The matchups so-far have been pretty good this year, with only one or two projected dogs. Of course, that doesn't mean that all of the games have been great, they haven't, but on paper at least the respective bowl committees got it right.
The same can be said as we get into the big games, there are mostly solid match-ups featuring compelling games with just one or two potential dogs in bunch.
Off we go....
Military Bowl presented by Northrup Grumman. 1:30 PM ET. Thursday, Dec 28th.
[6-6] Virginia vs. [6-6] Navy (-1.5) T: 52.
Both of these teams backed into this bowl with Navy losing six of their last seven and Virginia losing five of their last six. The game is being played on Navy's home field, during the Christmas break. What that means is that this could be a pro-Virginia crowd as many of the students (the fans who attend their games) will be out of town. I like Virginia here because their defense does do a pretty good job against the run and history has shown us that the time to play a triple-option offense is when you get three - four weeks to prepare to play a triple option offense. Bronco Mendenhall is building something at Virginia, winning here would be a good step.
Pick: Virginia to WIN on the M/L and OVER.
Camping World Bowl. 5:15 PM ET. Thursday, Dec 28th.
[9-3] Virginia Tech vs. [9-3] Oklahoma State (-5.5) T: 63.
This bowl is where all of the Austin sports scribes promised us the Longhorns would land, up until the point they lost their last game of the season to finish 6-6. In reality they were probably playing more to avoid the Texas Bowl, and a match-up with aTm that no one in Austin really wanted. In the end the Aggies bailed and we get an excellent matchup between the Hokie's Bud Foster and the offensive mind (and mullet) of Mike Gundy for the Cowboys. Both teams have played similar schedules, and lost games to similarly good teams. I'm expecting an interesting game that ends up with only moderate scoring.
Pick: Oklahoma State to COVER -5.5 and UNDER.
San Diego Country Credit Union Holiday Bowl. 9:00 PM ET. Thursday, Dec 28th.
[9-3] Washington State vs. [9-3] Michigan State (-2) T: 47.5
Luke Falk is a talented quarterback who tends to throw a BUNCH of interceptions, Michigan's State's defense intercepts the ball a lot. If those trends don't reverse in this game, Wazzu could be in a heap of trouble against a Michigan State offense that grinds it out with RB LJ Scott and quarterback Scott Lewerke. Washington State has the better speed, Michigan State has power. Don't overlook the potential game-changing ability of Wazzu LB Hercules Fata'ata however. That said I think Michigan State will have too much.
Pick: Michigan State COVER -2 and OVER.
Valero Alamo Bowl. 9:00 PM ET. Thursday, Dec 28th.
[9-4] Stanford vs. [10-3] TCU (-3.0) T: 48.5
If healthy, Bryce Love going against TCU's nasty front-seven is worth a watch in and of itself. But I'm just not sure that Love is going to be 100%. I hope he is though, because if so this is one of the best matchups in the bowl season, PROVIDED both teams show up. As the 'first bowl out' of the big bowls for both the Big and Pac Twelve conferences motivation is often a factor in how good these games are. I think TCU's offense is underrated.
Pick: TCU to COVER -3.0 and OVER.
After these slates, take a rest. There's plenty more to come tomorrow.
Enjoy the games.
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