Bowl Preview

It wouldn’t be the Holiday season with the college football bowl season, would it? Alex Ferguson looks at the biggest match-ups on the 2006-7 Bowl season calendar, which includes some monster match-ups….HOLIDAY BOWL: TEXAS A&M VS CALIFORNIA
The California Golden Bears walked down the boulevard of broken dreams after being upset in Arizona, and will be looking to Nate Longshore, its quarterback, for an excellent performance.

A&M, however, has surprised everybody. After losing close games against Oklahoma and Nebraska, the Aggies shocked the world by beating the Longhorns in their own home 12-7.

If A&M’s defence can keep up the pressure, the Cal’s struggle may well struggle as much as it did when it was trounced 35-18 at the Tennessee Volunteers on opening day.
VERDICT: Cal by 7

ALAMO: IOWA VS TEXAS

Before the season started, people were talking about Iowa potentially winning the Big Ten and Texas slaughtering all comers in a weak Big 12. As it goes, Iowa lost to Indiana 31-28- and their season fell apart from there.

While Texas were still in a shout of the big one before they played in Manhattan, Kansas against Kansas State. After the 45-42 defeat, though, all bets were off. The 12-7 loss at Texas A&M scuppered all chances of a Big 12 Championship Game, too.

So, the 2007 Alamo Bowl’s all about two teams who `could have done better.’ It should be fun to watch, though.
VERDICT: Texas by 8

OUTBACK: PENN STATE VS TENNESSEE

After almost a decade of misery, Penn State fans should have been happy to end the season 8-4 season following an 11-1 season in 2005. However, they weren’t. And to be honest, 8-4 made the Nittany Lions look a lot better than they actually were. Although the defense was wonderful, the offense struggled all the way through the year. The game against Temple (one of college football’s worst teams) not included.

Match that up against a Tennessee side that after beating California at the start of the year, were looking at a National Championship. But in the SEC, if you lose against your division rivals (Florida), your hopes are pretty much screwed. However, road wins at Georgia and South Carolina, NEARLY made up for the ‘Gator heartbreaker’ and the close loss at home to LSU.

While the pundits (and the facts) will tell that the Vols should win this by 30, people forget just how Joe Paterno is in Bowl games. This one will go to the wire.
VERDICT: TENNESSEE BY 3

CHICK-FIL-A: GEORGIA VS VIRGINIA TECH

After a year that defined inconsistency, Georgia beat arch-rivals Auburn and Georgia Tech in the final two games of the season. During those two games, Georgia QB Matt Stafford mixed brilliance with frustrating inconsistency – only to be expected from a first year starter.

Virginia Tech, on the other hand, was 10-2 in a weak ACC, but RB Brandon Ore (1095 yards this season) will cause problems all night long for Georgia. Oh, and the Hokies’ D has only conceded 21 points in the last five games.

Both teams have sold out their fan capacity, which means it should be one heck of an atmosphere in Atlanta. We only wish the game wasn’t called the “Chick-Fil-A” bowl.
VERDICT: VIRGINIA TECH BY 3

SUGAR: LSU VS NOTRE DAME

As was the case for Tennessee, if the bounces (and refs’ calls) had gone LSU’s way, then Tiger Nation would have played for the SEC title and possible for the ‘Big One’ in Glendale. At times, the Tigers looked absolutely unbeatable, combined a fearsome defense with a speedy attack through air and ground.

But at other times, they were a tortured genius, punishing themselves by penalties, fumbles and drops – particularly against arch-rivals Florida and Auburn.

Speaking of National Championships, there was no team talked up more in the summer than the University of Notre Dame. And after a convincing victory against Penn State, it didn’t seem such a pipe dream for us to twin up BCS victories and Fighting Irish football. However, after Michigan came to Notre Dame and left with 41 points and 340 yards under their belt, and USC put up 44 points, Notre Dame reverted back to the “Good, but Overrated” tag. But if Charlie Weis, Brady Quinn et al. manage to turn LSU over, they’ll be plain good.
VERDICT: LSU by 14

CAPITAL ONE: ARKANSAS VS WISCONSIN

If you love the pass, then look away at this one. This game’s going to have an awful lot of running plays in it. Look for Wisconsin’s running back par excellence PJ Hill to pound the ball for the Badgers, and for Razorback running sensations Darren McFadden and Felix Jones to respond positively after their loss in the SEC Championship game loss against Florida.

Other than that, count how many times the commentators mention the Badgers’ monstrous offensive line, and wonder at the rarity of a throw in this game.
VERDICT: ARKANSAS BY 3

ROSE BOWL: MICHIGAN VS USC

The so-called “granddaddy of them all” pitches two teams who could (and possibly should!) be playing for a National Championship Game. Michigan couldn’t find four extra points against Ohio State, while USC couldn’t catch a break against UCLA. However, don’t keep your eyes off this one.

Keep an eye out for Dwayne Jarrett, USC’s wide receiver, who many think will be a #1 pick in 2007’s NFL Draft. Steve Smith, his wide receiving partner in crime, has been causing problems for secondaries all season long, too.

But USC will have quite a fight on their hands. Mike Hart, Michigan’s running back, has been unreal all year, while Wolverines wide receiver Mario Manningham is going trouble USC’s defence all day long. This game is really one for the ages.
VERDICT: USC by 3

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: OHIO STATE VS FLORIDA

Go crazy folks, go crazy. Ohio State are (deservedly) in the National Championship game, and the jury’s still out whether SEC champion Florida deserved a spot ahead of Michigan. Well, since there’s not a playoff in college football, this is what we’ll have to do with… which is fantastic, actually.

OSU’s Troy Smith and Tedy Ginn Jr will light up the stage when they clash with a Gator defence that had 20 interceptions and numerous other turnovers in the regular season. Florida’s offence under Urban Meyer will have to think quickly against an Ohio State defence, led by James Laurinitis, one of the best linebackers in the country.

And keep your eyes on Florida running back Percy Harvin, who tore apart Arkansas for 162 combined receiving and rushing yards in the SEC Championship Game. He’s trouble. This should also be one for the ages.
VERDICT: FLORIDA BY 7