The college football bowl season is here, and it’s become such a
confusing mess of odd-sounding games played in smallish towns with
mediocre teams that you need an expert to figure it out. And nothing
says “expert” more than a teen-aged kid, whether the subject is
football, driving, or how inutterably lame Dad’s musical tastes are. So
here are the first of three sets of bowl-game capsules by noted college
football expert Patrick Connelly, who somehow doesn’t think Charlie
Weis needs to be fired RIGHT NOW. — Richard Connelly
Rose Bowl: Penn State vs. USC, January 1
ESPN is doing more than enough coverage on the ‘granddaddy
of them all’ so I’ll keep my analysis succinct: UPSET! PSU 21-17
Orange Bowl: Cincinnati vs. Virginia Tech, January1
Both teams have showed resiliency throughout the season with
UC having to play five different quarterbacks and Virginia Tech starting out
with a loss to East Carolina and losing three ACC games.
Virginia Tech went to the Orange Bowl last year (and lost) and this will be
their third BCS bowl in the past five years. Cincinnati
on the other hand could only dream of winning a Big East title. Then Brian
Kelly came along. He’s built a tough team and will continue to establish a
winning tradition for the Bearcats. That is, until Notre Dame calls. UC 27-24
Cotton Bowl: Ole Miss vs. Texas Tech
It would be really great if the mascots for these teams
could battle it out against each other, but one can only hope. Ole Miss was the
only team to beat Florida and
Graham Harrell is still recovering from finger surgery, so this will be closer
than you think, even though the Red Raiders were only 45 points away from being
undefeated. I say Tech’s offense eventually overpowers the Rebel’s secondary. TTU
38-28
Liberty Bowl: Kentucky vs.
ECU, January 2
ECU opened the season by upsetting eventual ACC champs
Virginia Tech on a blocked punt, and then beat No. 8 West Virginia 24-3, then
they would lose to NC State…Houston…Virginia…Southern Miss. You’d think out of
the teams with Virginia in their
name, the Cavaliers would be the easiest to beat, but hey the Pirates just do
things a little differently. They did manage to win the C-USA and will probably
outlast a Kentucky team with
their starting quarterback out. ECU 35-28
Sugar Bowl: Utah vs. Alabama, January 2
I think Utah,
unlike Hawaii last year,
absolutely deserved to get in, going undefeated with a relatively tough
schedule; the question is, can their offense even move the ball against the
Crimson Tide giants like Hightower and Cody, or can they even get beyond the
massive Bama o-line to stop the rushing attack of Glen Coffee? Utah
just has to stay within 13 points to not be embarrassed, and I think that’s
exactly what they’ll do. MORAL VICTORY! Bama 35-24
International Bowl: Buffalo vs. Connecticut, January 3
This is a game between two good coaches, Randy Edsall and
Turner Gill. Gill almost became head coach of Auburn,
until Auburn found out that not
only Gill was black, but that he won football games, which apparently
disqualifies you from being in contention. Now while Buffalo
has an underrated quarterback, they’ll be too overmatched with Connecticut’s
athleticism and the likes of Donald Brown, who has rushed for over 1800 yards
this season. UCONN 31-28
Fiesta Bowl: Ohio State vs. Texas, January 5
Yes, we know Texas,
45-35, but then Texas Tech will start yelling 39-33, and Oklahoma
will trump that with 65-21. It’s a vicious system, so does this mean there
should be a playoff system? HELL NO. The BCS got it exactly right this time. Texas
probably wouldn’t beat the Sooners if they played today. The Longhorns still
have a lot to play for, like their first BCS win without Vince Young. Also it
would look pretty strange if they blow out the Buckeyes and Oklahoma
barely beats Florida. Then you’d
have Oklahoma ranked first and Texas
second. As for tOSU, I know getting blown out in BCS games is a trend lately,
but if Texas wins, they will have
officially usurped Notre Dame for the second most wins in college football. So
come on, Buckeyes, win one for the gipper for once. UT 38-24
GMAC Bowl: Ball State vs. Tulsa, January 6
Hey this counts as January bowl game right? It’s just as
important as the Rose Bowl, right? Maybe the Gator Bowl? No it’s not, but it is
an offensive match-up, and both teams are looking to avenge losses in their
respective conference championship games. When Nate Davis doesn’t have the flu,
he’s unstoppable. BSU 31-24
BCS National Championship: Florida vs. Oklahoma, January 8
This is it, this is what you’ve been waiting five months to
see, and here it is: No 1 vs. No. 2, two Heisman winners at quarterback and
both coaches looking for their second BCS championship. I’m not God, I don’t
have all the answers, I’m not even sure if God himself knows the outcome, but
maybe there’s a divine spirit that will guide my hands as I make my prediction.
I’ll just close my eyes and let it take control…That
didn’t make sense, I’ll just guess the old fashioned way. UF 38-31
— Patrick Connelly
This article appears in Jan 1-7, 2009.