Bowl Season

Final Stretch of Bowl Season

 

   Fans called me crazy for picking UCF..... How about now? Some even said I was crazy for picking Michigan State..... Again, how about now? New Years Day 2014 was a great day of football. There were games that came down to the wire and of course, the performance by UCF..... Which was shocking to some, but I knew all along that UCF was flying under the radar all season long. To think, UCF's only loss was to South Carolina, and even then it was a close game. Moving on, it has been a great Bowl Season thus far, and sadly it is coming to a close. Only six games remain...... and then it's "goodbye BCS" and "hello college football playoff."

 

    Here are the remaining five games leading up to the BCS Championship Game on Monday night.

 

Thursday

 

Sugar Bowl: Oklahoma vs Alabama

 

   How motivated is Alabama? Are they still haunted by their last game they played? It only takes a second for them to remember what happened in the Iron Bowl. Is this going to be like when Utah came in and upset Alabama a few years ago? From Oklahoma's side, is Bob Stoops ready to take on the mighty SEC?  Bob Stoops has been on record several times saying that the SEC isn't as strong as they look...... or even better, he calls it a "top heavy" league. So Coach Stoops, you get your wish..... you have your chance to back up your talk.

   

    So is this going to be the blowout that it appears to be on the surface? Will Bob Stoops and his Sooners rise to the challenge? Is Alabama motivated? Plenty of questions surround this game...... I think Saban will use all of Bob Stoops' comments as some bulletin board material. And it's AJ McCarron's last game at Alabama. It's the last time some of these guys will be together at Alabama..... I think the Crimson Tide will be plenty motivated. Oklahoma? No, no, no..... Oklahoma is more likely to be thanking Stoops for opening his mouth and talking trash about the SEC. 

My Pick: Alabama 35 Oklahoma 14.

 

Friday

 

Cotton Bowl: Oklahoma State vs Missouri

 

    Now here is a game that could turn into a high scoring slug fest..... Both teams are capable of putting up a lot of points. So the storyline will be the defenses..... Which defense will rise and get enough stops? It's still strange to look at this game and think it involves an SEC team...... although, they don't have your usual SEC type depth chart. Missouri has accomplished so much in a very short time in the SEC, and they have had a great season. Now they face an old foe from their past. Oklahoma State has been a solid team on the rise over the last five seasons. This is one game we don't have to question motivation. Both teams WANT to be here. Both teams can get some great momentum going into the off season. This is going to be a great battle, and it will come down to who makes the least amount of mistakes. My Pick: Oklahoma State 38 Missouri 34.

 

Orange Bowl: Clemson vs Ohio State

 

    It wasn't the matchup we all wanted to see, but it seems to be growing on everybody now..... Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins vs Braxton Miller and Carlos Hyde. Which team has the edge? Ohio State lost to a very talented Michigan State team. Clemson lost two games, one to Florida State and the other to South Carolina..... Fans have questioned both teams' strength of schedule..... Well, what better way to settle who is better than letting them square off in a BCS Bowl? Tajh Boyd's last game as a Tiger.... Can he bring a BCS Bowl win to Death Valley? What will Tajh Boyd be remembered for at Clemson? I can tell you one thing, the Clemson Tigers want to erase what happened the last time they went to the Orange Bowl...... Best way to do that is to come out and take care of Ohio State. And they won't face a tough defense in this game. The Buckeyes have struggled on defense against tougher opposition..... And that will be the difference in the game.

My Pick: Clemson 35 Ohio State 31

 

Saturday

 

Compass Bowl: Vanderbilt vs Houston

 

   I think some fans give this game to Vanderbilt because they are from the mighty SEC. Don't overlook Houston's offense..... They are more than capable of putting up a lot of points. Vandy, on the other hand, isn't as capable on offense. If Vandy gets behind by more than a couple scores, I wouldn't count on a comeback..... Tough game to pick, but I like Coach Franklin and what he has accomplished at Vanderbilt. My Pick: Vanderbilt 23 Houston 17

 

Sunday

 

Go Daddy Bowl: Arkansas State vs Ball State

 

   The final bowl game before the BCS Title game.... While it may not be the biggest matchup, it may still be an interesting game to watch.... Ball State has had a pretty solid season and they are looking to end on a high note. Arkansas State has been up and down and has experienced a few blowouts too..... Ball State can score points quickly and I think they can overwhelm Arkansas State's defense early. My Pick: Ball State 42 Arkansas State 21.

 

   That's it.... All that remains is the BCS Championship game. Don't forget that Collegefootball2day's Reader Questions segment  is Friday. You can still send in your predictions. Send to Jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com. I will give my prediction for the BCS Title game tomorrow as well.....