like the old song goes two outta three ain't bad. With the exception of
New Years, today is the busiest bowl day of the season with five games.
I'll preview the New Years day games, tomorrow along with a separate
post with the NFL picks. Along with my analysis of the games, I'll also
have the playoff implications for each game. Lets take a look at these
interesting matchups. As I've said time and again, the odds I post are
courtesy of Yahoo! Sports and are just for entertainment and comparison
purposes only. If you go to your bookie with these lines and get taken
to the cleaners, don't bellyache to me!
Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl
Kentucky (7-5) vs Clemson (8-4)
LP Field, Nashville- 1 (ESPN)
Favorite-Clemson by 11.5
Its A Fact- This is Kentucky's first bowl appearance since 1999, a
20-13 loss to Syracuse in this very same bowl.
Expect to see a lot of Wildcat Blue as its only 3.5 hours from UK to
Nashville. Clemson and its fans don't want to be here and they're play
might reflect it. Which is sad because they have a solid offense that
can take advantage of a very soft UK defense. C.J. Spiller and James
Davis are a formidable running duo for the Tigers. UK's defense while
porous can force turnovers and Clemson has been turnover prone as of
late. Wildcats QB Andre Woodson led the SEC in passing offense, but
isn't very mobile which could present a problem since Clemson DE Gaines Adams has the ability to wreak havoc and the Tigers have a solid
defense. UK will keep it close, but if the Tigers get a lead they will
hammer the Wildcats with their ability to run and pull away late.
Pick-Clemson
Brut Sun Bowl
#24 Oregon State (9-4) vs Missouri (8-4)
Sun Bowl Stadium; El Paso TX- 2 (CBS)
Favorite-Oregon St. by 3.5
Its A Fact-Mizzou makes back to back bowl appearances for the first
time since 1997-98
The Beavers are on a roll, having beaten USC and archrival Oregon in
winning 7 of their last 8. Mizzou by contrast started hot at 7-1 then
lost three of their last four. Tiger QB Chase Daniel has shined (top ten
in passing yards) then struggled throwing five interceptions in key
losses to Nebraska and Oklahoma. Oregon State big play defense will take advantage of any turnovers that the Tigers will make. The Beavers have some cool names on both sides of the ball and play that backs it up SS Sabby Piscitelli is a big hitting ball hawking playmaker and RB Yvenson Bernard is a prototypical bruiser who has run for more than 100 yards in 6 games this season and over 1200 yards total. Given the Tigers so-so defense that could be bad news.
Pick-Oregon State
AutoZone Liberty Bowl
South Carolina (7-5) vs Houston (10-3 C-USA Champs)
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis- 4:30 (ESPN)
Favorite- South Carolina by 5
Its A Fact-Houston is 2-0 all time versus South Carolina
The old ball coach is looking for his first bowl win at South Carolina.
Houston can score points and have scored 34.3 points during their
current 6 game winning streak that got them to a win in the C-USA title
game over Southern Miss. Keep your eye on Gamecock WR Sidney Rice he is a playmaker and a threat to score from most anywhere. Cougar QB Kevin Kolb has the makings of a passer that could play on Sundays and he will hook up with speedy wideout Vincent Marshall early and often. South Carolina's efficent pass defense will be a good test. Points will be
aplenty in this game, I'm guessing that Spurrier will have just a few
extra tricks to get a few more points on the board.
Pick-South Carolina
Insight Bowl
Texas Tech (7-5) Minnesota (6-6)
Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe AZ- 7:30 (NFL Network)
Favorite-Texas Tech by 8
Its A Fact-This is the first meeting between these two schools.
Minnesota is another team that should be apologizing for its bowl
appearance. The Gophers needed a three game winning streak just to
become bowl eligible and that included a tight win over Iowa in the
Floyd of Rosedale game. Bryan Cupito is a capable QB for the Gophers but will sorely miss TE Matt Spaeth who caught 47 passes. He is out with a severly separted shoulder. Thats not good for the Gophers who need as
much ball control as they can get. Red Raiders QB Graham Harrell can and will throw it all over the field and the Gophers defense isnt the most
intimidating. After playing this bowl game in a baseball field the last
few years the venue has thankfully shifted back to a true football
field. The points will be plenty but Tech has the horses to put up a
bunch more.
Pick-Texas Tech
Chammps Sports Bowl
Purdue (8-5) vs Maryland (8-4)
Citrus Bowl, Orlando- 8:00 (ESPN)
Favorite-Purdue by 1
Its A Fact-Both teams are making bowl appearnances after missing last
year
Both teams have deceiving records Purdue got around having to face
either Ohio State or Michigan and Maryland won five in a row by a total
of 13 points before getting blasted by BC and Georgia Tech. Terp QB Sam
Hollenbach can air it out, but has a tendency to throw in ill-timed
interception. The Boilers have a woeful run defense #112 out of #119 in
the country and the Terps have a solid running game featuring Keon
Lattimore. I think the Terps will utilize the run to set up the pass and
expose the Boilers soft defense time and again.
Pick-Maryland
Bowl Tally
Last Night 2-1
Overall 9-3
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