Same qualifier as last time – these are my picks, not official Maddux picks. They are also, as the name says, gut feelings, not carefully researched opinions.
Independence Bowl – Louisiana Tech (even). Northern Illinois comes in winning just one of four. Louisiana Tech won four of five. They are just the better team, so picking them when you don’t have to give up any points is a good thing.
Papa John’s Bowl – Rutgers -7. Both teams closed out hot, but Rutgers was better. They won their last six, and they finished off with a blowout of Louisville.
Alamo Bowl – Missouri -12. I don’t trust the Tigers, but I don’t feel like there is a choice. Northwestern came a long way this year, but they were really outclassed by Ohio State, and just aren’t ready for elite competition. This one will be a shootout, and I don’t think Northwestern can keep up.
Humanitarian Bowl – Nevada -2. Nevada finished out with three wins, and they stayed close to Boise State. Maryland lost three of four, and looked largely disinterested. I don’t always like picking the non-BCS team over the BCS one, but I feel okay with it here at this price.
Texas Bowl – Rice -2.5. This one’s going to be a shootout – I’d take the over. I could see it going either way, but ultimately I like Chase Clement better as QB than Tim Hiller, and I love watching Jarett Dillard catch the ball.
Holiday Bowl – Oklahoma State -3. This one seems fairly easy. If Oregon was in the Big 12 it wouldn’t have near the same record it does, and if Oklahoma State was in the Pac-10 it wouldn’t have three losses. One or two at the most. This one seems like a bot of a bargain at this price.
Armed Forces Bowl – Houston -3. There couldn’t possibly be two more contrasting styles. Pass is a dirty word to Air Force, yet it is all Houston can do. Houston can’t stop the pass, but in the end I’m not convinced that a decent but not overwhelming run offense can keep up with a very explosive, effective pass offense.
Sun Bowl – Pitt +2.5. I don’t leave either of these teams, but Pitt comes in playing better, and I think that they have been tested more this year – I don’t love the Big East, but I really hate the Pac-10 this season.
Music City Bowl – Vanderbilt +3.5. Two teams that aren’t very impressive, so I’ll take the home team.
Insight Bowl – Kansas -8.5. I would love to pick Minnesota – they are my wife’s favorite team. I just can’t trust a team that lost 55-0 to Iowa in their last game. Kansas isn’t great, but they are better than their record because thy had to play a truly brutal schedule.
Chick-fil-A Bowl – Georgia Tech -4. This will be a good test of whether the Yellow Jackets offense is for real. I just keep thinking back to what they did to Georgia, and I can’t believe that LSU is motivated enough after a lousy season to chase Georgia Tech around all night.
