Going Bowling Part 1

Bowling is here!  No not the kind with spares and strikes.  I’m talking touchdowns, interceptions, oranges, and especially roses.  In fact this year college football is more about the roses than anything else.  The BCS finally did something right (albeit not everything) when it matched up the two lone undefeated teams for the national championship game at the Rose Bowl.  But before we get to treat ourselves to another “Game of the Century” we get to enjoy some undercard bouts that should be pretty entertaining: Texas Tech-Auburn in the Cotton, Notre Dame-Ohio State in the Fiesta, Miami-LSU in the Peach, and Oregon-Oklahoma in the Holiday.  And even before those we have some minor bowl games with, well let’s face it, bad teams.  Kansas-Houston?  Southern Miss-Arkansas State?  South Florida-NC State?  Who really wants to watch these games?  That’s the problem with having 28 bowl games.  Not-so-good teams get to make December appearances so that revenue will increase.  Almost half of NCAA division 1-A teams get postseason berths.  Inevitably that means a good team is going to have to face an opponent that seems extremely unworthy.  Arizona State-Rutgers?  I shudder at the thought.  Unfortunately there’s not a whole lot to be done about the situation.  Instead we should just try to enjoy the intriguing match-ups that we’re given.  That’s what I’m going to do at least.  Without further adieu, here’s the first batch of predictions for the first batch of bowl games.

New Orleans Bowl
Southern Miss vs. Arkansas State
Arkansas State:  It’s a shame that Southern Miss had to be delegated here to play against an Arkansas State team that barely won the Sun Belt.  ASU was blown out by Army in the second to the last game of the season and by Middle Tennessee State.  This isn’t exactly an impressive resume.  But they do have a slim margin of hope.  Their running game is good.  Starter Antonio Warren averaged 6.3 YPC and backup Shermar Bracey averaged 7.1.  If they can run the ball effectively this should open up some opportunities for QB Nick Noce, who isn’t incompetent, to make some plays.  

Southern Miss: While the Golden Eagles don’t have the rushing game that the Indians do, just about every other facet of their game is better than Arkansas State’s.  QB Dustin Almond threw for 21 TDs and over 2,600 yards.  Plus they have LB Kevis Coley who could give the Indians’ running game fits.  They played Alabama and NC State tough early in the season so I see no reason why Southern Miss shouldn’t easily handle a one-dimensional Arkansas State team.  

Bottom Line: I can’t imagine this game being close.  Every time I think Arkansas State has a chance I remember they lost to Army by 28.  Southern Miss 37, Arkansas State 7

GMAC Bowl
UTEP vs. Toledo
The diagnosis for this game is just about the same for both teams.  Explosive offensives combined with often inept defensives will make the guy who runs the scoreboard busy for most of the game.  UTEP QB Jordan Palmer and Toledo QB Bruce Gradkowski have had outstanding seasons and both are being scouted by the NFL.  The team that establishes its running game the best will probably be the team that ends up winning.  UTEP has dropped its last two games and Toledo, because of that crushing defeat to Northern Illinois, lost its chance to go to the MAC Championship game.  Both will be out to save their seasons.  Also, the GMAC Bowl has been relatively competitive and has a history of giving the fans close, exciting games.  This year’s game should be no different.  UTEP has a great team with a great coach (Mike Price) however I think Gradkowski’s leadership and a better Toledo running game will launch the Rockets over the Miners.

Bottom Line: Watch the game if you want to see the scoreboard being lit up.  Toledo should prevail in the end.  Toledo 42, UTEP 38