My Crystal Ball Says...

...that I know what will happen in this week's key games. Always remember that I'm right, and your team sucks.

This is the third edition of the special bowl season picks. Keep checking back for the amazing, scintillating, stunning final edition.

Air Force vs Houston (Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl)
I like the way Air Force plays football. I always have. They are almost never able to outclass their opponents with better athletes. They play their system, and they do it with intelligence and discipline. I know, right? Shocking for a service academy. Theirs is a ground game, while Houston scores points through the air. And they score LOTS of points. They come into this game leading the nation in total offense, second in the nation in passing offense. You have to like the Cougars in this one.

Boston College vs Vanderbilt (Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl)
You have to feel a bit sorry for Vanderbilt. They finally get to a bowl game, for the first time since Reagan was president (26 years), and it turns out to be four miles away from their home stadium! The Commodores don’t score too many points – they average just over 19 a game which is good for 104th in the nation. They don’t give up too many points though, playing tough, opportunistic defense. But you have to wonder… They started the season 5-0, but lost six of their last seven. Boston College can’t claim to be offensive superheroes either, but their defense is every bit as good as Vandy’s. And they are aiming for their ninth straight bowl win - a remarkable accomplishment, and the nation's longest such streak. I think the Eagles fly away with this one.

Oregon State vs Pittsburgh (Brut Sun Bowl)
This could be yet another close, entertaining game. On paper, these two teams appear to be very evenly matched. Oregon State gave up 65 points in their last game – a home loss to Oregon. Beaver running back Jacquizz Rogers is still recovering from a shoulder injury, and production at running back is a major concern. Oregon State’s Mike Riley is 4-0 in bowl games, so you can bet they’ll be prepared. And I think Dave Wannstedt isn’t the best gameday coach. I’m taking the Beavers, mostly because it’s fun to say Beavers.

Kansas vs Minnesota (Insight Bowl)
Here’s what you need to know about this game: Minnesota hasn’t won a game since October (as pointed out by my friend Jeff). They started the season 7-1, and then lost their last four. Talk about momentum. Kansas has shown that they don’t quite belong in the top tier of Big 12 teams, but QB Todd Reesing has thrown for almost 3,600 yards this season, and I’m guessing he’s going to add a few hundred more in this game. As much as I’d like to pick Minnesota, just because they are the Gophers, I have to pick Kansas in this one.

Georgia Tech vs LSU (Chick-fil A Bowl)
There is some part of me that wants to pick LSU in this one. In theory, they are loaded with defensive talent. In reality, they’ve given up a total of 63 points in their last three games, losing the last two to Mississippi and Arkansas. The Tigers have had the kind of season that makes you forget they are the defending national champions. Georgia Tech, on the other hand, has brought the triple option back to major college football, and made it work. Tech tailback Jonathan Dwyer is the real deal. Keep your eye on him. Take LSU’s lack of motivation, and combine that with the fact that this is essentially a home game for the Yellow Jackets, and I think that is a recipe for a Georgia Tech victory.

South Carolina vs Iowa (Outback Bowl)
Iowa enters the game on a three game winning streak, including an upset of previously unbeaten Penn State. South Carolina, on the other hand, lost their lost two games by a combined score of 87-20. There is always this fear in the back of my mind that a Spurrier offense can break out at a moment’s notice and score 50 points. But not this offense at South Carolina. The defense is good, but I just don’t think they can score enough on Iowa to win this game.

Georgia vs Michigan State (Capital One Bowl)
Georgia started the season ranked number one, and it’s been mostly downhill since then. Despite a disappointing season, they have a shot at winning ten games – making it the sixth time in the last seven years that they have reached that mark. Michigan State has the same 9-3 record, but, basically, they lost to the only decent teams they played – California, Ohio State and Penn State. The Penn State game wasn’t even close. This game will feature two of the nation’s better running backs – the Spartans’ Javon Ringer and the Bulldogs’ Knowshon Moreno. The problem for Michigan State is that the Dawgs also have Matthew Stafford, who ranks 15th in the nation in passing efficiency. Michigan State has Brian Hoyer, who ranks 88th. It’s been the Georgia defense that has let them down – surrendering a total of 134 points in their three losses. If the Dawgs can score early, and play with a lead, they should win this one.

Clemson vs Nebraska (Konica Minolta Gator Bowl)
Both teams come in riding a three game winning streak, and playing pretty well. Nebraska’s offense is pretty good (12th in total offense), but has been overshadowed by the other offenses in their league. Both teams have new coaches – Bo Pellini in his first year at Nebraska. Dabo Swinney taking over at Clemson when Tommy Bowden was fired with four games remaining in the season. This looks like another clash of speed versus power. Clemson is faster, Nebraska, perhaps, more physical. Both teams are mistake and turnover-prone. I’ll take Clemson because they are closer to home, playing with a lot of emotion recently, and actually have more big game experience than the current group of Cornhuskers.

Penn State vs USC (Rose Bowl)
I hate USC. Pete Carroll comes across as everybody’s favorite guy, but I have a hard time believing Reggie Bush was the only guy getting paid to play at USC. I have a gut feeling on this one, and my gut says this game will be close than people think. Sure, USC is loaded with pro caliber talent, especially on defense, but Penn State has some athletes too, and probably a little bit of pride. My bowl record already sucks, so I’m going to pick Penn State. Mostly because I hate USC.

Cincinnati vs Virginia Tech (Fed Ex Orange Bowl)
This game may give us a chance to catch up on sleep we may have missed on New Year’s Eve. Virginia Tech has almost no offense to speak of. But they win with good defense (7th in the nation in total defense, 13th in scoring defense), and by being opportunistic (and sometimes downright lucky). And you have to like teams like Cincinnati – kind of a nobody team that snakes up and has good seasons now and then. I think the Bearcats have a good chance in what should be a low scoring game.