College Football Picks: Part Four

Jan. 1
Outback Bowl- South Carolina v. Iowa
A couple of things about this game...Steve Spurrier is impossible to root for and Shonn Greene is hard to root against. The Big Ten has looked bad so far and the SEC is looking tough. This could seriously be the Big Ten's last chance to win a game.
Matt- Iowa
Ben- South Carolina
Mike- South Carolina
Chris- South Carolina

Capital One Bowl- Georgia v. Michigan State
The team's have identical records and a similar ranking as well as both boasting stud running backs. Still, this matchup just doesn't seem very even to me. Georgia's athletes are going to be too much for the tough guy, grind it out style of the Spartans. The difference will be in the passing game, where Michigan State can't make plays when it matters and Georgia can.
Matt- Georgia
Ben- Georgia
Mike- Georgia
Chris- Georgia

Gator Bowl- Nebraska v. Clemson
This has to be the most unappealing New Year's Day Bowl game. Clemson has played much better since Dabo Sweeney took over, but the Huskers are a solid team out of a solid conference and the ACC has looked pretty pathetic thus far.
Matt- Nebraska
Ben- Nebraska
Mike- Clemson
Chris- Nebraska

Rose Bowl- Penn State v. USC
Everyone I've talked to about this game doesn't think it will be close. I just talked to Ben a little while ago, and we both agree that won't be a slaughter, but USC will probably win by two or three touchdowns and be in complete control of the game. Penn State has athletes, but USC has more and the ones on the defensive side of the ball are mean and ornery.
Matt- USC
Ben- USC
Mike- USC
Chris- USC

Orange Bowl- Cincinnati v. Virginia Tech
Apparently neither team wanted to be in the hotel hosting Puff Daddy's New Year's party, switching hotel's the minute he checked in. Probably for the best. This is an intriguing matchup because they are both second tier teams posing as BCS squads. The consensus thinks that VT's history and their defensive toughness will be enough.
Matt- Virginia Tech
Ben- Virginia Tech
Mike- Cincinnati
Chris- Virginia Tech

Jan. 2
Cotton Bowl- Mississippi v. Texas Tech
Poor Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are going to win and finish ranked in the top five, but they aren't going to get a glamorous game or an opponent. The bowl tie-ins have taken a terrific Texas Tech team and put them against a good SEC team, but not one that it should be playing. We like the Red Raiders.
Matt- Texas Tech
Ben- Texas Tech
Mike- Texas Tech
Chris- Texas Tech

Liberty Bowl- Kentucky v. East Carolina
East Carolina is playing the way it did when the season started and that could be bad news for Kentucky. The Wildcats backed into a bowl game by beating up on the team's they should and losing to the team's they should. The result, a 6-6 year. Most of us, and most fans, expect the Pirates to put a stamp on a very interesting season.
Matt- East Carolina
Ben- East Carolina
Mike- East Carolina
Chris- Kentucky

Sugar Bowl- Utah v. Alabama
Chris likes Utah and why not? The Utes are confident and talented and Bama is without Andre Smith. With that said, the Tide have too much talent and a guy named Nick Saben on the sideline. This team is good enough to play for a national title, and as good as Utah is, they aren't good enough to beat about 6-8 teams this year.
Matt- Alabama
Ben- Alabama
Mike- Alabama
Chris- Utah

Jan. 3
International Bowl- Buffalo v. Connecticut
I really like Turner Gil and the Buffalo program. It's amazing that team won the MAC and got to a Bowl game given the recruiting circumstances and previous seasons. As much as I like Buffalo, I think Donald Brown and UConn is too good for the Bulls. Ben and I think Brown will go nuts and pound Buffalo.
Matt- Connecticut
Ben- Connecticut
Mike- Buffalo
Chris- Buffalo