Gator Bowl, January 1

Texas Tech
vs
Virginia
1 p.m. Jacksonville, Fla. CBS

The thing that will have people tuning in to this one will be to see the pass happy offense of Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are 2nd in the nation in offense and first in passing and should be able to move the ball all over Virginia. Texas Tech averages more than 200 yards of offense more per game than Virginia and score nearly 18 more points a game. Virginia has made a living in winning close games this season, while Texas Tech will want to get into a shootout.

Virginia played in 7 games that were decided by 5 points or fewer. If a few of their breaks go another way this team is staying home this postseason. Instead almost every break went the way of the Cavaliers. This team did put up plenty of points in wins against Miami and Pitt, so don't just write them off as lucky just yet.

The Gator Bowl is generally the worst of the New Years Day games. Only three times in the previous 20 games has this one been decided by less than a touchdown. Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell threw for 5,298 yards and 45 touchdowns this season with only 14 INTs. Look for him to get his yards, which he does even when TT loses. He'll throw early and often, especially to freshman phenom WR Michael Crabtree. Crabtree shattered all kinds of receiving records with 125 catches for 1,861 yards and 21 touchdowns. Virginia won't have anyone to matchup with Crabtree, but few teams do. Their only hope is to slow down Harrell by getting pressure with DE Chris Long, control the clock with sophomore RB Mikell Simpson, and hope QB Jameel Sewell plays mistake free football. They do not have the weapons to stay in a shootout so it will take a stellar effort and some points on defense or special teams. I just don't see it happening. Red Raiders big.

Line: Texas Tech -5.5, Total 59.0

AT&T Cotton Bowl, January 1

Arkansas
vs
Missouri
11:30 a.m. Dallas, Texas FOX

This was almost the match-up of Heisman runner-ups that never happend. From the night bowls were announced this was looked upon as THE game outside of the BCS bowls. Darren McFadden vs Chase Daniel. Then news broke that McFadden had gotten a new car in a shady manner and would be held out of the Cotton Bowl. Luckily for college football fans, and for Arkansas, McFadden has been cleared of any wrongdoing and will play in the New Year's Day bowl. Now we can get the offensive showcase we had hoped for since early December.

Arkansas comes into this game with a few different emotions. On teh high end, the Razorbacks won their final game of the season against rival LSU for The Boot. Knocking off the top ranked Tigers, and at the time what looked like ruining their chances for a naitonal title, have to have the Razorbacks fired up coming into the Cotton Bowl. On the other end of the spectrum of emotions, Arkansas has since fired head coach Houston Nutt, who is now the head man down at Ole Miss. Arkansas then went out and hired Bobby Petrino away from the NFL, but Petrino won't be coaching this game and probably never will get a chance to coach McFadden and fellow superstar RB Felix Jones. Petrino might get lucky to have Jones come back, but McFadden is sure to jump to the next level at the conclusion of his junior season.

Missouri also has had a rollercoaster of emotions. The Tigers lost their only game of the regular season to Oklahoma in a game they led in the 4th quarter. Missouri then went on to beat undefeated Kansas in the Border War to earn a spot in the Big 12 Title Game. Missouri was #1 in the nation and needed only a victory over Oklahoma in that Big 12 Title Game to earn a spot in the BCS and the National Championship Game. Instead, Missouri was not able to avenge that previous loss and got blown out by the Sooners in San Antonio. The dreams of the NCG were gone, and on December 2nd so were their dreams of the BCS as Kansas got the invite as the Big 12 at-large.

Arkansas will try and stop Missouri RB Tony Temple. When the Missouri ground game has struggled has been when Chase Daniel has struggled in the passing game. If Arkansas can slow down the running attack they can force Daniel into some ill-advised throws. That and let Darren McFadden do his magic. If McFadden and Jones run wild, Missouri might not be able to catch up.

For Missouri, let 2008's early Heisman favorite not named Tim Tebow control this game. Focus on getting the ground game going early, but let Daniel show why he was invited to New York. Also continue to get pressure on QB Casey Dick and try and make him beat you. McFadden and Jones will get theirs, but if Dick is forced to beat the Tigers then Missouri will have to like their chances. If Arkansas has their way, Casey Dick won't have to decide much. McFadden will go off in his last chance to impress NFL scouts and to make him the top pick in April's draft.

Line: Missouri -3.0, Total 67.0

Outback Bowl, January 1

Wisconsin
vs
Tennessee
11 a.m. Tampa, Fla. ESPN

In the Outback bowl for the second straight year, the Tennessee Volunteers try not to lose a second straight Outback Bowl, or a third straight bowl loss to a Big 10 team when they take the field early Tuesday morning. Many overlooked the SEC's two losses in bowl games versus Big 10 opponents last year after Florida smoked Ohio State. Tennessee lost to Penn State last year, and will try and not have the same fate against the Badgers.

Wisconsin came into the year ranked in the top 5. Coming off a 2006 season that only had one blemish, a loss at Michigan, the Badgers were poised to make a run at the Big 10 title. The schedule was set-up to get off to a great start before finishing with the meat of Michigan and Ohio State. The year started off with a number of close calls before Illinois was able to finally get to unbeaten Wisconsin. The Badgers lost again the next week to Penn State before winning four of their final five (the only loss being in the Horseshoe against the top ranked Buckeyes of Ohio State).

Wisconsin is looking for their third straight victory over an SEC team in a bowl game. They will try and get RB P.J. Hill rolling early as this should be the healthiest he has been since the beginning of the season. QB Tyler Donovan and TE Travis Beckum are also finally healthy again which certainly bodes well for the Badger offense. Hill is listed as probable for the game with the deep thigh bruise that kept him out of the Ohio State and Minnesota games, but look for him to play if at all possible. He won't have to do it alone as speedster Zach Brown took over for Hill earlier in the season and will be ready if needed. Wisconsin will have to be able to run the ball to win this one.

On the other side are the surprising Tennessee Volunteers. Everyone expected either defending SEC and National Champion Florida to represent the East in the SEC Championship Game. If not them, then surely it would be the Georgia Bulldogs, who will represent the SEC in the Sugar Bowl, will be the ones who won the East. Neither was correct as Tennessee survived getting absolutely demolished by Florida early in the season to turn around and beat Georgia much the same way. Tennessee will try and stop the Wisconsin rushing game with Jerod Mayo, a tackling machine. Stud saftey Jonathan Hefney will be keeping an eye on Beckum over the middle, but also will do his part in stopping the running game of the Badgers.

If Erik Ainge can get the passing game going Tennessee will have a chance. They'll be able to slow down the Wisconsin offense. If the Vols can keep Ainge upright he makes much better choices. As LSU showed in the SECCG, sometimes just getting pressure can force Ainge into bad decisions, even without getting to him. Tennessee needs to do all the can to give him time and he'll score some points. With that said, never go against a streak. Wisconsin in a close one.

Line: Tennessee -1.5, Total 57.5

Insight Bowl, December 31

Indiana
vs
Oklahoma State
Dec. 31 / 5:30pm NFL Network

It will be hard for anyone outside of Stillwater to cheer against Indiana in this one. After 14 years without a postseason game, Indiana has fulfilled the wishes of late coach Terry Hoeppner to "Play 13." Well, coach, after a last second field goal to beat Purdue the Hoosiers are going to play that thirteenth game today. Hopefully these two teams can give us an Insight Bowl as exciting as last year's 44-41 all-timer of a comeback by Texas Tech against Minnesota.

Oklahoma State has one of the most explosive offenses in America. The Cowboys finished 9th in the nation with 484 yards/game, including 246 rushing yards/game. Their signature win was in a shootout with Texas Tech, while they were blown out against Georgia and Oklahoma, and their collapse against Troy. It will be hard for OSU to get too fired up to play Indiana in a game no one will see, but getting a 5th bowl win in 6 years might be enough to show OSU might be ready to start contending for a Big12 South title.

If this game gets into a shootout, Indiana will be ready. The Hoosiers scored 27+ in 10/12 games this year. When they had to come through at the end of the season to reach bowl eligibility, they did it against rival Purdue. This is a young team that could be poised to really make some noise in a down Big 10 with coach Bill Lynch, and a win over a mediocre Big 12 team could show they are such going into 2008.

Oklahoma State will use sophomore QB Zac Robinson, who's just as likely to beat you with his legs as with his arm. He threw for 20 TDs and only 8 INTs this season. OSU won all three games in which Robinson rushed for over 100 yards, and put up major points in all of those. IU will look to hookup early and often in the duo of QB Kellen Lewis and stud WR James Hardy. Hardy is a big receiver who's 6'7" frame can make him impossible to cover which shows with his 74 catches, 1075 yards, and 16 touchdowns. If Lewis can keep from turning the ball over, which has been a problem for him this season, IU could take advantage of the OSU secondary.

OSU will be using senior RB Dantrell Savage who rushed for 1,172 yards and 8 TDs. He was able to eclipse the 100 yard mark in all 9 of his team's final games. He will get his yards again against IU, but how many more he gets will dictate the outcome. IU will be able to throw throughout this game and if they get their ground game going they will have a shot. The game will go back and forth with teams going on huge swings with it coming down to the end just like last year. With a tight game like that I have to go with the team playing with more emotion and that wants it more, and that's the Hoosiers.

Line: Oklahoma State -5.0, Total 69.0

Chick-fil-A Bowl, December 31

Clemson
vs
Auburn
Dec. 31 / 7:30 p.m. ESPN

Like the changing of the leaves every Fall, the collapse of the Clemson Tigers under Tommy Bowden happens every year. Sure Clemson still controlled their own destiny in the ACC race going into the last weekend of the season, but another collapse,this time in the fourth quarter against Boston College, cost them a chance at the conference title. A win against Auburn would give the more northern Tigers their first 10 win season since 1990. Clemson had some good victories this season, but the offense seemed to disappear against a defense with some bite (like only getting 3 points against a mediocre Georgia Tech team). Clemson lost to all three teams with good defenses, falling to the Jackets, Virginia Tech, and Boston College. Auburn might have the fastest, most agressive defense Clemson has seen all season and it will be interesting to see how QB Cullen Harper handles the pressure.

Auburn was very, very close themselves to having an incredible season. They went into the Swamp and gave the defending national champs their first loss of the season. They had a lead on LSU in Baton Rouge until a last second touchdown gave the Bayou Bengals the win. Losses to South Florida, Mississippi State, and the blowout loss to UGA, however, don't sit as easily with Tiger fans. Now that offensive coordinator Al Borges is gone, Auburn faithful will be looking for more from QB Brandon Cox. After years of having offensives full of future first round picks, Cox has been a letdown from former quarterback Jason Campbell. Of course if Cox had a running back tandem like Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams he'd probably look a lot better under center.

Clemson has three defensive stars out for this game either because of disciplinary reasons or because of grades. This will bode well for Auburn who could use the help scoring points. They'll use RBs Brad Lester and Ben Tate, who combined for almost 200 yards against Alabama in the season finale, to get the ball moving against the fast Clemson defense. If Auburn can get a consistent pass rush on Harper they'll be able to force him into mistakes which plays right into Auburn's strengths.

For Clemson, they're going to follow the same game plan as Auburn of running the ball. Auburn uses faster, undersized linebackers so Clemson should be able to get a push against the front seven. When Auburn gave up lots of yards rushing this season is when they lost. When they were tough against the run they usually came out on top. If the stud duo of James Davis and C.J.Spiller get going like they have been able to do the past few seasons they will run away with this game. Unfortunately the loss of the starting linebacker core for Clemson might be too much to overcome. If Cox is efficient enough to take the pressure off the running game the more southern Tigers will win.

Line: Clemson -2.5, Total 46.5

Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl, December 31

Florida State
vs
Kentucky
Dec. 31 / 4 p.m. ESPN

The Music City Bowl really looked like an interesting matchup when it was announced almost a full month ago. Old power Florida State vs a relative newcomer to football bowl games in Kentucky. Then news of a scandal involving 36 players broke leading to their suspension for this game and parts of 2008. Time to see what Jimbo Fisher is made of. Sure, Bobby Bowden is still listed as head coach, but it has now been made clear he is simply a figurehead living out the final years in the spotlight down in Tallahassee, with Fisher chosen as the head man beginning by 2009.

QB Drew Weatherford is not one of the suspended players for Florida State, so at least the Seminoles will have their starting man. Weatherford hasn't been accurate of even that efficient this season, but without Xavier Lee he'll have to get the offense going. That might be a tough task against a decent UK secondary. Without much of a running game, FSU is sure to get off the bus throwing. If they can hold their own the defense should be able to keep them somewhat in the game, even if they are depleted.

Kentucky also will come out throwing, with one time Heisman candidate and what many thought would be a first rounder in Andre Woodson. He isn't getting nearly the press he got during Kentucky's hot streak to start the season now that the Wildcats have lost 4 of their last 5 after beating then #1 LSU. Even so, he is an efficient passer who will be able to move the ball against Florida State. A big bowl game for him could do exactly the same as the big game in the Sugar Bowl did for Jamarcus Russell, and Woodson could find himself as the first quarterback taken in the draft (or 2nd behind Matt Ryan). If Woodson can outplay Weatherford (definitely possible) and the defense can win the turnover battle (or even keep it within 1) UK will win another Music City Bowl.

Line: Kentucky -9.0, Total 58.0

Humanitarian Bowl, December 30th

Fresno State
vs
Georgia Tech
Dec. 31 / 2 p.m. ESPN2

This is another game featuring a team trying to find an identity. Georgia Tech under Coach Chan Gailey had the best WR in the nation last year in Calvin Johnson and the top RB in the ACC in Tashard Choice, and made it all the way to the ACC title game. The Yellow Jackets fell to Wake Forest and ended up in the Gator Bowl. This season Choice was back, but Johnson was off the NFL, and maligned quarterback Reggie Ball had used up his elligibility. Many in Atlanta saw Ball's departure as a good thing after watching junior QB Taylor Bennett in the bowl game. That Bennett never seemed to reappear this season and the Jackets had another year of ups and downs that resulted in Gailey's firing and the hiring of Navy headman Paul Johnson. While Johnson won't be coaching the game (that honor lies with defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta), the excitement around his hiring may carry over to the Smurf Turf of Boise, Idaho, where the Jackets are playing for the second time in five years.

On the other side are the original WAC slayers of BCS teams in Pat Hill and Fresno State. Hill's moniker of anyone, anywhere, has given Fresno State many close games with BCS opponents (including a few upset victories) but the WAC championships haven't been there. While Boise State and Hawaii have been invited to the BCS, the Bulldogs haven't gotten over the hump. They will gladly use this chance to get their second victory over a BCS opponent in 2007. With 15 starters coming back next year, the Humanitarian Bowl could be a huge starting point for 2008.

Fresno State will rely on the power running game to get the ball moving. QB Tom Brandstater has been efficient, but for the Bulldogs to win they'll need the backups to shine since starter Ryan Matthews and his backup Lonyae Miller are both out with injury. It will instead be up to team MVP Clifton Smith to carry the load, with Miller possibly able to aid the running game if his shoulder is recovered. Fresno State will also look to get TE Bear Pascoe, the team's most reliable receiver, into the game and hopefully healed from an injured ankle.

Georgia Tech will also rely on their running game, and featured back Tashard Choice. He should be able to really get going against a Fresno State front 7 that definitely can be beaten on the ground, and averaged giving up 182 yards/game. Jon Tenuta, considered by some the top defensive coordinator in the college game, will bring blitz packages from all angles and will be sure to get after the Bulldogs. They should be able to cause havoc against the Fresno State offensive line, and if they do they should be able to roll.

Line: Georgia Tech -5.5, Total 54.0

Brut Sun Bowl, December 31

Oregon
vs
South Florida
Dec. 31 / 2 p.m. CBS

Call this the Battle of Teams that used to be ranked #2. South Florida was poised to make a huge jump to the big stage before running into last year's sweetheart Rutgers in Piscataway, NJ. The jolt of that loss was followed by two more losses against Connecticut and Cincinnati before the Bulls won their final three. The Bulls have most of their superstars on defense, coming with DE George Selvie, LB Ben Moffitt, and CB Mike Jenkins, but the offense is able to make some noise, too. Led by QB Matt Grothe, the Bulls scored points in bunches finishing 20th in scoring offense with 35.83 ppg.

The Oregon Ducks, also ranked #2 for a time this season, also know how to score points. Both of these were true, until QB Dennis Dixon was lost to a season ending ACL injury. If Dixon doesn't go down in the game against Arizona, he most likely wins the Heisman trophy and is playing in New Orleans next week for the National Championship. Instead the 8-1 Ducks went on to lose their final 3 without Dixon and are now here in El Paso. Oregon will now have to rely on RB Jonathan Stewart to score some points, and DE Nick Reed and company to slow down the South Florida offense.

If South Florida stops Stewart, they stop the offense. Without Dixon the Ducks couldn't do anything, scoring only 18 points a game including being shut out by UCLA. If there is no running game, the Bulls will be able to pin their ears back and come after the young quarterbacks of Oregon. For the Ducks, they need to get some turnovers and score some points on either defense or specials teams. For Oregon to win this needs to be a sloppy performance by USF, and even that might not be enough (see the UCLA game if you don't believe me). In what will be a disappointing end to a very disappointing final quarter of the season for Oregon, look for USF to win big.

Line: South Florida -6.5, Total 52.5

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, December 31

Air Force
vs
California
Dec. 31 / 12:30 p.m. ESPN

On October 13, the Cal Golden Bears were ranked #2 in the nation and poised to move up to #1 after LSU lost to Kentucky in triple overtime. All that stood between them and that top ranking was a home game against Oregon State. Poor clock management at the end of that game by a young backup quarterback cost the Bears that game and that chance at the #1 ranking. That loss started an implosing in Berkeley that saw Cal lose 6 of their next 7 and fall all the way from BCS hopes to the Armed Forces Bowl.

There is no question Cal is the more talented physically team in this game, but after such a dreadful final two months of the season who knows which team will show up on New Years Eve in Forth Worth, Texas. Cal will certainly look for junior DeSean Jackson to provide some kind of spark on offense or special teams that has been missing lately. The Bears will also look for RB Justin Forsett to build on the 1,403 yards and 13 touchdowns he's amassed in his first year taking over for Marshawn Lynch and take some pressure off of QB Nate Longshore.

Air Force, in its first season under Troy Calhoun, has made a bowl game for the first time in five years. They still run the triple option that former coach Fisher DeBerry ran, and thus have the 2nd rated rushing offense in the nation. Air Force is sure to run the ball a ton with 5'8" 180lbs Chad Hall, but this offense is led by Air Force's all-time leading passer Shaun Carney. Don't be surprised to see them run some no huddle, spread offense type of plays to throw Cal off. If Hall, Carney, or Jim Ollis can tear off big runs the Falcons will be able to keep the ball away from the Cal stars. Air Force is surely the underdog physically, but they have been doing much better offensively and are 9-0 when someone rushes over 100 yards. If AF gets it going early Cal won't be able to come back late. Again we'll see the differences in a team excited about the oppurtunity to play in a bowl game vs a team that is not happy with where they are, and Air Force will get their 10th win of the year.

Line: Cal -4.5, Total 54.5

Petro Sun Independence Bowl, December 30

Alabama

vs
Colorado
Dec. 30 / 8 p.m. ESPN

Last season Alabama went 6-6 and fired Coach Mike Shula. They went out and paid Nick Saban $4million/year to lure him away from the NFL and to come back to the SEC. All Saban did in his first year was again go 6-6, lose to Mississippi State and Alabama alum Sylvester Croom for the second straight year, and lose their 6th straight game to Auburn. Not exactly the results Bama fans were hoping for in year one of the Saban experiment. Tide fans are still hopefully, saying that when Saban gets his types of players down in Tuscaloosa things will be different.

On the other side, Colorado is starting to glimpse what things could be with new head man Dan Hawkings. Surprising wins against Oklahoma and Texas Tech, combined with an offensive explosion against Nebraska make life look very bright in Boulder. A win over Alabama, even a reeling Crimson Tide, will give Colorado a winning record on the season and a way to build on 2008.

Alabama fans are hoping QB John Parker Wilson can have a big game to get some momentum going into his senior season. A loss will bring all kinds of questions about Saban, Wilson, and the rest of the team, while a win and everything will be forgiven heading into 2008. If Alabama can give JPW time to throw, which won't be hard with the little pressure Colorado has been able to get this season, he should be able to bomb away to D.J. Hall, Matt Caddell, and Keith Brown, who should be able to dominate the smaller Colorado corners.

Colorado, on the other hand, needs to get RB Hugh Charles the ball early and often. If he can get going then he will be able to slow down the Alabama pass rush for Cody Hawkins and the Colorado passing game. This won't be a high scoring game, so if Colorado can put a few touchdowns up early they should be able to hang on against an off and on Alabama offense. I still think Saban given a month to prepare will have enough to get the Tide a winning record heading into 2008.

Line: Alabama -3.5, Total 51.5

Alamo Bowl, December 29

Penn State
vs
Texas A&M
Dec. 29 / 8 p.m. ESPN

This is Joe Paterno's 500th game as a head coach. Texas A&M's new head coach Mike Sherman won't even be coaching this game. Quite a difference going into the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Texas. Penn State has won 4 of their last 5 bowl games and 9 of their last 12. Texas A&M hasn't had nearly the same post season success, losing 6 of the last 7 including getting destroyed by Cal last season in the Holiday Bowl. This game features teams that are actually mirror images of each other outside of the coaching situation as they both have power running games that overshadow somewhat shakily efficient passing games.

The two teams come into this game with very different results in their final regular season game. Penn State had hopes of a much bigger bowl game when they met Michigan State the last week of their season. Instead they gave up 28 points in the second half, losing the game 35-31. Texas A&M, on the otherhand, beat their hated rivals in the Texas Longhorns. This might actually be a bad thing for the Aggies as they might be looking back on their victory against Texas instead of looking ahead towards beating the Nittany Lions.

The Big 10 needs this game. So far the Big 10 is 1-1 in bowl games with Purdue's win over Central Michigan and Michigan State's loss to Boston College. A PSU win over a weaker than normal TAMU opponent would help the league going into a tough stretch of 5 more games including the national title game with Ohio State against LSU. For Penn State to win they'll need senior QB Anthony Morelli to finally step up in a big game and be the quarterback everyone hoped he would be when he was recruited. After a dissappointing career in Happy Valley, Morelli will be looking to end his career on a high note. The Nittany Lions will also look for LB Dan Conner and company to bring the defense they are known for.

For Texas A&M it will be a steady diet of big man Jorvorskie Lane running over people and speedster Mike Goodson. Hopefully for Aggie fans, interim coach Gary Darnell will utilize Lane more than departed Coach Fran did over the second half of the season. Logic says to go with Joe Pa and the Nittany Lions, but I'm just feeling the Aggies come out loose, pressure Moreilli, and run the ball effectively even on this stout defense.

Line: Penn State -4.5, Total 52.0

AutoZone Liberty Bowl, December 29

Mississippi State
vs
Central Florida
Dec. 29 / 4:30 p.m. ESPN

In 1988 Barry Sanders rushed for 2,628 yards (averaging 7.6 yards per carry and over 200 yards per game) and 37 touchdowns on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy in only 11 games. He then added 222 yards and 5 more touchdowns in Oklahoma State's Holiday Bowl victory over Wyoming. Many have said this was the greatest season in college football history. On Saturday, UCF junior running back Kevin Smith enters the game with 2,448 yards and 29 touchdowns. Now that seasons are twelve games in length and bowl game statistics are included in single season records (the 222 yards aren't included in Sanders' stats or he would have finished with an astounding 2,850 yards and 42 touchdowns!) Smith is only 180 yards away from breaking Sanders' record. Getting those yards won't come easy against a Mississippi State team that has lived by its defense this season and will be pumped being in a bowl game for the first time since 2000.

Some suggested early in the season this could be the final year of the Sylvester Croom experiment at Mississippi State. After getting blasted 45-0 by LSU to start the season on ESPN the Thursday before the season started didn't help quiet those rumors. All Croom and the Bulldogs did was go out and win 4 of their next 5 on their way to 7 win season that included wins over Auburn, Kentucky, and Alabama. Their Egg Bowl win over rival Ole Miss ended the career of Ed Orgeron and guaranteed the Bulldogs their first bowl game since the snow filled Independence Bowl against Texas A&M in 2000.

UCF is one of the biggest teams in CUSA right now and the conference could really use a win over a BCS opponent. Sure Mississippi State is one of the weakest bowl teams from the SEC, but all casual observers will see is a CUSA team beating an SEC team if George O'Leary and the Knights pull it off. UCF is sure to ride the horse that got them here, and that means a steady dose of Kevin Smith behind his stellar offensive line that have done a great job of making the holes for Smith to run through. Of course, getting to 180 yards isn't going to be easy. Mississippi State gave up 127 yards and 89 yards to West Virginia's Steve Slaton and Pat White respectively, 139 to Arian Foster from Tennessee, and Heisman runner-up Darren McFadden of Arkansas only got 88 yards on the ground.

Mississippi State will also look for their offensive from the running game, this time in the form of sophomore Anthony Dixon. He's a big, fast back that will be one of the top rushers UCF has seen. If MSU can key on Smith and limit his big plays that will be huge. If the Bulldogs get a lead they will be able to key on UCF QB Kyle Israel. He did a decent job against CUSA competition, but had troubles against better defenses. If MSU can get a couple of turnovers they can definitely pull out the win.

MSU hasn't been great on offense this season, but most teams aren't against SEC opponents. They will be so fired up going into this game I think they get a few early scores and are able to contain Smith just enough to get the win.

Line: UCF -3.0, Total 55.5

Meineke Car Care Bowl, December 29

Connecticut
vs
Wake Forest
Dec. 29 / 1 p.m. ESPN

For the first time in school history, Wake Forest is going to a bowl game for a second consecutive year, and head coach Jim Grobe has to get a lot of the credit. Through tough defense and great special teams his Wake Forest squad was able to get back to a bowl game after winning the ACC a year ago. Wake led the nation in non-offensive touchdowns , scoring 10 on the year. While some might see falling to the Meinke Car Care Bowl a disappointment after being in the BCS, such is not the case with Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons stated the year with losses to Boston College and Nebraska before winning their next six contests. Much of those wins came on the legs of freshman RB Josh Adams who contributed 887 yards and 10 TDs on the way to winning ACC FOY honros. The winning streak was halted with a one point loss to a surprising Virginia team before getting steamrolled by Clemson. Wake finished the year with two consecutive wins to come into the Bowl Season ready to play one of the top teams from the Big East.

Connecticut is used to winning conference championships in basketball, but the Huskies have never been viewed as a football power. That's probably beacuse they haven't been playing D1 football in Storrs for very long. UConn tied for the Big East crown with West Virginia, but because of their head-to-head loss with the Mountaineers are in Charlotte, NC, instead of playing in the Orange Bowl in Miami. This was still a great coaching job by Randy Edsall who should be even more exciting in 2008 with such a young squad doing well in 2007 and Rich Rodriguez being out of Morgantown. UConn also will count on an agressive defense to make plays and get turnovers. The Huskies were only trounced once this season, against Pat White, Steve Slaton, and company, but there aren't nearly those type of athletes on this Wake team.

UConn needs to get up early on Wake Forest to have a chance to win this game. They are a tough opponent to come back upon, but they lack the fire power to get back in this game if they fall behind by multiple scores. They must be able to run the ball with starter Andre Dixon and his fellow sophomore Donald Brown.

UConn QB Tyler Lorenzen leads the 91st rated passing team and has thrown 8 INTs that were returned for touchdowns. That plays right into Wake's strong suit. If the Demon Deacons get a few turnovers this one might get ugly. Look for Wake to be oppurtunistic on defense and really get after Lorenzen. They'll make a few plays with all-around man Kenneth Moore, who leads the team in receptions, and UConn just won't be able to come back.

Line: Wake Forest -2.0, Total 47.0

Emerald Bowl, December 28

Maryland
vs
Oregon State
Dec. 28 / 8:30 p.m. ESPN

I can't imagine introducing this bowl game better than cfn did:

Maryland and Oregon State have combined for ten losses, lack any national star power, and sport vanilla offenses. This is for hardcore college football fans, but it could be more entertaining than the rest of the sports world will give it credit for.

Sure this is the #3 team from the Pac 10, but after USC were there any decent teams left in the Pac 10 at the end of the season? Once Dennis Dixon went down, and coupled with Notre Dame going 2-1 against the conference, the Pac 10 is quickly turning into the 2007 version of how people looked at the Big 10 in 2006. Already the Pac 10 is 0-2 in bowl games. Having Arizona State lose to Texas in the Holiday Bowl is one thing, but UCLA falling to a BYU squad they already beat was a little embarrassing for the league. If the #3 Beavers fall to a mediocre ACC team the Pac 10 might have to start worrying about pulling an ofer outside of USC.

Neither of these two teams are in the top 75 in the nation in total offense with both teams struggling with the passing game. Neither are that great running the ball, but they at least rank higher on the ground than through the air. This could pose a problem as the Beavers rank 2nd nationally in rush defense. The Beaver front seven is definitely the strongest part of the team and the veteran group will get after the ball and try and cause turnovers.

Maryland opened the season 4-2 and started getting talk as a darkhorse team for the ACC crown. Injuries to some key players ended all championship hopes, and the Terrapins had to hang on just to make bowl eligibility. Coach Ralph Friedgen's squad only lost two games, to West Virgina and Clemson, by more than a touchdown. Without a steady hand under center, look for the Terps to rely on tandem backs Keon Lattimore and Lance Ball, who combined for 1,552 yards and 25 TDs on the season (better numbers than Clemson's dynamic duo of C.J. Spiller and James Davis).

If Maryland is to pull another upset they'll have to do it the same way they knocked off Rutgers and Boston College, with the running game. Chris Turner, the young Maryland QB is not going to strike fear into the Beaver defense so the ground game will have to take the focus off of him so he can make smart decisions and manage the game instead of trying to win it. Oregon State will be trying to play mistake free football and hang on to possession. The Beavers threw 17 INTs over the first 6 games of the year compared with only 3 over the second half of the season. Maryland's hopes lie in getting a lead and using their talented running backs to hang on to the lead and neutralize the athletics Beaver front seven. Friedgen is a great coach when given time, but I just don't see the Terrapins being able to get enough offense to win this game, even in a low scoring affair. Look for the two teams to be in the high teens/low twenties.

Line: Oregon State -5.0, Total: 47.0

Champs Sports Bowl, December 28

Boston College
vs
Michigan State
Dec. 28 / 5 p.m. ESPN

Boston College is the hottest bowl team in the country. Seven straight victories for Tom O'Brien and the Eagles. Jeff Jagodzinski is hoping to continue the winning ways and continue to hold the nation's longest current streak when they meet fellow first year head coach Mark Dantonio's Michigan State Spartans in Orlando.

Boston College is coming off one of their most successful seasons in school history, being just a second win over Virginia Tech away from their first ACC crown and a trip to the Orange Bowl. BC has trouble defending against passing teams, but is a brickwall against the rush giving up only 68 yards a game on the ground. On the other side of the ball is the senior leader of the Eagles in Matt Ryan. In what is considered to be the deepest QB draft in years, Ryan could be the first name off the board in April with a slew of teams looking for a franchise quarterback. If he has a big game against the Spartans Friday evening as the only early game he could solidify that position as the first quarterback taken (from the Eagles to the Falcons, perhaps).

Michigan State almost had a very special season in Mark Dantonio's first year, too. Overtime losses to Iowa and Northwestern, coupled with a three point loss to Wisconsin, a four point loss to Michigan, and a 7 point loss to #1 ranked Ohio State. A 7-5 team that's 5 losses came by a total of only 28 points. This team was a touchdown more per game away from a really magical season. A few more bounces their way and this could have been the surprise Big 10 team in the Rose Bowl instead of Illinois. If the Spartans can pull the major upset in Florida it could certainly springboard them to a huge 2008, or at least into a ton of momentum for the season opener in Berkeley against Cal.

A new development just this week will hurt their chances, though. Red-shirt freshman guard Abre Leggins, senior defensive end Jonal Saint-Dic, senior wide receiver Terry Love, and sophomore wide receiver T.J. Williams have been ruled academically ineligible for Friday's Champ Sports Bowl vs. Boston College. A fifth player, senior linebacker SirDarean Adams has been suspended for violating teams rules. This defintely hurts the passing attack of MSU which was their best chance of defeating BC. If Ryan has time to throw he will pick MSU apart. On the flip side MSU has to be ultra efficient in the passing game and not give BC turnovers. The blueprint given by Florida State and then Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship Game is simple, make smart throws and don't throw interceptions. Before the suspensions I wanted to pull the trigger on MSU with this pick, but now I just see Ryan throwing for 400+ yards, RB Andre Callender also having a big day, and MSU just not being able to keep up.

Line: Boston College -4.5, Total: 56.0

Texas Bowl, December 28

Houston
vs
TCU
Dec. 28 / 8 p.m.
NFL Network

In the second year of the Texas Bowl we get an all Texas match-up in Reliant Stadium. This game features two former SWC members with lots of old hatred between the two. In a continuing theme of this bowl season (and most) a team will be playing without the coach that got it here. In this case it is Houston's Art Briles who is off to coach Baylor, another Texas team.

Houston will try to take advantage of their speedsters, RB Anthony Alridge and WR Donnie Avery. They also will use their two-headed QB monster of prototypical passer Blake Joseph and dual threat man Case Keenum. Even with all these weapons, the Houston offense could be somewhat hit or miss at times during the season, taking Alabama to the wire in a close loss one week and then getting bombed on by Tulsa a month later.

TCU came into the season thinking they were going to break into the BCS. Now that Utah and Boise State have provided the blueprint, the Horned Frogs seemed poised to take the next step of an already successful program under head coach Gary Patterson. Instead TCU limped through the season to a 7-5 record and had to hope for a bowl bid, and not a BCS one. Many pundits looked past the fact that the horned frogs were breaking in a freshman QB to replace Jeff Ballard, and he had to survive most of the season without his top offensive weapon, RB Aaron Brown. Then there was the tiny issue of the stellar defense losing their best player in DE Tommy Blake. Blake will be back for the bowl game, but unfortunately Brown will not.

This all should lead to an interesting match-up as a stellar attack in Houston runs into a buzzsaw of a defense in TCU that is finally healthy again. The edge has to go to TCU who is confident in their sideline and the man calling the plays. Houston is without most of their big coordinators who all bolted for the Big12 with their former coach.

Line: TCU -6.5, Total: 57.5

Pacific Life Holiday Bowl

Arizona State

vs
Texas

Dec. 27 / 8 p.m.

Was Arizona State snubbed by the BCS? Did the 10-2 Sun Devils deserve to be in the Fiesta Bowl playing against Oklahoma? To include the Sun Devils you would have left out Illinois (which makes perfect sense to me). Then we could have had some monster bowl games

Rose: USC vs Georgia
Orange: WVU vs Virgina Tech
Fiesta: Arizona State vs Oklahoma
Sugar: Hawaii vs Kansas/Missouri

Instead the Fiesta Bowl took 1 loss Kansas instead of the hometown team in ASU. The Sun Devils did a fantastic Kansas impersonation this season loading up on a weak beginning of the schedule and finishing up with the meat. Just like the Jayhawks, ASU wasn't able to survive the big boys waiting at the end of their schedule and met defeat. ASU won their first 8 games handily before falling to Dennis Dixon and the Ducks before his season ending injury. ASU rebounded with a win over UCLA before getting destroyed by USC on Thanksgiving in the desert. The Sun Devils were able to escape with a win over rival Arizona to get to 10 wins and what they thought was going to be a BCS invite. Dennis Erickson will try and work his magic for one more game this season with QB Rudy Carpenter. Carpenter had a decent junior campaign with 23 TDs and only 8 INTs. If ASU can keep him protected (51 sacks this season) against a less-than-stellar Texas passrush he should be able to light up the Texas secondary (276 yards per game have been given up through the air by the Longhorn pass defense). If Texas A&M can pass for nearly 400 yards on these guys, ASU should be able to easily.

Texas on the other hand needs this victory bad. After starting the year near the top of everyone's poll they had a few scares with Arkansas State and UCF before finally getting caught by an overrated Kansas State squad. Then came the loss to Oklahoma that was much closer than anyone expected. The Longhorns won 5 straight after the Oklahoma game giving many in Austin hopes of a BCS at-large bid. Then came the rivalry game with the Aggies. Coach Fran didn't beat many teams during his tenure in College Station, but he bested Mack Brown the last two seasons, even as a lame duck coach this year. Mack Brown needs a big win against a top Pac10 opponent to springboard this team for next season and hopefully show he isn't just a great recruiter who found an all-timer in Vince Young who was able to outplay Brown's ineptitudes as a coach. Brown will need a decent game out of sophomore Colt McCoy and another strong fourth quarter from Jamaal Charles (1458 yards, 16 TDs).

Arizona State will get down early, that much is a given this season. The question will be if Texas can weather the storm of the air attack to stay in this one going into the fourth quarter. If they can, look out. Jamaal Charles hasn't just been good in the last quarter, he's been out of this world. ASU has only allowed 101ypg on the ground, so if Texas can control the clock and thus the game on the ground they should win it.

Line: Texas -2.5, Total: 61.5