DECEMBER 22, 2010
Little Caesars Bowl – Sunday, December 26 – 8:30pm
Florida International (6-6) vs. Toledo (8-4)
WHO to watch: Toledo sophomore WR Eric Page caught 94 balls this year for 1,081 yards and 8 TDs. He also ran three kick offs back for scores. His numbers are even more impressive when you realize Toledo lost starting QB Austin Dantin to injury in late October and Page caught 28 balls from a redshirt freshman in three games.
WHY to watch: Neither team plays much defense, so this game should be a back and forth affair.
Why to SKIP it: Michael Vick is playing the Vikings right now.
Analysis: Toledo forced 33 turnovers this season, tying them with Hawaii for most in the nation. FIU QB Wesley Carroll threw for 15 TDs, but he also had 13 INTs. Toledo is battle tested having faced Boise State and Arizona in non-league play. I think the Rockets will force enough turnovers to win.
Prediction: Toledo 37 FIU 27
Independence Bowl – Monday, December 27 – 5:00pm
Air Force (8-4) vs. Georgia Tech (6-6)
WHO to watch: Georgia Tech RB Anthony Allen finishing up the year with 1,225 yards rushing. He averaged 138.3 yards over the last four games and became the work horse of the backfield carrying the ball 63 times in the last two games.
WHY to watch: These are the top two rushing offenses in the country.
Why to SKIP it: The two teams combined to throw 299 passes this season. Go eat dinner and wait for Saints-Falcons tonight.
Analysis: The Yellow Jackets run a spread option attack. Air Force runs the triple option. In that case, I’ll take the BCS level team with BCS personnel over the service academy. If anyone can handle the Falcons attack, it is Georgia Tech.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 24 Air Force 13
Champs Sports Bowl – Tuesday, December 28 – 6:30pm
#22 West Virginia (9-3) vs. NC State (8-4)
WHO to watch: The Wolfpack are led by QB Russell Wilson. He led the ACC in passing with 3,288 and 26 touchdowns. He also ran for 394 yards and nine more scores.
WHY to watch: This is a pretty evenly matched game between two teams that can put up points. It is probably the best match-up of the bowl season thus far.
Why to SKIP it: There is a reason why the Big East only managed to squeeze one team into the final BCS poll of the regular season. It was not a good year for these two leagues.
Analysis: NC State was held under 28 points only one time this season. WVU finished the year strong, but they were inconsistent. Russell Wilson will be the difference in an entertaining game.
Prediction: NC State 30 West Virginia 28
Insight Bowl – Tuesday, December 28 – 10pm
Iowa (7-5) vs. #12 Missouri (10-2)
WHO to watch: Second year starter Blaine Gabbert of Missouri had a career best 62.2% completion rate. He paced the Tiger offense with 2,752 yards through the air with 15 TDs and 7 INTs.
WHY to watch: Missouri had one of the best seasons in school history. Iowa was projected to be a top ten team. These teams have talent.
Why to SKIP it: Some of the talent will not play. Iowa RB Adam Robinson was suspended for failing to comply with “team expectations and policies.” Plus, all-Big Ten WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos was arrested on drug charges and will also miss the game.
Analysis: If Iowa was at full strength you would still have to wonder about motivation for the Hawkeyes. They were mentioned as a possible national title contender early in the year. So, how excited are they after their late season collapse to play here? Being shorthanded makes this one simple. If Iowa wins, that is a great coaching job by Kirk Ferentz and his staff.
Prediction: Missouri 23 Iowa 17
Military Bowl – Wednesday, December 29 – 2:30pm
East Carolina (6-6) vs. Maryland (8-4)
WHO to watch: ECU QB Dominique Davis shattered the school record for completions in a season with 358, 99 more than the old record. The junior finished the season with 3,699 yards and 36 TDs.
WHY to watch: How could you refuse a bowl game named after the military?
Why to SKIP it: With a 2:30 kickoff, this match-up is not worth skipping out of work for.
Analysis: The game is being played at RFK Stadium in DC, so expect a good Maryland crowd. It is also the final game for Head Coach Ralph Friedgen who will not be returning as head coach. I expect the Terps to play inspired ball for the jolly old fat man.
Prediction: Maryland 24 East Carolina 20
Houston Bowl – Wednesday, December 29 – 6:00pm
Illinois (6-6) vs. Baylor (7-5)
WHO to watch: Illinois RB Mikel Leshoure led the Big Ten in rushing, churning out 1,513 yards and 14 TDs. In the regular season finale at Wrigley Field, he ran for a school record 330 yards on 33 carries.
WHY to watch: This may surprise you, but this is should be a very entertaining game. Both teams averaged 32 points a game.
Why to SKIP it: It’s Big Ten vs. Big 12, but it’s Illinois vs. Baylor... not Ohio State vs. Oklahoma.
Analysis: Both teams have a dual threat QB. Both have a RB capable of going off for a huge game. Playing at Reliant Stadium it will be a virtual home game for Baylor. However, Illinois has a huge alumni base. The Illini will be well represented in Houston. I think Illinois wins a close one.
Prediction: Illinois 31 Baylor 30
Alamo Bowl – Wednesday, December 29 – 9:15pm
#14 Oklahoma State (10-2) vs. Arizona (7-5)
WHO to watch: This game features the best WR in the nation in OSU’s Justin Blackmon. The 2010 Biletnikoff Award winner caught 102 passes this season for 1,665 yards and 18 TDs. He had ten receptions or more in six games and found the end zone in every game he played.
WHY to watch: If you haven’t seen Blackmon play yet, check him out. I have a feeling he will put on a show.
Why to SKIP it: In the past, this match-up was Big Ten versus Bg 12. That would have been preferred here. The Pac Ten is down this year.
Analysis: OSU can light up the scoreboard. Arizona looked good early in the year and opened some eyes when they knocked off Iowa in September. However, they went in the tank at the end of the year, closing the year with four straight losses and going from 7-1 to 7-5. I think the Cowboys will have too much fire power for the Wildcats to keep up.
Prediction: Oklahoma State 48 Arizona 28
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