Complete Bowl Preview

DATE: December 19
BOWL: New Mexico Bowl
MATCH UP: Fresno St vs. Wyoming
WINNER: Fresno St
COMMENT: Fresno State’s RB Ryan Mathews has averaged 151 yards per game – the most of any Division 1 back. That doesn’t bode well for Wyoming’s 91st ranked rush defense.

DATE: December 19
BOWL: St. Petersburg Bowl
MATCH UP: Rutgers vs. Central Florida
WINNER: Rutgers
COMMENT: It’s a current Big East team against a potential Big East team. That’s right, if Rutgers bolts for the Big 10 +2, UCF may be the most logical replacement choice for the Big East. They have an emerging football program under George “I lied to Notre Dame” O’Leary and Michael Jordan’s son plays for their basketball team… sorry Adidas…

DATE: December 20
BOWL: New Orleans Bowl
MATCH UP: Southern Miss vs. Middle Tennessee St
WINNER: Southern Mississippi
COMMENT: Umm… Sunday Night Football is airing at the same time. You do realize no one will watch this game New Orleans, don’t you? That’s too bad because Middle Tennessee is the best nine-win team you’ve still never seen. Since I’ve never seen them I’m taking Southern Miss on the strength of their workhorse Damion Fletcher who has rushed for 5,224 yards in his career – that’s not a typo!

DATE: December 22
BOWL: Las Vegas Bowl
MATCH UP: Oregon St. vs. BYU
WINNER: Oregon St
COMMENT: The Beavers have the fewest giveaways in the nation, a QB completing 70 % of his passes, and two super freaks in the Rodgers Bros. Jacquizz everyone knows about – 1377 yards and the whole USC upset, but James has been just as effective – averaging 184 all-purpose yards a game (5th in nation.)

DATE: December 23
BOWL: Poinsettia Bowl
MATCH UP: Cal vs. Utah
WINNER: Utah
COMMENT: No Jahvid Best, no problem. Shane Vereen has filled in admirably. He has 444 yards in three games since Best’s injury averaging more than five yards per carry. The Sophomore quietly has more than 1,500 yards in his career and will be a great starting back the next two years for Cal. Look for him to play well, but the big question for Cal is Kevin Riley’s inconsistency. He’s only completed 53% of his passes with four picks his past four games. There’s also the question of motivation for Cal and Utah comes from the underrated MWC with eight consecutive bowl victories. Kyle Whittingham will have Utah ready to play, while Cal seems to be in its perennial year-end tailspin.