Bowl Predictions

Capital One Bowl

January 1, 2014--Orlando, Florida 1pm EST 

#9 South Carolina (10-2) vs #19 Wisconsin (9-3) 

The Gamecocks enter this match-up riding a five game winning streak and are looking for their third straight 11 win season in Columbia. South Carolina QB Conner Shaw has left his mark on the Gamecock football program and will look to go out on the winning side when he takes the field against Wisconsin. Shaw has been impressive again this season completing 61% of his passes for 21 touchdowns and only 1 interception this year. You'd be hard pressed to find a ratio that solid anywhere in the country. Mike Davis has led the way on the ground for Carolina with 1134 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns. The Gamecocks haven't always blown  the competition, but when it came down to the wire, more times than not, they found a way to get the job done. The Gamecocks were 4-1 in games decided by a touchdown or less this season. Wisconsin hasn't drawn too much attention throughout this season but definitely deserve all of South Carolina's respect. The Badgers have a solid rushing attack and average 283 yards per game ranking 8th in the nation. They average nearly 36 points per game and are a stingy group on defense giving up only 14.8 points per game. A Top QB-RB duo in Joel Stave who has tossed for over 2,000 yards this season (20 TDs, 12 INTs) and Melvin Gordon who is closing in on a 1500 yard season with 1466 yards entering the bowl game and 12 touchdowns lead the way. The Badgers handled two top 25 teams with relative ease in #19 Northwestern (35-6) and #25 Minnesota (20-7) and gave Ohio State all they could handle on the road in Columbus before falling to the Buckeyes 31-24. I could see this one going either way but give the ever-so-slight advantage to Shaw and the Gamecocks. They've found a way to win close games and they get it done on New Years Day. 

The Pick: South Carolina 

FedEx Orange Bowl 

January 3, 2014--Miami, Florida 8:30pm EST

#12 Clemson (10-2) vs #7 Ohio State (12-1) 

Both teams enter this game looking to redeem themselves from their previous performance. The Tigers had six (!!!!) turnovers against the Gamecocks and couldn't seem to get out of their own way in their regular season finale loss in Columbia. Ohio State's last outing didn't turn out so well either and the Buckeyes were horrible on third down covering on only 1 of 10 against Michigan State in the Big Ten Championship. Both of these teams have explosive offenses. Ohio State is fourth in the country in scoring offense putting up 46 points per game and the Tigers aren't too far behind with 40.2 per game. Along with high powered offenses, both teams also have suspect defenses. Clemson simply didn't have an answer for Winston and the Seminoles who dropped 51 on the Tigers and Conner Shaw had his way against Brent Venables' defense. That should scare the daylights out of Clemson fans. With all due respect to Conner Shaw, if we couldn't slow him down its going to be even more difficult to stop the rushing attack of not one, but TWO 1,000 yard rushers in QB Braxton Miller and RB Carlos Hyde. However, Ohio State's defense has also had some major issues especially in the pass defense department which keeps this game way more interesting and scary for Buckeye fans. In their last two games, the Buckeyes gave up 755 yards combined through the air. If you've watched the Tigers at all this season you know they have a wealth of big play receivers and you better believe Clemson will take shots down field early and often and challenge this Buckeye defense. I'm also interested to see what the Tigers can do on the ground. If and that is a big if, Clemson establishes a running game early and Boyd is able to tuck it and run and pick up 4, 5, or even 6 yards here and there, that will open up the passing game and I like our chances and match-ups against Ohio State's defensive backs.

I think this game is going to be a shootout. While I'm not convinced Ohio State has played  (and beat) a quality opponent, the same could be argued for the Tigers. I think this game comes down to who can up with that big turnover that gives their team an extra possession that could be the difference in this high scoring frenzy. Clemson will be playing with a chip on their shoulder and looking to redeem themselves from not only the 70-33 loss to West Virginia in Miami two years ago but their two embarrassing losses this year to Florida State and South Carolina...the only two teams that defeated Clemson last season as well. Bottom line is I think there is more uncertainty on the Tiger sideline. What team will show up in Miami? The one that took down UGA? How bout the team that was down 17-0 against FSU before some fans even got to their seats? Only time will tell. That being said, I have to go with the Buckeyes in a close one. 

The Pick: Ohio State

BCS National Championship

January 6, 2014--Pasadena, California (8:30pm) EST

#1 Florida State (13-0) vs #2 Auburn (12-1) 

I don't believe there is a single person in the WORLD who had these two teams meeting up in Pasadena but if you've watched this wacky season of college football, this match-up should no surprise you. Florida State has cruised through this season with ease and have been dominant every time they stepped on the field. The Seminoles are 2nd the nation in points scored with 53 per game and on defense they are 1st in the nation allowing only 10.7 points per game. Freshmen sensation and Heisman winner Jamies Winston has been phenomenal but has had quite the supporting cast as well. The Seminoles have NFL-ready talent at nearly every single position on the field and have a head coach that is quickly on the rise and is on pace to be among the greatest to ever coach at Florida State. Auburn has been the comeback team of the year. The Auburn Tigers were just 3-9 last year and now they are 12-1 and are 60 minutes away from capturing another National Championship. Gus Malzhan has been simply amazing and his Tigers have found the most improbable ways to win this season. In back-to-back games to conclude the regular season, Auburn scored in the final moments of the game to win. Some would call it luck, and they would be right. However, some times its better to be lucky than to be good. Auburn however has proved its not only lucky, but a great football team and they have earned their trip to Pasadena, make no mistake about it. Florida State on the other hand could be more questionable. Yes they have been absolutely dominant, but their level of competition is not even in the same ball park as Auburn. (SEC! SEC! SEC!....happy now?) That being said, Auburn is a very predictable team. They literally run the same handful of plays time and time again at you. I guess you could say that they bore you and put you to sleep with it then catch you napping and hit you with the big play. With plenty of time to prepare and break down film, I think this FSU defense will be well prepared for Tre Mason and company and will make them fight for every yard. I'm by no means an ACC homer but if there was ever time for me to pull for the ACC against the SEC, its now. I think Winston and the Seminoles get the job done in Pasadena by a touchdown. 

The Pick: Florida State

Other Picks:  

Chic-Fil-A Bowl:  #24 Duke (10-3) over #21 Texas A&M (8-4)

Gator Bowl: #22 Georgia (8-4) over Nebraska (8-4) 

Alamo Bowl: #10 Oregon (10-2) over Texas (8-4) 

Outback Bowl: #16 LSU (9-3) over Iowa (8-4) 

Cotton Bowl: #8 Missouri (11-2) over #13 Oklahoma St (10-2) 

Rose Bowl: #4 Michigan St (12-1) over #5 Stanford (11-2)

Fiesta Bowl: #15 UCF (11-1) over #6 Baylor (11-1) 

Sugar Bowl: #3 Alabama (11-1) over #11 Oklahoma (10-2)