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.

Gator Bowl

Jan. 1, 2008

Prediction: Florida State vs. Oklahoma

ACC no. 3 vs. Big East/Big 12/Notre Dame

Analysis:

Florida State gets out of the doldrums in 2007 and becomes them old selves. The overhaul in the coaching ranks at Florida State will be apparent to the casual fan in no time. The addition of high profile coaches such as Chuck Amato and Jumbo Fischer should pay dividends. The Drew Weatherford to Greg Carr arial attack will be potent, and 14 returning starters should help the Seminoles.

Since the Big 12 will get only one representative in the BCS, they'll find themselves with a representative in the Gator Bowl. Oklahoma should be a national title contender after a tough luck season that saw the dismissal of quarterback Rhett Bomar and offensive lineman J.D. Quinn, an injury to running back Adrian Peterson, and a win stolen from them by the referees at Oregon. The 2007 season will seem like a comparative breeze for Bob Stoops and company.