17 Days of Bowl Season

It's bowl season kids, there's nothing like 17 days of college football!

It's like college football's version of Hanukkah, a little pigskin surprise every day leading up to the main event in Pasadena.

Let's not forget about the game behind the game, endless hours of grazing on holiday treats like an African water buffalo.

Nothing satisfies me more than eating 164lbs of holiday cookies, coffee cake, assorted chocolates (hate when I bite into the crappy ones), and anything else that might be close to my mouth.

But before you fall into your deep football coma, here's some games to stay awake for...

12/22 MAACO LAS VEGAS BOWL

#18 Oregon State vs. #14 BYU

Check out BYU QB Max Hall (30TDs) slinging the rock to their special tight end Dennis Pitta (NCAA all-time yards leader).  RB Harvey Unga is a beast in the backfield, fun to watch this wrecking ball get loose in the open field.

You want excitement?

The Beavers' QB Sean Canfield (70%) can flat out play.  Brothers James and Jacquizz Rodgers make up this entire offense (341YPG combined), and they make it look easy.  WR James Rodgers just might be one of the most explosive players in the country (184 all-purpose YPG).

12/29 CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL

#15 Miami FL vs. #25 Wisconsin

The nation's love affair with Canes QB Jacory Harris has cooled off and so have his numbers (17INTs leads nation).  Proven that he will make mistakes when pressured, how will a sore thumb affect him?  But this UM offense is still as athletic as they come and can strike at any moment.  With their versatile run game and Harris hitting on all cylinders, the Canes are tough to handle. 

The Badgers are fun to watch in the trenches on both sides of the ball.  In their last five ball games they've averaged 39PPG, and their pounding RB John Clay added 9TDs.  Strap it up Canes! On the other side DE O'Brien Schofield will impose his will in the pass rush (10sacks, 22.5TFLs), too bad their pass defense can't match his intensity.

12/30 PACIFIC LIFE HOLIDAY BOWL

#20 Arizona vs. #22 Nebraska

There might not be ANY points scored in this one with two very solid defenses.

The match-up to watch will be Arizona's strong O-line (11sacks allowed) against, you know who, Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh (12sacks, 23TFLs).  The Holiday Bowl always shapes up to be an exciting game.

12/31 BELL HELICOPTER ARMED FORCES BOWL

Houston vs. Air Force

Air Force boasts the best pass defense in the country (149YPG allowed).  Will it be enough to stop QB Case Keenum and this wild Cougar offense (581PG, 44PPG).

An x-factor might be the Falcons' run game with RB's Jared Tew and Asher Clark averaging 273YPG; control the clock and keep Houston off the field is their only chance.

This one should be fun!

12/31 BRUT SUN BOWL

Oklahoma vs. #21 Stanford

It's strange to see the Sooners down with the "common folk" playing before New Year's day.

I'm excited to see how my favorite player this season, Stanford RB Toby Gerhart, performs against a very stingy run defense (88YPG allowed).

Everyone will see why Gerhart should've been 'striking the pose' in NY when he rips up OU's defense.

1/1 CAPITAL ONE BOWL

#13 Penn State vs. #12 LSU

This one is always one of the best of bowl season.  A one game playoff to see which conference is the best, Big Ten or SEC?

Both squads have strong defenses but LSU has struggled on both sides of the ball late in the season.  Penn State's offense goes as QB Darryl Clark goes, and he played awfully well to close out the season.

LSU's young QB Jordan Jefferson has struggled all season and it won't get much easier against the Nittany Lions' front.  The Big Ten should make a statement in this one!