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.

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.

Sun Bowl

Dec. 31, 2007

Prediction: Oregon vs. Texas Tech

Pac-10 no. 3 vs. Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame

Analysis:

Running back Jonathan Stewart will have a good year as expected, but this year's improvement by Oregon will be due to quarterback Dennis Dixon's continued development. With another year of experience under his belt, Dixon will see last year's 12 to 14 touchdown to interception ration improve dramatically.

Texas Tech will build off of last year's 31 point comeback win against Minnesota in the Insight Bowl. If you thought quarterback Graham Harrell's stats were impressive last year, they should be even better this year after a season's worth of experience. Harrell loses his top two receivers from last year, but experienced running back Shannon Woods should help to take off some of the pressure.