Confidence Picks - The Pre-Christmas Bowls

Who's going to win each bowl game? According to the CFN Confidence Picks (picks with 1 for the least confident selection and 35 for the most confident).

2011-2012 Bowls

Confidence Picks   




 


Here are the picks from the CFN writers, along with Clucko the Chicken. Put down two feed dishes, one representing one team and one representing another and whichever dish the chicken goes to first is the team that's going to win. You'll do just as well. (Really, the pick is a coin flip. Don't laugh; Clucko won a 2000 Bowl Pool among 24 entrants.) 

Here's the drill for the bowls. Everyone makes their picks, and then assigns a number from most to least confident both against the spread and straight up. A 35 means most confident with the pick, 1 is least confident - Clucko's confidence picks were taken out of a hat to represent the element of random chance. The number next to the final pick is an overall confidence score of the picks added up. For example, for Temple picked to beat Wyoming, it's 10+4+1-27-29+26-31+30 = 14. The higher the number, the more confident the overall pick.

* means pick to win, but not cover the spread.

Confidence Picks With Comments
Just the confidence picks | BCS Bowls | Non-BCS January Bowls
Dec. 30 & 31 Bowls | Late December Bowls | Pre-Christmas Bowls
 
Gildan New Mexico Bowl
December 17, 2011 Albuquerque, NM, 2 pm ESPN  

Temple -6.5 vs. Wyoming  O/U: 47.5
Fiu	Rich	Matt	Russ	Barrett	Terry	Phil	Clucko	PICK
WY (10)	TU* (4)	WY (1)	TU (27)	TU (29)	WY(26)	TU*(31)	TU (30)	TU (14)

E-mail Pete Fiutak
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Wyoming can't stop the run and Temple is one of the best in the nation on the ground, but the Cowboys have won even when they've allowed a bazillion yards.

By Richard Cirminiello 
This game will be an outstanding reward for rookie QB Brett Smith and the rest of a deserving bunch of Cowboys.

By Matt Zemek
This is a Wyoming home game, and while Temple will surely be motivated after missing out on a bowl last season despite an 8-4 mark, the Pokes will be fired up as well.

By: Barrett Sallee
Follow me on Twitter: @BarrettSallee  
Temple always seems to surprise you when you least expect it. Owls roll.

By Russ Mitchell
Isn't this a paint company? Oh, that's Glidden. Whatever.

By Terry Johnson
Expect a very physical contest between Wyoming and Temple. Both teams can run the ball, ranking 32nd and 8th , respectively, in rushing yards per game.

By Phil Harrison
Follow me on Twitter @PhilHarrisonCFN
An underrated Temple team who might still be the best team in the MAC going against an underrated Wyoming team. It won’t get a lot of press, but a good matchup regardless.
 

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl  
December 17, 2011  Boise, ID, 5:30 ESPN 

Ohio vs. Utah State -3.5  O/U: 58
Fiu	Rich	Matt	Russ	Barrett	Terry	Phil	Clucko	PICK
US (25)	US (6)	US (2)	US (14)	US (13)	US(35)	OH (8)	OH (10)	US (77)

E-mail Pete Fiutak
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Chuckie Keeton is supposed to be back, but either way, Utah State is too dynamic. Ohio has never won a bowl game.

By Richard Cirminiello 
Turns out the Aggies close call with Auburn in the opener was no fluke, as evidenced by a torrid finish in November and December.

By Matt Zemek
Utah State is the best story that nobody even knows about. This team overcame all those fourth-quarter failures to make a bowl game. Let that sink in.

By: Barrett Sallee
Follow me on Twitter: @BarrettSallee  
Utah State burst on to the scene with its near-upset of defending national champion Auburn to open the season. The Aggies rank No. 20 in total offense, so expect some fireworks.

By Russ Mitchell
Kennedy took over at QB for the injured Keeton, and led the Aggies to 5 straight wins. USU should have beaten Auburn and has been in every game this year...yes, Utah State.

By Terry Johnson
Can the Bobcats run defense, third best in the MAC, stop the Aggies’ ground game that averages 277 yards per game?

By Phil Harrison
Follow me on Twitter @PhilHarrisonCFN
Can Ohio pull itself out of the disappointment of choking away the MAC Championship game against a Utah State team that will try out physical the Bobcats?
 

R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl  
December 17, 2011 New Orleans, LA, 9:00 pm, ESPN

San Diego State -5 vs. La-Lafayette  O/U: 60
Fiu	Rich	Matt	Russ	Barrett	Terry	Phil	Clucko	PICK
SD (27)	SD (16)	LL (3)	LL (5)	LL (14)	SD(30)	SD (19)	LL (29)	SD (41)

E-mail Pete Fiutak
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Will San Diego State be jacked up for a ULL home game? Ronnie Hillman and the Aztecs are better, but the Ragin' Cajuns might play at a whole other level.
 
By Richard Cirminiello 
Welcome to a bigger spotlight, Blaine Gauthier, the Ragin’ Cajuns quarterback most responsible for this improbable bowl bid.

By Matt Zemek
San Diego State might seem to have the obvious advantage in talent, but will the Aztecs care about this game? ULL will be playing close to home – this could be an upset.

By: Barrett Sallee
Follow me on Twitter: @BarrettSallee  
Will Mark Hudspeth be the coach of the Ragin’ Cajuns for this game? I doubt it.

By Russ Mitchell
There's nothing else on. Cajuns slipped down the stretch, while the Aztec closed strong.

By Terry Johnson
The battle between SDSU RB Ronnie Hillman and ULL QB Blaine Gauthier will provide plenty of offensive fireworks.

By Phil Harrison
Follow me on Twitter @PhilHarrisonCFN
Both teams were close to bigger things with a play or two different in key situations. This can leave one of the two with a better taste than what might have been.
 
 
Beef O’Brady’s St. Petersburg Bowl
December 20, 2011 St. Petersburg, FL, 8:00 pm, ESPN

FIU -4.5 vs. Marshall  O/U: 50.5
Fiu	Rich	Matt	Russ	Barrett	Terry	Phil	Clucko	PICK
FI (12)	FI (17)	M (4)	FI* (6)	FI (15)	FI(27)	FI (7)	MU (20)	FI (60)

E-mail Pete Fiutak
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Both teams will be really, really pumped up to play the bowl. It might not be a marquee matchup, but it'll be competitive for four quarters.

By Richard Cirminiello 
NFL scouts in attendance will be most interested in Golden Panthers WR T.Y. Hilton and Thundering Herd DE Vinny Curry.

By Matt Zemek
Two of the best under-the-radar coaching performances were turned in this season by FIU’s Mario Cristobal and Marshall’s Doc Holliday.

By: Barrett Sallee
Follow me on Twitter: @BarrettSallee  
Mario Cristobal gets a chance for more bowl drama. T.Y. Hilton became a household name this time last year. This year, he cements his legacy.

By Russ Mitchell
I'll eat my shorts if either school sees close to $1M off this game

By Terry Johnson
Defenses should rule the day in this contest, with Marshall ranking 3rd nationally in tackles for loss, while FIU ranks 14th in sacks.

By Phil Harrison
Follow me on Twitter @PhilHarrisonCFN
This bowl is exhibit A as to why there are too many. FIU deserves to be there, but a 6-6 Marshall team with some really ugly losses doesn’t deserve the post-season.
 
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San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
December 21, 2011 San Diego, CA, 8:00 pm ESPN

TCU -11 vs. Louisiana Tech O/U: 55.5
Fiu	Rich	Matt	Russ	Barrett	Terry	Phil	Clucko	PICK
TC (11)	TC (13)	TC (35)	TC* (20)	TC (35)	TC(28)	TC (33)	LT (18)	TC (157)

E-mail Pete Fiutak
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How will TCU handle playing in this after it's seen Pasadena? If the Horned Frogs come out flat, they could be shocked by the quietly hot Bulldogs. Sonny Dykes has done a great job.

By Richard Cirminiello 
From dreams of playing in New Orleans to facing a team from Ruston, this will be a colossal letdown for the Horned Frogs.

By Matt Zemek
This is definitely a game in which the outcome will be determined solely by how much the favorite (TCU) cares.

By: Barrett Sallee
Follow me on Twitter: @BarrettSallee  
TCU narrowly missed out on the BCS. Do you see a let down from the Horned Frogs? I wouldn’t totally discount it.

By Russ Mitchell
You think that TCU cares that Virginia Tech is playing in a BCS Bowl Game? Don't sleep on La Tech.

By Terry Johnson
How will TCU’s vaunted ground game fare against a Bulldog defense that limits its opponents to a paltry 3.4 yards per carry?

By Phil Harrison
Follow me on Twitter @PhilHarrisonCFN
TCU should probably be playing in a better bowl, but such is its existence prior to live in the Big 12.

MAACO Las Vegas Bowl
December 22, 2011  Las Vegas, NV, 8:00 pm ESPN

Arizona State vs. Boise State -13.5  O/U: 67
Fiu	Rich	Matt	Russ	Barrett	Terry	Phil	Clucko	PICK
BS (28)	BS (21)	BS (34)	BS (35)	BS (34)	BS(32)	BS*(32)	AS (19)	BS (101)

E-mail Pete Fiutak
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Boise State DRILLS an Arizona State team just looking to move on. The Sun Devils might finally wake up for the bowl, but it won't matter. Boise State owns bowl games like this.

By Richard Cirminiello 
Sans a head coach, it’ll be interesting to see how fading Arizona State gets up for a date with Boise State. Heck, the Broncos will have their own problems getting motivated for this trip to Vegas.

By Matt Zemek
See the above statement. If Boise gives a damn, it’s a blowout.

By: Barrett Sallee
Follow me on Twitter: @BarrettSallee  
Can we call this the disappointment bowl? Kellen Moore deserves better - say, something more sweet? (Sugar Bowl, I’m looking in your direction)

By Russ Mitchell
You think that Boise State cares that Va Tech is playing in a BCS Bowl Game? Seriously, how does this not suck for CFB? BSU vs. ASU? ASU is in a bowl game?

By Terry Johnson
Boise State faces Arizona State in what promises to be an offensive shootout between two of the nation’s best QB’s in Kellen Moore and Brock Osweiler.

By Phil Harrison
Follow me on Twitter @PhilHarrisonCFN
Love this match up. How will Boise play without the moniker of underdog, and with the disappointment of not being in a BCS bowl?

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
Payout: $1.3 million
December 24, 2011 Honolulu, HI, 8:00 pm ESPN

Nevada vs. Southern Miss -6  O/U: 61
Fiu	Rich	Matt	Russ	Barrett	Terry	Phil	Clucko	PICK
NV (13)	SM*(11)	SM (5)	SM*(18)	SM (28)	NV(1)	SM*(18)	NV (7)	SM*(35)

E-mail Pete Fiutak
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Nevada has been hit-or-miss in bowls under Chris Ault, but the coaching change at USM will be the difference. It'll be a wild shootout; the 61 point over might ten points to low.

By Richard Cirminiello 
Cody Fajardo, the young Nevada quarterback, is a name that fans will be hearing plenty over the next few seasons.

By Matt Zemek
Southern Miss has much better horses than Nevada does.

By: Barrett Sallee
Follow me on Twitter: @BarrettSallee  
Larry Fedora lobbied for a BCS bid, but a trip to Hawaii is a nice consolation. But, will he be around to coach in this one? I doubt it.

By Russ Mitchell
Southern Miss ended Houston's merry-go-round. Stand up if you think Larry Fedora is still at USM for this? Sit down, Larry. Still, it's football on Christmas Eve...'cause nothing says the Baby Jesus like a late night Nevada/USM tilt.

By Terry Johnson
Expect plenty of offense in this game, as both teams rank in the top 13 nationally in total offense, and average well over 30 points per game.

By Phil Harrison
Follow me on Twitter @PhilHarrisonCFN
What no Hawaii? Southern Miss gets a chance to prove that the showing against Houston was no fluke if it can handle the demands of the long trip to paradise. Can I cover this game in person?