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Holidays Are Decked With Bowls & Bowls
Crystal Ball Gives Bad Omens For 2 Of 5 SEC Teams
With the winter holidays now upon us, it's time now to clear the dust from the old crystal ball and analyze the ever increasing amount of post-season bowl games. It seems like there are so many bowl games nowadays that names of vegetables will have to be used to name these increasing amount of post-season contests. Most college football coaches love the idea of creating more bowl games because it gives them another selling point for the recruiting season. But for the fans, its leaving them with watching more and more mediocre teams in bowls. This year's slate does possess some yawners, and television network officials might cringe when they see the ratings of some of these minor bowl games. Nevertheless, here are the opinions and predictions of yours truly on the upcoming bowl contests.
Todd Hallum
Cats' Pause Columnist
CHERRY BOWL - This game wi 11 feature Maryland's high flying aerial circus against a strong defensive-minded Syracuse team. It's interesting to note that two of Maryland's three losses have come at the hands of the No. 1 and 2 ranked teams in the nation (Penn State and Miami). Both of those were decided by a touchdown or less and could have easily been victories with a break or two. Syracuse on the other hand does have a very formidible defensive unit led by All-American defensive lineman Tim Green and could give Maryland quarterback Stan Gelbaugh trouble. However, Syracuse hasn't beaten anybody of any caliber this year. PREDICTION  Maryland by 18.
INDEPENDENCE BOWL - They might want to rename this bowl to the "Who cares bowl." Both Minnesota and Clemson finished their seasons with unimpressive 6-5 records. Even though Lou Holtz won't be 'pacing the sidelines* fof the 'Gophers, whrrafe making their ' first bowl appearance in almost a decade, I still think they should have no problems handling the Tigers. PREDICTION  Minnesota by Id
HOLIDAY BOWL  Anyone wanting to witness a high scoring game shouldn't tune in to this one. Both Arkansas and Arizona State have strong defensive clubs and points scored in this game will be hard pressed. Both teams have adequate running attacks but ASU rates an edge in the passing department, spearheaded by quarterback Jeff Van Raaphorst. PREDICTION  Arizona State by si.x.
LIBERTY BOWL  The underdog has traditionally done well in this bowl. Maybe its the frigid cold air in Memphis, which affects the teams that are favored. I'm sure LSU and their loyal supporters expected a better bowl considering the Tigers finished the season with an impressive 9-1-1 record. But I've got the feeling that Baylor may sneak up on LSU and pull the upset. PREDICTION Baylor by three.
CITRUS BOWL  Year after year the Citus Bowl has invited better quality teams for its bowl game in the warm setting of Orlando, Fla. In BYU and Ohio State its certain that footballs will fill the air. Ohio State has played the tougher schedule of the two teams participating in the rugged Big Ten this season. But despite putting the clamps on Iowa's Chuck Long, the Buckeyes did have a arduous time stopping the passing attacks of Illinois and Purdue. BYU has come on strong at the end of the season knocking off Air Force and will win the game in the final moments of the contest. PREDICTION  BYU by 7.
SUN BOWL  Like the Holiday Bowl, the Sun Bowl (Arizona versus Georgia), has all the makings of a defensive struggle. Arizona has been a puzzling team all year long knocking off SMU and eliminating in-state rival Arizona State from the Rose Bowl. Arizona, though, has lost to Stanford and Colorado. Georgia is a carbon copy of last year's Bulldog squad, finishing the season with losses to Auburn and Georgia Tech. On the basis of which team played in the tougher conference. Georgia rates a decided advantage. For that sole reason, the Bulldogs will roll all over Arizona. PREDICTION  Georgia by 23.
ALOHA BOWL - USC probably saved the integrity of the Aloha Bowl Committee by defeating Oregon in the last game of he season. After all, the Trojans finished the season with a disappointing 6-5 record. USC's opponent  Alabama  played its best football at the end of the season. Bama. who lives and dies by Ray Perkins' conservative game plans, went 4-0-1 following a heartbreaking 16-14 to SEC champ Tennessee. USC should make a game out of this one but will end up on the short end of the score. PREDICTION  Alabama by four.
FREEDOM BOWL  Colorado and Washington are two teams that were surprises this season for opposite reasons. Washington was expected to contend for national honors and make another Rose Bowl appearance but sputtered to a 7-4 slate this year. Colorado, under Bill McCartney's flexible wishbone attack, was a pleasant surprise and concluded the season with the same record as the Huskies. Washington will be hungry to redeem itself following a frustrating season and should defeat the Buffaloes. PREDICTION  Washington by 10.
GATOR BOWL  Oklahoma State will make its second straight trip to Jacksonville to face Florida State's explosive offensive attack. Last year the Cowboys pulled out a last second victory over South Carolina. But OSU won't be as fortunate as FSU's high-powered offense, along with an improving defense, should be too much to overcome. Bobby Bowden will have FSU in the proper frame of mind. PREDICTION  Florida State by 13.
BLUEBONNETT BOWL  Have to wonder if Texas will be motivated enough to face a hard charging Air Force club, who only lost one game all season. Last year Texas was thouroghly embarassed by Iowa 55-17 in the Freedom Bowl. With the efficient wishbone attack directed by the talented Bart Weiss, the fly boys might storm all over the Longhorns. PREDICTION  Air Force by 15.
Dalton Hilliard & LSU Had Better Watch Out
ALL-AMERICAN BOWL - In Michigan State and Georgia Tech the All-American bowl (formerly known as the Hall of Fame bowl) will display two defensive oriented teams. Both the Spartans of Michigan State and the Yellow Jackets from Georgia Tech saved their best performances for November, going undefeated. I believe Tech has the better signal caller in John Dewberry and he will prove to be difference. PREDICTION Georgia Tech by four.
PEACH BOWL  The struggling Peach Bowl, which had difficulty generating support for the game in the past, invited two high-scoring teams this year. Army and Illinois should move the ball up and down field all day long  the Cadets utilizing the running game and Illinois te pass. Illinois has more talent and quarterback Jack Trudeau will want to make his last game something to remember. PREDICTION  Illinois by 17.
FIESTA BOWL  This game will simply boil down to the aggressive defensive troops of Michigan squaring off against Nebraska's smooth running offense. Michigan all season long has shut down all types of various offenses. Bo Schembechler will have his howling Wolverines constantly swarming into the Nebraska backfield. PREDICTION  Michigan by 11.
COTTON BOWL  Texas A&M surprised everybody this season by capturing its first Southwest Conference championship in nearly a decade, and a half. Auburn on the other hand possesses an abundant amount of talent on both sides of the football and has been somewhat of a disapointment this year. But with Bo Jackson already having grabbed the Heisman Trophy, he will cherish the thought of completing his collegiate career in style. Texas A&M will be no match for the War Eagles. PREDICTION  Auburn by 14.
ROSE BOWL - Can the Big Ten finally win the Rose Bowl? Well, this year they will. Iowa led by the golden arm of Chuck Long should give UCLA all it will care to handle. UCLA has been called the "Back in Bruins" for the way they some how manage to sneak into the Rose Bowl for the past few years. UCLA will have a trying-time stopping Iowa's diversified offense as Long might have a field day. PREDICTION  Iowa by 17.
SUGAR BOWL  Tennessee will be making its first trip to New Orleans since 1970. Miami, which has the 1986 Heisman favorite in Vinny Testeverde, might be surprised by the tenacious Tennessee defensive unit. For Tennessee to pull the upset, Testeverde must be kept under control and ail-American wide reciever Tim McGee must generate the big plays catching passes from Daryl Dickey. This game will be closer than many people think. PREDICTION  Miami by one.
ORANGE BOWL  It's hard to imagine that Joe Paterno's bunch of over-achievers from Penn State will be playing for the national championship on New Year's night against Oklahoma. Penn State's offense is primarily predicated by the run and State will not be able to rush the football against Oklahoma's suffocating defense. OU coach Barry Switzer will best remember Paterno's comment relating as to why he didn't leave the college ranks a few years ago. Apparently, Paterno made reference to the fact he didn't want leave the college football to the likes of Barry Switzer and Jackie Sherrill. Paterno has since said his comments were taken out of context, but you better believe Switzer will get his Sooners at a fever pitch for this one. OU runs over the Nittany Lions. PREDICTION  Oklahoma by 24.