The Bowl Games Are Here - bccards13's Blog

bccards13's Blog

The Bowl Games Are Here

Posted on December 3, 2012 at 12:13 PM.

It's finally that time of year again. The Christmas trees go up and so do the hands of angry/cheering fans. Bowl Season, possibly the last one we ever see, is here and there are plenty of "how did that happen?" questions to ask. For all of this we'll look at each bowl game starting with day one. Only 12 days away!

December 15:
New Mexico Bowl: Nevada vs Arizona
So this game shouldn't be too much of a stretch to predict an Arizona win. Unfortunately I didn't get to see much of either team this year. But I believe Nevada can pull the win from here. 7th in rushing offense, albeit with a MWC schedule, is nothing to scoff at, especially against an Arizona team that has a bad reputation for defense. This game can go either way but I see Nevada over Arizona 31-28.

Idaho Potato Bowl: Toledo vs Utah State
So an Idaho Potato Bowl with no Idaho? Shocking but not shocking at the same time. Both of these teams scream above average middle of-the-road team. Both have beaten a ranked opponent this year and both have played good football in their conferences. A pretty uneventful game, Utah State wins 35-24

December 20:
Poinsettia Bowl: BYU vs San Diego State
So an unusually mediocre BYU team against a good but not great San Diego State team. BYU's defense has held teams away from the endzone this year but SDSU hasn't scored less than 20 points a game all year. Should be a great match up to watch with BYU coming out on top 24-21

December 21:
Beef O' Brady's Bowl: Ball State vs UCF
The end of the world! Also ironically the Ball State vs UCF game. If your not hiding from your impending doom then you might want to watch this game. Or not, it's probably not going to be that great. Two painfully average teams squaring off to decide the last winner in college football. UCF is your final champion 30-21.

December 22:
New Orleans Bowl: East Carolina vs UL-Lafayette
Assuming you survived, there are two games to watch as your reward! This first one between ECU and UL-L is another painfully average game. These two teams will slug it out on offense but ECU's experience against tougher teams will benefit them here. ECU wins 35-30

Las Vegas Bowl: Boise State vs Washington
Finally a semi high profile match up. Washington coming off an overtime loss to Washington State faces a 10-2 Boise State team whose defense is still top notch. This shouldn't come as a surprise that I pick Boise State to win 42-24

December 24:
Hawaii Bowl: SMU vs Fresno State
It's Christmas Eve and your mom let you pick one present to open early. Unfortunately you opened the one with the lopsided Christmas sweater in it. An underrated Fresno State plays a just plain bad SMU team. Just look at the records and you see it. Fresno State lost to Oregon, SMU lost to Rice. You can see the call from here. Fresno State in a blowout 48-24

December 26:
The Little Caesars Bowl: Central Michigan vs Western Kentucky
Well it's the day after Christmas and you've just opened the fridge to spoiled left overs. Two teams that barely eked out an above .500 record have found their way to a bowl game. Sort of the "Thanks for Playing Award" for these two teams. Western Kentucky hangs their head in celebration 35-28.

December 27:
Holiday Bowl: Baylor vs UCLA
Now here's a good appetizer that may keep you interested for the next few days. Baylor's high powered offense goes against UCLA who's looking for some revenge after back to back losses against Stanford. Expect some high scores and high tempers with a chance of Baylor winning 45-38.

December 28:
Independence Bowl: Ohio vs UL-Monroe
It's a three course meal of games today and your appetizer is a story of dream crushers. Ohio being the early Cinderella team lost their charm in the second half, while ULM's win over Arkansas was so good for them that they played 3 more overtime games this year. While both teams aren't that different ULM can just plain score. ULM takes home a close one 38-35.

Russel Athletic Bowl: Virginia Tech vs Rutgers
It's time for the main course of today. I hope you ordered the blowout with a side of defense. Extra bland. Rutgers comes in with a top ranked defense facing a Virginia Tech team that just can't do much of anything right. Shouldn't be to hard to see the result forming. Rutgers holds off VaTech 28-14.

Meineke Car Care Bowl: Minnesota vs Texas Tech
For desert how about a clash of opposites. Some nice half chocolate and half vanilla cake. Texas Tech comes in with the number 2 passing offense in the country while Minnesota comes in with a defensive minded team to counter act their pitiful offense. Seriously Minnesota's only scored more than 20 points twice this year, Texas Tech has never scored less than 20. Luckily for them Tech's defense isn't exactly shutdown. I smell the blowout coming back to haunt your stomach. Texas Tech with the victory 42-21.

December 29:
Armed Forces Bowl: Rice vs Air Force
We're in the heart of bowl season and to start the day we have two 6-6 teams in a sort of consolation game (still love you Rice). Two teams with good rushing attacks and poor defense. I don't know what's better, the chance of a high scoring game, or the fact that since they both run the ball well the clock will run down faster. Air Force over Rice 28-24.

Pinstripe Bowl: Syracuse vs West Virginia
The story of West Virginia is a sad one this year. Such a bright future for Geno Smith and the entire team, until that darn Texas Tech game that sent everything spiraling out of control. The Mountaineers limp in at 7-5 to face the 7-5 Syracuse Orange. West Virginia can hang their hat on beating Texas but that's about it. West Virginia takes it easily 45-28.

The Kraft Bowl: Navy vs Arizona State
Arizona State comes in boasting an above average, well, everything. They're a well balanced team facing an offensively driven, option run used by Navy. Shouldn't be surprise on this pick. ASU with the win 35-21.

The Alamo Bowl: Texas vs Oregon State
This may be a neutral game, but come on, how many Oregon State fans live near San Antonio. Texas comes in with an above average offense that can't decide which quarterback to use, while Oregon State has their offense figured out and their defense too. Texas may have to hope the home field advantage is enough to keep them going. Oregon State over Texas 31-20.

Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl: TCU vs Michigan State
TCU comes into this game with some notable wins over Texas and West Virginia but not much else. Meanwhile, Michigan State limps in at 6-6 after a disastrous season. However, the MSU defense remains strong and that may help them pull off an upset, if it can be called that. MSU over TCU 24-21.

December 31:
Music City Bowl: N.C. State vs Vanderbilt
It's New Years Eve now and to ring in the new year we have a few games to please your ever increasing appetite. Vanderbilt gets the home field advantage here and not much else. Their defense will have to do everything it can to stop the top ranked N.C. State passing game that could ruin the game for the Commodores. State beats Vandy 35-21.

The Sun Bowl: Georgia Tech vs USC
Georgia Tech faces an overrated USC team that managed to get into a bowl game on New Years Eve. Georgia Tech's run game needs to get off to a good start. If it can expect a solid win for GT. If not then USC pulls this one out. For each scenario just flip the score. 35-28.

The Liberty Bowl: Tulsa vs Iowa State
Tulsa comes in boasting a well balanced team with a solid offense and defense. Iowa State, meanwhile, is just glad to be here. Tulsa should have no problem with dispensing the lowly Cyclones. Tulsa 42-28.

Chick-Fil-A Bowl: Clemson vs LSU
It's here! The first big game is here and it's great! This game has the potential to be even better than the National Championship. Clemson's high powered offense goes up against LSU's shutdown defense. So many things can change this game's outcome. A goal line stand by LSU, a 90 yard, grind out the clock drive by Clemson. Or even a series of 3 and outs by Clemson's defense, or back-to-back touchdown drives by LSU's offense. This game has the makings of a great NC preview. And now for the prediction: The Tigers claw away victory from the Tigers 31-30.

January 1:
The Gator Bowl: Northwestern vs Mississippi State
It's the new year, and assuming we haven't died in a fiery apocalypse or been put in a state of pure shock from the LSU-Clemson game we have a calmer game for you. MSU comes in with a fairly good year behind them while Northwestern does the same. Northwestern boasts a big offense while MSU has their tough defense with them. This game could be another close one but Mississippi State pulls it out in an upset 28-24

Heart of Dallas Bowl: Purdue vs Oklahoma State
There's a reason this game is on ESPNU. Purdue comes in with a 6-6 record along with an offense that hasn't been great, a so-so defense as well, and uh...oh yeah, a new head coach. On the other side of the coin, Oklahoma State comes in with a pass first, ask questions later offense. OSU's defense isn't great but when you can score like them, who needs it? OSU wins 49-21.

The Outback Bowl: Michgan vs South Carolina
Michigan comes in leaving people scratching their heads as to why they play on new years day. Then they remember Ohio State and get bummed out. Michigan shouldn't be here, not like this. This team has suffered enough unrealistic expectations and now they have to compete against the #10 team in the country, with their powerful offense and stout defense because of the BCS system. Maybe after the game the Wolverines can get a free meal at Outback. South Carolina wins 42-31.

The Capital One Bowl: Nebraska vs Georgia
Nebraska is coming off a loss to Wisconsin that left a chip on their shoulder for being left out of the Rose Bowl. Georgia on the other hand comes in after a tough loss to Alabama that's left more than a chip on their shoulder and rightfully so. The Bulldogs got snuffed for Florida even though they already beat them earlier in the season. Now looking for revenge they face Nebraska who is in the same boat as they are. The battle of conference runner-ups should be a good one. Georgia pulls it out in the end 28-24.

The Rose Bowl: Stanford vs Wisconsin
The Cardinal come in with back-to-back wins over UClA. Meanwhile, Wisconsin is still getting over the shock of making a New Years Day bowl. Standford boasts the better all-around team while Wisconsin has the defense and running game of a championship team. Are they going to pull off the upset? No. Stanford by a field goal 24-21.

The Orange Bowl: Florida State vs Northern Illinois
To end the day we have for you a game between a former great and a Cinderella. Florida State had their title hopes crushed early on but climbed back up to make the Orange Bowl. NIU on the other hand shocked everyone by making it to a BCS game. Now I'm usually the guy that roots for the underdog in this situation but I just can't. NIU doesn't deserve this game. Maybe a lower BCS game. Why not the GoDaddy.com Bowl. You know...the one no one watches. It's better to win and not be noticed than to get beaten on the national stage by a clearly better team. FSU will fsu in this game winning 45-28.

January 2:
The Sugar Bowl: Florida vs Louisville
Now again, I'm the one to cheer for the underdog, but Louisville does not need to be in this game. Florida is the #3 team in the country facing a Louisville team that lost to Syracuse and Connecticut who isn't even in a bowl game! I know that Louisville's offense can be deadly, but what about when that offense gets shut down by one of the best defenses in the country. Again this is another reason to celebrate the removal of the BCS. Florida orders the blowout special 42-24.

January 3:
The Fiesta Bowl: Oregon vs Kansas State
Here's another great game to watch. Two of the best offenses in the game. Two of the best quarterbacks playing right now. Two national title contenders that lost one late game and couldn't hang on. In what should be the highest scoring game we see I feel a victory for the more experienced bowlers here. Ducks survive the shootout 56-49.

January 4:
The Cotton Bowl: Oklahoma vs Texas A&M
Ahh a good old fashioned Big 12/Southwest Conference shootout. The Aggies come in with a high tempo offense that's beaten the Tide. While Oklahoma looks to air it out against their former conference opponent. Defense may be the deciding factor in this game. (Biased prediction incoming) Texas A&M beats Oklahoma 45-42.

January 5:
BBVA Compass Bowl: Pittsburgh vs Ole Miss
In a reminder of the lesser side of football we have the Pitt Panthers and the Ole Miss Rebels in a game of Even Stevens. These two teams are exactly alike almost. Two teams with the potential to be good that just couldn't find the pieces to make it work this year. So instead of the BBVA Compass Bowl, I'll call this the Maybe Next Year Bowl. Pitt wins 31-24.

January 6:
GoDaddy.com Bowl: Kent State vs Arkansas State
The day before the championship we decide the small school's champion. The underdog's hero. The team every MAC and Sun Belt school envies. Arkansas State comes in with a fairly impressive offense, meanwhile Kent State comes in with a ranking, and an 11-2 record including a win over Rutgers. Should be a nice game but I know I won't be watching because I have things to do like, play Madden and complain about the BCS. Kent State, maybe, 45-42.

January 7:
Ahh the day is finally here. We come home from our jobs and school to sit down and watch the big game. It's getting close to 8:30, the popcorn is made, the drinks are within walking distance, and the surround sound is on as you and a few friends ramble on about the bowl games of the past few weeks. Notre Dame is back on top and the only thing standing in their way is a defending champion Alabama Crimson Tide. The opening kick is off and the game has begun. Your glued to the set all night as the two teams trade blows and the defenses slug it out with the offenses. You cheer, you laugh, you might even cry, but above all you were there, and you watched as Alabama fell to the national champion Notre Dame Fighting Irish 24-21.