Bowls on 12/26 and 12/27

Little Caesars Bowl – Saturday, December 26 – 1:00pm

Marshall (6-6) vs. Ohio (8-4)

WHO to watch: Marshall RB Darius Marshall missed the last two games with an ankle injury, but he still finished the year with 1,054 yards and 11 TDs. Ohio has struggled against the run. The Thundering Herd will look to exploit that.

WHY to watch: You are already sick of dealing with relatives.

Why to SKIP it: Watch the movie “We Are Marshall.” It’s much more entertaining than this will be.

Analysis: Marshall interim coach Rick Minter faces former Nebraska head man Frank Solich. I like the steady Bobcats over inconsistent Marshall.

Prediction: Ohio 21 Marshall 14

Meineke Car Care Bowl – Saturday, December 26 – 4:30pm

#17 Pittsburgh (9-3) vs. North Carolina (8-4)

WHO to watch: Pitt freshman RB Dion Lewis is fantastic! This year he carried the ball 297 times for 1,640 yards and 16 TDs. Against Cincinnati he was unstoppable, going for 194 yards on an amazing 47 carries.

WHY to watch: Dion Lewis is worth checking out on any Saturday afternoon.

Why to SKIP it: If you are a Pittsburgh fan, you may want to save your TV time for the Steelers-Ravens game Sunday at 1pm.

Analysis: Butch Davis certainly made UNC relevant in a hurry. The Panthers lost 3 games by a total of 7 points. Pitt can win 10 games for the first time since the Dan Marino days. Are they focused after falling one point short of the BCS? That disappointment and the home game for the Heels has me leaning UNC.

Prediction: North Carolina 30 Pitt 28

Emerald Bowl – Saturday, December 26 – 8:00pm

#24 USC (8-4) vs. Boston College (8-4)

WHO to watch: USC QB Matt Barkley was very impressive early. However, from Halloween on, he threw more picks than TDs and lost three of five. He’s much younger than his predecessors were when they took the job, but he needs to rebound.

WHY to watch: USC in a bowl game is usually money. Will they be as amped to play in a non-BCS bowl?

Why to SKIP it: The Pac 10 is stinking up the bowl season so far thanks to Cal and Oregon State. How much would a win here really mean for USC or the conference?

Analysis: Motivated or not, it’s USC and Pete Carroll with a month to prepare for a game in California. That’s enough for me.

Prediction: USC 35 Boston College 10

Music City Bowl – Sunday, December 27 – 8:30pm

Kentucky (7-5) vs. Clemson (8-5)

WHO to watch: Clemson’s do-everything RB C.J. Spiller really does do everything. He ran the ball for 1,145 yards. He caught the ball for 445 yards and returned five kicks for scores.

WHY to watch: Did Spiller deserve more consideration for the Heisman? You tell me.

Why to SKIP it: Every year the SEC-ACC put two teams in the Georgia Dome to open the year. If it was this match-up, I’d skip it, and that’s when it means something. This one doesn’t.

Analysis: This one is hard to pick. Clemson just missed out on the Orange Bowl. Kentucky practically lives in the Music City in December. The power of the SEC is tempting, but Spiller wears orange. That’s enough for me.

Prediction: Clemson 27 Kentucky 20