Give a pick on each game and keep a tally of your record. Maybe one of us will get hot in time for being all in on the championship:
Utah +8.5 against Navy
Utah #2 D against a one dimensional Navy offense. Navy playing for an interim head coach. Navy is horrible on D and Utah has the type of ground game that will grind them down in the second half. I'd look for Utah to be covering by halftime and blowing out Navy at the end.
It looked like a pulled one out of my ass, then Navy goes ahead and steals it from me. 0-1
Florida Atlantic -2.5 against Memphis in New Orleans
This is usually the first bowl game of the year and deservedly so, because it sucks. The Superdome filled with about 20K fans is depressing. The teams have a combined 2 wins against teams with winning records. However FAU took on the big boys including Kentucky, Florida, Oklahoma State and Minnesota. Both teams are good at creating turnovers. However FAU does not commit as many and is superior at causing them. First bowl for FAU so they will have fans there. Howard Schnellenberger is a coach I have always liked and I imagine he will have a calming influence on an excited group. The offenses are evenly matched however the Memphis defense is bad while FAU is good and opportunistic. The only way Memphis wins this is with turnovers and I don't see it happening.
1-1- A nice win to even the record. Took the over as well. Having 50 on the board at halftime is a nice feeling. FAU is a team to make a mental note on for next year.
Southern Miss +11 against Cincy in Birmingham
Come on Coast, make a play. SMU comes out inspired for coach Bower in his last game. They have a good enough defense and run game to play with the bearcats. I think the play is under 55.
2-1. There were multiple times I thought that cover was going out the window in the second half...the under as well. I consider that one kind of lucky as Cincy only played one half of football. On the other hand I though USM would come out on fire. The worst part about it is, while waiting for the end, nevada-new mexico kicked off. Why wouldn't they be smart and wait for one game to end before kicking the next?
Nevada +3 at New Mexico
I think most players will figure the same as coach and take the home team. The line indicates that they would be evenly matched on a home field. Now New Mexico's top back is out. I see this as a shootout and New Mexico is down a big bullet.
2-2. I really don't feel as bad when I am flat out wrong.
BYU -6.5 against UCLA in Las Vegas
This will be a home game as the football crazed mormons of nevada will be at this game. UCLA is playing with an interim coach and had a horribly disappointing season that ended with them losing 3 of 4. I took BYU in the first meeting that UCLA won by 10 at home. I'll make that same mistake again. The one thing that concerns me is that UCLA, while sucking, covers often. That would be a bigger worry if the game was over 7. Since it is just a td, i will pick the winner to cover. I REALLY like the under 46.5 here more though.
2-3. Shit
East Carolina +11.5 aginst Boise State in Hawaii
Coast, I think you are going against one of your strongest indicators, in that there is a good chance ECU will outrush BSU. I don't love this pick but I think it is solid. BSU is not as good as it was last year and this line is really based on what they did to Oklahoma.
3-3. ECU does outrush Boise and has control of the game from beginning to end...which brings me to
Central Michigan +7.5 against Purdue in Detroit
I think there is a good chance CMU outrushes Purdue in this one. Everyone will be keying on that first meeting. Purdue coming off three loses and a game that they have to think is below them in a location that is less than desirable.
Maybe Coast can back me up on this, the guys at predictem are saying it looks like sharp money is on CMU tonight and the public is playing Purdue heavily.
4-3.
Arizona State +2.5 against Texas in San Diego
I think both teams will move the ball. I like the ASU defense better than texas and I have a feeling Mc Coy is going to throw 2 or more picks tonight. Always consider the over in the Holiday Bowl (62).
4-4. Well...it's tough to overcome turnover after turnover after turnover. Over continues my roll in O/U department.
Boston College -5 against Michigan State
I thought the academic losses of SirDean and Saint Dic would have driven this line up more. They were the big playmakers on an otherwise average D. BC had a stronger schedule, was better at running the ball than their opponent and has the much better D in this situation. I expect MSU to move the ball some but I think BC will score in the high 30s.
Houston +6.5 against TCU in Houston
I haven't seen anyone mention the Jekyl and Hyde nature of TCU on the road. This is a home game for Houston and I will fade the Frogs.
Oregon State -4.5 against Maryland
OSU has a much better D and Maryland is weak on offense
5-6. This is not going well. That BC was all but assured without a late fumble.
Wake Forest -2 against UConn in Charlotte
The equivalent of a home game for Wake. They are the better running team and probably a better passing team if Skinner returns to freshman form. UConn's season was fueled by tremendous luck and a weak conference. Give me the Deacons and look heavily at the under.
UCF -3 against Miss. St.
Bad rush defense going against the best RB in the country. On the opposite side of the ball I expect former D coordination O'Leary to have figured out the simplistic MSU offense over the past month
Penn St. -5 against Texas A M
Tailing my esteemed coleague Coast. Mess with JoePa. Only PSU fans can mess with JoePa.
7-7. It was a good day. If that ruddy faced O'Leary had been taught the concept of play action before the bowl CFU could have racked up huge yards. I cannot remember seeing this bad of QB in college football in my life. Stupid play, lack of vision and turnovers have been the story of this bowl season.
Alabama -3.5 against Colorado
There is only one good part of a football team that will see the field in this game and it is the Bama defense. Bad, bad, bad game against two 6-6 teams that are only in a bowl because of name recognition.
8-7. Back above .500. That turned out to be entertaining. Now the real season starts. The games come in bunches.
Air Force +4 against Cal
This should be a pro AFA crowd. Cal has lost 5 of 6. AFA has won 6 of 7. During that streak Cal has given up almost 200 ypg on the ground...and guess what, AFA averages more than that per game. Everything I have read indicates a disinterested Cal team, while the flyboys are always prepared. Who do you think comes out stronger in a game on new year's eve, that starts at 9:30 am pacific time.
South Florida -6 against Oregon
This one scares me. I don't see how Oregon will score points and yet the line is only 6. I see lots of people jumping on Oregon. Still I have to trust my own opinions. A strong D, a strong running team. This is less than 7 so I will go ahead and pick who I think wins.
Georgia Tech -5.5 against Fresno State
Georgia Tech is playing with an interim coach, but it does not take much coaching to say, "hand the ball off". Tech D is very strong. It is cold and windy in Boise today so I don't expect either team to be able to throw. FSU top rusher is out. I'll take my chances with the much better D and a single great rusher at GT.
Kentucky -7 against Florida State
Home game for Kentucky. Line moved to the point where I feel it is in play now. 35 FSU players out. Smells like a trap but what they hell.
Oklahoma State -4.5 agains Indiana
I don't know why I like Indiana. OSU runs the ball better, had a tougher schedule and has more bowl experience. I think the play is the over in this one anyway, but I'll side with the Hoosiers if I had to pick.
Auburn +2.5 against Clemson
This one is going to be a good game. I just love the way Auburn plays D. I think the time off will help them develop a little on offense. Under 46.5 sounds good in this one.
Subject: THE BOWLS 
Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:30 am
