Late Bowl Picks

Thus far, it has been a pretty entertaining bowl season, as there have been some very entertaining games thus far, the Meineke Car Care Bowl comes to mind, or the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl. It also has been noteworthy for 2 very big stories involving coaches Urban Meyer and Mike Leach. First, with Meyer, everyone first reported that he was stepping down to focus on his family and health and faith. He then changed his mind to just step aside and take an idefinite leave of absence for the same reasons. Here's hoping that he can get better and not allow the stress of coaching a major college program effect his health anymore. Then, Mike Leach was fired for allegedly putting a player inside of an electrical closet. That is just not right if he did, but if he didn't, I don't agree with the firing. Leach has one of those styles which doesn't fit everyone, both personality and football wise. But, with the success he had at Texas Tech, you must believe he will get another job somewhere else with his reputation.

Now, for the second half of my bowl picks.

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl: Air Force vs. Houston

Another air vs. ground game, much like SMU vs. Nevada. Air Force has one of those triple option running offenses which is so hard to defend, no matter how hard you try and no matter how much you practice. Houston on the other hand, has Case Keenum, one oif the most prolific passers in the nation, and a top 10 kind of college player of the year. Houston also can play amazing at times, but other times fall flat. Since this game is kind of a home game, I think they'll play amazing and win fairly easily.

Houston 39, Air Force 12 (Confidence Level: 27)

Brut Sun Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Stanford

Oklahoma fell upon hard times this year, hence how they ended up in this bowl game, one of the oldest in the country. They lost their starting quarterback and tight end for the season near the beginning of the year, and it almost was kind of like a rebuilding year, and OU should be back to contending for the Big 12 south next year. Stanford on the other hand, beat USC again, beat ND in a thriller, and beat Oregon. They also had an outside shit at going to the Rose Bowl if everything fell into place. They are still going to be better next year. Toby Gerhart will run all over the weakend OU defense.

Stanford 24, Oklahoma 6 (Confidence Level: 23)

Texas Bowl: Navy vs. Mizzou

Navy again has one of those triple option offesnes which is so hard to defend, just ask Ohio State. Mizzou is holding steady and going after another 8-4 season. They may have had higher hopes this seeason, of a Big 12 North title and a possible BCS berth, but it was still a solid effort.

Navy 32, Mizzou 27 (Confidence Level: 8)

Insight Bowl: Minnesota vs. Iowa State

This is the most pathetic bowl matchup there is, a matchup of two 6-6 teams, who don't deserve a bowl bid. Granted the game may turn out to be amazing, but I'm not going to bother with writing a preview for this one.

Iowa State 49, Minnesota 48 (Confidence Level: 11)

Chick-Fil-A Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee

Tennessee was certainly hoping for better when they hired Lane Kiffin as coach, as he was talking the talk, but Tennessee certainly has not walked the walk thus far. But, I think they'll certainly be better in Kiffin's tenure. Tennessee has kind of turned their season around since that heartbreaking loss to Alabama in Tuscalossa, winning four of fice, largely behind Jonathon Crompton and the passing game. Virginia Tech must be getting tired of seeing Atlanta and losing there, after going there for last season's opener and this season's opener, and losing to Georgia Tech earlier this season. Tech on the other hand, has a fantastic running game in Ryan Williams, rushing for over 1200 yard in his freshman season. I think the losing continues for VT however in this game.

Tennessee 23, Virginia Tech 18 (Confidence Level: 18)

Outback Bowl: Northwestern vs. Auburn

Auburn started off the season very hot, winning their first five games, before free falling and losing 5 of their last 7. Coach Gene Chizik so far looks like the right man for the job, as he has already won more games in his first season than his two previous seasons at Iowa State combined. Northwestern is looking to win its first bowl game since 1995. Northwestern is also going to a fairly big bowl again, after going to the Alamo Bowl last season. Northwestern and Auburn should be good again next season.

Auburn 24, Northwestern 17 (Confidence Level: 15)

Konica Minolta Gator Bowl: West Virginia vs. Florida State

Call this the sentimental bowl, as Bobby Bowden coaches his last game against his old team, WVU. Florida State doesn't deserve to be here, as they were pathetic this entire season, sans for the BYU game. West Virginia, on the other hand, gave Pitt a revenge loss, and Noel Devine has been amazing yet again in his sophomore season, rushing for nearly 1300 yards. The only reason this is even going to be close is that sentimental factor for Bowden.

West Virginia 26, Florida State 24 (Confidence Level: 24)

Capital One Bowl: Penn State vs. LSU

Call me a non-fan if you'd like, but I'm going with head over heart here, as Penn State will lose, and lose big in this game. Penn State hasn't played well in their past 3 big games, USC, Iowa, and Ohio State. LSU is also from the SEC whiuch traditionally destroys big 10 teams, which is the main reason why I'm picking them.

LSU 34, Penn State 17 (Confidence Level: 6)

Rose Bowl game presented by Citi: Ohio State vs. Oregon

Oregon has Jeremiah Masoli, LaMichael James, and LeGarrette Blount on offense to complete,y destroy you just rushing the ball. Oregon also has scored nearly 44 points per game in each game since their ugly loss to Boise State to open the season.Oregon also has two impressive routs to their credit, over Cal and USC. Ohio State also has Terrelle Pryor, who can be quite good at times, but also needs to fine tune his game a little bit more, as he only completed 56 percent of his passes. Ohio State won't repeat the 1958 Rose Bowl win in this game though.

Oregon 45, Ohio State 31 (Confidence Level: 5)

Allstate Sugar Bowl: Cincy vs. Florida

May as well call this the coaches bowl, as both teams are suffering from coaching changes. Cincy from Brian Kelly moving on to ND, and Florida with Meyer. But, on the field, it should be one heck of a game, and a shootout. It seems as if nobody could stop Cincy's offense all season, as they averaged nearly 40 points a game with a good combination of passing and throwing. Then, with Florida and Tim Tebow playing in his final collegiate game, you know he will play his heart out, just as he sells it out for Christ, just look at the verse he writes on his eye black. This could also be the final game for several other starters, as they may head to the NFL.

Florida 50, Cincy 47 (Confidence Level: 4)

International Bowl: South Florida vs. Northern Illinois

In the history of this bowl game, each MAC team has gotten blown out by the Big East team, and I don't expect that trend to reverse. South Florida may have had trouble getting up to Toronot because of passport issues, but once they do, they'll have no trouble handling the overmatched Huskies.

South Florida 37, Northern Illinois 13 (Confidence Level: 22)

Papajohns.com Bowl: South Carolina vs. Connecticut

The visor may have hoped for a better bowl than this, but he just hasn't been able to recruit like he had at Florida. Stephen Garcia is an excellent quarterback, but he won't be enough against the emotionally charged Huskies, who went through a death in Jasper Howard and will be playing for him.

Connecticut 23, South Carolina 15 (Confidence Level: 17)

AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic: Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss

A marquee matchup of two underperforming teams. Oklahoma State also has a prolific offense led by senior Zac Robinson, who executes this spread offesne very well. Ole Miss had higher hopes for this season as well, ranking in the preseason top 25 for the first time since 2000, they had hoped for an SEC west division title, and maybe a BCS berth. Jevan Sbead and Dexter McCluster did put up impressive stats again for the Rebels.

Oklahoma State 34, Ole Miss 29 (Confidence Level: 21)

AutoZone Liberty Bowl: East Carolina vs. Arkansas

East Carolina will look to continue their winning ways against another quality opponent in ARkansas after defeating Houston in the C-USA championship game. They are also looking to see 10 wins for the first time since 1991. Arkansas is back in the bowl picture, but this time with Bobby Petrino, and Ryan Mallett who threw for 25 touchdowns in his sophomore season.

East Carolina 23, Arkansas 21 (Confidence Level: 20)

Valero Alamo Bowl: Texas Tech vs. Michigan State

May as well call this one the turmoil bowl, as TT has their coaching issues, and Michigan State had to suspend 16 players for this game, including Chris Rucker and B.J. Cunningham, their best players on either side of the ball. Michigan State also didn't have a signature win this season, but they were close against Iowa, who pulled off another one of their hat tricks against them. Plus, their final two victories were against Western Michigan and Purdue, horrible teams. Tech on the other hand again had one of those spectacular passing seasons, and they will pass all day against MSU, who is without Rucker, their best corner.

Texas Tech 45, Michigan State 0. (Confidence Level: 34)

For the other bowls, that will happen in the new year, may you have a very happy and prosperous one.