Eagle Bank Bowl
December 20, 11:00 AM EST, ESPN
Navy (8-4) vs. Wake Forest (7-5)
What you should know: Navy knocked off Wake Forest earlier in the year with a 24-17 win in Winston-Salem.
What you need to know: Seeing a triple option for the second time in one season should make it a whole lot easier for the Demon Deacons defense. Navy is ranked #1 out of all 119 teams in rushing yards, while they rank dead last in passing yards.
What you might not know: This is the first game of the Eagle Bank Bowl.
What you will know after the game: That Wake Forest should be able to stop the rushing attack this time around and end up with a 27-20 victory.
New Mexico Bowl
December 20, 2:30 PM EST, ESPN
Fresno State (7-5) vs. Colorado State (6-6)
What you should know: After losing to Wisconsin early in the season, Fresno State hasn't been able to rebound from big expectations. Colorado State has played in some tough match-ups taking BYU and TCU to the end of their respective games.
What you need to know: Fresno State is 2-10 ATS this year and has lost the last two games played against Colorado State (most recently in 2006).
What you might not know: This is the first New Mexico Bowl game that New Mexico hasn't played in.
What you will know after the game: That Colorado State is happy to be here while Fresno State is still licking their wounds from a 61-10 pounding from Boise State. The Rams will take down the Bulldogs with a score of 31-20.
magicJack St. Petersburg Bowl
December 20, 4:30 PM EST, ESPN 2
South Florida (7-5) vs. Memphis (6-6)
What you should know: South Florida boasts one of the best national pass rushers in George Selvie. He should be a future first round draft pick. Memphis may boast a perennial powerhouse in basketball, but since 2003 the Tigers have been to a bowl game every year.
What you need to know: It is basically a home game for the Bulls of South Florida as Tropicana Field is just about 20-30 minutes away from campus. If they show up to play and seem interested in the game then it will be a blowout.
What you might not know: magicJack is a product that you plug into your computer that allows you to make local and long distance calls.
What you will know after the game: South Florida was one of the favorites for the Big East and if should roll. However, they have not met expectations all year and this is a game that Memphis can win. I still see a 31-27 victory for the Bulls, but an upset wouldn't shock me.
Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl
December 20, 8:00 PM EST, ESPN
BYU (10-2) vs. Arizona (7-5)
What you should know: This game features two teams that like to put up points. Both average more than 35 points per game and both offenses have struggled against good defensive teams.
What you need to know: If it wasn't for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in BYU's second game against Washington, both teams might have had much different seasons and who knows if the Cougars would still be here. Arizona's head coach Mike Stoops has been mentioned as a possible name for the Iowa State position. Is he focused on helping the Wildcats win this game?
What you might not know: These two teams have met in last two seasons with a split record. BYU won last year 20-7, while Arizona won in 2006 with a score of 16-13.
What you will know after the game: If you really want to make a solid play, take the under evidenced by those two scores from previous winners. I think Arizona should come out on top with a 30-24 victory.
R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
December 21, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN
Troy (8-4) vs. Southern Mississippi (6-6)
What you should know: In all honesty, you probably shouldn't know much about either team. You might remember Troy had a 31-3 lead in the third quarter earlier this year only to lose 40-31. After 14 consecutive winning seasons, head coach Jeff Bower was forced to resign before the season for the Golden Eagles.
What you need to know: Both teams are coming into this game very hot. Southern Miss has a four game winning streak and despite the loss to LSU, Troy has won six of its last eight games.
What you might not know: Troy has only been in Division 1 football since 2001 and joined the Sun Belt conference in 2004. This is the third bowl game that they will compete in.
What you will know after the game: Troy has a slight edge in this one and it should be a close game with a late kick to pull out a 30-27 victory.
San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
December 23, 8:00 PM EST, ESPN
Texas Christian (10-2) vs. Boise State (12-0)
What you should know: This will be the non-BCS conference game to watch. Boise State has a powerful offense that still boasts America's favorite hero, Ian Johnson! Remember him? TCU has a very tough defense and it will be a classic game to determine who has the better unit!
What you need to know: The hidden numbers. We all know that Boise State has a great offense and the same applies for TCU's defense. However, Boise State also only gives up 12.2 ppg (TCU 10.9) and TCU scores 35 ppg (Boise State 39.4). This will be a great game.
What you might not know: Despite the success Boise State had in the BCS game two years ago in Oklahoma, they are a much different team. That year Ian Johnson rushed for over 1700 yards and 25 touchdowns. This year, he has only managed 679 yards and 12 touchdowns. Look for TCU to stop the pass first and try to see if that offensive line can hold up for Boise State.
What you will know after the game: Probably that you witnessed a great bowl game with Boise State pulling out a close 24-20 victory to close out an undefeated season.
Sheraton Hawaiʻi Bowl
December 24, 8:00 PM EST, ESPN
Notre Dame(6-6) vs. Hawaii (7-6)
What you should know: That once again Notre Dame failed to live up to expectations. Charlie Weis' seat keeps getting hotter and losing this game to Hawaii certainly won't help. Hawaii has had a decent year going through the loss of QB Colt Brennan and coach June Jones.
What you need to know: Notre Dame is one of the most inconsistent teams in the nation and the record shows that. Also, the fact that they are on the islands will give them ample time to forget about football and worry about their tan. Hawaii has played in some tough games this year and should come out and be ready to play.
What you might not know: Hawaii is playing in this game for sixth time. The only game they missed was last year when they were in the BCS Sugar Bowl against Georgia.
What you will know after the game: Most likely that Notre Dame will be exposed again as a fraud and that the players sat around on the beach all week. I expect Hawaii to win this game easily 31-17.
Motor City Bowl
December 26, 7:30 PM EST, ESPN 2
Florida Atlantic(6-6) vs. Central Michigan (8-4)
What you should know: Again, not much of anything. Although, Central Michigan came up just short in an upset bid against Ball State that could have won a chance to play in the MAC Championship game. You also might know the coach of Florida Atlantic, Howard Schnellenberger, who brought back programs at Miami and Louisville.
What you need to know: Both teams are really average. They give up lots of points and also know how to put points on the board. This game could be a shoot-out and whoever has the ball last could win.
What you might not know: If Central Michigan can win this game, it will be the first victory for a team from the state of Michigan in Ford Field since 2007. Ooops...sorry, Lions fans.
What you will know after the game: That this might not have been the prettiest of collegiate teams to watch, but if you did, you would have seen some big plays in a Central Michigan 45-35 victory.
That's it for this week, tune in later to see more Bowl coverage!
No comments:
Post a Comment