2008-2009 NCAA College Football Bowl Previews and Predictions Part II

Yesterday we previewed the NCAA College Football Bowl games scheduled for the first half of bowl season (December 20^th-30^th). The second half of the Bowl schedule contains most of the higher ranked teams competing this offseason, highlighted by the Florida Gators versus the Oklahoma Sooners in the BCS National Championship game. In what is expected to be a battle of styles and Heisman competitors (Sam Bradford versus Tim Tebow), there are a number of exciting games on the schedule before then. Two that we're taking a close look at are the Cotton Bowl which pits the power of surging Ole Miss against the high powered offense of Texas Tech and the Fiesta Bowl which pits the similarly contrasting styles of Ohio State and the Texas Longhorns against each other. Regardless, it should be a fun second half of the bowl season to watch! We'll see if we can match our regular season win percentage of 74.1% against the spread and 77.8% overall.

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces

Houston vs. Air Force, Fort Worth, Texas, Amon G. Carter Stadium, Dec. 31, Noon, ESPN

Prediction: Houston is favored by 2 ½ over Air Force due to the home field affect (3 points normally) in what is essentially and even up game. Our prediction is that Air Force will pull the upset and win!

Brut Sun

Oregon State vs. Pittsburgh, El Paso, Texas, Sun Bowl, Dec. 31, 2 p.m.,CBS

Prediction: Oregon State is favored by 3 points. Our prediction is that they will cover the spread and defeat Pitt in the Sun Bowl.

Gaylord Hotels Music City

Boston College vs. Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tenn., LP Field, Dec. 31, 3:30 p.m., ESPN

Prediction: Boston College is favored by 4 points over Vanderbilt in their home town in the Music City Bowl. Although, many thought Vandy would at least travel to the Liberty Bowl this year, they remained home. Our prediction is that Boston College wins and covers the spread despite the home field advantage.

Insight

Kansas vs. Minnesota, Tempe, Ariz., Sun Devil Stadium, Dec. 31, 5:30 p.m., NFL Network

Prediction: Kansas has been surging at the end of the season coming off of their upset of Missouri. Favored by 10 points, our prediction is that they win but do not cover the spread.

Chick-fil-A

LSU vs. Georgia Tech, Atlanta, Georgia Dome, Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

Prediction: LSU has been tailing off the second half of the season. Tech looked extremely strong with their victory over Georgia at the end of the season. Tech is favored by 4. Our prediction is they win and cover the spread.

Outback

South Carolina vs. Iowa, Tampa, Fla., Raymond James Stadium, Jan. 1, 2009, 11 a.m., ESPN

Prediction: Iowa is favored by 3 ½ over South Carolina. Our prediction is that Spurrier has the Gamecocks ready for this game after a disappointing outing against Clemson and they defeat Iowa.

Capital One

Georgia vs. Michigan State, Orlando, Fla., Florida Citrus Bowl, Jan. 1, 2009, 1 p.m., ABC

Prediction: Georgia has dropped from the pre-season Number 1 after several tough defeats this season. They are favored to win by 7 ½ points. Our prediction is that the Bulldogs end the season on a high note and cover the spread.

Konica Minolta Gator

Clemson vs. Nebraska, Jacksonville, Fla., Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Jan. 1, 2009, 1 p.m., CBS

Prediction: Clemson is favored to win by 2 ½ points over Nebraska. Although they played Georgia tough, we don't think it will be enough to overcome Nebraska who will win the Gator bowl!

Rose Bowl

Penn State vs. USC, Pasadena, Calif., Rose Bowl, Jan. 1, 2009, 4:30 p.m., ABC

Prediction: USC is favored to win this game by 10 points. Many think if the PAC-10 was stronger that the Trojans would have been contenders for the national title this year. Penn State doesn't lose West of the Mississippi though. Our prediction is that State pulls the major upset of the bowl games and takes down USC!

FedEx Orange

Cincinnati vs. Virginia Tech, Miami, Dolphin Stadium, Jan. 1, 2009, 8:30 p.m., FOX

Prediction: Cincinnati is having their best season in decades! 2 ½ point favorites over Tech. Our prediction is that they continue the trend and take down the Hokies in the Orange Bowl!

AT&T Cotton

Ole Miss vs. Texas Tech, Dallas, Cotton Bowl, Jan. 2, 2009, 2 p.m., FOX

Prediction: This is going to be a big game. The first clash between the Big 12 and SEC leading up to the title game. Tech is favored by 5 points. After seeing Oklahoma's defense handle Graham Harrell's offensive line, our prediction is that Ole Miss follows suit and defeats Tech!

AutoZone Liberty

Kentucky vs. East Carolina, Memphis, Tenn., Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Jan. 2, 2009, 5 p.m., ESPN

Prediction: East Carolina is 1 ½ point favorites over Kentucky. A tough game to call since Randall Cobb is not projected to play for the Cats after having knee surgery after the Tennessee loss. Our prediction is that enough Cat fans make the trek to Memphis and Kentucky defeats East Carolina.

Allstate Sugar

Utah vs. Alabama, New Orleans, Superdome, Jan. 2, 2009, 8 p.m., FOX

Prediction: The Crimson Tide is 10 ½ point favorites over undefeated Utah. Our prediction after seeing Hawaii collapse last bowl season, is that the Tide wins by at least 20!

International

Buffalo vs. Connecticut, Toronto, Rogers Centre, Jan. 3, 2009, Noon, ESPN2

Prediction: The only game played in a foreign country this bowl season. UCONN is favored by 4 ½ points. Our prediction is that they win and cover the spread.

Tostitos Fiesta

Ohio State vs. Texas, Glendale, Ariz., University of Phoenix Stadium, Jan. 5, 2009, 8 p.m., FOX

Prediction: Texas is favored to win this game by 9 ½ points. Our prediction after seeing the Longhorns defeat Oklahoma earlier in the year is that they win and cover the spread. Style of play does not become an issue.

GMAC

Tulsa vs. Ball State, Mobile, Ala., Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Jan. 6, 2009, 8 p.m., ESPN

Prediction: Ball State is favored by 3 points in the GMAC bowl. Our prediction is that Tulsa pulls the upset and wins this game.

FedEx BCS National Championship Game- Florida vs. Oklahoma, Miami, Dolphin Stadium, Jan. 8, 2009, 8 p.m., FOX

Prediction: Florida is favored to win this game by 3 points. In BCS national title games the SEC is 4-0, the Big 12 is 2-3. Our prediction is that Tim Tebow doesn't let the Gators lose-though Sam Bradford will have a huge game-- and the Gators will cover the spread!

In case you missed part one of our bowl previews and predictions:

Click Here to View Predictions for the NCAA Football Games scheduled from 20-30 December 2008.