Wednesday, December 30, 2009

NEW YEAR'S DAY BOWLS

Outback Bowl – Friday, January 1 – 11:00am


Northwestern (8-4) vs. Auburn (7-5)


WHO to watch: Auburn is known for its offense this year, but watch out for DE Antonio Coleman. He led the SEC in sacks with nine and tackles for losses with 15.5. He also played with a wrist injury and was double-teamed constantly.


WHY to watch: New Year’s Day was meant for college football, and this one starts the day.


Why to SKIP it: If you are still nursing a hangover from the previous night’s festivities, this one isn’t worth dragging yourself out of bed.


Analysis: Both teams moved the ball and put up points this season. Auburn’s athleticism on defense will be the difference.


Prediction: Auburn 38 Northwestern 23



Capital One Bowl – Friday, January 1 – 1:00pm


#13 Penn State (10-2) vs. #12 LSU (9-3)


WHO to watch: PSU DT Jared Odrick was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. He won’t wow you with stats like Ndamukong Suh. He just takes up blockers allowing Josh Hull, Sean Lee and Navorro Bowman to make plays at the LB spot.


WHY to watch: Two big time programs that just missed out on a BCS bid. This match-up is one of the best bowl games of the season.


Why to SKIP it: They are dropping the puck on the Winter Classic at Fenway Park at one o’clock.


Analysis: In their losses, PSU has turned the ball over. In most games (win or lose) they have struggled on special teams. The Lions will have to control Trindon Holliday. Penn State hasn’t lost back-to-back bowl games since 1975-76. They want a big win. I think they get one.


Prediction: Penn State 17 LSU 16



Gator Bowl – Friday, January 1 – 1:00pm


#16 West Virginia (9-3) vs. Florida State (6-6)


WHO to watch: Mountaineer junior RB Noel Devine is lightning fast. He carried 225 times this season for 1,297 and 12 TDs. The Seminoles are known for their speed. How quick will Devine look in Jacksonville?


WHY to watch: C’mon! It’s Bobby Bowden’s farewell game, and he’s facing his old school.


Why to SKIP it: There’s a reason why permission was needed from the ACC to set this game up. FSU should have been headed somewhere like Charlotte or Boise. They weren’t that good this year.


Analysis: WVU is the better team and had the better year. However, I see this one playing out like Lloyd Carr’s farewell at Michigan when they upset Florida in the Capital One Bowl. FSU will play inspired for Bowden and carry him off the field.


Prediction: Florida State 28 West Virginia 24



Rose Bowl – Friday, January 1 – 4:30pm


#8 Ohio State (10-2) vs. #7 Oregon (10-2)


WHO to watch: A lot will be made of the QBs in this game, but the real key player is Oregon RB LaMichael James. He ran for 1,476 yards and 14 TDs, averaging 6.9 yards a carry. If he has a big day, the Ducks roll.


WHY to watch: Sick of watching USC roll a Big Ten team in Pasadena? Me too. Let’s see if the Buckeyes have better luck with the Ducks.


Why to SKIP it: It will prove the Big Ten can beat teams other than USC here, but that monkey will remain on the Big Ten’s back.


Analysis: People seem to forget who close OSU came to beating Texas last year in the Fiesta Bowl. Tressel and company are sick of hearing how they can’t win the big one. They’ve been on big stages before. I think they come up big behind their defense.


Prediction: Ohio State 23 Oregon 21



Sugar Bowl – Friday, January 1 – 8:30pm


#3 Cincinnati (12-0) vs. #5 Florida (12-1)


WHO to watch: Tim Tebow is playing his final college game. Entering his senior season, he had a chance to go down in history as the most successful college QB ever. Things didn’t turn out as he had hoped, but I’m sure he wants to go out a winner.


WHY to watch: Last year, Alabama didn’t want to be here and it showed early versus Utah. You know Tebow won’t take this game for granted, so this will be a legit test to see how Cincy measures up.


Why to SKIP it: If you are as sick of Saint Timothy as most of the south is, you may want to skip this tribute by Fox to his career.


Analysis: Love him or hate him, you have to respect Tim Tebow. There’s no way that kid goes out with back-to-back losses. Cincy will give them a test, but the Gator D was embarrassed by Alabama. They’ll play this one intense from start to finish for their leader.


Prediction: Florida 35 Cincinnati 14

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