NCAA 2013 Bowls

Welcome to the first of two bowl prediction columns.  This one will take us to Dec 31, covering 19 of the 35 bowl games.

Dec 21
NEW MEXICO BOWL -- Washington State Cougars (6-6) v Colorado State Rams (7-6):  This match-up sounds like it'll be close, but I don't think so.  Colorado State had some interesting wins, but overall their accomplishments wane in comparison to the level of competition experienced by the Cougars.  WASHINGTON STATE by 16

LAS VEGAS BOWL -- #19 Fresno State Bulldogs (11-1) v USC Trojans (9-4): It is strange to get a ranked team on the first day of bowl play, and extremely rare to get a one-loss team this early.  This is a slap to the face against the Bulldogs, showing that the bowl officials don't respect them.  Way to give them motivation, gentlemen!  FRESNO STATE by 23

IDAHO BOWL -- Buffalo Bulls (8-4) v San Diego State Aztecs (7-5): This is only the second bowl game for the Bulls, and that inexperience could cost them.  San Diego not only used to playing in bowl games, but they are more used to the altitude the teams will experience.  I like the Aztecs' chances, although Buffalo could surprise.  SAN DIEGO STATE by nine

NEW ORLEANS BOWL -- Tulane Green Wave (7-5) v Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns (8-4): The Sun Belt often does surprisingly well in bowl games, and Tulane was just too inconsistent for me to have faith in them.  LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE by 18

Dec 23: ST PETERSBURGH BOWL -- East Carolina Pirates (9-3) v Ohio Bobcats (7-5):  The MAC is a strong conference this year, but they have some tough matches.  The bowl officials have shifted their disdain of teams from the Midwest from the Big Ten to the MAC, and Ohio will be the first victim.  EAST CAROLINA by 17

Dec 24: HAWAII BOWL -- Boise State Broncos (8-4) v Oregon State Beavers (6-6):  Don't let their 6-6 record fool you - the Beavers are a tough team.  The Broncos may find that out, as the Beavers could give them everything they can handle.  I think the Broncos are strong enough to come back and win this game, but the Beavers will keep it close.  BOISE STATE by four

Dec 26
DETROIT (nee Cherry, now Little Caesars) BOWL -- Pittsburgh Panthers (6-6) v #21 Bowling Green Falcons (10-3):  Well, this one-sided bout won't really give a good impression of how strong the MAC is, as this will be such an easy victory.  BOWLING GREEN by 30

POINSETTIA BOWL -- Utah State Aggies (8-5) v #15 Northern Illinois Huskies (12-1):  This could be an exciting game.  The Aggies have won big often this season, but I think they'll find Huskies QB Jordan Lynch a bit too much to handle.  NORTHERN ILLINOIS by 16

Dec 27
MILITARY BOWL -- Marshall Thundering Herd (9-4) v Maryland Terrapins (7-5): Maryland keeps getting these tough opponents in their bowl match-ups.  It's great that the Terrapins can get to bowl games, but I'm sure they'd like a better chance to win one.  MARSHALL by 17

TEXAS BOWL -- Syracuse Orange (6-6) v Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-6):  Despite the similar records, this game won't be so close.  Minnesota has a potent offense and a good enough defense to stall Syracuse.  The Orange will have nightmares reliving the Northwestern rout as this game progresses.  MINNESOTA by 15

FIGHT HUNGER BOWL -- BYU Cougars (8-4) b Washington Huskies (8-4): BYU accumulated an 8-4 record, which was higher than many analysts expected, but they did it mostly on the ground.  Washington has a decent defense, and their passing attack is strong.  WASHINGTON by 17

Dec 28
PINSTRIPE BOWL -- Rutgers Scarlet Knights (6-6) v Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-4): No, this isn't a basketball game; the Big East doesn't exist anymore!  However, this one will end much like the basketball games between these two tended to.  NOTRE DAME by 13

BELK BOWL -- Cincinnati Bearcats (9-3) v North Carolina Tar Heels (6-6): Another rather one-sided game.  These early bowl games are often close, but this year they really have picked some one-sided bouts.  CINCINNATI by 13

RUSSELL ATHLETIC BOWL -- Miami Hurricanes (9-3) v #5 Louisville Cardinals (11-1):  Teddy Bridgewater and the Cardinals should win this one easily, but they face a hostile crowd in the Hurricanes' backyard.  As usual, a Florida team is given a bowl that is practically a home game for them.  Louisville should still win, but this game will be closer than it should be.  LOUISVILLE by six

BUFFALO WILD WINGS BOWL -- Michigan Wolverines (7-5) v Kansas State Wildcats (7-5): Kansas State is favored in this game, but I still remember the shock Michigan gave the Buckeyes in their game.  The Wolverines have a strong offense, and the Wildcats defense proved a bit porous this season.  MICHIGAN by ten

Dec 30
ARMED FORCES BOWL -- Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (8-4) v Navy Midshipmen (8-4):  I usually favor the military team in the military bowls, and Navy has earned this.  Despite a slow start, the Midshipmen ended the season strongly, and re-established their bounding ground assault.  They will wear down Middle Tennessee and pull away in the fourth quarter.  NAVY by 11

MUSIC CITY BOWL -- Ole Miss Rebels (7-5) v Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (7-5):  Ole Miss gave some of their SEC rivals fits this season, but they will falter against the staggering Jackets defense.  GEORGIA TECH by 16

ALAMO BOWL -- #11 Oregon Ducks (10-2) v Texas Longhorns (8-4):  This game will be a disappointment, mainly because neither team will play with much heart.  Oregon didn't want to be in any bowl but the National Championship, so they really don't care to be here.  Texas is suffering from the cloud hanging over the coaching position, whether Mack Brown stays or not.  This could have been an exciting game, but now it will a lackluster performance.  I'm not sure which team will win, as neither will be playing to their potential.  I'll pick Oregon, just because they have enough talent that they can move the ball even if they don't intend to do so.  OREGON by three

HOLIDAY BOWL -- #22 Arizona State Sun Devils (10-3) v Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-5): On the other hand, the Sun Devils WANT to win their bowl game, to show everyone what they are capable of doing.  They have a strong offense as well; not as strong as Oregon's, but strong enough to push around the wimpy Tech defense.  ARIZONA STATE by 20