College Football Bowl Game How Teams Picked

college football bowl game how teams picked

WE PICK THE HOLIDAY, CHAMPS SPORTS, ALAMO, PINSTRIPE, INSIGHT, SUN AND MORE BOWL GAMES

Brad Carroll takes a look at the top college bowl games of the week

Heisman Week: 1-1 (spread); 2-0 (overall); 0-0 (upset picks)

Craig Carroll's Week: 1-1 (spread)

This Season: 58-43-1 (spread); 79-23 (overall); 5-4 (upset picks)

Craig Carroll's Season: 56-45-1 (spread)

Meineke Car Care Bowl, Dec. 31

Texas A&M vs. Northwestern, 12 p.m., ESPN

The Skinny: Texas A&M has lost four of their last five games and has already fired head coach Mike Sherman in a disappointing season. Northwestern has gone 4-1 over its last five, but hasn't won a bowl game since the 1949 Rose Bowl, going 0-for-8 since. So, what gives? Northwestern lives and dies by the run, but Texas A&M is 13th in the nation at stopping the ground attack. That doesn't bode well for the Wildcats. If the Aggies, who are not only changing coaches next season but conferences as well, play up to their potential, they win easily. But if the motivation is gone after seeing their coach fired, then Northwestern has a shot. The Pick: Texas A&M (-10) wins it 31-20.

Sun Bowl, Dec. 31

Georgia Tech vs. Utah, 2 p.m., CBS

The Skinny: Both Georgia Tech and Utah like to run the football, and while both are great at doing it, only one defense can actually stop it. Utah allows just 98.3 rushing yards per game, but hasn't faced a team as good on the ground as the Yellow Jackets, who average 316.8 rush yards per contest, third best in the nation. Georgia Tech sports the 70th ranked defense overall and allow 162.9 rushing yards per game. Utah running back John White is ninth in the nation with 1,404 rushing yards and 16 TDs, so he could have a big day for a Utes team that is 6-1 in bowl games under head coach Kyle Whittingham. I'm thinking upset here. The Pick: Utah (+3) wins it 28-27.

Liberty Bowl, Dec. 31

Cincinnati vs. Vanderbilt, 3:30 p.m., ABC

The Skinny: This is as much a toss up as a bowl game can get. Cincinnati is one of the better teams in the Big East, but that's not saying much. Vanderbilt is a bottom-half SEC team, which might actually be a great thing, if you believe the conference hype. The Pick: Vanderbilt (-2) wins it 27-24.

Chick-Fil-A Bowl, Dec. 31

Virginia vs. No. 25 Auburn, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

The Skinny: Virginia has had a bounce-back season, coming one win from qualifying to play for the ACC championship. But the Cavaliers were routed by Virginia Tech, 38-0, in their chance to get there. Auburn won the national title last year and, not surprisingly, struggled this season after losing most of the team, including Cam Newton. An interesting subplot is head coach Gene Chizik will also act as defensive coordinator, as Ted Roof left to become head coach at Central Florida. Still, the Tigers should be motivated to prove they can win a big game without all the stars from last year. The Pick: Auburn (-3) wins it 30-20.

Holiday Bowl, Dec. 28

California vs. Texas, 8 p.m., ESPN

The Skinny: Finally, college football is back in the national spotlight as the bowl games that actually matter take centerstage over the next couple weeks. And, best yet, we're back with our first of three bowl special picks columns, not to mention our college football web shows. Now, picking bowl games is a whole lot different than picking regular season matchups, as motivation, or lack there of, plays as big a role as actual talent. That could be the case in the Holiday Bowl, as Texas has the better team overall, but California may be more motivated to knock off one of college football's greatest traditions. It also doesn't hurt that the Longhorns come into this game struggling, while the Golden Bears are red-hot. So, with all that, I'm going with California, led by quarterback Zach Maynard, to pull the upset. The Pick: California (+3) wins it 33-30.

Champs Sports Bowl, Dec. 29

Florida State vs. Notre Dame, 5:30 p.m., ESPN

The Skinny: This is why bowl season is so enjoyable – Florida State and Notre Dame, two of the best programs in history, are matched up in the Champs Sports Bowl. Even though both teams are shadows of their former great selves, the memories of terrific games between these two will be brought back to the forefront. Of course, the Champs Sports Bowl isn't where these two teams made their mark on the college football world, but both will try and use it to springboard to bigger and better things. Notre Dame is unbeaten against the ACC this season, going 3-0. Florida State has a vaunted defense, however, that could give Tommy Rees and the sub-par Notre Dame offense fits, even with record-setting Michael Floyd lining up at wide receiver. The Seminoles should have just enough offense to get the win. The Pick: Florida State (-3) wins it 27-21.

Alamo Bowl, Dec. 29

Washington vs. No. 12 Baylor, 9 p.m., ESPN

The Skinny: Baylor hasn't won a bowl game in nearly 20 years. The Bears haven't won 10 games in a season in more than 30 years. And the Bears also never had a player win the Heisman trophy – until this year. Consider the two former droughts finished as well. Baylor has one of the best offenses in the country, led by Heisman winner Robert Griffin III, who can throw and run the ball at will, so there will be no shortage of points scored by the Bears. On top of that, Washington's defense ranks 116th against the pass; there are only 120 schools in Division I. Baylor rolls in a virtual home game, as the Alamo Bowl is just four hours away from campus. The Pick: Baylor (-9.5) wins it 45-24.

Pinstripe Bowl, Dec. 30

Rutgers vs. Iowa State, 3:20 p.m., ESPN

The Skinny: Iowa State changed the complexion of the BCS National Championship game when it defeated then-No. 2 Oklahoma State in overtime, knocking the Cowboys out of the title matchup. The Cyclones didn't win another game, however, but it was against Oklahoma and Kansas State, the then-No. 12 and No. 16 teams in the nation. Rutgers, on the other hand, could have played in the Orange Bowl had it defeated lowly Connecticut in the season finale, but lost the game big. In this matchup of Big 12 versus Big East, go with the superior conference. The Pick: Iowa State (+1.5) wins it 28-24.

Insight Bowl, Dec. 30

Iowa vs. No. 14 Oklahoma, 10 p.m., ESPN

The Skinny: This is the biggest mismatch of our first bowl picks special, with Oklahoma the clear favorite against an average Iowa squad. Oklahoma was expected to play for a national title this season, but had a disappointing year that has it playing in a game that may not get the team motivated. The Sooners were the preseason No. 1 but ended up losing three games, including a blowout at the hands of Oklahoma State in the season finale. Iowa is 7-5 and has the worst pass defense in the Big Ten. That's good news for the Sooners and quarterback Landry Jones. The Pick: Oklahoma (-14) wins it 49-27.

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College Football Bowl Game How Teams Picked