JANUARY 2ND BOWLS

International Bowl – Saturday, January 2 – 12:00pm

Northern Illinois (7-5) vs. South Florida (7-5)

WHO to watch: USF redshirt-freshman QB B.J. Daniels has done a solid job filling in for senior Matt Grothe since the upperclassman went down with a season ending knee injury. Daniels grew up in Tallahassee and put himself on the college football map by beating the Noles in September.

WHY to watch: There are as many bowl games today as there were on New Year’s Day!

Why to SKIP it: Football in Canada is only worth watching if Warren Moon, Doug Flutie or Rocket Ismail is playing.

Analysis: The Bulls are dealing with some off the field issues. UNI is ready to go. I’ll take the Huskies in a close one.

Prediction: Northern Illinois 21 South Florida 20

Cotton Bowl – Saturday, January 2 – 2:00pm

#19 Oklahoma State (9-3) vs. Mississippi (8-4)

WHO to watch: The quarterbacks are the show here, and OSU QB Zac Robinson had a slightly better season completing 61.9% of his passes for 15 TDs and only 8 picks.

WHY to watch: The Cotton Bowl has a new home in Jerry Jones's extravagant palace.

Why to SKIP it: Two underachieving teams playing each other without the best WR on either team.

Analysis: Both teams limped into this game. The Rebels dropped an embarrassing finale to Mississippi State and OSU missed out on the Fiesta Bowl with a shutout loss to the Sooners. The Cowboys have shown they can beat an SEC team by downing Georgia in week one. I think they go 2-0 against the big bad SEC.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 31 Mississippi 23

Papajohns.com Bowl – Saturday, January 2 – 2:00pm

South Carolina (7-5) vs. Connecticut (7-5)

WHO to watch: Gamecock CB Stephon Gilmore played some offense in the USC rivalry win over Clemson. He lined up in the Wildcat formation and led a 60 yard drive. He even completed a 39-yard pass on the drive.

WHY to watch: UConn has been a high drama team all year. All five losses have been by four points or less, and they have a two-point win over USF and an OT win at Notre Dame. When the Huskies play, it usually comes down to the final drive.

Why to SKIP it: I can’t believe I’m saying this but the Spurrier led USC offense is downright boring. They failed to score 20 points in seven games.

Analysis: The Gamecocks were fading down the stretch… a trend under the ol’ ball coach. UConn was starting to find its groove. Still, the Gamecocks are solid defensively. I think that's where they win it.

Prediction: South Carolina 20 Connecticut 12

Liberty Bowl – Saturday, January 2 – 5:30pm

Arkansas (7-5) vs. East Carolina (9-4)

WHO to watch: You may remember Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett. He started out at Michigan as the heir apparent to Chad Henne, but transferred when Rich Rodriguez became coach. This year he led the SEC in total offense and pass efficiency.

WHY to watch: Maybe Hogs Coach Bobby Petrino will take a new job some time during the 3^rd quarter. Ask Louisville and the Atlanta Falcons.

Why to SKIP it: Just because it’s January, doesn’t make this a big bowl game. It should be played around Christmas.

Analysis: Neither team defends the pass very well, and both like to chuck it around. Mallett did it all year in the SEC against teams like Florida, Bama and LSU. ECU hasn’t seen an attack like this all year. Sorry, Houston.

Prediction: Arkansas 42 East Carolina 26

Alamo Bowl – Saturday, January 2 – 9:00pm

Michigan State (6-6) vs. Texas Tech (8-4)

WHO to watch: Meet Taylor Potts. When Graham Harrell graduated, he was given the keys to the sports car that is the Red Raiders offense. This year he threw for 3,068 yards and 20 TDs.

WHY to watch: If you like QBs throwing the ball on every play, this game is for you.

Why to SKIP it: I’m totally over the whole Mike Leach getting fired story.

Analysis: With the upheaval at Tech, MSU has a chance. However, eleven Spartans were suspended for a fight on campus after the season ending loss to Penn State. Tech has the nation’s #2 pass offense while MSU’s pass defense ranks 103^rd. If PSU can pick apart the Spartans at home, imagine what the Raiders can do in San Antonio.

Prediction: Texas Tech 48 Michigan State 27