Jan 2 Bowl Games- Part 1

Took a hit on the 31st, still trying to figure out how Ga Tech blew that game.

Big day today though, starting with the first round of games.

Cotton Bowl

Top Pick- PSU/Houston under 55.5

Outback Bowl

Top Pick- MSU/Georgia over 49.5 and  lean -MSU +3

Capital One Bowl

Top Pick- South Carolina -3 vs Nebraska

Gator Bowl

Lean- Florida -2 vs Ohio St

PSU/Houston- Lot of negative story lines in this game, the Penn st situation still lingering, Houston blowing a chance to get to a BCS game and neither team having their coaching situations settled. With all of that, I do think both set of current coaches staff's will have their teams ready to go the best they can.

PSU- will keep it simple, put pressure on the QB and make the tackle when the receivers catch the ball. I expect the Nittany Lions to do this well and to keep the Houston offense in check. Offensively, PSU will run the ball and take their deep shots. I don't expect any kind of big numbers however they will break a big play here and there and get some scoring opportunities.

Houston will put the ball in the air but they have not played a team like Penn St before and will not be able to  move it consistently. Look for a lot of activity from their offense but not a lot of confidence meaning they will rack up the yards but not the points.

I think Houston probably will pull away but the way to go in this game is the under.

Outback Bowl- This looks to be a pretty good game. Both teams put together nice seasons but came up short in their conference championships. These teams are pretty similar with good athletes at every position and strong QB play. UGA gets the odd in overall athleticism and MSU gets the nod at better QB play. I expect a pretty wide open game with scoring coming from all 3 phases- offense, defense and special teams which will get the game over. I also think that it will come down to the final drive so take the points as well.

Gator Bowl- This side comes down to S. Carolina having more offensive weapons than Nebraska. I expect a close game but I do think the Gamecocks will pull away in the 2nd half. The Gamecocks will figure out the Nebraska option and the Huskers do not have enough talent at WR to take the pressure off the running game.

Like a lot of Nebraska's losses, they will be in the game the game to the end but will not be able to close out and South Carolina will win and cover.

Gator Bowl- These teams are not really worthy of a marquee bowl game but it is what it is. For Ohio st, the future looks bright again with Urban Meyer taking over. Florida looks to be in a bit of trouble as they were not even close to competing with the big boys in the SEC. I am pretty sure that the Gator's head coach has been doing everything he can to get his team ready to win this game and have a little ammunition to fend off the critics.

Florida wins this one in an ugly game.