The Bowl season is always one of my favorite times of the year. The games are usually evenly matched so the games usually go down to the wire. I was disappointed in a couple of match ups. I would have liked to see Ohio St. vs Alabama in the Sugar – that would have been a great game. I also thought Vanderbilt should have been in the Gator Bowl – they did beat Georgia & the Dawgs won’t have Aaron Murray.
If you want to stay married you can’t watch all the games so I picked the “best of the bowls†– One rule I try to never watch a bowl that one of the team’s coach has left.
1. 12/27 – Marshall vs Maryland @ 2:30 PM on ESPN – Doc Holiday led the Herd to a 9-4 season without much fanfare. Doc has transformed Marshall’s talent pool & the Herd is set for some good years. Rakeem Cato is exciting to watch & the Herd’s Air Game will be too much for the Terps’ secondary.
2. !2/27 – Syracuse vs Minnesota @ 6 PM on ESPN – Jerry Kill has quietly turned around the Golden Gophers & finished with an 8-4 mark. They play great “D†& will too much for ‘Cuse to handle. The Gophers will run the rock & take home the win.
3. 12/30 – Middle Tenn. Vs Navy @ 11:45 AM on ESPN – If you want to see the option run right then watch the Midshipmen of Navy. Coach Ken does a great job adjusting to what the “D†does & also manages the game tempo as well as anyone. Keenan Robinson is a great option QB & should sail the Middies past MTSU.
4. 12/30 – Ole Miss vs Ga. Tech @ 3:15 PM on ESPN – did you say you like option football? Well here’s another option guru in action. Paul Johnson was Coach Ken’s mentor so it will be interesting to watch these 2 teams back to back. Tech has not been as consistent on “O†as in the past but look for a couple of new wrinkles from the Ramblin’ Wreck. Ole Miss has some real speed so it will be a good game.
5. !2/31 – Duke vs Texas A&M @ 8 PM on ESPN – Cinderella meets Johnny Football on New Year’s Eve! – A great match up – Johnny Football finishing 5th in the Heisman is laughable. I think those voters should be banned from ever voting again. Duke had a dream season but defending a well- rested Johnny Football will be a nightmare for the Devils.
6. !/1/14 – Stanford vs Michigan St. @ 5 PM on ESPN – This game could be played in a living room. This is old time rock ‘n’ roll at its best. Two power football teams that play great defense. Tyler Gaffney could give Stanford a slight edge. How many times will the announcers say “The Grand Daddy of them allâ€? That’s the real question. Keep track & send me your total.
7. 1/2/14 – Oklahoma vs Alabama @ 8:30 PM on ESPN – Bob Stoops is an outstanding coach & the Sooners are a storied program but they should not be in The Sugar Bowl vs The Tide. Bama may be the best team in the country & I would have loved to see them vs Ohio St or Baylor. OU doesn’t have the “O†to beat The Tide. Bama will use their methodical offense to wear down OU’s “D†& get the W.
8. 1/3/14 – Okla. St. vs Mizzou @ 7:30 on FOX – This could be a score fest. Both teams can score the question is “Who can play “D� My guess is that Mizzou has the more athletic defense & the better QB (James Franllin) & will pull away in the 2nd half. Gary Pinkell will have the Tigers roaring. I would have liked to see Mizzou vs Baylor they would have scored over 100 points.
9. 1/3/16 – Clemson vs Ohio St @ 8:30 on ESPN – This is a BIG game for Ohio St. & the Big 10. The Bucks lost a lot of credibility in their loss to MSU & Urban’s guys will be gunning for the win. Were the Bucks over rated? Why Clemson is in this bowl I don’t know – these are bad bowl pairings – the Tigers lost to So. Carolina in their last game & looked bad doing it. The ONLY reason to see this one is 2 great multi-dimensional QBs: Taj Boyd for Clemson & Braxton Miller for the Bucks. I give the edge to the Buckeyes because the game is more important to their rep.
10. Vanderbilt vs Houston @ 1 PM on ESPN – I would have really liked to see the Commodores in the Gator Bowl (they had a better record than UGA) but the positive is: this is Vandy’s THIRD straight bowl game under James Franklin (they have only been in 3 others in the school’s history). VU has a chance to win 9 (they won 5 of their last 6) and build momentum for next season. The ‘Dores also sold out their ticket allotment which shows the fan support Franklin has built in his 3 years as head ‘Dore.
11. Florida St. vs Auburn @ 8:30 PM on ESPN – what a great match up. This will be which defense can slow the other offense down & get stops. FSU “D†is fierce but they are playing an unconventional “O†– they had a month to prepare (this won’t happen in a playoff). FSU has a great O.Line that will come at you & are great pass protectors. Gus Malzahn’s “O†will be challenged so he must manage the game. Ball security is a must for both teams. FSU has the better “D†& they should take home the crystal in a great game.
There you have it – my 11 bowls to watch & still have a happy marriage. Keep the mute button ready & have healthy snacks handy & enjoy the games.
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