Day: December 30, 2008

1/1, Hall of Fa…err, Outback: South Carolina vs. Iowa(-3.5)
I think the Hawkeyes are actually respectable, which I don’t think is the case for SC. I’ll take Iowa.

1/1, Citru…err, Capital One: Georgia(-8) vs. Michigan State
I didn’t really see UGA this year except for part of their game with Tech. I only saw bits of that game, and UGA had exactly zero defense in the bit of it I did see. However, it’s not clear to me that State knows which way is up in a bowl game, so I’ll go with the Dawgs.

1/1, Gator: Nebraska vs. Clemson(-2.5)
What a sucky bowl game this is. However, it might go better than that horrible Oregon State vs. Pitt affair. 3-0? Yech. Anyway, I have no idea about these teams, but I’m taking Nebraska on the theory that the Big XII is a hell of a lot better than the ACC.

1/1, Rose: Penn State vs. USC(-9.5)
Man, the Trojans must be so tired of this game. I dunno, I don’t see any way the Lions win this game, but that’s a lot of points. No, no, USC has blown the doors off the last several Rose Bowls, so I’ll give the points here.

1/1, Orange: Cincinnati(-2) vs. Virginia Tech
As much as I don’t like the ACC this year, I like the Big East even less. Hokies.

1/2, Cotton: Mississippi vs. Texas Tech(-4.5)
The Red Raiders will be pissed and nobody who hasn’t seen TTech can hang with them. Blowout city, give the points.

1/2, Liberty: Kentucky vs. East Carolina(-3)
ECU is actually decent, and Kentucky… isn’t. Pirates.

1/2, Sugar: Utah vs. Alabama(-9.5)
I think the tide will win, but I think Utah is going to show up in this game and keep it in the single digits. It’s a longshot, I know, but I have to pick someone to not cover, right?

1/3, International: Buffalo vs. Connecticut(-5.5)
Yeah, the Big East bites, but not like the MAC. The MAC is horrible, just horrible. I saw a 9-3 MAC team get pounded into the earth by a C-USA team. Huskies all the way.

1/5, Fiesta: Ohio State vs. Texas(-8.5)
Lotta points, but I don’t see any way OSU can hang with Texas. Texas is playing for the preseason #1 ranking for next year with Colt McCoy coming back, so they’ll actually be trying to put up a big number here.

1/6, GMAC: Tulsa vs. Ball State(-1.5)
Based on how good Rice and UH did against teams I thought would give them games, I’m going to take the points.

1/8, BCS Title Game: Oklahoma vs. Florida(-3)
If this game were in Norman, I’d take the Sooners. But it’s not in Norman, so I’m going with the Gators.

Again, nothing like the last minute… I’ll update totals before the playoffs start. Also, one comment on the Poinsettia Bowl: that was awesome. I’ll be astonished if the supposedly big-time BCS Orange Bowl is even remotely as good.

12/30, Humanitarian Bowl: Maryland vs. Nevada(-3)
Maryland, just because.

12/30, Holiday: Oklahoma(-2.5) State vs. Oregon
All 3 of the Cowboys’ losses were against top-5 quality teams, so I like the Cowboys to cover this. I always like to watch the Holiday Bowl because it’s usually a wild game, but this year I’ll miss it because of:

12/30, Texas: Western Michigan vs. Rice(-3)
This is the correct spread, home team by a FG. Take a look at the over/under for this game: 74. Don’t expect any defense to be played here. I’ll take my Owls—hey, I’ve signed registration forms for some of those guys.

12/31, Armed Forces: Houston(-3.5) vs. Air Force
I’ve seen the Cougars play in person, and they stink. I’ll take Air Force in the upset.

12/31, Sun: Oregon State(-2.5) vs. Pittsburgh
I dunno, seems like the Beavers should be the better team here, I’ll give not quite a field goal.

12/31, Music City: Boston College(-4) vs. Vanderbilt
Vandy has no business being in a bowl despite their hot start. BC to cover this, barely.

12/31, Insight: Kansas(-9.5) vs. Minnesota
The Gophers have no hope in this game. Give the big number.

12/31, Peac…err, Chik-Fil-A: LSU vs. Georgia Tech(-4)
The Bayou Bengals just weren’t very good this year, were they?

And that’s it for now… my usual source doesn’t have the New Year’s Day bowls up yet.