2008-2009 NCAA College Football Bowl Previews and Predictions

Bowl Championship Series! It's that time! The first NCAA College Football Bowl games kickoff on December 20, starting with the EagleBank Bowl pitting Navy versus Wake Forrest and culminates with the BCS National Championship on January 8th putting Oklahoma against the Florida Gators. During the regular season we finished 20-7 (74.1%) against the spread with our predictions and 21-6 overall (77.8%) after starting predictions in the 10th week of play. For the post-season, we are splitting our previews and predictions into two parts. This article previews the first 17 bowl games to be played taking you through all games between 20 and 30 December. Part two will cover the remaining 17 bowl games.

EagleBank Bowl - Wake Forest vs. Navy, Washington, D.C., RFK Stadium,Dec. 20, 11 a.m., ESPN

Prediction: The Midshipmen upset Wake earlier in the season when Wake Forrest was ranked in the top 20. Wake Forrest is favored to win the game by 3 points. Our prediction is that the Midshipmen pull a second upset and win the inaugural EagleBank Bowl!

New Mexico - Colorado State vs. Fresno State, Albuquerque, University Stadium, Dec. 20, 230 p.m., ESPN

Prediction: Fresno State is favored to win the game by 3 points. Our prediction is that Fresno State will win and cover the spread.

magicJack St. Petersburg - Memphis vs. South Florida, Petersburg. Fla., Tropicana Field, Dec. 20, 4:30 p.m., ESPN2

Prediction: South Florida is favored to defeat Memphis by 12 ½ points. Our prediction is that they defeat the Tigers and cover the spread.

Pioneer Las Vegas - BYU vs. Arizona, Las Vegas, Sam Boyd Stadium, Dec. 20, 8 p.m., ESPN

Prediction: Arizona is favored to win the game by 3 points over BYU. A tough game to call but our prediction is that the Wildcats will win and cover the spread.

R+L Carriers New Orleans - Southern Miss vs. Troy, New Orleans, Superdome, Dec. 21, 8:15 p.m., ESPN

Prediction: Troy is favored by 4 ½ points. Our prediction is that Southern Miss will upset Troy in this bowl game.

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia - Boise State vs. TCU, San Diego, Qualcomm Stadium,Dec. 23, 8 p.m., ESPN

Prediction: TCU is favored by 2 ½ points against Boise State. Our prediction is that TCU will cover the spread and win the Poinsettia bowl.

Sheraton Hawaii - Hawaii vs. Notre Dame, Honolulu, Aloha Stadium,Dec. 24, 8 p.m., ESPN

Prediction: Coach Weiss has renewed life as the Notre Dame Head coach. Hawaii is favored to win the game by 1 ½ points. Our prediction is that Notre Dame will not let their coach down and will defeat a Hawaii team that has not been as strong offensively as in past years.

Motor City - Florida Atlantic vs. Central Michigan, Detroit, Ford Field, Dec. 26, 8 p.m., ESPN

Prediction: Central Michigan is favored by 7 points in what is essentially a home game for them. After watching Florida Atlantic play earlier this season, we predict that they will defeat Central Michigan despite playing in the colder weather.

Meineke Car Care - West Virginia vs. North Carolina, Charlotte, N.C., Bank of America Stadium, Dec. 27, 1 p.m., ESPN

Prediction: The odds-makers hold this game at even odds. Our prediction is to go with the team playing closest to home (North Carolina).

Champs Sports - Wisconsin vs. Florida State, Orlando, Fla., Florida Citrus Bowl, Dec. 27, 4:30 p.m., ESPN

Prediction: Florida State is favored to win this game by 5 points. We predict that they will win and cover the spread.

Emerald - Miami (Fla.) vs. California, San Francisco, AT&T Park,Dec. 27, 8 p.m., ESPN

Prediction: California is predicted to beat the Hurricanes by 7 points. We predict that the Bears will fail to cover the spread in this contest.

Independence - Northern Illinois vs. Louisiana Tech, Shreveport, La., Independence Stadium, Dec. 28, 8:15 p.m., ESPN

Prediction: Northern Illinois is favored by 1 ½ points. We're thinking Louisiana Tech will win the game!

Papajohns.com - NC State vs. Rutgers, Birmingham, Ala., Legion Field, Dec. 29, 3 p.m., ESPN

Prediction: Rutgers has been playing extremely strong to finish up the season. Favored to win the game by 7 points, we think they'll win and cover the spread.

Valero Alamo - Missouri vs. Northwestern, San Antonio, Alamodome, Dec. 29, 8 p.m. ESPN

Prediction: Missouri is favored to win the game by 13 points. After seeing them get overwhelmed against Oklahoma, we think that they will beat Northwestern, but it won't be by enough to cover the spread.

Roady's Humanitarian - Maryland vs. Nevada, Boise, Idaho, Bronco Stadium, Dec. 30, 4:30 p.m., ESPN

Prediction: Nevada is favored by 1 ½ points. Our prediction is that Maryland will win this game by more than 5 points.

Texas - Rice vs. Western Michigan, Houston, Reliant Stadium, Dec. 30, 8 p.m.,NFL Network

Prediction: Rice is favored by 1 ½ points in a game being played close to home. Our prediction is that they cover the spread and win the game!

Pacific Life Holiday - Oklahoma State vs. Oregon, San Diego, Qualcomm Stadium, Dec. 30, 8 p.m., ESPN

Prediction: Oklahoma State is only favored by 3 points in this matchup. We think they will more than cover the spread against Oregon and win in a blow-out!