Early Bowl Picks

Hello again, now time for the best few weeks of the year to begin, as bowl weeks are upon us. As my friend Jason over at http://thefroshfifteen.blogspot.com/ and I are about to battle it over nothing but picking the games. But, the bowls are pretty meaningless, as they're just used as filler for ESPN mainly, and for more of the sport we all love, college football. Like thefrosh fifteen I will post my prediction along with my confidence level in each game for ESPN Bowl Mania. Please go to the above website for all rules and everything for the Bowl Mania game.





New Mexico Bowl: Fresno State vs. Wyoming

Fresno State always gives anyone trouble, as they always will fight hard in each and every game they play. A good example is against Wisconsin this season, when Fresno St traveled to Wisconsin and fought hard, only to fall in double OT. Wyoming has gained 2 games from where they were last season, whioch was 4-8. They also played Texas tough in the first half of their game this season. Otherwise, got nothing to say about Wyoming other than their unis are some of the ugliest you'll ever see.

Prediction: Fresno State 35, Wyoming 10 (Confidence Level: 33)

St. Petersburg Bowl Presented by Beef 'O' Brady's: UCF vs. Rutgers

As you will notice throughout the bowl season, a good chunk of these bowls will essentially be home games, as this one is for UCF. At least they'll get some nice swag for traveling an hour to their game. UCF also had a very nice bounceback year from finishing 4-8, and beat Houston when they were on a roll. Then, Rutgers started off 7-1, with the lone defeat to Cincinnatti, then stumbled down the stretch, granted those losses were to teams like WVU, but still.

Prediction: UCF 24, Rutgers 20 (Confidence Level: 12)

R & L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: Southern Miss vs. MTSU

Tune into this game rather than the NFL game for your SNF fix, as this game will probably turn out to be the better of the two games. I'll give you a few reasons for that. First, the NFL game is just as meaningless as this one. Secondly, this is college, so they're trying harder and playing for the fun of it. Thirdly, to watch two teams you've never seen have a shootout, as both teams average over 30 points per game. Finally, it's Brett Favre's alum, and he's playing on SNF.

Prediction: Southern Miss 41, MTSU 38 (Confidence Level: 14)

Maaco Bowl Las Vegas: Oregon State vs. BYU

This is one of the many interesting bowl games outside of the BCS. Two ranked teams who just missed out on the BCS. Oregon State barely missed out on the Rose Bowl by losing in the Civil War. Then, BYU barely missed out by losing to TCU and getting spanked by Florida State. BYU also has Max Hall, one of the best quarterbacks not in an AQ conference. Then, Oregon State has two dynamic brothers in Quizz and James Rodgers, who should put on a show here as well.

Prediction: BYU 30, Oregon State 24 (Confidence Level: 9)

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl: Utah vs. Cal

Without the dynamic Jahvid Best running the ball, Cal will be in trouble against Utah's stout defense, who lsat season held Bama to 17 points in the Sugar Bowl. Both teams come in off of losses in their final games. Cal to Washington, and the Utes to BYU in the holy war. But, Utah is going to lock up their 9th straight Bowl win.

Prediction: Utah 31, Cal 14 (Confidence Level: 10)

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl: Nevada vs. SMU

This is a match up of a team who loves to run the ball, Nevada versus a team who loves to throw it, SMU. This game is also interesting, as June Jones will return to the islands for the first time since departing Hawaii for SMU since the 2007 season. Nevada will win this game because they've just played better throughout the season than SMU and they've got more bowl experience. But, I'm happy to see SMU back in the postseason for the first time since they got hit with NCAA's version of the "death penalty".

Prediction: Nevada 35, SMU 10 (Confidence Level: 32)

Little Caesars Pizza Bowl: Ohio vs. Marshall

To tell how excited Marshall is to be in this bowl game, their coach resigned. Marshall has a proud football tradition, but right now they're trying to just get back above .500 since the 2004 season. Ohio on the other hand has been on the up and up ever since former Nebraska coach Frank Solich arrived. Granted, they haven't won a MAC title since his arrival, but they're still much better than Marshall.

Prediction: Ohio 42, Marshall 7 (Confidence Level: 31)

Meineke Car Care Bowl: Pitt vs. UNC

This is another one of those de facto home games, as UNC just travels about a half hour to play Pitt in this intriguin match up. Pitt has lost their past two games by a combined total of 4 points. But, they also have dynamic running back Dion Lewis and underrated QB Bill Stull at the helm. Put that against a somewhat underwhelming UNC team who was looking for their first ACC championship since 1980. UNC also has an excellent defense, ranking in the top 20 in rushing, passing and total defense. But, I think the home crowd will be just enough to go past Pitt.

Prediction: UNC 24, Pitt 23 (Confidence Level: 13)

Emerald Bowl: USC vs. BC

This has been a pathetic year for Pete Carroll and USC for their standards, losing 4 games for the first time since he arrived in SoCal. But, in another one of those de facto home games, I'm Picking the Trojans for several reasons, they have better talent, they play in a better conference, and BC has to travel west for the game.

Prediction: USC 31, BC 20 (Confidence Level: 30)

Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl: Kentucky vs. Clemson

This is one of those games wher you don't know which way to turn, as UK plays in the SEC, so theoretically they should beat up on everyone outside of their own conference, but they really haven't played anyone of significance outside of the SEC in order to get to 7-5. Clemson though features probably the most dynamic all around all purpose running back since Reggie Bush in C.J. Spiller. The Tigers also got to the ACC Championship game which says something in a wild ACC Atlantic.

Prediction: Clemson 28, UK 20 (Confidence Level: 29)

AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Georgia

A very pathetic bowl matchup. Granted the tean manes look intriguing enough, but neither team really has done anything to get to Shreveport. Granted Georgia's defense is good, and it should be interesating to see the matchup between them and Texas A&M's flashy QB, but i'm just going with the strength of the SEC here.

Prediction: Georgia 30, Texas A&M 16 (Confidence Level: 26)

EagleBank Bowl: UCLA vs. Temple

As Pat Forde put it, "even a 5-7 Army team would deserve to go to this bowl over a 6-6 UCLA team." That's paraphrased a little bit, but you get the jist of it, UCLA doesn't deserve a bowl bid, being as bad as they were. Temple, on the other hand won 8 straight games at one point, and is considered one of the biggest surprises on the season, so they deserve it, plus I'm a homer, go with Temple even though they're in a weak conference.

Prediction: Temple 23, UCLA 21 (Confidence Level: 25)

Champs Sports Bowl: Wisconsin vs. Miami

Another de facto home game, this time for Miami. There are a few reasons as to why you pick Miami here. A) THey're essentially at home. B) They're playing a Big 10 team. C) They have bigger stronger and faster players. Finally, Miami is looking to get another boost by getting morale up for next season in preparations for an ACC Championship next season.

Prediction: Miami 34, Wisconsin 22 (Confidence Level: 28)

Roady's Humanitarian Bowl: Idaho vs. Bowling Green State University

We have another de facto home game as Idaho is playing in Boise at their rivals stadium, but nobody will be cheering against them in this game, as Idaho is making their first bowl appearance since 1998, which is an eternity in today's college football landscape. Idaho is another surprise team to be in a bowl, as they were picked to finish near the bottom of the WAC standings, whilst BG was hoping to contend for a MAC title, but instead they end up in a climate similar to their own.

Prediction: Idaho 16, BGSU 13 (Confidence Level: 19)

Pacific Life Holiday Bowl: Arizona vs. Nebraska

One of the other good games outside of the BCS here, as both teams finished near the top in their respective conferences. Nebraska also was a kick away from winning the Big 12 title. Granted, Nebraska has very little offense, while Arizona has loads of offense. It's basically a battle to see if Suh can get pressure on Nick Foles and his emergence as a premier quarterback in the Pac 10. I'm betting on Suh.

Prediction: Nebraska 12, Arizona 10 (Confidence Level: 7)

You'll have to wait for the other half of the bowl picks until after Christmas.