2008 Bowl Picks - Part 2

Independence Bowl
Northern Illinois vs. Louisiana Tech
Shreveport, Louisiana
December 28, 8:15 PM EST

Analysis: Louisiana Tech gets to play in a bowl game within 70 miles of their campus. Their head coach Derek Dooley has the Bulldogs in the postseason for the first time since 2001 in just his second season. Louisiana Tech beat Mississippi State in the first game of the season and had four game conference win streak late in the year. When they shut San Jose State, it was their first shutout in 12 years and their first road shutout in 20 years. Northern Illinois is headed by first year man Jerry Kill. They didn't beat a single bowl team this season, but they had close losses to Central Michigan, Western Michigan, Minnesota and Tennessee. They did end the season on a bad note with a 16-0 loss at home to Navy. Both teams are playing well and will probably continue to improve over the next few years. Expect a close game between two closely matched teams.
The Pick: Louisiana Tech


Papajohns.com Bowl
NC State vs. Rutgers
Birmingham, Alabama
December 29, 3 PM EST

Analysis: NC State had a four game losing streak in the middle of the season that included three home games and left them 2-6. They had to win out just to get an at-large bid, and they did just that including a 41-10 blowout road win over instate rival North Carolina. Head coach Tom O'Brien is 7-1 in bowl games, with the loss coming in the first one he coached. Rutgers finished the season just as hot as NC State did. They started 1-5 with the only win coming against an FCS team. Then they won six straight games to finish 5-2 in conference play. With both teams finishing the season on fire, this is one of the tougher matchups to choose.
The Pick: NC State


Valero Alamo Bowl
Missouri vs. Northwestern
San Antonio, Texas
December 29, 8 PM EST

Analysis: Last season Missouri won the Big XII North, were blown out in the conference championship game by Oklahoma, and then won the bowl game big. This season they've already done the first two, and have a good shot at the third. Mizzou's defense took a step back this season, but the offense still averaged over 43 points per game. Northwestern had their first nine win season since 1996. Northwestern's best win was against Iowa, while they were blown out at home by Michigan State and Ohio State. Like those two games, I think Northwestern won't be able to hang with Missouri.
The Pick: Missouri


Roady's Humanitarian Bowl
Maryland vs. Nevada
Boise, Idaho
December 30, 4:30 PM EST

Analysis: Maryland has been one of the most confusing and inconsistent teams in the country. They limped into the postseason, losing three of their last four including a five touchdown loss to Florida State at home. Nevada is going to their fourth straight bowl game. They run an up-tempo offense that averages over 37 points and 510 yards per game. This game may be decided by which Maryland team shows up to a cold game in Boise.
The Pick: Nevada


Texas Bowl
Western Michigan vs. Rice
Houston, Texas
December 30, 8 PM EST

Analysis: Western Michigan won nine games for the first time since 2000. They won at MAC Champions Buffalo and against Illinois in Detroit. They still finished just third in the MAC West, unable to get past Central Michigan or Ball State. Like Western Michigan, Rice is another nine win team that doesn't get a lot of press. They are led by the senior tandem of QB Chase Clement (96 career TDs) and WR Jarett Dillard (59 career TDs.) Expect a high scoring and fun game to watch if you have the NFL Network.
The Pick: Rice


Pacific Life Holiday Bowl
Oklahoma State at Oregon
San Diego, California
December 30, 8 PM EST

Analysis: Like the Texas Bowl that's on at the same time, this game should be a high scoring game between two potent offenses. Oklahoma State won nine games despite finishing fourth in toughest division in the country. All three losses were to teams that finished ahead of them in the division and ranked in the top ten. The Cowboys run a balanced offense that averages over 40 points per game. Oregon has a similar offense that scored only four more points during the season than Oklahoma State. Two of Oregon's losses were to elite teams, and the third was against a good California team. While both offenses score a lot, they are both run dominant.
The Pick: Oklahoma State


Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl
Houston vs. Air Force
Fort Worth, Texas
December 31, Noon EST

Analysis: This is the second repeat of the bowl season, with Air Force winning 31-28 in the first meeting in Dallas. Houston was still learning Kevin Sumlin's system early in the season, and then they went on to win six of the last eight games. They beat both teams that played in the conference championship during that stretch. A loss to Rice at the end of the season knocked them out of the championship game. Air Force has been a surprising team the past two seasons winning 17 games with the opportunity for one more. They ended the season on a bad note, losing two games albeit to Top 25 teams. These offenses couldn't be more different. Houston averages more than 400 passing yards per game, and Air Force hasn't thrown for more than 200 yards in a season. Houston has improved all season, and should be able to avenge the early season loss.
The Pick: Houston


Brut Sun Bowl
Oregon State vs. Pittsburgh
El Paso, Texas
December 31, 2 PM EST

Analysis: Oregon State was a surprising team this season with a shot at winning the Pac-10 until the last game of the season. Freshman RB Jacquizz Rogers was a major part of the big season, including the early upset of USC. Hopefully he will be at full strength for the bowl game after missing the last game of the season with a shoulder injury. Pittsburgh finally had a big season under head coach Dave Wannstedt, although they fell short of a conference crown with a loss at Cincinnati. Pitt has a star RB of their own, LeSean McCoy who has over 1400 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The Pick: Oregon State


Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl
Boston College vs. Vanderbilt
Nashville, Tennessee
December 31, 3:30 PM EST

Analysis: Boston College has won eight bowl games in the past eight seasons. They just keep rolling despite changing head coaches two seasons ago and losing star QB Matt Ryan last season. Boston College made it to the ACC for the second straight season and but lost to Virginia Tech. Both seasons BC won the regular season game against them and then lost to them in the championship game. Vanderbilt is going to their first bowl game in 26 years and only their fourth ever. They started the season 5-0, but won just one game over the last seven. Both teams have very stout defenses, but Boston College's offense has been better. In fact Vanderbilt has been outscored by their opponents by 11 points this season. For Vanderbilt to win, they need to force turnovers and take advantage of playing in their home town.
The Pick: Boston College


Insight Bowl
Kansas vs. Minnesota
Tempe, Arizona
December 31, 5:30 PM EST

Analysis: Kansas played a much tougher schedule than last season, and it showed in the record. They only won seven games in the regular season instead of 11 like last season. They are coming off a great neutral site win over Missouri in the season finale. Minnesota was dreadful last season, but looked really good at the beginning of the season. They started 7-1, but lost the last four games. It's wort noting that none of the teams they beat finished the season with more than six wins. This one could turn into a laugher.
The Pick: Kansas


Chik-Fil-A Bowl
LSU vs. Georgia Tech
Atlanta, Georgia
December 31, 7:30 PM EST

Analysis: LSU had a disappointing season, finishing with a losing record in conference. QB issues and defensive problems caused their downfall. Their best win was probably at South Carolina. Georgia Tech won nine games under first year head coach Paul Johnson and his triple option offense. They beat three teams that finished in the Top 25 of the BCS standings. They beat instate rival Georgia for the first time since 2000 to end the season. LSU probably doesn't have the defense to stop Tech or the offense to outscore them.
The Pick: Georgia Tech