College Bowl Picks

TCU

Tech

Don't know

Tulsa

Why? 

TT is one-dimensional - passing.  UVA's D is one of the better D's that TT will see this season and this is the key to UVA keeping it close...and everybody knows how well UVA's done in close games this season.  Of 9 wins, they won 5 games by 2 pts or less, a new NCAA record.  TT does not want a close game.

If UVA's DL and LB/DE's, especially All American DE Chris Long, can put pressure on TT's QB, it could be a long day for the Red Raiders.  Under pressure, their QB is prone to mistakes (read "ints" and won't be able to find his All American receiver Michael Crabtree.  If TT's OL can hold off Long and Co, it'll be a long day for UVA, because our secondary sucks.  UVA's Total D is ranked 17th in the country, but our Passing D is ranked 33rd.  Also, UVA's ranked 13th in Scoring D.  Yep, D is going to be the key to this game for the Hoos.

Regardless, it should be a good game; I don't think either team will crush the other.

I wouldn't worry to much about "home field advantage" in that game.  It's not like the Houston faithful are all that deafening.  But I agree with your pick (and not just because of my avatar).  TCU has had 3/4 solid outings towards the end and even against BYU, the conference champ they made a game out of it.  Meanwhile Houston's been playing D2 opponents and losing to Tulsa... and losing ugly.  TCUs been solid in its last few bowl games as well.

I don't know about "crush", but I like TT to cover.

Rutgers to cover.

Tulsa (5 game winning streak before they lost to UCF and that was in Fl).

bts

I don't know about those games, but here's some inside info on the FSU/Kentucky game.  FSU is about to get hit with some NCAA sanctions.  Several athletes including up to 12 football players were involved in an acedemic test scandle.  (FSU self reported so the institutional sanctions will probably be minor)  However, at least 5 starters(un-named) will be suspended for the Bowl game.  And the number may rise as high as 12 players in total.

Oh take Va. with the points.

In my opinion Tech wins that game by 17 pts. One common trait the teams that beat Tech this year shared was they were also explosive on offense; they could outscore tech. VA is a good team, but is painfully unimaginative on offense. With a team like tech, all it takes is 4 mistakes in an otherwise well played game and you can easily give up 28-35 points. Minnesota gave up 35 in the 4th quater in their bowl game last year against Tech. Having said all that, my main reason for saying tech will win big is VA cannot overcome a deficit and they can't outscore Tech.

Just my opinion, and it's college football after all; you just never know - I could be wrong and VA takes Tech 35 - 3. In either case, I'm excited to see two of college football's best players in the same game (best DE and best Receiver).

Here's to a great game!