Well, I'm slightly better than 50%, and an early great start by Conference USA is fading. Let's see who shines in these games:
Friday, Dec 24
Hawaii Bowl -- Memphis Tigers (6-6) at Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (6-7) : The Warriors have a losing record, but when you host your own bowl game, you always get to go. Strangely, the Rainbow Warriors don't have a great record in this bowl, but the Tigers haven't traveled well this season. Also, there is something damned distracting for the visiting team to travel to Hawaii to play football. HAWAII by six
Sat Dec 25
Camelia Bowl -- Georgia State Panthers (7-5) v Ball State Cardinals (6-6) : Despite some close games, the MAC haven't been able to win a bowl game so far. I don't think this one will change that. While Georgia State isn't consistent, and could play really horribly, they showed some real strength at other times this season. I think this bowl game will be incentive for them to show up strong. GEORGIA STATE by eight
Monday, Dec 27
Quick Lane Bowl -- Western Michigan Broncos (7-5) v Nevada Wolf Pack (8-4) : Western Michigan has recently been one of the strongest MAC teams, although they struggled some this season. Are they the best hope for a bowl win? Not against Nevada. The Wolf Pack were a threat often this season, and certainly have the strength to knock down any MAC team. NEVADA by 13
Military Bowl -- Boston College Eagles (6-6) v East Carolina Pirates (7-5) : Here's a tough call. The Pirates started the season horribly, but started to find their defensive strength again. However, BC can be a tough team, and they have played well in the military-related bowls. The difference might be turnovers, a problem faced by BC throughout the season. EAST CAROLINA by four
Tues Dec 28
Birmingham Bowl -- #11 Houston Cougars (11-2) v Auburn Tigers (6-6) : Here's where the ego of the SEC will be a downfall. I don't think Auburn will really consider Houston a serious threat, but this is a serious team. HOUSTON by 16
First Responder Bowl -- #23 Air Force Falcons (9-3) v Louisville Cardinals (6-6) : Air Force just grinds out their games, and I don't think the Cardinals, housed in the offensive-happy ACC, is used to such games. Control of the pace and control of the clock will reside with Air Force, and I they should be able to use that control to win the game. AIR FORCE by ten
Liberty Bowl -- Mississippi State Bulldogs (7-5) v Texas Tech Red Raiders (6-6) : Both teams proved that they can really play when they want, so the question is who wants this more? The SEC is always grinding to dominate the bowls, while I think the Raiders expected to do better this season, and might view this bowl as a letdown (although, given the prominence of the Liberty Bowl, they shouldn't). I'm not sure how serious Texas Tech will be. MISSISSIPPI STATE by eleven
Holiday Bowl -- UCLA Bruins (8-4) v #17 NC State Wolfpack (9-3) : The Holiday Bowl is often an explosive offensive performance. While both of these teams have the capacity for that, the defenses are good enough to prevent a teeter-totter of big scoring plays. NC STATE by nine
Guaranteed Rate Bowl -- West Virginia Mountaineers (6-6) v #22 Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-4) : The Big Ten becomes the last conference to debut in the bowls, and it starts with a bang. The Golden Gophers were conference title contenders up to the last week of the season, and they showed that they were no slough. West Virginia has some strength, but their offense isn't consistent enough to stand against the tough Gophers defense. MINNESOTA by 16
Wed Dec 29
Fenway Bowl -- SMU Mustangs (8-4) v Virginia Cavaliers (6-6) : Boston joins New York as a city hosting a football bowl game in a baseball stadium. It features two teams who had two different trajectories this season. Virginia started hot, but fizzled. SMU had inconsistencies early, but smoothed out and closed well. I think that momentum will continue into this game. SMU by 12
Pinstripe Bowl -- Maryland Terrapins (6-6) v Virginia Tech Hokies (6-6) : Maryland had a tough conference year, but they are dangerous non-conference opponents (just ask Texas). Their offense can be scary effective, and the Hokies defense hasn't shown the consistent strength to hold up against that. MARYLAND by eleven
Cheez-It Bowl -- Clemson Tigers (9-3) v Iowa State Cyclones (7-5) : Quick, what do you eat while watching the Cheez-It Bowl? Certainly not Fritos. Anyway, think about your snack food, because the game isn't likely to be very fulfilling. Too many Cyclones are passing on the game, and Clemson isn't the team they have been in recent years. They will likely LOOK like that team, as they won't get much resistance from Iowa State, but that doesn't necessary mean this will be a really satisfying game. CLEMSON by 18
Alamo Bowl -- Oregon Ducks (10-2) v #9 Oklahoma Sooners (10-2) : Lots of people are excited about this game, but it won't end well for the Ducks. Not only does the Pac-12 tend to struggle in all bowl games except the Rose Bowl, the Ducks are not as good as they think they are. While Oklahoma failed to reach the Big XII Championship, they are a championship-caliber team, and they have the chance to prove that by shredding the Ducks. OKLAHOMA by 20
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