I went 2-1 in my bowl predictions yesterday, coming out positively thanks to Rice routing Western Michigan in the Texas Bowl and Oregon outlasting Oklahoma State in an offense-filled Holiday Bowl. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it three for three, as Maryland held off Nevada 42-35 in the Humanitarian Bowl, largely in part to having their way with one of the best run defenses in the nation.
Today, I’ll have another trio of predictions to make as we round out 2008. Since the Armed Forces Bowl and Sun Bowl were early starters, I missed out on those, but below are my predictions on the Music City Bowl, Insight Bowl, and Chick Fil-A Bowl.
If you’re looking for updated odds on today’s bowl action, check out Doc’s Sports college football odds section. If you’re trying to get last-minute tickets for some of the rest of the bowl games on the slate, we’ve got you covered.
Music City Bowl (Nashville, TN): Boston College vs. Vanderbilt
So, Vanderbilt’s in a bowl game. The last time that happened, I wasn’t born.
While the ‘Dores struggled to get that elusive sixth win after their impressive 5-0 start, Boston College is coming off of their second straight ACC Atlantic Division title.
It’s safe to say that Boston College is the better team, and their offense is a lot more serviceable than Vanderbilt’s. But unless both teams decide to take the day off defensively, I don’t see a lot of points being scored in this one. In fact, both defenses have had a hand in scoring points this season, so don’t be surprised to if there are as many defensive touchdowns as offensive.
BC has won eight bowl games in a row and should make it nine, but you have to wonder if they consider this game a letdown after having a chance at a BCS bowl. If the Commodores are inspired and not shell-shocked by their first postseason appearance, then I see them coming out on top in a close one.
Prediction: Vanderbilt 23, Boston College 16
Insight Bowl (Tempe, AZ): Kansas vs. Minnesota
Call this one the Glen Mason Bowl, if you will. Mason coached at Kansas from 1988-96, then left for Minnesota, where he coached for 1997-2006. His last game at Minnesota was the 2006 Insight Bowl, in which Minnesota surrendered a 38-7 third-quarter lead to Texas Tech and lost 44-41 in overtime.
Tim Brewster has engineered a quick turnaround at Minnesota, going from 1-11 in 2007 to 7-5 this season. But, the Golden Gophers come in having lost their last four games, including getting blown out 55-0 by Iowa at home to end the season.
Kansas, also 7-5, had a letdown after last year’s Orange Bowl campaign, but they finished the regular season with an upset of rival Missouri in a 40-37 thriller.
Minnesota can put up some points, but I think their defense will have some problems slowing down Todd Reesing and his wealth of receiving options, led by Dezmon Briscoe and Kerry Meier.
Prediction: Kansas 38, Minnesota 24
Chick-Fil-A Bowl (Atlanta, GA): Georgia Tech vs. LSU
LSU seems to turn it on when they reach the postseason, and I think Les Miles will have done all he can to erase thoughts of a subpar campaign in which LSU lost five of their last six SEC games.
A win for the Tigers would end a disappointing year on a positive note, and I think they can really make a game of it – and even win. But the momentum is all on the side of the Jackets, and they have the chance for their first 10-win season since 1998 and to finish close to or in the top 10.
LSU’s rushing game can keep up with Tech’s for a little while, but I don’t have a ton of faith in their defense or quarterback play to pick them here.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 37, LSU 27
