2008-2009
Bowl
Matchups,
Dec. 7
Bowl Projections
Sept. 1 |
Sept. 8 |
Sept. 15 |
Sept. 22
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Sept. 29 |
Oct. 4
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Oct. 11
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Oct. 19
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Oct. 26
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Nov. 2
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Nov.
9
- Nov. 16
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Nov. 23
BCS GAMES
FedEx BCS
National Championship
Jan. 8 / 8 p.m. Miami Gardens, Fla. FOX
*BCS #1 vs. BCS #2
Oklahoma vs. Florida
This bowl could be good because ...
It's the offensive showdown everyone outside of Texas wanted. These
are the two hottest teams in the country playing in what should be
an epic battle.
This bowl could suck because ... Have you seen Oklahoma in
the last two Fiesta Bowls? How about that clunker of a showing
against USC in the 2005 Orange Bowl? How about the 2004 Sugar Bowl
against LSU?
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Jan. 5 / 8 p.m. Phoenix, Ariz. FOX
*BCS vs. BCS (Big 12 Champion, if available)
Texas vs.
Ohio State
This bowl could be good because ...
Each team will be playing with something, everything to prove. Texas
will want to show the world it belonged in the national
championship, while Ohio State will need to show everyone that the
BCS Championship games were a fluke.
This bowl could suck because ... USC 35, Ohio State 3
... LSU 38, Ohio State 24 ... Florida 41, Ohio State 14 ...
Allstate Sugar Bowl
Jan. 2 / 8:30 p.m. ET New Orleans, La. FOX
*BCS vs. BCS (SEC Champion, if available)
Alabama vs.
Utah
This bowl could be good because ...
Utah isn't Hawaii. This is a rock-solid team that's good enough to
pound away with Alabama.
This bowl could suck because ... If the Tide plays at the
level it was at in the SEC title game, Utah could have big, big
problems.
FedEx Orange Bowl
Jan. 1 / 8 p.m. Miami Gardens, Fla. FOX
*BCS vs. BCS (ACC Champion, if available)
Virginia Tech
vs. Cincinnati
This bowl could be good because ...
The two teams really are good. Cincinnati is going for its 23rd win
two years, while Virginia Tech is back at the Orange Bowl looking to
finally get the ACC back over the BCS hump.
This bowl could suck because ... It's Virginia Tech vs.
Cincinnati. This is more like an ESPN2 matchup on a late September
Saturday.
Rose Bowl presented by Citi
Jan. 1 / 5:10 p.m. ET Pasadena, Calif. ABC
*BCS vs. BCS (Big Ten Champion vs. Pac 10 Champion, if available)
USC vs. Penn State
This bowl could be good because ...
USC has allowed four passing touchdowns this year, Penn State has
given up six. No one else has allowed fewer than eight. The defenses
are tremendous, the offenses are fine, and this is, well, it's
Penn State vs. USC. This could be the national championship.
This bowl could suck because ... It's the Big Ten in the Rose
Bowl vs. USC. What time is the NHL's Winter Classic II starting?
The Rest
EagleBank Bowl
Dec. 20 / 11 a.m.. ET Washington, D.C.
Tie-Ins: ACC vs. Army or Navy
Wake Forest
vs. Navy
This bowl could be good because ...
Navy's defense has gotten better and better as the season has gone
on and is coming off two straight shut outs. Wake Forest died at the
end, but was good enough to be in a better bowl than this.
This bowl could suck because ... We did this already. Navy
beat Wake Forest 24-17 on September 27th.
New Mexico Bowl
Dec. 20/12:30 p.m. Albuquerque, N.M. ESPN
Tie-Ins: Mountain West vs. WAC
Colorado State vs.
Fresno State
This bowl could be good because ...
Colorado State will be pumped up under first year head coach Steve
Fairchild with a power running game against the soft Fresno State
run defense. The Bulldogs always get jacked up for the bowls.
This bowl could suck because ... Fresno State died down the
stretch losing three of its last five games including a 61-10
pasting at Boise State.
Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl
Dec. 20 / 8 p.m. ET Las Vegas, Nev. ESPN
Tie-Ins: Mountain West No. 1 vs. Pac-10 No. 4
BYU vs.
Arizona
This bowl could be good because ...
It's the Mountain West's chance to prove itself yet again against
the Pac 10. The M-West is 6-1 against the league to the left, and
with the high-octane Cougars against an Arizona team fired up to be
in a bowl for the first time under Mike Stoops.
This bowl could suck because ... BYU is the third best
Mountain West team. If the Arizona defense doesn't show up, the
Cougars could make this a blowout by halftime.
magicJack St. Petersburg Bowl
Dec. 20 / 9 p.m. ET St. Petersburg, Fl.
Tie-Ins: Big East vs. Conference USA
South Florida vs. Memphis
This bowl could be good because ...
Memphis has a decent enough offense to crank out some big yards if
the USF defense isn't pumped up at home. The Bulls should be well
motivated after getting blown out by Oregon in last year's Sun Bowl.
This bowl could suck because ... it's the tradition, the
pageantry, the, the ... the inaugural magicJack St. Petersburg Bowl.
Memphis shouldn't be in a bowl game. It's a home game for South
Florida ... uh oh.
R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Dec. 21 / 8 p.m. ET New Orleans, La. ESPN
Tie-Ins: Sun Belt No. 1 vs. C-USA
Troy vs.
Southern Miss
This bowl could be good because ...
This is the best ever New Orleans Bowl matchup by far. These two
teams should be playing in a far more prestigious bowl. Southern
Miss is red hot, coming in on a four-game winning streak, while Troy
is good enough to challenge anyone outside of the BCS.
This bowl could suck because ... The New Orleans Bowl almost
always sucks. Southern Miss had better bring its A game or else Troy
will win this thing in a rout.
San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
Dec. 23 / 8 p.m. ET San Diego, Calif. ESPN
Tie-Ins: Mountain West vs. Pac 10 (WAC if no Pac 10 team
available)
TCU vs. Boise
State
This bowl could be good because ...
This could easily be a BCS game and no one would blink. TCU's
fantastic defense will be a great test for Boise State's
ultra-efficient passing game. This has the potential to be the most
talked about, most important matchup of non-BCS teams.
This bowl could suck because ... Boise State has a defense,
too. There's a chance that one team's D absolutely dominates the
other team's O. If you like points in bunches, move on.
Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
Dec. 24 / 8 p.m. ET Honolulu, Hawaii ESPN
Tie-Ins: Pac 10 vs. WAC
Notre
Dame vs.
Hawaii
This bowl could be good because ...
All of a sudden, this throwaway Xmas Eve bowl turns into a
must-watch if only to see what Notre Dame can do going into next
year. A win could possibly set the tone, while Hawaii always plays
at another level in Aloha.
This bowl could suck because ... Notre Dame's offense could
have big problems if Hawaii's D plays like it did against
Cincinnati.
Motor City Bowl
Dec. 26 / 7:30 p.m. ET Detroit, Mich. ESPN
Tie-Ins: Big Ten No. 7 vs. MAC
Florida Atlantic
vs. Central Michigan
This bowl could be good because ...
The quarterbacks. FAU's Rusty Smith vs. CMU's Dan LeFevour could
make this a 55-52 shootout. It'll be a shocker if this isn't a
high-octane shootout.
This bowl could suck because ... FAU isn't all that great.
This isn't the Owl team of last year, while Central Michigan could
come in without a lot of fight getting to go to (whoopee!) Detroit
for a bowl game for the third year in a row.
Champs Sports Bowl
Dec. 27 / 4:30 p.m. ET Orlando, Fla. ESPN
Tie-Ins: ACC No. 4 vs. Big Ten No. 4 or No. 5
Florida State
vs. Wisconsin
This bowl could be good because ...
Running game, running game, running game. Florida State's ground
attack has improved by leaps and bounds, while Wisconsin will try to
power its way over a fantastic Seminole run defense.
This bowl could suck because ... The Badgers have been awful.
If they don't come up with something new after struggling to beat
Cal Poly and with the best win this year against Minnesota, the
athletes of FSU could dominate in what will amount to a home game.
Emerald Bowl
Dec. 27 / 8:30 p.m. ET San Francisco, Calif. ESPN
Tie-Ins: ACC No. 7 vs. Pac-10 No. 5
Miami
vs.
California
This bowl could be good because ...
It's a home game for Cal. The Emerald Bowl has been dying to get
California, and now it gets its wish. Miami has the athletes to stay
with the Bears. Miami's defense can really, really pop, and the
program will be looking to make a statement before what it hopes to
be a big 2009.
This bowl could suck because ... It's a home game for Cal.
Miami doesn't do anything particularly well.
Meineke Car Care Bowl
Dec. 27 / 1 p.m. ET Charlotte, N.C. ESPN
Tie-Ins: ACC No. 6 vs. Big East
North Carolina vs.
West Virginia
This bowl could be good because ...
North Carolina will get to play at home against Pat White in his
final game. The Mountaineers have won three straight bowl games,
while the young Tar Heels will try to establish a tone for next
year.
This bowl could suck because ... This isn't the West Virginia
of the last three seasons. It's decent, but it's not great, while
North Carolina stunk late, losing two of its last three games with
the one win coming in a close one over Duke.
PapaJohn’s.com Bowl
Dec. 29 / 3 p.m. ET Birmingham, Ala. ESPN2
Tie-Ins: Big East vs. SEC (or Sun Belt if no SEC team
available)
Rutgers vs. NC State
This bowl could be good because ...
Forget about Oklahoma and Florida; NC State and Rutgers might be the
two hottest teams in the country. Fine, so they're not the Sooners
and Gators, but NC State won four straight get here while Rutgers
has pulled off six in a row.
This bowl could suck because ... Each team has been blowing
away everyone over the last quarter of the year. Could one team get
hot and blowout the other? Tom O'Brien is great in bowl games, and
Greg Schiano's Rutgers team destroyed Ball State in last year's
International Bowl.
Independence Bowl
Dec. 28 / 8 p.m. ET Shreveport, La. ESPN
Tie-Ins: Big 12 No. 7 vs. SEC No. 8 (Or WAC & the third
choice of Sun Belt teams if no Big 12
or SEC team available)
Louisiana Tech vs. Northern Illinois
This bowl could be good because ...
Talk about fired up, Louisiana Tech should play at another level in
a home game, while NIU was the proverbial bubble team that snuck
into the dance late in Jerry Kill's first season. It's MAC vs. WAC
in a statement game for the two non-BCS leagues.
This bowl could suck because ...NIU lost three of its final
four games and was shut out at home by Navy, 16-0, when it though it
needed the seventh win to get a 13th game.
Alamo Bowl
Dec. 29 / 8 p.m. ET San Antonio, Texas ESPN
Tie-Ins: Big Ten No. 4 or No. 5 vs. Big 12 No. 4
Northwestern
vs. Missouri
This bowl could be good because ...
The Alamo Bowl is almost always really good no matter what the
matchup. It's Chase Daniel's final game at Missouri, while he'll be
under pressure from the strong Wildcat pass rush.
This bowl could suck because ... Northwestern hasn't just
lost its last five bowl games, but it's been obliterated. Missouri,
if it gets on a roll, could make this a laugher.
Texas Bowl
Dec. 30 / 8 p.m. NFL Network
Tie-Ins: Houston, Texas
Big 12 vs. C-USA
Western Michigan
vs. Rice
This bowl could be good because ...
Get your popcorn ready. Chase Clement and the Rice offense will put
up 500 yards and 45 points. Tim Hiller and Western Michigan could
throw 46 points and 501 yards on the board.
This bowl could suck because ... Rice doesn't play any
defense. If it's offense isn't on, the Broncos could win big. If
Rice takes advantage of the home field advantage and gets hot, this
could be a blowout the other way.
Pacific Life Holiday Bowl
Dec. 30 / 8 p.m. ET San Diego, Calif. ESPN
Tie-Ins: Big 12 No. 3 vs. Pac-10 No. 2
Oklahoma State
vs. Oregon
This bowl could be good because ...
It's the Big 12's best rushing offense (and seventh in the nation)
against the Pac 10's best rushing attack (that's fourth in the
country). Neither team will plan on stopping the other as this
should be an up-and-down the field shootout.
This bowl could suck because ... The Pac 10 was lousy this
year, so if Oregon's running game was just a mirage against a slew
of mediocre teams, Oklahoma State could roll big.
Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl
Dec. 30/4:30 p.m. Boise, Idaho ESPN
Tie-Ins: ACC No. 8 vs. WAC
Maryland vs.
Nevada
This bowl could be good because ...
The WAC always comes into this game looking to make a huge
statement. Nevada's offense, especially the ground game, is rolling,
while Maryland's attack has the potential to get hot for stretches.
This bowl could suck because ... There will be approximately
19 people at this game. 18 of them Wolf Pack fans. Maryland has lost
three of its last four games.
Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl
Dec. 31 / 12 p.m. ET Fort Worth, Texas ESPN
Tie-Ins: Mountain West vs. Conference USA
Air Force vs.
Houston
This bowl could be good because ...
Houston's high-powered offense vs. the high-octane Air Force running
game could make this a ton of fun. Houston can't stop the run, while
Air Force will have to prove it can keep up the pace.
This bowl could suck because ... If the Air Force running
game isn't working early on, Houston could make this 35-3 after the
first quarter.
Sun Bowl
Dec. 31 / 2 p.m. ET. El Paso, Texas CBS
Tie-Ins: Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame vs. Pac-10 No. 3
Pitt vs.
Oregon State
This bowl could be good because ...
The running backs. Oregon State's Jacquizz Rodgers vs. Pitt's LeSean
McCoy will be worth the price of admission. Last year's Oregon Sun
Bowl win over over South Florida was a blowout, but this is almost
always one of the season's best bowl games.
This bowl could suck because ... Each team has serious
clunker potential. Pitt's passing game is painful, at best, during
stretches, while Oregon State collapsed against Oregon without Quizz.
Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl
Dec. 31 / 3:30 p.m. ET Nashville, Tenn. ESPN
Tie-Ins: ACC vs. SEC No. 5
Boston College
vs.
Vanderbilt
This bowl could be good because ...
It's Vanderbilt's first bowl game in a bazillion years and it'll be
playing at its highest intensity level to take advantage of the
opportunity. Boston College is one of the nation's best bowl teams
year-in-and-year out winning eight straight.
This bowl could suck because ...Offense? We don't need no
stinking offense? If you're hoping for a 48-45 festival of fun, this
isn't going to be the bowl game for you.
Chick-fil-A Bowl
Dec. 31 / 7:30 p.m. ET Atlanta, Ga. ESPN
Tie-Ins: ACC No. 2 vs. SEC
Georgia Tech
vs.
LSU
This bowl could be good because ...
The Georgia Tech offense is always worth the price of admission. If
the Yellow Jackets can do to the defending national champs what they
did to Georgia, watch how Paul Johnson becomes a hot SEC coaching
commodity.
This bowl could suck because ... With a month to prepare,
LSU's athletic defense has the chance to prepare for the option more
than anyone else has been able to. LSU has a ground game of its own
that could be dominant.
Insight Bowl
Dec. 31 / 5:30 ET Tempe, Ariz. NFL Network
Tie-Ins: Big Ten No. 6 vs. Big 12 No. 6
Minnesota
vs. Kansas
This bowl could be good because ...
Maybe, just maybe, this could be as good as the 2006 Insight Bowl
when Minnesota collapsed in an all-timer of a game against Texas
Tech. That game led to the hiring of Tim Brewster. Kansas has the
offense to make this interesting.
This bowl could suck because ... If Minnesota plays like it
did at the end of the regular season, this won't just be a KU
blowout, it'll be brutally ugly. Iowa 55 - Minnesota 0. If you saw
that game, you're scared.
Outback Bowl
Jan. 1 / 11 a.m. ET Tampa, Fla. ESPN
Tie-Ins: Big Ten No. 3 vs. SEC
Iowa
vs.
South Carolina
This bowl could be good because ...
Iowa is always pumped up to be in a bowl and with Shonn Greene, the
nation's only back to run for 100 yards in every game, there will be
a marquee name to watch. South Carolina is in a New Year's Day game
and can make big strides in the Steve Spurrier era with a win.
This bowl could suck because ... If the Gamecocks start
throwing interceptions in bunches, this might not be pretty. USC's
offense could bog down in a big way, and even if it's working, there
won't be much in the way of fireworks.
Konica Minolta Gator Bowl
Jan. 1 / 1 p.m. ET Jacksonville, Fla. CBS
Tie-Ins: ACC No. 3 vs. Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame
Clemson
vs.
Nebraska
This bowl could be good because ...
These are two of the most resurgent teams in the country over the
last part of the season. Clemson has shown tremendous heart just to
get bowl eligible, while Nebraska has improved getting better and
better with five wins in the last six games.
This bowl could suck because ... If Clemson's defense plays
as well as it did over the final three games of the year, Nebraska
might not be going anywhere. If the Husker defense comes in jacked
up and gets into the Clemson backfield early and often, the Huskers
could win by three touchdowns.
Capital One Bowl
Jan. 1 / 1 p.m. Orlando, Fla. ABC
Tie-Ins: Big Ten No. 2 vs. SEC No. 2
Michigan State
vs. Georgia
This bowl could be good because ...
As always, the Big Ten vs. SEC debate will be in full swing. Georgia
couldn't handle the Georgia Tech running game, can it handle Javon
Ringer? Can the Spartans beat someone with a pulse. As always, this
will be among the more intriguing interconference matchups.
This bowl could suck because ...
If Georgia is
able to be Georgia again after spending the next month getting
healthy, yeeeeeesh. MSU might be in big, big trouble.
AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Jan. 2 / 5:00 p.m. ET Memphis, Tenn. ESPN
Tie-Ins: C-USA No. 1 vs. SEC No. 6
East Carolina vs. Kentucky
This bowl could be good because ...
For those of you Syracuse fans wanting to see your new head coach
(maybe) in action, Skip Holtz will take the Conference USA champions
into Memphis against a good UK team that's always happy to go
bowling.
This bowl could suck because ... Few teams were as banged up
as Kentucky. If that defense gets healthy over the next four weeks
and it returns fully loaded, ECU will gain 10 yards.
AT&T Cotton Bowl
Jan. 2 / 2 p.m. ET Dallas, Texas FOX
Tie-Ins: Big 12 No. 2 vs. SEC
Texas Tech vs.
Ole Miss
This bowl could be good because ...
It's Texas Tech in a bowl. No one, no one is more fun to
watch in the post-season considering the last two epic comebacks
needed to beat Virginia and Minnesota over the last two years. Ole
Miss will try to represent the SEC and show that the league really
didn't stink. If the Rebels win this game, the whole Big 12
superiority thing might be a myth.
This bowl could suck because ... Ole Miss couldn't defend the
pass in the pass-challenged SEC. Thank you very much, good night,
and to break into Tebow, God bless.
International Bowl
Jan. 3 / 12 p.m. ET Toronto, Canada ESPN2
Tie-Ins: Big East vs. MAC No. 4 or 5
Connecticut
vs. Buffalo
This bowl could be good because ...
It's the team with no defense (Buffalo ... takeaways against Ball
State aside) against the team with no offense (UConn). Stick them in
a large room together and watch the mayhem ensue.
This bowl could suck because ... If the Connecticut offense
is working, it's nap time. Buffalo outkicked its coverage to get
here, and while the effort should be strong, there will be problems
if the Huskies are focused.
GMAC Bowl
Jan. 6 / 8 p.m. ET Mobile, Ala. ESPN
Tie-Ins: C-USA No. 2 vs. MAC/WAC
Tulsa vs. Ball State
This bowl could be good because ...
Simply put, this will absolutely, positively be the most fun
bowl game of the season, guaranteed. Ball State averaged 459 yards
per game, Tulsa averages 565. There won't be a lick of defense as
the two teams march up and down the field.
This bowl could suck because ... It's the land of jilted,
would-be conference champions that couldn't stop giving the ball
away. It's Nate Davis and his fumbles vs. David Johnson and his
interceptions. If one team starts turning the ball over in bunches,
and the other doesn't follow suit, it could be a 30-point blowout.