OK, so there are 32 bowls this year if you count the national championship game. I’m thinking in 3 or 4 parts as not to have lead times which are too long.
12/19, Poinsettia: Northern Illinois vs. TCU(-11.5)
That’s too many points for me. NIU can actually run the ball; they’ll lose, but keep it closer than this.
12/21, Las Vegas: BYU vs. Oregon(+3)
I like the Ducks to upset BYU. I think the MWC is weak this year. Weaker than usual, I mean. Well, actually, I’m not that impressed with the Pac10, either, but I like the Ducks anyway.
12/22, New Orleans: Rice vs. Troy(+4.5)
Well, if Rice’s starting QB Clement is healthy, they’ll easily cover this number. Unfortunately, it’s not clear that he’s really OK. They say he’ll play, but probably not at 100%. I’ll give the points, though I suspect they might win and not cover. Oh, well, GO OWLS!
12/23, Papajohns.com: South Florida vs. East Carolina(+4.5)
A bowl game of considerable geographic confusion. USF isn’t in south Florida, and WTF is east Carolina? Anyway, I think South Florida is probably better.
12/23, New Mexico: New Mexico vs. San Jose State(+3.5)
Despite it being a home game for UNM, I’m going to take the points, on that whole “weak MWC” theory.
12/23, Armed Forces: Tulsa vs. Utah(-1)
I have absolutely no idea whatsoever. It’s not like C-USA was anything exciting this year, either, I mean, heck Rice made it to a bowl almost entirely on within-conference wins. But, just to be consistent, I’ll pick against the MWC. Golden Hurricane!
12/24, Hawaii: Hawaii vs. Arizona State(+7)
I think the Warriors cover this one at home. ASU ached this year.
12/26, Motor City: Middle Tennessee vs. Central Michigan(-9.5)
Dang, I was definitely going to go with Central, but that’s a boatload of points. Man, that’s ugly. Still, I think Central is actually sort of OK for a weak sister team in one of these early bowls, so I’m going to pick ‘em.
12/27, Emerald: Florida State vs. UCLA(-4.5)
Bleah. Should be a defensive struggle since both of these offenses suck, so that’s too many points.