2007 Bowl Match-ups and Predictions

With the first bowl games of the Division I FBS postseason getting under way this week, let’s take a look at this week’s match-ups…

SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION POINSETTIA BOWL Dec. 30 9 ET

Utah (8-4) vs. Navy (8-4)

This match-up may not seem too attractive to the casual fan. But I’m actually looking forward to this game a good deal. Navy’s got an amazing running game — the nation’s best, to be exact. Utah’s got a rough defense and arguably the best kicker in the land. Lest we forget, the Utes started the season at 1-3. But, after that, with a healthy QB in Brian Johnson, they won 7 of their last 8 games. And they were a minute away from winning all 8. RB Darrell Mack is a horse. They’d be wise to give him the ball early and often.

Navy lost their coach recently, but assistant coach Ken Niumatalolo was quickly named as Paul Johnson’s successor — in other words, the Midshipmen shouldn’t miss a beat. Their running game has run up points on many an opponent. The problem? The Midshipmen defense gives up over 36 points a game.

Look for the Utes to exploit Navy’s defense. Look for the Utes to somehow be offended that Navy has the best running game in the nation. Utah survived a shoot out with Louisville. This will be on a lesser scale, but entertaining nonetheless. It’ll be worth a watch.

Utah 40 Navy 31

R+L CARRIERS NEW ORLEANS BOWL Dec. 21 8 ET

Memphis (7-5) vs. Florida Atlantic (7-5)

The Owls’ 5 losses go like this — (at) Oklahoma State, (at) Kentucky, South Florida, UL Monroe, and (at) Florida.

Can you really blame them for any of those beside the UL-Monroe loss?

The Tigers’ 5 losses go like this — Mississippi, (at) UCF, (at) Arkansas State, Middle Tennessee, East Carolina

Not so impressive…

In other words, Florida Atlantic is battle tested. Memphis, on the other hand, is not. Both teams can pass the ball. Neither runs the ball all that well.

I may watch this one by default — there are no other bowl games on the 21st. It also depends if there’s a good CSI episode on or not.

Florida Atlantic 30 Memphis 24

PAPAJOHNS.COM BOWL Dec. 22 1 ET

Southern Miss (7-5) vs. Cincinnati (9-3)

Somehow Cincinnati has to play in this one. They began the year hotter than hot. And their three losses came by a margin of 7, 4, and 5 points. Think about it… the Bearcats are 10 points away from being in the BCS title game. And they get the Southern Mississippi Eagles…

RB Damion Fletcher scorched defenses for 1431 yards this year. Then again, Tulane RB Matt Forte and UCF RB Kevin Smith tore up the C-USA, too.

Cincinnati lets up 105 yards a game on the ground. Combine that with a less than amazing passing game, the Bearcats should be able to pack the box and stop Fletcher. Give the ball back to QB Ben Mauk, and let the magic begin.

I’m not sure how competitive it will be, but Ben Mauk’s a great QB and Cincinnati plays solid ball. Watch if you want. Won’t blame you if you don’t.

Cincinnati 33 Southern Mississippi 15

NEW MEXICO BOWL Dec. 22 4:30 ET

Nevada (6-6) vs. New Mexico (8-4)

Nevada boasts the 7th ranked offense in all of the land. New Mexico boasts a solid defense. What’ll give? We’ll find out…

The Lobos don’t score a lot of points. The Wolf Pack does.

The key here will be the running game of the Wolf Pack. RB Luke Lippincott racked up 1380 yards. QB Colin Kaepernick ran for 567 yards himself. If New Mexico can stuff the running game, they have a good chance. Unfortunately for them, Kaepernick tosses TDs and doesn’t toss INTs. The Lobos must get the Wolf Pack to put the ball on the floor.

RB Rodney Ferguson is key for the Lobos. Sometimes they get away from giving him the ball… for some reason… Their best chance is to get Ferguson going early and often. If they can do that, they’ll be able to burn Nevada’s defense.

This game’s got potential. I’d watch it. It could be a runner’s paradise. My heart says New Mexico. My head says Nevada. OT sounds good.

Nevada 27 New Mexico 24 (OT)

PIONEER LAS VEGAS BOWL Dec. 22 8 ET

BYU (10-2) vs. UCLA (6-6)

For the second year in a row a 10-win BYU team gets to take on a middle of the road Pac 10 team that’s finished on a downslide. Last year it was Oregon, this year it’s UCLA. Either way, don’t expect much different from last year’s 38-8 result in favor of the Cougars.

For UCLA, health is the issue. If they’re healthy, they’ll be able to make a game of it. If injuries are still a factor, kiss this game goodbye. They’re not deep enough to compete with a rapidly improving team like BYU. The key here will be the BYU offense versus the UCLA defense. We know the UCLA offense is rather weak. Their hope of winning lies on the defense’s ability to shut down BYU’s potent offense and create some turnovers. If the Cougars score more than 20 points, UCLA is in trouble.

We must remember that these two teams faced off in the Rose Bowl in week 2. UCLA came out with a 27-17 win. That was before the Bruins’ injuries. That was before the BYU offense got acclimated to Max Hall. That was before freshman RB Harvey Unga got the carries he needed to become a 1000 + yard rusher. That was before UCLA lost 5 of 7 games to end the season. That was before UCLA’s coach got booted.

Oregon may very well have beaten BYU early on last year if they had played. But, in the end, BYU whipped them good. Expect the same this time.

Worth watching if you’re a Cougar fan. For everyone else, it could be rather average. For the football purist, turn this one on to see sophomore QB Max Hall and freshman RB Harvey Unga.

BYU 34 UCLA 10