Oh, yeah, bowls. Obviously I’ve been more out of it than usual this year…
1/1, Outback (neé Hall of Fame): Northwestern vs. Auburn(-8)
If there’s a reason to think Northwestern will be in this game, I can’t come up with it. Give ‘em.
1/1, Gator: West Virginia vs. Florida State(+2.5)
Ah, yes, the “Bobby Bowden is retiring so he’ll get special treatment” bowl. VA Tech should be ticked, they should have gotten this bid. How much more compelling would VATech vs. WVU have been? Seriously. Mountaineers roll.
1/1, Capital One (neé Citrus): Penn State vs. LSU(-1)
When in doubt, pick against the Big Ten.
1/1, Rose: OSU vs. Oregon(-4)
Same rule as last game. Plus, there is simply no way I can root for the Buckeyes, , so I have to pick this way.
1/1, Sugar: Cincinnati vs. Florida(-12.5)
Wow, I figure Florida as a lock for this one, but that’s a boatload of points. Too many for me.
1/2, International: South Florida vs. Northern Illinois(+7)
Wow, Directional State U as a bowl game. In Canada. If ever evidence was needed that there are too many bowls, this has to be it. Give the points, the MAC sucks.
1/2, Papajohns.com: South Carolina vs. UConn(+4)
For no good reason, I’ll take UConn and the points.
1/2, Cotton: Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss(-3)
I have no idea why the Rebels are favored here—I would have guessed the other way around—so I’ll take the points.
1/2, Liberty: Arkansas vs. East Carolina(+7.5)
Ugh, a C-USA team in a bowl. Gotta go with the team that actually plays somebody, so I’m going Razorbacks.
1/2, Alamo: Michigan State vs. Texas Tech(-7.5)
Well, the Mike Leach media feeding frenzy is in full swing. You’d think that’d be a distraction, but Texas Tech will have the stadium packed and MSU sucks, so I’ll take the Red Raiders.
1/4, Fiesta: Boise State vs. TCU(-7.5)
TCU is better and will probably win. However, I like Boise to keep it close enough to be interesting from a point spread perspective, so I’m going with the Broncos.
1/5, Orange: Iowa vs. Georgia Tech(-4)
Tech has that gimmick option offense. That’s great when you never see it and have only a week to prepare, but Iowa is a well-coached team (they certainly aren’t in a BCS bowl on talent) and they have time to prepare. I like getting more than a FG here, so I’m picking the Hawkeyes… but rooting for Tech! Go Jackets!
1/6, GMAC: Central Michigan vs. Troy(+3.5)
Whatever the O/U is, take the over. The Trojans will have a strong home-field advantage as nobody in Michigan has any money to travel. CMU’s losing their coach and sucks in bowls, but this is Troy State we’re talking about here. Nope, can’t talk myself into it, taking the points.
1/7, BCS Title: Texas vs. Alabama(-4)
Smaller spread than I would have thought. Frankly, I think the UT offense will struggle like they did against Nebraska, only Bama has a better offense. Again, picking the Tide, but rooting for the Longhorns.
And picks for the 1/1 games from Al in email:
New Years Day
Wildcats at Tigers (-8)
Not sure why Northwestern is in a bowl game. I guess they’re good enough to beat some lame Big 10 teams. A middle of the road SEC team is surely 8 points better. I’ll give them.
Seminoles at Mountaineers (-2.5)
There will be emotion for Bowden, but he won’t go out a winner. FSU is overmatched by most teams these days.
Tigers at Nittany Lions (-1)
Hmm, another Big 10/SEC matchup. LSU is a serious team. Every big team Penn State has played this year has rolled them. Give the point.
Buckeyes at Ducks (-4)
I’ll take the exciting, offensive minded Oregon team over the staid conservative Tressel team. Give the points. I’m sensing a trend here against the Big 10…
Bearcats at Gators (-12.5)
Florida has squeaked out some games here and there that they probably should have lost. Cincy is undefeated, but they never had to play a team of this caliber…or have they? Who’s to say some of these Big East teams aren’t every bit as good as those from the SEC? Ok, I am. They won’t be able to handle either Florida line. Blowout. No crying for Tebow.
Here’s the rest of the college games. Man there are a lot of these! Why isn’t a playoff better again? Don’t understand…
1/2, International: South Florida vs. Northern Illinois(+7)
I have no clue. I guess I’ve seen South Florida and they’re ok. Give the points.
1/2, Papajohns.com: South Carolina vs. UConn(+4)
I’ll go with the SEC, give the points.
1/2, Cotton: Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss(-3)
A bit of a disappointment this season for Ole Miss as they were expected to challenge for the SEC championship. They’re still good enough to handle the Cowboys. Give the points.
1/2, Liberty: Arkansas vs. East Carolina(+7.5)
That’s a lot of points, but I don’t know anything about ECU this year. I’ll give the points.
1/2, Alamo: Michigan State vs. Texas Tech(-7.5)
Crazy stuff going on at Tech. Leach vs. Craig James on TV. Just insane. Don’t know how it will affect the team, but it has to be a huge distraction. I’ll take the points and a *gulp* Big 10 team.
1/4, Fiesta: Boise State vs. TCU(-7.5)
It’s such a travesty that the BCS folks stuck these guys to play at the kiddie table where they can’t muck up their end of the year rankings. I love the Broncos in bowl games! Take the points!
1/5, Orange: Iowa vs. Georgia Tech(-4)
I don’t know anything about the Iowa offense. Don’t they have a backup playing QB? I hear they have a good D, but they’re college kids. They will lose their discipline and Tech won’t be stopped offensively too much. I’ll give the points.
1/6, GMAC: Central Michigan vs. Troy(+3.5)
Troy? Give the points.
1/7, BCS Title: Texas vs. Alabama(-4)
Anything can happen, but I think Alabama really is the strongest team in the country. I’ll give the points.
Ok, wow. Somehow I missed the memo that 14 players are out for the Spartans! That trumps a coach!