New Mexico Bowl – Saturday, December 18 – 2:00pm
BYU (6-6) vs. UTEP (6-6)
WHO to watch: Neither team is that special, but BYU freshman QB Jake Heaps has been coming on strong. He has 11 TD passes this season with ten coming in their last five games. The Cougars lost only one of those five. A university known for churning out QBs may have found the next great one.
WHY to watch: It’s the first bowl game of the year, and the malls will be packed.
Why to SKIP it: Those people that complain about there being too many bowl games can look directly at this one for an example of two average teams getting into the post-season.
Analysis: After some early season struggles, BYU got better late in the year. I learned my lesson last season. An average Mountain West team is better than one of the best teams in the WAC, Sun Belt or in this case Conference USA.
Prediction: BYU 28 UTEP 20
Humanitarian Bowl – Saturday, December 18 – 5:30pm
Northern Illinois (10-3) vs. Fresno State (8-4)
WHO to watch: Chad Spann of UNI was named the MAC Player of the Year after rushing for 1,293 yards, his second straight season with over 1,000 yards on the ground.
WHY to watch: Northern Illinois topped 50 points three times this year. They have one of the top rushing attacks in the nation.
Why to SKIP it: The blue turf just isn’t the same without Boise playing.
Analysis: Northern Illinois is a very good team. However, they have an interim head coach after Jerry Kill took the job at Minnesota. They are much farther away from home, and Fresno State (who is a very solid program) plays on the smurf turf every other year. I like the Bulldogs to steal one.
Prediction: Fresno State 26 Northern Illinois 20
New Orleans Bowl – Saturday, December 18 – 9:00pm
Ohio (8-4) vs. Troy (7-5)
WHO to watch: Troy QB Corey Robinson will definitely keep things interesting. He led the Sun Belt Conference with 3,320 yards passing and 24 touchdowns, but he was also intercepted 18 times.
WHY to watch: Normally the NFL will have a Saturday night game at this time of the year. For some reason, this year they don’t. If you want football tonight... this is it.
Why to SKIP it: Each school has more letters in their name than future NFL players on their roster.
Analysis: Both Robinson and Ohio’s Boo Jackson are turnover prone. Expect some big plays by each. The one that makes the fewest mistakes will lead his team to victory. I think Troy will have too much for the Bobcats.
Prediction: Troy 33 Ohio 24
Beef O’Brady’s Bowl – Tuesday, December 21 – 8pm
Louisville (6-6) vs. Southern Miss (8-4)
WHO to watch: Louisville RB Bilal Powell rushed for 1,330 yards and 10 touchdowns on only 211 carries for an average of 6.3 per rush. He had only 207 carries total in his career before the season. He topped the 100 yard mark seven times and went over 200 yards rushing twice.
WHY to watch: You are like me and have no idea what Beef O’Brady’s is but it sounds tasty. Can’t wait to see the ads.
Why to SKIP it: Louisville basketball is worth watching... especially when Pitino dresses like Colonel Sanders. This is football, and the Cards were 6-6 (3-4 in a down Big East).
Analysis: USM was 15th in the nation in scoring offense this year. Louisville was 11th in total defense. I’ll always take defense over offense when the D is from a BCS level conference.
Prediction: Louisville 20 Southern Miss 16
Las Vegas Bowl – Wednesday, December 22 – 8:00pm
#19 Utah (10-2) vs. #10 Boise State (11-1)
WHO to watch: Boise State junior QB Kellen Moore threw for 33 TDs with only 5 INTs. He completed 71% of his passes, giving him a QB rating of 185.0 (second only to Cam Newton). He has lost only twice in 39 starts at BSU.
WHY to watch: For the second year in a row, the Las Vegas Bowl will provide the first match-up of ranked teams this post-season.
Why to SKIP it: After watching TCU and Notre Dame torch Utah, what does it prove for Boise if they do the same?
Analysis: Normally, I would stay far away from a team with national title (or at least BCS Bowl) aspirations that ended up falling as far as Boise State did. In this case, I’ll take the Broncos. They are well coached and will want to close out with a win. Plus, they know Utah is headed to the Pac 12 and leaving the MWC before Boise can get there.
Prediction: Boise State 42 Utah 24
Poinsettia Bowl – Thursday, December 23 – 8:00pm
Navy (8-3) vs. San Diego State (8-4)
WHO to watch: Navy senior QB Ricky Dobbs accounted for 25 touchdowns this year running Navy’s triple option attack.
WHY to watch: The Midshipmen are going for back-to-back ten win seasons for the first time in school history.
Why to SKIP it: There are presents to wrap.
Analysis: As much as I respect Navy, the Aztecs are solid defensively against the run and have a very good passing attack. Throw in the fact the are playing at home, and I’ll take San Diego State in an upset.
Prediction: San Diego State 24 Navy 17
Hawaii Bowl – Thursday, December 24 – 8:00pm
#24 Hawaii (10-3) vs. Tulsa (9-3)
WHO to watch: Hawaii WR Greg Salas has set the school record with 4,131 receiving yards in his career. This year he caught 106 balls for an average of 15.8 yards a catch.
WHY to watch: Both teams can score. Each averaged just over 39 points per game. This one has shootout written all over it.
Why to SKIP it: Those noises coming from the roof are reindeer. Get to bed!
Analysis: Hawaii shared the WAC title with Nevada and Boise State. Tulsa will make this a very interesting game, but I expect the road team will make one too many mistakes to pull it out.
Prediction: Hawaii 45 Tulsa 38
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