2009 Bowl Preview

Fresno State always puts forth a good effort in games that are on national television.

Rutgers is a strong team playing in quite possibly the worst bowl game, such a situation could lead to a let down, though their talent alone should overwhelm UCF.

Can someone explain to me how the Sun Belt Conference is in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division 1, is it to just to provide early season patsies for the big boys.

Oregon State had a nine point lead in the 3rd Quarter against Oregon with a trip to the Rose Bowl on the line. BYU is a solid team, but the Beavers are stronger and should get the win.

With Cal’s top offensive weapon Jahvid Best out with a concussion they will be hard pressed to win this one.

SMU returns to a bowl game for the first time since receiving the death penalty over 20 years ago. It’s also a return for June Jones to his old Hawaii haunts, its too good of story for the Mustangs not to win.

Ohio makes the short trip up to Detroit, for a bowl game they should be able to dominate against 6-6 Marshall.

Pitt may be a strong team that was one point away from the BCS, but the letdown factor and facing a Tar Heel tea with a home state edge will result in more disappointment.

USC usually playing in the Rose Bowl lost four games this season in the Pac 10 and are forced to settle for the Emerald Bowl where they will launch themselves into next season by taking out their frustration on BC.

This bowl game will quickly become the C.J. Spiller show, as the Clemson Running Back tries to impress pro scouts.

It may have been a down year for the Bulldogs, but they are considerably better than Texas A&M.

It’s been a longtime since Temple has played in a bowl, but they knew they had a bowl date from the end of the season. UCLA had to wait and see if Army won to see their bowl fate, that can’t be easy for the Bruins who will have a tough time winning this one.

The Hurricanes took a big stride this year, and could be a strong BCS contender next season. Look for them to use this game to help them earn top 10 preseason ranking in the preseason.

The Vandals make their bowl debut and don’t have to leave the Gem State, even though it may be in rival Boise State’s blue field they should have the home state edge.

Points will be at premium in this one, as the Cornhuskers led by Heisman finalist Ndamukong Suh have one of the top defenses in the nation.

Case Keenum should have no problem putting up big numbers in this one, as Houston’s offense was among the best in nation.

It’s been a year to forget with the Sooners, whose season was derailed by injuries to key players like Sam Bradford. The best player in the game will be Stanford’s Toby Gerhart who will look to make a big statement.

Missouri is a solid team that is used to dialing up their skill level, and they should be able to

This is an awful game featuring two 6-6 teams, can’t imagine allot of interest in this one as the more talented Gophers get the win.

Virginia Tech had just a few slip ups at bad times otherwise they would be playing in a BCS Bowl. They may be the best team in the ACC otherwise and it will show in this one.

Auburn gave top ranked Alabama all they could handle this season, Northwestern is strong, but the Tigers are bit more talented.

Give Joe Paterno time to prepare, and Penn State has a strong chance to win, that explains there long history of bowl success, and will enable them to win.

It would be a nice ending if Bobby Bowden went off in the sunset with a win, but happy endings are often quite rare, and almost hard to expect.

The Ducks after losing the opener to Boise State, where among the best teams in the nation led by a strong offense, an offense that Ohio State will have a tough time matching.

The Gators could still be the best team in the nation despite their lone loss to Alabama. If there was a playoff it would be hard to bet against them, while Cincy with the loss of Coach Brian Kelly is burdened by distractions.

South Florida is considerably more talented then Northern Illinois and should be able to rule the day in Canada.

Ole Miss is not a pushover, but the Cowboys of Okie State, where close to being a BCS contender in the Big XII this season.

After all the trial and tribulations the Huskies have gone through a bowl win over a strong South Carolina team would be a nice way to wrap it up.

East Carolina is one of those non BCS teams that often get overlooked, but every year they seem to qualify for a bowl and put up a strong effort in the bowl.

Texas Tech always seems to put up big points when they get their chance to play in a bowl game or on national TV, while Michigan State posted a 6-6 record in a mediocre Big Ten this year.

Last season these two non BCS stalwarts met, with TCU ending Boise State’s dreams of a perfect season in the Poinsettia Bowl with a 17-16 win. Now with both unbeaten on the BCS spotlight it will be Horned Frogs who rule the day again.

It may have been easy to overlook Georgia Tech, with the ACC being down all year, but they are a worthy BCS team, and should be able to easily handle Iowa in the Orange Bowl.

With QB Dan LeFevour and his 27 Touchdown pass on the season, it is clear that Central Michigan has the horses to bring down Troy.

The National Championship was decided on December 5th, when the Tide rolled over Florida. Alabama and Florida were the best two teams in the nation all season, and are still the best two teams. Bama won the game, and will win the BCS Title, in a game that may seem anti-climatic. That same day Texas won its way into BCS Championship by beating Nebraska, but they were exposed badly in the one point win, as Colt McCoy struggled against the Huskers defense, before the Longhorns eeked out the win with a game winning field goal. Alabama also has a strong defense too, but unlike Nebraska they have playmakers on offense led by Heisman Winner Mark Ingram.