Yesterday was a bad Bowl day (.500 for the day). #21 South Florida showed why the Big East is worthless while Oregon showed they are bigger than Dixon, and Georgia Tech showed that they never beat Bulldogs, no matter the flavor. Today is another day, so on with the show.
First up is the Outback Bowl, featuring #18 Wisconsin (9-3, 5-3 Big Ten) vs. #16 Tennessee (9-4, 6-2 SEC). I am going to go against the Big Ten yet again, no matter coaching changes and missing star receivers Tennessee has to over come this morning.
I think the Cotton Bowl could be interesting. We get #6 Missouri (11-2, 7-1 Big 12) vs. Arkansas (8-4, 4-4 SEC). While Arkansas did take down LSU, and I am not sure they have what it takes to overcome a solid Missouri team. Plus without Nutt and maybe the best running back in the nation (rumor has it that McFadden may not play), Arkansas may not have enough in the tank to overcome this sort of adversity. I have never liked Arkansas, but how do I pick the Big 12 over the SEC?
Missouri has to be bitter about not making a BSC game, but they have two choices. They can be motivated like Texas in the Holiday Bowl and beat the snot out of the pigs from Arkansas, or they can feel sorry for themselves and end the year with two losses.
It pains me to do it, but I am going to go with Missouri.
The Capital One Bowl gives us another Big Ten vs. SEC clash. Michigan (8-4, 6-2 Big Ten) vs. #12 Florida (9-3, 5-3 SEC). I do not think winning one for Carr in his final game is going to happen. The Gators are too good, and once again we will see that the SEC is far superior to the Big Ten.
The Gator Bowl features an interesting match up – Texas Tech (8-4, 4-4 Big 12) vs. #20 Virginia (9-3, 6-2 ACC). Offense vs. Defense. This may be the last best chance for the ACC to prove that they are still a conference that matters, but I think they will fall short. Texas Tech is the pick.
The Rose Bowl features #13 Illinois (9-3, 6-2 Big Ten) vs. #7 USC (10-2, 7-2 Pac-10). Illinois knocked off #1 Ohio State, and USC had a rather disappointing season (by their standards). Illinois will play hard early, but there will be no upset, and the Big Ten will continue to have a miserable day. USC all the way.
Saving the best for last, the Allstate Sugar Bowl features #10 Hawaii (12-0, 8-0 WAC) vs. #5 Georgia (10-2, 6-2 SEC). I am going to hold off on writing anything else about this one right now, but the Bulldogs are the pick.
2007 Bowl predictions: 15 – 6.
