Motor City Bowl Detroit, Michigan Dec. 26, 7:30 PM
Purdue vs Central Michigan
Now here is an interesting match-up with an opening total of 73 1.2 points. Purdue, one of the few Big 10 teams that run a wide open offense gets to play a team that will be fired up to play a Big 10 team. Central Michigan can score and play. This is a good match-up and should be a fun game to watch.
Opening Line: Purdue -9
Holiday Bowl San Diego, California Dec. 27, 8:00 PM EST
Arizona State vs Texas
Hey a game with a short line and a great match-up between the Pac-10 and Big 12. This game favors ASU all the way but don’t count Texas out just yet. We are going to look at this one closely and there is sold chance we have play on this game. You can hit the day after Christmas sales and get home in plenty of time to watch this one.
Opening Line: Texas -1
Texas Bowl Houston, Texas Dec. 28, 8 PM EST
TCU vs Houston
Finally we have a choice with multiple bowl games on the same night and we find a game that we can actually miss. That does not mean we won’t find an edge in the game but that still does not mean we have to watch it.
Opening Line: Houston -3 ½
Champ Sports Bowl Orlando, Fla. Dec. 28, 5:00 PM EST
Boston College vs Michigan State
As far as games go I really like the sound of this match-up and everyone knows how highly I feel about the coach for Michigan State. It’s hard not to like a guy who was building a big time program in Cincinnati and made us good money last year, but the job he has done to turn around the second half collapses at Michigan State has been just as good. There was no better example then their come from behind win over Penn State that sent then to this bowl game. This will be Michigan State’s first bowl game since 2003 and for once in along time there seems to be no quit at Michigan State. Not sure if we will have a play on this game but we will be watching.
Opening Line: Boston College -3
Emerald Bowl San Francisco, California Dec. 28, 8:00 PM EST
Maryland vs Oregon State
Maryland has been a disappointment and open as 4 ½ point dogs to an average Oregon State. Oregon State won their civil war against Oregon but that is not saying much as just everyone has beaten Oregon since Dennis Dixon went down. Maryland closed their season by whipping NC State 37 – 0. At 6 – 6 Maryland could have easily been left out of the bowl picture and I am not sure I see much attractiveness in betting this game, yet.
Opening Line: Oregon state -4 ½
Meineke Car Care Bowl Charlotte, N.C. Dec. 29, 1:00 PM EST
Wake Forest vs Connecticut
Last years feel good story, Wake Forest, takes on this year feel good story Connecticut. Once again we have 3 bowls games separated out from afternoon to evening so this game will defiantly be on the watch list and there is a great chance we will have a play on this game. 8 – 4 Wake opened up as a favorite over the 9 – 2 Huskies.
Opening Line: Wake Forrest -4
Liberty Bowl Memphis, Tennessee Dec. 29, 4:30 PM EST
Central Florida vs Mississippi State
I like this match up as Central Florida had a great season and Mississippi State re-building project is right on schedule. UCF was 8 – 5 ATS this year while State was 5 – 6 ATS. UCF brings the National leading rusher with them and he will have a shot at the all-time record held by the great Barry Sanders. This is a must see game.
Opening Line: UCF -2 ½
Alamo Bowl San Antonio, Texas Dec. 29, 8:00 PM EST
Penn State vs Texas A&M
Let’s see, sporadic Penn State vs. sporadic Texas A&M, not interested. The good news is we have more then one game to choose from on December 29th at 8:00 PM EST. By the way, Papa Joe tells us this was not a disappointing season for him and Penn State, I don’t believe him.
Opening Line: Penn State -6
Independence Bowl Shreveport, La. Dec. 30, 8:00 PM EST
Colorado vs Alabama
Wonder how many realize that Colorado even made a bowl game? Considering the teams that got all the attention coming out the Big-12 I would guess not many. The Colorado program will be a program to be dealt with in the future. With Alabama opening up as 4 point favorites we will see a ton of public money heading to Alabama’s side but don’t let that make you think the line will move in favor of the Tide. What’s worse, Colorado losing to Iowa State or Alabama losing to UL Monroe?
Opening Line: Alabama -4
Armed Forces Bowl Fort Worth, Texas Dec. 31, 12:30 PM EST
California vs Air Force
A fading Cal Bear team takes on a rising Falcon team for a high energy game for sure. 9 – 3 Air Force will be playing for a lot of respect as they face a 6 – 6 Cal team that loss their last 3 games and 6 of their L7 games. Should they even be in a bowl game? California opened as 4 point favorites. Air Force rushes for almost 300 yards a game while Cal gives up 154 rushing yards a game. The kind of match-up you like for an underdog, while I am not sure if we will have a play on this game, I can tell you if we do it won’t be on Cal.
Opening Line: California -4
Humanitarian Bowl Boise, Idaho Dec. 31, 2:00 PM EST
Fresno State vs Georgia Tech
The best part of watching this game is that it will be played on the Blue Turf, I love that Blue Turf. Enough Said about this game.
Opening Line: Georgia Tech -3 ½
Sun Bowl El Paso, Texas Dec. 31, 2:00 PM EST
Oregon vs South Florida
You have to feel bad about Oregon who could have gone to the National Championship game with the Heisman Trophy winner. Dennis Dixon is out and so is Oregon and everyone knows who much of a fan I am of this Oregon Ducks team and have been for years but this just looks like a total miss-match. Having said that, this is the spot the Ducks coaching can coach the players into a win. We will have a play on this game but you’ll have to check back to see who we are backing and you might be surprised.
Opening Line: S. Florida -6 ½
Music City Bowl Nashville, Tennessee Dec. 31, 4:00 PM EST
Kentucky vs Florida State
Kentucky is a great story this year and they did get their props throughout the season. Kentucky’s year closed with them faltering down the stretch but who can blame them having to play Tennessee, Florida, LSU and Arkansas? They might not match-up well against a fast Florida State team who is better then most people think. Even though they are 1 point favorites, they will be underdogs in the eyes of football fans across the country.
Opening Line: Kentucky -1
Chick-fil-A Bowl Atlanta Dec. 31, 7:30 PM EST (ESPN)
Auburn vs Clemson
Two big time programs that had big time years and we are watching Auburn vs. Clemson and you should too. Auburn closed the season winning three of their last four games while Clemson remind hot and won five of thier last 6 games. A great match-up of programs, a great bowl game to watch, in a game that should go down to the wire.
Opening Line: Clemson -1 ½
Insight Bowl Tempe, Arizona Dec. 31, 8:00 PM EST (NFL Network)
Indiana vs Oklahoma State
Indiana has been a great story and Oklahoma State is more then fun to watch but with the Auburn/Clemson game on, I won’t be watching much of this game. Flipping channels to see the score and that is about it. They made the speedy Oklahoma State team more then 5 point favorite to open this game.
Opening Line: Oklahoma State -5 ½