Week 3 College Bowl Picks

International Bowl
Rutgers vs Ball St.
Line: Rutgers by 10
Rutgers has been up and down this year, but I think their big offensive line will be able to pound the ball on offense and get enough pressure on Nate Davis to cruise to an easy victory. Rutgers 42, Ball St. 14
Watchability: *

GMAC Bowl
Bowling Green vs Tulsa
Line: Tulsa by 4
An exciting shootout is inevitable as Bowling Green and Tulsa run the same exciting spread offense. Tulsa's is just more exciting and diverse. Expect a shootout and an exciting precursor to the BCS Championship game. Tulsa 38, Bowling Green 31
Watchability: **

Outback Bowl
#16 Wisconsin vs #18 Tennessee
Line: Tennessee by 2
Wisconsin is not your stereotypical Big 10 team. If the last two years have taught us anything, they have enough team speed to compete with most SEC schools, as victories over Arkansas and Auburn in the last two years have proven. While Tennessee has the speed, Wisconsin should control the tempo with their big offensive line and smother Erik Ainge with their pressure. Wisconsin 21, Tennessee 19
Watchability: ****

Cotton Bowl
Arkansas vs #6 Missouri
Line: Missouri by 3
The way these two offenses run, expect a huge abundance of points. On one side, Missouri will have their hands full with the combination of Darrin McFadden and Felix Jones. On the other, Arkansas will have trouble stopping the Missouri spread attack captained so brilliantly by Chase Daniel. In the end though, it's hard to trust the Razorbacks' hot-and-cold QB play. Missouri 31, Arkansas 24
Watchability: ****

Capital One Bowl
Michigan vs #12 Florida
Line: Florida by 10.5
This could possibly be the biggest mismatch out of all the bowl games. Michigan's disappointing year has been highlighted by inconsistent QB play and spotty defense. Florida's spread attack will run circles around the Wolverine defense and Tim Tebow will justify the Heisman hype with another 200-100 game. Florida 38, Michigan 14
Watchability: ****

Gator Bowl
Texas Tech vs #20 Virginia
Line: Texas Tech by 6
Chris Long is the type of pass-rusher who can disrupt a team's entire passing offense and that's what I have a feeling he'll do against the Red Raiders. By putting pressure on Graham Harrell, he'll throw off his rhythm and keep Tech from moving the ball consistently. Offensively, the Cavs will play an efficient, mistake-free game and control the clock against the undersized Red Raider defense. Virginia 23, Texas Tech 17
Watchability: ***

BCS BOWLS

Rose Bowl
#13 Illinois vs #7 USC
Line: USC by 14
We kick off the BCS feast with an intriguing Pac 1o-Big 10 matchup. The Trojans have healed up and overcome their midseason funk, but Illinois has shown drastic improvement in year 3 under Ron Zook. I think they have the athletes to go up and down the field with USC, but ultimately, the Trojans' depth will be too much for Illinois. USC 24, Illinois 21
Watchability: ****

Sugar Bowl
#10 Hawaii vs #5 Georgia
Line: Georgia by 7.5
One of the biggest things I noticed when watching Hawaii is how good their athletes are. These guys are no joke, their receivers could play for just about any school in the country and they have some linemen that play with loads of intensity. Georgia is very good and as hot a team as there is in the country, but what they'll find is that you can't underestimate Colt Brennan's heart, and he'll make enough plays to keep it close. Georgia 34, Hawaii 28
Watchability: ****

Fiesta Bowl
#9 West Virginia vs #4 Oklahoma
Line: Oklahoma by 7
West Virginia comes into this game reeling after blowing a shot at the National Title game with an embarrassing home loss to Pitt and watching their coach jump ship before their BCS game. OU is playing at as high a level as anyone in the country. They thumped Missouri in the title game and should rough up the already-banged-up duo of Pat White and Steve Slaton.
Oklahoma 38, West Virginia 21
Watchability: ****

Orange Bowl
#8 Kansas vs #3 Virginia Tech
Line: Virginia Tech by 3.5
What Mark Mangino has done with this Kansas team is nothing short of miraculous. With their spread attack, I think they can give the Hokies a lot of problems on defense. LSU exposed their weaknesses early in the year and VT hasn't faced an offense that good in ACC play. They're in for a rude awakening. Kansas 34, Virginia Tech 31
Watchability: ****

BCS Championship Game
#1 Ohio St. vs #2 LSU
Line: LSU by 4
This controversial title game is the end result of one of the wackiest years ever in college football. If any season cries for a playoff to be instituted in college football, this is it. With our current system, though, these are the de-facto #1 and #2 teams in the country. Ohio St. brings a tough defense to the table, but LSU has so many weapons at RB, not unlike the Illini team that beat OSU at home earlier this year. If OSU has the same kind of trouble against LSU's attack, they'll have to score a lot of points to keep up with the Tigers. LSU needs to jump on the Buckeyes early and force them to play from behind, where their offense is less effective because they can't rely on running the ball. LSU 34, Ohio St. 27
Watchability: *****


Week 2 vs Spread 8-5
Week 2 Striaght up 9-4
Season vs Spread 12-9
Season Straight up 16-5