AP picks UAB to beat UH by 7
By Ralph D. Russo
Associated Press
The bowl season has arrived and college football fans can expect two things: Lots of games and lots of points.
Nineteen of the 28 bowl games will be played between Tuesday and New Year's Eve. Many of the matchups may seem mundane, even odd. Memphis against Bowling Green? Toledo vs. Connecticut?
But don't be fooled. Often the pre-New Year's Day games are some of the most entertaining.
Check out some of these scores from last year's second-tier bowl games: Hawai'i 54, Houston 48; California 52, Virginia Tech 49; Miami (Ohio) 49, Louisville 28; Minnesota 31, Oregon 30.
There are a few potential shootouts this year, too — starting with Memphis vs. Bowling Green in GMAC Bowl.
The Falcons are one of a record five Mid-American Conference teams in the postseason and rank fourth in the nation in scoring at 43.6 points per game. Memphis, making its second straight bowl appearance after a 32 year drought, averages over 35 points.
Bowling Green quarterback Omar Jacobs is one of the nation's least-publicized stars. He's the nation's fourth-rated passer (167.8), and has thrown for 3,637 yards and 36 touchdowns.
Memphis counters with maybe the most underrated running back in the country in DeAngelo Williams. The junior is third in rushing with 166.2 yards per game.
The Hawai'i Bowl could also be a fun one with the Warriors facing UAB.
Tim Chang, the NCAA's career passing yards leader, and wide receiver Chad Owens, a second-team All-American, put up plenty of points and yards for Hawai'i. And the Warriors defense usually allows the same.
UAB's Darrell Hackney, a quarterback in the mold of the Minnesota Vikings' Daunte Culpepper, and wideout Roddy White, a third-team All-American, should make a good impression on NFL scouts.
Toledo and UConn in the Motor City Bowl features two more prolific passers in the Rockets' Bruce Gradkowski and the Huskies' Don Orlovsky. They have combined for 6,590 yards and 48 touchdown passes.
"We sure don't want a shootout," UConn coach Randy Edsall said. He might not have a choice.
Texas Tech's Air Raid will try to keep up with an surly and very good California team in the Holiday Bowl, but for pure entertainment the Liberty Bowl could blow them all away.
No. 7 Louisville is No. 1 in the nation, averaging 50.3 points per game. No. 10 Boise State is second in scoring at 49.7 points per game.
Liberty Bowl officials weren't thrilled with losing Utah to the Bowl Championship Series, but they got a great consolation prize in Boise State.
"It's such a unique matchup," Liberty Bowl executive director Steve Ehrhart said. "We're always having to battle the bowls that have beaches and fancy new stadiums. That's why, this time, we have a terrific opportunity to showcase Memphis."
The picks:
Tuesday
Champs Sports Bowl
Georgia Tech (minus 4 1/2) vs. Syracuse
No shootout here with Tech's tough defense ... GEORGIA TECH 22-14.
Wednesday
GMAC Bowl
Memphis (plus 4 1/2) vs. Bowling Green
Both teams looking for two straight bowl wins ... MEMPHIS 47-43.
Thursday
Fort Worth (Texas) Bowl
Cincinnati (minus 1 1/2) vs. Marshall
Bearcats QB Gino Guidugli likely to return from injury ... CINCINNATI 33-28.
Las Vegas Bowl
Wyoming (plus 12) vs. UCLA
Cowboys first bowl since 1993 ... UCLA 41-17.
Friday
Hawai'i Bowl
UAB (plus 3 1/2) vs. Hawai'i
Warriors have scored 82 points in past two Hawai'i Bowls ... UAB 45-38.
Dec. 27
MPC Computers Bowl
Fresno State (plus 5 1/2) vs. No. 18 Virginia
Not what the Cavaliers were hoping for ... VIRGINIA 36-16.
Motor City Bowl
Toledo (minus 3 1/2) vs. Connecticut
Huskies go bowling for first time ... UCONN 38-37.
Dec. 28
Independence Bowl
Iowa State (plus 3) vs. Miami (Ohio)
Cyclones are 1-6 in bowls ... MIAMI 29-23.
Insight Bowl
Oregon State (minus 3 1/2) vs. Notre Dame
Irish try to snap six-bowl game losing skid ... NOTRE DAME 22-17.
Dec. 29
Houston Bowl
Texas-El Paso (plus 3) vs. Colorado
Miners coach Mike Price is 3-2 in bowl games ... COLORADO 31-21.
Alamo Bowl
No. 24 Ohio State (plus 1 1/2) vs. Oklahoma State
Last time Buckeyes played in a bowl before Jan. 1 was 1993 ... OHIO STATE 27-21.
Dec. 30
Continental Tire Bowl
No. 25 Boston College (plus 3) vs. North Carolina
BC gets taste of life in ACC ... NORTH CAROLINA 27-21.
Emerald Bowl
New Mexico (minus 2 1/2) vs. Navy
Middies' last bowl win was 1996 ... NAVY 21-19.
Holiday Bowl
No. 4 California (minus 11 1/2) vs. Texas Tech
Beware angry Bears ... CAL 48-14.
Silicon Valley Classic
Troy (pick) vs. Northern Illinois
Troy's first bowl; Huskies' second ... NORTHERN ILLINOIS 30-17.
Dec. 31
Music City Bowl
Alabama (minus 3 1/2) vs. Minnesota
Tide returns to postseason after two year absence ... ALABAMA 27-26.
Sun Bowl
Purdue (minus 7) vs. No. 21 Arizona State
Sun Devils QB Andrew Walter out with injury ... PURDUE 28-14.
Liberty Bowl
No. 10 Boise State (plus 14) vs. No. 7 Louisville
This should be more fun than Graceland ... LOUISVILLE 56-40.
Peach Bowl
No. 14 Miami (minus 2 1/2) vs. No. 20 Florida
So, who exactly is coaching the Gators? ... MIAMI 32-21.
Last week of regular season: 5-2 (straight); 4-9 (vs. points).
Season: 194-52 (straight); 125-114-5 (vs. points).
