Rick Gagliano | December 30-31
All times Eastern
Independence
Colorado vs. Alabama (-3 1/2, 51) Dec. 30, 8 p.m. ESPN - A pair of 6-6 teams here, making one wonder why .500 teams should go to bowl games. While the Buffaloes can lay claim to beating Oklahoma, the Crimson Tide has no such signature win, though they did top Arkansas in overtime and thoroughly thumped Tennessee, 41-17. But the season took a left turn after that, as the Tide rolled to four straight losses down the stretch. The team is in a bit of turmoil, fans are calling for coach Nick Saban's head. If the Buffs show up prepared to play, this will be a one-sided contest with a huge edge to the Colorado defense.
Prediction: Buffaloes 30 Crimson Tide 17
Armed Forces
California (-3 1/2, 54) vs. Air Force Dec. 31, 12:30 p.m. ESPN - The Falcons went 9-3 on the season, mostly blowing out relatively weak Mountain West opponents, but also coming up big against the likes of Utah, TCU and Colorado State. Cal opened the season 5-0, but then lost 6 of their last 7 in a nearly complete meltdown of a team that was projected to be in the Top 25. The Bears have plenty of talent, but apparently very little heart. This one may be won more on emotion than talent, and you can bet that Air Force will be up for the game and ready to play 60 full minutes, while the Cal squad may have other issues on their minds.
Prediction: Falcons 38 Golden Bears 21
Humanitarian
Fresno State vs. Georgia Tech (-4 1/2, 54 1/2) Dec. 31, 2 p.m. ESPN2 - With Chan Gailey out and Navy's Paul Johnson in as head coach at 7-5 Georgia Tech, there may be some confusion heading into this bowl game. Defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta will be head coach for this game only, and Johnson will supposedly have no involvement. Having a coaching carousel may not be the best plan against Fresno State, winners of 7 of their last 9 and 8-4 overall. Fresno can light up the scoreboard, having scored 21 or more points in all but one game, while Tech has a stifling defense, though they are suspect against the pass. Given Tech's coaching uncertainties, Fresno gets the nod with points.
Prediction: Bulldogs 28 Yellow Jackets 26
Sun
Oregon vs. South Florida (-6 1/2, 52) Dec. 31, 2 p.m. CBS - This could turn out to be the simplest pick of the season. Without QB Dennis Dixon, the Ducks are in the soup and South Florida's relentless offense and experienced defense should be able to take advantage. The Bulls won six straight before losing three in a row to Rutgers, UConn and Cincinnati, but finished up with three more wins to go 9-3. Oregon was ranked in the top 2 when Dixon went down, and they finished an 8-4 season with 3 consecutive losses. It's difficult to make a case for Oregon against a solid opponent.
Prediction: Bulls 27 Ducks 17
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Music City
Kentucky (off the board) vs. Florida State Dec. 31, 4 p.m. ESPN - This one is off the board due to an unfolding FSU academic cheating scandal. Florida State may lose as many as 25 players, though because of NCAA privacy rules, those players are not named.
Prediction: Kentucky 35 FSU 10
Chick-fil-A
Auburn vs. Clemson (-2, 47) Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m. ESPN - A super matchup of two of the better defensive teams (both named Tigers) in the SEC and ACC looks to be as close as the line indicates. Auburn allows just 16.7 points per game, while Clemson is close at 18.3. While Clemson finished 9-3, with losses to quality teams - Georgia tech, Virginia Tech and Boston College - it could be argued that Auburn's 8-4 record is actually better. There are ridiculous scores like the 9-7 win at Arkansas and a 20-17 win at Florida. Auburn also lost to LSU on the final play of the game, 30-24. Give Auburn a slight edge on strength of schedule and a gutsy, hard hitting defense that seldom breaks down.
Prediction: Auburn 24 Clemson 21
Insight
Indiana vs. Oklahoma State (-4, 69) Dec. 31, 8 p.m. NFL Network - Not much to get excited about in this tilt between the 7-5 Hoosiers and the 6-6 Cowboys. Both teams possess plenty of firepower, but not much in the way of defense, so expect one of the higher scores of the bowl season. Indiana lost 4 of their last 6, and didn't play a ranked team all season. The Cowboys lost 3 of their last 4, all to ranked teams (Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma). Ride the Cowboys to a win to finish off football for 2007.
Prediction: Cowboys 48 Hoosiers 31
All times Eastern
