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COLLEGE FOOTBALL — December 31

Chick-Fil-A Bowl @ Atlanta
TENNESSEE vs. VIRGINIA TECH
(Virginia Tech -5, Total 49) — [private] Naturally, in a game like these, you start thinking about Tennessee’s frustrating inability to score points earlier in the season, and the ineptitude of quarterback Jonathan Crompton, who Lane Kiffin didn’t trust very much. But Crompton and the Volunteer offense did come on down the stretch, scoring 30 or more points in four of their last five games. Crompton threw 26 touchdown passes, and over the last nine contests his ratio was 21 TD’s to only five interceptions, and that represents a major transformation. Now Tennessee has scored just as many touchdowns from scrimmage (against Division I competition, mind you). Each team has a significant rushing component – Tennessee with Montario Hardesty and Virginia Tech with brilliant freshman Ryan Williams. Tyrod Taylor, unlike Crompton, can buy a lot of time with his feet and can run the ball for first downs as well. However, just like he did to another Virginia Tech alum with great elusiveness (Michael Vick), we think Tennessee’s defensive coordinator, the estimable Monte Kiffin, can devise a scheme to confuse the rather pedestrian passer, especially as he’s got more preparation time to do it. Just keep in mind what he did in frustrating Florida’s Tim Tebow in Gainesville (14 of 19, 115 yards), as the stop unit kept the Vols in it until near the end. We’re willing to pay a price to find out how good Kiffin’s dad can be. Surprisingly, Hokies’ coach Frank Beamer has only a 7-9 record in bowl games, both straight-up and against the spread.

THE PLAY: TENNESSEE +5 ***

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL — December 30

Humanitarian Bowl @ Boise
BOWLING GREEN vs. IDAHO
(Pick’em, Total 69.5) — [private] What you have to keep in mind is that you would be hard-pressed to find colder bowl weather than this, and it certainly helps when you are somewhat enthusiastic about this appearance and get some support. While it is true that Bowling Green does not often make bowl appearances, and won’t look upon this as a disappointment, it is also true that they aren’t likely to have many fans in attendance. The Falcons do sport the nation’s leading pass catcher in Freddie Barnes (an amazing 138 receptions) but they have no rushing offense whatsoever, and Idaho, making its first appearance in a bowl game since 1998, should at least get quite a bit of local support, even if it is on the “Blue Carpet” in Boise. By the way, that 1998 bowl appearance was also on this field, and as 17-point dogs, they beat Southern Miss straight-up. Can Bowling Green stop the Vandals? They allow more than five yards a carry and that will leave them vulnerable to Idaho’s ground attack, which plowed forward for 4.7 yards a carry.

THE PLAY: IDAHO pick ***

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL — December 30

Holiday Bowl @ San Diego
NEBRASKA vs. ARIZONA
(Nebraska -2.5, Total 40.5) — [private] I have to tell you – I respect what Arizona quarterback Nick Foles can do, and he has passed for 2438 yards this season. But when you look at the disparity between these two teams when it comes to the strength of defense, it is kind of eye-popping. Arizona has allowed one point for every 13.6 yards its opponents have gaind, while Nebraska has made foes gain 25.3 yards for every point. When you have that kind of defense, anchored by Heisman finalist Ndamukong Suh, you can sit back and wait for the opponent to make mistaks, even if you can’t score much. Nic Grigsby has returned to the backfield for the Wildcats, but he’s not 100%, and he won’t be enough.

THE PLAY: NEBRASKA -2.5 ***

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL — December 29

Champs Sports Bowl @ Orlando
MIAMI vs. WISCONSIN
(Miami -3.5, Total 55) — [private] I’m not sure when you go down the list of teams in the Big Ten – you know, the ones who DIDN’T get to a significant bowl games – you are going to find many teams who can compete when it comes to the aspect of speed. Miami is faster, and unless Wisconsin can run John Clay up the gut with an offensive line that is not as good as it was in past years, and against a defensive front that allowed just 3.5 yards a pop, they will have problems breaking though for anything. Let’s face it – if you are able to contend with the likes of CJ Spiller, the Oklahoma backfield and the Georgia Tech option, you can pretty much deal with anything. There is a big edge in what is possible at the quarterback position with Miami’s Jacory Harris, who has the big play capability, though not as many big play people as the “U” has had in recent years. Harris threw 17 interceptions, and he has to avoid a lot of that, but he also takes chances down the field, and that is of great usefulness. The weather is agreeable (remember Miami’s fiasco in the rain at Virginia Tech?), but the ‘Canes’ biggest edge comes from offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, who is auditioning for a head job somewhere and will be deadly with extra time to prepare.

THE PLAY: MIAMI -3.5 ****

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL — December 28

Independence Bowl @ Shreveport, LA
GEORGIA vs. TEXAS A&M
(Georgia -6.5, Total 67) — [private] Mike Sherman, who took the Green Bay Packers to the playoffs as a coach and general manager, has the Aggies in a bowl game in his second year of rebuilding the program. He has a star at quarterback. Jarrod Jackson is setting himself as a nice darkhorse Heisman candidate for next year. This season he passed for 28 TD’s with only six interceptions, with 3217 yards to his credit. He’s a junior, but there are a slew of freshmen and sophomores who have been used extensively by Sherman who will really benefit from the extra practices in preparation for this bowl, including the guys who comprise the two-fisted running attack, Cyrus Gray (752 yards) and Christine Michael (767 yards). Georgia protects its passer, although that offensive line will be severely challenged by Von Miller, who led the nation in sacks. As Knowshon Moreno bolted early for the NFL, the Bulldogs didn’t have much of a running attack all year, although they might now count on something from freshman Washaun Ealey (639 yards). Joe Cox, who replaced Matthew Stafford at quarterback, was intercepted 14 times and is nothing extraordinary. Georgia turned the ball over 27 times and had a minus-16 ratio, and when you have those elements, and a team that is probably looking at this as a letdown as opposed to one that is enthusiastic about the appearance, as Texas A&M is, that provides a formula where you don’t want to lay close to a touchdown.

THE PLAY: TEXAS A&M +6.5 ***

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL — December 27

Music City Bowl @ Nashville
KENTUCKY vs. CLEMSON
(Clemson -6.5, Total 53.5) — [private] Look, we can certainly agree that CJ Spiller is the most explosive weapon in this game, with his 2508 all-purpose yards, which have produced 20 touchdowns, including five on returns. As for myself, I feel he deserved to win the Heisman Trophy. Clemson also has other stars, particularly on defense, with pass rushers DaQuan Bowers and Ricky Sapp, as well as defensive back DeAndre McDaniel all among the best in the nation. However, Kentucky has certain elements in its favor; namely the return of Mike Hartline, who is available at quarterback and can provide a change of pace with the more mobile Morgan Newton, a decently balanced running game that ranks among the top 25 in the country, a strong offensive line, a tough secondary that has allowed just 48% completions, and a familiarity with his drill; the Wildcats have been to this bowl three of the last four years and are not only comfortable, but very happy to be here. Before an overtime loss to Tennessee in the regular season finale, this team had won five of six, including straight-up wins over Auburn and Georgia. Clemson, on the other hand, may feel a bit down after losing a chance to be in the BCS when the Tigers lost to Georgia Tech in the ACC title game.

THE PLAY: KENTUCKY +6.5 ***

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)
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