Going bowling

The 2005-06 bowl season will be shortly upon us. Here now, my picks.

Tuesday, December 20

New Orleans Bowl
Southern Mississippi vs. Arkansas State

A bit of a misnomer this year since the game is being held in Lafayette, but would the crowd be much smaller? It's a bit of a wash on "local advantage," but Southern Miss plays in a real conference. The Sun Belt? Come on.
Pick: Southern Miss.

Wednesday, December 21

GMAC Bowl
UTEP vs. Toledo

The Rockets didn't play Marshall this year, depriving this matchup of a common opponent. It should be a high-scoring game - the GMAC frequently is - but Toledo is a little more seasoned. Give them the edge.
Pick: Toledo.

Thursday, December 22

Las Vegas Bowl
BYU vs. California

Cal struggled down the stretch, losing four of their last six, but three of those were to ranked teams and only a 35-10 loss to USC (of whom you may have heard) was decided by more than a score. BYU scored a lot of points (117 in two weeks against Air Force and UNLV) but also allowed quite a few, and didn't beat anyone of note.
Pick: Cal.

Poinsettia Bowl
Colorado State vs. Navy

Seriously? No, seriously? This would be the lowest-rated game if one of the teams wasn't a service academy (the lack of a Sun Belt school helps too, I guess). The Mids' schedule was scandalously weak outside of a trip to South Bend (where, of course, they lost), but the Rams weren't much more impressive. San Diego is a Navy town...
Pick: Navy.

Friday, December 23

Fort Worth Bowl
Kansas vs. Houston

This has to be the least-attractive matchup of teams from major conferences. Kansas was just 3-5 in the Big 12 (and aside from a shock pasting of Nebraska, the two wins were unimpressive), meaning that they owe this bid to their pre-conference schedule - of Florida Atlantic, Appalachian State, and Louisiana Tech. Now, let's be fair - Appalachian State are national champs! Of I-AA. Says a lot about the talent gap between I-A and I-AA, don't it? It's high-flying offense (Houston) vs. the collegiate equivalent of the Bears (Kansas' schedule included a 12-3 loss to Kansas State). Unless Kansas can really shut down Kevin Kolb, they'll probably have to score at least 28 points to win, and they've done that just once since the OOC schedule ended. A 30-17 loss to Texas Tech, which plays similarly to Houston, may be a sign.
Pick: Houston.

Saturday, December 24

Hawaii Bowl
Nevada vs. Central Florida

Jeez, another winner. I'm just amazed Hawaii's not playing in this one for once. Central Florida went 0-11 in 2004, then turned it around this year... but this is still their first ever bowl, and Nevada beat a ranked team this year.
Pick: Nevada.

Monday, December 26

Motor City Bowl
Memphis vs. Akron

DeAngelo Williams is a crazy runner - 1726 yards - and Akron is not known for their D. Or getting to bowls.
Pick: Memphis.

Tuesday, December 27

Champs Sports Bowl
Clemson vs. Colorado

Now we're starting to get to the slightly more interesting matchups. Colorado is reeling and has no head coach, though, so you have to like the Tigers here.
Pick: Clemson.

Insight Bowl
Arizona State vs. Rutgers

The Scarlet Knights might have a better overall record, but I can't see them pulling this one off in AZ State's backyard.
Pick: Arizona State.

Wednesday, December 28

MPC Computers Bowl
Boise State vs. Boston College

A home game for the Broncos, but BC hasn't lost a bowl game since 1999. But Boise State puts up a ton of points. And they're playing at home.
Pick: Boise State.

Alamo Bowl
Michigan vs. Nebraska

Nebraska finished okay by stomping Colorado, but then who didn't? They have a 7-6 win over Pitt on their schedule, which I think was won on a two-run homer in the ninth. Michigan in a laugher.
Pick: Michigan.

Thursday, December 29

Emerald Bowl
Georgia Tech vs. Utah

Utah's closer to home, but GT beat North Carolina this year and Utah didn't. That'll do.
Pick: Georgia Tech.

Holiday Bowl
Oregon vs. Oklahoma

A surprisingly interesting offering. Do the 10-1 Ducks fall apart out of disappointment? OU quietly finished 7-4 (and probably should have been 8-3), with their only losses to ranked teams with the exception of the opening loss to TCU. Still, Oregon should be better.
Pick: Oregon.

Music City Bowl
Minnesota vs. Virginia

Virginia is not a good team. Minnesota's not great, but they're good enough to win this - they like going to Nashville, it seems (third time in four years) and they also like winning there.
Pick: Minnesota.

Friday, December 30

Sun Bowl
Northwestern vs. UCLA

7-4 vs. 9-2... well, you tell me. NU's defense was last - LAST - in the country this year. Still, there's no money riding on this... so fuck it, Northwestern. They've gotta win one sometime, right?
Pick: Northwestern.

Independence Bowl
South Carolina vs. Missouri

It's baffling that a 6-5 team gets to play this late. Spurrier's boys should beat the Tigers.
Pick: South Carolina.

Peach Bowl
LSU vs. Miami

Nice matchup. This year's LSU team should be better than this year's Miami team, though.
Pick: LSU.

Saturday, December 31

Meineke Car Care Bowl
South Florida vs. NC State

I take it all back. December 31 and this is the best we can do? Ugly. NC State because they're closer to home and more experienced.
Pick: NC State.

Liberty Bowl
Tulsa vs. Fresno State

This is also the least appetizing Liberty matchup in years. I'll take the team that gave USC a game.
Pick: Fresno State.

Houston Bowl
TCU vs. Iowa State

ISU choked away a chance to... well, get killed by Texas. Maybe they're not so upset. Still, TCU handled Oklahoma as you'll recall, and should have more fans at the game.
Pick: TCU.

Monday, January 2

Cotton Bowl
Texas Tech vs. Alabama

It only just occurred to me while writing this that there are no games on January 1 because it's a Sunday and college football avoids the NFL like the plague. Anyway, to say this game features contrasting styles is underselling it. Yikes. Bama ended with two tough losses; Tech squeaked past OU but at least ended with a win.
Pick: Texas Tech.

Outback Bowl
Iowa vs. Florida

Florida seemed to fly under the radar this year. I still think they're better than Iowa.
Pick: Florida.

Gator Bowl
Louisville vs. Virginia Tech

A new-Big East team vs. an ex-Big East team. Louisville is missing its QB; big edge to Tech.
Pick: Virginia Tech.

Capital One Bowl
Wisconsin vs. Auburn

Did we see much of anything out of UW this year? It's Alvarez's last game, but I just think Auburn's better.
Pick: Auburn.

Fiesta Bowl
Ohio State vs. Notre Dame

Ugh. Do I have to root for someone? Okay, OSU.
Pick: Ohio State.

Sugar Bowl
West Virginia vs. Georgia

Interesting. But with the Sugar moved to Atlanta, hyorge edge for the Dawgs.
Pick: Georgia.

Tuesday, January 3

Orange Bowl
Florida State vs. Penn State

I wonder if they can get Geritol to sponsor this one?
Pick: Penn State.

Wednesday, January 4

Rose Bowl
USC vs. Texas

I'm anticipating a good game, so let's hope UT doesn't disappoint. I still think USC is better overall and will win, but we could be looking at a really fun shootout, just like last year's Rose. It'd be nice.
Pick: USC, 31-27.

Everyone else's picks go up later today, just before the game.