Weekend Bowl Preview

Let the bowl games really begin in earnest, there are four bowls this weekend.
December 23

PapaJohns.com Bowl
South Florida (8-4) vs East Carolina (7-5)
Legion Field; Birmingham, AL 1:00-(ESPN2)
Favorite-South Florida by 5
Its A Fact- South Florida and East Carolina were once conference foes, in Conference USA before South Florida defected to the Big East in 2004.
Both teams spread the ball out and like to score often. East Carolina has played big upsetting North Carolina State, while South Florida shocked West Virginia and ruined their BCS hopes. Both teams are more alike than you think and this will be a wide-open game. I think South Florida's bowl experience will be the clear cut edge though and the Bulls will wear out the Pirates who after a 1-10 season a year ago are just happy to be playing in December.
Pick-South Florida

New Mexico Bowl
New Mexico (6-6) vs San Jose State (8-4)
University Field; Alberquerque, NM- 4:30 (ESPN)
Favorite New Mexico by 3.5
Its A Fact-This is the inaugural New Mexico Bowl
Though the Spartans are considered the home team, the Lobos enjoy a huge advantage playing in their own crib. New Mexico's defense is stout and remiscent of the tough Oregon State and UCLA defenses recent years, which stands to reason since their head coach Rocky Long was the architect of both. The Spartans came very close to dropping their football program, but coach Dick Tomey has done a nice resurrection job and has the Spartans playing a tough defense of their own. Tomey was the creator of the feared Desert Swarm defense. This will be a tight game the team that makes the fewest mistakes will win this one. I'm guessing on this one but I think the Spartans will overcome the home-field disadvantage and pull out a tight win
Pick-San Jose State

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl
Tulsa(8-4) at Utah (7-5)
Amon C. Carter Stadium; Fort Worth, TX 8:00 (ESPN)
Favorite Utah by 1
Its A Fact-Formerly the Fort Worth Bowl, this is the 4th installment of this bowl game.
Tulsa's stingy pass defense (#6 in that category) meets a wide-open offense, the Golden Hurricane dont give up a lot of points or yards, but they dont get a lot of takeaways. Eric Weddle is the guy to watch for the Utes he's all over the field, literally he plays defensive back (and is an AFCA All-American), sometimes lines up at QB and runs the option and runs back punts too. The Utes don't have a strong pass rush, but they make up for it with a tough secondary that can make the big play. Tulsa is good, but I can't really see them rolling up points. Since their defense doesn't get many takeaways, the Utes will score and wait for the Golden Hurricane to make a mistake then capitalize
Pick-Utah

Sunday December 24

Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl
Arizona State (7-5) at Hawai'i (10-3)
Aloha Stadium, Honolulu 8:00 (ESPN)
Favorite-Hawai'i by 6.5
Its A Fact-The Rainbow Warriors averaged 47.3 points a game this year
Colt Brennan is the best QB that you've probably never heard of and the Rainbow Warriors will score and score some more. They have score over 6o points four times this season. The Sun Devils will try to be motivated to send their coach Dirk Koetter out with a win. Koetter was fired. But with the way Brennan throws the ball around in June Jones' run and shoot, this game may get real ugly.
Pick-Hawai'i

Finally, whether its Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Joyous Kwanzaa or what ever it is that you celebrate. Make it a good one and spend it with your friends, family or someone you care about, cause thats what the season is all about.