By Dannie Oliveaux and John Leggett
After a couple of weeks of relaxation, the Ol’ Pickers decided to take a stab at some college bowl games. We picked 12 of the major bowl games to be played Jan. 1 to the national title game on Jan. 7.
Outback Bowl: Northwestern vs. Auburn
DO: Tigers get win not far from home. AUBURN
JL: Let’s see, didn’t Bo Jackson graduate from Auburn. Bo knows football and so do I. I already penciled in Auburn on my bracket. AUBURN
Capital One Bowl: LSU vs. Penn State
DO: Second meeting for these two powerhouses. LSU
JL: I’ve got to go with my fierce, mighty fierce Tigers of the PURPLE and gold Louisiana State U. contingent – even though I was born in Pittsburgh, I never was much of a fan of JoPa or those boring Penn State uniforms. LSU
Gator Bowl: West Virginia vs. Florida State
DO: Bobby Bowden’s last game end with a win. FLORIDA STATE
JL: I’m with my prognosticating brother on this one. If those Noles can’t win one for Florida State’s longtime mentor, BB that is a sad day. FLORIDA STATE.
Rose Bowl: Ohio State vs. Oregon
DO: Which Duck team will show up in Pasadena? OHIO STATE
JL: Even my Dad, who graduated from OSU will admit that the Buckeyes have been bridesmaids to many times. But at least the Buckeyes don’t have OSU on their helmets. The might fire those Webfeet from Oregon a little to much. You know – the Civil War and all that good stuff…OSU also stands for Oregon State University. Even if the Buckeyes lose though at least we will get to see the script OHIO spelled out by the band. Being a Cougar alum I usually root for the Pac-10, but not this time. Yeah, my dad has managed to brainwash me into to banging the drum slowly for…..THE, OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
Sugar Bowl: Florida vs Cincinnati
DO: Urban Meyers final game, Gators get blow out win. FLORIDA
JL: Not so fast my French friend – One Philadelphia Eagles tight end Brent Celek was graduated from Cincinnati, didn’t he have about a 1,000 yards receiving game against the Denver Broncos, arguably one of the finer secondaries in the NFL. I’m calling it right now – the Cats in a huge upset…..CINCINNATI
Papajohns.com Bowl: South Carolina vs. UConn
DO: Huskies playing in memory of deceased teammate. UCONN
JL: Well, let’s see. Wasn’t the last pizza bowl kind of nail biter…With the Thundering Herd of Marshall have their vaunted defense’s mettle tested at game’s end? This could be another cliffhanger. So, I just flipped a pizza – I mean a coin and it came up with the plume of the feisty Gamecock showing. SOUTH CAROLINA
Cotton Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss
DO: Rebels will rebound to end season on high note. OLE MISS
JL: I wouldn’t cheer for Oklahoma State if you paid me. OLE MISS.
Liberty Bowl: Arkansas vs. East Carolina
DO: Hogs will go wild on Pirates in Memphis. ARKANSAS
JL: Sorry Pirate backers, but fabled ECU running back, Chris Johnson, who is about to eclipse Marshall Faulk’s single season rushing record (they play Seattle in week 17 dudes)doesn’t play for Buccos of ECU anymore. Therefore I agree with my comrade in guessing. ARKANSAS
Alamo Bowl: Michigan State vs. Texas Tech
DO: Passing attack will lift Red Raiders to win. TEXAS TECH
JL: I don’t know this for a fact, but I am guessing that MSU has been to more bowl games than Texas Tech. MICHIGAN ST.
Fiesta Bowl: Boise State vs. TCU
DO: Is TCU the best team in the nation? Perhaps. TCU
JL: Go Horned Froggies. TCU
Orange Bowl: Iowa vs. Georgia Tech
DO: Hawkeyes pound pesty Yellowjackets. IOWA
JL: The rabbling wreck from Georgia Tech will roll. GA. TECH
National Championship Game: Texas vs. Alabama
DO: Roll Tide, roll. ALABAMA
JL: I have always loved that expression, Hook’em Horns. So just to be a burr in old Dannie’s saddle I’ll go TEXAS.
