So, in my last post for 2006, I figured I’d weigh in on the Jan 1 (and beyond) bowls. Most of these games I could care less about, but I’m going to pick a winner regardless, since I’ll probably watch as many of them as possible (because it’s college football and it’s on TV). So, here goes:
Outback - Tennessee vs Penn State
I haven’t seen Penn State play, and I’ve seen at least a third of Tennessee’s games this year, so I feel like I only know half the story. Penn State’s 4 losses were to what amounts to 4 BCS teams (Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame, plus Wisconsin, who’s not a BCS team only because of the 2-team per conference rule). So, the losses they had were to very good teams. However, Tennessee’s 3 losses were also to good teams, two of the three being BCS teams (LSU, Florida) and one that was almost a BCS team (Arkansas). I’m going to side with Tennessee in this game, but I’m not really sure why. I’ll say 24-19.
Cotton - Nebraska vs Auburn
Auburn never really looked that good this year, at least not as good as their ranking most of the season would seem to indicate. Yes, they beat LSU and Florida, but if you watched the games, it was more a case of LSU and Florida losing then Auburn beating them. And they were embarrassed twice at home to Arkansas and Georgia. Nebraska, like Penn State, I haven’t really seen play. They have 4 losses, two to BCS teams (USC, Oklahoma), the latter in the Big 12 Championship, along with losses to Texas and Oklahoma State. I’m going to go with Nebraska here, 24-14.
Gator - West Virginia vs Georgia Tech
I don’t believe I could care less about this game. Having seen both teams play, I’m inclined to pick West Viriginia, 28-17.
Capital One - Arkansas vs Wisconsin
This is a hard one, because I want to pick Arkansas. However, again, I haven’t seen Wisconsin play. There only loss was to Michigan, who is one of the top teams in the country. But I’m not sure that any of their wins were anything impressive or not, since I’m not too familiar with the Big 10 this year outside of OSU and Michigan. So, I’m not sure what to make of them. Arkanas will again miss Peyton Hillis, who would have been very helpful in their last two games. However, they still have McFadden and Jones, and because I want them to win, I’m going to have to pick them. Arkansas 21-17.
Fiesta - Oklahoma vs Boise State
Another game I could care less about. I saw nothing of Boise State, and only a little of Oklahoma this year. Oklahoma would be a one-loss team if the officials had any sense when they played Oregon. Boise state is a high scoring team, so it seems there should be a lot of points. I’m going to pick OU, 31-28.
Orange - Louisville vs Wake Forest
Guess what? That’s right - who cares? Wake has had a great year, winning the ACC. Louisville can score. Louisville 31-17.
Sugar - Notre Dame vs LSU
I remember thinking the LSU-Miami Peach Bowl would be the best bowl game besides the title game last year. It turned into a blowout win for LSU. I think this has the potential to be a good game, too, but either team could end up winning going away. LSU could turn it over 5 times like they did against Florida, or the Notre Dame team that played Michigan (or MSU in the first half) could show up. On the other hand, it could be a great game. Regardless, my pick is LSU, 28-14.
Rose - USC vs Michigan
This may be the only bowl game in which both teams don’t really want to be there. They’d both rather be playing Ohio state. However, these are two very good teams and should play a good game. But, I sense that it will be a letdown. Plus, honestly, I don’t really care who wins. I’m going to pick Michigan, 31-24.
BCS Championship Game - Ohio State vs Florida
I said a couple of times early on, after the final BCS polls, that I thought OSU will win this without much trouble. As the day approaches, I feel less confident of that. I think this has the potential to be another great game, just like last year. Maybe not quite that good, but still something worth watching. I’m still inclined to pick OSU, but it’s not going to be easy. I say Ohio State 27-24.
That’s it. That’s the list. Now go and pick otherwise…