Michigan State - Texas Tech

Alamo Bowl January 2, 9:00pm San Antonio, TX

Michigan State (6-6) _____________ Big10 ___________ 11.18 ____ YPG = 399.3 (113%) PPG = 28.3 (120%) dYPG = 382.9 (102%) dPPG = 27.1 (103%) ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Montana St -510.82 W, 44-3 2 Central Michigan 257.98 L, 27-29 3 Notre Dame 23.90 L, 30-33 4 Wisconsin 189.12 L, 30-38 5 Michigan -106.70 W, 26-20 6 Illinois -190.53 W, 24-14 7 Northwestern 126.96 W, 24-14 8 Iowa 322.42 L, 13-15 9 Minnesota 7.50 L, 34-42 10 Western Michigan -188.83 W, 49-14 11 Purdue -27.94 W, 40-37 12 Penn St 256.10 L, 14-42

Texas Tech (8-4) ______________ Big12 __________ 131.04 ____ +18% ← YPG = 463.2 (131%)__________ +50% ← PPG = 36.5 (170%)__________ -9% ← dYPG = 361.2 (93%)_________ -18% ← dPPG = 22.5 (85%)_________ ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 North Dakota -508.13 W, 38-13 2 Rice -295.50 W, 55-10 3 Texas 487.27 L, 24-34 4 Houston 213.71 L, 28-29 5 New Mexico -391.30 W, 48-28 6 Kansas St -32.33 W, 66-14 7 Nebraska 177.80 W, 31-10 8 Texas A&M -11.32 L, 30-52 9 Kansas -89.35 W, 42-21 11 Oklahoma St 211.94 L, 17-24 12 Oklahoma 102.05 W, 41-13 13 Baylor -105.91 W, 20-13

Yeah, the Red Raiders lead in the stats categories, but you can throw those out the window due to the situation with Mike Leach this week. Like it or not, this game is gonna be a big referendum on how much the Texas Tech team is going to miss Leach as a coach and architect of their offense. If they really are happy he's gone, and show that by rallying to play well, it won't seem like such a poisonous environment for a new coach to come into. But if they fall apart... Michigan State has been laying low throughout this season, and they might just be able to bring the hammer to this one.

The Line: Michigan State +7.5

The Call: Michigan State by 3

The Result: Texas Tech 41-31

That'll go a long way toward rallying the Red Raiders without Leach. It probably won't help the university's legal defense, but that's another story. Tough loss for the Spartans, who always seem to have a shot in the Big10 but never quite get there. At least they'll get some time off to regroup - it doesn't look like Texas Tech can say the same.

Mississippi - Oklahoma State

Cotton Bowl January 2, 2:00pm Arlington, TX

Mississippi (8-4) ___________ SEC _________ 152.02 ____ ____________YPG = 395.7 (110%) → +17% ____________PPG = 27.3 (110%) → +8% dYPG = 319.1 (84%) dPPG = 20.3 (79%) ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Memphis -278.07 W, 45-14 3 SE Louisiana -507.66 W, 52-6 4 South Carolina 113.85 L, 10-16 5 Vanderbilt -246.01 W, 23-7 6 Alabama 589.24 L, 3-22 7 UAB -71.06 W, 48-13 8 Arkansas 121.91 W, 30-17 9 Auburn 121.93 L, 20-33 10 Northern Arizona -530.16 W, 38-14 11 Tennessee 115.05 W, 42-17 12 LSU 248.45 W, 25-23 13 Mississippi St 14.07 L, 27-41

Oklahoma State (9-3) ______________ Big12 __________ 211.94 ____ YPG = 357.1 (93%) PPG = 27.8 (102%) dYPG = 336.1 (84%) dPPG = 23.2 (79%) ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Georgia 159.43 W, 24-10 2 Houston 213.71 L, 35-45 3 Rice -295.50 W, 41-24 4 Grambling St -506.34 W, 56-6 6 Texas A&M -11.32 W, 36-31 7 Missouri 116.64 W, 33-17 8 Baylor -105.91 W, 34-7 9 Texas 487.27 L, 14-41 10 Iowa St -19.16 W, 34-8 11 Texas Tech 131.04 W, 24-17 12 Colorado -216.73 W, 31-28 13 Oklahoma 102.05 L, 0-27

Interestingly, these two have performed the same on defense - both allow just 84% of their opponents' average yards and 79% of their opponents' average points. The Rebels have an edge on offense, partly because some of the Cowboys' biggest playmakers have been injured or unavailable for big chunks of the season. Ole Miss should have a bit of a psychological edge too, remembering how last year's Cotton Bowl against Texas Tech went. It might be close, but I think they can do it again.

The Line: Oklahoma State +3

The Call: Mississippi by 7

The Result: Mississippi 21-7

Well, it was close until the Cowboys collapsed after that bad 4th-quarter non-offsides call. Shame that had to completely change the game. But give credit to the Rebels for stepping it up after that and just getting after Oklahoma State, effectively putting the game away by great defensive play.

Connecticut - South Carolina

Papajohns.com Bowl January 2, 2:00pm Birmingham, AL

Connecticut (7-5) __________ BigEast ________ 100.28 ____ ____________YPG = 390.3 (111%) → +8% ____________PPG = 30.3 (130%) → +43% dYPG = 403.7 (114%) dPPG = 26.4 (112%) ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Ohio 116.67 W, 23-16 2 North Carolina 195.12 L, 10-12 3 Baylor -105.91 W, 30-22 4 Rhode Island -508.81 W, 52-10 6 Pittsburgh 224.38 L, 21-24 7 Louisville -108.86 W, 38-25 8 West Virginia 240.94 L, 24-28 9 Rutgers 102.84 L, 24-28 10 Cincinnati 473.38 L, 45-47 12 Notre Dame 23.90 W, 33-30 13 Syracuse -108.38 W, 56-31 14 South Florida 79.25 W, 29-27

South Carolina (7-5) ______________ SEC __________ 113.85 ____ YPG = 357.6 (103%) PPG = 20.3 (87%) -35% ← dYPG = 302.7 (79%)__________ -38% ← dPPG = 21 (74%)_________ ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 NC State -70.92 W, 7-3 2 Georgia 159.43 L, 37-41 3 Florida Atl -101.06 W, 38-16 4 Mississippi 152.02 W, 16-10 5 South Carolina St -508.51 W, 38-14 6 Kentucky 90.38 W, 28-26 7 Alabama 589.24 L, 6-20 8 Vanderbilt -246.01 W, 14-10 9 Tennessee 115.05 L, 13-31 10 Arkansas 121.91 L, 16-33 11 Florida 470.00 L, 14-24 13 Clemson 149.95 W, 34-17

The Huskies & Gamecocks are pretty evenly matched in terms of how they've performed against competition this year. Both lost to the best teams on their schedule, didn't take a bad loss, and had one or two good wins. But while the Connecticut offense might be better, the South Carolina D is definitely better. The OBC should be able to have fun in this one.

The Line: Connecticut +3.5

The Call: South Carolina by 10

The Result: Connecticut 20-7

Really, that was a pathetic effort from the Gamecock offense. Spurrier's going to be steaming about that one all season. But congrats to the Huskies who played well, took no penalties, and add another notch to the BigEast's belt this season (that will probably go unnoticed).

Florida State - West Virginia

Gator Bowl January 1, 1:00pm Jacksonville, FL

Florida State (6-6) ______________ ACC _____________ 71.14 ____ ___________YPG = 422.8 (127%) → +24% ____________PPG = 30.8 (136%) → +30% dYPG = 455.6 (124%) dPPG = 32.7 (124%) ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Miami (FL) 274.34 L, 34-38 2 Jacksonville St -528.99 W, 19-9 3 Brigham Young 253.27 W, 54-28 4 South Florida 79.25 L, 7-17 5 Boston College 137.57 L, 21-28 6 Georgia Tech 356.59 L, 44-49 8 North Carolina 195.12 W, 30-27 9 NC State -70.92 W, 45-42 10 Clemson 149.95 L, 24-40 11 Wake Forest -53.61 W, 41-28 12 Maryland -282.65 W, 29-26 13 Florida 470.00 L, 10-37

West Virginia (9-3) __________ BigEast ________ 240.94 ____ YPG = 376.5 (103%) PPG = 26 (106%) -33% ← dYPG = 333.2 (91%)__________ -44% ← dPPG = 20.8 (80%)__________ ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Liberty -505.11 W, 33-20 2 East Carolina 177.10 W, 35-20 3 Auburn 121.93 L, 30-41 5 Colorado -216.73 W, 35-24 6 Syracuse -108.38 W, 34-13 7 Marshall -30.18 W, 24-7 8 Connecticut 100.28 W, 28-24 9 South Florida 79.25 L, 19-30 10 Louisville -108.86 W, 17-9 11 Cincinnati 473.38 L, 21-24 13 Pittsburgh 224.38 W, 19-16 14 Rutgers 102.84 W, 24-21

Bowden's last stand, finally here. He's the sentimental favorite, and the team knows what a bowl win would mean. But they're definitely not the most defensive of squads, and West Virginia should be able to put some points on the board. Will the Seminoles be able to keep up?

The Line: Florida State +2.5

The Call: West Virginia by 9

The Result: Florida State 33-21

In a word, yes. In fact the Seminoles put up nearly a third as many yards as the Mountaineers. The West Virginia boys will be back next year though. Florida State has ended an era on a good note - can they start the next one on one too?

LSU - Penn State

Capital One January 1, 1:00pm Orlando, FL

LSU (9-3) ______________ SEC ____________ 248.45 ____ YPG = 309.7 (85%) PPG = 25.5 (99%) dYPG = 326.6 (87%) dPPG = 16 (58%) ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Washington 19.13 W, 31-23 2 Vanderbilt -246.01 W, 23-9 3 LA-Lafayette -71.89 W, 31-3 4 Mississippi St 14.07 W, 30-26 5 Georgia 159.43 W, 20-13 6 Florida 470.00 L, 3-13 8 Auburn 121.93 W, 31-10 9 Tulane -246.99 W, 42-0 10 Alabama 589.24 L, 15-24 11 Louisiana Tech -137.56 W, 24-16 12 Mississippi 152.02 L, 23-25 13 Arkansas 121.91 W, 33-30

Penn State (10-2) _____________ Big10 _________ 256.10 ____ +27% ← YPG = 399.7 (112%)__________ +9% ← PPG = 27.6 (108%)__________ -8% ← dYPG = 283.5 (79%)_________ -8% ← dPPG = 12.6 (50%)_________ ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Akron -247.05 W, 31-7 2 Syracuse -108.38 W, 28-7 3 Temple 102.29 W, 31-6 4 Iowa 322.42 L, 10-21 5 Illinois -190.53 W, 35-17 6 Eastern Illinois -505.38 W, 52-3 7 Minnesota 7.50 W, 20-0 8 Michigan -106.70 W, 35-10 9 Northwestern 126.96 W, 34-13 10 Ohio St 335.31 L, 7-24 11 Indiana -166.84 W, 31-20 12 Michigan St 11.18 W, 42-14

This one's gonna be a doozy. I was bitten last year when the Tigers stomped Georgia Tech into the ground, but I don't get the feeling that's going to happen to the Nittany Lions. They've been to big games, they've won big games, and they've had a solid, if uneventful year. Statistically they have the edge, and anybody who's seen the Tigers "offense" knows that if they can't get anything going, it's going to be a long afternoon. They've put up around 25+ points their last few games, but I don't know if that'll be enough to beat Penn State. Of course, if the D helps out and puts some points on the board, it could be interesting.

The Line: LSU +2.5

The Call: Penn State by 9

The Result: Penn State 19-17

Yeah, the mud & field. But at least it makes it a bit more interesting, giving the game a different look/feel. Great effort from both teams, nice rally from the Tigers there in the second half, but JoPa just keeps on chugging.

Auburn - Northwestern

Outback Bowl January 1, 11:00am Tampa, FL

Auburn (7-5) ______________ SEC ____________ 121.93 ____ ___________YPG = 412.5 (122%) → +15% ____________PPG = 30.2 (139%) → +49% _________dYPG = 361.5 (99%) → -3% _________dPPG = 26.5 (100%) → -7% ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Louisiana Tech -137.56 W, 37-13 2 Mississippi St 14.07 W, 49-24 3 West Virginia 240.94 W, 41-30 4 Ball St -385.62 W, 54-30 5 Tennessee 115.05 W, 26-22 6 Arkansas 121.91 L, 23-44 7 Kentucky 90.38 L, 14-21 8 LSU 248.45 L, 10-31 9 Mississippi 152.02 W, 33-20 10 Furman -533.47 W, 63-31 11 Georgia 159.43 L, 24-31 13 Alabama 589.24 L, 21-26

Northwestern (8-4) ______________ Big10 __________ 126.96 ____ YPG = 377 (107%) PPG = 23.2 (90%) dYPG = 356.9 (102%) dPPG = 24.2 (107%) ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Towson -508.22 W, 47-14 2 Eastern Michigan -520.92 W, 27-24 3 Syracuse -108.38 L, 34-37 4 Minnesota 7.50 L, 24-35 5 Purdue -27.94 W, 27-21 6 Miami (OH) -332.47 W, 16-6 7 Michigan St 11.18 L, 14-24 8 Indiana -166.84 W, 29-28 9 Penn St 256.10 L, 13-34 10 Iowa 322.42 W, 17-10 11 Illinois -190.53 W, 21-16 12 Wisconsin 189.12 W, 33-31

The Tigers have had a very up-and-down season, to say the least. New coach, starting out with five straight wins, losing three in a row, getting back on track, then losing to rivals Georgia & Alabama. Northwestern has been a bit more even keel, but not by much - a headslapper against Syracuse to go with wins over Iowa & Wisconsin. The stats all point to an edge for the Tigers, especially when it comes to points. But since the Wildcats have had time to study film and get ready for the Auburn attack, they might be able to neutralize it like others have. They're also coming in with more confidence, having won three straight including their big Big10 ones...

The Line: Northwestern +8

The Call: Auburn wins, but Northwestern covers the spread

The Result: Auburn 38-35 OT

As many breaks as Northwestern kept getting in the fourth quarter and overtime, they just couldn't convert for their first bowl win in over a half-century. That's gonna sting. Auburn nearly fell apart there and hang on by the skin of their teeth - yikes. Hell of an exciting, if ugly and turnover-infested, game though.

Tennessee - Virginia Tech

Chick-fil-A Bowl December 31, 7:30pm Atlanta, GA

Tennessee (7-5) _____________ SEC ___________ 115.05 ____ __________YPG = 395.6 (112%) → +1% PPG = 30.6 (123%) dYPG = 308.8 (85%) dPPG = 21.0 (87%) ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Western Kentucky -540.84 W, 63-7 2 UCLA 37.15 L, 15-19 3 Florida 470.00 L, 13-23 4 Ohio 116.67 W, 34-23 5 Auburn 121.93 L, 22-26 6 Georgia 159.43 W, 45-19 8 Alabama 589.24 L, 10-12 9 South Carolina 113.85 W, 31-13 10 Memphis -278.07 W, 56-28 11 Mississippi 152.02 L, 17-42 12 Vanderbilt -246.01 W, 31-16 13 Kentucky 90.38 W, 30-24

Virginia Tech (9-3) ______________ ACC __________ 292.07 ____ YPG = 388.3 (111%) +24% ← PPG = 31.4 (147%)___________ dYPG = 300.4 (85%) -26% ← dPPG = 15.8 (61%)__________ ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Alabama 589.24 L, 24-34 2 Marshall -30.18 W, 52-10 3 Nebraska 177.80 W, 16-15 4 Miami (FL) 274.34 W, 31-7 5 Duke -142.00 W, 34-26 6 Boston College 137.57 W, 48-14 7 Georgia Tech 356.59 L, 23-28 9 North Carolina 195.12 L, 17-20 10 East Carolina 177.10 W, 16-3 11 Maryland -282.65 W, 36-9 12 NC State -70.92 W, 38-10 13 Virginia -207.42 W, 42-13

I like this matchup - old, defensive rocks against new, fandangled crazy. Both the Hokies & Vols average about the same yards per game, points per game, and defensive yards per game, but the Hokies have a slight edge in defensive points per game. Both lost to Bama and the other top teams in their conference (GA Tech & Florida), but had solid wins over Georgia & Miami. Tennessee had that head-scratching loss to UCLA, but the worst team Virginia Tech lost to was North Carolina. Junior would love to have a bowl victory to add to his off-season arsenal, but he's not going to get it.

The Line: Tennessee +5.5

The Call: Virginia Tech by 7

The Result: Virginia Tech 37-14

Yeah, that was about it. Entertaining game though.

Iowa State - Minnesota

Insight Bowl December 31, 6:00pm Tempe, AZ

Iowa State (6-6) ____________ Big12 __________ -19.16 ____ __________YPG = 350.2 (99%) → +9% PPG = 19.9 (81%) dYPG = 418 (121%) _________dPPG = 23.1 (95%) → -5% ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 North Dakota St -514.92 W, 34-17 2 Iowa 322.42 L, 3-35 3 Kent St -138.94 W, 34-14 4 Army -162.43 W, 31-10 5 Kansas St -32.33 L, 23-24 6 Kansas -89.35 L, 36-41 7 Baylor -105.91 W, 24-10 8 Nebraska 177.80 W, 9-7 9 Texas A&M -11.32 L, 10-35 10 Oklahoma St 211.94 L, 8-34 11 Colorado -216.73 W, 17-10 12 Missouri 116.64 L, 24-34

Minnesota (6-6) _______________ Big10 ___________ 7.50 ____ YPG = 301.7 (90%) +10% ← PPG = 22.1 (91%)__________ -20% ← dYPG = 376.5 (101%)__________ dPPG = 25.6 (100%) ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Syracuse -108.38 W, 23-20 2 Air Force 44.52 W, 20-13 3 California 176.17 L, 21-35 4 Northwestern 126.96 W, 35-24 5 Wisconsin 189.12 L, 28-31 6 Purdue -27.94 W, 35-20 7 Penn St 256.10 L, 0-20 8 Ohio St 335.31 L, 7-38 9 Michigan St 11.18 W, 42-34 10 Illinois -190.53 L, 32-35 11 South Dakota St -510.13 W, 16-13 12 Iowa 322.42 L, 0-12

Hmmm... a couple of 6-6'ers. Kinda mixed up too - the Cyclones have a bit of statistical advantage in offensive yards & defensive points, while the Gophers have the edge in offensive points and defensive yards. Interesting. Schedules tell a different story though. The Cyclones lost to some bad teams, but they also had that miracle game against Nebraska. The Gophers had some solid wins, but they also lost to a bad Illinois team. No end-of-the-year streak for either one, Iowa State losing 3 of their last 4, Minnesota losing 4 of their last 6. Toss-up.

The Line: Iowa State +2.5

The Call: Minnesota by 7

The Result: Iowa State 14-13

Missed.

Oklahoma - Stanford

Sun Bowl December 31, 2:00pm El Paso, TX

Oklahoma (7-5) _____________ Big12 __________ 102.05 ____ YPG = 406.3 (115%) PPG = 28.1 (111%) __________dYPG = 294.4 (73%) → -36% _________dPPG = 14.7 (51%) → -53% ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Brigham Young 253.27 L, 13-14 2 Idaho St -550.20 W, 64-0 3 Tulsa -112.30 W, 45-0 5 Miami (FL) 274.34 L, 20-21 6 Baylor -105.91 W, 33-7 7 Texas 487.27 L, 13-16 8 Kansas -89.35 W, 35-13 9 Kansas St -32.33 W, 42-30 10 Nebraska 177.80 L, 3-10 11 Texas A&M -11.32 W, 65-10 12 Texas Tech 131.04 L, 13-41 13 Oklahoma St 211.94 W, 27-0

Stanford (8-4) ______________ Pac10 __________ 199.79 ____ +8% ← YPG = 441.4 (123%)__________ +40% ← PPG = 36.2 (151%)__________ dYPG = 398.5 (109%) dPPG = 26.2 (104%) ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Washington St -302.11 W, 39-13 2 Wake Forest -53.61 L, 17-24 3 San Jose St -289.14 W, 42-17 4 Washington 19.13 W, 34-14 5 UCLA 37.15 W, 24-16 6 Oregon St 189.28 L, 28-38 7 Arizona 236.36 L, 38-43 8 Arizona St -109.63 W, 33-14 10 Oregon 385.85 W, 51-42 11 USC 227.93 W, 55-21 12 California 176.17 L, 28-34 13 Notre Dame 23.90 W, 45-38

Quite looking forward to seeing what happens in this one, actually. The Sooners D has been solid all year, and their offense should be able to rack up some yards & points against a not quite average Cardinal defense. The Cardinal's have Toby Gerhart though along with some big wins - walloping Oregon and USC were better than anything the Sooners have done this year. Could Stanford pull it off? Certainly. But I think Oklahoma will show some poise and their bowl experience will help them hang on.

The Line: Stanford +9.5

The Call: Oklahoma wins, but Stanford covers the spread

The Result: Oklahoma 31-27

Good all around game. Entertaining, both teams played well on both sides of the ball, etc. Finally the Sooners get another bowl win. It's not the BCS, but it's a good boost for the next year. Stanford should be set for a solid year as well - even though they're losing some players, they have some young ones too that should make things interesting in the Pac10 again.

Arizona - Nebraska

Holiday Bowl December 30, 8:00pm San Diego, CA

Arizona (8-4) ____________ Pac10 __________ 236.36 ____ ___________YPG = 394 (110%) → +23% ____________PPG = 29.3 (124%) → +28% dYPG = 323.8 (85%) dPPG = 23.7 (86%) ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Central Michigan 257.98 W, 19-6 2 Northern Arizona -530.16 W, 34-17 3 Iowa 322.42 L, 17-27 4 Oregon St 189.28 W, 37-32 6 Washington 19.13 L, 33-36 7 Stanford 199.79 W, 43-38 8 UCLA 37.15 W, 27-13 10 Washington St -302.11 W, 48-7 11 California 176.17 L, 16-24 12 Oregon 385.85 L, 41-44 13 Arizona St -109.63 W, 20-17 14 USC 227.93 W, 21-17 0 X1234 XXX X,XX

Nebraska (9-4) ______________ Big12 __________ 177.80 ____ YPG = 324.5 (87%) PPG = 24.5 (96%) -11% ← dYPG = 276.4 (74%)__________ -45% ← dPPG = 11.2 (41%)__________ ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Florida Atl -101.06 W, 49-3 2 Arkansas St -183.23 W, 38-9 3 Virginia Tech 292.07 L, 15-16 4 LA-Lafayette -71.89 W, 55-0 6 Missouri 116.64 W, 27-12 7 Texas Tech 131.04 L, 10-31 8 Iowa St -19.16 L, 7-9 9 Baylor -105.91 W, 20-10 10 Oklahoma 102.05 W, 10-3 11 Kansas -89.35 W, 31-17 12 Kansas St -32.33 W, 17-3 13 Colorado -216.73 W, 28-20 14 Texas 487.27 L, 12-13

I don't want to make this one seem like a one-sided affair, but it's all about the Huskers here. The Wildcats are better than average on offense and defense, and can play with anyone. Nebraska on the other hand is pretty awful on offense and absolutely phenomenal on defense. If they play on each side of the ball like they have been, we could be in for a highly entertaining game. But if their offense finally gets going / defense has an off night, they could win / lose big.

Some good wins from both of them, the Cornhuskers over Missouri & Oklahoma, the Wildcats over Central Michigan, USC, Stanford, and Oregon State - advantage Arizona. A few bad losses too, to Iowa State and Washington, respectively. Will the Wildcats be intimidated? Probably not. Will they be patient and execute in the few chances they get? Maybe...

The Line: Arizona +3

The Call: Nebraska by 4

The Result: Nebraska 33-0

Damn. That was as dominant of a bowl performance as we've seen in a long time. It's hard not to wonder what the season would've looked like if the Husker offense had played like that on one or two possessions in the Texas, Iowa State, or Virginia Tech games. As uplifting as Idaho's win was a few hours earlier, this one has the potential to be extremely deflating for the Wildcats - it'll be interesting to see how they start 2010.

Miami (FL) - Wisconsin

Champs Sports Bowl December 29, 8:00pm Orlando, FL

Miami (FL) (9-3) _____________ ACC ___________ 274.34 ____ __________YPG = 407.6 (118%) → +3% ___________PPG = 30.2 (132%) → +6% dYPG = 326.6 (88%) _________dPPG = 22.9 (87%) → -3% ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Florida St 71.14 W, 38-34 3 Georgia Tech 356.59 W, 33-17 4 Virginia Tech 292.07 L, 7-31 5 Oklahoma 102.05 W, 21-20 6 Florida A&M -504.98 W, 48-16 7 UCF 122.39 W, 27-7 8 Clemson 149.95 L, 37-40 9 Wake Forest -53.61 W, 28-27 10 Virginia -207.42 W, 52-17 11 North Carolina 195.12 L, 24-33 12 Duke -142.00 W, 34-16 13 South Florida 79.25 W, 31-10

Wisconsin (9-3) ______________ Big10 __________ 189.12 ____ YPG = 414.6 (115%) PPG = 31.7 (126%) -3% ← dYPG = 315.1 (85%)_________ dPPG = 23.2 (90%) ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Northern Illinois 0.53 W, 28-20 2 Fresno St 116.89 W, 34-31 3 Wofford -532.82 W, 44-14 4 Michigan St 11.18 W, 38-30 5 Minnesota 7.50 W, 31-28 6 Ohio St 335.31 L, 13-31 7 Iowa 322.42 L, 10-20 9 Purdue -27.94 W, 37-0 10 Indiana -166.84 W, 31-28 11 Michigan -106.70 W, 45-24 12 Northwestern 126.96 L, 31-33 14 Hawaii -68.79 W, 51-10

The Hurricanes started out the season on a tear and looked to be the class of the ACC, but a few stumbles did them in. Losses to VA Tech, UNC, and Clemson were somewhat understandable, but they beat all others behind them as well as ACC champ Georgia Tech. So they do have the goods to play with the best.

Wisconsin has had a quiet season, starting 5-0 against pretty easy competition them dropping out of the picture with losses to Ohio State and Iowa. Other than Fresno State, who finished on a solid run, the Badgers haven't beaten anyone of note - that could come back to haunt them against a seasoned Miami team.

The stats are all pretty much even, though they got there by very different routes - whoever is able to play their game and disrupt the other the most will win.

The Line: Wisconsin +3.5

The Call: Miami by 7

The Result: Wisconsin 20-14

Well, except for the first minute and the last two, the Badgers couldn't have scripted that any better - that was their game to a T. A little bit of excitement at the end there, but the Canes just struggled all night long after their first quick TD.

Georgia - Texas A&M

Independence Bowl December 28, 5:00pm Shreveport, LA

Georgia (7-5) ______________ SEC ____________ 159.43 ____ YPG = 352.2 (103%) PPG = 26.7 (124%) __________dYPG = 353.6 (96%) → -19% __________dPPG = 28.8 (108%) → -23% ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Oklahoma St 211.94 L, 10-24 2 South Carolina 113.85 W, 41-37 3 Arkansas 121.91 W, 52-41 4 Arizona St -109.63 W, 20-17 5 LSU 248.45 L, 13-20 6 Tennessee 115.05 L, 19-45 7 Vanderbilt -246.01 W, 34-10 9 Florida 470.00 L, 17-41 10 Tennessee Tech -540.52 W, 38-0 11 Auburn 121.93 W, 31-24 12 Kentucky 90.38 L, 27-34 13 Georgia Tech 356.59 W, 30-24

Texas A&M (6-6) ______________ Big12 __________ -11.32 ____ +24% ← YPG = 465.3 (127%)___________ +19% ← PPG = 33.9 (143%)___________ dYPG = 431.3 (115%) dPPG = 32.7 (131%) ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 New Mexico -391.30 W, 41-6 3 Utah St -163.79 W, 38-30 4 UAB -71.06 W, 56-19 5 Arkansas 121.91 L, 19-47 6 Oklahoma St 211.94 L, 31-36 7 Kansas St -32.33 L, 14-62 8 Texas Tech 131.04 W, 52-30 9 Iowa St -19.16 W, 35-10 10 Colorado -216.73 L, 34-35 11 Oklahoma 102.05 L, 10-65 12 Baylor -105.91 W, 38-3 13 Texas 487.27 L, 39-49

What are we to make of these two? They beat the teams they shouldn't and lose to teams they should beat, they score anywhere from 10-50 points while giving up anywhere from 0 to 65, the Aggies have the better offense (when they turn it on) while the Bulldogs have the better D (when they get things going). All in all, this one's a crapshoot.

The Line: Texas A&M +6.5

The Call: Georgia by 7

The Result: Georgia 44-20

That game took a while to get going, but once it did the Bulldogs came up big time. Not the prettiest offensive game, but the special teams play was explosive - this was a boost they really needed going into an offseason that's sure to see some changes. The Aggies showed up, and racked up some yards, but they just didn't get into the end zone. They're gonna have to work on consistency if they're ever going to improve much.

Clemson - Kentucky

Music City Bowl December 27, 8:30pm Nashville, TN

Clemson (8-5) ______________ ACC ____________ 149.95 ____ ___________YPG = 362.7 (103%) → +7% ____________PPG = 30.5 (123%) → +13% __________dYPG = 329.4 (84%) → -18% __________dPPG = 22.5 (84%) → -16% ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Mid Tenn St 136.35 W, 37-14 2 Georgia Tech 356.59 L, 27-30 3 Boston College 137.57 W, 25-7 4 TCU 419.26 L, 10-14 5 Maryland -282.65 L, 21-24 7 Wake Forest -53.61 W, 38-3 8 Miami (FL) 274.34 W, 40-37 9 Coastal Carolina -552.36 W, 49-3 10 Florida St 71.14 W, 40-24 11 NC State -70.92 W, 43-23 12 Virginia -207.42 W, 34-21 13 South Carolina 113.85 L, 17-34 14 Georgia Tech 356.59 L, 39-34

Kentucky (7-5) ________________ SEC ____________ 90.38 ____ YPG = 326.7 (96%) PPG = 26.3 (110%) dYPG = 372.8 (102%) dPPG = 23.8 (100%) ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Miami (OH) -332.47 W, 42-0 3 Louisville -108.86 W, 31-27 4 Florida 470.00 L, 7-41 5 Alabama 589.24 L, 20-38 6 South Carolina 113.85 L, 26-28 7 Auburn 121.93 W, 21-14 8 LA-Monroe -50.43 W, 36-13 9 Mississippi St 14.07 L, 24-31 10 Eastern Kentucky -555.28 W, 37-12 11 Vanderbilt -246.01 W, 24-13 12 Georgia 159.43 W, 34-27 13 Tennessee 115.05 L, 24-30 0 X1234 XXX X,XX

The Tigers have a bit of an edge in the statistical categories, but their bigger advantage is CJ Spiller, of course. If the Wildcats can keep him out of the end zone, they have a chance. Likelihood? Not very.

The Line: Kentucky +6.5

The Call: Clemson by 10

The Result: Clemson 21-13

Still, a decent season for Kentucky. They're never really going to compete in the SEC east, but a mid-range bowl keeps the program chugging along. The Tigers didn't live up to the hype this year, but it'd be hard not to call Swinney's first full year a success.

Boston College - USC

Emerald Bowl December 26, 8:00pm San Francisco, CA

Boston College (8-4) _____________ ACC ___________ 137.57 ____ YPG = 314.4 (83%) PPG = 23.2 (92%) dYPG = 335.5 (91%) dPPG = 21.2 (81%) ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Northeastern -507.98 W, 54-0 2 Kent St -138.94 W, 34-7 3 Clemson 149.95 L, 7-25 4 Wake Forest -53.61 W, 27-24 5 Florida St 71.14 W, 28-21 6 Virginia Tech 292.07 L, 14-48 7 NC State -70.92 W, 52-20 8 Notre Dame 23.90 L, 16-20 9 Central Michigan 257.98 W, 31-10 11 Virginia -207.42 W, 14-10 12 North Carolina 195.12 L, 13-31 13 Maryland -282.65 W, 19-17

USC (8-4) ____________ Pac10 ________ 227.93 ____ +21% ← YPG = 385 (104%)__________ +15% ← PPG = 26.7 (107%)__________ -1% ← dYPG = 342.5 (90%)________ -13% ← dPPG = 20.4 (68%)_________ ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 San Jose St -289.14 W, 56-3 2 Ohio St 335.31 W, 18-15 3 Washington 19.13 L, 13-16 4 Washington St -302.11 W, 27-6 5 California 176.17 W, 30-3 7 Notre Dame 23.90 W, 34-27 8 Oregon St 189.28 W, 42-36 9 Oregon 385.85 L, 20-47 10 Arizona St -109.63 W, 14-9 11 Stanford 199.79 L, 21-55 13 UCLA 37.15 W, 28-7 14 Arizona 236.36 L, 17-21

The Trojans are in unfamiliar territory, not being in a big BCS bowl game against a top Big10 team, but at the same time they're better statistically in most categories. Are they already looking ahead to next year? Maybe. The Eagles on the other hand put up a very quiet 8-4 season in the ACC, beating all their red opponents and some of the blues too. Will they be able to catch the Trojans off guard? I have a feeling this one might be close...

The Line: Boston College +7

The Call: USC wins, but Boston College covers the spread

The Result: USC 24-13

The Trojans were missing a lot of playmakers, but Damian Williams made up for all of them with a huge night. Even though they'll lose more players to the draft this year like they did last, it won't be as many - the big question for 2010 will be whether or not they can get back to the top of the Pac10. BC's rough 2009 came to a close, and after all the turmoil, I'll bet they're just happy to have some time to process everything.

North Carolina - Pittsburgh

Meineke Car Care Bowl December 26, 4:30pm Charlotte, NC

North Carolina (8-4) ______________ ACC ____________ 195.12 ____ YPG = 307.3 (81%) PPG = 21.0 (88%) ________dYPG = 289.0 (75%) → -16% __________dPPG = 18.5 (65%) → -17% ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Citadel -506.71 W, 40-6 2 Connecticut 100.28 W, 12-10 3 East Carolina 177.10 W, 31-17 4 Georgia Tech 356.59 L, 7-24 5 Virginia -207.42 L, 3-16 6 Georgia Southern -506.71 W, 42-12 8 Florida St 71.14 L, 27-30 9 Virginia Tech 292.07 W, 20-17 10 Duke -142.00 W, 19-6 11 Miami (FL) 274.34 W, 33-24 12 Boston College 137.57 W, 31-13 13 NC State -70.92 L, 27-28

Pittsburgh (9-3) ____________ BigEast ________ 224.38 ____ +31% ← YPG = 400.8 (112%)___________ +50% ← PPG = 32.7 (138%)___________ dYPG = 338.7 (91%) dPPG = 21.5 (82%) ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Youngstown St -506.07 W, 38-3 2 Buffalo -99.82 W, 54-27 3 Navy 127.84 W, 27-14 4 NC State -70.92 L, 31-38 5 Louisville -108.86 W, 35-10 6 Connecticut 100.28 W, 24-21 7 Rutgers 102.84 W, 24-17 8 South Florida 79.25 W, 41-14 10 Syracuse -108.38 W, 37-10 11 Notre Dame 23.90 W, 27-22 13 West Virginia 240.94 L, 16-19 14 Cincinnati 473.38 L, 44-45

The Tar Heels went 8-4 in the mediocre ACC this year, not reaching the heights many had predicted for them this year. Their D has made huge strides, being among the most sturdy in the game, but the offense just fell off the map at times, leading to losses to Florida State, NC State, and Virginia, and close calls with UConn & Duke. The Panthers almost reached the top of the BigEast this year, and should be set for a great run next year. A bad loss at the beginning of the year to NC State is still inexplicable, but some solid wins over Navy, Rutgers, & UConn and close games against Cincinnati & West Virginia mean they can play with anyone.

The Tar Heel D versus the Panther O - whoever wins that one should take it.

The Line: North Carolina +2

The Call: North Carolina by 7

The Result: Pittsburgh 19-17

The Panthers were held to just 75% of their average yardage and less than 65% of their average points, but it was enough against the penalty-prone Tar Heels. Great 10-win season for Pitt, while UNC continues to build...