NEW YEAR'S DAY BOWLS

DECEMBER 30, 2010

TicketCity Bowl – Saturday, January 1 – 12:00pm

Northwestern (7-5) vs. Texas Tech (7-5)

WHO to watch: Texas Tech senior QB Taylor Potts threw for 3,357 yards this year. He completed 65.9% of his passes with 31 TDs and 9 INTs. Last year, he threw for an Alamo Bowl record 372 yards, despite leaving the game in the 4th quarter with an injury.

WHY to watch: New Year’s Day was made for bowl games. This one kicks off first.

Why to SKIP it: Liberty High School grad Dan Persa is out with an injury.

Analysis: The Wildcats were a different team after Dan Persa injured his Achilles tendon in the Iowa game. Without him, NW just won’t be able to keep up. Throw in the fact that the game will be played at the old Cotton Bowl Stadium, and it will be a Red Raider party in Dallas.

Prediction: Texas Tech 42 Northwestern 20

Outback Bowl – Saturday, January 1 – 1:00pm

Penn State (7-5) vs. Florida (7-5)

WHO to watch: Penn State QB Matt McGloin only played in the last five and a half games for the Nittany Lions. However, in those games, he threw 13 TD passes with only 4 INTs... compared with freshman Rob Bolden’s 5 TDs with 7 INTs. The Lions offense was much more potent the 2nd half of the season.

WHY to watch: We already know this will be Urban Meyer’s last game. It may end up being Joe Paterno’s final game also, even if JoePa says otherwise.

Why to SKIP it: Both of these teams were painful to watch at times this season. Together, this one could be ugly.

Analysis: The Gators will be shorthanded in this game. CB Janoris Jenkins is out along with RT Maurice Hurt, DT Lawrence Marsh and DT Terron Sanders. Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin was in the hospital this week with gastritis, and offensive coordinator Steve Addazio is leaving for Temple. With that much turmoil, I’ll take a PSU team that traditionally does well versus SEC teams in bowl games.

Prediction: Penn State 23 Florida 17

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

#9 Michigan State (11-1) vs. #16 Alabama (9-3)

WHO to watch: Alabama junior WR Julio Jones is a stud. He is 6-foot-4, 220 pounds. He has been a big play threat all year for the Tide. He finished the regular season with 74 catches for 1,084 yards and 7 TDs. He caught ten passes or more in three of Bama’s final five games.

WHY to watch: Does Michigan State belong in the BCS? Here is an excellent test. Plus, Nick Saban faces one of his old teams.

Why to SKIP it: The “Nick Saban faces his old school” card gets played a LOT!

Analysis: MSU should have lost to Notre Dame, Purdue and Northwestern. I don’t believe they are as good as their record indicates. The Tide may come in disappointed that they are not even in a BCS bowl. Alabama’s offense is balanced, and while their defense wasn’t as stingy as in recent years, they have big play capabilities. I don’t believe in MSU.

Prediction: Alabama 27 Michigan State 17

Gator Bowl – Saturday, January 1 – 1:30pm

#21 Mississippi State (8-4) vs. Michigan (7-5)

WHO to watch: Michigan QB Denard Robinson may be the most dynamic player in the country. he ran for 1,643 yards and threw for 2,316. He can score from anywhere on the field. He singlehandedly won games this year for the Wolverines.

WHY to watch: Can an SEC defense slow down Shoelace?

Why to SKIP it: This game equates to the 7th best team in the Big Ten facing the 6th best in the SEC. How is THAT worthy of New Year’s Day?

Analysis: The Bulldogs are a solid SEC team. Denard Robinson is one man. Michigan is not good enough any where else to beat a good team.

Prediction: Mississippi State 35 Michigan 30

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

#3 TCU (12-0) vs. #5 Wisconsin (11-1)

WHO to watch: TCU safety Colin Jones leads the defense with 70 tackles, 10.5 for losses. The Horned Frogs defense allows only 11.4 points and 215.4 yards per game. How they handle the Badger offense will determine the outcome of this one.

WHY to watch: Some people believe the Badgers are the best team in the country. TCU can quiet critics with a win in Pasadena.

Why to SKIP it: The Grandaddy of ‘Em All is not the same without Big Ten versus Pac Ten.

Analysis: The Badgers offense was the second most productive unit in Big Ten history averaging 43.3 points per game. This Horned Frogs team is not as battle tested as you may think. The only teams they faced all year from a BCS conference were Oregon State and Baylor. The Badgers are just too strong and athletic for the guys in purple.

Prediction: Wisconsin 38 TCU 24

Fiesta Bowl – Saturday, January 1 – 8:30pm

#7 Oklahoma (11-2) vs. Connecticut (8-4)

WHO to watch: Sooners RB DeMarco Murray may be the most versatile back in the nation. He carried the ball 257 times for 1,121 yards and 14 TDs and added 69 receptions for 595 yards and 5 TD catches.

WHY to watch: UConn moved up to the FBS level 10 years ago. Now they are in a BCS bowl against one of the premiere programs in the country.

Why to SKIP it: UConn lost to Temple and Rutgers and even though they are not ranked, got an automatic bid to a BCS bowl. Meanwhile, Boise State at 11-1 played in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Analysis: Oklahoma has lost five consecutive BCS Bowls. Twice they have lost the Fiesta Bowl as a heavy favorite (2007 to Boise State and 2008 to WVU). Even if they take UConn a tad lightly, I still believe they win this one going away. Husky QB Zach Frazier threw for 200 yards only once all season. He completed 52.7% of his passes and had only 5 TD passes. Offenses like that will not beat OU.

Prediction: Oklahoma 42 Connecticut 16