College Football Extra – Touchdown Tom’s Bowl Game Preview
In the air there’s a feeling of bowl games

2012 Bowl Game Preview

For the second-consecutive year we have the same number of bowls – 35.  There are no new ones and none ceased operation.  However, three of the bowls have changed their name since last season.  The Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando is now the Russell Athletic Bowl, the Insight Bowl in Tempe, Arizona, is now the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl and the Ticket City Bowl in Dallas is now the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

All 35 bowls are in the same location as last season, except for the BCS National Championship Bowl.  Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, will host the title game.  Last season, the championship bowl took place in the Superdome in New Orleans.

With 35 bowls, that means that 70 teams needed to qualify to fill all the bowl slots.  Well, 72 qualified.  Then a 73rd, Georgia Tech, got a waiver from the NCAA to become bowl eligible.  The Yellow Jackets finished the season at 6-6.  That made them bowl eligible.  Then they lost the ACC Championship game to Florida State.

At 6-7 Georgia Tech was no longer eligible.  However, the Yellow Jackets requested a waiver from the NCAA on the basis that they finished their regular season (6-6) bowl eligible.  The waiver was granted.  Last year, UCLA received an identical waiver.  The Bruins finished the regular season at 6-6, but then lost to Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship game.      

Then one of the qualifying teams – Miami (Florida) – took themselves out of qualification.  For the second-consecutive year, Miami enforced a self-imposed bowl ban.  The school is punishing itself in hopes the NCAA will be kind when probation measures are handed down soon.  Stay tuned! 

So, when it was all over and done, we ended up with 72 teams eligible to be picked for 35 bowl games.  With only 70 slots available, that meant that two teams were going to come out on the short end of the stick.  Those two teams were Louisiana Tech (9-3) and Middle Tennessee (8-4).

I’d say La Tech and Middle Tennessee need to hire new marketing managers.  But the fact is La Tech got screwed.  The Bulldogs deserve to be in a bowl.  Meanwhile the omission of Middle Tennessee coupled with the granting of a waiver to Georgia Tech is full of irony.  During the season, Middle Tennessee beat Georgia Tech, 49-28.

The Big 12 and the SEC have the most teams in a bowl at nine each.  Right behind those two conferences is the Pac-12 with eight.  The Big Ten and the MAC are each represented with seven teams in a bowl.  That’s a record for the MAC.  The ACC comes in with six teams.  Next, the Big East, C-USA and the MWC each have five teams playing in bowl games.  The Sun Belt has four teams.  There are three Independents in bowls, and two teams from the WAC.    
   
The 35 bowl games are played over a 24-day span from December 15 to January 7.  Two bowls – the New Mexico and the Famous Idaho Potato (no comment) – kick off the bowl season on December 15.  The finale on January 7 is the BCS National Championship Bowl, this year in Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens. 

The busiest period is December 27 to January 1 when 21 of the 35 bowls will be played over five days (There are no bowl games on Sunday, December 30).  The busiest day is January 1 with six bowls. 

Three weeks and three days of bowl games – almost a month.  What a high for bowl junkies!  Time to stock up on your favorite munchies and brew.  I’m stocking up now on pecan pie, bourbon balls, buckeyes (chocolate covered peanut balls) and cherry peppers stuffed with prosciutto ham and provolone cheese.  Make sure you get enough to last you 24 days.  And leave a note to be checked into the Betty Ford Center on January 8.  Do they treat bowlaholics? 

Oh there’s no place like a bowl game for the holidays
Cause no matter how far away you roam
When you pine for the sunshine of a friendly bowl
For the holidays you can’t beat the Sugar or the Rose

The New Mexico Bowl has the honor of kicking off the 2012 bowl season.  This year the Albuquerque classic pits Arizona (7-5) of the Pac-12 against Nevada (7-5) from the MWC.  In his first year at West Virginia and at Michigan, Rich Rodriguez didn’t succeed in getting the Mountaineers or the Wolverines into a bowl game.  However, in his first year at Arizona, Rodriguez has overcome that obstacle.  The Wildcats biggest win this season was over USC, 39-36.  Arizona sophomore running back Ka’Deem Carey came on strong towards the end of the season.  Nevada was hot early in the season.  The Wolf Pack got off to a 6-1 start.  Then the tough part of the schedule hit and Nevada lost four of its last five games.  The Wolf Pack has a decent quarterback in sophomore Cody Fajardo and a good running back in junior Stefphon Jefferson.  Nevada is 7th in the country rushing, averaging 260 yards per game.  Both teams can score and score a lot, while neither has much of a defense.  It should be a fun, high-scoring affair.     

Next up on the opening day of bowl season is the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl located in Boise.  The spud classic features Toledo (9-3) from the MAC against Utah State (10-2) from the WAC.  After nine games this season, Toledo was 8-1.  Then the Rockets dropped two of their last three games.  Their best win was a 29-23 decision over Cincinnati.  Toledo has a respectful running back in junior David Fluellen.  Utah State had a strong finish this season, winning its final six games.  The Aggies have an exciting quarterback in sophomore Chuckie Keeton.  Look for lots of points to be scored in this game.

After a five-day break, the bowl action resumes on December 20, in San Diego.  BYU (7-5) an Independent goes up against San Diego State (9-3) from the MWC in the Poinsettia Bowl.  BYU’s best win this season was over Georgia Tech, 41-17.  The Cougars played Notre Dame close, losing to the Irish, 17-14.  San Diego State comes into the Poinsettia Bowl riding a seven-game winning streak.  The Aztecs last lost on September 29.  Their best win was over Boise State, 21-19.  BYU can play extremely good defense so this one might be a low-scorer.

The next day is the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl in St. Petersburg, Florida, between Ball State (9-3) of the MAC and UCF (9-4) from C-USA.  Ball State comes into the game with a six-game winning streak.  The Cardinals last lost on October 6.  Ball State’s best win this season was a 34-27 decision over Toledo.  The Cardinals also beat Indiana and South Florida.  They have a decent running back in sophomore Jahwan Edwards.  UCF began the season at 2-2, before going on a six-game winning streak.  The Knights finished the season losing two of their final three games.  UCF’s best win was against East Carolina, 40-20.  The Knights have a good running back in senior Latavius Murray.

The first of two games the following day, December 22, is the New Orleans Bowl in the Crescent City, featuring Louisiana-Lafayette (8-4) from the Sun Belt against East Carolina (7-5) of C-USA.  ULL is sitting on a three-game winning streak.  The Ragin’ Cajuns best win during the season came over Louisiana-Monroe, 40-24.  ULL came darn near beating Florida in Gainesville, losing to the Gators, 27-20.  The Cajuns have a dependable quarterback in sophomore Terrance Broadway and a decent running back in sophomore Alonzo Harris.  East Carolina has a three-game winning streak going.  In their final game of the season, the Pirates outlasted Marshall, 65-59 (2OT).  The Pirates are strong passing and weak running.  East Carolina has an exciting quarterback in sophomore Shane Carden.

The second game pits Washington (7-5) of the Pac-12 against Boise State (10-2) from the MWC in the Las Vegas Bowl.  At the end of the season, Washington put together a four-game winning streak, before losing its final game to Washington State, 31-28 (OT).  The Huskies best wins were over Stanford, 17-13, and Oregon State, 20-17.  Washington can play some good defense, but its offense generally stinks.  Boise State enters the game with a three-game winning streak on the line.  The Broncos best wins in 2012 were over BYU, Fresno State and Nevada.  Unlike past Bronco teams, Boise State’s offense was hurtin’ this season.  However, the Broncos were the sixth best defense in the country in points against.  They held their opponents to an average of 15 points a game.  Boise State has a reliable quarterback in junior Joe Southwick.  This game could be a defensible battle.

On Christmas Eve, SMU (6-6) of C-USA takes on Fresno State (9-3) from the MWC in the Hawaii Bowl in Honolulu.  SMU’s best win of the season came in its last game.  The Mustangs beat Tulsa, 35-27.  Fresno State had an outstanding season under first-year coach Tim DeRuyter.  The Bulldogs best two wins came against San Diego State, 52-40, and Nevada, 52-36.  Fresno State is 12th in the country in scoring, averaging 40 points a game.  The Bulldogs have a super quarterback in junior Derek Carr.  Derek is the younger brother of David Carr.  Fresno State will definitely put some points on the board in this game.       
              
The day after Christmas, the bowl activity resumes in Detroit where Central Michigan (6-6) of the MAC plays Western Kentucky (7-5) from the Sun Belt in the Little Caesar’s Pizza Bowl.  Central Michigan in a bowl game is a bit of a surprise.  The Chippewas weren’t supposed to do much this year.  They did finish the season with a three-game winning streak.  CMU’s best win was over Iowa, 32-31.  The Chippewas have an outstanding quarterback in senior Ryan Radcliff.  He made their season.  Last year Western Kentucky qualified for a bowl, but was overlooked.  This year the Hilltoppers made it.  WKU started strong, winning five of its first six games.  The Hilltoppers were just 2-4 in the second half of the season.  WKU’s had two good wins – 32-31 (OT) over Kentucky and 26-13 over Arkansas State. 

The first of three games on December 27 is the Military Bowl in Washington DC.  The bowl features Bowling Green (8-4) from the MAC against San Jose State (10-2) of the WAC.  Bowling Green got off to a shaky start, winning only one of its first four games.  Then the Falcons got hot and took seven of their final eight games.  Bowling Green’s best win was a 26-14 victory over Ohio.  The Falcons have a good defense.  They are ninth in the nation in points scored against them.  Bowling Green held its opponents to about 16 points a game.  The Falcons have a decent quarterback in junior Matt Schilz.  San Jose State had an outstanding season.  The Spartans come into the bowl, riding a six-game winning streak.  They had good wins over San Diego State, Navy and BYU.  San Jose State only lost to Stanford by three points, 20-17.  The Spartans are good on offense and defense.  They have an exciting quarterback in David Fales.       

The Belk Bowl in Charlotte, North Carolina is next on the bowl agenda.  The Queen City bowl matches Duke (6-6) of the ACC against Cincinnati (9-3) from the Big East.  Duke, yes the Dookies, is in a bowl game.  It’s the Blue Devils first bowl appearance since 1995.  The Dookies got off to a hot start.  They were 6-2 after eight games.  Then the tough part of the schedule came and the Devils finished 0-4.  The Dookies’ best win was a 33-30 decision over North Carolina.  Duke’s problem is its defense.  They gave up 35 points a game.  The Devils have a good quarterback in senior Sean Renfree.  Like Duke, Cincinnati got off to a good start too – 5-0.  The Bearcats best wins were over Virginia Tech and Syracuse.  Unlike Duke, Cincinnati has a good defense.  The Bearcats held their opponents to 17 points a game.   

The day winds up out west in San Diego, where UCLA (9-4) from the Pac-12 meets Baylor (7-5) of the Big 12 in the Holiday Bowl.  First-year coach Jim Mora turned around the Bruins this season.  The team’s best wins were over Nebraska, 36-30, and USC, 38-28.  Freshman quarterback Brett Hundley had a surprisingly good season.  Senior running back Johnathan Franklin was solid.  The Bruins came close to playing in the Rose Bowl.  Baylor began the season 3-4, but then won four of its last five games.  The Bears are averaging 44 points a game (5th best in the country), but their defense is giving up 38 points a game (117th in the country).  The Bears best wins all came at the end of the season over Kansas State, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State.  Baylor has a good quarterback in senior Nick Florence and a reliable running back in sophomore Lache Seastrunk.  Look for a high-scoring game.

The first of three bowls on December 28 takes place in Shreveport, Louisiana.  It’s the Independence Bowl, featuring Louisiana-Monroe (8-4) of the Sun Belt and Ohio (8-4) from the MAC.  Louisiana-Monroe was one of the most talked about teams in the country early in the season.  In their opening game, the Warhawks beat Arkansas, 34-31 (OT).  Then they took Auburn to overtime, before losing, 31-28 (OT).  After eight games, ULM was 6-2.  The Warhawks split their last four games.  They also had good wins over Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky.  Ohio was also a hot team early in the season.  The Bobcats started out 7-0.  Then they fell on hard times and lost four of their last five games.  Ohio’s best win was over Penn State, 24-14. 

The second game of the day pits Rutgers (9-3) from the Big East against Virginia Tech (6-6) of the ACC.  It’s the Russell Sports Bowl in Orlando, Florida.  Rutgers began the season at 7-0.  The Scarlet Knights then lost three of their last five games.  Rutgers had good wins over Syracuse, 23-15, and Cincinnati, 10-3.  The Knights defense held its opponents to 14 points a game – fourth best in the country.  Rutgers has a decent quarterback in sophomore Gary Nova.  Virginia Tech had a strange and disappointing season.  The Hokies didn’t even qualify for a bowl until their last game of the season.  Their best win was in their opener, a 20-17 (OT) victory over Georgia Tech.  Virginia Tech has a decent quarterback in junior Logan Thomas.  This one could be low scoring. 

The nightcap on the 28th is the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Houston, Texas, between Minnesota (6-6) of the Big Ten and Texas Tech (7-5) from the Big 12.  Minnesota became bowl eligible, winning four of its six games against weak non-conference competition.  The Gophers were 2-6 in Big Ten play.  Minnesota’s best wins were over Syracuse, 17-10, and Purdue, 44-28.  Texas Tech began the season 4-0, then lost five of its last eight games.  The Red Raiders had their best wins against West Virginia, 49-14, and TCU, 56-53 (3OT).  Texas Tech was the second best passing team in the country, averaging 362 yards per game.  The Red Raiders have an excellent quarterback in senior Seth Doege. 

December 29, a four-bowl day, begins in Fort Worth, Texas, where Rice (6-6) from C-USA battles Air Force (6-6) of the MWC in the Armed Forces Bowl.  Rice ended its season on a four-game winning streak.  It’s a good thing.  The Owls started out a dismal 2-6.  Their best win came over SMU, 36-14.  Rice has an interesting quarterback in Taylor McHargue.  Air Force had a disappointing season.  The Falcons lost to both Army and Navy.  Their best win was a 48-31 decision over Nevada.  The Falcons are the second best rushing team in the country, averaging 329 yards per game. 

Next, Arizona State (7-5) of the Pac-12 tangles with Navy (7-4) an Independent in San Francisco in the Fight Hunger Bowl.  Arizona State, under first-year coach Todd Graham, began the season at 5-1.  Then the Sun Devils lost four consecutive games.  They finished strong winning their last two games, including a 41-34 victory over Arizona, the Devils best win.  Navy got off to a rough start, losing three of its first four games.  Then the Middies won five straight.  Navy averages 286 yards per game rushing.  The Middies’ best wins were over Air Force, 28-21 (OT), and East Carolina, 56-28.  Navy plays its final game of the season against Army on Saturday, December 8. 

Together again.  Old rivals West Virginia (7-5) of the Big 12 and Syracuse (7-5) from the Big East hook up in the Bronx in the Pinstripe Bowl.  Just when West Virginia thought it was done with the Big East, the Mountaineers find themselves playing a Big East team in a bowl game.  WVU began the season hot, winning its first five games.  Then disaster struck – the Eers lost five consecutive games.  West Virginia’s best wins were over Baylor, 70-63, and Texas, 48-45.  During the five-game losing skid, the Eers lost to TCU by one point, 39-38 (2OT) and to Oklahoma by one point, 50-49.  West Virginia is averaging 341 yards a game passing and 42 points a game scoring.  But they are also giving up 38 points a game.  WVU has some outstanding players on offense:  senior quarterback Geno Smith, senior all-purpose player Tavon Austin, junior receiver Stedman Bailey and senior center Joe Madsen.  The game will be WVU’s sixth playing in Yankee Stadium.  On October 27, 1923, West Virginia tied Penn State, 13-13, in the second ever college football game played in Yankee Stadium.  WVU also played Fordham twice and Manhattan once in the stadium.  The last time WVU played in Yankee Stadium was in 1947.  WVU beat NYU, 40-0.  Syracuse comes into the game on a three-game winning streak.  But the Orange got off to a rough start.  They were 1-3 after four games and 2-4 after six games.  Then they won five of their last six games.  Their best wins were over Pitt, 14-13, and Louisville, 45-26.  Syracuse has a quality quarterback in senior Ryan Nassib.                                          

Next on the itinerary is the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, matching Texas (8-4) of the Big 12 and Oregon State (9-3) from the Pac-12.  Remember the Alamo!  If Texas doesn’t win this game, Longhorn fans may be saying, “Remember Mack Brown?”  No, Mack’s okay, but he’s teetering on shaky ground.  Texas had a strange season.  The Horns won their first four games and then lost two.  Then Texas won its next four games and finished losing two.  The Horns’ best wins were over Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, Baylor and Texas Tech.  They took a shellacking from Oklahoma, 63-21.  Lately, Texas has been bouncing back and forth between sophomore quarterback David Ash and junior quarterback Case McCoy.  Oregon State had a remarkable season.  Picked by most to finish near the bottom of the Pac-12, the Beavers finished third in the Pac-12 North.  Only Stanford and Oregon had better conference records than Oregon State in the Pac-12.  Mike Riley has always been one of my favorite coaches.  Any coach that rides his bicycle to work has to be okay.  Oregon State began the season hot.  The Beavers won their first six games.  Then they split their remaining six games.  The Beavs best wins were over Wisconsin, UCLA, Arizona, BYU and Arizona State.  Oregon State had most of its success under sophomore quarterback Sean Mannion.  But Mannion was injured some of the time and redshirt-freshman Cody Vaz was a stable replacement.

The last game on December 29 is an encounter between TCU (7-5) from the Big 12 and Michigan State (6-6) of the Big Ten.  It’s the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl in Tempe, Arizona.  TCU began the season 4-0.  Then the Horned Frogs lost five of their last eight games.  The Frogs’ best wins were over Baylor, West Virginia and Texas.  TCU has a developing quarterback in redshirt-freshman Trevone Boykin.  Michigan State was a major disappointment this season, as have been so many of Mark Dantonio’s Michigan State teams.  Many thought the Spartans would win the Legends Division of the Big Ten.  But it wasn’t to be.  The Spartans finished fourth in the division and barely qualified for a bowl game.  Michigan State began the season okay.  The Spartans were 4-2 after six games.  Then they only won two of their last six games.  The Spartan defense is good, holding opponents to 16 points a game.  That’s the tenth best in the country.  But the Michigan State offense is awful.  The Spartans do have an outstanding running back in Le’Veon Bell.  It should be an interesting game, as TCU prides itself on its defense too.                 

New Year’s Eve and the first of four games is the Music City Bowl in Nashville between Vanderbilt (8-4) of the SEC and NC State (7-5) from the ACC.  Vanderbilt had an amazing season, but the Commodores started out shaky.  They were just 2-4 after six games.  Then Vanderbilt won six-straight games.  The Commodores best win was over Ole Miss, 27-26.  They only lost to South Carolina by four points, 17-13.  Vandy has a pretty good defense.  The Commodores hold their opponents to 18 points a game.  Vandy has a decent quarterback in senior Jordan Rodgers and a good running back in senior Zac Stacy.  NC State went back-and-forth all season.  The Wolfpack would look good, they’d look bad.  They would win, they’d lose.  It was one of those seasons.  And in the end, head coach Tom O’Brien was fired.  NC State’s best win was over Florida State, 17-16.  The Wolfpack have a reliable quarterback in senior Mike Glennon.

Then we move to El Paso, Texas, for the Sun Bowl between Georgia Tech (6-7) of the ACC and Southern California (7-5) from the Pac-12.  Not sure Georgia Tech belongs in a bowl – 6-7 just doesn’t feel right.  And let’s face it; the Yellow Jackets are only in a bowl because of a probation and a self-imposed bowl ban.  What a cowardly way to back into a bowl.  Tech’s best wins were over North Carolina, 68-50, and Duke, 42-24.  Tech was the fourth best rushing team in the country, averaging 313 yards per game on the ground.  USC was probably the most disappointing team in the country.  Thought by many at preseason to be the favorite for the national champions, the Trojans fell far short of that.  They started off pretty good.  USC was 6-1 after seven games.  Then disaster hit and the Trojans only won one of their last five games.  Their best wins were over Washington, 24-14, and Arizona State, 38-17.  USC has a top-notch quarterback in senior Matt Barkley, and a solid receiver in sophomore Marqise Lee.

Next, it’s the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, between Tulsa (10-3) from C-USA and Iowa State (6-6) of the Big 12.  Tulsa was a hot commodity early in the season.  The Golden Hurricane were 7-1 after eight games.  Then reality set in and Tulsa finished 3-2.  Tulsa’s best wins were over Fresno State, Rice and UCF twice.  Tulsa averages 240 yards a game rushing.  That’s the 11th best in the country.  Iowa State was looking pretty good early in the season.  The Cyclones started out 3-0.  Then they lost six of their next nine games.  The Cyclones’ best wins were over Tulsa, TCU and Baylor.  Yes, this game is a rematch.  Iowa State beat Tulsa on September 1, 38-23. 

While partying on New Year’s Eve, you can watch the Chick-fil-A Bowl from Atlanta, between Clemson (10-2) of the ACC and LSU (10-2) from the SEC.  Clemson is a good team, but a question mark.  The Tigers really didn’t beat anybody, and they lost to the only two good teams they played – Florida State and South Carolina.  Clemson’s best wins were over Ball State, Duke and NC State.  The Tigers are averaging 42 points a game – sixth best in the country.  Clemson has a good quarterback in junior Tajh Boyd and a quality runner in senior Andre Ellington.  LSU had another good season.  The
Tigers’ two losses were to two of the best teams in the country – Florida and Alabama.  LSU’s best wins were over South Carolina, Texas A&M, Miss State and Ole Miss.  The Tigers held their opponents to an average of 17 points a game – 11th best in the country.

You can start the New Year toasting your champagne and drinking your Bloody Mary’s while watching Northwestern (9-3) out of the Big Ten take on Mississippi State (8-4) from the SEC.  It’s the Gator Bowl from Jacksonville, Florida.  Northwestern started out strong at 5-0.  Then the Wildcats mixed it up some, winning four of their final seven games.  Northwestern’s best wins were over Vanderbilt, Minnesota and Michigan State.  The Wildcats average 231 yards a game rushing.  Miss State had a great start to the season, going 7-0.  However, the Bulldogs didn’t play anybody during those seven games.  Then Miss State started playing some decent teams and the Bulldogs finished 1-4.  State’s best win was over Middle Tennessee, 45-3.  That’s not saying much. 

Still hung over?  Maybe the Heart of Dallas Bowl will cure your hang over.  The bowl features Purdue (6-6) from the Big Ten against Oklahoma State (7-5) of the Big 12.  Purdue comes into the game, riding a three-game winning streak.  Before that, it was looking bleak for the Boilermakers.  Purdue started out 3-6.  But even the healthy finish couldn’t save Danny Hope.  Purdue fired its coach after the season.  Oklahoma State had an up-and-down season.  The Cowboys would win and then they would lose, and so it went.  But they finished on the positive side.  Okie State’s best wins were over Louisiana-Lafayette, West Virginia, TCU and Texas Tech.  The Cowboys are seventh in the country in passing yardage – 333 per game, and fourth in the country in scoring – 45 points per game. 

We’ll come back to Florida – Tampa this time – for the Outback Bowl, casting Michigan (8-4) of the Big Ten against South Carolina (10-2) from the SEC.  Michigan lost its opener and lost its finale, but in between the Wolverines were 8-2.  Their best wins came over Air Force, Purdue, Michigan State, Minnesota and Northwestern.  Michigan’s defense is not bad, holding its opponents to 19 points a game.  The Wolverines have an exciting quarterback in senior Denard Robinson.  South Carolina comes into the bowl on a four-game winning streak.  The Gamecocks had a good start, winning their first six games.  Then they stubbed their foot a couple times.  South Carolina’s best wins were over Vanderbilt, East Carolina, Georgia and Clemson, especially the latter two.  The Gamecocks handed Georgia its only loss during the regular season.  South Carolina has a good defense, holding teams to 17 points a game.  The Gamecocks have a star defensive end in sophomore Jadeveon Clowney.

Still in Florida, it’s Nebraska (10-3) from the Big Ten taking on Georgia (11-2) of the SEC in the Capital One Bowl from Orlando.  After a 4-2 start, Nebraska went on the rampage and won its next six games.  Then the Huskers fell to Wisconsin (a team they beat earlier in the season) in the Big Ten Championship game.  Nebraska’s best wins were over Wisconsin, Northwestern, Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State.  The Huskers are eighth in the country in rushing, averaging 255 yards per game.  Nebraska has a good quarterback in junior Taylor Martinez.  Georgia won its first five games, stumbled and then won its last six in the regular season.  The loss at the very end came at the hands of Alabama in the SEC Championship game.  The Dawgs best wins were over Vanderbilt, Florida and Ole Miss.  Georgia averages 37 points a game, while holding its opponents to 19 points a game.  The Dawgs have a good quarterback in junior Aaron Murray. 

On to the granddaddy of all bowls – the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.  The game pits Stanford (11-2) of the Pac-12 against Wisconsin (8-5) from the Big Ten.  Stanford picked up where it left off last year, having another great season.  The Cardinal come into the Rose Bowl with a seven-game winning streak.  Stanford’s best wins were over USC, Oregon State, Oregon and UCLA twice.  The two losses were by four points to Washington and an overtime loss to Notre Dame – both on the road.  Stanford’s defense is holding its opponents to 18 points a game.  The Cardinal have an excellent running back in senior Stepfan Taylor.  Wisconsin was up-and-down all season.  The Badgers lost three of their last five games.  Their best win wasn’t until the end – a Big Ten Championship victory over Nebraska, 70-31.  Wisconsin is averaging 238 yards a game, running the ball.  The Badgers have a solid running back in Montee Ball.

After a long day on January 1, it all comes to an end in Miami Gardens, Florida, at the Orange Bowl.  The game features Florida State (11-2) out of the ACC against Northern Illinois (12-1) from the MAC.  Some thought Florida State might make it to the championship game, but the Seminoles didn’t quite get there.  They were derailed at mid-season by NC State and then again at the end of the season by Florida.  FSU’s best wins were over Clemson, 49-37, and Miami (Florida), 33-20.  The Noles are averaging 40 points a game on offense, while holding their opponents to 15 points a game.  FSU has a good quarterback in senior E.J. Manuel.  Northern Illinois is this year’s bowl busters.  The Huskies won the MAC Championship and finished 15th in the final BCS standings.  NIU is currently on a 12-game winning streak.  The Huskies’ one and only loss came on the opening weekend of the season.  Iowa beat them by one point, 18-17.  NIU’s best wins were over Central Michigan, Ball State, Toledo and Kent State.  The Huskies average 250 yards a game rushing.  They score on average 41 points a game, and their defense holds the opponents to 19 points a game.  NIU has a phenomenal quarterback in junior Jordan Lynch.  He’s a Heisman-type player.

Two days into the New Year and it’s time for the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans between Florida (11-1) of the SEC and Louisville (10-2) from the Big East.  Florida comes into the game riding a four-game winning streak.  The Gators began the season winning seven straight.  Then along came Georgia.  Florida’s best wins were over Texas A&M, LSU, South Carolina and Florida State.  Throughout the season, the Florida offense stumbled and bumbled its way along.  It finally came to life in the Florida State game at the end of the season.  On the other hand, Florida’s defense played well all season – from start to finish.  The Gator defense held the opponents to 13 points a game.  Florida has a young but reliable quarterback in sophomore Jeff Driskel; a good running back in senior Mike Gillislee; a good all-purpose player in junior Trey Burton, and a good tight end in junior Jordan Reed.  Louisville began the season winning its first nine games.  Then came back-to-back losses to Syracuse and Connecticut.  The Cardinals bounced back in their finale.  Louisville’s best wins were over North Carolina, Cincinnati and Rutgers.  A passing team, the Cardinals are averaging 299 yards a game through the air.  Louisville has a good quarterback in sophomore Teddy Bridgewater.

The following day, Kansas State (11-1) of the Big 12 and Oregon (11-1) from the Pac-12 clash in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona.  Kansas State appeared headed for the BCS National Championship game.  The Wildcats won their first 10 games.  Then came Baylor and spoiled K-State’s plans.  The Wildcats are averaging 41 points a game.  Their best wins were over Oklahoma and Texas.  Kansas State has an outstanding quarterback in senior Collin Klein.  Like K-State, Oregon appeared headed for the national title game too.  The Ducks won their first 10 games.  Then, on the same weekend that K-State suffered its only loss, Oregon also lost.  The Ducks fell to Stanford.  Oregon is third in the country in rushing yards, averaging 323 yards a game, and second in the country in scoring, averaging 51 points a game.  Oregon’s best wins came over Fresno State, USC and Oregon State.  The Ducks are stable at quarterback in redshirt-freshman Marcus Mariota and at running back in senior Kenjon Barner.  Where it once looked like these two would play each other for the national championship, they come together in the Fiesta Bowl. 

On January 4, the action moves to Arlington, Texas, for the Cotton Bowl, featuring Texas A&M (10-2) from the SEC against Oklahoma (10-2) of the Big 12.  Texas A&M, led by the phenomenal redshirt-freshman quarterback Johnny “Football” Manziel, is an offensive powerhouse.  The Aggies average 317 yards a game passing and 235 yards rushing.  They are third in the country in scoring, averaging 45 points a game.  A&M lost its first game to Florida, then won five straight.  The Aggies lost to LSU and proceeded to win their last five games.  The Aggies best wins were over Miss State, 38-13, and Alabama, 29-24.  Oklahoma finished the season strong, winning its last five games.  The Sooners average 341 yards a game passing, and 40 points a game scoring.  Their best wins were over Texas, West Virginia and Oklahoma State.  OU has an experienced quarterback in senior Landry Jones.

Birmingham, Alabama, is the scene the next day for the Compass Bowl between Pitt (6-6) of the Big East and Ole Miss (6-6) from the SEC.  Pitt came on strong, winning its last two games of the season.  The final win made the Panthers bowl eligible.  Pitt’s best wins were over Virginia Tech, 35-17, and Rutgers, 27-6.  This is Pitt’s third-straight appearance in the Compass Bowl.  The Panthers have a good quarterback in senior Tino Sunseri and a solid running back in Ray Graham.  Ole Miss was looking pretty good at 5-3, but then the Rebels lost three-straight games.  They had to win their final game against Miss State to become bowl eligible.  That game was also Ole Miss’ best win.  They beat Miss State, 41-24.  The Rebels have a decent quarterback in junior Bo Wallace. 

The bowl action picks up on January 6 at the GoDaddy Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.  The game matches Kent State (11-2) from the MAC with Arkansas State (9-3) of the Sun Belt.  Starting the season at 1-1, Kent State then won 10 straight games, before losing to Northern Illinois in the MAC Championship game.  The Golden Flashes are 17th in the country in rushing yards, averaging 228 per game.  Kent’s best wins were over Ball State, Rutgers, Bowling Green and Ohio.  Arkansas State was a hot team in the latter part of the season.  The Red Wolves come into the bowl with a seven-game winning streak.  They are averaging 36 points a game.  Ark State’s best wins were over Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe and Middle Tennessee.  The Red Wolves have a good quarterback in senior Ryan Aplin.

And last but not least, the bowl season and college football season all comes to an end on January 7 in Miami Gardens, Florida.  Notre Dame (12-0) an Independent plays Alabama (12-1) of the SEC in the BCS National Championship Bowl.  Notre Dame wasn’t supposed to be in this game – at least not at the beginning of the season.  But the Irish methodically worked their way through the season game-by-game to reach Miami Gardens.  Notre Dame had its share of close calls along the way: 20-17 over Purdue, 13-6 over Michigan, 20-13 (OT) over Stanford, 17-14 over BYU and 29-26 (3OT) over Pitt.  You can’t get much closer than that.  Notre Dame’s defense got the Irish where they are.  The Irish are first in the country in giving up points, holding their opponents to 10 points a game.  Notre Dame had several good wins along the way, beating Michigan State, Miami (Florida), Oklahoma and USC by healthy margins.  But the Irish offense has its weaknesses.  Notre Dame is led by its outstanding senior linebacker Manti Te’o.  Alabama is back in familiar territory.  The Crimson Tide is playing for its third national championship in four seasons, having won in the 2009 season and last year.  Alabama began this season hot, winning its first nine games before losing to Texas A&M.  The Tide picked back up and won its last three games.  Alabama’s best wins were over Michigan, LSU and Georgia.  Where Notre Dame is first in giving up points, The Tide is second.  Alabama’s opponents averaged no more than 11 points a game.  The Tide has a good quarterback in junior A.J. McCarron, and two excellent running backs – junior Eddie Lacy and freshman T.J. Yeldon.  Both teams have awesome defenses; Alabama has the better offense.  But figure it’s going to be a low-scoring game.
  
WARNING!: After 24 days of 35 bowls, withdrawal can be painful.

I met a man who lives in Nebraska
And he was headin’ for
Orlando, Florida, and some sunny blue sky
From Michigan folks are travelin’ down
To Tampa’s sunny shore
From Atlantic to Pacific
Gee, the bowl games are terrific

So, that’s your college football lineup for the Holidays and then some.  The six days from December 27 to January 1 (21 games) should be awesome.  I hope my pecan pie, bourbon balls, buckeyes and stuffed cherry peppers hold out.  I’d hate to be running on empty come January 7.                                          
 
Have a good weekend college football fans!  Enjoy the Army-Navy game (Go Navy!), and the Heisman Trophy presentation.  See you Monday with my predictions for all 35 bowl games. 

Touchdown Tom
December 7, 2012
(www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com)