Bowl Game Picks Part II

Continuing my own lame attempts at prognostication:

OUTBACK BOWL Tampa
Jan. 1, 11 a.m. (ESPN) Wisconsin (9-3) vs. Tennessee (9-4)

Two mediocre, boring offensive teams slug it out in the lamest of the New Year's Day Bowls. Tennessee will be without its Offensive Coordinator, WR's coach and 6 players who are ineligible for the game. Wisconsin is from the Big Ten. Great fun for all! Wisconsin 9, Tennessee 8.

COTTON BOWL Dallas
Jan. 1, 11:30 a.m. (FOX) Missouri (11-2) vs. Arkansas (8-4)

Another contractual mismatch. The Cotton Bowl gets first pick of the Big 12 non-BCS teams and fourth non-BCS SEC squad. The biggest shock is when the SEC actually wins this game. This is not to be one of those years. Missouri is undefeated against all teams not named Oklahoma. Arkansas will be coached by someone and who really has any clue how they will respond. Missouri 35, Arkansas 23.

GATOR BOWL Jacksonville
Jan. 1, Noon (CBS) Virginia (9-3) vs. Texas Tech (8-4)

Al Groh's offense vs. Mike Leach's offense. Red Raiders 56, UVa 35.

CAPITAL ONE Orlando, Fla.
Jan. 1, 1 p.m. (ABC) Michigan (8-4) vs. Florida (9-3)

The granddaddy of the non-BCS games pits Michigan in Lloyd Carr's last game against Heisman winner Tim Tebow and the the Florida Gators. Despite the torchability of the Florida secondary, I expect the Gators to have more than enough to take care of a mostly fired Michigan coaching staff and their weak offense. If Rich Rodriguez were coaching this game, I would give Michigan a chance, but then again, they do play in the Big Ten. Oh yeah and Urban Meyer is undefeated lifetime in bowl games. Gators 49, Wolverines 19.

ROSE BOWL Pasadena, Calif.
Jan. 1, 4:30 p.m. (ABC) USC (10-2) vs. Illinois (9-3)

Example #23 of why the BCS is such a joke. Illinois representing the BCS is like Lynne Spears writing a book on parenting tips. Oops, that happened too. USC will once again trounce a joke representative from the Big Ten. Bonus viewer points for being able to follow the mental droppings of Illinois coach Ron Zook during his half time interview. USC 39, Illinois 17.

SUGAR New Orleans
Jan. 1, 8:30 p.m. (FOX) Hawaii (12-0) vs. Georgia (10-2)

Hawaii. Worst undefeated team ever. June Jones is supposedly actively looking for a new job. I am guessing that he does not relish the thought of how his team will be helping to jump start the 2008 Heisman campaign for Tim Tebow when they open the season in the Swamp. As for this game, Hawaii will likely have to chain convicted/acquitted rapist Colt Brennan to his room during their time in New Orleans. Georgia will likely be able to run at will against Hawaii and have a stout enough defense to disrupt Brennan and co. Georgia 38, Hawaii 21.

FIESTA BOWL Glendale, Ariz.
Jan. 2, 8:00 p.m. (FOX) West Virginia (10-2) vs. Oklahoma (11-2)

West Virginia will be coached by an interim and Oklahoma will be looking to erase the memory of last year's fantastic finish against Boise State. Oklahoma's freshman QB Sam Bradford is a name to watch for next year's Heisman. West Virginia could be playing with White, Slaton etc. for the last time depending on the outcome of their coaching search. I say there is a 50% chance some sort of chicanery involving Noel Devine takes over the media in the last 24 hours prior to kickoff. Sooners 31, Mountaineers 23.

ORANGE BOWL Miami
Jan. 3, 8 p.m. (FOX) Kansas (11-1) vs. Virginia Tech (11-2)

If Hawaii is the worst BCS team, then the Orange Bowl is the worst BCS game. Kansas feasted on enough cupcakes this year to almost sate the immense hunger of Mike Mangino. Virgina Tech, on paper appears to have lost once in somewhat fluke circumstances to BC and of course had the blowout against LSU. but when you watch them play, you never feel like you are watch one of the 4 best teams in the country. Hokies 27, Kansas 18.

INTERNATIONAL BOWL Toronto
Jan. 5, Noon (ESPN2) Rutgers (7-5) vs. Ball State (7-5)

To call this the "Who Gives a Shit Bowl" wouldn't adequately distinguish it from about 20 of the other bowls. Ball State is fairly good at putting a scare into BCS teams, but last year that team was Michigan and this year was Nebraska. Rutgers 28, Ball State 24.

GMAC BOWL Mobile, Ala.
Jan. 6, 8 p.m. (ESPN) Tulsa (9-4) vs. Bowling Green (8-4)

Actually a nice matchup for fans of good solid offense. This game has a chance to be tons more entertaining than the last game of the season. Tulsa 33, Bowling Green 23.

BCS TITLE GAME New Orleans
Jan. 7, 8 p.m. (FOX) Ohio State (11-1) vs. LSU (11-2)
Last season: No. 2 Florida 41, No. 1 Ohio State 14

OSU, 0-8 lifetime versus the SEC in bowl games. LSU is perhaps the worst BCS participant since Oklahoma in 2003. OSU plays in the Big Ten. LSU relies on coaching decisions enhanced by the mental Viagra of Les Miles. OSU is actually better balanced this year than last year in that QB Boeckman can have an off day and OSU will still be able to score. LSU should be 100% healthy for the this game which is not good news for OSU. If the game comes down to coaching you have to give the edge to Tressel. If it comes down to athletes, LSU. I think this one is a nail biter and OSU finally gets the SEC monkey off of its back. OSU 23, LSU 21.