2008 Bowl Previews, Part 1

Let's begin our quick look into each bowl game this season. There are plenty of great matchups this season, but some real duds, too. I'll give the basics for each bowl game; who's in it, when, why I (and you) should take the time to watch, and which team gets the early nod.

Part 1: EagleBank Bowl thru Pacific Life Holiday Bowl
Part 2

EagleBank Bowl 
Dec. 20 / 11 a.m.

Wake Forest (7-5) vs. Navy (8-4)

Why I should watch: Wake Forest was a hot team coming into the season, but turned out to be less than stellar. The Demon Deacons did beat Ole Miss, who beat Florida in The Swamp. Navy is a service academy, which is always appealing to watch, especially since the Middies are the best of the best at running the triple-option. Plus, it's not every day you get football during brunch.
Early line: Wake by 3.
On paper, this game gets a... 5/10.


New Mexico Bowl 
Dec. 20/12:30 p.m.

Colorado State (6-6) vs. Fresno State (7-5)

Why I should watch: Remember when Fresno State was a hot team this year? Well, it seems the Bulldogs were just another product of the September hype machine. Colorado State is the first team we're looking at that shouldn't be in a bowl game, but that's for a whole other post.
Early line:: Fresno by 3.
On paper, this game gets a... 1/10.

Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl 
Dec. 20 / 8 p.m. 

BYU (10-2) vs. Arizona (7-5)
Why I should watch: The Pac 10 was reeling this season, but Arizona managed to eke out a bowl big with a win over State. It was a nice little story no one cared about. BYU on the other hand, was everyone's darling for most of the year, fluttering in and out of the top-15.
Early line: Zona by 2.
On paper, this game gets a... 4/10.

MagicJack St. Petersburg Bowl 
Dec. 20 / 9 p.m. 

South Florida (7-5) vs. Memphis (6-6)
Why I should watch: The Bulls were supposed to contend for the Big East championship, but stumbled to 7-5. They have a good playmaker in QB Matt Grothe, and a decent defense when they want to be. Memphis is another team that shouldn't be in a bowl game
Early line: USF by 12.5.
On paper, this game gets a... 1/10.

R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl 
Dec. 21 / 8 p.m.

Troy (8-4) vs. Southern Miss (6-6)

Why I should watch: Remember (yeah, I know I started this way already...) when Ohio State struggled with Troy at home, and all the SEC folks were pointing their fingers and laughing at the Big Ten? Well, where were they all when Troy was up 31-3(!) over LSU in Baton Rouge before blowing the lead? There's no other interest in this bowl other than how Troy played against the "big boys" this season. Southern Miss is Team No. 3 that shouldn't have gotten a bid.
Early line: Troyjans by 4.5.
On paper, this game gets a... 2/10.


San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl 
Dec. 23 / 8 p.m. 

TCU (10-2) vs. Boise State (12-0)
Why I should watch: Finally, a decent bowl game. Even though Boise State didn't play anyone this season outside of Oregon, they were still one of only two teams (Utah) boasting a perfect record. The real equalizer for this one is that it's in San Diego, not the frozen tundra known as Boise, Idaho. The Horned Frogs have one of the best defensive lines in college football, with all four of its starters named to the All-MWC teams this year.
Early line: says: Frogs by 2.5.
On paper, this game gets a... 7/10.

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl 
Dec. 24 / 8 p.m.

Notre Dame (6-6) vs. Hawaii (7-5)
Why I should watch: There are two kinds of people in this country: Those who like Notre Dame, and those who hate Notre Dame. This game will draw an audience for no other reason than those watching will either want the Irish to win, or they want them to lose. Oh, and a few Hawaii fans thrown in too. Besides, what else is there to do on Dec. 24?... oh, wait...
Early line: Hawaii by 1.5.
On paper, this game gets a... 4/10.

Motor City Bowl 
Dec. 26 / 7:30 p.m.

Florida Atlantic (6-6) vs. Central Michigan (8-4)
Why I should watch: Ahh, the grace and beauty of Detroit in December. Central Michigan has made this place its second home during the winter, while Florida Atlantic will get off the plane and realize why no southern teams want to play up north after October.
Early line: Chipps by 7.
On paper, this game gets a... 1/10.

Meineke Car Care Bowl 
Dec. 27 / 1 p.m. 

North Carolina (8-4) vs. West Virginia (8-4)
Why I should watch: North Carolina had a good year, but not great. West Virginia had a very not-good year, but not horrible. Although both teams took steps in opposite directions this season, they both seem poised for big things in 2009. How big? This game could tell us a lot about where they'll be next season.
Early line: Even.
On paper, this game gets a... 5/10.

Champs Sports Bowl 
Dec. 27 / 4:30 p.m. 

Florida State (8-4) vs. Wisconsin (7-5)
Why I should watch: This would have been the best bowl matchup of the season... if it were 1998 or 1999. But it's 2008, and the two programs are shells of what they were a decade ago. Still, two name-brand teams will draw some eyes, mine included. At one point this year, these were two teams with promise. Then reality set in.
Early line: Noles by 5.
On paper, this game gets a... 5/10.

Emerald Bowl 
Dec. 27 / 8:30 p.m.

Miami (7-5) vs. California (8-4)
Why I should watch: California is a little better than its records shows, as is Miami. This is going to be a vastly underrated matchup between two very decent football teams. While Cal wasn't anything special this year, it won a big game early against Michigan State. Miami is very athletic, and should be a real killer next year.
Early line: Cal by 7.5.
On paper, this game gets a... 6/10.

Independence Bowl 
Dec. 28 / 8 p.m.

Louisiana Tech (7-5) vs. Northern Illinois (6-6)
Why I should watch: This game will have to compete with the NFL on Sunday, but if you're like me and playing any one of the million bowl pick'ems, it's worth a few minutes.
Early line: NIU by 1.5.
On paper, this game gets a... 1/10.

PapaJohn’s.com Bowl 
Dec. 29 / 3 p.m.

Rutgers (6-6) vs. NC State (6-6)
Why I should watch: If you told me in September that these two teams would go bowling this year, I would have laughed in your face. Who's laughing now? Rutgers made one of the best intra-season turnarounds I can remember (trumping Penn State 2001, since RU made a bowl), and NC State is steadily returning to respectability under Tom O'Brien.
Early line: K'niggits by 7.
On paper, this game gets a... 4/10. (only because I'm from North Jersey)

Alamo Bowl 
Dec. 29 / 8 p.m.

Northwestern (9-3) vs. Missouri (9-3)
Why I should watch: Missou was at one point ranked No. 3 this season, only to lose three games. Northwestern was the cinderella story in the Big Ten this season, just beating out Minnesota for the honor. The Alamo Bowl really scored a knockout game here, even though one of these 9-3 teams is much better than the other.
Early line: Missou by 13.
On paper, this game gets a... 6/10.

Texas Bowl 
Dec. 30 / 8 p.m.


Western Michigan (9-3) vs. Rice (9-3)

Why I should watch: I still don't quite understand why the freakin' NFL Network is broadcasting a bowl game, but oh well. Western Michigan has been a pretty good program the last few years, while Rice has a very dynamic (I hate that word in sports) pass-catch duo in Chase Clement and Jarett Dillard. Sparks could fly in this one.
Early line: Rice by 3.
On paper, this game gets a... 4/10.

Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl 
Dec. 30/4:30 p.m.

Maryland (7-5) vs. Nevada (7-5)
Why I should watch: The field is made of blue turf. Sure, it'll make your eyes hurt for a bit, but isn't that the idea? Maryland was on the brink of a good season, but then turned into the same team that lost to Middle Tennessee State earlier this year. The Terps did beat Cal though. Two of Nevada's five losses were to Texas Tech and Missouri, so you have to give them a little credit where it's due.
Early line: Pack by 1.5.
On paper, this game gets... 3/10.

Pacific Life Holiday Bowl 
Dec. 30 / 8 p.m.

Oklahoma State (9-3) vs. Oregon (9-3)
Why I should watch: Playing on a Tuesday will never draw too many eyes, but the teams playing this year will more than make up for it. In prime Holiday Bowl tradition, two really good teams go at each other. Oregon fell of the map early this year, but turned it around, capping the season with by blasting Oregon State. Oklahoma State lost to the teams it was supposed to, and there were only three of them.
Early line: 'Boys by 3.
On paper, this game gets a... 7/10.

Part 2