Back to normal: another Bowl, another loss

Yesterday's result
Pac Life Holiday Bowl:
Texas 52, Az St 34 MY PICK: ASU 31, Texas 25

MY Bowl Season record: 2-6

The thing about my predictions is, when I miss, I MISS.

Not only did the Sun Devils get throttled by an uncharacteristically hungry Longhorn team, but the fact that Texas overcame one of the wackiest plays in recent bowl history and still won going away made the loss all the more painful-and perplexing.

Leading 21-0 after a first quarter blitzkrieg that saw ASU cough up the ball twice and look as hapless as the Miami Dolphins, Texas was the victim of one of the strangest plays in bowl history when an assistant coach--who just happened to be head coach Mack Brown's stepson-- touched a live Sun Devil fumble that ended up giving the ball to ASU, which then subsequently scored on the ensuing play to put ASU back in the game, 21-7.

Too bad for Devils fans that belated Christmas present didn't pay long term dividends, as Texas, behind QB Colt McCoy's 258 all-purpose yards and RB Jamaal Charles' 161 yards on the ground, routed the hapless Sun Devils in another high-scoring Holiday Bowl.

Which ended up dropping my Bowl Season record to a dismal 2-7.

Alas I've basically given up all hope of even sniffing .500 this postseason, and I've nearly decided to use the old gambler's trick of going with the opposite team that I think is going to win just so I can salvage some sort of dignity this year--or at the very least have a legitimate excuse why I suck so bad at prognosticating football games.

No matter the horrendous record, I will soldier on, and with three games on tap tonight, I still see the glass as half full, although an 0-3 tonight could force me into another 2 month semi-retirement. But I will say this: my predictions are gong to be a lot shorter from here on out.

Champs Sports Bowl
Boston College (10-3) vs. Michigan St (7-5)
5:ooPM ESPN, Orlando
Line: BC -5

Call this one the after work special. About the time everyone who isn't on vacation is cutting out for the weekend, these two schools will be squaring off for the first time in what should be another entertaining bowl game.

BC had a terrific season, climbing all the way to the taboo Number 2 ranking, led by probable top-10 NFL draft pick, QB Matt Ryan. despite the disappointment of falling to a lower-tier bowl, the Eagles should have enough offense to overcome a lackluster Spartan squad, which is just happy to be bowling after a disappointing campaign under first-year coach Mark Dantonio.

Look for Ryan to light up the porous (27PPG) MSU defense, and the Eagles to roll in their first bowl game since 1993.

MY PICK: BC 28, MSU 19

Texas Bowl
TCU (7-5) vs. Houston (8-4)
8PM NFL Network, Houston
Line: TCU - 6 1/2

looks like this game is living up to its name as two home state squads square off in a game for bragging rights in the Lone Star state.

TCU was supposed to have a big year, but early season losses to Air Force and Wyoming put a halt to any BCS dreams. Houston, meanwhile, was a pleasant surprise, finishing in the top three in C-USA in scoring, rushing yards and passing yards per game. Running back Anthony Aldridge is a beast, rushing for a near-school record 1568yards and 14 TDs, and with the Cougars scoring 36 PPG, the Horned Frogs #16 rated defense will have their work cut out for them if they want to salvage what could have been a special season.

MY PICK: Houston 27, TCU 21

Emerald Bowl
Maryland (6-6) vs. Oregon St (8-4)
830PM EST San Francisco ESPN
Line: OSU -4 1/2

In one of the many 'who cares?" bowls of the season, OSU's power running game should be too much for a weak Terrapin defense, and combined with a solid Beaver rushing defense (2nd in the NCAA), that should be enough to propel Oregon State to the win.

MY PICK: OSU 31, Maryland 21