St Petersburg Bowl
South Florida vs Memphis
This one is a virtual home game for USF.  Look for Memphis to rely on their run game (#18 in the country) and be shut down by USF’s #9 rushing Defense.  The Memphis passing game (47th in the country) will be slowed by USF’s 44th ranked pass efficiency D.  The Bulls live and die by defense you can expect that they will exploit Memphis’ passing D and put some points up. 

South Florida is giving 13.  Take the Bulls to cover.

Las Vegas Bowl
Arizona vs #17 BYU
This is probably the most watchable game of the day in my opinion. It matches the 16th (Az) and 17th  (BYU) ranked scoring offenses and 36th (Az) and 34th (BYU) scoring Defenses.   This one is all about efficiency.  Arizona’s 16th ranked pass efficiency defense will be tested by BYU’s 12th ranked pass efficiency.  Arizona is 27th to BYU’s 50th in turnover margin. 

Arizona is giving 3.5. I think the power of the PAC-10 will be too much for BYU and Arizona covers.

Eagle Bank Bowl
Navy vs Wake Forest
You have got to love Navy.  #1 Rushing O in the country and next to last (118th) passing O.  Both teams are really disciplined about holding onto the ball (tied for 3rd in turnover margin).  Big difference in this game will be Wake’s inability to convert field position to points with their 97th ranked scoring offense. 

Wake is giving 3.  Take Navy and the points.

New Mexico Bowl
Fresno State vs Colorado State
You can call this one the “No Pressure” bowl considering both teams are ranked worse than 90th in Sacks and Tackles for loss.  Fresno State’s propensity to cough it up (109th turnover margin) may keep it interesting but in the end they will whittle away at the 88th ranked scoring D of the Rams.

Rams are getting 3.  I’m taking Fresno State to cover.

12/21/08
New Orleans Bowl
It’s the Sun Belt conf vs Conf USA.  Troy vs Southern Miss
Troy’s O and D line will dominate this game.  Shouldn’t even be close.  They are 4th, 3rd and 3rd in Sacks, TFLs and Sacks Allowed versus Southern Miss at 104, 72 and 76.  Three of Troy’s four losses come to Ohio State, LSU and Okie Lite while the Eagles best losses came from Boise St and a Win over East Carolina.

Southern Miss is getting 3.5.  I’m taking Troy and the points.

Go Wildcats...