Pardon the BloggEruption

More Bowl Picks

Wow, I feel like Lee Corso. My picks are almost the kiss of death. Good thing my connection died for several days so that I couldn't subject the world to disastrously picking West Virginia, Oregon, Washington, and Arkansas to win. I would have picked Minnesota to beat the spread, though, so that counts for something, right? No, I guess not.

So anyway, how about the Jan. 1 and BCS Bowls?

Outback (Hall of Fame) Bowl

Florida (-1 1/2) vs. Michigan

Very close matchup, with two somewhat disappointing teams this year. Florida could have, should have been better. Michigan was probably the least impressive top-10 team I've ever seen. Still, the Big Ten has been doing well in the bowls so far, so I'll take Michigan to win in a squeaker. Rex Grossmann will have a good game, but not good enough to vault him to the NFL.

Eric's Prediction: MICHIGAN 32, Florida 27


Cotton Bowl

Texas (-10) vs. Louisiana State

Another bowl that looks to be a blowout. None have panned out so far; maybe this one will. LSU doesn't have the manpower to stop a tough Texas offense, and Chris Simms looks to validate his career by cementing a top-10 ranking for the 'Horns. LSU is a year away from winning big in the SEC.

Eric's Prediction: TEXAS 44, LSU 12


Gator Bowl

NC State (pick) vs. Notre Dame

Two teams no one wanted to believe in all season long. Notre Dame is coming off a crushing defeat to Southern Cal, while NC State's dream season collapsed when they started playing real teams as opposed to those Division I-AA powerhouses like UMass. I believe that Notre Dame is for real, and they will be a better team (though not necessarily with a better record) next year. The Luck of the Irish will solidly hand the Wolfpack a defeat.

Eric's Prediction: NOTRE DAME 20, NC State 7


Capital One (Citrus) Bowl

Penn State (-5 1/2) vs. Auburn

Penn State didn't defeat a ranked team all year, and it was all because of the Big Ten refs, right, JoePa? PSU is a good team, regardless of how "redeculous" their "saintly" coach is. Auburn might not have the muscle to keep up with Penn State's tussle in this one, but still, since I'm a Pitt fan, look for the Auburn Tigers to easily cover the spread by winning the game!

Eric's Prediction: AUBURN 20, State Penn 12


Sugar Bowl

Georgia vs. Florida State (NO LINE)

Memo to Bobby Bowden: Retire before it's too late. I'm just sorry Steve Spurrier won't be there to throw in some mocking comments of his own. Georgia's defense walks away with it. EASILY.

Eric's Prediction: GEORGIA 36, Florida State 13


Rose Bowl

Oklahoma(-6 1/2) vs. Washington State

Wazzou is a very pass-happy offense. The Cougs are happy that Coach Price will remain for the bowl game, even if the fans are not. Oklahoma is 1-2 against pass-happy offenses this year, losing to aTm and Oklahoma State. I like Jason Gesser's chances to eat up a vulnerable OU secondary and pull out a victory over the favored Sooners. Take Washington State to win.

Eric's Prediction: WASHINGTON STATE 27, Oklahoma 23

Merry Christmas, Dammit!

Thank You, Gumby.

First Set of Bowl Picks

Yea! We've waited all year for this, the best season to be a college football fan -- BOWL SEASON!!!! This time around, we do picks against the spread on the remaining 25 bowl games.

Las Vegas Bowl

UCLA (-10 1/2) vs. New Mexico

A 10 point spread for a UCLA team that has done diddly-poo all year? Well, they are playing that MWC powerhouse New Mexico. Still, Bob Toledo's out, and I don't see a very fired-up Los Angeles team in Vegas on Christmas day. I'll take New Mexico to not only beat the spread, but also to win outright.

Eric's Prediction: NEW MEXICO 22, UCLA 20


Hawaii Bowl

Hawaii (-13) vs. Tulane

Another large, double digit spread. Tough to pick Hawaii to win by that much, but they do have June Jones' explosive offense and Tommy Chang's golden arm. Tulane should have been in the New Orleans Bowl (they would have beaten North Texas, I'm sure), but they do get a nice trip to Hawaii. I like the home field advantage, as Hawaii says ALOHA to the Green Wave and proceeds to surf them into oblivion.

Eric's Prediction: HAWAII 37, Tulane 13


Motor City Bowl

Boston College (- 4 1/2) vs. Toledo

Tough break for BC, having to go to Detroit for their bowl game. Toledo is a very good MAC team, but I'm not certain they can hold up as well against a seasoned Boston College squad. If this game were 4 weeks ago, I might pick Toledo to win straight up, but I can certainly see them covering in this game, making a late charge.

Eric's Prediction: Boston College 24, TOLEDO 21


Insight Bowl

Oregon State (-2) vs. Pittsburgh

Please. Oregon State is favored to beat Pitt? This is a good matchup, probably the best of the second-tier bowls, but I just don't see how Oregon State's offense moves the ball against the Pitt Defense. The key to the game will be Pitt's ability to control the line of scrimmage, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. They must put pressure on the OSU QB Anderson and contain the OSU RB Jackson's ability to run outside. Not only will Pitt do this, they will be able to run the ball on offense, working in some medium-range passes to emerging star Larry Fitzgerald. The game will remain close through the first 40 minutes of play, but the more physical play of the Pitt team will wear down the PAC-10 style of Oregon State. Take Pitt to win by 10.

Eric's Prediction: PITTSBURGH 27, Oregon State 17


Houston Bowl

Oklahoma State (-7 1/2) vs. Southern Mississippi

A lackluster matchup of two 7-5 teams is made somewhat more exciting by the fact that OklaState finished the season on a tear, including beating Oklahoma for the second year in a row. OklaState WR Rashaun Woods may have a tough day against a highly-ranked Southern Miss pass defense, but I just can't see the Cowboys falling to the Golden Eagles. Look for Southern Mississippi to cover the spread, but just barely..

Eric's Prediction: Oklahoma State 20, SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI 13


Independence Bowl

Nebraska (-4) vs. Mississippi

The 'Huskers of Nebraska and the Running Rebels of Ole Miss. Sounds like a serious mismatch, no? Not this year, as both come into this game having had a very poor to mediocre season. Ole Miss is one of only three 6-6 teams to be bowling this year, but it is the only one I give any serious shot of winning. Eli Manning will be the deciding factor in this game -- does he step it up to the level of his father and brother, or will he sink back into the mediocrity that has been Rebel football. Nebraska's defense, though porous, has been particularly susceptible to the run, not the pass. Nebraska should be able to run the ball, but how effectively? I see a very close game, possibly overtime, but I still take Ole Miss to cover.

Eric's Prediction: Nebraska 24, OLE MISS 21


Holiday Bowl

Kansas State (-17) vs. Arizona State

The biggest mismatch of the bowl season, Kansas State could very well have been in BCS bowl contention had it not been for a few minor breakdowns against Texas and Colorado. Arizona State has had a very up-and-down season, with some quality wins and stinker losses. KSU has been positively destroying lesser teams as of late, and I see no reason why they won't continue to do the same in the Holiday Bowl, a traditionally high-scoring affair. Look for the points to be fairly lopsided on the scoreboard this year, though, as KSU covers the improbable 17 point spread.

Eric's Prediction: KANSAS STATE 45, Arizona State 17


More picks to come tonight or tomorrow.

Damn

Meat Loaf was in town on Saturday. Why did I not know about this? This always happens when people I'd actually pay to go see come to Houston. About two years ago, the same thing happened with Lewis Black.

Oh well ...