DECEMBER 27, 2010
Armed Forces Bowl – Thursday, December 30 – 12:00pm
Army (6-6) vs. SMU (7-6)
WHO to watch: Army senior DE Josh McNary is the school’s all-time leader in sacks. He leads a Black Knights defense that is ranked 26th in the country, allowing only 332.6 yards per game.
WHY to watch: Army is looking for its first post-season win in 25 years, and SMU is playing in back-to-back bowl games for the first time since the program received the death penalty in the 1980s.
Why to SKIP it: It’s not Navy against TCU.
Analysis: SMU QB Kyle Padron threw for 3,526 yards this season with 29 TD passes and only 12 INTs. The Mustangs offense under head coach June Jones produced all season. They scored over 20 points in four of their losses. They are also the home team for this game. The Black Knights of the Hudson will hang around for a while, but SMU will be too much to handle for 60 minutes.
Prediction: SMU 28 Army 17
Pinstripe Bowl – Thursday, December 30 – 3:20pm
Kansas State (7-5) vs. Syracuse (7-5)
WHO to watch: K-State senor RB Daniel Thomas was 2nd in the Big 12 in rushing, finishing with 1,495 yards and 16 TDs. In his two years as a starter, KSU is 12-4 when he rushes for at least 90 yards and a perfect 7-0 when he goes for 137 or more.
WHY to watch: It will be the first bowl game played at the new Yankee Stadium.
Why to SKIP it: We’ve already seen a football game here (Army-Notre Dame). The novelty will wear off by the end of the 1st quarter.
Analysis: The Orange dropped three of their last four games while giving up 172.5 yards rushing per game. The Wildcats will pound the ball down their throat.
Prediction: Kansas State 20 Syracuse 12
Music City Bowl – Thursday, December 30 – 6:40pm
North Carolina (7-5) vs. Tennessee (6-6)
WHO to watch: Tennessee freshman QB Tyler Bray established himself late in the season as the future of Volunteer football. He started the final four games and threw 12 TD passes, four more than the previous starter Matt Simms threw for all season.
WHY to watch: These two teams were scheduled to play the next two seasons. However, Vols athletic director Mike Hamilton cancelled the series to make the schedule a little easier for new coach Derek Dooley. Let’s see what we are missing.
Why to SKIP it: This would be a very entertaining basketball game, but in this particular year, the football match-up is between two average squads.
Analysis: The Vols needed to win four straight to close the season just to be bowl eligible. During that stretch, they beat only one other bowl team (Kentucky). With an extra month of practice time paired with a sell out crowd dressed in Orange, I think the Vols continue to improve and beat this under achieving Tar Heel unit.
Prediction: Tennessee 19 North Carolina 14
Holiday Bowl – Thursday, December 30 – 10:00pm
#18 Nebraska (10-3) vs. Washington (6-6)
WHO to watch: Washington QB Jake Locker shocked most analysts by returning for his senior year when most experts thought he would be the #1 selection of the 2010 NFL Draft. This year he completed only 56% of his passes with 17 TDs and 9 INTs. However, you take out his performances in just two games and he had 8 TDs and 8 INTs for the year.
WHY to watch: Locker will want to make a strong final impression on NFL scouts.
Why to SKIP it: These same two teams played in September in Seattle and Nebraska hammered the Huskies 56-21.
Analysis: Big Red was one drive away from winning the Big 12 Title and heading to the Fiesta Bowl. Washington is excited about the chance to avenge an embarrassing loss. Even with motivation being clearly on the side of UW, that’s not enough to make up a 35-point differential.
Prediction: Nebraska 42 Washington 24
Meineke Car Care Bowl – Friday, December 31 – 12:00pm
South Florida (7-5) vs. Clemson (6-6)
WHO to watch: Clemson DE Da’Quan Bowers won the Bronko Nagurski Award as the top defensive player in the country. His 15.5 sacks led the nation, and he was second in the country in tackles for losses with 25.
WHY to watch: Bowers will be a top five pick in the 2011 NFL Draft... if he opts to leave school early.
Why to SKIP it: Clemson barely qualified for a bowl this season, and USF will likely be starting walk-on Bobby Eveld at QB due to and injury to starter B.J. Daniels.
Analysis: The Bulls ranked 103rd in the nation in total offense with just 311.9 yards per game. The game will be played two hours away from the Clemson campus. Without Daniels at QB, the Bulls will struggle to score against the Tigers.
Prediction: Clemson 21 South Florida 14
Sun Bowl – Friday, December 31 – 2:00pm
Notre Dame (7-5) vs. Miami, FL (7-5)
WHO to watch: Notre Dame freshman QB Tommy Rees led the team to a 3-1 finish after starter Dayne Crist was lost for the season in the Navy game. Rees threw 10 TD passes with 6 INTs in wins over Utah and USC to lead the Irish to their best record since 2006.
WHY to watch: Catholics vs. Convicts 2010!
Why to SKIP it: It’s Catholics versus Convicts minus Jimmy Johnson, Lou Holtz and all the talent these two proud programs once had.
Analysis: Miami may be more athletic than ND, especially with all the injuries Notre Dame has had on offense this season. However, one side (ND) is building something. The other (the U) is starting from scratch. Coach Randy Shannon was fired after the loss to South Florida in November. I’ll take the better coached and better prepared Irish over the more athletic Canes.
Prediction: Notre Dame 28 Miami, FL 25
Liberty Bowl – Friday, December 31 – 3:30pm
Georgia (6-6) vs. #25 Central Florida (10-3)
WHO to watch: Bulldog WR A.J. Green tied for the SEC lead with 9 TD receptions (to go along with 771 yards receiving) despite missing four games with a suspension. He may be playing his last game. He is expected to be a top ten pick this April if he opts for the NFL.
WHY to watch: UCF may be on their way to the Big East in the next few years. It will be interesting to see how they measure up to a middle of the pack SEC team.
Why to SKIP it: One starts a redshirt freshman at QB. The other starts a true freshman. This won’t exactly be Stanford versus Oregon.
Analysis: Georgia surrendered 726 yards rushing and 10 TDs in their last two games combined. The Knights averaged 192.5 yards per game on the ground. The Knights defense is also strong allowing just 18 points a game while being anchored by two-time conference defensive player of the year Bruce Miller. Call me crazy, but I think this Bulldog team is lucky to be here.
Prediction: Central Florida 24 Georgia 20
Chick-Fil-A Bowl - Friday, December 31 - 7:30pm
#20 South Carolina (9-4) vs. #23 Florida State (9-4)
WHO to watch: South Carolina freshman RB Marcus Lattimore rushed for 1,198 yards and 17 TDs. Only Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton rushed for more yards this year in the SEC.
WHY to watch it: Spurrier faces “Free Shoes University” for the first time since 2001.
Why to SKIP it: Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rocking Eve is coming on. Dick won’t be around much longer, so why not watch him one more time.
Analysis: These two teams are pretty even statistically. The Seminole defense struggled against the Hokies in the ACC Championship game. The Gamecocks D struggled even more against Auburn in the SEC Final. Carolina has not been a good bowl team under Spurrier, losing three of four. FSU QB Christian Ponder is a question mark for this game. For that reason, I’ll take the SEC runner-up.
Prediction: South Carolina 27 Florida State 24
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