Tuesday 5:00 pm (PT)
Las Vegas Bowl
Oregon State -2.5 vs. BYU: Offensive attack and speed of Beavers will be too much for BYU to match up against. The Pac-10 is 7-1 in last eight games against Mountain West teams and 3-0 this season. OSU Coach Mike Riley is 5-0 in Bowls while BYU is playing in their fifth straight Las Vegas Bowl going 2-2.
Wednesday 5:00 pm (PT)
Poinsetta Bowl @ Jack Murphy Stadium - San Diego, CA
California -3 vs. Utah: The Utes have lost two of their last three games coming into this Bowl while Cal won two of their last three that include beating the ranked Pac-10 teams of Arizona and Stanford. This is another matchup of the Pac-10 going against the Mountain West where the Pac-10 has dominated. Shane Vereen has been every bit as good as Jahvid Best in the final four games since Best’s injury carrying them to big wins.
Thursday 5:00 pm (PT)
Hawaii Bowl
Nevada -12.5 vs. SMU: Due to Nevada’s top running back Vai Taua being out this game has dropped from being as high as 16.5 to where it is now. But have no fear, the Nevada system led by Colin Kaepernick will be as effective as ever in the pistol offense. The back-up RB’s of Lampford Mark and Mike Ball have been equally as effective when given the chance. Ball had a 184-yard game against UNLV this season while Mark went for over 100 against San Jose State in limited play.
SMU’s passing game led by former Hawaii coach June Jones will put points on the board and help get the total over 72.5, but they will not be able to stop the Wolf Pack throughout the game. Nevada has been one of the better cover teams all season rolling up big scores and it will continue this week.
I really hate to go with favorites in the Bowl games, especially after the first three bowls have seen favorites go 1-2 -- including Wyoming's upset of Fresno State as a 12.5-point dog, but all three of these favorites have a much greater edge over their opponents than the spread indicates.
I'll have more selections listed Friday for Saturday and Sunday's bowl games.
The variables of the wind and some unfortunate calls by the refs made the OSU game flow as it did.
ReplyDeleteOuch, going 0-3 is going to hurt the pocket book. Needed Nevada!
ReplyDelete