2009-2010 NCAA College Football Bowl Previews and Predictions

Bowl Championship Series! It's that time! The first NCAA College Football Bowl game kicks off on Saturday, December 19th starting with the New Mexico Bowl pitting Fresno State versus Wyoming and culminates with the BCS National Championship game on January 7th with the Texas Longhorns taking on the Alabama Crimson Tide. This article is heavier on prediction than on previews, but I'll be posting up some individual previews as well. Predictions are based on team performance against common opponents (if any), team performance over the last third of the season, and if all else fails my personal judgment on who will win.

December 2009 College Football Bowl Games

19 December

New Mexico Bowl

4:30 PM (Fresno State 8-4 vs Wyoming 6-6) Alberquerque, N.M., University Stadium ESPN

Prediction: Fresno

Preview: Fresno State is favored by 10.5 in this one. Look for them to run the ball a lot with junior RB Ryan Matthews who has 10 100 yard rushing games this season. Final Score prediction, Fresno State 35, Wyoming 21.

St. Petersburg

8:00 PM (UCF vs Rutgers) St. Petersburg, Fla. Tropicana Field ESPN

Prediction: Rutgers

Preview:Rutgers has been impressive this season. Just a smidge away from some big upsets too. Final Score prediction, Rutgers 28, UCF 14.

20 December

R+L Carriers New Orleans

8:15 PM (Southern Mississippi vs Middle Tennessee) New Orleans Louisiana Superdome ESPN

Prediction: Southern Mississippi

Preview: Final Score prediction, Southern Miss 31, Middle Tennessee 17.

22 December

MAACO Las Vegas

8:00 PM (Oregon State vs BYU) Las Vegas Sam Boyd Stadium ESPN

Prediction: Oregon State

Preview: This will be a neat game to watch. Oregon State's D will likely rule the day. Final Score prediction, Oregon State 28, BYU 17.

23 December

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia

8:00 PM (Utah vs California) San Diego Qualcomm Stadium ESPN

Prediction: Utah
Preview: Cal was a top 5 time at one point this year but got killed when they were #4 in the country. Look for Utah to win, 28, 24.

24 December

Sheraton Hawaii

8:00 PM (Nevada vs SMU) Honolulu Aloha Stadium ESPN

Prediction: Nevada

Preview: Nevada's high-powered offense is going to be too much for SMU to get their first bowl victory since being awarded the "death penalty" by the NCAA. Final Score prediction, Nevada 42, SMU 28.

26 December

Little Caesars Pizza

1:00 PM (Marshall vs Ohio) Detroit Ford Field ESPN

Prediction: Ohio

Preview: Ohio's had a great season. Final score prediction Ohio 21, Marshall 14.

Meineke Car Care

4:30 PM (North Carolina (8-4) vs Pitt(9-3)) Charlotte, N.C., Bank of America Stadium ESPN

Prediction: Pittsburgh

Preview: Pitt had a great season being ranked in the top ten at one point of the year. North Carolina was a BCS contender at one point as well. Final Score prediction Pitt 24, UNC 21.

Emerald

8:00 PM (Boston College (8-4) vs. USC Trojans(8-4)) San Francisco AT&T Park ESPN

Prediction: USC

Preview: USC is favored by 9. BC will try to run the ball against their defense led by tailback Montel Harris who had 1,355 yards this season. I predict Trojan quarterback Matt Barkley will have a breakout game heading into his sophomore year and USC wins 35-21.

27 December

Gaylord Hotels Music City

8:15 pm (Clemson vs Kentucky Wildcats(7-5) ) Nashiville, TN LP Field ESPN

Prediction: Kentucky

Preview: Clemson is favored by 7 in this game. They lost a close contest in the ACC Championship and fell to 4th place in the ACC. The Wildcats also lost a tight overtime game against Tennessee that would have placed them 2nd in their division behind Florida. I'm going with the upset with the Cats playing in Nashville for the third time in four years and winners of their last three bowls (2006, 2007, 2008). A lot will depend on how Randall Cobb and Derrick Locke perform against the Clemson defense. Look for Clemson to try and take advantage of the deep ball against the Wildcat secondary. Final Score Prediction: Kentucky 28, Clemson 24.

28 December

AdvoCare V100 Independence

5:00 p.m. (Texas A&M Aggies (6-6) vs. Georgia Bulldogs (7-5)) Shreveport, La. Independence Stadium ESPN2

Prediction: Georgia

Preview: Texas A&M bounced back and qualified for a bowl after not being predicted to do so this season. Their signature win was beating in-state rival Texas Tech by more than 3 touchdowns. Georgia, however, started the season ranked in the top 10 only to finish a disappointing 7-5. The Bulldogs showed fans what they could have been doing all season in their season finishing win over Georgia Tech. They did lose to Kentucky at home for the first time since I think I was 2 this year. Final Score prediction: Georgia 35, Texas A&M 24 (Georgia is favored by 7).

29 December

EagleBank

4:30 p.m. (UCLA 6-6 vs Temple 9-3) Washington, D.C. RFK Stadium ESPN

Prediction: Temple

Preview: UCLA got in to the bowl after Army failed to beat Navy again this season. Temple is coming off of an impressive 9-3 season. Look for the Owls running attack to be too much for UCLA. Final score prediction, Temple 28, UCLA 21.

Champs Sports

8:00 p.m. (Miami 9-3 vs Wisconsin 9-3) Orlando, FL. Florida Citrus Bowl ESPN

Prediction: Miami

Preview: Miami is favoed by 3 points and early in the season were in the running for the BCS title. That talk died away with losses to Virginia Tech and then Clemson. Miami will have to shut down Wisconsin quarterback Scott Tolzien to win, but my final score prediction is Miami 28, Wisconsin 24.

30 December

Roady's Humanitarian

4:30 p.m. (Bowling Green vs Idaho) Boise, Idaho Bronco Stadium ESPN

Prediction: Idaho

Preview: Final score prediction Idaho 17, Bowling Green 7.

Pacific Life Holiday

8:00 p.m. (Arizona 8-4 vs Nebraska 9-4) San Diego Qualcomm Stadium ESPN

Prediction: Nebraska

Preview: Nebraska was like what, .5 seconds from Colt McCoy's out of bounce pass stopping the clock from winning the Big 12? The finished the season extremely hot before dropping the game to Texas. Arizona comes in having beat Oregon State, USC, and Stanford this season. Arizona is favored by 1. My prediction is Nebraska's D is too much for the Wildcats. Final Score: Nebraska 18, Arizona 14.

31 December

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces

12:00 p.m. (Houston (10-3) vs. Air Force (7-5)) Fort Worth, Texas, Amon G. Carter Stadium ESPN

Prediction: Air Force

Preview:

Brut Sun

2:00 p.m. (Oklahoma Sooners (7-5) vs. Stanford Cardinals(8-4) El Paso, Texas, Sun Bowl CBS

Prediction: Stanford

Preview: Oh, if Sam Bradford were here it would be a different story. Stanford's favored by 9, but quarterback Andrew Luck may not be recovered from a broken finger in time for the game. If he is, he will not have much prep time under his belt. I mean, will they run Toby Gerhart 50 times? If Luck is back, my prediction is Stanford 28, Oklahoma 24, if he's not back then the Sooners may just pull off the upset.

Texas

3:30 p.m. (Missouri vs. Navy) Houston, Reliant Stadium ESPN

Prediction: Navy

Preview: Navy's already beaten Wake and Notre Dame this year. They played Pitt close, and believe they'll pull the upset against Missouri. Final score prediction, Navy 24, Missouri 21.

Insight

6:00 p.m. (Iowa State (6-6) vs. Minnesota (6-6)) Tempe, Arizona Sun Devil Stadium NFL Network

Prediction: Iowa State

Preview: Minnesota is favored by 3. I'm taking Iowa State in the upset. They did play in perhaps one of the lowest scoring games I've watched this season in their 9-7 win over Nebraska. Final Score Prediction: Iowa State 15, Minnesota 10.

Chick-fil-A

7:30 p.m. (Virginia Tech Hokies (9-3) vs. Tennessee Volunteers(7-5)) Atlanta, Georgia Dome ESPN

Prediction: Virginia Tech

Preview: The Hokies are favored by 4 points. Tennessee has rebounded from a "bowl-less" season last year to make the Chick-Fil-A bowl this year after overcoming the Kentucky Wildcats in the final game of the season in overtime. If Hokie QB Tyrod Taylor can protect the ball against the Vol defense, look for Tech to win 31-23.

January 2010 College Football Bowl Games

1 January

Outback

11:00 (Northwestern (8-4) vs. Auburn Tigers (7-5)) Tampa, FL Raymond James Stadium ESPN

Prediction: Auburn

Preview: Auburn is favored by 8 points. They too have rebounded this season to finish 7-5, though they lost games in bunches this season. The Tigers pulled wins against West Virginia, Tennessee, and Ole Miss this season. Northwestern beat Purdue and Iowa. Final score prediction, Auburn 34, Northwestern 24.

Capital One

1:00 p.m. (Penn State 10-2 vs LSU 9-3) Orlando, FL Florida Citrus Bowl ABC
Prediction: Penn State:

Preview: I've watched LSU play several times this year. They just couldn't get it done in the big-time games when they had to against Bama, Florida, and Ole Miss. Penn State's favored by 3 and is coming in after thumping Michigan State to close out the season. Final Score Prediction: Penn State 30, LSU 20.

Konica Minolta Gator

1:00 p.m. (Florida State Seminoles (6-6) vs West Virginia (9-3)) Municipal Stadium

Prediction: West Virginia

Preview: Florida State is at the Gator Bowl because Bobby Bowden's retiring/being run out of town. West Virginia is favored by 2 due to the emotions expected on the FSU side, but WVU did beat Pittsburgh and Rutgers this season. Final Score prediction WVU 42, FSU 24.

Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi

4:30 PM (Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2) vs. Oregon Ducks (10-2)) Pasadena, CA Rose Bowl ABC

Prediction: Ohio State

Preview: Oregon is favored in this game by just more than a field goal. Although the Ducks beat a common opponent in Purdue and the Buckeyes lost that game, I'm picking Ohio State in the upset. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor is going to have to protect the ball, but after watching his performance in the Buckeyes wins over Penn State, Iowa, and Michigan to close out the season, The Ohio State is my pick. Final score prediction: Ohio State 28, Oregon 21.

Allstate Sugar
8:30 PM (Cincinatti (12-0) vs. Florida Gators (12-1)) New Orleans, Louisiana Superdome FOX

Prediction: Florida

Preview: Cincinatti's had another great year. They've lost their coach, Brian Kelly who took the Notre Dame job recently, however, and they barely squeaked past Pitt, West Virginia, and UCONN in the last third of the season. The Gators are coming off of an unusually lopsided loss to the Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship game costing them a shot at another BCS National Title. The Gators are favored by 10. I look for Coach Meyer's defense to shutdown the air attack by Cincy and for the Gators to win 42-17.

2 January

International
12:00 (South Florida vs Northern Illinois) Toronto, Canada Rogers Center ESPN

Prediction: South Florida

Preview: Final Score prediction, South Florida 24, Northern Illinois 18.

Pappajohns.com

2:00 PM (South Carolina (7-5) vs UConn Huskies Birmingham, Alabama Legion Field ESPN

Prediction: South Carolina

Preview: Steve Spurrier's team could have easily been 8-4 or 9-3 this season. Final Score prediction, South Carolina 27, UConn 21.

AT&T Cotton

2:00 P.M. (Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-3) vs Ole Miss Rebels (8-4)) Arlington, TX Cowboys Stadium FOX

Prediction: Ole Miss

Preview: Ole Miss had another season of almost getting to SEC championship. Look for the Rebels to be prepared for this game and for Jevan Snead to perform how he was supposed to all season against Oklahoma State. Final Score prediction, Ole Miss 35, Oklahoma State 28.

AutoZone Liberty

5:30 PM(East Carolina Pirates (9-4) vs. Arkansas Razorbacks (7-5)) Memphis, TN Liberty Bowl ESPN

Prediction: Arkansas

Preview: Arkansas's offensive power is just too much for East Carolina. Unlike Houston (who East Carolina beat to get to the Liberty bowl), the Razorbacks have better defense. Final Score prediction, Arkansas 42, East Carolina 21.

Valero Alamo

9:00 PM (Michigan State 6 -6 vs. Texas Tech 8-4) San Antonio Alamodome ESPN

Prediction: Texas Tech

Preview:Texas Tech is favored by 7 in the Alamo Bowl. I tend to agree that they'll win, though we don't really know which Tech team is going to show up. The one that killed Nebraska by 21 or the one that got killed by A&M by 22? I think their offense will be too much for Michigan State, and final score prediction is 35-27.

4 January

Tostitos Fiesta

8:00 PM (Boise State Broncos (13-0) vs TCU Horned Frogs (12-0)) Glendale, AZ Univ. of Phoenix

Stadium FOX

Prediction: TCU

Preview: Conspiracy theorists say the only reason the BCS pitted these two teams against each other was so that only one of them would finish undefeated at the end of the season. The Horned Frogs are assessed at having the better defense and Boise State hasn't had too many close games this season. When you look at signature wins, TCU has defeated Clemson, BYU, Utah, and Air Force this season where Boise State has beaten Oregon, Hawaii, and Nevada. Prediction TCU 28, Boise State 21.

5 January

FedEx Orange

8:00 PM (Iowa Hawkeyes (10-2) vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (11-2)) Miami Land Shark Stadium FOX

Prediction: Georgia Tech
Preview:

Iowa Quarterback Ricky Stanzi hasn't played in almost two months. The Hawkeyes defense, however, has had plenty of time to prepare for Tech's triple option attack. The line on the game is four points. I think the layoff is just too long for Stanzi to perform in the Orange bowl. Final score prediction: Georgia Tech 35, Iowa 28.

6 January

GMAC

7:00 PM (Central Michigan vs Troy) Mobile, AL Ladd-Peebles Stadium ESPN

Prediction: Central Michigan

Preview: Final Score Prediction Central Michigan 20, Troy 17.

7 January

Citi BCS National Championship Game

8:00 PM (Alabama Crimson Tide(13-0) vs Texas Longhorns (13-0)) Pasadena CA Rose Bowl ABCPrediction: Alabama
Preview: Before watching the Big 12 and SEC Title games, I would have given Texas the edge against Alabama. Who woulda thought Bama's Greg McElroy would have one of his best games of the year and outperform Tim Tebow, while Colt McCoy would struggle in the Longhorns win over Nebraska? The various lines you see on the game have Bama favored by 5-7 points. Final Score prediction: Alabama 23, Texas 20.