The Independence Bowl: Friday December 28th, 2:00 pm.
Ohio (8-4) vs Louisiana-Monroe (8-4) - Both these teams had some of the biggest upsets of the year: Ohio took down Penn State, and Louisiana-Monroe won a thriller against Arkansas. Led by dual-threat quarterback Kolton Browning, UL-Monroe is one of the most exiting teams to watch in football. After starting 7-0, Ohio lost 4 of their last 5, including their last 3 games of the year. Straight Up Pick: Ohio
The Russel Athletic Bowl: Friday December 28th, 5:30 pm.
Rutgers (9-3) vs Virginia Tech (6-6) - Virginia Tech had a huge letdown this year, coming in with big expectations, but barely managing to become bowl eligible. Virginia Tech has the ability to play better than their record suggests. It all comes down to the decision making of junior quarterback Logan Thomas. Meanwhile, Rutgers was one of football's biggest surprises before they lost their last two games after coming so close to a possible BCS bowl bid. Straight Up Pick: Rutgers.
The Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas: Friday December 28th, 9:00 pm. Minnesota (6-6) vs Texas Tech (7-5) - Minnesota has reached their goal of getting to a bowl game. The only problem is it's against Texas Tech who boasts the number 2 ranked passing offense in the nation. Minnesota has won games this year by playing good defense, but that will be very difficult in this game. Texas Tech is much the more seasoned unit, having played 6 ranked teams this year, and beating 2 of them. Their only other loss was against a very good Baylor team who had just knocked off #1 Kansas State. Straight Up Pick: Texas Tech.
The Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl: Saturday December 29th, 11:45 am.
Air Force (6-6) vs Rice (6-6) - Both of these teams finished their season in opposite ways. Air Force finished by losing 3 of their last 4 games, their unique triple-option attack failing them down the stretch. Rice, on the other hand, had to win their last 4 games to become bowl eligible, and they were able to do just that. Rice is very balanced in all aspects of the game, while Air Force relies on their running attack to generate enough points to win. Straight Up Pick: Rice.
The New Era Pinstripe Bowl: Saturday December 29th, 3:15 pm.West Virginia (7-5) vs Syracuse (7-5) - Usually when these teams meet it's on the hardwood, not the gridiron. West Virginia seems to have steadied the ship after a 5 game losing streak in the middle of the year by winning their last two. Syracuse boasts several quality wins over the likes of Louisville and Missouri. Both of these teams score lots of points, and I'm still not sure if West Virginia fields a defense. Straight Up Pick: West Virginia.
The Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl: Saturday December 29th, 4:00 pm.
Navy (8-4) vs Arizona State (7-5) - Navy brings one of the nation's top 10 running games into this game. They finished the year on a 7-1 run, capping off the year with a 17-13 victory in the Army-Navy game. Arizona State brings in a very balanced team. They limit opponent's opportunities and take care of the football on offense. All of their loses this year came against top level competition, while Navy had a couple of games where nothing clicked and they lost to someone they shouldn't have. This is the type of game where you have to throw records out the window. Straight Up Pick: Arizona State.
The Valero Alamo Bowl: Saturday December 29th, 6:45 pm.#23 Texas (8-4) vs #13 Oregon State (9-3) - Oregon State was not on very many people's radars going into this season. But after rattling of impressive victory after impressive victory, they finished the year with a great record and a high ranking. Oregon State has a very good defense and passing offense, something they will try to utilize against a Texas secondary that has been susceptible to the big play. Texas went into the year with huge expectations and came out with what many call a disappointment (and a quarterback controversy). What was to be a top ranked defense turned out to be not as good as advertised. Both of these teams will scheme very well and try to play to the other's weaknesses. Straight Up Pick: Oregon State.
The Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl: Saturday December 29th, 10:15 pm.
TCU (7-5) vs Michigan State (6-6) - Both of these teams are 2-3 against ranked teams. Both have had quarterback problems. TCU kicked starter Casey Pachall off the team, and Michigan State has had to deal with the woes that accompany starting a true freshman. It seems like TCU has found an answer at quarterback in freshman Trevone Boykin, who since becoming the starter has played exceptionally well. Michigan State hasn't found any answers on the offensive end this season, but the defense is anther story. They have the number 10 scoring defense in the country, giving up an average of 16.3 points per game. Straight Up Pick: TCU.
The Music City Bowl: Monday December 31st, 12:00 pm.
North Carolina State (7-5) vs Vanderbilt (8-4) - North Carolina State is in a tough situation, facing a good Vanderbilt team with a new coach. Having fired Tom O'Brien, NC State hired Dave Doeren from Northern Illinois. But NC State did have some high points this year, including a comeback 17-16 win over then #3 Florida State. Vanderbilt, on the other hand, is riding just about as much momentum as one team could possible have. They were just 2-4 to start the year, but finished strong with 6 straight victories, 4 of them coming against SEC opponents. Straight Up Pick: Vanderbilt.
The Hyundai Sun Bowl: Monday December 31st, 2:00 pm.
Southern California (7-5) vs Georgia Tech (6-7) - The USC Trojans had everything going their way. A #1 ranking, a quarterback projected to win the Heisman, and pick by almost every expert to reach the national championship game. The only problem for USC was that all of this was preseason. They had an okay year for a team without all the hype that USC had gotten, with 4 of their 5 losses coming to ranked teams. Georgia Tech has had their share of issues too: A defense that can't stop anyone, and losses to the likes of Middle Tennessee BYU, and Miami. But through the luck of bad seasons, self imposed bowl bans, and the luck of being in the easy division, Georgia Tech found themselves in the ACC Championship against Florida State. They made a game of it, but lost 21-15. Both of these teams have something left to prove, and both of their coach are beginning to feel a little warmth under their chairs. Straight Up Pick: Southern California.
Iowa State (6-6) vs Tulsa (10-3) - It's a rarity that a two teams play each other in the same season. Usually that second game takes place in a conference championship game. But on September 1st in Ames, Iowa, Tulsa and Iowa State took the field against each other. Tulsa jumped out to a 16-7 lead, but Iowa State took control by scoring 24 unanswered points, eventually cruising to a 38-23 victory. Both teams played well from that point on, with Tulsa winning Conference USA, and Iowa State struggling a bit to a 3-6 record in the Big 12. Who will win the rematch? Straight Up Pick: Iowa State.
The finale (Part III) is coming up soon. Also: don't miss the exclusive BCS National Championship Preview coming your way soon. Enjoy the football! 'Til next time.
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