Cram Session - Bowl Edition

Life got in the way of me doing a full set of predictions for every bowl game. That being said, I have decided to predict the bowl games for my favorite teams, Notre Dame and Nebraska, and all the BCS games. This Cram Session will cover the Sun, Holiday, Rose, and Fiesta Bowl. On Monday, I will post predictions for the Orange and Sugar Bowl. On January 10th, I will have a comprehensive preview of the BCS Championship game.

Holiday Bowl, Thursday, December 30th

Washington (6-6) vs. #18 Nebraska (10-3)

This is pretty much the no win bowl for the Cornhuskers. They already blasted Washington earlier this year, 56-21, and will be playing the Huskies again in September. If they lose this game it is a major disappointment, and if they win this game it basically means nothing. The Huskers seemed well on their way to the Fiesta Bowl when they built a 17-0 lead on Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship, but ended up choking and fumbling the game away. The Huskies have snuck into this game, winners of three in a row after a 3-6 start. It will be the last game for their overhyped QB Jake Locker. The Huskers shut Locker down in the first meeting, holding him to just 4 completions and 2 interceptions. The Huskies are weak on defense which should allow the Huskers to rush the ball effectively with Roy Helu, Jr., Rex Burkhead, and QB Taylor Martinez. The only way Nebraska loses this game is if they get another case of fumbleitis. They have to do a better job of holding on to the ball, and Martinez has to avoid the Freshman mistakes that have plagued him in the second half of the season.

Prediction: Nebraska 35, Washington 17

Sun Bowl, Friday, December 31st

Miami (7-5) vs. Notre Dame (7-5)

The Catholics vs. the Convicts rivalry is renewed in El-Paso, Texas. The stature of both programs has dropped significantly since their last game against each other 20 years ago. Miami just fired their head coach Randy Shannon after once again posting a disappointing season. Year after year people have wanted to proclaim that the U was back but its obvious they are still a ways away. The Irish are on a three game winning streak, including finally beating USC. They have overcome a multitude of injuries on the offensive end, and freshman QB Tommy Rees has played admirably since taking over for the injured Dayne Crist. The Canes will either start Jacory Harris or Stephen Morris at QB, but the player of most concern to the Irish is Canes WR
Leonard Hankerson, who had 12 TDs and 66 catches this season. Irish WR Michael Floyd may be playing his last game if he decides to go pro. He has had another outstanding year, hauling in 73 catches and 10 TDs. Rees will have his work cut out for him against a stout Hurricanes defense, that is exceptional against the pass and can rush the quarterback effectively. The Irish defense has stepped up during their winning streak, allowing 160 yards less per game during the streak.

Prediction: Notre Dame 20, Miami 17

Rose Bowl, Saturday, January 1st

#5 Wisconsin (11-1) vs. #3 TCU (12-0)

TCU will get their chance to stake a claim as the uncrowned champion of college football when they meet the Badgers in Pasadena. The public seems to be behind the Horned Frogs, as Vegas has them as somewhat surprising three point favorites. Both teams have high powered offenses that both averaged 43.3 points per game. The Horned Frogs have the edge on defense, allowing just 11.4 points per game, best in the nation. The Badgers rushing attack is quite the force, led by James White and John Clay. White rushed for 1,029 yards this season and Clay finished just 54 yards short of the 1,000 yard mark. They also combined for 27 touchdowns. TCU has an effective ground game but its most well known player is QB Andy Dalton who threw 26 TDs, and just 6 INTs. I don't think Wisconsin will manhandle the Horned Frogs defense, but I have no doubt that this is by far the best offense TCU has played against all season. That will be enough to give the Badgers the win.

Prediction: Wisconsin 24, TCU 21

Fiesta Bowl, Saturday, January 1st

Connecticut (8-4) vs. #7 Oklahoma (11-2)

The most interesting subplot to this game will be whether Oklahoma can muster up enough motivation, against what is considered to be a Huskies team that doesn't belong on the big stage. The Huskies aren't even ranked but still managed to win the sorry Big East. However, the Sooners have shrunk on the BCS stage in recent history, losing 5 straight BCS bowl games. The Huskies don't do much passing, quarterback Zach Frazer passed for just 1,202 yards this season and 5 TDs. If they pull off the upset it will be on the legs of RB Jordan Todman. Todman was second in the nation with 1,574 yards rushing and 14 TDs. The Sooners are effective at both running and passing. QB Landry Jones quietly had a monster year, throwing for 4,289 yards, and 35 TDs. He was helped by having a stud WR in Ryan Broyles, who is the Sooners all time leading receiver in receptions, TDs, and yards, and a stud RB in DeMarco Murray. Murray had over a 1,000 yards rushing this year, but hasn't broken the 100 yard rushing barrier in a game since October. On paper this is a complete mismatch, and really the only thing giving me any pause in picking Oklahoma is how horribly they have played in past BCS games. I think they exorcise those demons.

Prediction: Oklahoma 48, Connecticut 21

Overall Record: 72-14