Rutgers-Ball State

the International Bowl Saturday, January 5th, 12:00pm Toronto, Ontario
Rutgers (7-5)_____Big East____146.23				Ball State (7-5)_____MAC____70.73
Week	Opponent	oPts	Res, Score	Week	Opponent	oPts	Res, Score
8	South Florida	316.42	W, 30-27	3	@ Navy	111.26	W, 34-31
2	Navy	111.26	W, 41-24	7	Western Kentucky	11.29	W, 35-12
12	Pittsburgh	76.94	W, 20-16	8	@ Western Michigan	-65.04	W, 27-23
1	Buffalo	-89.68	W, 38-3	5	Buffalo	-89.68	W, 49-14
7	@ Syracuse	-156.53	W, 38-14	11	Toledo	-104.62	W, 41-20
11	@ Army	-176.10	W, 41-6	2	@ Eastern Michigan	-130.06	W, 38-16
3	Norfolk State	-	W, 59-0	13	@ Northern Illinois	-277.36	W, 27-21
9	West Virginia	364.93	L, 3-31	9	@ Illinois	331.14	L, 17-28
6	Cincinnati	298.97	L, 23-28	10	@ Indiana	133.65	L, 20-38
10	@ Connecticut	232.43	L, 19-38	6	Central Michigan	67.05	L, 38-58
5	Maryland	134.68	L, 24-34	4	@ Nebraska	29.14	L, 40-41
14	@ Louisville	106.21	L, 38-41	1	Miami (Ohio)	-62.84	L, 13-14

Rutgers.

Rutgers.

The Line: Ball State +10.5

The Story: Rutgers.

The Call: Rutgers by 21

The Result: Rutgers 52-30 = Yup.

Fresno State-Georgia Tech

the Humanitarian Bowl Monday, December 31st, 2:00pm Boise, Idaho
Fresno State (8-4)______WAC_____151.92				Georgia Tech (7-5)______ACC_____154.13
Week	Opponent	oPts	Res, Score	Week	Opponent	oPts	Res, Score
6	@ Nevada	54.01	W, 49-41	5	Clemson	293.25	W, 13-3
13	Kansas State	43.11	W, 45-29	7	@ Miami (Florida)	46.59	W, 17-14
5	Louisiana Tech	-48.56	W, 17-6	12	North Carolina	7.58	W, 27-25
8	San Jose State	-53.89	W, 30-0	1	@ Notre Dame	-135.92	W, 33-3
14	@ New Mexico State	-156.16	W, 30-23	8	Army	-176.10	W, 34-10
10	Utah State	-209.20	W, 38-27	11	@ Duke	-205.27	W, 41-24
7	@ Idaho	-335.67	W, 37-24	2	Samford	-	W, 69-14
1	Sacramento State	-	W, 24-3	10	Virginia Tech	439.86	L, 3-27
11	@ Hawaii	395.58	L, 30-37	13	Georgia	412.72	L, 17-31
3	@ Oregon	251.78	L, 21-52	3	Boston College	313.79	L, 10-24
9	Boise State	229.42	L, 21-34	4	@ Virginia	254.75	L, 23-28
2	@ Texas A&M	130.38	L, 45-47	6	@ Maryland	134.68	L, 26-28

The Yellowjackets beat Clemson, but that's about the only decent win between these two. No real bad losses though, so I guess that counts for something.

Pretty even when it comes to seasonal progress too.

The Line: Fresno State +6

The Story: The temperature isn't supposed to get above freezing all day long - the turf isn't the only thing that's gonna be blue. Fresno State has some players suspended for this game, including their All-American kick returner (though he's appealing). I still like the Bulldog's chances though.

The Call: Fresno State by 3

The Result: Fresno State 40-28 = Great win for Pat Hill & the Bulldogs.

California-Air Force

the Armed Forces Bowl Monday, December 31st, 12:30pm Fort Worth, Texas
California (6-6)______Pac 10_____87.95				Air Force (9-3)_____Mtn West____233.04
Week	Opponent	oPts	Res, Score	Week	Opponent	oPts	Res, Score
1	Tennessee	349.37	W, 45-31	2	@ Utah	213.09	W, 20-12
5	@ Oregon	251.78	W, 31-24	3	Texas Christian	152.78	W, 20-17
4	Arizona	69.56	W, 45-27	8	Wyoming	-10.46	W, 20-12
10	Washington State	31.17	W, 20-17	12	San Diego State	-84.17	W, 55-23
3	Louisiana Tech	-48.56	W, 42-12	7	@ Colorado State	-109.69	W, 45-21
2	@ Colorado State	-109.69	W, 34-28	11	@ Notre Dame	-135.92	W, 41-24
11	Southern California	321.57	L, 17-24	10	Army	-176.10	W, 30-10
9	@ Arizona State	241.74	L, 20-31	6	Nevada-Las Vegas	-178.30	W, 31-14
7	Oregon State	209.72	L, 28-31	1	South Carolina State	-	W, 34-3
8	@ UCLA	117.96	L, 21-30	4	@ Brigham Young	341.36	L, 6-31
12	@ Washington	-9.10	L, 23-37	9	@ New Mexico	154.27	L, 31-34
14	@ Stanford	-46.40	L, 13-20	5	@ Navy	111.26	L, 20-31

The Bears have played the tougher schedule, but the won 3 less games than the Falcons did.

Cal's season tanked in October just when they were on the verge of being ranked #1, while Air Force has gone up after a rough start. Definite edge to the Falcons.

The Line: Air Force +4.5

The Story: Giving points to the Falcons? That makes this choice easy...

The Call: Air Force by 10

The Result: California 42-36 = ...it also makes that choice very wrong. Looks like Cal has found themselves a QB for next year.

Mississippi State-UCF

the Liberty Bowl Saturday, December 29th, 4:30pm Memphis, Tennessee
Mississippi State (7-5)______SEC_____191.93				UCF (10-3)_____Conf USA____266.42
Week	Opponent	oPts	Res, Score	Week	Opponent	oPts	Res, Score
3	@ Auburn	294.68	W, 19-14	8	Tulsa	164.04	W, 44-23
9	@ Kentucky	208.61	W, 31-14	14	Tulsa	164.04	W, 44-25
11	Alabama	183.77	W, 17-12	9	@ Southern Mississippi	53.31	W, 34-17
13	Mississippi	-39.22	W, 17-14	1	@ North Carolina State	34.24	W, 25-23
2	@ Tulane	-144.98	W, 38-17	4	Memphis	21.53	W, 56-20
6	Alabama-Birmingham	-232.53	W, 30-13	13	Texas-El Paso	-110.58	W, 36-20
4	Gardner-Webb	-	W, 31-15	10	Marshall	-158.83	W, 47-13
1	Louisiana State	460.13	L, 0-45	5	Louisiana-Lafayette	-210.36	W, 37-19
8	@ West Virginia	364.93	L, 13-38	11	@ Alabama-Birmingham	-232.53	W, 45-31
7	Tennessee	349.37	L, 21-33	12	@ Southern Methodist	-292.91	W, 49-20
12	Arkansas	294.50	L, 31-45	7	@ South Florida	316.42	L, 12-64
5	@ South Carolina	163.22	L, 21-38	3	Texas	275.96	L, 32-35
				6	@ East Carolina	89.72	L, 38-52

It's been a solid year for the Bulldogs, and even more so for the Golden Knights. Neither team has a real bad loss (UCF's to East Carolina might have looked bad in the middle of the season, but those Pirates just beat up on 10-2 Boise State). Mississippi State has the edge in wins, beating Auburn & Kentucky.

UCF is on a streak, not having lost since week 7.

The Line: Mississippi State +3

The Story: Can Kevin Smith break the season rushing record? If he does, the Knights should have the game easily in hand. If the Bulldogs can slow him down, their experience should help them keep it close.

The Call: UCF by 7

The Result: Mississippi State 10-3 = You can't help but feel good for Sylvester Croom & the Bulldogs. Not the most exciting game, as most of theirs have been this season, but they got the job done.

BYU-UCLA

the Las Vegas Bowl Saturday, December 22nd, 8:00pm Las Vegas, Nevada
BYU (10-2)_____Mtn West____341.36				UCLA (6-6)______Pac 10_____117.96
Week	Opponent	oPts	Res, Score	Week	Opponent	oPts	Res, Score
4	Air Force	233.04	W, 31-6	2	Brigham Young	341.36	W, 27-17
13	@ Utah	213.09	W, 17-10	13	Oregon	251.78	W, 16-0
5	@ New Mexico	154.27	W, 31-24	5	@ Oregon State	209.72	W, 40-14
11	Texas Christian	152.78	W, 27-22	8	California	87.95	W, 30-21
1	Arizona	69.56	W, 20-7	4	Washington	-9.10	W, 44-31
12	Wyoming	-10.46	W, 35-10	1	@ Stanford	-46.40	W, 45-17
14	San Diego State	-84.17	W, 48-27	14	@ Southern California	321.57	L, 7-24
10	@ Colorado State	-109.69	W, 35-16	11	Arizona State	241.74	L, 20-24
7	@ Nevada-Las Vegas	-178.30	W, 24-14	3	@ Utah	213.09	L, 6-44
8	Eastern Washington	-	W, 42-7	10	@ Arizona	69.56	L, 27-34
3	@ Tulsa	164.04	L, 47-55	9	@ Washington State	31.17	L, 7-27
2	@ UCLA	117.96	L, 17-27	6	Notre Dame	-135.92	L, 6-20

Rematch! The first game went to the Bruins at home in September, which was the best and worst game for each team, respectively. But since then the Cougars have had a bit of a better season. Just a bit.

The chart says it all in terms of seasonal progress.

Intangibles: How will the BYU players and fans react to Vegas? Something's gotta give there...

The Line: UCLA +6

The Story: As is a main storyline for this bowl season, the Bruins are interim'd. Not only that, but the school is still interviewing for a coach, not having already scooped up one for next season as most other schools have. Of course it doesn't just come down to coaches, the Cougar's desire for revenge is big too...

The Call: BYU by 10

The Result: BYU 17-16 = Another solid game. BYU finishes a great season, winning their last 10.

Cincinnati-Southern Miss

the Papajohns.com Bowl Saturday, December 22nd, 1:00pm Birmingham, Alabama
Cincinnati (9-3)_____Big East____298.97				Southern Miss (7-5)_____Conf USA____53.31
Week	Opponent	oPts	Res, Score	Week	Opponent	oPts	Res, Score
10	@ South Florida	316.42	W, 38-33	3	@ East Carolina	89.72	W, 28-21
11	Connecticut	232.43	W, 27-3	13	Arkansas State	-63.38	W, 16-10
2	Oregon State	209.72	W, 34-3	12	@ Texas-El Paso	-110.58	W, 56-30
6	@ Rutgers	146.23	W, 28-23	8	@ Marshall	-158.83	W, 33-24
3	@ Miami (Ohio)	-62.84	W, 47-10	10	@ Alabama-Birmingham	-232.53	W, 37-7
5	@ San Diego State	-84.17	W, 52-23	7	Southern Methodist	-292.91	W, 28-7
13	@ Syracuse	-156.53	W, 52-31	1	Tennessee-Martin	-	W, 35-13
4	Marshall	-158.83	W, 40-14	2	@ Tennessee	349.37	L, 19-39
1	Southeast Missouri State	-	W, 59-3	9	Central Florida	266.42	L, 17-34
12	West Virginia	364.93	L, 23-28	5	@ Boise State	229.42	L, 16-38
7	Louisville	106.21	L, 24-28	11	Memphis	21.53	L, 26-29
8	@ Pittsburgh	76.94	L, 17-24	6	Rice	-221.20	L, 29-31

The Bearcats have the clear edge in this game - better record, a lot of quality wins, no real bad losses.

Cincinnati had a drop-off in the middle of the season but has since rebounded. Southern Miss has worked their way back up from the red too, but they're much more stop and go.

Intangibles: Southern Miss is the opposite of interim'd for this game - it's Jeff Bower's last one, and you can bet he's going to do everything in his power to show the school's administration what a huge mistake they made in forcing him to resign.

The Line: Southern Miss +11.5

The Story: Cincinnati's skills vs Southern Miss's heart

The Call: Cincinnati wins, but Southern Miss covers the spread

The Result: Cincinnati 31-21 = Right on the money.

Central Michigan-Purdue

the Motor City Bowl Wednesday, December 26th, 7:30pm Detroit, Michigan
Central Michigan (8-5)_____MAC____67.05				Purdue (7-5)_____Big 10____126.73
Week	Opponent	oPts	Res, Score	Week	Opponent	oPts	Res, Score
6	@ Ball State	70.73	W, 58-38	8	Iowa	72.08	W, 31-6
14	Miami (Ohio)	-62.84	W, 35-10	3	Central Michigan	67.05	W, 45-22
10	@ Western Michigan	-65.04	W, 34-31	9	Northwestern	30.45	W, 35-17
2	Toledo	-104.62	W, 52-31	1	@ Toledo	-104.62	W, 52-24
13	@ Akron	-140.28	W, 35-32	5	Notre Dame	-135.92	W, 33-19
7	Army	-176.10	W, 47-23	4	@ Minnesota	-195.44	W, 45-31
9	@ Kent	-226.51	W, 41-32	2	Eastern Illinois	-	W, 52-6
5	Northern Illinois	-277.36	W, 35-10	6	Ohio State	403.68	L, 7-23
1	@ Kansas	322.17	L, 7-52	10	@ Penn State	238.54	L, 19-26
8	@ Clemson	293.25	L, 14-70	7	@ Michigan	235.72	L, 21-48
3	@ Purdue	126.73	L, 22-45	11	Michigan State	196.40	L, 31-48
12	Eastern Michigan	-130.06	L, 45-48	12	@ Indiana	133.65	L, 24-27
4	North Dakota State	-	L, 14-44

Basically the same W-L record for these two, and their wins are similarly weak. But Central Michigan has taken some bad losses, losing to Eastern Michigan and getting beaten down by DI-AA North Dakota State. All the teams the Boilermakers lost to were at the top of the Big 10, so they beat and lost to the teams they should have.

Purdue has evened out in the last part of the season, while Central Michigan slowly worked their way back from a rough start.

Intangibles: Eh. (It's not the most glamorous matchup...)

The Line: Central Michigan +8

The Story: Back in September when these two played, the Boilermakers doubled up the Chippewas 45-22, so you can bet the latter are looking for some revenge. Both teams use the spread - which one can defend against it better?

The Call: Purdue by 10

The Result: Purdue 51-48 = That was just a whole lotta offense, jeez. Another exciting game though - a slew of close ones and we're not even 1/4 of the way through the bowls.