Fearless Rick's College Football Bowl Games BCS Picks
Rick Gagliano | January 1-3, 2008
All times Eastern
Rose USC (-13 1/2, 50) vs. Illinois Jan. 1, 4:30 p.m. ABC - Here's a fun matchup, pitting Juice Williams and the talented Fighting Illini offense against what was supposed to be one of the best defenses of all time. Well, the Trojans didn't live up to expectations, though they were right there, allowing just 15.9 points and 258.8 yards per game, good for 4th and 2nd nationally. Plus, you get John David Booty and the multi-dimensional offense with USC, all that tradition, glamor, roses, wow! The Trojans lost only twice, by one point to Stanford and by a TD to Oregon, and at 10-2, they may be the real national champions after all. But don't tell that to the Illini. Their losses to Missouri, Michigan and Iowa were all close and they're ready to rumble. The Illini defense will have to step it up a bit, but after their 40-34 loss in the season opener to Missouri, nobody's scored more than 27 against them. They should be able to keep this one close enough to cover and maybe spring a New Year's Day upset.
Prediction: Trojans 27 Fighting Illini 20
Sugar Hawaii vs. Georgia (-8, 69) Jan. 1, 8:30 p.m. FOX - Do the Bulldogs have a good enough defense to slow down the Hawaii attack? The Rainbow Warriors led the nation in scoring at 46.2 ppg. Georgia's defense allowed an even 21 per game, in compiling a 10-2 record mostly in the rugged SEC. What's understood is that Hawaii will not be able to stop running back Knowshon Moreno, though they may be able to keep QB Matthew Stafford in check. He's completed only 55% of his passes and threw 16 TDs and 9 INTs. For Hawaii, it's all about giving Colt Brennan time and space to find receivers. Brennan threw for 4174 yards, completed 71.4% of his passes for 38 TDs and 14 INTs. It doesn't matter who they played, those are impressive stats. Hawaii is the most explosive offensive team - and the only undefeated one - in Division 1, so a big effort is expected. While Georgia may be a very good team, so was Oklahoma last season when they met up with Boise State, and we all know what happened there.
Prediction: Rainbow Warriors 45 Bulldogs 42
--- Story continues below ---
Fiesta Oklahoma (-6 1/2, 65) vs. West Virginia Jan. 2, 8 p.m. FOX - Amazingly, West Virginia only had to beat Pitt in their final regular season game to earn a trip to the national championship game, and they came up short in a devastating 13-9 loss, in which QB Pat White was injured for most of the game. But with White healthy and Steve Slaton at his side, the Mountaineers possess one of the nation's truly dynamic offenses. What takes away from this game somewhat is the early departure of coach Rich Rodriguez, who took the top job at Michigan and will not participate here, despite the 10-2 record.
Oklahoma comes in at 11-2, champions of the Big 12 and undeniably one of the best four or five teams in the country. Their two losses were to Colorado and Texas Tech and this team absolutely should have played for the national championship after demolishing Missouri in the Big 12 championship, 38-17. The Sooners have a balanced offense and a much better defense than the Mountaineers, and that advantage should power them to a big win. West Virginia will have trouble stopping the Sooner juggernaut once it gets rolling. QB Sam Bradford completed 70% of his passes in the best conference in college football, and threw 34 TDs. Running backs Allen Patrick, DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown may each tally over 100 yards here.
Prediction: Sooners 41 Mountaineers 23
Orange Virginia Tech (-3 1/2, 53 1/2) vs. Kansas Jan. 3, 8 p.m. FOX - The Jayhawks lost only one game - to Missouri, missed out on playing Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship, and winds up against the one team which may be able to slow down their offense. Virginia Tech was 2nd in scoring defense at 15.5 ppg and allowed an average of 293.3 yards, good for 4th overall. Kansas is no slouch defensively (16 points, 318.3 yards per game), but their offense is a thing of beauty, averaging 44.3 points and 491.1 yards (2nd and 6th). Critics point to Kansas' schedule as a weakness, but they did win all of their conference road games, walloped Nebraska 76-39, and lost their regular season finale to Missouri on a neutral site. They allowed 24 points or more just four times and scored 43 or more on 8 occasions. Only LSU scored more than 23 points against 11-2 Virginia Tech (in a 48-7 demolition) and the only other loss by the Hokies was a 14-10 shocker by Boston College, in which the Eagles scored twice in the final two minutes. Either of these teams had a right at the national championship, though they are denied by the BCS. Tough to pick a winner, but Kansas looks to make amends and claim a share.
Prediction: Jayhawks 27 Hokies 24
All times Eastern
Copyright 2007, 2008, Rick Gagliano, Downtown Magazine. All rights reserved. Downtown Magazine is located in the Uinted States of America and is not affiliated with the National Football League or the NCAA. For more information, contact us here. Use of this site is for entertainment purposes only.
