Bowl Picks 2009-2010
It is that time. Time for the bowl season to kick into gear. Though I would love nothing more than a playoff like D1AA, D2, and D3 college football, the BCS is the system we are stuck with. So, let's make the best of things and pick some games. For the final week, I'll look at the National Title game, the Papajohn's.com Bowl and the Music City Bowl.
National Title Game (Jan. 7 @ 8 pm)
1 Alabama (13-0) vs 2 Texas (13-0)
For the first time, we may have a legit number 1 vs number 2 for the national title. Alabama made a statement last week when they dethroned the defending national champion Florida Gators in the SEC title game 32-13.
Texas didn't have quite of an easy road last week in the Big 12 title game against Nebraska. Whether you think the Cornhuskers got robbed (which they did) Texas won the game on a last second field goal 13-12.
But none of what happens matters. All that matters is what they bring to the table that day.
Three to Watch
Longhorns
Colt McCoy (Quarterback, Sr.)
McCoy is coming off a rough Big 12 game where he was thrown around by Nebraska's Ndemekong Suh, which probably cost him the Heisman. Now, McCoy gets one last chance to show how good of a QB he is. The Texas offense will go as he goes. If he does well, Texas has a shot, if he struggles, Alabama will take over.
Jordan Shipley (Wide receiver, Sr.)
The favorite target of McCoy, he is the big play threat. He leads the team in receptions and yards, and will be counted on big time. His ability to draw double teams will hopefully free up the other wideouts. His return skills will be called upon as well.
Blake Gideon (Safety, Soph.)
Sadly, Gideon is known as the guy that missed Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree last year that probably cost Texas a shot at the title last season. Gideon will see another top flight receiver in Julio Jones. Gideon hopes history won't repeat itself.
Crimson Tide
Mark Ingram (Runningback, So)
The Heisman winner will look to show that he is legit, as if the past weeks haven't already shown that. If Ingram gets churning, combined with Trent Richardson, and Alabama will be able to keep McCoy and the Longhorn offense off the field.
Terrance Cody (Defensive tackle, Sr.)
The big man in the middle of the defense will be crucial. The Longhorn O-line showed that they are susecptible to a team with a dominate defensive tackle. Cody is no Suh, but if he can control the line, it will be a long day for McCoy.
Javier Arenas (Cornerback, Sr.)
Arenas will be charged with guarding Shipley. If he can take away, or limit, McCoy's favorite target, it will really hamper the Longhorn offense. Also, Arenas in the return game could be a big swing for the Tide.
Pick:
Alabama 34
Texas 17
Music City Bowl (Dec. 27 @ 8:30)
Clemson (8-5) vs Kentucky (7-5)
It is a rematch of the 2006 Music City Bowl where Kentucky won 28-20: The Wildcats are hoping history repeast itself, while the Tigers are looking to relegitimize themselves after their late season slum to South Carolina and Georgia Tech.
As mentioned, Clemson is coming into this game limping after a loss to in-state rival Carolina, and then Georgia Tech eeked out a 39-34 victory over the Tigers in the ACC Title game. But that doesn't mean the Wildcats of Kentucky are guaranteed a victory. RB/KR/PR CJ Spiller may be the most electrifying player on the field, and WR Jacoby Ford may be even faster than Spiller, and dependable TE Michael Palmer has turned into a favorite target of QB Kyle Parker. The defense is also a tough unit, with the best defensive line and secondary in the ACC.
Kentucky finished up the month of November hot, going 3-1, and were a play away from beating rival Tennessee and going 4-0. Freshman QB Morgan Newton has come in and been servicable, RB Derrick Locke has shown to be a workhorse, and WR Randall Cobb has been the "do everything" guy for the 'Cats. The D isn't too shabby either, led by DE Taylor Windham, LB Micah Johnson, and CB Trevard Lindley.
Three To Watch
Tigers
CJ Spiller (Runningback, Sr.)
Clemson goes as Spiller goes. If he has a big game, then Clemson will have a shot to win. If Kentucky can shut him down, then Clemson will have next to no shot at winning the bowl game.
DeAndre McDaniel (Safety, Jr.)
McDaniel leads the team in interceptions, and is also a hard-hitting threat to any receiver crossing the middle. He will be key in shutting down Cobb and fellow WR Chris Matthews.
Kyle Parker (Quarterback, R-Fr.)
This could very well be Parker's last football game. He is projected to be a high draft pick in the MLB draft, and it appears his future is in baseball. No one wants to go out a loser, and that is a big motiviation for not only Parker, but Spiller and the other seniors on the Clemson roster.
Wildcats
Randall Cobb (Receiver, Sr.)
Cobb does it all for Kentucky. He catches, he runs the ball, and he runs the WildCat. He is the only "answer" to Spiller. Cobb's leadership will be called on with an offense led by a freshman QB.
Trevard Lindley (Cornerback, Sr.)
Lindley will be called upon to guard Ford. Ford is the second option in the Clemson offense, and if Lindley can control him and force Clemson to put everything on Spiller, then the Wildcats will have a good shot to win their third Music City Bowl in the past 4 years.
Derrick Locke (Runningack, Jr.)
Locke has come in and become a good back. His toughness and ability to get tough yards could give the Wildcats the best weapon against Spiller: Keeping him off the field. A good RB will also help calm down a freshman QB in Newton.
Pick:
Kentucky 31
Clemson 30
Papajohn's.com Bowl (Jan. 2 @ 2 pm)
South Carolina vs Connecticut
Papajohn's Bowl is entering its fourth year, and the past two years have seen competitive bowl games with Rutgers/NC State and Cincinnati/Southern Miss. Now, Carolina and UConn get a chance to add a chapter the the Papajohn's Bowl.
South Carolina has ended their season on a good note, beating rival Clemson, and now look to close the season on a two-game win streak. QB Stephen Garcia has improved a good bit, and will be in consideration as top QB in the SEC next year. RBs Kenny Miles and Brian Maddox have created a servicable run game, and WR Alshon Jeffery has given USC a go-to receiver. The key to this game will be All SEC LB Eric Norwood, who always seems to play big when the cameras turn on.
UConn has had the roughest season imaginable with the loss of Jasper "Jazz" Howard. The team could've called it a year, but instead rallied and were able to beat Notre Dame to give their season a high note. The Huskies have a huge offensive line and are anchored by a power running game and RBs Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon. The passing game is servicable, but the Huskies would love to run the ball all game, and hit deep passes to WR Marcus Easley.
Three to Watch
Huskies
Andre Dixon (Runningback, Sr.)
Dixon is the powerback of the duo. His ability to ge the tough yards and find the endzone will be key to UConn controlling the clock and keeping the Carolina offense off the field. He will also be depended on the give blocking help on Norwood.
Jordan Todman (Runningback, So.)
Todman is the speed back of the two. He will be responsible to gash the defense of Carolina. He will also need to catch balls out of the backfield.
Lindsey Witten (Defensive end, Sr.)
Witten is the sack and tackles-for-loss leader. If he is able to get in the backfield and disrupt the running game and force them to depend on Garcia, UConn will have a chance to win.
Gamecocks
Eric Norwood (Linebacker, Sr.)
The guy does everything for USC on defense. He tackles, he gets sacks, he gets in the backfield, recovers fumbles, intercepts passes, and he leads the D. UConn will have to account for Norwood every down if they want to get their offense running.
Kenny Miles (Runningback, R-Fr.)
Miles has come on this year as a primary rusher. After a big Clemson game, Miles work horse ability and hard-nosed running will be key to controlling the clock and wearing down the UConn D.
Ladi Ajiboye (Defensive Tackle, Jr.)
Ajiboye will have to get in the backfield, as well as keep the big UConn linemen from getting to the next level and blocking LBs Norwood and Shaq Wilson. If he can disrupt the running game, it will go a long way to helping Carolina get the win.
Pick:
South Carolina 38
Connecticut 17
The rest of the bowls
New Mexico Bowl: Fresno State over Wyoming
St. Petersburg Bowl: Rutgers over Central Florida
New Orleans Bowl: Southern Miss. over Mid. Tenn. State
Las Vegas Bowl: Oregon State over BYU
Poinsettia Bowl: Utah over California
Hawaii Bowl: SMU over Nevada
Little Cesaer's Bowl: Ohio over Marshall
Meineke Bowl: Pittsburgh over North Carolina
Emerald Bowl: Southern Cal over Boston College
Independence Bowl: Texas A&M over Georgia
Champs Sports Bowl: Miami (FL) over Wisconsin
Humanitarian Bowl: Bowling Green over Idaho
Holiday Bowl: Nebraska over Arizona
Sun Bowl: Stanford over Oklahoma
Armed Forces Bowl: Houston over Air Force
Texas Bowl: Navy over Missouri
Insight Bowl: Minnesota over Iowa State
Chick-fil-a Bowl: Tennessee over Virginia Tech
Outback Bowl: Auburn over Northwestern
Gator Bowl: Florida State over West Virginia
Capital 1 Bowl: LSU over Penn. State
Rose Bowl: Oregon over Ohio State
Sugar Bowl: Florida over Cincinnati
International Bowl: South Florida over Northern Illinois
Cotton Bowl: Oklahoma State over Ole Miss.
Liberty Bowl: Arkansas over East Carolina
Alamo Bowl: Texas Tech over Michigan State
Fiesta Bowl: TCU over Boise State
Orange Bowl: Georgia Tech over Iowa
GMAC Bowl: Central Michigan over Troy
National Title Game (Jan. 7 @ 8 pm)
1 Alabama (13-0) vs 2 Texas (13-0)
For the first time, we may have a legit number 1 vs number 2 for the national title. Alabama made a statement last week when they dethroned the defending national champion Florida Gators in the SEC title game 32-13.
Texas didn't have quite of an easy road last week in the Big 12 title game against Nebraska. Whether you think the Cornhuskers got robbed (which they did) Texas won the game on a last second field goal 13-12.
But none of what happens matters. All that matters is what they bring to the table that day.
Three to Watch
Longhorns
Colt McCoy (Quarterback, Sr.)McCoy is coming off a rough Big 12 game where he was thrown around by Nebraska's Ndemekong Suh, which probably cost him the Heisman. Now, McCoy gets one last chance to show how good of a QB he is. The Texas offense will go as he goes. If he does well, Texas has a shot, if he struggles, Alabama will take over.
Jordan Shipley (Wide receiver, Sr.)The favorite target of McCoy, he is the big play threat. He leads the team in receptions and yards, and will be counted on big time. His ability to draw double teams will hopefully free up the other wideouts. His return skills will be called upon as well.
Blake Gideon (Safety, Soph.)Sadly, Gideon is known as the guy that missed Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree last year that probably cost Texas a shot at the title last season. Gideon will see another top flight receiver in Julio Jones. Gideon hopes history won't repeat itself.
Crimson Tide
Mark Ingram (Runningback, So)The Heisman winner will look to show that he is legit, as if the past weeks haven't already shown that. If Ingram gets churning, combined with Trent Richardson, and Alabama will be able to keep McCoy and the Longhorn offense off the field.
Terrance Cody (Defensive tackle, Sr.)The big man in the middle of the defense will be crucial. The Longhorn O-line showed that they are susecptible to a team with a dominate defensive tackle. Cody is no Suh, but if he can control the line, it will be a long day for McCoy.
Javier Arenas (Cornerback, Sr.)Arenas will be charged with guarding Shipley. If he can take away, or limit, McCoy's favorite target, it will really hamper the Longhorn offense. Also, Arenas in the return game could be a big swing for the Tide.
Pick:
Alabama 34
Texas 17
Music City Bowl (Dec. 27 @ 8:30)
Clemson (8-5) vs Kentucky (7-5)
It is a rematch of the 2006 Music City Bowl where Kentucky won 28-20: The Wildcats are hoping history repeast itself, while the Tigers are looking to relegitimize themselves after their late season slum to South Carolina and Georgia Tech.
As mentioned, Clemson is coming into this game limping after a loss to in-state rival Carolina, and then Georgia Tech eeked out a 39-34 victory over the Tigers in the ACC Title game. But that doesn't mean the Wildcats of Kentucky are guaranteed a victory. RB/KR/PR CJ Spiller may be the most electrifying player on the field, and WR Jacoby Ford may be even faster than Spiller, and dependable TE Michael Palmer has turned into a favorite target of QB Kyle Parker. The defense is also a tough unit, with the best defensive line and secondary in the ACC.
Kentucky finished up the month of November hot, going 3-1, and were a play away from beating rival Tennessee and going 4-0. Freshman QB Morgan Newton has come in and been servicable, RB Derrick Locke has shown to be a workhorse, and WR Randall Cobb has been the "do everything" guy for the 'Cats. The D isn't too shabby either, led by DE Taylor Windham, LB Micah Johnson, and CB Trevard Lindley.
Three To Watch
Tigers
CJ Spiller (Runningback, Sr.)Clemson goes as Spiller goes. If he has a big game, then Clemson will have a shot to win. If Kentucky can shut him down, then Clemson will have next to no shot at winning the bowl game.
DeAndre McDaniel (Safety, Jr.)McDaniel leads the team in interceptions, and is also a hard-hitting threat to any receiver crossing the middle. He will be key in shutting down Cobb and fellow WR Chris Matthews.
Kyle Parker (Quarterback, R-Fr.)This could very well be Parker's last football game. He is projected to be a high draft pick in the MLB draft, and it appears his future is in baseball. No one wants to go out a loser, and that is a big motiviation for not only Parker, but Spiller and the other seniors on the Clemson roster.
Wildcats
Randall Cobb (Receiver, Sr.)Cobb does it all for Kentucky. He catches, he runs the ball, and he runs the WildCat. He is the only "answer" to Spiller. Cobb's leadership will be called on with an offense led by a freshman QB.
Trevard Lindley (Cornerback, Sr.)Lindley will be called upon to guard Ford. Ford is the second option in the Clemson offense, and if Lindley can control him and force Clemson to put everything on Spiller, then the Wildcats will have a good shot to win their third Music City Bowl in the past 4 years.
Derrick Locke (Runningack, Jr.)Locke has come in and become a good back. His toughness and ability to get tough yards could give the Wildcats the best weapon against Spiller: Keeping him off the field. A good RB will also help calm down a freshman QB in Newton.
Pick:
Kentucky 31
Clemson 30
Papajohn's.com Bowl (Jan. 2 @ 2 pm)
South Carolina vs Connecticut
Papajohn's Bowl is entering its fourth year, and the past two years have seen competitive bowl games with Rutgers/NC State and Cincinnati/Southern Miss. Now, Carolina and UConn get a chance to add a chapter the the Papajohn's Bowl.
South Carolina has ended their season on a good note, beating rival Clemson, and now look to close the season on a two-game win streak. QB Stephen Garcia has improved a good bit, and will be in consideration as top QB in the SEC next year. RBs Kenny Miles and Brian Maddox have created a servicable run game, and WR Alshon Jeffery has given USC a go-to receiver. The key to this game will be All SEC LB Eric Norwood, who always seems to play big when the cameras turn on.
UConn has had the roughest season imaginable with the loss of Jasper "Jazz" Howard. The team could've called it a year, but instead rallied and were able to beat Notre Dame to give their season a high note. The Huskies have a huge offensive line and are anchored by a power running game and RBs Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon. The passing game is servicable, but the Huskies would love to run the ball all game, and hit deep passes to WR Marcus Easley.
Three to Watch
Huskies
Andre Dixon (Runningback, Sr.)Dixon is the powerback of the duo. His ability to ge the tough yards and find the endzone will be key to UConn controlling the clock and keeping the Carolina offense off the field. He will also be depended on the give blocking help on Norwood.
Jordan Todman (Runningback, So.)Todman is the speed back of the two. He will be responsible to gash the defense of Carolina. He will also need to catch balls out of the backfield.
Lindsey Witten (Defensive end, Sr.)Witten is the sack and tackles-for-loss leader. If he is able to get in the backfield and disrupt the running game and force them to depend on Garcia, UConn will have a chance to win.
Gamecocks
Eric Norwood (Linebacker, Sr.)The guy does everything for USC on defense. He tackles, he gets sacks, he gets in the backfield, recovers fumbles, intercepts passes, and he leads the D. UConn will have to account for Norwood every down if they want to get their offense running.
Kenny Miles (Runningback, R-Fr.)Miles has come on this year as a primary rusher. After a big Clemson game, Miles work horse ability and hard-nosed running will be key to controlling the clock and wearing down the UConn D.
Ladi Ajiboye (Defensive Tackle, Jr.)Ajiboye will have to get in the backfield, as well as keep the big UConn linemen from getting to the next level and blocking LBs Norwood and Shaq Wilson. If he can disrupt the running game, it will go a long way to helping Carolina get the win.
Pick:
South Carolina 38
Connecticut 17
The rest of the bowls
New Mexico Bowl: Fresno State over Wyoming
St. Petersburg Bowl: Rutgers over Central Florida
New Orleans Bowl: Southern Miss. over Mid. Tenn. State
Las Vegas Bowl: Oregon State over BYU
Poinsettia Bowl: Utah over California
Hawaii Bowl: SMU over Nevada
Little Cesaer's Bowl: Ohio over Marshall
Meineke Bowl: Pittsburgh over North Carolina
Emerald Bowl: Southern Cal over Boston College
Independence Bowl: Texas A&M over Georgia
Champs Sports Bowl: Miami (FL) over Wisconsin
Humanitarian Bowl: Bowling Green over Idaho
Holiday Bowl: Nebraska over Arizona
Sun Bowl: Stanford over Oklahoma
Armed Forces Bowl: Houston over Air Force
Texas Bowl: Navy over Missouri
Insight Bowl: Minnesota over Iowa State
Chick-fil-a Bowl: Tennessee over Virginia Tech
Outback Bowl: Auburn over Northwestern
Gator Bowl: Florida State over West Virginia
Capital 1 Bowl: LSU over Penn. State
Rose Bowl: Oregon over Ohio State
Sugar Bowl: Florida over Cincinnati
International Bowl: South Florida over Northern Illinois
Cotton Bowl: Oklahoma State over Ole Miss.
Liberty Bowl: Arkansas over East Carolina
Alamo Bowl: Texas Tech over Michigan State
Fiesta Bowl: TCU over Boise State
Orange Bowl: Georgia Tech over Iowa
GMAC Bowl: Central Michigan over Troy
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