Bowl Predictions

After several years of poor results, I did my homework this year…by watching games all season, as well as studying the polls and spreads. I’ve mixed in a few upsets, though I usually stick with the favorites. I’ve included each team’s won-loss record, as well as their Saragin computer rating. Enjoy!

NEW MEXICO: #76 Nevada (7-5) vs. #29 Arizona (7-5), Dec 15 in Albuquerque

IDAHO POTATO: #64 Toledo (9-3) vs. #25 Utah State (10-2), Dec 15 in Boise.

POINSETTIA: #36 Brigham Young (7-5) vs. #50 San Diego State (9-3), Dec 20

BEEF O’BRADY: #60 Ball State (9-3) vs. #59 Central Florida (9-4), Dec 21 in St Pete

NEW ORLEANS: #88 East Carolina (8-4) vs. 63 Louisiana Lafayette (8-4), Dec 22

MAACO: #33 Washington (7-5) vs. #42 Boise State (10-2), Dec 22

HAWAII: #40 Fresno State (9-3) vs. #78 Southern Methodist (6-6), Dec 24. June Jones’ triumphant return to the islands will be spoiled by the Bulldogs.

LITTLE CAESARS: Western Kentucky (7-5) vs. #120 Central Michigan (6-6), Dec 26

MILITARY: #30 San Jose State (10-2) vs. #75 Bowling Green (8-4), Dec 27

BELK: #45 Cincinnati (9-3) vs. #79 Duke (6-6), Dec 27 in Charlotte.

HOLIDAY: #20 Baylor (7-5) vs. #18 UCLA (9-4), Dec 27. Should be one of the better games to watch. The Bears are known to come up big in games like this, and their fans can be on the obnoxious side. The Bruins sometimes lack a finishing touch.

INDEPENDENCE: #98 Ohio (8-4) vs. #62 Louisiana-Monroe (8-4), Dec 27 in Shreveport

RUSSELL ATHLETIC: #66 Virginia Tech (6-6) vs. #46 Rutgers (9-3), Dec 27

MEINEKE: #72 Minnesota (6-6) vs. #27 Texas Tech (7-5), Dec 27. Texas Tech should win, despite losing head coach Tommy Tuberville.

ARMED FORCES: Rice (6-6) vs. #107 Air Force (6-6), Dec 29.

FIGHT HUNGER: #74 Navy (7-4) vs. #23 Arizona State (7-5), Dec 29.

PINSTRIPE: #28 West Virginia (7-5) vs. #53 Syracuse (7-5), Dec 29 in NYC.

ALAMO: #15 Texas (8-4) vs. #12 Oregon State (9-3), Dec 29 in San Antonio.

BUFFALO WILD WINGS: #26 TCU (7-5) vs. #41 Michigan State (6-6), Dec 29 in Tempe.

MUSIC CITY: #69 NC State (7-5) at #31 Vanderbilt (8-4), Dec 29 on Vandy’s home field. SEC beats ACC once again.

SUN: #16 USC (7-5) vs. #65 Georgia Tech (6-7), Dec 31 in El Paso. Will either team play motivated football? USC has been playing lackluster football. Tech returns to the distant Sun Bowl for the second straight year, and has lost seven straight bowl games. Matt Barkley wants to show out for the NFL scouts, and with his talented receiving core should be able to outscore any number the Jackets put on the board. Could be another ugly Tech loss, or it could be a high-scoring track meet.

LIBERTY: #38 Iowa State (6-6) vs. #57 Tulsa (10-3), Dec 31 in Memphis. Should be a close game.

CHICKFILA: #11 LSU (10-2) vs. #24 Clemson (10-2), Dec 31 in Atlanta. Battle of the Death Valley Tigers.

GATOR: #32 Northwestern (9-3) vs. #39 Mississippi State (8-4), Jan 1 in Jacksonville.

HEART of DALLAS: #61 Purdue (6-6) vs. #14 Oklahoma State (7-5), Jan 1 in the Cotton Bowl Stadium

OUTBACK: #10 South Carolina (10-2) vs. #19 Michigan (8-4), Jan 1 in Tampa. Michigan played undefeated Ohio State close, but will be missing several players due to injuries.

CAPITAL ONE: #7 Georgia (11-2) vs. #22 Nebraska (10-3), Jan 1 in Orlando. Nebraska gave up 70 to Wisconsin, and Aaron Murray is licking his chops. The Bulldog defense will be wanting to regain their swagger after being humbled in the SEC Championship Game.

ROSE: #21 Wisconsin (8-5) vs. #8 Stanford (11-2), Jan 1 in Pasadena. The Badgers lost their coach.

ORANGE: #34 Northern Illinois (12-1) vs. #17 FSU (11-2), Jan 1 in Miami. Northern Illinois lost their coach. Their talented QB will find the Seminoles speed faster than anything he’s seen before. FSU has been known to come out flat in big games, including their last two. The game may be closer than the 14 point spread, but it’s doubtful Northern Illinois can off the upset.  

SUGAR: #4 Florida (11-1) vs. #52 Louisville 10-2), Jan 2 in New Orleans. The Gators on a team on a mission.

FIESTA: #3 Oregon (11-1) vs. # 5 Kansas State (11-1), Jan 3 in Tempe. Collin Klein’s college career will end on a frustrating note.

COTTON: #9 Oklahoma (10-2) vs. #6 Texas A&M (10-2), Jan 4 in Arlington. The Sooners lost a coach, and there will be no Heisman slump for Johnny Football.

COMPASS: #37 Ole Miss (6-6) vs. #58 Pittsburg (6-6), Jan 5 in Birmingham. The Panthers always show up in big games.

GODADDY: #55 Kent State (11-2) vs. #48 Arkansas State (9-3), Jan 6 in Mobile. Arkansas State lost their coach.

BCS: #2 Notre Dame (12-0) vs. #1 Alabama (12-1), Jan 7 in Miami. The Irish defense is similar to Georgia’s, but their offense isn’t as strong as the Dawgs. Bama is peaking at the right time, and should win decisively.