Meineke Car Care Bowl
Wake Forest vs. Connecticut, Dec. 29
This is an even matchup between two teams that don’t get any respect, but Connecticut isn’t exactly a thrill-ride to watch. The defense can be stifling, but if it’s not forcing turnovers, and if the running game isn’t working, this might not be pretty. Wake Forest proved its 2006 ACC championship season wasn’t a fluke with a nice 8-4 season, but it doesn’t come up with much in the way of offense. It’ll be a bit of a defensive battle with the team that wins the turnover battle getting the win.
Stars of the show: 1) Wake Forest PK Sam Swank, 2) Connecticut LB Danny Lansanah, 3) Wake Forest CB Alphonso Smith
The off-the-cuff initial prediction: Wake Forest 23, Connecticut 14 Foxsports.com is calling this one a dog, good time to go walk or wash the dog while this game is being played.
Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
East Carolina vs. Boise State, Dec. 23
This might set the record for the fewest fans to ever be at a bowl game. Boise State has a strong enough defense to keep the inconsistent East Carolina offense in check, while the Pirate defense is lousy enough to get blasted if the Broncos aren’t mentally on the beach playing in the waves. Losing to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl is one thing, but the WAC can’t afford one of its bright lights to lose to a mediocre Conference USA team in a bowl.
Stars of the show: 1) Boise State RB Ian Johnson, 2) East Carolina RB Chris Johnson, 3) Boise State OT Ryan Clady
The off-the-cuff initial prediction: Boise State 48, East Carolina 30 Foxsports.com is calling this one another dog.
Gator Bowl
Virginia vs. Texas Tech, Jan. 1
It’s Texas Tech in a bowl game — that’s all you need to know. It pulled out a 44-41 win over Minnesota in a classic of an Insight Bowl last season, and has managed to win four of its last five bowl games with its high-powered offense. On the flip side is Virginia, who got through the ACC season by winning almost every close game by the skin of its teeth before losing to Virginia Tech late. It’s the solid defense vs. the killer offense in what should be a close New Year’s Day fight.
Stars of the show: 1) Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree, 2) Virginia DE Chris Long, 3) Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell
The off-the-cuff initial prediction: Texas Tech 31, Virginia 27 Foxsports.com is calling this one a Great Matchup, don’t miss this game they’re saying.
*****You can check out what they’re saying about all the games at www.foxsports.com. The article is titled “Which bowl games should you be watching?”, by Pete Fiutak. Log in at NCAA FB*****