17
Dec
2007
College Football Bowl Predictions (1 of 4)
As you know, the bowl season is upon us and that means there are going to be about 135 random games for the next couple of weeks, leading up to the national title game. The Sports Rumors has been adding writers and contributors to the site, and now will have a person designated to all things college football. We’re starting things off by previewing each of the bowl games. It will be done through four posts. Each of the later posts will get smaller in number of bowl games and bigger in analysis. Today, we give you the first of the posts. Enjoy.
Dec 20, 9pm ESPN, Poinsettia Bowl. Navy (8-4) vs Utah (8-4)
Even though Paul Johnson is leaving the Middies to go to GT, the system will not change. HUGE homefield advantage for Navy in San Diego, as well.
Pick: Navy 28 - Utah 24
Dec 21, 8pm ESPN2, R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. Memphis (7-5) vs FAU (7-5)
Memphis really turned their season around after the murder of Taylor Bradford. FAU, notoriously bad, had a surprising year and is playing in its first bowl. Not much else I can say besides there are too many bowl games.
Pick: Memphis 35 - FAU 21
Dec 22, 1pm ESPN2, PapaJohns.Com Bowl. Southern Miss (7-5) vs Cincinnatti (9-3)
Things are so bad at Southern Miss since Bower is gone that Brett Favre is reportedly peeved and refuses to donate for the foreseeable future. Cincinnati is, well, very good and very underrated. Look for them to stick the dagger in early.
Pick: Cincinnatti 42 - Southern Miss 10
Dec 22, 4:30 pm ESPN, New Mexico Bowl. Nevada (6-6) vs New Mexico (8-4)
Once again, too many bowls. When people have to create bowls just so their team can play in on, it defeats the purpose. I have not been impressed with New Mexico this year. Nevada has had a solid performance out of Colin Kaepernick (watch out for this kid, hes only a freshman) and the pistol formation continues to get it done.
Pick: Nevada 31 - New Mexico 28
Dec 22, 8pm ESPN, Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl. UCLA (6-6) vs #19 BYU (10-2)
UCLA has seriously underperformed this year, as was Karl Dorrell’s style (which is why he was fired). BYU is looking to avenge an early season stumble to UCLA and is a might bit peeved that 1) their ranking is so low and 2) they didn’t get a better bowl invite. The folks in Westwood won’t be liking this game at all.
Pick: BYU 42 - UCLA 17
Dec 23, 8pm ESPN, Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. #24 Boise St (10-2) vs East Carolina (7-5)
ECU has surprised some folks this year with their good play. Boise State continues their recent streak of good play and their RB Ian Johnson is legit.
Pick: Boise St 35 - East Carolina 20
Dec 26, 7:30pm ESPN, Motor City Bowl. Purdue (7-5) vs Central Michigan (8-5)
Rematches are lame. Purdue is not a good team, but they are good enough to feast on MAC teams. I mean, they trick people into believing they can play legit ball by slaughtering 2-3 MAC teams in the beginning of every year, only to get worked in conference play.
Pick: Purdue 45 - Central Michigan 22 (same score as before)
Dec 27, 8pm ESPN, Pacific Life Holiday Bowl. #12 Arizona St (10-2) vs #17 Texas (9-3)
The first of the watchable games. Arizona St. has turned some heads under their first year coach Dennis Erickson; QB Rudy Carpenter has had a very solid season and has seemingly turned his career around. I still think Jamaal Charles and the Longhorns will be too much for them.
Pick: Texas 38 - Arizona St 31
Contributed by Basil Huffman