Bowls from 12/28 to 12/30

Independence Bowl – Monday, December 28 – 5:00pm

Texas A&M (6-6) vs. Georgia (7-5)

WHO to watch: Keep an eye on A&M LB/DE Von Miller. He led the nation with 17 sacks this year. The Bulldogs have been superb at protecting QB Joe Cox. Something’s gotta give.

WHY to watch: College football at dinner time? Sounds good to me.

Why to SKIP it: You may want to save your dinner time football for the 31^st or so. Besides, Favre plays in Soldier Field tonight.

Analysis: A&M was only 3-5 in a down Big 12. Georgia is the more battle tested team. This one could be a shootout.

Prediction: Georgia 38 Texas A&M 27

EagleBank Bowl – Tuesday, December 29 – 4:30pm

UCLA (6-6) vs. Temple (9-3)

WHO to watch: UCLA DT Brian Price was the Pac 10 Defensive Player of the Year finishing with 22.5 tackles for losses. A MAC team like Temple will likely have trouble handling him.

WHY to watch: Temple hasn’t played in a bowl game since 1979. In case it takes another 30 years to get back, don’t miss this historic contest for the Owls.

Why to SKIP it: It’s TEMPLE for crying out loud!

Analysis: After missing a bowl game last year, the Bruins are using this game to build the program back up. They did lose five straight in the middle of the year, but they just have too much athleticism on defense for the Owls.

Prediction: UCLA 23 Temple 13

Champs Sports Bowl – Tuesday, December 29 – 8:00pm

#15 Miami (9-3) vs. #25 Wisconsin (9-3)

WHO to watch: Badger RB John Clay was the Big 10 Offensive Player of the Year. He ran for 1,396 yards and 16 TDs. If Wisconsin has any chance here, Clay needs to have a big day.

WHY to watch: Two good programs, both going for 10 wins. Clay and Jacory Harris are worth watching alone.

Why to SKIP it: Didn’t we see this game last December when FSU whooped the Badgers here 42-13?

Analysis: I’m going with defense here… as in Wisconsin has none. Only Hawaii, Wofford and Purdue failed to score 20 points on the Badgers. Miami has better skill people than anyone they’ve seen all year. Clay will get yards, but unless the Canes offense is extremely generous with turnovers, Miami wins.

Prediction: Miami 27 Wisconsin 21

Humanitarian Bowl – Wednesday, December 30 – 4:30pm

Bowling Green (7-5) vs. Idaho (7-5)

WHO to watch: Bowling Green WR Freddie Barnes caught 138 passes this season. He needs four in this game to tie the NCAA single season record.

WHY to watch: It’s got the smurf turf of Boise.

Why to SKIP it: I doubt you need a reason, but it’s a 7-5 MAC team versus a 7-5 WAC team.

Analysis: BG won its last four. Idaho lost its last three. However, this bowl game is in Idaho. I can’t imagine too many Falcon fans wanting to spend time in late December in Idaho when they could be jumping on the Bearcat or Buckeye bandwagons and heading to New Orleans or Pasadena. On the strength of home cooking alone, I should take the Vandals, but I think Barnes is going to blow up.

Prediction: Bowling Green 42 Idaho 24

Holiday Bowl – Wednesday, December 30 – 4:30pm

#20 Arizona (8-4) vs. #22 Nebraska (9-4)

WHO to watch: A DT can be amazing and accumulate no stats because it’s his job to accumulate blockers. Unless you are Huskers DT Ndamukong Suh. He finished the year with 82 tackles, 12 sacks, 1 INT, broke up 10 passes and blocked three kicks. If you saw the Big 12 Title game, you know he was the best player on the field.

WHY to watch: That boy named Suh.

Why to SKIP it: The Pac 10 isn’t exactly setting the world afire this bowl season.

Analysis: As amazing as Suh is, the Husker offense is awful. Zona is the more complete team. Suh will make some great plays, but the better team wins in the end.

Prediction: Arizona 24 Nebraska 12