Bowl Previews and Predictions: Outback Bowl

Outback Bowl

Background:
Tennessee leads the Series, 1-0. The game was the Garden State Bowl, in 1981.

Tennessee: Loss to LSU after a 5 game win streak
Wisconsin: Wins at Michigan and Minnesota

Tennessee Advantages:
All of their losses were to opponents in the top 12 (at the time of play), excluding Alabama.
Took care of business in the SEC, finishing 2nd.
They were essentially a couple plays away from being a BCS team. That's where 'BAMA come back to bite ya.
Have a very well established caoch in Fulmer, been there since 1992.
Solid running game, Adrian foster has 1,162 yards and 12 TDs.

Tennessee Disadvantages:
They will be missing 1 of their 2 main recievers (Lucas Taylor) among 5 other players, 2 of them starters (LB, DT).
Have a ho-hum defense that is missing two players.

Wisconsin Advantages:
Has defeated the SEC in bowls each of the past two seasons.
Bad boy Lance Smith-Williams might light it up in his first game outside of Madison (due to violating team policy).
They have a defense that is more than decent enough to beat Tennessees reciever-less offense.

Wisconsin Disadvantages:
Kind of sputtered along the stretch with ho-hum losses to Penn State and Michigan.
Comes out of a weak Big 10 conference.
Probobly are without 1080 yard and 18 TD Runningback P.J. Hill.

Writer Predictions:

Jason Frost: TBA

OKLuschen: TBA

Zorgon: Tennessee. As I go on, it's harder and harder to find big disadvantages to these teams, since they become increasingly good and less one-dimensional. Still, in this matchup, all signs point to Tennessee. Wisconsin had the weaker schedule and has no running back while Tennessee was a smidgen away from having a BCS berth. This team got kinda screwed like Missouri did-losing out for playing in a conference championship game. Tennessee in an extremely close one.

Bottom Line: Tennessee 1, Wisconsin 0

Bowl Previews and Predictions: Capital One Bowl

Background:Michigan's 38-30 win in the 2003 Outback Bowl is the only game the two teams have played

Michigan:Lost last game to Ohio State
Florida:Won past four games, the last one against FSU

Florida Advantages:

They played in the title game last year and have many players on the squad who played in last years game

All of their games have been competitive and their looses have all come to currently ranked opponents(including two teams in BCS games)

Urban Meyer is 4-0 in bowls

Tim Tebow was voted the best player in the country

4th in the nation in total offense

Have allowed the 9th fewest rushing yards a game

Florida Disadvantages:

They have a mid level defense

They only have 1 win against a currently ranked opponent

Michigan Advantages:

Lloyd Carr is leaving after the end of the season they will be motivated

They could easily be 10-2 if they came out of the gate quicker

Their only two losses, excluding the first 2 games of the season, have come against currently ranked teams

This will be Mike Harts last game, so we can expect to see an amazing performance from him

They are 23d in the nation in total defense

Michigan Disadvantages:

They have only 1 win against a currently ranked opponent

They lost to Appalachian State, although they would probably be a bowl team if they played in D1.

They play in the relatively weak PAC 10

Have lost 4 straight bowl games

Chess Comparison:Florida is Teimour Radjabov, the relatively young player who usually contends for the world crown. Michigan is Boris Gelfand, one of the oldest players, who is none the less very strong and very solid defensively.

Writer Projections:

Jason Frost: Florida. Florida is yet again one of the top teams in the nation, and again have tremendous offense. They will have no problem with the team that lost to Appalachian State. Look for Michigan to come out strong, yet not have enough offense to keep up. Florida by 3 TDs.

OKLuschen: TBA

Zorgon: Florida. Someone decided to put the #9 ranked team with a Heisman winning Quarterback in a bowl with a coachless non-ranked team, far from its glory days and part of the biggest upset in College Football history? Do the math, people. Mismatches galore, Florida runs all over Michigan. Let's hope this never happens again.

Bottom Line: Florida 2, Michigan 0

Bowl Previews and Predictions: Insight Bowl

Insight Bowl

Background: The series is tied at 0-0-1. The game was played in 1930. We'll have to look at this 7-7 tie pretty closely to determine the outcome of this bowl game.


Indiana: Win against Purdue
Oklahoma State: Loss to Oklahoma


Indiana Advantages:
They are playing in the memory of their lost coach, Terry Hoeppner. His dream was to get to a bowl, and they did, for the first time since 1993.
Their Kicker, Austin Starr, kicked them into this bowl with a win over Old Oaken Bucket Rival, Purdue.
They have an All-Star wideout in James Hardy. 75 catches, 1,075 yards, and 16 touchdowns is nothing to sneeze at, even in the Big 10. He has more touchdowns than most quarterbacks!
To compensate for their passing game, they have a moblie Quarterback in Kellen Lewis, who ran for more TDs (8) than the runningback. He has also thrown for 26 TDs and 10 INTs.


Indiana Disadvantages:
The Big 10 is a weaker conference, and has been under much scrutiny.
They lost to a poo Northwestern team, and won the Purdue game almost by sheer will.
Statistically, their offense and defense is kind of muddled in the early 60s.
Their running game is OK, but not nearly as potent as their passing game.


Oklahoma State Advantages:
They come out of what is arguably a stronger conference.
QB Zac Robinson has really come on as a star, throwing for 20 TDs in a tough Big 12.
Aside from their great passing game, Dantrell Savage helps them a lot by leading the Big 12 in rushing yardage. He even had a 108 yard game against the tough Oklahoma D.
A lot of the games they faced were virtually unwinnable. I'd hate to face 3 BCS teams and Texas.
They have 4 go to recievers, which gives them a real spread-out passing attack.

Oklahoma State Disadvantages:
Suffered a then incredibly embarrassing loss to Troy.
The NFL Network will probobly play the Mike Gundy press conference 22 times during the game.
They have an atrocious defense, ranked 103rd in the nation.


Writer Predictions:


Jason Frost: TBA


OKLuschen: TBA


Zorgon: Indiana. Mike Gundy himself said that the teams who win Bowl games are the ones who want to be there more, and I couldn't agree more wholeheartedly. Indiana is playing in the memory of a coach who just died, and who was cheering for the team until the very end of his life. Oklahoma State, meanwhile, is trudging to another medicore bowl while reciecing waaaay too much money from Boone Pickens. They know they deserve more, and I just don't know if they care. Oh, and their defense is worse than Toledos. Oklahoma State is better, but I say Indiana wins a very close, very offensive game by sheer willpower.

Bottom Line: Indiana 1, Oklahoma State 0

Bowl Previews and Predictions: Humanitarian Bowl

Humanitarian Bowl

Background:

Fresno State leads the series 1-0, with a Silicon Valley Classic victory on Dec. 31st, 2002.

Georgia Tech: Loss to Georgia

Fresno State: Wins at Kansas State and New Mexico State

Georgia Tech Advantages:

Has beaten a powerful Clemson team.

They were just a smidgen away from beating Maryland and Virginia.

They pride themselves on a 12th ranked defense.

The players will want to put on a good impression for their new coach, Paul Johnson. Especially the offense.

Tashard Choice dominated the ACC in rushing....athough that might not say much.

Their defensive coordinator is running the team....which will probobly make the defense really good.

Georgia Tech Disadvantages:

Aside from the Clemson win, their other wins were either over Division II or non-bowl opponents.

The ACC is an incredibly easy football conference.

Their coach got booted after losing 6 straight years to Georgia.

Playing in the Deep South, some of the players have never even seen snow, and they may just have to play in it.

Fresno State Advantages:

They've beaten a Big 12 opponent, Kansas State.

Fresno State has had recent post season success, and has won more than one Humanitarian Bowl before.

They played then ranked Texas A&M close, and have only been blown out by Oregon.

They are an incredibly balenced team, not relying on one superstar to do everything like a lot of mid-major bowl teams.

The QB, Tom Brandstater, has had a decent season.

Fresno State Disadvantages:

They have beaten 0, that's right, 0 Bowl eligible teams.

Neither their offense nor defense really stand out statistically speaking.

All of their statistics should be looked at skeptically given their easy schedule.

Writer Predictions:

Jason Frost: TBA

OKLuschen: TBA

Zorgon: Georgia Tech. Fresno State is really only in a bowl because the WAC needed a 3rd horse. It was really a two team conference this year, and now that one of those top dogs (Boise State) has been embarrassed, what makes me think the distant 3rd place bulldogs will win? Georgia Tech is not a great team by any means, but they're probobly in the Top 35. I will give Fresno some credit though, as they have played a lot of games close. There is a distinct possibility of upset, but I think I'm gonna have to go with the overdogs by a 10 point or so margin.

Georgia Tech 1, Fresno State 0

Bowl Previews and Predictions: Cotton Bowl

Cotton Bowl

(Zorgon's Note: Yes, the picture is relevant. TIGER Woods, holding the BACK of a RAZOR.)

Streak:
Arkansas has won their last two

Missouri dropped its last game to Oklahoma in the Big XII Championship game.

Arkansas Advantages:
Sorry Reggie, but Darren McFadden and Adrian Peterson are the two baddest dudes I've ever seen running the football on the college level. He's simply the best prospect available in the upcoming draft.

They've got four wins against bowl eligible teams this season, including LSU, who'll be playing for the national title.

Don't forget about Felix Jones, he's terribly overshadowed by McFadden and he himself could challenge for the Heisman nect season.

Arkansas Disadvantages:
Uh, let's try Mike Conley Sr. If his SUV costs DMac his eligibility, than the Razorbacks can kiss the cotton bowl goodbye.

Coaching turmoil, with Houston Nutt gone and of course the Bobby Petrino distraction looming.

The defense is not up to par with the usual SEC standards.

Missouri Advantages:
We all know how good Chase Daniel has been this season. The big Tex is dengerous both in and out of the pocket. He also ranks 4th in the nation in total offense.

Speaking of offense there are more playmakers than just Daniel for Missouri. Freshman Jeremy Maclin has explosive speed and is the tigers go-to guy on the outside and on the reverse. They also have the best TE duo in the country, with Martin Rucker and Chase Coffman. Tony Temple, though doesn't run often, makes plays when he's callded upon.

Only team with two wins over two BCS schools.

Missouri Disadvantages:
Chase Daniel and crew have the tendancy to choke off the big game. CHase Daniel gets frustrated easily, as evidenced by his behavior in the Big XII Championship.

Not so sharp in the secondary, giving up 261.46 yards per game.

Could be very disapointed after having the chance to play in New Orleans fot the title, and settling for Dallas and the Cotton.

Writer Picks:
okluschen: If McFadden plays, then I got the Razorbacks, but if he doesn't, Missouri steamrolls. McFadden is not only capable of winning entire games by himself, but has done it several times before. However, with no McFadden, there goes 3/4s of their playbook including the entire Wild Hog formation. It all depends on if the stud plays.

Zorgon: Missouri. With all honesty, this team should be in the BCS. Being punished for going to the Big XII title game? Puh-leaze. Darren McFadden Scharem McShmadden, Chase Daniel was closer to winning the Heisman than he was. Arkansas has come up big in wins against LSU and South Carolina, but if you look at their schedule, its full of Florida International, North Texas, Mississippi, and Chattanooga type games which are prime for pumping Mr.McFaddens stats. Missouri proves it's place.

Jason Frost: TBA

Bottom Line: Arkansas .5, Missouri 1.5

Bowl Previews and Predictions: Chick-Fil-A Bowl

Chick-Fil-A Bowl

Streak:
Auburn: Won it's last contest vs Alabama

Clemson: Won it's last vs South Carolina

Auburn Advantages:
As usual, The Tigers have one of the toughest defenses in the country. They can hang with anybody.

Had an awesome win against Florida and shoulda knocked off LSU, except Les Miles is an evil genius.

Auburn Disadvantages:
Other than the Gators, Tommy Tuberville hasn't done too much this season.

The offense is as stanky as Mark Mangino's bathroom after Mexican night.

Clemson Advantages:
Cullen Harper has come from out of nowhere to become one of the best QBs in the ACC.

Though Clemson may play in the ACC, they certainly have an SEC quality defense, top 10 in the nation.

They've won 5 of their last six, scoring 42.8 points per game in those wins. 4 of those 5 came against bowl eligible teams. The only loss in that strech was by three to a good Boston College team.

Clemson Disadvantages:
As always, Tommy Bowden is in the fans' hot seat.

They seem to have trouble protecting the QB, allowing 2.67 sacks per game this season.

Writer's Predictions:
okluschen: Clemson. These teams have a lot in common. Both are called the Tigers. Both have coaches named Tommy. Both have elite college defenses. However, Clemson does have the upper hand, in that they have the better offense by far. Expect Clemson to win the slug fest, with the point total not exceeding 24.

Zorgon: Auburn. The SEC is probably the toughest conference in the land, and Auburn has been a trooper. They have a bad loss to Mississippi State, but comeon, Clemson? They have no power wins, and really have no place being ranked #15. Auburn torches Clemson, and then eats them for dinner. Then, they reheat Clemson in the microwave and eats the rest for breakfast.

Jason Frost: TLC

Bottom Line: Clemson 2, Auburn 0.

Bowl Previews and Predictions: Music City Bowl

Music City Bowl

Background: Florida State leads the series, 3-1-1. They have not met since 1965.

Kentucky: 2 Losses to Georgia and Tennessee

Florida State: Loss to Florida

Kentucky Advantages:

They have a pro-ready Quarterback in Andre Woodson.

They have a top 25 passing offense.

Kentucky Disadvantages:

They really started falling apart once they faced tough competition.

Their defense leaves something to be desired.

Really nothing stands out besides Andre Woodson.

Florida State Advantages:

This could be Bobby Bowden's second-to-last season, so the team does have SOME motivation to win.

Drew Weatheford isn't pretty, but he's surely not interception prone. He will probobly not have trouble with this defense.

Florida State Disadvantages: Well, for one, they'll be missing a lot of players. However, it should be noted that the offense is mostly intact, and the main losses are backups, Cornerback Patrick Robinson (6 INTs), and Linebacker Dekota Watson. So, they'll have big trouble defending against Kentuckys potent offense, expecially with an already bad pass defense.

They could have come off decently had they won a couple of easy games at Wake Forest and Miami.

I know I point to it all of the time, but their season was the 3rd straight of dissapointment for a once proud college.

Writer Predictions:

Jason Frost: TBA

OKLuschen: TBA

Zorgon: Kentucky. All signs are pointing to a shootout, and while their defenses may be equal (now that Florida State has lost 2 key players, they are) their offenses aren't. Kentucky will win big. A Florida State win is only possible

Bottom Line: Kentucky 1, Florida State 0

Bowl Previews and Predictions: Armed Forces Bowl

Armed Forces Bowl

Background:
Cal Leads the series, 5-2. Have not met since 2002, when Cal won.

Air Force: 3 Wins

California: 3 Losses

Air Force Advantages:

The Mountain West has gone 3-0 in bowls this year.

Found their running attacks stride late in the season to already coombine with the already deadly air attack (Irony!).

Looks to have a bright future.

Air Force Disadvantages:

Has not faced a ranked team all year.

Whenever faced with a halfway decent team, has crumbled. Best wins over Utah and TCU.

California Advantages:

Had a 5 game win streak to start off the season.

Beaten Tennessee and Oregon.

Has a lot more talent than Air Force.

The loss of their #1 reciever, DeSean Jackson, may explain the Stanford loss.

California Disadvantages:

Are on a terrible skid after being considered BCS-worthy. (Losses to Stanford and Washington.)

Their quarterback (Nate Longshore) has been known to make dumb mistakes. Also has a chipped ankle bone, limiting his explosiveness.

The Pac-10 has done terrible in bowls this season.

Just seem to have given up in general. From Yahoo! Sports: ""This is definitely a new low for us," Cal safety Thomas DeCoud said after the loss. "It's kind of too late to salvage anything, but we just want to get to a bowl game and end on the right note so the younger guys can get this program back to where it was.""

Writer Predictions:

Jason Frost: TBA

OKLuschen: TBA

Zorgon: Air Force. The analysis is short on this one because the bowl is simple as pie. Cal is lucky to be in a bowl at all. Their players are banged up. Their heads are hung low. Air Force is coming in with their heads held high out of a surprisingly strong Mountain West. The only way I could see a Cal upset (yes, a Cal upset, Air Force should definately be the favourites) is if they win by sheer talent and/or depth. Air Force wins using excellent arial attacks and bombs out the competition. (IRONY!!!!)

Bottom Line: Air Force 1, California 0

Bowl Previews and Predictions: Sun Bowl

Sun Bowl

Streak:
Oregon is on a three game losing streak
South Florida is on a three game winning streak

Oregon Advantages:
Jonathan Stewart makes plays running, catching, and returning kicks. He's a true speed demon and an all-Pac-10 performer.

The Ducks bring good pressure, they're 14th in the nation in sacks and 1st in the nation in tackles for loss.

They're 12th in the nation in total offense!*

Oregon Disadvantages:
*Well, they're only missing the best multi-purpose QB since Vince Young. This O ain't squat without Dennis Dixon. On top of that, they're down to their 5th stringer at QB.

A three game losing streak, they're as cold as tundra.

South Florida Advantages:
The former number 2 team in the nation

Trae Williams and Mike Jenkins are an elite duo at corner. To add to this is Ben Moffit at linebacker, a truely bruttle force both against the run and the pass.

Great wins against Auburn, West Virginia, and UCF

South Florida Disadvantages:
They certainly aren't the second best team in the nation, never have been, and maybe never will be.

Matt Grothe is a risk taker at QB. He's got a 13-12 TD-Int ratio.

Writer's Picks:
okluschen: South Florida. Though I think that Oregon will be somewhat improved on offense for this game, they've done more than prove that they can't win without their star player. South Florida has had a historic year for their program, and I think they'll top the kings of Nike.
P.S. Don't hurt your eyes watching these two teams color schemes.

Zorgon: South Florida. Oregon is full of quitters, as evidenced by their 3 game slide. They always slip on a banana peel, but unlike other teams who just get back up, they fall down a waterfall. I don't care if South Florida had a coupel questionable losses, the fact is they beat West Virginia and Auburn, which should be more than enough for the Oregon Quitters. Oh, and they don't have Dennis Dixon. Riiiight.
P.S. Green and Gold is an awesome colour scheme!!!!

Jason Frost: TBA

Bottom Line: South Florida 2, Oregon 0

Bowl Previews and Predictions: Independence Bowl

Independence Bowl

Background:

The two teams have never met.

Colorado: Win at Nebraska

Alabama: 4 Straight Losses

Colorado Advantages:

They beat Oklahoma.

They have a knack for comebacks, but this may only show people how badly they always start off.

Sometimes, their offense clicks quite well.
They have a very good running back (Hugh Charles). However, it remains to be seen if the O-Line can open any holes for him.

Their kicker can be clutch (Oklahoma game).

Colorado Disadvantages:
Their offensive line is an abhorration. In some games earlier this season, they had to call a shotgun formation on every play, because if they didn't, the Quarterback would be sacked. And no, they didn't run it either.

It can be argued that Cody Hawkins (Colorado QB) would never have seen the light of day if his Dad (Dan Hawkins) was not coach of his football team.

Aside from their win at Oklahoma, their terrible losses outplay their so-so wins. Loss to Iowa State? Comeon.

They have never blown out a team, except for Baylor (And Baylor has beaten football powerhouses such as Texas State! Buffalo! Even Rice!)

Colorado State is beating Colorado in many categories....hell, maybe they're even better than Colorado. Colorado only beat them by a field goal.

Alabama Advantages:

Solid wins over Tennessee, Houston, and Arkansas (when they were ranked.)

Every single loss was winnable. This team just had a few (more than a few) bad bounces their way. A few catches here and there, and this team could be in the BCS.

They'll probobly have a lot of fans making the trip.

Alabamas defense has a good chance of stopping Colorados rollercoaster offense.

If they can complete a few passes, they can beat Colorados 102-ranked pass defense.

Alabama Disadvantages:

Just completely collapsed at the end of the season, with losses to Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State.

This team simply hasn't been able to finish their business in the games and in their schedule.....and we can only wonder about the bathroom.

The whole season has been a Titanic dissapointment.

Writer Predictions:

Jason Frost: TBA

OKLuschen: TBA

Zorgon: Alabama. Colorado really hasn't gotten a lot going this season. Sometimes records do lie, and Colorado scratched and clawed their way to a 6-6 season while Alabama slipped a couple steps to get there. On top of that, Alabama has Colorados number in pretty much every facet of the game.

Bottom Line: Colorado 0, Alabama 1