College football bowl guide pt. 1 (Dec. 22nd-28th)

By Brice Hamack
Sports Editor

12/22/09

MAACO BOWL (Las Vegas, NV):
18 Oregon State vs. 14 BYU 5:00pm PST

This is the first bowl game of the season to feature two ranked teams pitted against each other.  On the Oregon State side of the ball you will see running back Jacquizz Rodgers, a bite size running back who wreaked terror on the Pac-10 this past year, coming in second in total rushing yards to Heisman runner up Toby Gerhart.  Oregon State also features senior quarterback Sean Canfield, who will most likely get picked up in this year’s NFL draft, maybe by the Seahawks?  BYU is Washington’s first opponent in the 2010 season, and the Huskies first chance to get over their road loss skid, so UW fans might tune in to get a glimpse of the next team on their slate.

12/23/09

POINSETTA BOWL (San Diego, CA):
23 Utah vs. Cal 5:00pm PST

Both teams started the year ranked among the national elite, now after disappointing seasons they will be playing in the “wish we were in a better bowl” game.  The one saving grace to this bowl would have been Cal running back Jahvid Best, but after suffering a career threatening injury earlier this year he has been ruled out of the game and most likely will spend his time preparing for the NFL Draft.  Two teams that will play with their heads elsewhere give this bowl all the makings of a stinker.

12/24/09

HAWAII BOWL (Hawaii):
Nevada vs. SMU 5:00pm PST

SMU head coach June Jones returns to his old stomping grounds after bolting on Hawaii several years ago for the SMU head coaching job, and has had very little success since leaving the islands.  If you are thinking about traveling for a bowl game this year with Washington not in the picture, this one might take the cake just for the gorgeous December Hawaii weather alone.  Nevada’s highly touted rush offense is sure to have a field day against SMU’s lowly rush defense, a defense that gave Washington State it’s only win this year and prevented the Cougars from enjoying a 0-12 season.

12/26/09

LITTLE CEASARS BOWL (Detroit, MI):
Marshall vs. Ohio 10:00am PST

In what was formerly known as the Motor City Bowl, in what was formerly known as the Motor City, there won’t be much to see that you wouldn’t see at a local High School football game.  Living on the west coast has its perks in this one where you at least have some form of football to have on in the background as you enjoy those delicious Christmas leftovers for breakfast.  It is also a great excuse to avoid your extended family who insists on prodding you to find out why you still don’t have a girlfriend before they leave to head home.  Grab some comfort food and your new toys and wake up bowl season style on the couch with this one.

MINEKE CAR CARE BOWL (Charlotte, NC):
17 Pittsburgh vs. North Carolina 1:30pm PST

Pittsburgh is most likely the best team you will see play today.  They were a defensive stand away from winning the Big East title this year, and are going up against a very talented North Carolina defense that is statistically in the top 10 in the nation.  Pitt features redshirt freshman running back Dion Lewis who rushed for more yards this year than Heisman winner Mark Ingram and will provide a true test for the Tarheels.  Being played in Charlotte makes this essentially a home game for North Carolina, and also should mean a sell out which makes the game day atmosphere that much more entertaining.

EMERALD BOWL (San Francisco, CA):
Boston College vs. 24 USC 5:00pm PST

Southern California finds itself in its first non-BCS bowl since 2001 thanks to a full season faceplant.  Boston College on the other hand had an opposite path this year, being picked to finish last in their division; they reached a bowl game for the 11^th straight year and for the first year under a new coaching regime.  In what looked like an easy win for an angry USC team looking to make a statement going into the 2010 season, now looks to be a very even matchup due to the absence of USC running back Joe McKnight because of potential NCAA violations.  McKnight was spotted driving around a new Land Rover that belonged to a Santa Monica businessman that employs his girlfriend.  I’d be more inclined to find a girlfriend if I could find a girl who could get me hookups like that.

12/27/09

MUSIC CITY BOWL (Nashville, TN):
Kentucky vs. Clemson 5:30pm PST

These two teams come into this bowl game off of equally disappointing seasons, but on opposite bowl streaks.  Clemson has lost three straight bowl games, and Kentucky has won three straight.  The main reason to tune into this game is to watch what might be the most dynamic player in college football this year in Clemson running back CJ Spiller.  Making things worse Kentucky is without their top linebacker Sam Maxwell, look for Spiller to end his Clemson career in style before being one of the top running backs taken in next year’s NFL Draft.

12/28/09

INDEPENDENCE BOWL (Shreveport, LA):
Texas A&M vs. Georgia 2:00pm PST

Jerrod Johnson from A&M is the Big 12’s version of Jake Locker, and he will be fun to watch against Georgia’s defenseless defense.  Johnson almost single handedly lead A&M to a Thanksgiving night victory over rival Texas Longhorns, falling short in an offensive shootout.  This game has all the making of a similar fireworks display with two poor defenses and two high powered offenses.