O Bowl Games of Comfort and Joy!

College Football Extra – TT’s Special Bowl Game Preview

O Bowl Games of Comfort and Joy!

Bowl Game Preview

For those of you who were disappointed with only 34 bowl games last season, you are in luck. There are 35 bowl games this season. That should make you happy. And fortunately for the NCAA, there were 72 teams that qualified for the 70 bowl slots.

Unfortunately for Temple (8-4) and Western Michigan (6-6) they aren’t going bowling. The Owls and the Broncos are the two teams of the 72 eligible that didn’t receive an invitation.

There are two new bowl games this season – the Pinstripe Bowl and the Ticket City Bowl. The Pinstripe Bowl will be played in Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. The Ticket City Bowl, also known as the Dallas Sports Classic, will be played in the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas. The Cotton Bowl has moved to Cowboys Stadium in nearby Arlington, Texas.

One of last season’s bowl games has fallen by the wayside. The International Bowl played in Toronto, Ontario, has gone to the bowl graveyard. Four bowls have changed their names since last season. The Eagle Bank Bowl is now the Military Bowl. The GMAC is the Go Daddy, the Papa John’s is the Compass, and the Emerald Bowl is the Fight Hunger Bowl.

The SEC has the most teams in bowl games at 10. Right behind the SEC is the ACC with nine teams playing in bowl games. The Big 12 and Big Ten are represented by eight teams each. The Big East and Conference USA come in at six teams. Next is the Mountain West with five teams in bowl games. Three conferences – The MAC, WAC and Pac-10 each placed four teams in bowls. The Sun Belt has three teams, and all three of the nation’s Independents are bowling this season.

There is a first this year in bowl games. All three service academies – Army, Navy and Air Force – are appearing in a bowl for the first time in the same season.

The 35 bowl games are spread out over a 24-day period. The parade of bowls begins on December 18 and doesn’t come to an end until January 10. Three bowls are played on opening day – the New Mexico, Humanitarian and New Orleans Bowls. The climax on January 10 is the National Championship Bowl.

The busiest of the bowl days is January 1 when six bowls will be played. Four bowls each will be played on December 30 and 31. Almost half of the 35 bowl games are played over a four-day period from December 29 to January 1. Seventeen bowls are played during that four-day span.

Three weeks and three days of bowl games – almost a month. What a fix! Time to stock up on your favorite football game munchies and brew. Make sure you get enough to last you 24 days. And leave a note to be rescued on January 11.

WARNING!: After 24 days of 35 bowls, the withdrawal period could be painful.

College football’s bowl season kicks off Saturday, December 18 in the great American southwest where BYU (6-6) of the MWC meets UTEP (6-6) from C-USA in the New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque. These two teams’ seasons went in opposite directions. BYU got off to a terrible start. The Cougars were 1-4 after five games and 2-5 after seven games. Then BYU’s schedule got easier. The Cougars rolled off four wins before losing their final game by one point on a last second field goal to Utah. Conversely, UTEP got off to a great start. The Miners were 5-1 after their first six games. Then UTEP proceeded to lose five out of six. But the one win was a good one over C-USA West champ SMU. This is BYU’s last bowl game representing the Mountain West Conference. Next year, the Cougars will compete as an Independent.

On the same day, the bowl scene moves northwest to Boise, Idaho, where NORTHERN ILLINOIS (10-3) from the MAC plays FRESNO STATE (8-4) of the WAC in the Humanitarian Bowl. NIU got off to a bit of a rough start. The Huskies were 1-2 after three games. Then NIU reeled off nine-straight wins, before the Huskies lost to Miami (Ohio) in the MAC championship game. NIU’s coach Jerry Kill has been hired to be the new coach at Minnesota. Kill has said he won’t coach NIU in the bowl game. The Huskies have a nifty quarterback in Chandler Harnish and tailback in Chad Spann. Fresno State ended the season on a two-game winning streak, including a good win over Illinois in the Bulldogs’ final game. Fresno State coach Pat Hill is in his 14th season coaching the Bulldogs.

Still on December 18, the bowl action moves east and south for the New Orleans Bowl where OHIO (8-4) of the MAC plays TROY (7-5) from the Sun Belt. Ohio, coached by former Nebraska coach Frank Solich, began the season a little precarious. After their first four games, the Bobcats were 1-3. Then they reeled off seven-straight wins, before losing their final game to Kent State. Had the Bobcats beaten Kent State, they would have won the MAC East Division title. Troy, under 20th-year coach Larry Blakeney, had a disappointing season by Trojan standards. Still, the Trojans finished in a two-way tie for the Sun Belt Conference championship. Troy has a feisty quarterback in Corey Robinson.

After a two-day break, the bowl action resumes in Florida on December 21 when LOUISVILLE (6-6) from the Big East tangles with SOUTHERN MISS (8-4) of C-USA in the St. Petersburg Bowl. Louisville had a better year than expected under first-year coach Charlie Strong. Southern Miss had a good season. Included in the Eagles’ eight wins was a 31-21 victory over Conference USA champ UCF. Southern Miss has a good quarterback in Austin Davis.

The next day, December 22, the bowl activity moves back out west for the Las Vegas Bowl where UTAH (10-2) of the MWC meets BOISE STATE (11-1) from the WAC. This is the first of the bowls with two Top 25 teams. Utah won its first eight games and then stumbled against TCU and Notre Dame. The Utes finished the season with two wins. Utah has an outstanding quarterback in Jordan Wynn. Had it not been for the overtime loss to Nevada on a missed field goal, Boise State would be in a BCS bowl. But the one loss knocked the Broncos all the way down to the Las Vegas Bowl. Still, the Broncos have a good and strong opponent in Utah. Boise State is led by its Heisman finalist quarterback Kellen Moore.

The bowl action remains out west in San Diego where SAN DIEGO STATE (8-4) from the MWC plays NAVY (8-3) an Independent in the Poinsettia Bowl on December 23. San Diego State is an up-and-coming team. Second-year coach Brady Hoke is doing a good job rebuilding the Aztecs. San Diego State had a good win over Air Force and barely lost to Missouri, TCU and Utah. Those three losses were by a combined 12 points. The Aztecs are led by quarterback Ryan Lindley. Navy still has a game to play tomorrow against Army. So the Middies could end up 9-3 or 8-4. Navy had another good season under third-year coach Ken Niumatalolo. The Middies have a strong quarterback in Ricky Dobbs.

On December 24, the bowl schedule moves further west to Honolulu for the Hawaii Bowl between TULSA (9-3) of C-USA and HAWAII (10-3) from the WAC. Tulsa won its last six games of the season, including a win over Notre Dame. The Golden Hurricane are led by a fine quarterback in G.J. Kinne. Hawaii had an outstanding season and finished in a three-way tie with Boise State and Nevada for the WAC title. The Warriors are the No. 1 passing team in the country, led by quarterback Bryant Moniz. Moniz threw for 4,629 yards during the season.

Following a break for Christmas Day, the bowl action continues on December 26 at the Little Caesars Bowl in Detroit between TOLEDO (8-4) from the MAC and FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL (6-6) from the Sun Belt Conference. Toledo had a better season than expected. The Rockets have a good win over Purdue too. Florida International is going to its first ever bowl game. The Panthers were co-champions of the Sun Belt Conference. FIU began the season 0-4 and then won six of its final eight games. The Panthers have a good running back in Wesley Carroll. I always thought bowl games were supposed to be a reward for a good season. Sending somebody to Detroit sounds like punishment to me – although folks from Toledo probably won’t notice any difference.

The next day we head back down south again for the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana, between GEORGIA TECH (6-6) of the ACC and AIR FORCE (8-4) from the MWC. Georgia Tech was 5-2 at one point in the season. Then the Yellow Jackets proceeded to lose four of their final five games. Georgia Tech is the No. 2 rushing team in the country. The Jackets have a strong runner in Anthony Allen. Air Force had another great season. The Falcons also won the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy – beating both Army and Navy. Air Force is the No. 3 rushing team in the country. Both teams run similar offenses – the triple option. There will be few passes thrown in the game. Shreveport is not my idea of a pleasant, rewarding place to send bowl teams either. But it’s not a fate worse than Detroit.

The first of two bowl games on December 28 takes place in Orlando, Florida, where N.C. STATE (8-4) from the ACC meets WEST VIRGINIA (9-3) of the Big East in the Champs Sports Bowl. N.C. State had a good season. The Wolfpack all but had the Atlantic Division of the conference sewed up until they lost to Maryland at the end of the season. N.C. State is led by its nifty quarterback Russell Wilson. West Virginia went into a mental lapse at mid-season and blew two conference games. The mental lapse cost the Mountaineers a BCS bowl. Clearly the best team in the Big East, WVU had to settle for the Champs Sports Bowl. The Mountaineers three losses on the season were by a combined total of 14 points. WVU’s defense, one of the best in the country, has been consistently good all season. The Mountaineer offense, led by quarterback Geno Smith, has been on-again, off-again. Swamp Mama and I are attending this game and I sure hope my former neighbor Brent Stancil is unhappy when it’s over.

The second bowl of the day takes place in the American southwest where MISSOURI (10-2) of the Big 12 goes up against IOWA (7-5) from the Big Ten in the Insight Bowl in Tempe, Arizona. Mizzou went into a mid-season mental lapse of its own. The Tigers were 7-0, including a win over Oklahoma, and then the bottom fell out. Mizzou lost back-to-back games to Nebraska and Texas Tech. Then the Tigers bounced back and won their last three games. Mizzou is led by the capable quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Iowa had a very disappointing season. Before the season started, many thought the Hawkeyes would win the Big Ten. But it wasn’t meant to be. Iowa fell apart towards the end of the season, going 2-4 in its final six games. The Hawkeyes often suffered from fourth quarter collapses. Iowa is led by its quarterback Ricky Stanzi.

We head back east on December 29 for the first of three games. EAST CAROLINA (6-6) from C-USA takes on MARYLAND (8-4) of the ACC in the Military Bowl in Washington, DC. East Carolina, under first-year coach Ruffin McNeill, started off strong. The Pirates won five of their first seven games. Then life changed for ECU as the Pirates proceeded to drop four of their final five games. ECU’s best win was over N.C. State. Pirate quarterback Dominique Davis is the fourth leading passer in the country. Davis threw for 3,699 yards this season. Maryland was a surprise team in 2010. At preseason, no one gave the Terps much of a chance. Maryland’s two best wins came at the beginning of the season – over Navy – and at the end of the season – over N.C. State. Quarterback Danny O’Brien became quite a passer for the Terps towards the end of the season.

Next, we head out to Texas where we will be for the next three bowls. First up is the Texas Bowl in Houston where BAYLOR (7-5) of the Big 12 meets ILLINOIS (6-6) from the Big Ten. Baylor was all the buzz throughout much of the season. After nine games, the Bears were 7-2. Then Baylor lost its last three games. Still, the Bears had a good season and are in a bowl game for the first time in more than 10 years. Baylor has a capable quarterback in Robert Griffin. Illinois had a strange season – up and down all year. The Banned Indians opened with a loss to Missouri and ended with a loss to Fresno State. In between, Illinois was 6-4 with good wins over Penn State and Northwestern. The Banned Tribe has a good quarterback in Nathan Scheelhaase and a quality running back in Mikel LeShoure.

The final game on December 29 takes place in San Antonio, Texas, where OKLAHOMA STATE (10-2) from the Big 12 plays ARIZONA (7-5) of the Pac-10 in the Alamo Bowl. Okie State had a sensational season – much better than had been predicted for the Pokes. The Cowboys got off to a great start at 6-0. Okie State has a great combination in quarterback Brandon Weeden and receiver Justin Blackmon. Weeden is the No. 3 passer in the country with 4,037 yards. Blackmon is the No. 2 receiver. Arizona had a strange season. The Wildcats go off to a 7-1 start, including a win over Iowa. Then it all fell apart for Arizona as the Wildcats dropped their final four games. Arizona is led by quarterback Nick Foles.

Still in Texas for the first game on December 30. It’s the Armed Forces Bowl in Dallas where SMU (7-6) of C-USA meets ARMY (6-5) an Independent. SMU, under third-year coach June Jones, won the Conference USA West Division. The Mustangs lost to UCF in the C-USA title game. SMU has an exciting quarterback in Kyle Padron. Army still has one game remaining. The Cadets play Navy tomorrow and will end the season either 7-5 or 6-6. It’s been a good year for Army. The Black Knights are rebuilding under second-year coach Rich Ellerson.

From Texas we head northeast to the Big Apple where SYRACUSE (7-5) from the Big East tackles KANSAS STATE (7-5) of the Big 12 in the inaugural Pinstripe Bowl in Yankee Stadium. Syracuse was a surprise team in 2010. Late in the season, the Orange were still in the running to win the Big East. But then, everybody was in the running to win the Big East. Syracuse was 6-2, then lost four of its final five games. The Orange had good wins over South Florida and West Virginia. Kansas State also got off to a good start. At one point, the Wildcats were 5-1. K-State finished up 2-4 in its last six games. The Wildcats have a strong running back in Daniel Thomas.

Heading south and west, the bowl parade stops in Nashville, Tennessee, for the Music City Bowl between NORTH CAROLINA (7-5) of the ACC and TENNESSEE (6-6) from the SEC. North Carolina’s season held a lot of promise until several players were declared ineligible and/or held out of early games for various improprieties. In spite of the problems, the Tar Heels played well and were in most of the games they lost. UNC had a good win over Florida State. The Heels are led by quarterback T.J. Yates. Tennessee was a different story. No one knew what to expect from the Vols under first-year coach Derek Dooley. At one point, UT was 2-6. Then the Vols won their final four games. Tennessee’s best win was a 52-14 victory over Ole Miss. The Vols’ play improved when Dooley changed quarterbacks, benching Matt Simms and starting Tyler Bray.

Finally on December 30, we wrap up out west at the Holiday Bowl in San Diego where NEBRASKA (10-3) from the Big 12 plays WASHINGTON (6-6) of the Pac-10. This is a rematch of a game played earlier in the season. Nebraska beat Washington, 56-21. The Huskers had a phenomenal season. At one point, Nebraska was 9-1, with wins over Oklahoma State and Missouri. The Huskers also had a strange season with an unexpected loss to Texas – and at home no less. Nebraska won the Big 12 North Division, but lost to Oklahoma in the conference title game by three points. When healthy, Nebraska is good with quarterback Taylor Martinez and running back Roy Helu. After nine games the season was looking bleak for Washington. The Huskies were 3-6. But Washington put it together and won its final three games. The Huskies’ success depends on the play of quarterback Jake Locker. When he’s on, he’s on. When he’s not, he’s not.

New Year’s Eve and we begin in Charlotte, North Carolina, where CLEMSON (6-6) of the ACC meets SOUTH FLORIDA (7-5) from the Big East in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Something tells me Clemson better win this football game. Otherwise, Dabo Swinney won’t be able to sit down. Clemson was up-and-down and all over the map this season. When you thought the Tigers would win – they’d lose. When you thought the Tigers would lose – they’d win. Regardless, it was a disappointing year for Clemson. The only Tiger who wasn’t disappointing was defensive end Da’Quan Bowers. South Florida, under first-year coach Skip Holtz, had a pretty good year – especially for a team that had no offense. It was the defense that kept the Bulls in games. USF’s best win was an overtime victory over Miami (Florida).

Next, we head out to Texas again for the Sun Bowl where NOTRE DAME (7-5) an Independent plays MIAMI (FLORIDA) (7-5) of the ACC in El Paso, Texas. It didn’t look like Notre Dame was going to make it to a bowl this year. After nine games, the Irish were sitting at 4-5. With two of their final three games against Utah and USC, no one gave the Irish much of a chance. But Notre Dame beat Utah and USC and Army along the way to finish 7-5. The Irish are under first-year coach Brian Kelly. Miami had a strange season – winning games they weren’t supposed to win and losing games they were supposed to win. The Canes were sitting at 7-3 after ten games, but dropped their final two contests. Miami coach Randy Shannon was fired at the end of the season and will not be coaching the Canes in the Sun Bowl. This game pits two old rivals who haven’t played in a while. And both aren’t the teams they used to be when they were last playing each other.

From west Texas, we move east to Memphis, Tennessee, for the Liberty Bowl between UCF (10-3) from C-USA and GEORGIA (6-6) of the SEC. UCF had a great season. Its three losses were only by a total of 21 points. The Knights lost to N.C. State by a touchdown and to Kansas State by four points. Freshman Jeff Godfrey settled into the quarterback position for UCF and played well. Georgia did not have a great season. It was a disaster for the Dawgs. Receiver A.J. Green was suspended for the first four games. Georgia was actually 1-4 after five games. Then the Dawgs started getting their act together and were 5-2 in their final seven games. Freshman quarterback Aaron Murray got into his groove towards the latter part of the season.

The final game on New Year’s Eve takes place in Atlanta where FLORIDA STATE (9-4) of the ACC meets SOUTH CAROLINA (9-4) from the SEC in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. The Chick-fil-A Bowl is traditionally the last game of the year. Florida State, under first-year coach Jimbo Fisher, won the Atlantic Division of the ACC. The Noles then lost to Virginia Tech in the conference title game. FSU was 6-1 after seven games, then dropped two-straight games to N.C. State and North Carolina. The Noles have been consistently good all season in the passing game regardless of who is quarterbacking – Christian Ponder or E.J. Manuel. FSU’s problem has been the running game – it doesn’t exist. South Carolina suffers from an identity crisis. You never know what Gamecock team will show up – the really good one, or the really bad one. South Carolina had some good wins this season over Alabama, Florida and Clemson. But the Gamecocks had some bad losses to Kentucky, Arkansas and Auburn. FSU is Steve Spurrier’s old nemesis.

The first of six games on New Year’s Day is the inaugural Ticket City Bowl in Dallas, Texas, between TEXAS TECH (7-5) from the Big 12 and NORTHWESTERN (7-5) of the Big Ten. Texas Tech, under first-year coach Tommy Tuberville, began the season so-so. The Red Raiders were 4-4 after eight games. Then Texas Tech won three of its final four contests. The Red Raiders best win was a 24-17 victory over Missouri. Tech is led by quarterback Taylor Potts. When Potts is cooking, the Raiders are usually good. Northwestern generally always plays inspired football under fifth-year coach Pat Fitzgerald. The Wildcats began the season 5-0, but then stumbled in their final seven games – 2-5 – as their ranks wore thin. But among those two wins was a good one over Iowa. However, in that contest, Wildcat quarterback Dan Persa was injured near the end of the game. He ruptured his Achilles tendon. Persa will miss the bowl game.

From Dallas, the bowl action travels to Florida for the next three bowls on January 1. The first of the three is the Outback Bowl in Tampa between PENN STATE (7-5) of the Big Ten and FLORIDA (7-5) from the SEC. Penn State was a young team this year. It started the season with a freshman quarterback and then changed horses in mid-stream to a walk-on quarterback Matt McGloin. The Nittany Lions two best wins were over Michigan and Northwestern. Against Northwestern, Penn State rallied from a 21-0 second-quarter deficit to win 35-21. Florida had a disastrous year for the Gators. Ranked in the consensus Top 5 at preseason, the Gators failed to finish in the Top 25. Florida’s offense was consistently unsettled and confused throughout most of the season. And the Gator defense wasn’t anything to write home about. With Florida coach Urban Meyer’s announced resignation at age 46 and Joe Paterno in his 45th season (at age 84) with the Nittany Lions, this makes for a most interesting game.

Then we move up I-4 to Orlando where MICHIGAN STATE (11-1) of the Big Ten plays ALABAMA (9-3) from the SEC in the Capital One Bowl. Michigan State came darn close to receiving a BCS bowl bid. The Spartans, led by quarterback Kirk Cousins, had a spectacular season. Even more so when you consider that State coach Mark Dantonio suffered a mild heart attack after the third game of the season against Notre Dame – a game the Spartans won in overtime. Michigan State’s only slip up all season was a 37-6 beating from Iowa. Aside from that miscue, the Spartans were perfect. Alabama, the reigning national champs, was the consensus No. 1 team at preseason. The Tide started off like gang busters, winning their first five games, including wins over Penn State, Arkansas and Florida. Then the bottom fell out against South Carolina and Alabama lost three of its final seven games. Tide quarterback Greg McElroy had a good season. But Alabama’s running game, expected to be strong with Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson, was often a no show. Alabama coach Nick Saban is a former head coach at Michigan State. He coached the Spartans before leaving for LSU.

On up I-4 and then up I-75, the bowl activity moves to Jacksonville for the Gator Bowl between MISSISSIPPI STATE (8-4) from the SEC and MICHIGAN (7-5) of the Big Ten. Mississippi State had a great season for a team that finished fifth in the SEC West Division. The Bulldogs were 1-4 against SEC teams in their division, but 3-0 against SEC teams from the East Division. It was tough goings in the SEC West. Five teams finished in the Top 25. The Bulldogs, under second-year coach Dan Mullen, are a running team and play good defense. The question is: Will Mullen still be the coach at Miss State when the Bulldogs play their bowl game? Michigan had an interesting season. The Wolverines started off with a 5-0 record. Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson was the leading candidate for the Heisman. Then the Wolverines lost five of their last seven games. Robinson was no longer a Heisman candidate. He still finished the season as the No. 3 leading rusher in the country with 1,643 yards. Michigan can play some offense, but the Wolverines have no defense whatsoever. The question is: Will Rich Rodriguez be fired after the bowl game?

For the final two games on January 1, the bowl parade moves out west. The first stop is the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, between TCU (12-0) of the MWC and WISCONSIN (11-1) from the Big Ten. TCU has some skeptics, but the Horned Frogs will be out to prove they are one of the two best teams, if not the best, team in the country. If they beat Wisconsin, I think the Frogs will have convinced most people. TCU plays tough defense and is led on offense by a solid quarterback in Andy Dalton. Wisconsin came close to going undefeated. The Badgers fell to Michigan State by 10 points in the fifth game of the season. They also had a couple of scares along the way – beating Arizona State and Iowa by one point each. Other than that, the Badgers were solid – especially on the ground. Wisconsin has a strong running game. The Badgers scored 70 or more points in two games – 70 against Northwestern and 83 against Indiana. They will definitely test TCU’s defense.

And finally, the bowl action comes to an end on January 1 at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona, where OKLAHOMA (11-2) from the Big 12 tangles with CONNECTICUT (8-4) of the Big East. Oklahoma’s recent trips to the Fiesta Bowl haven’t been good – losses to Boise State and West Virginia. The Sooners won their first six games this season. Then OU stubbed its toe a couple of times against Missouri and Texas A&M. The Sooners finished strong with a four-game winning streak, including the Big 12 championship. OU quarterback Landry Jones was the No. 2 passer in the country, throwing for 4,289 yards this season. No one expected Connecticut to be where they are at the beginning of the season. The Huskies were 3-4 with losses to Temple, Rutgers and Louisville. Then UConn got hot and won its final five games. The Huskies went through a bundle of quarterbacks during the season. The team is led by running back Jordan Todman. Todman is the fourth leading rusher in the country with 1,574 yards. UConn coach Randy Edsall is a hot commodity for some of the openings around the country.

Following a day of rest, we return to action on January 3 in Miami Gardens, Florida, at the Orange Bowl between VIRGINIA TECH (11-2) of the ACC and STANFORD (11-1) from the Pac-10. After the first two games of the season, I don’t think anyone thought Virginia Tech would be going to a bowl – much less a BCS bowl. The Hokies were 0-2 and one of the losses was to Division I-AA James Madison. But back they came to win 11 straight games, climaxing with a win over Florida State in the ACC championship game. The Hokies strength is their quarterback Tyrod Taylor. He is a good one. Stanford had a heck of a season. The Cardinal are coming into this game with a nice winning streak of their own – seven straight to cap a superb season. It is more amazing when you consider that Stanford was a consensus pick at preseason to finish sixth in the Pac-10. Everyone knew the Cardinal would have an offense. Nobody thought Stanford could play defense. But the defense hasn’t been bad. Of course on offense, Stanford is led by quarterback and Heisman finalist Andrew Luck. Now, will Stanford still have its coach – Jim Harbaugh – after the bowl game?

The next day, we mosey over to New Orleans where OHIO STATE (11-1) from the Big Ten meets ARKANSAS (10-2) of the SEC in the Sugar Bowl. Ohio State, favored to win the Big Ten at preseason, had some competition from Michigan State and Wisconsin. The three tied for the Big Ten title. The Buckeyes reeled off six-straight wins to start the season before losing to Wisconsin. Then Ohio State wrapped up with a five-game winning streak. The Buckeyes are led by quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Since Ohio State is playing a team from the SEC, the Buckeye marching band will change its pre-game routine. Instead of forming the famous script Ohio, the band will form the script OShit. Ohio State is 0-8 against SEC teams in bowl games. Arkansas may have been the best team in the SEC at the end of the season. The Razorbacks finished the season on a six-game winning streak, including the season finale win over LSU. The Hogs’ two losses came earlier in the season to Alabama and Auburn. Arkansas lost to Alabama in the fourth quarter, and lost to Auburn in the second half after quarterback Ryan Mallett was injured and left the game. Mallett finished the season as the fifth leading passer in the country with 3,592 yards.

After skipping a day, the bowl marathon continues on January 6 when MIDDLE TENNESSEE (6-6) of the Sun Belt tangles with MIAMI (OHIO) (9-4) from the MAC in the Go Daddy Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. Actually it was a disappointing year for Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders were picked to win the Sun Belt Conference and finished in third place behind Florida International and Troy. The Raiders were a shaky 3-6 after nine games, but won their final three contests. Miami, under second-year coach Mike Haywood, had a real turnaround this season, going from 1-11 last year to 9-4 this year. The RedHawks won the MAC East Division and beat Northern Illinois in the MAC title game. After eight games, Miami stood at 4-4. Then the RedHawks reeled off five-straight wins to finish the season. Miami is led by quarterback Zac Dysert and running back Thomas Merriweather.

On January 7, we head into Arlington, Texas, for the Cotton Bowl between LSU (10-2) from the SEC and TEXAS A&M (9-3) of the Big 12. LSU was somewhat of an unknown commodity at the beginning of the season. Tiger fans were hoping for the best, but weren’t real sure. But the Tigers went out and won their first seven games. Everybody was a believer. Well, almost. There was a bit of luck in a couple of the wins. Then the Tigers suffered their first loss – a close one to Auburn, 24-17. They won three more, including a victory over Alabama. But the season came to a close with a loss to Arkansas. Still, al-in-all, 10-2 was very good. Texas A&M was a Cinderella story. The Aggies won their first three games and then lost three straight. The Aggies changed quarterbacks from Jerrod Johnson to Ryan Tannehill and proceeded to win six straight games. A&M had good wins over Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Nebraska.

The next day, the action picks up in Birmingham, Alabama, where PITT (7-5) of the Big East plays KENTUCKY (6-6) from the SEC in the Compass Bowl. Pitt was supposed to win the Big East hands down. Instead, the Panthers finished in a three-way tie for the Big East title. The Panthers got off to a bad start at 2-3 and never really recovered – although they won five of their last seven games. Pitt’s final loss was a 35-10 pounding from their arch rival West Virginia. That was enough for the school to fire head coach Dave Wannstedt who was in his sixth year with the Panthers. Kentucky, under first-year coach Joker Phillips, was on-again, off-again during the season. The Wildcats had a great win over South Carolina and darn near beat Auburn. Conversely, they were blown off the field by Florida. Actually, Kentucky was only 2-6 in SEC play.

January 9 we jump out west for the Fight Hunger Bowl in Boise, Idaho, between BOSTON COLLEGE (7-5) from the ACC and NEVADA (12-1) of the WAC. Boston College was another surprise team in 2010. Not a lot was expected of the Eagles. And that’s just how the season began for BC. The Eagles were 2-5 after seven games. Then they got hot and won their final five games, including a win over Clemson. For their strong finish, the ACC stuck Boston College as far away as possible. Nevada may be the best one-loss team in the country that nobody knows about. The Wolf Pack are good and fun to watch too. They beat Boise State. Nevada’s one loss was on the road at Hawaii. Since the Hawaii loss, the Wolf Pack reeled off six-straight wins. Nevada, the No. 1 rushing team in the country, is led by quarterback Colin Kaepernick and running back Val Taua.

And finally, it all comes to an end on January 10 in Glendale, Arizona, where AUBURN (13-0) of the SEC meets OREGON (12-0) from the Pac-10 for the National Championship. Auburn, led by sensational quarterback and Heisman finalist Cam Newton, had an unbelievable season. A consensus pick to finish third in the SEC West, the Tigers went through the season unscathed. But they did have some close calls along the way – to Mississippi State, Clemson, South Carolina, Kentucky, LSU and Alabama – often coming from behind to win. Auburn crushed its opponents in its other seven wins. Oregon did pretty much what it was expected to do. The Ducks were the favorites in the Pac-10. But I don’t think anyone thought they would finish undefeated – not at preseason. But the Ducks went out and scored 50 or more points in six of their first nine games. The Duck mascot was worn out doing pushups. Finally, and strangely, Oregon was held to 15 points by California. And the Ducks might have lost that game if Cal hadn’t committed a penalty on a field goal attempt. On the second try, with the ball moved back, Cal missed the field goal. Oregon is led by running back and Heisman finalist LaMichael James and quarterback Darron Thomas. The Ducks are a fast moving team on offense. Earlier in the season I wrote that an Auburn-Oregon championship game would be the best. Both teams are similar. They are hard to stop on offense. Their defenses are porous, but they did improve as the season went along. Earlier in the season, I would have said that was Oregon’s advantage over Auburn – a better defense. But that is not necessarily the case now. Fasten your seat belts.

So, that’s your college football lineup for the Holidays and then some. The four days from December 29 to January 1 (17 games) should be awesome. I hope my pecan pie, bourbon balls, buckeyes (the peanut butter and chocolate kind), cherry peppers (stuffed with prosciutto and provolone) hold out. I’d hate to be running on empty come January 10.

Have a good weekend college football fans! Enjoy the Army-Navy game and the Heisman Trophy presentation. See you Monday with my annual forecast for all 35 bowl games.

Touchdown Tom
December 10, 2010

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