Part I Record: 5-2
Part II Record: 3-1 with 2 to go
December 30th
Music City Bowl
Minnesota Vs. Virginia
Theme Song: 'Do That to Me One More Time' by The Captain and Tennille
For the 3rd time in 4 years the Golden Gophers will be playing in the prestigious Music City Bowl. The Gophers are undefeated in their previous 2 trips to Nashville, having beaten Arkansas in 2002 and Alabama last season. Laurence Maroney and Co. will run wild over the Wahoos.
Winner: Minnesota
Sun Bowl
Northwestern Vs. UCLA
Theme Song: 'Wild, Wild West' by The Escape Club
The Sun Bowl is shaping up to be an old-fashioned shootout. Both teams have very prolific offenses. UCLA ranks 7th nationally in scoring offense averaging 38.1 points per game while Northwestern ranks 32nd nationally in the same category with 31.8 points per game. Both teams are also horrendous on the defensive side of the ball. Northwestern ranks 102nd nationally in scoring defense allowing an average of 32.5 points per game and UCLA ranks 107th in the same category allowing 33.8 points per game. Get excited.
Winner: UCLA
Independence Bowl
Missouri Vs. South Carolina
Theme Song: 'Magic' by Olivia Newton-John
What else but the dark arts can explain South Carolina's sudden resurgence? Even with the OBC on board, many expected a year of growing pains as the offense adjusted to Spurrier's Cock N' Fire from Lou Holtz's Run-it-up-the-Gut. The Carolina offense has not been explosive, but The Cocks have kept games close and won most of these close games. Expect more of the same here.
Winner: South Carolina
Peach Bowl
Louisiana State Vs. Miami
Theme Song: 'Good Thing' by Fine Young Cannibals
This Peach Bowl certainly is a good thing. A match-up of 2 teams that could very well have won their respective conferences. However, without Jamarcus Russell at quarterback for LSU, the Hurricanes will blow through these Tigers.
Winner: Miami
December 31st
Meineke Car Care Bowl
NC State Vs. South Florida
Theme Song: 'You Keep Me Hangin' On' by Kim Wilde
When Chuck Amato came to Raleigh in 2000, he was supposed to raise the Wolfpack to a new level. He was to transform them from a mid-level BCS team to a conference title contender. Has he done that? Here's a quick comparison with his predecessor Mike O'Cain through both coaches first 6 seasons at NC State.
Amato's won/loss record: 45-28 .616
O'Cain's won/loss record: 35-34 .507
Amato's ACC won/loss record: 23-25
O'Cain's ACC won/loss record: 23-25
Amato's best conference record: 5-3
O'Cain's best conference record: 6-2
Year's above .500 in conference play for Amato: 1
Year's above .500 in conference play for O'Cain: 2
Draw your own conclusions.
Winner: NC State
Liberty Bowl
Fresno State Vs. Tulsa
Theme Song: 'Blame It On the Rain' by Milli Vanilli
In honor of the biggest frauds in music history, this song goes out to the biggest frauds in college football this season. They made us all believe with close losses on the road to Oregon and Southern Cal, but then the tape stopped and they lost to Nevada and Lowsyana Tech.
Winner: Fresno State
Houston Bowl
Iowa State Vs. Texas Christian
Theme Song: 'The Way It Is' by Bruce Hornsby and The Range
You go 10-1 overall and undefeated in conference play, and yet you're stuck playing in Houston on New Year's Eve? That's just the way it is if you don't play in one of the BCS conferences.
Winner: Texas Christian
January 2nd
Outback Bowl
Florida Vs. Iowa
Theme Song: 'Got My Mind Set On You' by George Harrison
This is what the Gators administration was humming last year at this time. Well, they got their man. Now they're stuck with him. His first season was not a rousing success, but it wasn't a real disappointment either. As has been discussed previously, Meyer's teams perform much better under his system in his second season. They'll get an early start against Iowa.
Winner: Florida
Cotton Bowl
Alabama Vs. Texas Tech
Theme Song: 'The Tide Is High' by Blondie
Self-explanatory.
Winner: Alabama
Gator Bowl
Louisville Vs. Virginia Tech
Theme Song: 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For' by U2
Frank Beamer is still seeking that elusive national championship, the only thing missing from his resume at Virginia Tech. Louisville is still searching for some national respectand recognition. After being blown out by South Florida and collapsing against West Virginia, the Ville faded from the national conscious. After this game, both will still be looking.
Winner: Virginia Tech
Capital One Bowl
Auburn Vs. Wisconsin
Theme Song: 'Physical' by Olivia Newton-John
Both teams will be very physical in this game. Auburn ranks 20th nationally in rushing yards per game and Wisconsin is 41st. Establishing the run is key to the success of both teams. Here's to you Mr. Alvarez, you've done a fine job at Wisconsin.
Winner: Auburn
Fiesta Bowl
Notre Dame Vs. Ohio State
Theme Song: 'We Are the World' by USA for Africa
A little ditty for the University of Football in America according to Tony Kornheiser that is more full of itself than Rick Rude. Go 9-2 against a tissue-soft schedule and you get into the BCS. Don't have any conference affiliation, have your own TV network, and give your coach an extension after 7 games on what he could possibly do next year. Here's hoping the Buckeyes curb-stomp the Irish.
Winner: Ohio State
Sugar Bowl
Georgia Vs. West Virginia
Theme Song: 'Didn't We Almost Have It All?' by Whitney Houston
A 1-point loss to Auburn and an injury to DJ Shockley are all that stands between the Dawgs and a possible undefeated season. West Virginia will keep this closer than most of the experts believe.
Winner: Georgia
Part IV will be up Tuesday.
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