Bowl Game Predictions

The bowl season starts on Saturday with the New Mexico Bowl, which will be played just blocks from my house. I can look out the window and see the stadium from where I'm sitting right now. Should be a good slate of games this year, a lot of close matchups. Here are my predictions for the bowl games.

New Mexico Bowl: Colorado State vs Washington State
If you like points, this game should have no shortage. Last time Colorado State played in Albuquerque they put up over 60 points behind star RB Kapri Bibbs. Mike Leach brought Texas Tech to Albuquerque and has the Cougars offense rollin' this year.
Washington State 52 Colorado State 42

Las Vegas Bowl: Fresno State vs USC
Two of the top WRs in the country square off in this one. USC has played pretty well since getting rid of Kiffin, Fresno was one game away from a BCS bowl berth before being knocked off in a shootout with San Jose State. Derek Carr is a solid QB, but USC has too much talent.
USC 38 Fresno State 28

Idaho Potato Bowl: Buffalo vs San Diego State
I didn't get to see Buffalo in action this year, but I like San Diego State. The Aztecs head coach, Rocky Long, is a great guy, too. I did a show for the New Mexico football team when he was the head coach and I really liked interacting with him and his wife, great people.
San Diego State 35 Buffalo 24

New Orleans Bowl: Tulane vs UL-Lafayette
I didn't get to see any of these teams play at all, I don't really follow the Sun Belt or Conference USA that closely.
UL Lafayette 34 Tulane 27

Beef O' Brady Bowl: East Carolina vs Ohio
I know Ohio has some talented players on their team, but East Carolina is pretty good. Should be a great matchup.
East Carolina 35 Ohio 31

Hawai'i Bowl: Boise State vs Oregon State
Boise got smoked by Washington to begin the season, Oregon State got upset by an FCS team. Boise will be without their head coach as he accepted the coaching vacancy at Washington. Look for a lot of offense in this one as the Beavers feature one of them most potent pass games in the nation.
Oregon State 45 Boise State 27

Little Caesars Bowl: Pittsburgh vs Bowling Green
Bowling Green played extremely well in their win over Northern Illinois and Pittsburgh is somewhat unpredictable. I think Pitt will be ready to go and they have too much talent.
Pittsburgh 38 Bowling Green 28

Poinsettia Bowl: Utah State vs Northern Illinois
If Chuckie Keeton wouldn't have been injured, this game would feature two of the most exciting QBs in the country. Jordan Lynch, a Heisman finalist should lead the Huskies to victory in his final game.
Northern Illinois 31 Utah State 24

Military Bowl: Marshall vs Maryland
Marshall had a great season, and Doc Holliday has done a nice job turning the program into a winner, but Maryland has a lot of talent on offense with Diggs and Long at WR and should be able to put up some points.
Maryland 38 Marshall 24

Texas Bowl: Syracuse vs Minnesota
I wasn't too impressed with Minnesota when I watched Iowa beat them early this year, but they reeled off four straight wins before losing to Michigan State and Wisconsin. I didn't get a chance to watch Syracuse at all this year.
Minnesota 28 Syracuse 21

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl: Washington vs BYU
This should be a pretty exciting game, two teams with tough schedules going head-to-head. Expect another high scoring game, Washington RB Bishop Sankey is fun to watch.
Washington 38 BYU 27

Pinstripe Bowl: Notre Dame vs Rutgers
This one could be a blowout, I don't know what happened at Rutgers this year, but they're not playing very well. Notre Dame is not elite, but much better than Rutgers.
Notre Dame 34 Rutgers 13

Belk Bowl: Cincinnati vs North Carolina
This could be a good game, Cincinnati has a pretty solid team, and North Carolina has been on a good roll late in the season.
Cincinnati 27 North Carolina 21

Russell Athletic Bowl: Miami vs Louisville
This could be the beginning of a good rivalry as Louisville joins the ACC next season. Both teams were ranked high during part of the season. I think Teddy Bridgewater will bring it and pull off the win.
Louisville 31 Miami 23

Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl: Michigan vs Kansas State
This should be a good matchup, Kansas State started off slow and came on strong late. Michigan was the opposite, appearing near the top 10 before slipping up in conference play. If Michigan plays like they did against Ohio State they win easily.
Michigan 31 Kansas State 21

Armed Forces Bowl: Middle Tennessee vs Navy
Navy is coming off a huge win against Army, but I think Middle Tennessee pulls this one off.
Middle Tennessee 31 Navy 24

Music City Bowl: Ole Miss vs Georgia Tech
I think this one will be good. Ole Miss started strong, but their schedule got the best of them.
Ole Miss 28 Georgia Tech 21

Alamo Bowl: Oregon vs Texas
Oregon had a couple of sloppy games, but Texas' defense will have a hard time slowing them down.
Oregon 49 Texas 31

Holiday Bowl: Arizona State vs Texas Tech
Another game with a lot of offense, should be a fun one.
Arizona State 42 Texas Tech 34

Sun Bowl: UCLA vs Virginia Tech
I like Virginia Tech before the year started, they were my darkhorse to win the ACC, but they were inconsistent. UCLA has been solid.
UCLA 35 Virginia Tech 24

Liberty Bowl: Rice vs Mississippi State
Mississippi State kind of surprised me by making a bowl game.
Mississippi State 28 Rice 17

Advocare Bowl: Arizona vs Boston College
I'm a big fan of running backs, so I will definitely tune in to this one. It features two of the best in the nation Carey vs Williams.
Arizona 34 Boston College 24

Chick Fil A Bowl: Texas A&M vs Duke
Heisman winner, Jameis Winston was too much for Duke in the ACC title game, now they face last years Heisman winner, Johnny Manziel. Should result in a similar outcome.
Texas A&M 45 Duke 21

Godaddy Bowl: Arkansas State vs Ball State
I like both teams, but once again, don't know much about either one.
Ball State 28 Arkansas State 24

Heart of Dallas Bowl: UNLV vs North Texas
UNLV was much improved this year, but North Texas should win. They held their own against Georgia earlier this year.
North Texas 34 UNLV 28

Compass Bowl: Vanderbilt vs Houston
I only caught Vanderbilt for one quarter this year, but it was the fourth quarter against Georgia and they looked great.
Vanderbilt 31 Houston 21

Gator Bowl: Nebraska vs Georgia
I really don't like Nebraska, I usually root for the Big Ten in their bowl games, but it's really hard when it's Nebraska. I hate their coach and their fans. Georgia I thought would be great this year and Murray is out, but I still think they win.
Georgia 34 Nebraska 28

Outback Bowl: Iowa vs LSU
I know LSU has more talent than Iowa and Iowa hasn't beaten any top 25 teams, but they'll be well prepared for this one. Iowa is typically an underdog in bowl games, but Kirk Ferentz is 6-4 in bowls, including a thrilling win over LSU in the 2005 Capital One Bowl. Ferentz has also beat South Carolina and Florida in bowl games, while losing once to Florida (they cheated). LSU will also be without QB Zach Mettenberger, but they have two solid RBs and WRs. Iowa has the best LB trio in the country.
Iowa 27 LSU 21

Cotton Bowl: Oklahoma State vs Missouri
A match up between two former conference foes. Missouri had a dream season, while Oklahoma State watched their BCS hopes slip away against Oklahoma.
Missouri 31 Oklahoma State 27

Cap One Bowl: Wisconsin vs South Carolina
I really like Wisconsin's rushing attack with White and Gordon, should be a nice test for the talented defense of South Carolina.
Wisconsin 24 South Carolina 17

BCS Championship: Florida State vs Auburn
I think Winston leads Florida State to the national title. Auburn has played well and had some miracle plays, so don't count them out.
Florida State 31 Auburn 28

Rose Bowl: Michigan State vs Stanford
This might be the most physical of the bowl games, I'm excited about this one. The Spartans play dirty, but their defense is the best in the nation.
Michigan State 24 Stanford 17

Fiesta Bowl: UCF vs Baylor
UCF coasted through a pretty easy schedule, Baylor has an offense that UCF hasn't seen yet this year.
Baylor 35 UCF 24

Orange Bowl: Clemson vs Ohio State
This should be a solid game, the Buckeyes' winning streak was snapped with a loss to Michigan State, Clemson's only losses were to South Carolina and Florida State.
Ohio State 38 Clemson 27

Sugar Bowl: Oklahoma vs Alabama
Oklahoma snuck into the BCS with a win over Oklahoma State, while Alabama was shocked by Auburn and knocked out of the championship picture. I'm rooting for Stoops' squad, but Alabama should win.
Alabama 34 Oklahoma 24