BCS & 2013 Bowl Games

Tuesday, Jan 1

Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl - Miss State v. #20 Northwestern - The Wildcats run a spread, but like Oregon, it's a run based spread rather than a passing attack.  Northwestern ranks 15th in the nation in rushing yards per game at 230.9, while checking in at 112th in passing yards per game.  The Wildcats deploy a 2 QB system, and as the saying goes if you have two QB's...

you have none, but somehow the Wildcats make it work.  Their running QB is Kain Colter who has 796 yards passing to go with 820 yards rushing this season.  Their passing QB is Trevor Simian, who is still mobile but not nearly the athlete Colter is.  The Wildcats D is solid but not spectacular.  HC Pat Fitzgerald is one of the better young coaches in the nation.  Northwestern is a tough place to win at consistently but he's building a nice program that looks to be competitive year in and year out.  Mississippi State was cruising along, starting 7-0 and was ranked as high as #11 this season, then they started to play good teams and all of a sudden...

The Bulldogs lost  4 of their last 5 games including an embarrassing 41-24 loss to in state rival Ole Miss to finish the season.  QB Tyler Russell is a pretty good QB, but as the competition got tougher, his numbers took a nose dive.  He's a pocket QB so don't look for him to run much, which means Northwestern will blitz and force him into mistakes.  The Bulldgos haven't come close to beating a ranked team this year, and Northwestern is currently ranked #20.  Could the Big Ten score a win against the mighty SEC?

37 - 24 Northwestern.  

Heart of Dallas Bowl - Purdue v. Okie State - The stars at night, burn big and bright... deep in the heart of...

The Cowboys offense was prolific as always this year, boasting the Big XII's leading rusher in RB Joseph Randle.  QB Clint Chelf, who started the season as the 3rd string QB, will start the bowl game due to injuries.  He played well the last 4 games of the season.  The Okie State D sucks as usual, but HC Mike Gundy doesn't make his money by worrying about defense.

He's going to try to out score the Boilermakers early and often and beat them into submission.  Purdue closed out the season with 3 straight wins to finish 6-6, but it wasn't enough to save HC Danny Hope from getting a pink slip.  In comes HC Darrell Hazell from Kent State.  Hazell is a former Buckeye coach under the Jim Tressell regime.  You have to admire Boiler QB Robert Marve's heart.  The kid transferred from Miami to Purdue, tore his ACL more than once, and once again this tore his ACL when Purdue played Notre Dame, but Marve was already playing his 6th year of college football thanks to a medical redshirt and stuck it out. Marve transferred to Purdue to get on the field and start for a winning team. In hindsight...

Despite the injury, he played better this year than healthy QB Caleb TerBush.  Even with Marve's heart, the Purdue offense is not very good. They are an average team all around and I don't see how their D will be able to slow down the Cowboys offense or how the Boilers offense will put up enough to points to get a W.  But win or lose, they'll be partying back in West Lafayette...

I feel bad for that hot tub. 45 - 17 Cowboys. 

Outback Bowl - #10 South Carolina v. #18 Michigan - Hail Hail to Michigan!

Another SEC v. Big Ten matchup!  In this corner, checking in at 10-2 with losses to two top 10 teams and representing the SEC... THE South Caroline Gamecocks!

and in this corner, with a combined record or 8-4, with a QB who's more famous for not tying his shoelaces during games than for any pass he's thrown in his career, representing the slow and plodding Big Ten....

 The Gamecocks two losses have come at the hands of Florida and Alabama, not exactly bad losses.  The Gamecocks D is one of the best in the nation, led by true sophomore man-child and future first round draft pick DE Jadeveon Clowney...

Oops... wrong man-child. Here's Clowney...

After the loss of star RB Marcus Lattimore many predicted the demise of the USCe offense, but those predictions may as well have been made by the Mayans.  QB's Connor Shaw and Dylan Thompson both played this year and present different issues for a defense to game plan against.  Shaw is more athletic and will run the read option, while Thompson is more of a drop back QB with a bigger arm.

Both will play, and Michigan will have to adjust to both.  On the other side of the field, Michigan QB Denard Robinson is a known quantity.  The kid is flat out fast, but looks more like a WR playing QB.  He's not a good passer by any stretch of the term.  After Robinson was hurt, Michigan actually did put a WR at QB when Devin Gardner lined up behind center.  Ironically, he found more success in the passing game than Robinson did.  Michigan will also play two QB's that South Carolina will need to game plan to stop.  The Gamecocks D is going to be tough to beat for a Michigan offense who's main weapon is running the ball, but you can never count out an athlete like D-Rob who only needs 1 play to turn a game around...

Yes... but a small one.  31-20 South Carolina. 

Capital One Bowl - #7 Georgia v. #16 Nebraska - The last time we saw these two teams they were playing for BCS Bowls.  The question is, which team will feel motivated to win this after their BCS hopes were dashed in two very different fashions.

The Bulldogs had the Crimson Tide on the ropes in the SEC Championship but as usual, couldn't close the deal, inexplicably throwing a pass into the flat inside the 10 yard line as time expired.  The Bulldogs were so close yet so far from finally playing for a national title...

The Bulldogs rushing attack is arguably better than the Badgers, with Freshman RB's Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall leading a potent attack.  And the 'Dawgs are most definitely better through the air with QB Aaron Murray leading the way.  If the Bulldogs 17th ranked D can contain Huskers QB Taylor Martinez, the SEC will once again prevail over the Big Ten.

Nebraska had the exact opposite experience in the Big Ten Championship game, finding themselves down 42-10 at the HALF against Wisconsin as the Badgers completely dismantled the Huskers D. The Huskers went on to lose 70-31.  Apparently Nebraska did not get the message...

Nebraska is another team with a run first QB in Taylor Martinez.  The kid doesn't look that fast, but next thing you know he's already run past you and on his way to the end zone. The key is to make him throw it, which he's not that good at.  Like a Hulk Hogan leg drop...

the Huskers D was destroyed and could not get back up against Wisconsin.  Do they show some pride and limit the Bulldogs to say, 35 points?  Georgia's O is significantly better Wisconsin's. Unlike this Nebraska fan...

 This game could get ugly fast.  45-14 Georgia.

Rose Bowl Game presented by Vizio - Wisconsin v. #6 Stanford - The Badgers ran their way into their 3rd straight Rose Bowl appearance, plowing over Nebraska 70-31.  This may be the weakest Badgers team to make an appearance.  Wisconsin finished 3rd in the Big Ten Leaders division, but made the championship game due to OSU and PSU being ineligible.  The Badgers were ohsoclose this year, losing 3 games in OT and the other two by 3 points each.  HC Brett Bielema decided he'd had enough of the Rose Bowl and brutal Wisconsin winters...

and headed south to take over the Arkansas program and try his hand in the SEC.  The Badgers offense is all about running the ball with RB's Montee Ball and James White.  They've played 3 QB's this year, none of them being very effective unless you count taking the snap and turning around to hand the ball off as being effective.

Stanford is another running team, with RB Stepfan Taylor leading the way on the ground with 1442 yards and 12 TD's.  Freshman QB Kevin Hogan solidified the position after replacing Josh Nunes in the Colorado game.  Hogan provides the Cardinal wish some scrambling ability when plays break down.  The Stanford D is one of the best in the nation, giving up only 17.5 points per game.  The Cardinal will be keying on the run all night.  Will the Badgers be able to solve the Stanford run D?

37 - 17 Stanford.

Discover Orange Bowl - #12 Florida State v. #15 Northern Illinois - What's your question?

I have no idea, but they are.

 Looking to party?  Here are you choices... Northern Illinois -

or Florida State -

or...

 or...

You get my point.

On the field it's just as different.  FSU has one of the best D's in the nation, ranking 6th in points give up per game at 15.1.  If not for a second half melt down against NC State, the 'Noles would be a 1 loss team and perhaps playing a better opponent in a BCS game.  The Huskies were 1 bad loss to a terrible Iowa team to start the season away from going undefeated.  QB Jordan Lynch is a middle class man's Johnny Manziel.  He leads his team in passing with just under 3000 yeards and 24 TD's to go along with 1771 yards rushing and another 19 TD's on the ground.  Manziel won the Heisman putting up similar numbers, but since quality of opponents counts, Lynch was not even in the conversation.  FSU is by FAR the best team Northern Illinois has played this year and it will show.  48-16 Seminoles.

Wednesday, Jan. 2

Allstate Sugar Bowl - #21 Louisville v. #3 Florida - Another shitty match up brought to you by the BCS.  Louisville started 9-0 before losing to 'Cuse and a terrible UConn team.  They managed to beat Rutgers to win the Big Least and get a BCS bid.  The Big East is like the kid that gets picked last for dodgeball...

and Florida is the guy in the blue shirt...

They should make a new rule about allowing Big East's teams into the BCS.  Make them do the truffle shuffle or something...

I have literally been trying to work that in since November and since this is my last post of the year I had to get it in.  You're welcome.

Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater is one of the best in the country and should get some Heisman hype next season.  He has to have his best game of the season for the Cardinals to have any shot.

The Gators D is excellent.  They rank 3rd in the nation giving up only 12.9 points per game.  Their lone loss came to Georgia when the offense somehow turned it over six times.  No matter how good your D is, it's awfully hard to win a game when your O gives it away six times.  The Gators O will do just enough to win.  Unless the Gators turn it over six times and Bridgewater lights up, this game won't be close. 34 - 13 Florida.

Thursday, Jan 3

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl - #4 Oregon v. #5 K State - Sweet!  A game we actually want to watch! This is going to be a fun game.  The Ducks offense is high octane, led by QB Marcus Mariota and RB Kenjon Barmer, who's put up 1624 rushing yards and 21 TD's this season.  He's a threat to take it to the house on any play.  The Ducks D has played better this year than in years past.  They rank 26th in the nation giving up only 22 points per game. HC Chip Kelly is rumored to be a candidate for several NFL jobs but that seems to happen every year.  Could his offense work in the NFL or would he end up like other college coaches that couldn't find the same success in the pros?  I'm looking at you Nick Saban and Steve Spurrier.

I'm not one to judge, but K State may want to consider requiring a geography course...

The Wildcats were one win away from playing for a national title, which is kind of crazy when you think about how bad the K State program is without HC Bill Snyder.  QB Collin Klein was a Heisman finalist and was probably 1 win away from winning it.  Like Mariota, he's a run first QB that's tough to stop.  He's joined in the back field by RB John Hubert who has 800+ yards and 15 TD's on the season. K State's D is good, ranking 24th in the nation and giving up only 21.1 points per game.

Could this game turn into a defensive struggle?  Stanford shut down the Ducks attack so their is a blue print on how to do it, but executing that blue print is another story.  No team has really stopped K State's offense this year.   Their lone loss came at the hands of a Baylor offense that's one of the best in the nation.  That was a passing offense though, and the Ducks offense is more ground based.  The Ducks may take a little while to get going, but eventually their O will take over.  45-38 Oregon. 

Friday, Jan 4 

AT&T Cotton Bowl - #9 Texas A&M v. #11 Oklahoma - Back in August, QB Johnny Manziel was fighting for playing time and A&M was starting their first season in the SEC and then WHAM!

The Aggies beat 'Bama on the road and Manziel was winning the Heisman trophy as a freshman!  It's been a whirlwind year for Aggie football and a win against former conference rival Oklahoma would be the icing on the cake.  We know the Aggies offense is good, led by Johnny football, but it will be the Aggies 29th ranked D that will have to step up and slow down the Sooners offense.

Sidenote: Can anyone name the other member of WHAM! without looking it up?

Oklahoma may actually be underrated considering that their only two losses were to Notre Dame and K State, both top 5 teams. Their offense is high scoring as usual, led by QB Landry Jones and WR Kenny Stills. Like a rich man in a Vegas whore house, the Sooners are going to score, the only question is how much.  The Sooners D is good but not great.  They'll have to contain the Heisman trophy winner to have a shot, which is easier said than done.  Johnny Football just seems to have "it" when it comes to making plays. This should be one of the better bowl games to watch, and DEFINITELY will be better than the Orange Bowl.  38-35 Oklahoma.  

Saturday, Jan 5 

BBVA Compass Bowl - Pitt v. Ole Miss - I can talk about Pitt and Ole Miss and this shitty bowl game that's for some reason being played the first weekend of January when the NFL has playoff games, or we can enjoy this...

70-0 Ole Miss.  

Sunday, Jan 6 

GODADDY.com Bowl - #25 Kent State v. Arkansas State - The best part about this bowl game will undoubtedly be the Danica Patrick commercials...

Both of these teams were so successful this season, their coaches bolted for greener pastures. Gus Malzahn left to go back to the disaster that is the Auburn program, and Darrell Hazell took his talents to West Lafayette.  Replacing Malzahn will be Texas OC Bryan Harsin, and taking over for Hazell will be former Kent State player Paul Haynes, who spent last season as the DC at Arkansas.  Like his predecessor, Haynes spent several years as an assistant at Ohio State.

The Golden Flashes won 11 games on the back of their 16th ranked rushing attack led by a pair of dynamic RB's.  Dri Archer has 1352 yards and 15 TD's and is also the team's leading receiver.  Trayion Durham has 1248 yards and 14 TD's.  If you could combine these two, they'd easily win the Heisman.  Kent State also has a decent but not great D.  Kent State was one game away from playing in a BCS game, but couldn't handle Northern Illinois in the MAC Championship, losing 44-37 in double OT.

Arkansas State also likes to run the ball, but has a better aerial attack than Kent State.  The Red Wolves had 3 losses this year, none of them to bad teams.  We'll see which team responds to their interim coach before the new guy takes over. 37-29 Red Wolves

Monday, Jan 7 

Discover BCS National Championship - #2 Alabama v. #1 Notre Dame - Finally!  After what seems like months of waiting the championship game is finally here!  Get your popcorn ready!

Spread offenses are all the rage in college football, but the title game is a match up of arguably the two best defenses in college football this year.  If not for the heroics of Johnny football, 'Bama would be undefeated coming into this game.  And if not for some heavy duty Luck O' the Irish, Notre Dame would not even be sniffing the BCS.

Bama's D is downright filthy, giving up only 10.7 points per game. They have 4 shutouts this year and the most points they've given up in any game was 29 to the Aggies and Johnny Football.  The offense is anchored by two 1000 yard rushers.  RB's Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon pack a 1-2 wallop that Notre Dame will have a tough time containing.  QB AJ McCarron has only 3 INT's on the year, two of them against the Aggies.  Needless to say if McCarron turns the ball over, Notre Dame have a much better chance of winning.

Nobody has figured out the Irish D yet this year.  While the offense found it's identity earlier this year, the D carried the team.  The Irish are led by All American linebacker and Heisman finalist Manti Te'o.  Everett Golson finally solidified the QB position, and RB's Theo Riddick and Cierre Wood provide a dependable ground game.

It's a game like this that's hyped as a defensive battle that somehow end up being a higher scoring game than anyone anticipates.  With more than a month of watching film on the other team, both coaches should have a solid game plan to put up some points.  Can HC Nick Saban win his 3rd title in 4 season?   Can HC Brian Kelly finally take Notre Dame back to the top of the college football world where they haven't been since 1988?  We'll find out soon enough.

Here it is... my final prediction of the year!!!!

Crimson Tide 24 - Notre Dame 17!!! 

It's been another great year in college football and I'm sad it's over.  And I just want all of you to know...

Enjoy whatever shitty sports are played between football seasons. See you in the fall!