Bowl Mania

[Umpire in Chief]

Here are all of my Bowl Picks. Thirty Four in fact. Space is limited so I will try to be brief.

Eagle Bank Bowl -- Navy & Wake ForestIts very rare we get an in season rematch in a bowl game, but that's what happened Navy upset Wake Forest earlier in the year. Navy seems to have the better offense, Wake the better defense. Wake wins.

New Mexico Bowl -- Colorado St. & Fresno St.

I honestly don't know too much about either of these two teams as their conferences don't produce the greatest teams. But in looking at their stats and the games they've played they seem to be pretty well matched to each other and this could be a good game. It looks like Fresno has a slightly better offense and that is enough for me to pick Fresno.

MagicJack St. Petersburg Bowl -- Memphis & South Florida

This could be a really good game. Memphis has the offense & South Florida had a really good yet still underrated defense. I stick to the formula that good defenses shut down a offense. South Florida Wins.

Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl -- BYU & Arizona

BYU and their fans are a bit disappointed that they are not in a better game because they are ranked #16. But they're lucky because 3rd place in the MWC is not that good. Arizona is ecstatic to be in a bowl. I pick Arizona based on the strength of their defense overall and they should be able to control BYU's passing game, the question mark is can they stop the run.

R & L Carriers New Orleans Bowl -- Southern Miss & Troy

This doesn't look like it's going to be pretty. Troy had a really tough schedule. Southern Miss is only 6-6 and in the C-USA East. The highlight of their season was beating ECU. Troy win big.

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl -- Boise St & TCU

I thought Boise wasn't going to any bowls unless they got into a BCS bowl???Hearing that made me immediately want to pick who ever they played. When I saw it was TCU it made me smile. Boise being #9 on the strength of their schedule is way too generous. Look what happened last year when they played a ECU team which is not as good as this year... TCU is going to win and I hope they light up the scoreboard.

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl -- Hawaii & Notre Dame

I usually like getting to pick against ND, they are only a shadow of what they were, yet every week they are wasting precious space on the tv when I could be watching a better game. Notre Dame has the better defense and that will make all the difference against a WAC team. ND wins.

Motor City Bowl -- Florida Atlantic & Central Michigan

Once again I know very little about these two teams. Central Michigan wins.

Meineke Car Care Bowl WVU & UNC

This is going to be a great game! WVU has bounced back and UNC is having a good year. Looking at the stats they tell me to pick WVU, but I'm going to go with my gut and pick UNC.

Champ Sports Bowl -- Wisconsin & FSU

Both of these schools have had tough schedules. The difference is that FSU has won against tougher opponents overall. FSU wins.

Emerald Bowl -- Miami & California

Cal seems to have a better offense and their defenses seem to be pretty equal. That being said, Cal's stats are based on playing an easier PAC-10 schedule. Miami wins in a good game.

Independence Bowl -- N. Ill & La. Tech

Two mediocre teams from mediocre conferences. It could go either way, but I'll go with La. Tech.

Papa John's Bowl -- NC State & Rutgers

As an ECU man it pains me to say this but NC St. wins. On paper Rutgers looks better, but NCSU has played a tougher schedule and been able to upset good teams.

Valero Alamo Bowl -- Missouri & Northwestern

Missouri is over-rated even at #21. They should be playing Boise in the First Umpire-Empire over-rated bowl. Northwestern wins.

Roady's Humanitarian Bowl -- Maryland & Nevada

Nevada has a great offence, but play in the WAC. UMD had a better defense, but has a problem deciding if they're going to play or not they have beaten 3 of the 4 ranked teams they've faced, and lost to teams like Middle Tennessee. I'm picking Maryland and hoping they put it together for this game.

Texas Bowl -- W. Michigan & Rice

Rice is a under-rated team and will do well, not to mention they're practically playing at home. Rice wins.

Pacific Life Holiday Bowl -- OSU & Oregon

Niether team has much of a defense so the score board will be going crazy, but in the end OSU wins.

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl -- Houston & Air Force

The #1 offense in the nation will win. Houston wins.

Brut Sun Bowl -- Oregon St. & Pittsburgh

Of all the teams out there Pitt should be undefeated. Oregon State will be a nice match up, but Pitt wins.

Gaylord Motels Music City Bowl -- Boston College & Vanderbilt

Vandy started out on fire then fizzled out, probably not deserving of a bowl game. I do have a problem with a team that is 1-6 in their last seven games including losses to Duke & Tennessee. I've mentioned other teams being over-rated like Notre Dame they should not be in a bowl, not even the Umpire-Empire Bowl. BC has been much more consistent and should walk all over Vandy. BC wins.

Insight Bowl -- Minnesota & Kansas

Here's some insight; Kansas wins and makes Minnesota look bad.

Chick-fil-A Bowl Georgia Tech & LSU

I'm really disappointed with how LSU finished the season. This is a story of 2 teams heading in different directions LSU just couldn't win the big games and GT knocked off FSU, Miami, & UGA. GT wins.

Outback Bowl -- South Carolina & Iowa

This will be a defensive match up, but Iowa is hot right now and South Carolina is struggling. Iowa wins.

Capital One Bowl -- Georgia & Michigan St.

Sticking to my pattern defense is what makes the difference, Georgia wins.

Konica Minolta Gator Bowl -- Nebraska & Clemson

Yes, in week 1 I picked Clemson to win the BCS Championship. Bowden was too conservative in his game especially given the talent Clemson has. Nebraska has a great offense, in the Big 12. They have a taste of a good defense when they played VT. Clemson is fired up and also excited to have Swinney as their coach. Clemson wins.

Rose Bowl presented by Citi -- Penn St & USC

USC is good but not as good as they've been portrayed. Penn St. seemed to get the shaft all year and are one of the best teams in terms of having a good balance of both a strong offense & a strong defense. Penn St wins.

FedEx Orange Bowl - Cincy & VT

I am having a problem picking this game. VT is trying not to be a one sided team and has learned a little how to play offense. The question is is it too little too late. Cincy has a pretty good offense and also a pretty good defense. I pick VT in a really good game.

AT&T Cotton Bowl -- Ole Miss & Texas Tech

I'm looking forward to all of these SEC v Big 12 games. Texas Tech has a great offense, but has not seen a strong defense all year. Games like this will test my statements that the SEC is superior to the Big 12 based on defense. I will stick by that and say Ole Miss wins.

Autozone Liberty Bowl -- Kentucky & East Carolina

This is probably the best bowl ECU has gotten since the Peach Bowl in 1991. I'm so glad to get an SEC team, but I wanted a bit better of a team. ECU wins.

All State Sugar Bowl -- Alabama & Utah

Utah being #12 is a laugh they beat 2 over-rated ranked teams in BYU & TCU. Does anybody think Utah has a chance? 'Bama wins big.

International Bowl -- U Conn & Buffalo

Buffalo made me look bad last week, but I'm glad they won. They won't win again against a Big East team. U Conn wins.

Tostidos Fiesta Bowl -- Texas & Ohio St

I'm having difficulty w/ this one. Texas= Offense, Ohio=Defense. Normally I say D beats O. But both of these teams are over-rated, Texas has played the tougher schedule. I pick Texas.

GMAC Bowl -- Ball St & Tulsa

Ball St. is so over-rated it's not funny, Tulsa has been consistent all year. Tulsa wins.

FedEx BCS National Championship Oklahoma & Florida

Everybody knows the national championship was decided last week in Atlanta. This is just a formality. The average defensive ranking of teams Oklahoma has faced is 77 that's with TCU breaking the curve at #2 (over-ranked). Florida's opponents are ranked, on average, 28 in defense and that includes their curve breaker Arkansas at 73. That's a huge fact that will not be able to be over come by Oklahoma. They will be frustrated in this game like never before. Tebow is going to have a banner day and he better have voted for himself in the Heisman. Florida wins.

[Umpire in Chief]

Eagle Bank Bowl -- Navy & Wake ForestIts very rare we get an in season rematch in a bowl game, but that's what happened Navy upset Wake Forest earlier in the year. Navy seems to have the better offense, Wake the better defense. Wake wins.

Apparently this was a better game than the score. I did not see it but my father in law had a lot to say.

New Mexico Bowl -- Colorado St. & Fresno St.

I honestly don't know too much about either of these two teams as their conferences don't produce the greatest teams. But in looking at their stats and the games they've played they seem to be pretty well matched to each other and this could be a good game. It looks like Fresno has a slightly better offense and that is enough for me to pick Fresno.

O well, I didn't know much about either team I didn't watch either. But Colorado St. won...

MagicJack St. Petersburg Bowl -- Memphis & South Florida

This could be a really good game. Memphis has the offense & South Florida had a really good yet still underrated defense. I stick to the formula that good defenses shut down a offense. South Florida Wins.

South Florida spanked Memphis... I wasn't expecting that...

Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl -- BYU & Arizona

BYU and their fans are a bit disappointed that they are not in a better game because they are ranked #16. But they're lucky because 3rd place in the MWC is not that good. Arizona is ecstatic to be in a bowl. I pick Arizona based on the strength of their defense overall and they should be able to control BYU's passing game, the question mark is can they stop the run.

Well I'm glad I got this right BYU is over-rated and loosing to Arizona should give them some humility and help them see they aren't as good as they thought they were.

R & L Carriers New Orleans Bowl -- Southern Miss & Troy

This doesn't look like it's going to be pretty. Troy had a really tough schedule. Southern Miss is only 6-6 and in the C-USA East. The highlight of their season was beating ECU. Troy win big.

Whoa, Now this was an upset, where did this Southern Miss team come from? I'm not happy that I'm wrong, but on the other hand bid wins by C-USA teams will only give some proper recognition to the conference.

5 bowl games in record 3-2.

[BrianC14]

Utah might be the big surprise.

Alabama is in letdown mode.

[Umpire in Chief]

Utah might be the big surprise.

Alabama is in letdown mode.

Serious about Utah? Well, that's why they play the game, I guess. But the Utes haven't played what anybody could consider a tough schedule with the possible exception of TCU who had a really strong defense.

[BrianC14]

Utah's offense could be a good test for 'Bama.

[Umpire in Chief]

Not the best picks for me this go round...

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl -- Boise St & TCU

I thought Boise wasn't going to any bowls unless they got into a BCS bowl???Hearing that made me immediately want to pick who ever they played. When I saw it was TCU it made me smile. Boise being #9 on the strength of their schedule is way too generous. Look what happened last year when they played a ECU team which is not as good as this year... TCU is going to win and I hope they light up the scoreboard.

Well Boisie lost and I haven't heard of any drama or excuses yet. I think they just feel lucky that they didn't actually get in a BCS Bowl where they would have been embarrassed.

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl -- Hawaii & Notre Dame

I usually like getting to pick against ND, they are only a shadow of what they were, yet every week they are wasting precious space on the tv when I could be watching a better game. Notre Dame has the better defense and that will make all the difference against a WAC team. ND wins.

Where has this Notre Dame team been all year? And what happened to the Hawaii team which gave Cincy a hard time? I thought it would have been a better game.

Motor City Bowl -- Florida Atlantic & Central Michigan

Once again I know very little about these two teams. Central Michigan wins.

I knew less than I thought I did... But this was a good game to watch.

Meineke Car Care Bowl WVU & UNC

This is going to be a great game! WVU has bounced back and UNC is having a good year. Looking at the stats they tell me to pick WVU, but I'm going to go with my gut and pick UNC.

While I was wrong with my pick I was absolutely right in saying this was going to be a great game. As a UNC fan I am very happy with the game and their level of play. UNC is putting themselves on the map as a football team finally.

Champ Sports Bowl -- Wisconsin & FSU

Both of these schools have had tough schedules. The difference is that FSU has won against tougher opponents overall. FSU wins.

Who ever thought the kicker/punter would be the hero of the game??? Then the dumb ass announcers give the player of the game award to the defensive coordinator??? Where did I miss him suiting up and playing? Ponder was great but the kicker had a game kickers dream of including his fall.

Emerald Bowl -- Miami & California

Cal seems to have a better offense and their defenses seem to be pretty equal. That being said, Cal's stats are based on playing an easier PAC-10 schedule. Miami wins in a good game.

A 7 point game, I wonder if all of the idiots who were suspended for the bowl game would have made a difference? Especially the starting QB. Thats okay being suspended for one of the biggest games of your career will add value to them in the NFL.

Independence Bowl -- N. Ill & La. Tech

Two mediocre teams from mediocre conferences. It could go either way, but I'll go with La. Tech.

Got one right.

Papa John's Bowl -- NC State & Rutgers

As an ECU man it pains me to say this but NC St. wins. On paper Rutgers looks better, but NCSU has played a tougher schedule and been able to upset good teams.

This is what I get for trying to be objective and putting my dis-like for state on the back-burner. Next year I'll remember this when I'm picking games with state.

Valero Alamo Bowl -- Missouri & Northwestern

Missouri is over-rated even at #21. They should be playing Boise in the First Umpire-Empire over-rated bowl. Northwestern wins.

Missouri won, I was wrong. They make a good #21.

I was only 4-5 in these games making my record 7-7 for the bowl season. There are 20 games left to go and some picks I am a bit concerned about, but that makes for a good football game.

[Umpire in Chief]

Picks Results Continued - 7-6 this round.

Roady's Humanitarian Bowl -- Maryland & Nevada

Nevada has a great offence, but play in the WAC. UMD had a better defense, but has a problem deciding if they're going to play or not they have beaten 3 of the 4 ranked teams they've faced, and lost to teams like Middle Tennessee. I'm picking Maryland and hoping they put it together for this game.

Looked like a good game Maryland pulled it together.

Texas Bowl -- W. Michigan & Rice

Rice is a under-rated team and will do well, not to mention they're practically playing at home. Rice wins.

Rice was able to show that they are a good team on a national stage.

Pacific Life Holiday Bowl -- OSU & Oregon

Neither team has much of a defense so the score board will be going crazy, but in the end OSU wins.

Wow this was an upset, but it was ultimately OSU's lack of defense which lost the game for them.

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl -- Houston & Air Force

The #1 offense in the nation will win. Houston wins.

Houston played a great game. Another good win to help solidify respect for C-USA.

Brut Sun Bowl -- Oregon St. & Pittsburgh

Of all the teams out there Pitt should be undefeated. Oregon State will be a nice match up, but Pitt wins.

What can you say this was a great defensive game and Oregon earned some respect from me.

Gaylord Motels Music City Bowl -- Boston College & Vanderbilt

Vandy started out on fire then fizzled out, probably not deserving of a bowl game. I do have a problem with a team that is 1-6 in their last seven games including losses to Duke & Tennessee. I've mentioned other teams being over-rated like Notre Dame they should not be in a bowl, not even the Umpire-Empire Bowl. BC has been much more consistent and should walk all over Vandy. BC wins.

Of all the upsets which could have happened this is not one I would have picked. I understand it was a defensive struggle and Vandy came to play.

Insight Bowl -- Minnesota & Kansas

Here's some insight; Kansas wins and makes Minnesota look bad.

Kansas doubled up Minn. I hate picking Big 12 teams but this was predictable.

Chick-fil-A Bowl Georgia Tech & LSU

I'm really disappointed with how LSU finished the season. This is a story of 2 teams heading in different directions LSU just couldn't win the big games and GT knocked off FSU, Miami, & UGA. GT wins.

After beating teams like Georgia, FSU, and Miami GT picked a bad time to have a bad game. And where was this LSU team the last two games of the season losing to Mississippi & Arkansas? This is how I expect LSU to play.

Outback Bowl -- South Carolina & Iowa

This will be a defensive match up, but Iowa is hot right now and South Carolina is struggling. Iowa wins.

I thought South Carolina would make more of a game out of it.

Capital One Bowl -- Georgia & Michigan St.

Sticking to my pattern defense is what makes the difference, Georgia wins.

Georgia need to bounce back after loosing a tough one to GT.

Konica Minolta Gator Bowl -- Nebraska & Clemson

Yes, in week 1 I picked Clemson to win the BCS Championship. Bowden was too conservative in his game especially given the talent Clemson has. Nebraska has a great offense, in the Big 12. They have a taste of a good defense when they played VT. Clemson is fired up and also excited to have Swinney as their coach. Clemson wins.

Well I don't know what to say. Did Nebraska just come to life or Clemson's defense tired out a combination of the two. Either way I don't think Clemson played the full game. But it was a good one.

Rose Bowl presented by Citi -- Penn St & USC

USC is good but not as good as they've been portrayed. Penn St. seemed to get the shaft all year and are one of the best teams in terms of having a good balance of both a strong offense & a strong defense. Penn St wins.

Another win for PAC-10 teams I will have to give them a bit more respect next year.

FedEx Orange Bowl - Cincy & VT

I am having a problem picking this game. VT is trying not to be a one sided team and has learned a little how to play offense. The question is is it too little too late. Cincy has a pretty good offense and also a pretty good defense. I pick VT in a really good game.

I thought this would be a better game too. I turned it off in the 3rd qtr.

S now I'm 14-13 with a few games to go and the most important one tonight. Go Pirates.

[mstaylor]

I know it's sacreligious but I can't stand Penn St, particularly Joe Paterno. He should have quit 15 years ago. When you are so old you can't stand through a game, quit. The problem is I hate USC just as much. Unfortunately someone had to win.

[Umpire in Chief]

Looks like I have a lot of crow to eat so I'll go ahead and start.

I couldn't have been more wrong about Kentucky & Utah.

AT&T Cotton Bowl -- Ole Miss & Texas Tech

I'm looking forward to all of these SEC v Big 12 games. Texas Tech has a great offense, but has not seen a strong defense all year. Games like this will test my statements that the SEC is superior to the Big 12 based on defense. I will stick by that and say Ole Miss wins.

I picked an upset and my only win yesterday.

On a side note, I listened to this one on the internet at work yesterday and was getting irritated every time I heard the radio announcers say"olD Miss" they were getting on my nerves, I even had to call somebody else into my office to hear them so we could mock them.

Autozone Liberty Bowl -- Kentucky & East Carolina

This is probably the best bowl ECU has gotten since the Peach Bowl in 1991. I'm so glad to get an SEC team, but I wanted a bit better of a team. ECU wins.

I'm really disappointed in this one Kentucky didn't beat ECU, ECU made stupid mistakes and beat them selves. It was still a good game to watch. But I can guarantee you this Carolina BBQ better than Memphis BBQ.

All State Sugar Bowl -- Alabama & Utah

Utah being #12 is a laugh they beat 2 over-rated ranked teams in BYU & TCU. Does anybody think Utah has a chance? 'Bama wins big.

Utah might be the big surprise.

Alabama is in letdown mode.

Brian, I must give you credit, you called it. 'Bama was definitely in let down mode. I don't know if the Utes will rise too much even if Florida were to loose. I think it's more a case where 'Bama will fall. I must give credit to one of the announcers last night that said something like, "Alabama is thinking about playing the FedEx Bowl and Utah is thinking about playing the Sugar Bowl." I don't want to take anything away from Utah because they played a great game and rose to the situation.

[BrianC14]

How 'bout them Runnin' Utes!!!!

Their offensive show was no surprise to me. I was more worried about their defense - and yet, they held the 'Strollin' Tide' to just 208 total yards!

WOO HOO!

[Umpire in Chief]

International Bowl -- U Conn & Buffalo

Buffalo made me look bad last week, but I'm glad they won. They won't win again against a Big East team. U Conn wins.

This wasn't a hard pick...

Tostidos Fiesta Bowl -- Texas & Ohio St

I'm having difficulty w/ this one. Texas= Offense, Ohio=Defense. Normally I say D beats O. But both of these teams are over-rated, Texas has played the tougher schedule. I pick Texas.

I was disappointed because I was expecting a better game with this match up.

GMAC Bowl -- Ball St & Tulsa

Ball St. is so over-rated it's not funny, Tulsa has been consistent all year. Tulsa wins.

Another easy pick.

FedEx BCS National Championship Oklahoma & Florida

Everybody knows the national championship was decided last week in Atlanta. This is just a formality. The average defensive ranking of teams Oklahoma has faced is 77 that's with TCU breaking the curve at #2 (over-ranked). Florida's opponents are ranked, on average, 28 in defense and that includes their curve breaker Arkansas at 73. That's a huge fact that will not be able to be over come by Oklahoma. They will be frustrated in this game like never before. Tebow is going to have a banner day and he better have voted for himself in the Heisman. Florida wins.

All kidding aside, this was a great game. Oklahoma showed they did have a good defense as well. A great fitting Championship game.

[Umpire in Chief]

Well was 19-15 over the bowls making my final tally 53-44. I'll have to do better next year.

Here are some of my thoughts in the Bowl games:

Best Bowl Game: The BCS National Championship Florida v. Oklahoma.

Runner up: WVU & UNC. I got this one wrong but it was a fun exciting game.

Worst Bowl Game: Tulsa & Ball State. Ball St had no business being there.

Runner up: Notre Dame & Hawaii. Notre Dame figured out how to play football too late and Hawaii didn't even show up.

Biggest Upset Utah over Alabama. Utah earned some respect from me 'Bama lost some.

Runner up: LSU over Georgia Tech - No matter who won this should have been a hell of a game, huge disappointment.

Honorable mention: Oregon over Oklahoma St.

Most Over-rated team in a Bowl Game: Ball State.

Runner up: Boise State.

Honorable mention: BYU

Most Under-rated team in a Bowl Game: Vandy.

Runner up: Utah

Conference which benefited the most from the bowl games: Pac-10. They have nearly changed my mind about the quality of their program, but still have a while to go. I'd like to see more Pac-10 vs. SEC or Big 12 match ups to really determine.

Runner up: Conference USA. I know this seems very biased, but not much was expected from them from the word go. They ended up sending 6 teams to bowls and went 4-2. The two losses were Memphis who was a 6-6 team who was on the bubble and ECU who played a tough SEC team and only beat themselves.

Conference which was hurt the most by bowl games: Mid-American Conference. 0-5 and their 5 teams lost by a combined 84 points. The best game they had was Fla Atlantic & C. Mich. and that was a great game. But they've proven thy are gust not at the same level as other D-I conferences.

Runner up: WAC. From Boise saying they wouldn't go to a bowl unless it was a BCS game to losing to TCU, the conference was 1-4 with their sole win being against a MAC team!

The AP top 25 are out:

1. Florida
   
2. Utah
   
3. USC
   
4. Texas
   
5. Oklahoma
   
6. Alabama
   
7. TCU
   
8. Penn St.
   
9. Ohio St
   
10. Oregon
    
11. Boise
    

Here's my top 10:

1. Florida
   
2. Texas
   
3. Oklahoma
   
4. Utah
   
5. USC
   
6. 'Bama
   
7. TCU
   
8. Penn St
   
9. Texas Tech
   
10. Georgia
    

[HokieUmp]

Worst Bowl Game: Tulsa & Ball State. Ball St had no business being there.

Runner up: Notre Dame & Hawaii. Notre Dame figured out how to play football too late and Hawaii didn't even show up.

Seriously? You don't think Oregon State's 3-0 rout of Pitt isn't the:

Worst.

Bowl.

Ever.

?

[Umpire in Chief]

I didn't get to see that one, and can't remember how much I read about it, so I didn't have much to go off of. I was definately expecting a higher scoring game and Pitt to win.... But both Oregon St and Pitt deserved to be there.