BCS games should be enough to motivate Oklahoma to victory. Check out Laundry Jones, who has played tremendously at quarterback, replacing Sam Bradford who was taken first in the NFL draft last spring.