NCAA: Best Bets for
Bowl Season
By
Tony Care
BodogNation Contributing Writer
12/30
7:30p |
ESPN |
Miami
(9-2)
vs. LSU (10-2) |
N/A
N/A |
Peach Bowl officials are
elated to have two high-caliber schools
for this game. The Miami Hurricanes and
LSU Tigers, however, can’t be blamed
for not sharing the same enthusiasm about
their impending trip to Atlanta.
Both teams missed opportunities
to play in a coveted BCS game because
of late-season losses. Now, these two
Top 10 teams are pitted against each other
in a game that promises to be a delight
for fans. Before the Fiesta, Sugar, Orange
and Rose Bowls kick off, the Peach Bowl
may be the best of this year's 24 other
college bowl games.
The No. 9 Hurricanes had
plenty of momentum after beating Virginia
Tech on Nov. 5, but an upset loss at home
against Georgia Tech two weeks later killed
any chance of an ACC title. After losing
to rival Florida State in the opening
game on Sept. 5, the Hurricanes won eight
straight, including an impressive 27-7
victory over the Hokies at Lane Stadium.
Traditionally, Miami’s offense gets
all the attention. This year, despite
the breakthrough performance of running
back Tyrone Moss, the defense was the
team's strength. Led by defensive tackle
Orien Harris, Miami allowed one team (Clemson,
Sept. 17) to score 30 points and only
gave up 11.3 points per game.
At 10-2, The Tigers, who
have two talented defensive tackles in
Claude Wroten and Kyle Williams, have
one of the best front fours in the nation.
The No. 10 Tigers did manage to advance
to the SEC Championship game, but were
humbled 34-14 by Georgia on Dec. 3. LSU
can also point to its loss to Tennessee
on Sept. 26 as a game it let slip away.
The Tigers had a 24-7 lead after three
quarters before surrendering 17 unanswered
points to the Volunteers, who forced overtime
then claimed a 30-27 win when running
back Gerald Riggs scored on a one-yard
touchdown run.
QUICK
HITS - 10 More Non-BCS Games That'll Bowl
You Over
GMAC
Bowl: UTEP Miners vs. Toledo Rockets
At Mobile, Ala.
12/21
8:00p |
ESPN |
UTEP
(8-3)
vs. Toledo (8-3) |
+3.0
-3.0 |
Both the Miners and Rockets
ranked in the top 20 in total offense
and have quarterbacks who can light up
the scoreboard. Toledo is led by pivot
Bruce Gradkowski, the school’s career
leader in completions and passing yards.
The Miners rely on Jordan Palmer, the
little brother of the Bengals' Carson.
Pioneer
Pure Vision Las Vegas Bowl: California
Golden Bears vs. BYU Cougars
At Las Vegas
12/22
10:30p |
ESPN |
BYU
(6-5)
vs. California (7-4) |
+7.0
-7.0 |
The Golden Bears began
the season 5-0 but their first loss to
UCLA on Oct. 8 started a tailspin that
saw them drop four of their final six.
At 1-3, it looked like BYU wouldn’t
even be bowl eligible in early October.
However, an offensive explosion led the
Cougars to five wins in their final seven
games.
MPC
Computers Bowl: Boise State Broncos vs.
Boston College Eagles
At Boise, Idaho
12/28
4:30p |
ESPN |
Boise
State (9-3)
vs. Boston College (8-3) |
-1.0
+1.0 |
Boise State loves to play
its bowl games on the blue artificial
surface of Bronco Stadium. This team has
dominated at home, reeling off 31 straight
wins since Sept. 22, 2001. The Broncos
have also lost just once in 45 home games
since 1999. However, Boise State won’t
have an easy time this year. The Eagles
play in the tougher ACC, so they won’t
be intimidated by Boise State’s
impressive home record.
Master
Card Alamo Bowl: Michigan Wolverines vs.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
At San Antonio
12/28
8:00p |
ESPN |
Michigan
(7-4)
vs. Nebraska (7-4) |
+11.5
-11.5 |
The two college football
titans square off for the first time since
the 1986 Fiesta Bowl. It will be interesting
to see which Michigan team shows up as
many expected the Wolverines to play in
a BCS game. Michigan’s defense underachieved
this year and allowed too many big plays.
The Cornhuskers are returning to the postseason
after failing to make a bowl game last
year.
Vitalis
Sun Bowl: Northwestern Wildcats vs. UCLA
Bruins
At El Paso, Texas
12/30
2:00p |
CBS |
Northwestern
(7-4)
vs. UCLA (9-2) |
+3.0
-3.0 |
This game has the potential
to be the highest-scoring of the college
bowl season. Despite a porous defense,
the Wildcats were always competitive because
of their explosive offense led by quarterback
Brett Basanez. The Bruins had the makings
of a special season, winning their first
eight games before losses to Arizona and
USC. UCLA 38.1 points per game ranked
seventh nationally in that category.
The
Independence Bowl: South Carolina Gamecocks
vs. Missouri Tigers
At Shreveport, La.
12/30
3:30p |
ESPN |
South
Carolina (7-4)
vs. Missouri (6-5) |
+4.0
-4.0 |
Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier
makes his return to a bowl game for the
first time since he left Florida for the
NFL four years ago. He enters with a South
Carolina team that allowed only 17.3 points
per game in its last six contests. They
will be tested by Tigers quarterback Brad
Smith, who threw for more than 2,000 yards
and led Missouri in rushing with 1,151
yards.
AT&T
Cotton Bowl: Texas Tech Red Raiders vs.
Alabama Crimson Tide
At Dallas
1/2
11:00a |
FOX |
Texas
Tech (9-2)
vs. Alabama (9-2) |
-3.0
+3.0 |
Led by quarterback Cody
Hodges, the Red Raiders sport the nation’s
top-ranked passing attack. The Crimson
Tide won their first nine games, but consecutive
losses to LSU and Auburn kept them out
of the SEC title game. Led by All-America
linebacker DeMeco Ryans, Alabama has the
talent to slow down Hodges.
Outback
Bowl: Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Florida Gators
At Tampa, Fla., Jan. 2, 11 a.m.
1/2
11:00a |
ESPN |
Iowa
(7-4)
vs. Florida (8-3) |
+3.0
-3.0 |
Iowa was expected to contend
for the Big Ten title but a stunning 23-3
loss to Iowa State on Sept. 10 squashed
any hope of playing in one of the BCS
bowl games. For the Gators, quarterback
Chris Leak couldn't adjust to Urban Meyer's
famed spread offense and Florida was a
disappointment. It may take Meyer at least
one recruiting class to fully implement
his offensive philosophy.
Toyota
Gator Bowl: Louisville Cardinals vs. Virginia
Tech Hokies
At Jacksonville, Fla.
1/2
12:30p |
NBC |
Louisville
(9-2)
vs. Virginia Tech (10-2) |
+7.5
-7.5 |
The Cardinals will rely
mostly on the legs of running back Michael
Bush because sophomore quarterback sensation
Brian Brohm's season ended with a knee
injury. The Hokies are still reeling after
losses to Miami on Nov. 5 and Florida
State in the ACC title game on Dec. 3.
A win against Louisville would stop Virginia
Tech's three-game losing streak in bowl
games.
Capital
One Bowl: Wisconsin Badgers vs. Auburn
Tigers
At Orlando, Fla.
1/2
1:00p |
ABC |
Wisconsin
(9-3)
vs. Auburn (9-2) |
+11.0
-11.0 |
The Badgers will attempt
to give coach Barry Alvarez one final
college football victory before he steps
down after 16 seasons. Auburn was expected
to decline following its undefeated season
last year but the Tigers surprised many
by beating teams like Georgia and Alabama.
For a preview of all the
2005
NCAA Bowl games, check out The
Bodog Guide to College Bowl Betting.
Note: All times Eastern;
lines subject to change
