Over the next 2 weeks, we will be previewing every single bowl game from a fans and bettors perspective. But first, let’s look at which teams will come into their bowl match-ups with terrific motivation.
Teams Ready For a Battle
1) Purdue (-2.5) (6-6) vs. WMichigan (7-5) - After an inauspicious start to the season with a 24-22 road loss to Rice in game 2, Purdue rebounded in Big Ten play to finish .500 in conference and clinch bowl eligibility with a road win at Indiana. When Purdue suits up against Western Michigan, they will be playing their first bowl game since the 2007 Motor City Bowl against Central Michigan. These players and Coach Danny Hope will be ecstatic to play in their first bowl game and will come with a tremendous effort.
2) Baylor (-9) (9-3) vs. Washington (7-5) - Beyond playing better than any other team in the Big 12 over the past month and having the potential Heisman winner at QB, Baylor has much to prove this bowl season. After being perennial bowl watchers, they were embarrassed last year in their home state in the Texas Bowl by Illinois, 38-14. The fact is, many people still do not regard this Baylor team as legitimate, and they will be out to prove everyone wrong.
3) Northwestern (+10) (6-6) vs. Texas A+M (6-6) – Every year, the Wildcats sneak into a bowl game as huge underdogs and always show up with a terrific effort. They have had 3 straight tight losses (all 3 spread covers and 2 OT losses) to superior Texas Tech, Auburn, and Missouri teams. This year, in a season where their starting QB and best player, Dan Persa, battled injuries throughout, they won 4 of their last 5 just to make a bowl game. Expect another great effort from Pat Fitzgerald’s squad.
4) Vanderbilt (-2.5) (6-6) vs. Cincinnati (9-3) - After a two-year bowl absence, this underrated Commodores squad enters this game with 4 of their 6 losses coming by less than a td against strong competition. In order to earn bowl eligibility, Vandy needed a win at Wake and they blasted the Deacons 41-7. If this Vandy squad were named Florida, they would be favored by a touchdown against a Cincy team struggling to replace their injured star QB, Zach Collaros. No doubt this group will show up to prove to everyone that they are legit.
5) Kansas St. (+8) (10-2) vs. Arkansas (10-2) – All year, the pundits awaited the Wildcats “inevitable” slide. The only problem is it never happened. If you take away the poor losses to two tough squads, Oklahoma and Okla. St., this team has an impressive resume of victories over difficult competition. In addition, Bill Snyder has played up his team’s underdog role all season long. No doubt he will continue to preach about his squad’s lack of respect against a heavily favored Arkansas team.
I think Vanderbilt is going to put a show on in Memphis. This team should've beaten Arkansas, but a missed 29-yard field goal as time expired crushed the upset hopes. They are very well-coached, and the time off will benefit them much more than Cincy. Go Dores.
ReplyDelete