Holiday Bowl

Dec. 27, 2007

Prediction: UCLA vs. Missouri

Pac-10 no. 2 vs. Big 12 no. 3

Analysis:

If there's one team that might challenge USC for the Pac-10 crown, it's UCLA. They beat the Trojans last year, so why not make it two in a row? The Bruins have 20 returning starters in 2007 and only lost 12 lettermen total. The stars seem to be aligning for Karl Dorrell's club. The strength of the team will be defensive front line where Bringham Harwell, Bruce Davis and Kevin Brown will hold down the fort.

It will be the Chase to Chase show for Missouri this year as one of the nation's top quarterbacks (Chase Daniel) will be throwing early and often to one of the nation's top tight ends (Chase Coffman). Missouri has an outside shot of sneaking into the BCS picture this year. But if they don't, a trip to San Diego in late December isn't a bad way to end the year.