PapaJohns.com Bowl

Dec. 22, 2007

Prediction: Pittsburgh vs. SMU

Big East vs. Conference USA

Analysis:

The fallout from the Gator Bowl continues with Pittsburgh entering into the bowl equation. The Panthers weren't in our original projections, but are now in due to the unusual on again/off again arrangement between the Big East and Big XII with the Gator Bowl. And while that may be good news for Pittsburgh, it also means Colorado has dropped out of bowl projections completely. Sorry Buffs fans.

Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt holds onto his job by guiding Pitt to a bowl game for the first time in his three years as coach. And things are looking up. After getting to a lower tier bowl in 2007, an even better bowl may come in 2008. The Pat Bostick to Oderick Turner connection should only get better as time goes on. Not to be overlooked, Pitt has one of the best special teams units in the conference if not the nation.

Texas Bowl

Dec. 28, 2007

Prediction: Houston vs. Oklahoma State

Conference USA vs. Big XII

Analysis:

Our fallout from the Gator Bowl continues with Oklahoma State dropping from the Indepedence Bowl to the Texas Bowl. And the worst news of all, sorry Colorado fans, some team had to drop out totally and the Buffs are now not predicted to go bowling. We still predict Colorado to be bowl eligible, but the number of bowls affiliated with the Big XII just isn't enough to accomodate the Buffs.

Oklahoma State would probably rather play an SEC opponent in the Indepedence Bowl, but playing Houston in its home town could be just as tough. The Cowboys' top player is wide receiver Adarius Bowman and he'll look to take advantage of the Cougar secondary. Houston might be one of the top teams in Conference USA, but playing an Oklahoma State team that deserves to play in a better bowl could be a bit much.

Independence Bowl

Dec. 30, 2007

Prediction: Auburn vs. Texas Tech

SEC no. 8 vs. Big XII no. 7

Analysis:

The fallout of the Gator Bowl snafu continues with Texas Tech being demoted from the Sun Bowl in favor of a Big East team to the Independence Bowl instead. Our prediction of Auburn stays the same, this time playing the Red Raiders instead of the original projection of Oklahoma State. The prediction here is that Texas Tech will have a better record than Oklahoma State and the Cowboys will likewise be demoted.

Texas Tech gets bumped from the slightly more historic Sun Bowl, but they still get a good opponent in Auburn, an SEC powerhouse. The Auburn defense will definitely have to prepare for the Tech passing onslaught. With a year of seasoning under his belt, Graham Harrell should improve in his second year in the system.

Meineke Car Care Bowl

Dec. 29, 2007

Prediction: Rutgers vs. Miami

Big East vs. ACC no. 6

Analysis:

The fallout from the Gator Bowl continues as we alter our predictions. Due to our elevation of South Florida to the Sun Bowl, a good Rutgers team also jumps up to the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Miami will remain the opponent from the ACC.

Although the South Florida vs. Miami matchup had certain geographical implications, the new opponent for Miami is even better. Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano had been rumored to be the new head coach for Miami before Schiano decided to stick with the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers is coming off two consecutive bowl appearances, the best in team history. And his teams are becoming more competitive. Ray Rice will look to do some damage against the Hurricanes, who themselves are looking forward to a better season with less off the field issues than in 2006.

Sun Bowl

Dec. 31, 2007

Prediction: Oregon vs. South Florida

Pac-10 no. 3 vs. Big XII/Big East/Notre Dame

Analysis:

A closer look at the bowl affiliation has the Gator Bowl selecting a Big XII team only twice in a two year period. According to Big XII official website, "In the two years in which the Gator does not select a Big 12 team, the Sun Bowl will."

We believe only one Big XII team will make it to a BCS game this season. In turn, we still think there will still be several very good Big XII teams that are bowl eligible, and the Gator Bowl will elect to nab a very good Oklahoma team for its New Year's Day slot. Therefore, we have to amend our earlier prediction that the Sun Bowl would pit Oregon and Texas Tech.

Oregon will still be the Pac-10 representative, but the Sun Bowl will have to go with a Big East team instead. Our prediction is South Florida, which is not a bad alternative. South Florida will have a punishing defense while sophomore quarterback Matt Groethe looks to have a better year in 2007.

Stay tuned as the Gator Bowl fallout will affect our predictions in about five other bowls.

GMAC Bowl

Jan. 6, 2008

Prediction: Central Florida vs. Ohio

Conference USA no. 2 vs. MAC

Analysis:

The only team better than UCF in Conference USA might be Southern Mississippi. After a bowless year in 2006, UCF will be bowl eligible once again if they don't manage to make it to the conference title game. The strength of the team lies in the tandem of cornerbacks, Joe Burnett and Johnell Neal. Opposing offenses will want to stick the the run game with those cornerbacks roaming the secondary.

Frank Solich has Ohio exactly where he wants them, near the top of the MAC standings. It won't be easy for the Bobcats to become bowl eligible for a second year in a row with only 11 returning starters from last year's team. One of those 11 just so happens to be one of the best running backs in the conference in Kalvin McRae. Behind McRae, Ohio can do special things despite an inexperienced squad.