JANUARY 2, 2011
Orange Bowl – Monday, January 3 – 8:30pm
#4 Stanford (11-1) vs. #13 Virginia Tech (11-2)
WHO to watch: Stanford QB Andrew Luck was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy and will likely be the number one selection in the 2011 NFL Draft if he chooses to leave school early. He completed 70% of his passes for 3,051 yards with 28 TDs and 7 INTs. He also rushed for 438 additional yards.
WHY to watch: The Hokies have won 11 straight. Stanford’s only loss was to Oregon. This is one match-up the BCS got right.
Why to SKIP it: Virginia Tech did lose to James Madison this year.
Analysis: Stanford has a gaudy record, but they do not have a signature win. The Hokies may be the most complete team they’ve played all year. They have intercepted 22 passes this season, and Beamer Ball is always good for a big play or two on special teams. I think the Hokies send Luck and Harbaugh to the NFL as losers.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 27 Stanford 21
Sugar Bowl – Tuesday, January 4 – 8:30pm
#6 Ohio State (11-1) vs. #8 Arkansas (10-2)
WHO to watch: Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett has thrown for over 7,000 yards in the last two seasons. This season he finished with 3,592 yards, 30 TDs and 11 INTs. Having started his career at Michigan (he transferred when Rich Rodriguez was hired), I have a feeling he’s looking forward to facing the Buckeyes.
WHY to watch: OSU may auction off their jerseys afterwards.
Why to SKIP it: After what we saw from the Big Ten on New Year’s Day, why should we waste time on this one?
Analysis: When this match-up was announced, I thought the Buckeyes were finally going to break through against the SEC in bowl games. Arkansas has not come up big in big games. Then, the suspensions were handed down to five Buckeyes for next season. Questions arose about whether or not they should be allowed to play in the bowl game. Then, I watched the Big Ten completely embarrass itself Saturday. The Bucks won’t get blown out, but I now believe the Big Ten was living off last bowl season’s results a little too much.
Prediction: Arkansas 24 Ohio State 17
GoDaddy.com Bowl – Thursday, January 6 – 8:00pm
Middle Tennessee (6-6) vs. Miami, OH (9-4)
WHO to watch: Miami, OH RB Thomas Merriweather averaged 111.4 yards rushing per game and scored six TDs in the team’s five game win streak to close the season. He is eyeing another big day as he faces a Middle Tennessee D that allowed 193.7 yards rushing per game and 23 TDs on the ground.
WHY to watch: Wednesday would have been the 1st day without any football in two weeks. By now the football withdrawal will be so big, you’d watch an intrasquad scrimmage.
Why to SKIP it: This one may as well be an intrasquad scrimmage.
Analysis: I think the Red Hawks are peaking at the right time. Their defense has played well in their victories, and as stated previously, the running game came along when Austin Boucher took over at QB and gave the passing attack some life.
Prediction: Miami, OH 27 Middle Tennessee 14
Cotton Bowl – Friday, January 7 – 8:00pm
#11 LSU (10-2) vs. #17 Texas A&M (9-3)
WHO to watch: LSU DB Patrick Peterson won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back as well as the Chuck Bednarik Award as the top defensive player in the country. He has also returned two punts for TDs this season.
WHY to watch: This is a great lead-in to NFL Wild Card weekend. Two solid programs from two major conferences in the 75th Anniversary Cotton Bowl Game.
Why to SKIP it: This game should have been played on New Year’s Day.
Analysis: After some early struggles this bowl season, the SEC has come on strong. Meanwhile, two of the Big 12’s three victories have been over shorthanded Northwestern and overmatched UConn. LSU’s defense will be the best A&M has seen all year. I’ll take LSU to roll.
Prediction: LSU 30 Texas A&M 19
BBVA Compass Bowl – Saturday, January 8 – 12:00pm
Pittsburgh (7-5) vs. Kentucky (6-6)
WHO to watch: Kentucky junior slot receiver Randall Cobb is a multi-threat player that must be accounted for at each snap. He finished the year with a school record 2,191 all-purpose yards with 15 TDs ( three of them passing).
WHY to watch: Can the Big East actually finish with a 4-2 bowl record?
Why to SKIP it: Considering the NFL Playoffs start today, this is the worst game of the day... even if the NFC West Champ is playing later.
Analysis: Pitt has absolutely no leadership right now. Dave Wannstedt will not return as head coach. His replacement was fired Saturday after a felony charge of domestic battery in front of a minor. The Panthers have underachieved all season. I don’t see them suddenly rallying behind a lame duck coach against a team as athletic as Kentucky.
Prediction: Kentucky 16 Pitt 10
Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl – Sunday, January 9 – 9:00pm
#15 Nevada (12-1) vs. Boston College (7-5)
WHO to watch: Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick accounted for over 4,000 yards this season (2,830 thru the air and 1,184 on the ground) while throwing for 20 TDs and running for 20 more.
WHY to watch: Had it not been for a 6-point loss at Hawaii in October, the Wolfpack may have been in the BCS.
Why to SKIP it: I have enough people pushing causes on me without getting it from a bowl game (even if the cause is a good one). Fight your own hunger and go grab a late snack.
Analysis: Nevada is a very good team. The upset of Boise State was no fluke. They ranked third in the nation in yards per game. The Eagles ranked 105th. That is more than just a difference of competition.
Prediction: Nevada 35 Boston College 22
BCS Championship Game – Monday, January 10 – 8:30pm
#1 Auburn (13-0) vs. #2 Oregon (12-0)
WHO to watch: All year long, the Tigers have gone as far as Cam Newton could take them. The 2010 Heisman Trophy winner threw for 2,518 yards with 28 TDs and only 7 INTs and added 1,409 yards rushing and 20 more TDs on the ground.
WHY to watch: The two most prolific offenses in the country play in a controlled environment for the crystal football.
Why to SKIP it: Last time I checked TCU will not be playing the winner of this game.
Analysis: Auburn’s defense had its struggles at times this year, but it also played well enough to win every game. It will also be the most athletic defense the Ducks have faced all year. As they did a few times this year, Auburn will struggle to contain Oregon early, but they will eventually figure them out. The same can’t be said for Oregon’s defense.
Prediction: Auburn 30 Oregon 17
