LSU: 2019 NCAA Division I FBS National Champions

NEW ORLEANS — When it comes time to write the story of the 2019 college football season, we will not just start with Joe Burrow. We will ask Burrow to write it. He will be quick, he will be absurdly accurate, he will make sure a whole bunch of people get involved, he will explain what his coach actually said, and he will finish with a flourish.

LSU is your national champion, the best team playing its best football at the best time, thanks mostly to the nation’s best player. Burrow was great when his team wasn’t, then great when it was. How good was he? How good is LSU?

Well, college football history is dotted with champions that won with outrageous talent and champions that won because of a collective belief that they would never lose.

Once in a while, you find a team with both qualities.

A team like Clemson.

Burrow and LSU just eviscerated that team. Clemson had won 29 games in a row, and Burrow effectively beat the Tigers twice. The first time was late in the third quarter, with LSU leading 35-25. Burrow feathered a pass into the hands of star receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who dropped it. Chase had a wonderful night, so it feels wrong to say he should have caught it. But … he should have caught it. LSU had to settle for a field-goal attempt, which failed.

Burrow just did what he has done all season: Lead another touchdown drive, finishing with a—you’ll never believe this—perfect pass to Terrace Marshall Jr. LSU led by the final margin, 42-25, and LSU fans were ready to start partying in the streets of New Orleans, which they had conveniently begun doing like a week ago.

This is LSU’s championship, Ed Orgeron’s championship, all of their championship. But this will be Joe Burrow’s season, forever. Very few players in the sport’s 150-year history dominated from start to finish like Burrow did. He threw 48 touchdown passes in his team’s first 13 games, then got better. He threw 12 in two playoff games, including five in this one.

But this went beyond his stats. Burrow played like he knew he could complete every pass, avoid every blitz, run for any first down he needed. He took the entropy out of the game.

Clemson was the undefeated defending national champion with the best NFL prospect in the country (quarterback Trevor Lawrence), but there was no doubt, as midnight approached in the Crescent City, that LSU was the better team.

LSU gained 359 yards in the first half, which begged the question: What was wrong with LSU? We kid, sort of. But the Tigers started slow. They kept dropping passes. They punted four times. LSU’s offense was so good all year that when it stalls at all, you expect a CHECK ENGINE light to appear on the sideline.

The Tigers destroyed so many teams this year, including Oklahoma in the “semifinal” exhibition two weeks ago, that it was easy to wonder how they would respond when faced with an actual deficit. But if you have paid any attention to Burrow this year, you didn’t wonder. The presumptive No. 1 NFL draft pick is deadly serious, the adult in any room he enters.

Burrow did not come all this way, from Athens, Ohio to Columbus to Baton Rouge and finally to New Orleans, just to let a few failed drives ruin his night. He kept throwing darts over the middle and delicately placed deep balls along the sideline and figured his excellent receivers would start catching them, which they did.

At halftime, LSU led 28-17, and LSU got the ball first in the second half, and it was easy to wonder if Clemson was going to get knocked out. But if you have paid any attention to Clemson under Dabo Swinney, you didn’t wonder. Dabo says sit, the Tigers sit. Dabo says fight, they fight. Dabo says roll over, they know he is kidding, because Clemson never rolls over.

Clemson fought, the way you would expect a team playing for its third title in four years to fight. Lawrence led a touchdown drive that ended with a two-point conversion. Even down 35-25, having lost starting linebacker James Skalski to a targeting ejection, Clemson fought. Clemson always fights. But this season, Joe Burrow and LSU always won.

BoBA 2007 Bowl Preview: Week 4

BoBA 2007 Bowl Preview: Week 4

As the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl gets ready to begin at the time this post goes to blog, I am going to go ahead and take a preview of the five big-money games that make up the Bowl Championship Series. All of the games save one will be on FOX. The main exception is the 2008 Rose Bowl, which will be covered by ABC (via ESPN).

And speaking of which, that is where I will start the final part of this 2007 Bowl Preview

ROSE
Presented by Citi

USC vs. Illinois
Pasadena, California
Tuesday, January 1, 4:30 PM EST (ABC)

In a season where USC turned into a national title also-ran, the Trojans salvaged their campaign by winning the Pac-10 title with a victory over UCLA in the Coliseum. Meanwhile, thanks to the BCS Selection Committee picking Big Ten Champion Ohio State to go to New Orleans to battle for the crystal football of legend, Illinois got the nod to represent the Big Ten in the Granddaddy Of Them All.

This might not be as sexy as the USC-Georgia matchup many hoped would occur, but don't sleep on this traditional Big Ten/Pac-10 matchup. I really like the twist we get with this Rose Bowl. This time, the Big Ten brings in the more exciting and explosive offense. Illinois' spread offense, led by QB Juice Williams, will be a great matchup with USC's great defense. The Trojans have the best set of linebackers in college football (Brian Cushing, Keith Rivers and Rey Maualuga), and they're all finally healthy for the first time this season. The last time USC faced a spread offense like this was against Oregon (with a healthy QB Dennis Dixon), and the Trojans lost 24-17 to the Ducks. I can't wait to see this defense against Illinois' top-ranked Big Ten rushing attack and the Big Ten's second-leading rusher, RB Rashard Mendenhall. In addition, WR Arrelious Benn gives the Illini balance in the passing game.
Illinois will have its hands full with the USC offense. The offensive line is finally healthy and the Illini haven't faced a tight end as big and as fast as Fred Davis (6-foot-4, 250 pounds). With the Trojans having just average wide receivers, Davis is the offensive MVP of USC (55 catches, 7 TDs) because he bails out QB John David Booty. Freshman RB Joe McKnight has come on lately and gives USC the fast, big-play guy it has lacked most of the season. The key to handling the Trojans is stopping Davis and McKnight -- not an easy thing to do. But the Illini already have pulled off one big upset this year (Ohio State). -- Rod Gilmore

The Tournament of Roses chose tradition (sorry, Georgia) over a better matchup. The Trojans won their third consecutive Jan. 1 trip up the 110 Freeway by getting healthy, especially thanks to quarterback John David Booty. USC should have the speed to contain Illinois junior quarterback Juice Williams, whose elusiveness confounded Ohio State.
-- Ivan Maisel

BoBA call for those darn Men of Troy taking care of something that is familiar to them.

BoBA predicts: USC 49, Illinois 28

ALLSTATE SUGAR

Hawaii vs. Georgia
New Orleans, Louisiana
Tuesday, January 1, 8:30 PM EST (FOX)

For Colt Brennan, June Jones, and Hawaii, this is a great opportunity for the Warriors to show that Boise State's breakthrough victory in last year's Tostitos Fiesta Bowl wasn't a fluke. Georgia will feel that they were shafted by the system, but this will be a great chance to show the committee why they deserved to be in the big show.

Hawaii should feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment: The Warriors completed their first 12-0 season, won the WAC championship and finished the season ranked No. 10 in the BCS standings. That said, Hawaii can't just be glad to make it to the Sugar Bowl. The Warriors are going to need to do some serious prep work to stop Georgia. The Dawgs aren't afraid of teams from the non-automatic BCS conferences; they ran up the score on Boise State 48-13 in their 2005 opener. That said, I think every team learned an important lesson from the Broncos' stunning win over Oklahoma last season.

Hawaii's best bet against Georgia will be to keep the Dawgs' offense off the field. Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno will give Hawaii's defense fits. The Warriors haven't faced as physically dominant an opponent all season. Hawaii's prolific quarterback, Colt Brennan, will be able to take advantage of Georgia's struggling pass defense. These teams match up really well, and this game should be a lot of fun to watch. There is certainly a David vs. Goliath aspect to this game, and it would be the perfect ending to an already perfect season if Hawaii pulled off the upset.

One thing all coaches worry about in bowl games is attention to detail, particularly on special teams. When Hawaii and Georgia meet, neither will have played a game in weeks. Watch to see whether the teams are rusty making open-field tackles and making mistakes in the kicking game.

-- Jim Donnan

There's no truth to the rumor that Georgia's players and coaches voted to play this game in Honolulu. The Bulldogs are one of the hottest teams in the country. They're also probably pretty hot under the collar that LSU passed them in the final BCS standings. The unbeaten Warriors and Colt Brennan get a chance to prove they're for real in only their second postseason game ever on the mainland.
-- Chris Low

I think Hawaii is going to fling the pigskin and brandish the Run-&-Shoot to near-perfection, while the defense give Knowshon Moreno no chance, and Matthew Stafford hosts an unexpected pick party. Warriors finish the season right.

BoBA predicts: Hawaii 38, Georgia 28

FedEX ORANGE

Kansas vs. Virginia Tech
Miami, Florida
Thursday, January 3, 8:00 PM EST (FOX)

Can it be sweet redemption for Todd Reesing? No matter what happens, for Kansas, this is the breakthrough season that has placed the Rock Chalk Jayhawks back on the college footbal map. Meanwhile, Senan Glennon, Tyrod Taylor, and the Virginia Tech Hokies are looking to put closure to a season that went off on the wrong foot long before it even started with the massacre of many a month ago.

This certainly isn't one of the strongest matchups of the BCS bowls -- in fact, there are non-BCS games that are more compelling than this game (the Holiday Bowl's Arizona State-Texas matchup comes to mind). Kansas will struggle to score against the fastest defense the Jayhawks will face this season. Virginia Tech's starting cornerbacks, Victor "Macho" Harris and Brandon Flowers, are arguably the best set of corners in the country and have the ability to control Kansas wide receivers Dexton Fields and Marcus Henry. I can't see how Kansas will run the ball against Virginia Tech.

Hokies LB Xavier Adibi has the speed to shadow QB Todd Reesing and keep him in the pocket, but he won't be safe there against the Virginia Tech pass rush. Kansas' best bet is to get stud cornerback/wide receiver Aqib Talib more offensive touches to create matchup problems for Virginia Tech. Otherwise, I don't see the Jayhawks moving the football consistently.

Offensively, the Hokies are playing much better now that they've settled into a comfortable two-quarterback system with Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor.

The bottom line is that Virginia Tech is too fast on both sides of the ball for Kansas.

-- Rod Gilmore

It might take more than two quarterbacks to match the balanced offense of this speedy Kansas team, which leads the Big 12 in scoring offense at 44.3 points per game. After an embarrassing loss to LSU in the second game of the season, this is a chance for the ACC champs to redeem themselves on the national stage.
-- Heather Dinich

I look for Mark Mangino and Todd Reesing to send the Jayhakws out with a win.

BoBA predicts: Kansas 42, Virginia Tech 31

TOSTITOS FIESTA

West Virginia vs. Oklahoma
Glendale, Arizona
Wednesday, January 2, 8:00 PM EST (FOX)

Well, the Sooners can take solace that they won't be facing Hawaii or Boise State. This will be a great chance to redeem themselves for their futility last year on the Statue of Liberty handoff play of death. Meanwhile, West Virginia is in a state of flux, with Patrick White injured, and Rich Rodriguez vamoosing off to Ann Arbor to take over for Lloyd Carr.

Now, Oklahoma can exhale. You just know the Sooners and their fans were praying, "Please, any team other than Hawaii." After playing the wicked stepsisters in last year's Cinderella Fiesta Bowl story with Boise State, Oklahoma didn't need to face another WAC team. Instead, the Sooners draw a West Virginia team that is reeling from blowing a chance to play in the BCS Championship Game.

This is a good matchup for Oklahoma. Although the Sooners have given up big plays in the passing game (ranked No. 68 in pass defense), they are very strong against the run (No. 8, 92 yards per game). Oklahoma isn't afraid to commit eight men to stop the run and has the speed to match West Virginia's triplets (QB Pat White, RB Steve Slaton and WR Darius Reynaud). West Virginia will have to make big plays in the passing game to beat Oklahoma.

Offensively, Oklahoma's offensive line will have a size and strength advantage over West Virginia's smaller 3-3-5 stack defense. The Mountaineers have played solid run defense (108 yds/game), but they haven't faced a rushing attack like Oklahoma's that is complemented by a solid passing attack. WVU handled a good Rutgers team by keying on Ray Rice, but Oklahoma has many more weapons: tailback Allen Patrick, QB Sam Bradford, RB Chris Brown, and receivers Juaquin Iglesias and Malcolm Kelly.

The wild card in this deal is West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez. He has pulled off big upsets before (including beating Georgia in the 2005 Sugar Bowl) and usually comes up with a tweak to his run-oriented spread option that throws the opposition for a loop. Maybe he'll open the game with a trick play a la Boise State just to give Oklahoma a flashback to last year.
-- Rod Gilmore

The Sooners are coming off a 38-17 rout of then-No. 1 Missouri and are playing as well as any team in the country. The Mountaineers must recover from a 13-9 loss to unranked Pittsburgh that knocked West Virginia out of the BCS Championship Game. The Mountaineers will have to slow down tailbacks Allen Patrick and Chris Brown, and must get more from tailback Steve Slaton on offense.
-- Mark Schlabach

The Sooners will finish off the Moutaineers in convincing fashion.

BoBA predicts: Oklahoma 40, West Virginia 14

BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

#1 Ohio State vs. #2 LSU
New Orleans, Louisiana
Tuesday, January 7, 8:00 PM EST (FOX)

For both the Buckeyes and the Tigers, it's been there, won that. Enough said. Set your VCRs, bring your friends, and have plenty of food to go around, this will be a classic to remember.

The BCS Championship Game is as close to a home game for LSU as it gets. The crowd definitely will be an advantage for the Tigers, but Ohio State is no stranger to big games. The Buckeyes will need a quick start to take the crowd out of the game. Ohio State's is extremely physical up front and should test the Tigers. Look for running back Chris "Beanie" Wells to establish his power game early and open up the passing game for quarterback Todd Boeckman.

As LSU proved in the SEC championship game, the Tigers have two talented quarterbacks to choose from. Senior Matt Flynn, who was held out of the game with an injury, gives LSU more of a traditional passing attack and a veteran leader under center. Sophomore Ryan Perrilloux is more of a scrambling quarterback. Although Flynn most likely will start, the Buckeyes' defense will have to prepare for both.

For Ohio State, this is a chance to avenge its title game rout by Florida in 2006. Getting back to the game so quickly is really a credit to Jim Tressel and his team. There is no doubt the Buckeyes will be ready to go on Jan. 7. For Les Miles, nothing less than a trip to the championship game will do for hungry Tigers fans, and to accomplish that lofty goal in just his third year is impressive.

-- Jim Donnan

If you like defense, you like Ohio State, which allowed only two rushing touchdowns all season. The Tigers' quarterbacks -- Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux -- can move around, the kind of a player that has been a problem for the Buckeyes. Both teams have a penchant for winning close games, which bodes well for a game that might have trouble generating excitement over the next month.
-- Ivan Maisel

Most people are looking for LSU to take this one. Poppycock. The Ohio State Buckeyes can play Carmen loud and proud, for Jim Tressel will be adding another crystal football of legend to his collection down in Columbus.

BoBA Predicts: Ohio State 42, LSU 35

BoBA 2007 Bowl Preview: Week 3

BoBA 2007 Bowl Preview: Week 3

In this part of the BoBA 2007 Bowl Preview, we take a look at the teams that will be facing each other in the non-BCS bowl games from January 1 onward, as well as my picks for the games.

OUTBACK

Wisconsin vs. Tennessee
Tampa, Fla.
Tuesday, Jan. 1 (ABC, 11:00 AM EST)

One of the more tastier bowls (not just the name, but also the opponents in it), this year's edition of the Outback Bowl features two resurging teams that have young talent for the future.


The Volunteers won close and lost big, and senior quarterback Erik Ainge's guile had to make up for a lot of mistakes by a young defense. But the Vols kept improving and won the SEC East. The Badgers finished sixth in the Big Ten in points (30.5) and points allowed (23.3) but fourth in the league. They, like the Vols, are young. Sophomore Shane Carter (seven picks) is a budding defensive star.
-- Ivan Maisel

In a strong contest like this, I look for surprises at every corner. I like Wisconsin to pull off a stunning performance and trump the Volunteers at Raymond James Stadium.

BoBA predicts: Wisconsin 38, Tennessee 28

AT&T COTTON

Missouri vs. Arkansas
Dallas, Tex.
Tuesday, Jan 1 (Fox, 11:30 AM EST)

This year's Cotton Bowl showcases a couple of Heisman finalists: Missouri's Chase Daniel and Arkansas's Darren McFadden. It will be the pass for the Tigers, against the Razorbacks' rushing attack and Wild Hog formation. For Arkansas, the arrival of Bobby Petrino, who has flown the coop in Atlanta to call out the Hogs, effectively alienating the Falcon naton, has put the team from Fayetteville in a state of flux.

For the first time since the 1997 season, Houston Nutt won't be on the Arkansas sideline. He bid adieu to "Hog Heaven" and took the job at Ole Miss a day later. The Razorbacks still have the best player in the country in junior tailback Darren McFadden, who's always worth the price of admission. You wonder how excited Missouri will be after going from No. 1 to being left out of the BCS bowls.
-- Chris Low

McFadden will have his numbers, but Chase Daniel will savor avenging the fact that he finished two spots behind Darren in the voting with a stellar aerial assault under head coach Gary Pinkel.

BoBA predicts: Missouri 59, Arkansas 35

CAPITAL ONE

Florida vs. Michigan
Orlando, Fla.
Tuesday, Jan. 1 (ABC, 1:00 PM EST)

This is a great opportunity for Tim Tebow to prove why he deserved the Heisman Trophy this year. Meanwhile, credit should go to Michigan, who, after being humbled by Appalachian State (who at the time this is going to blog is facing Delaware for the Division I FCS national championship in Chattanooga) and Oregon, to rebound and go bowling once again, at the expense of Lloyd Carr riding off into the sunset.

The defending national champion Gators and the Wolverines have met only one other time, with Michigan winning 38-30 in the Outback Bowl after the 2002 season. The Gators are led by Heisman Trophy hopeful Tim Tebow, who has run for 22 touchdowns and passed for 29. The Wolverines opened and closed the season with consecutive losses.
-- Mark Schlabach

Florida is going to slice and dice the Wolverines in this one.

BoBA predicts: Florida 49, Michigan 21

KONICA MINOLTA GATOR

Virginia vs. Texas Tech
Jacksonville, Fla.
Tuesday, Jan. 1 (CBS, 1:00 PM EST)

The Red Raiders come into Jacksonville with Mike Leach's Air Raid offense and showcase signal-caller Graham Harrell. However, they face a vaunted Virginia defense led by Chris Long, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Howie Long.

The Cavaliers squeaked out enough wins to earn Al Groh the ACC Coach of the Year award and a contract extension, but nobody in the ACC put up the kind of offensive numbers Texas Tech did (41.8 points per game). The one thing Virginia's Chris Long-led defense won't have to worry about is stopping the run.
-- Heather Dinich

Defense wins championships. And the Wahoos will stand testament to that.

BoBA predicts: Virginia 34, Texas Tech 28

INTERNATIONAL

Ball State vs. Rutgers
Toronto, Ont.
Saturday, Jan. 5 (ESPN2, 12:00 PM EST)

It's a battle between one of the players behind Rutgers's resurgence, and a quarterback under the radar from the Mid-American conference. Ray Rice vs. Nate Davis. Can the Cardinals pull off one of the biggest wins in the recent history of its progam?

Rutgers (7-5, 3-4) started this season near the top and plummeted straight to, well, Canada. In its second year of existence, the Toronto-based bowl will feature standout running back Ray Rice and the Big East's best pass defense against silently successful quarterback Nate Davis (3,376 yards and 27 touchdowns).
-- Heather Dinich

BoBA says no.

BoBA predicts: Rutgers 42, Ball State 17

GMAC

Tulsa vs. Bowling Green
Mobile, Ala.
Sunday, Jan. 6 (ESPN, 8:00 PM EST)

Another aerial showcase that will brings the fireworks from every corner of the field. Tulsa's Paul Smith faces Bowling Green's Tyler Sheehan in a match in Alabama that will make for a nice final appetizer to the BCS National Championship.


You might want to loosen up the old necktie for this one. Tulsa quarterback Paul Smith throws it all over the park and -- with 4,753 passing yards and 42 touchdowns -- is behind only Texas Tech's Graham Harrell nationally. His counterpart, Tyler Sheehan, has thrown for 3,123 yards and 23 touchdowns for Bowling Green, which is making its third bowl trip in the past five years.
-- Chris Low

I look for the Falcons to stun Tulsa through a balanced attack and a complete shutdown of the Golden Hurricane's gunslinger here.

BoBA predicts: Bowling Green 56, Tulsa 35

BoBA 2007 Bowl Preview: Week 2

BoBA 2007 Bowl Preview: Week 2

In this part of the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue Bowl Preview, I break down the second week on non-BCS bowl action, featuring games from December 28 to 31. Okay, so it isn't a full week, but this will allow Week 3 to focus on the January non-BCS bowls, with Week 4 focusing on the BCS bowls. Here we have some of the more tantalizing matchups. Enjoy.

CHAMPS SPORTS

Boston College vs. Michigan State
Orlando, Fla.
Friday, Dec. 28 (ESPN, 5 ET)

Matty Ice...that's the nickname bestowed on Eagles QB Matt Ryan. After a Heisman campaign that just went south in a hurry, Ryan is looking to finish off a disappointing year with a solid outing in Orlando against the Michigan State Spartans.

The Spartans will be supercharged for their first bowl appearance since 2003, but for the Eagles, who thought they'd be in the Orange Bowl, it's more of a consolation prize. First-year Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio led his team to an eighth-place finish in the Big Ten. His Spartans will face Matt Ryan, the top quarterback in the ACC.
-- Heather Dinich

I am seeing this as a big Eagles victory, though Sparty is looking to capitalizing on a revitalized year under Mark Dantonio.

BoBA predicts: Boston College 38, Michigan State 28

TEXAS

TCU vs. Houston
Houston
Friday, Dec. 28 (NFL Network, 8 ET)

It wouldn't be the Texas Bowl without two teams from Texas duking out in Texas. It's only proper. But with Art Briles heading off to Waco to take over for Guy Morris at Baylor, the Cougars are in a state of transition against the always consistent Horned Frogs.

Houston is looking for a coach after Art Briles left for Baylor. He led the Cougars to four bowl games in five seasons but isn't expected to coach against the Horned Frogs. TCU had grand visions of a BCS bowl game in the preseason, but finished 7-5. The Horned Frogs beat UNLV and San Diego State in their last two games to become bowl eligible.
-- Mark Schlabach

This game will be hosted on NFL Network. I am looking for Texas Christian to make the Mountain West proud here.

BoBA predicts: TCU 24, Houston 21

EMERALD

Maryland vs. Oregon State
San Francisco
Friday, Dec. 28 (ESPN, 8:30 ET)

The Oregon State Beavers will come into the City by the Bay on an emotional high after winning the Civil War over the Dennis Dixon-less Ducks. Meanwhile, a schizophrenic season for Ralph Friedgen's Terrapis have them flying to the other side of the country looking for answers.

The Terps' reward for beating two top-10 teams this season? A mediocre finish and a trip to San Francisco to face the No. 3 team in the Pac-10. The Beavers will have an edge staying on the West Coast, but Maryland has a chance -- depending which side of its split personality shows up.
-- Heather Dinich

The power of coast advantage, plus momentum, has the Beavers taking this one.

BoBA predicts: Oregon State 41, Maryland, 20

MEINEKE CAR CARE

Connecticut vs. Wake Forest
Charlotte
Saturday, Dec. 29 (ESPN, 1:00 ET)

Here is a tasty Big East-ACC matchup. Randy Edsall vs. Jim Grobe. A co-Big East champion against an Atlantic Coast also-ran. It will go down to who wants it more. When it comes to a non-BCS bowl featuring BCS teams, this is what defines them.

UConn coach Randy Edsall and Wake coach Jim Grobe both beat Duke, and somehow they both managed to lose 17-16 to Virginia. The Deacs, playing roughly 80 miles from their home turf, should bring a strong crowd, but can quarterback Riley Skinner beat the Big East co-champions a second straight year?
-- Heather Dinich

This is a huge opportunity for UConn to exact some payback, after losing to Riley Skinner and the Demon Deacons last year. BoBA predicts that redemption will be granted in an ambush in the Tar Heel State.

BoBA predicts: Connecticut 38, Wake Forest 35 (OT)


AUTOZONE LIBERTY

Mississippi State vs. Central Florida
Memphis
Saturday, Dec. 29 (ESPN, 4:30 ET)

Sylvester Croom, like Mark Dantonio, is just happy that his team is going bowling, at the expense of Ed Orgeron's Rebels in the Egg Bowl. Meanwhile, under George O'Leary, the Conference USA Knights are looking to flex their muscles against one of the SEC's rising teams.

Trivia question: Who leads the country in rushing? You'll get to see him in the Liberty Bowl, and Mississippi State is next in line to try to stop him. Central Florida junior tailback Kevin Smith has rushed for 2,448 yards and 29 touchdowns. Sylvester Croom has worked wonders in turning around Mississippi State's program. He ought to be a lock for SEC Coach of the Year honors.
-- Chris Low

I am looking at UCF getting the job done. Kevin Smith will run rings around the Bulldog defense.

BoBA predicts: Central Florida 45, Mississippi State 38


VALERO ALAMO

Texas A&M vs. Penn State
San Antonio
Saturday, Dec. 29 (ESPN, 8:00 ET)

Joe Paterno makes another bowling round, as he has done for just about every year as the Nittany Lions coach. Meanwhile, the Aggies, who have made a head coaching change in Mike Sherman, have home field advantage, but with the team in transition despite a victory in the Lone Star Showdown, how will A&M adjust against Penn State?

Penn State's Joe Paterno will be coaching in his 500th game; Texas A&M's Gary Darnell will be coaching in his first as the Aggies' interim coach. Darnell, the team's defensive coordinator, replaces Dennis Franchione, who resigned after upsetting rival Texas in the regular-season finale. Penn State shut out the Aggies 24-0 in the 1999 Alamo Bowl.
-- Mark Schlabach

Lighting will strike twice here. Penn State will take this one.

BoBA predicts: Penn State 40, Texas A&M 35

PETROSUN INDEPENDENCE

Colorado vs. Alabama
Shreveport
Sunday, Dec. 30 (ESPN, 8:00 ET)

Every bowl features different storylines. In this bowl, the storylines couldn't be any more similar. Both teams are coming off emotional lows. Alabama was embarrassed by Louisiana-Monroe a few weeks ago, while the Buffaloes under Dan Hawkins had a season marked by blowout losses to Iowa State and Kansas State. And both teams only had one big win to note (Alabama over Tennessee, while Colorado defeated Oklahoma).

Alabama and its $4 million man, Nick Saban, went from overachiever to underachiever after an impressive 41-17 win over Tennessee on Oct. 20. The Crimson Tide never won again, including an inexcusable loss to Louisiana-Monroe two weeks ago. Which Colorado team is going to show up: the one that beat Oklahoma and played Kansas close, or the one that lost to Iowa State and gave up 47 points to Kansas State in a blowout loss?
-- Chris Low

Given the eventual outcome of the opponents mentioned...CU must win.

BoBA predicts: Colorado 31, Alabama 10

BELL HELICOPTER ARMED FORCES

Air Force vs. California
Fort Worth
Monday, Dec. 31 (ESPN, 12:30 ET)

Exit Fisher DeBerry, enter Troy Calhoun and an Air Force side rediscovering the winning edge they lost the past few years. For Jeff Tedford, the moods couldn't be any more somber. After losing six of their last seven games (the exception being a successful defense of the Stanford Axe against the Cardinal), a loss to the Falcons and Tedford will be on the hot seat.

Air Force plays in its first bowl in five years thanks to a revitalized offense under first-year coach Troy Calhoun. Sophomore Chad Hall blossomed in the second half of the season and leads the MWC with 1,415 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Falcons want to be in Fort Worth, and then there are the Bears, who lost six of their final seven games. Motivation might be a problem there.
-- Ivan Maisel

Air Force feasts on bowls that have a military touch to it, and saluter their fellow soldiers overseas. You can bet that the Falcons will be ready for this one.

BoBA predicts: Air Force 42, California 28

ROADY'S TRUCK STOPS HUMANITARIAN

Fresno State vs. Georgia Tech
Boise
Monday, Dec. 31 (ESPN2, 2:00 ET)

With Hawaii heading to the Sugar Bowl, Boise didn't want to stay in Boise, heading to the Hawaii Bowl, leaving Fresno State to take their place. Pat Hill's Bulldogs look to finish another solid season off against a Georgia Tech team looking for answers after Chan Gailey was fired days ago.

The Yellow Jackets already have lost their coach, now they have to avoid losing to Fresno State for the second time; the teams' only previous meeting was a 30-21 Bulldogs win in the 2002 Silicon Valley Classic. Under the direction of interim coach Jon Tenuta, aka the defensive coordinator, Georgia Tech has a chance to salvage its season by doing what it does best -- blitzing and stopping the run.
-- Heather Dinich

Fresno State will take this one in a high-scoring festival on the craziest 100 yards in America (assuming you do not put Barrow, Alaska in the same boat). The Hornets will be Ramblin Wrecked in a hurry.

BoBA predicts: Fresno State 63, Georgia Tech 49

BRUT SUN

South Florida vs. Oregon
El Paso
Monday, Dec. 31 (CBS, 2:00 ET)

After an ugly 3-game slump, Matt Grothe and the South Florida Bulls made amends by winning 3-straight games heading into the match with the Ducks. For the Ducks, who had the wheels fall off with Dennis Dixon busting his knees, they stumble into El Paso like a drunken boor looking to quench their thirst at a saloon.

Oregon's BCS championship hopes were derailed when quarterback Dennis Dixon tore knee ligaments late in the season. The Ducks lost their last three games -- against Arizona, UCLA and Oregon State -- without him. The Bulls were ranked as high as No. 2 in the country before losing three games in a row. South Florida recovered to finish the season with three straight wins.
-- Mark Schlabach

South Florida will have fun against the lame [sic] Ducks. Aflac anyone?

BoBA predicts: South Florida 36, Oregon 24

GAYLOR CITIES MUSIC CITY

Florida State vs. Kentucky
Nashville
Monday, Dec. 31 (ESPN, 4:00 ET)

Here is where Jimbo Fisher will need to show that he deserves to be Bobby Bowden's successor. You have to deal with a first-rounder in Andre Woodson. A man with an arm, great agility, and a release that will make the Seminole secondary scream at the heavens when the Wildcat offense scores.

Kentucky heads back to Nashville for the second straight year. Hope the Wildcats like country music. Andre Woodson has been one of the most improved quarterbacks in the country the past two years and should be a first-day pick in the NFL draft. He'll face a Florida State defense that deserved better this season. Yep, the Seminoles were that bad on offense.
-- Chris Low

As we all should know (especially when you are at a job interview), first impressions are important. Jimbo's will not look good as Kentucky slices and dices Florida State like meats at a teppanyaki grill.

BoBA predicts: Kentucky 51, Florida State 23

INSIGHT

Oklahoma State vs. Indiana
Tucson
Monday, Dec. 31 (NFL Network, 5:30 ET)

We all know Oklahoma State's head coach is a man. And so are his players. And Indiana's. The question is: is it going to be shootout, or a match between men against boys posing as men? Aside from all the talk about getting the facts straight, one fact is for sure: Indiana is bowling once again.

The Hoosiers, playing in their first bowl game in 14 seasons, are the feel-good story of the bowl season. The combination of quarterback Kellen Lewis and wide receiver James Hardy is fun to watch. The Cowboys scored at least 39 points in their six victories. They needed to. Their defense allowed 35 points in five of the six losses.
-- Ivan Maisel

Watch for the Lewis-to-Hardy connection in this game down in Tucson. Indiana will take down the Cowboys in a game where a solid defensive effort from the Hoosiers is going to be just as vital. This one's for you, Terry Hoeppner. Here's another fact: this is the second bowl game covered by the NFL Network.

BoBA predicts: Indiana 42, Oklahoma State 38

CHICK-FIL-A

Clemson vs. Auburn
Atlanta
Monday, Dec. 31 (ESPN, 7:30 ET)

The selection process for one of the most stories non-BCS bowls out there is one that you should check out on ESPN.com. Back to the game: it's a match of Tommy vs. Tommy. Bowden vs. Tuberville. It's an ACC-SEC matchup that will be one to savor as the New Year dawns on the world.

Auburn and Clemson are familiar foes, having played 45 times since 1899. The teams played in the 1998 Peach Bowl in Atlanta, with Auburn winning 21-17. Clemson has one of the country's most balanced offenses, led by tailbacks James Davis and C.J. Spiller and quarterback Cullen Harper. Auburn has one of the country's best defenses, allowing only 298.3 yards and 16.7 points per game.
-- Mark Schlabach

I am taking Auburn to pip Clemson in this one.

BoBA predicts: Auburn 24, Clemson 21 (OT)

Another brutal weekend of all sorts

This was another brutal weekend of all sorts. First, we will go to what made this weekend brutal for the local teams.

Start with the Angels. They are done. Boston swept L.A., 3-0 with a 9-1 win. Next, the local university football teams. Ugh. USC, what happened? The Trojans lost to a Stanford team that was coached by Jim Harbaugh, a rising sensation, who helped San Diego to winning some nice hardware. And no, I am not talking about the Chargers, I am talking about the Torero football team, who are still continuing on their merry little way under successor Ron Caragher. Harbaugh’s Cardinal pulled off the upset special at the Coliseum.

Meanwhile, Charlie Weis’s Notre Dame Fighting Irish are increasing their prospects of leaving the ESPN Bottom 10 with a victory over UCLA. As if things weren’t bad enough for Karl Dorrell after losing to Utah weeks earlier…it gets even worse.

Also, the Kings and Ducks choked again. The Stanley Cup hangover from hell rolls on. And Marion Jones admitted of her shortcomings. Take her medals away, Lord.

But, there were some good things that happened. In spite of Colt Brennan aggravating his injury, Tyler Graunke takes over and leads the Hawaii Warriors to a 52-37 victory over Utah State. I can see YouTube member ajscoll steaming over this. This guy shut his mouth weeks ago after laying on the smack. I know that if we lose next week, or the week after, or in a few, he will pop his ugly head and enter another troll remark. Warrior ohana on the Tube, that’s what the thumbs-down icon is for. Just in case.

Also, Long Beach State’s men’s water polo, women’s soccer, ice hockey, and women’s volleyball teams roll on to victories, with the women’s tennis team still going on. I guess I was expecting a bit too much from sophomore Derek Wiebe-Bailey, but I will not lay any sympathy out because he’s an underclassman. He will be the one that takes over for Steve McKenzie, so I was a bit perturbed that MIT cut it close in a 9-5 victory for us. He’ll improve. He has to. Otherwise, I reserve the right to ask myself…what is he doing here?

That’s the thing. Even when you win, there is always room to improve. I know those players on those teams know that they didn’t play their best game, and they’ll need to turn it up a notch for next week’s action. They must.

And finally, the Galaxy still are clinging to hope that they will enter the playoffs. They defeated Houston, 2-1. They are now on a tear. Toronto FC is next for them. If they are able to make the playoffs, my jaw is going to drop for a while.