Cram Session (Bowl Edition) - Week 1

The importance of bowl season has certainly diminished over the years. Not only with the creation of the BCS, which finally allowed #1 to play #2 basically making only one game truly matter, but also because what once was a somewhat exclusive club of teams that were invited to bowls has ballooned to almost any school getting an invitation. However, some of the games that are created by the bowls are intriguing and games you won't ever see normally. That really isn't the case with the games I will be previewing this week but as the weeks move on the games will start to get better and better.

I will not be including sponsor names in the titles of the bowls. Firstly, they aren't giving me any money so why should I give them free advertising? Secondly, I think it is silly and miss the days of it just being the Fiesta Bowl rather than the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. Some bowls have no regular names and are just corporate names so my hands will be tied on those unfortunately.

New Mexico Bowl - December 19

Fresno State (8-4) vs. Wyoming (6-6)

This will probably be a game I will skip. Wyoming is making a return to bowl games after a long absence. Fresno State's record isn't overly impressive but two of their four losses came to undefeated teams Cincinnati and Boise State. Fresno State is a pretty prolific offensive team and should have more than enough firepower to win.

Prediction: Fresno State 35, Wyoming 23

St. Petersburg Bowl - December 19

UCF (8-4) vs. Rutgers (8-4)

UCF comes into this game playing their best football of the year, winners of five of their last six, including knocking off Houston. Rutgers didn't live up to the hype this year, but coach Greg Schiano once again has them in a bowl game. These teams are pretty evenly matched so expect a close game.

Prediction: Rutgers 27, UCF 24

New Orleans Bowl - December 20

Southern Mississippi (7-5) vs. Middle Tennessee State (9-3)

Brett Favre and his Alma mater will both be playing on Sunday night. Middle Tennessee State has won six in a row and will likely make it seven. However, this game should be fun to watch, with lots of offense.

Prediction: Middle Tennessee State 38, Southern Mississippi 34

Maaco Bowl Las Vegas - December 22

#18 Oregon State (8-4) vs. #14 BYU (10-2)

Best game of the week by far. Oregon State is led by RB Jacquizz Rodgers, who led the Beavers in rushing and was also a receiving threat, finishing the season with 1,377 rushing yards, 20 TDs, and 74 catches for 509 yards. The Cougars have their own star player, QB Max Hall who completed the season with 30 touchdowns for 3,368 yards. BYUs two losses were not even close, but otherwise they were quite the dominant team. Oregon State was a win away from the Rose Bowl and really caught fire as the season finished up. I think Jacquizz adds to his legend, hard to believe that he is only a sophomore.

Prediction: Oregon State 37, BYU 27

Last Week: 6-4
Overall: 222-63

Check back next Wednesday as I preview Week 2 of Bowl Season.