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Forget the Fiesta, Miami is nations best this year
But West Virginia will win it in the polls
With the new year fast approaching, it's time to dig out the old crystal ball and analyze this season's slate of football bowl games. Of course, the showcase of this year's bowl scene is in Tcmpc, Ariz., in the Fiesta Bowl.
Todd Hallum
Cats' Pause Columnist
which once again should crown a national champion When No. 1 Notre Dame battles the up-and-coming, third-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers. Now, here goes with the picks:
?DEPENDENCE BOWL: l ike In some other bowls, a head coach will be coaching his last game. At UlfcP. Bob Stull has already agreed to Missouri's offer to become the Tigers' new mentor next year as his Miners prepare EOT Southern Miss  Stull has done a wonderful job in resurrecting the UTEP program, now a consistent contender in the Western Athletic Conference. Both teams ha\e played very mediocre schedules and appear even on paper. However, we'll lean toward to Miners in what will be Stull's swan song.       UTEP b\ 3
?SUN BOWL: In what appears to be the biggest mismatch in the bowls. Sun Bowl officials might be worrying about a blow out in this Christmas Eve game. Arms has not beaten a soul all season while Bill Curry seems to have the Tide of Alabama on a roll after an impressive win at Texas A&M in the Gilbert Bowl to end the regular season. Derrick Thomas and Co. will shut down the Cadets' wishbone. Roll Tide.     Alabama by 24
?Al.OHO BOWL: 1 his one has all the makings of an offensive shootout. In fact, it might be one of the better non-Jan. 2 games this year. Washington State has one of the better underpublicized quarterbacks in the nation with Tim Rosenbach while Houston will counter with coach Jack Pardee's run-and-shoot. Although Houston has won one more game than the 8-3 Cougars, State has played better on the road. The Pac-10 was one of the most improved conferences in the nation this year and WSU will deliver the .goods. Washington State by 6
LIBERTY BOWL: With both South Carolina and Indiana losing three of their last five games, ticket sales at both schools have been lagging tot this one in Memphis. Especially at South Carolina, which is reporting a plethora of tickets not being taken by Gamecock fans. Already, much has been said about a reported steroid scandal at Carolina which shocked many in college football circles. Both teams possess potent passing attacks, the Gamecocks with Todd Ellis (who was a Heisman candidatei and IU countering with Dave Schnell. However. South Carolina has been very erratic lately, veiling clobbered at Georgia Tech and annihilated at home against Florida State. Indiana has a better balanced team and should give Bill Mallory his first bowl victory as the IU coach. Indiana by 13
?ALI/-AMERICAN BOWL: It should be interesting to see just how many Florida and Illinois fans make the trip to Birmingham for this bowl. Florida has been up-and-down all season and lost five of its last six games while the Illini were a surprise in the Big Ten under first-year coach John Mackovic. In fact, the Illini pulled off upsets over Ohio State and Indiana this season. December nights can be very cold in Birmingham, and because the Gators don't have a passing game they will
Georgia's Dooley (left) to go out a winner;
have a hard time moving the football against Illinois. In an upset... Illinois by 7
?FREEDOM BOWL: Freedom Bowl officials might be second-guessing themselves for selecting BYU over Arizona to match up against Colorado. BYU lost two of its last three games and the neglected Wildcats of Arizona were playing good football at the end of the season. Both teams can put points on the board and will try to lure some fans in southern California. However. Colorado looks to have played the better schedule and has the better team. Colorodo by 11
?HOLIDAY BOWL: Holiday Bowl officials were praying that WAC champion Wyoming would stay undefeated, but the Cowboys' sojourn for an undefeated season was derailed in front of an ESPN audience at Houston. Oklahoma State still can't crack the Big Two of Oklahoma and Nebraska, but this year's team, led by Barry Sanders, appears even better than the one that won the Sun Bowl last season. OSU can score points in bunches and Wyoming hasn't proven itself against quality competition. Sanders will let everybody know why he won the Heisman Trophy. Oklahoma State by 16
? PEACH BOWL: N.C. State will be making its second trip in three years to face a disappointing Iowa club in Atlanta. The ACC was slightly improved this season and had a competitive race for the league crown. Iowa, on the other hand, never could come together and somehow played to a tie three times. On paper. Iowa looks a little better, but the intangibles are in State's favor. N.C. State by 3
?GATOR BOWL: The Gator Bowl saved face by selecting Michigan State after seeing Pitt lose rather handily at Syracuse. In fact, the Spartans, after getting off to a horrendous start, won their last six games of the season. But you better believe the Bulldogs of Georgia will be playing with extra incentive trying to win Vince Dooley's last game as the school's football coach. Last week Dooley announced he will step down as head coach to pursue a career in politics. Michigan State has momentum, but Georgia has Tim Worley. and sentiment, on its side. Georgia by 6
?HALL OF FAME BOWL: By switching from Birmingham to Tampa, the Hall of Fame Bowl has attracted some quality teams over the last couple years. This bowl will showcase a high-powered Syracuse offense against a tenacious LSU defense. This season Syracuse went about its business and compiled a 9-2 record. LSU was SEC co-champ, tying Auburn for the league crown. When it comes to selecting a winner. LSU must get the nod because of a much tougher schedule. LSU makes amends for the Miami embarrassment. LSU by 7
Nehlen's club will upset No. 1 Irish
?COTTON BOWL: This is a nice intersectional matchup between Arkansas and UCLA. Arkansas almost made a claim for a possible national title shot when the Hogs nearly upset Miami in December. However. Ken Hatfield's team will be facing one of the premier bowl teams in the Bruins. Terry Donohue rarely loses a postseason game and should devise a game plan to neutralize an aggressive Arkansas defense. Troy Aikman will be ready to show why he will be one of the top quarterbacks taken in the NFL draft. UCLA b\ 12
?ROSE BOWL: In what was a rarity last season, a Big Ten representative finally won a Rose Bowl game. However, it is interesting to note that rep was not Michigan or Ohio State who upset USC last season. It was Michigan State. This year it's Michigan, which means the usual Big Ten fate. Bo Schembechler will have the Wolverines fired up for this one, but USC. with Rodney Peete, has too many weapons. USC by 4
?SUGAR BOWL: Will Florida State fans throw ties at Pat Dye when Auburn takes to the carpet in the Superdome? Well. I'm sure his decision to go for a tie against Syracuse last year will be much-talked about in New Orleans before this year's tussle. However. Pat will have much more to worry about in trying to "tie down" (pun intended) a powerful FSU offense. There's no question the Seminoles can score from any place on the football field,, but Auburn has a defense that can put tremendous pressure on FSU quarterback Chip Ferguson. Believe it or not. Dye is 3-1 against Bobby Bowden's 'Noles over the years. Call it an upset...      Auburn by 3
?ORANGE BOWL: Forget the Fiesta Bowl teams, folks. Miami has the best college football team in the nation. What other team has defeated the likes of Florida State, Michigan. LSU and Arkansas? Give up? Nobody. The Hurricanes have talent galore and Steve Walsh at quarterback to boot. Nebraska, on the other hand, is no slouch and seems to play well in an underdog role. But Jimmy Johnson will win his second straight Orange Bowl. Miami by 10
?FIESTA BOWL: The battle for the national championship will directly focus on two of the better all-around quarterbacks in the nation. Notre Dame has Tony Rice while West Virgina has a major talent. That's Major Harris. There's no question the Irish have taken a tougher path in going undefeated this season, but West Virginia seems to be a team of destiny, right Beano? Both Lou Holtz and Don Nehlen are premier coaches and will have their teams tuned up for a great game. But for some reason, the Mountaineers will win it for the state of West Virginia which has been waiting for this game for a long, long time.      West-by-God-Virginia by 7
..........*-.