Today, Monday January 2nd, we’ll see six bowl games being played with the first kickoff right after the Rose Parade.
Unfortunately, three of them kickoff at the same time and one will have only barely begun when they do. So keep those remotes well oiled and fingers spry!
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The Ticket City Bowl starts at Noon in Dallas, Texas with #20 Houston (12-1, 8-1, 1st in Conference USA West) vs #24 Penn State (9-3, 6-2, 2nd in the Leaders Division of the Big Ten) (on ESPNU).
Houston has the nation’s #1 pass offense with Case Keenum having completing 71.7% of his passes for 5099 yards, 45 touchdowns and only five interceptions. The Cougars only loss came in their final game of the year. They dropped the C-USA Championship game to Southern Mississippi 49-28.
Penn State is operating under a cloud. They have no university president, no athletic director, no head coach, and no idea who will be in those positions next month. Currently, Tom Bradley is acting as interim head coach. He is being interviewed for the top spot but so are others. Since the fit hit the shan back in November, the Nittany Lions have struggled on the field. They dropped two of their last three games losing to Nebraska and Wisconsin. They’ve had players fighting in the locker room. (A quarterback was injured and may have to sit out this game. A wide receiver was left home.) Things are not all that well in Happy Valley.
The Cougars average 443.8 yards per game passing offense. Penn State is 5th in the nation in pass defense yielding just 162.2 yards per game. The average score of Houston’s 12 victories was 53-21. Twice they scored 73 points in a game. They won’t score that many against Penn State, but they should still manage to win.
Houston 35, Penn State 17.
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The Capital One Bowl, beginning at 1 PM in Orlando, Florida, pits #10 South Carolina (10-2, 6-2, 2nd in the SEC East) vs #21 Nebraska (9-3, 5-3 3rd in the Big Ten Legends Division) (on ESPN).
The Gamecocks lost Marcus Lattimore, a certified Heisman candidate, in mid season yet still averaged 198 yards rushing per game (24th in the nation). The Cornhuskers average 223.9 yards per game (14th in the nation). Neither is particularly strong in passing offense (92nd and 98th). So this game will come down to defense.
South Carolina is 2nd in pass defense and 4th overall. Nebraska’ s defense is 35th. ‘Nuff said.
South Carolina wins this one 31-17.
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The Gator Bowl also starts at 1 PM in Jacksonville, Florida with Ohio State (6-6) facing Florida (6-6) (on ESPN2).
Ohio State had a mediocre year. Their offense…well…stunk! They were 26th in passing but 112th in rushing for an overall 101 ranking. Defense was better. The Buckeyes ranked 23rd overall. They lost their last three games (@Purdue, home against Penn St., and @Michigan).
The Gators also had an up and down year. They won their first four, lost their middle four, and split their final four (W, L, W, L). Their offense is ranked 95th in the nation. Their defense, however, ranked 9th overall.
The game is being played in the Gator’s backyard. I see Florida winning this one 24-17.
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The Outback Bowl is the third game starting at 1 PM in Tampa, Florida #12 Michigan State (10-3, 7-2, 1st in the Big Ten Legends Division) will play #18 Georgia (10-3, 7-2, 1st in the SEC East) (on ABC).
Both teams have top five defenses but the Georgia Bulldogs have an offense just slightly better than the Spartans.
Michigan State won four of their last five losing only to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship—42-39. After losing their first two games, to Boise State and South Carolina, the Georgia Bulldogs ran off 10 straight wins before losing in the SEC Championship game to LSU.
Look for Georgia to win this one 31-28.
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Now we get to first two of the BCS games.
The Rose Bowl kicks off at 5PM in Pasadena, California and has #5 Oregon (11-2, 9-1, 1st in the PAC 12 North and PAC 12 Champion) playing #9 Wisconsin (11-2, 7-2, 1st in the Leaders Division of the Big Ten and Big Ten Champ) (on ESPN).
The Oregon Ducks have the 4th ranked offense in the nation. Their rush offense is stronger with the likes of LaMichael James leading the way. Their two losses were to LSU back on opening day and to USC in mid November.
Russell Wilson quarterbacks the Wisconsin Badgers’ potent offense. He’s thrown 31 TDs and only 3 INTs. He’s also got Montee Ball in the backfield carrying the ball (1759 yards and 32 TDs on the ground and 6 via the air).
There’s one thing for sure about this game: Points will be scored. Wisconsin wins 45-38.
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Finally, the Fiesta Bowl begins at 8:30 PM in Glendale, Arizona with #3 Oklahoma State (11-1, 8-1,1st Big 12) vs #4 Stanford (11-1, 8-1, 2nd in the PAC 12 North) (on ESPN).
Oklahoma State Cowboys have Brandon Weeden (72.6 % completion, 4328 yards, 34 TD, but 12 INT) and Joseph Randle (1193 yards rushing and 23 TDs). The Cowboys offense is ranked 3rd in the nation—42nd in rushing, 2nd in passing. But their defense is only 101st—79th against the rush and 99th against the pass.
The Stanford Cardinal have Andrew Luck (70%, 3170 yards, 35 TDs, and just 9 INTs) and Stepfan Taylor (1153 yards rushing and 8 TDs).Stanford’s Offense is ranked 10th in the nation. Its defense is ranked 24th (5th against the rush, 75th against the pass).
Stanford will prevail in this one, although it won’t be easy—or low scoring. Cardinal 41-38.
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So there are my winners: Houston, South Carolina,Florida, Georgia, Wisconsin and Stanford.
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