SportGamble.us chooses this year’s college football bowling games
Here are the consensus bowl picks from the SportGamble.us staff.
Tuesday December 14
New Orleans Bowl
North Texas vs South Mississippi
SG Pick: North Texas
If the So. Miss Defense can stop Jamario Thomas from adding to their flashy stats, they should be able to keep this close.
7:30 pm
Tuesday December 21
Champions Sports Bowl
Georgia Tech vs Syracuse
SG Pick: Georgia Tech
7:45 pm
Wednesday December 22
GMAC bowl
Memphis vs Bowling Green
SG’s Pick: Bowling Green
I want to pick Memphis to win this battle, but the Falcon’s fourth-highest scoring offense in the nation will simply surpass Memphis no matter how well they play.
8:00 pm
Thursday, December 23
PlainsCapital Fort Worth Bowl
Cincinnati vs. Marshall
SG’s Pick: Marshall
Marshall has appeared to play in big games this year. I consider a bowling game to be a “big” game, right?
6:30 pm
Las Vegas Bowl
Wyoming vs UCLA
SG’s choice: UCLA
UCLA should burn Wyoming with its passing and passing game. Although Wyoming is playing its first bowling game in 11 years … that’s certainly motivating.
9:45 pm
Friday, December 24
Hawaii bowl
UAB vs Hawaii
SG’s pick: Hawaii
The NCAA’s all-time passing leader should have a day off against this no-show UAB defense
7:00 pm
Monday December 27
Bowl MPC Computers
Fresno State vs. 18 Virginia
SG’s choice: Virginia
Fresno State couldn’t play the big dogs this season and Virginia is on the horizon to become one.
2:00 pm
Motor City Bowl
Toledo vs Connecticut
SG election: Toledo
Does Connecticut have a soccer team? Well that’s what we would have said last season, but they have a quarterback who can break the secondary. You probably haven’t heard of him, but NFL scouts know him all too well. Connecticut has a chance if it captures the mindset it had when it met with Pittsburgh earlier in the year.
5:30 pm
Tuesday December 28
Independence Bowl
Iowa State vs Miami (Ohio)
SG Pick: Iowa State
Iowa state’s explosive offense will give Miami everything they want … plus something.
6:30 pm
Insight bowl
Oregon State vs Notre Dame
SG’s pick: Notre Dame
Notre Dame will fight with all its heart in defense of Tyrone Willingham. Oh, did we mention they’re a pretty good soccer team anyway?
9:45 pm
Wednesday, December 29
Houston bowl
Texas-El Paso vs Colorado
SG Pick: Texas-El Paso
Jordan Carson (does the name sound familiar?) Will finally get a chance to showcase his talents on national television. Colorado still wonders what happened in the Big 12 championship …
4:30 pm
Alamo bowl
24 State of Ohio vs State of Oklahoma
SG Pick: Ohio State
The state of Oklahoma is no stranger to big games. Unfortunately, they have not learned how to win them.
8:00 pm
Thursday December 30
Continental Tire Bowl
25 Boston College vs North Carolina
SG’s Choice: Boston College
North Carolina has a lack of “big game” experience, while Boston College has the “secret of success” to winning bowling games, they have won 4 in a row.
13:00
Emerald bowl
New Mexico vs Marina
SG’s choice: Marina
Did we say Marina? That’s how it is! These guys finally learned to play soccer.
4:30 pm
Holiday bowl
4 California vs 23 Texas Tech
SG Pick: California
Cal will punish Texas Tech for being kicked out of the BCS landscape.
8:00 pm
Silicon Valley bowl
Troy vs. Northern Illinois
SG Pick: Northern Illinois
Troy has never been to a bowling game and he’s not ready to win one, either. N. Illinois has a rushing attack that will outmatch this Troy defense.
11.00 pm
Friday December 31st
Music City Bowl
Alabama vs Minnesota
SG Pick: Alabama
This is not because we like the SEC. Minnesota doesn’t play at home …
12:00 pm
Bowl of the sun
Purdue vs 21 state of Arizona
SG’s Pick: Purdue
Arizona State comes with its second quarterback that Purdue’s young but very good defense should contain. Wait for Purdue to light up the scoreboard on this one!
2:00 pm
Liberty bowl
10 Boise State vs. 7 Louisville
SG’s pick: Louisville
This may be the bowling game of the year. If you like fast attacks and aggressive scoring, this game is for you! Vegas will explode with “total points” bets in this case.
3:30 pm
14 Miami (FLA.) Vs 20 Florida
Peach bowl
SG Pick: Florida
If Chris Leak (Gators) isn’t the best quarterback in the country, he will be. When the Gators are running full steam ahead, I’d pick them to beat anyone in the country. Keep an eye out for this one because it should be a money maker!
7:30 pm
Saturday, January 1
Cotton bowl
15 Tennessee vs. 22 Texas A&M
SG Pick: Tennessee
The Vols simply ran out of time in the SEC championship. I suspect they will pick up where they left off. Neither team “should” be here, so it will definitely be one of the best games to watch.
11am
Outback bowl
16 Wisconsin goes 8 Georgia
SG election: Georgia
Wisconsin can play offense, but GA’s quick defense will stop the run and force Wisconsin to pitch, resulting in too many mistakes to overcome. Georgia wins.
11am
Gator bowl
17 The state of Florida passes to West Virginia
SG Election: State of Florida
Florida State has outgrown Florida’s loss. Bowden’s ability to master bowling games has a “W” written all over it.
12:30 pm
Capital One Bowl
11 Iowa vs 12 LSU
SG choice: LSU (restrictions apply …)
LSU is young, but he managed to fight his way to a good game of bowling this year. If the LSU defense can keep the score close, they can do it.
13:00
Flower vase
13 Michigan vs 6 Texas
SG Pick: Texas
If Mack can persuade his players that they are as good as he is, the coaches of the nations, Texas, will outperform a strong Michigan team.
4:30 pm
Party Bowl
5 Utah vs 19 Pittsburgh
SG Pick: Utah
Pittsburgh slipped out the back door to win the Big East, but I’m afraid Utah will show Pitt what it’s like to play for the Big Boys.
8:30 pm
Monday, January 3
Sugar bowl
3 Auburn vs 9 Virginia Tech
SG’s Pick: Auburn
Auburn should play for the national title. Look for Auburn to win big for the small chance of title sharing.
8:00 pm
Tue, Jan 4
Orange bowl
1 Southern California vs 2 Oklahoma
SG Pick: Oklahoma
This should be reduced to the last trimester. Oklahoma should prevail with vigor.
8:00 pm