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| 2004 BOWL PREVIEWS ... PART III | |
| December 30, 2004 | |
| Jonathan, SCS.com Editor | Contact Jonathan |
OUTBACK BOWL
THE MATCHUP: (10) Georgia vs Wisconsin
SCS.com MATCHUP RANKING: #11 of 28
WHY TO WATCH: If you like grind-it-out football, then this is the game for you. Both teams play great 'D', the Dawgs giving up just over 16 points a contest, the Badgers just under 15. Two of the nation's best defensive linemen, UGA's David Pollack and UW's Erasmus James, show their stuff.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: The team that can get more offensive production will get the win in this one. UGA has the more well-balanced attack and is led by veteran QB David Greene. Three touchdowns can spell victory here, and that's just what Georgia's Dawgs will earn down in Tampa.
THE EDITOR SAYS: Georgia 21 - Wisconsin 13
COTTON BOWL
THE MATCHUP: (15) Tennessee vs Texas A&M
SCS.com MATCHUP RANKING: #7 of 28
WHY TO WATCH: Both of these teams had their ups and downs throughout the season, and both showed the capability of being a top ten team. UT beat Florida and Georgia but got thumped by Auburn and Notre Dame. A&M knocked off Oklahoma State and Texas Tech but was beaten by Baylor.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: Which two teams will show up for this one? Though the Aggies lost two of their last three, they played well in each game. The Vols won two of their last three but beat Vandy and Kentucky by only a combined eleven points. Aggies playing in their home state...
THE EDITOR SAYS: Texas A&M 24 - Tennessee 21
GATOR BOWL
THE MATCHUP: Florida State vs West Virginia
SCS.com MATCHUP RANKING: #17 of 28
WHY TO WATCH: This is the least-exciting game of New Year's Day. Both teams ended their seasons with a huge flop, and each would rather be playing in a BCS bowl. However, it is a chance for WVU to take a swing at the most-hated ACC and show that the Big East isn't as bad as it looks.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: The Mountaineers lost to Boston College and Pittsburgh to end their season. Florida State isn't a great team but is much better than those two. FSU, who has the ACC's top rushing defense, lost three games this season by a combined 16 points. No loss in this one.
THE EDITOR SAYS: Florida State 24 - West Virginia 14
CAPITAL ONE BOWL
THE MATCHUP: (9) Iowa vs (11) LSU
SCS.com MATCHUP RANKING: #5 of 28
WHY TO WATCH: This game may be overlooked by some at first glance, but it is one of the more captivating, evenly-matched games of the entire bowl season. Both teams claim defenses ranked in the top twenty nationally, and both offenses score only in the twenties on average.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: What kind of effect will the Nick Saban saga have on the Tigers? That remains to be seen, but this is known: the Tigers were overshadowed by Auburn in the SEC West all year long. LSU has won six straight, while Iowa claims seven consecutive victories. Down to the wire...
THE EDITOR SAYS: LSU 23 - Iowa 17
ROSE BOWL
THE MATCHUP: (6) Texas vs (12) Michigan
SCS.com MATCHUP RANKING: #3 of 28
WHY TO WATCH: The Longhorns finally got the BCS berth they've been chasing since the system came into existence six years ago. Michigan won the Big Ten, but things ended on a sour note with a loss to Ohio State. Will Texas take care of business now that they've finally made it here?
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: Michigan was the Big Ten's best team this fall, but the Wolves are not without faults. They lost big at Ohio State, and the defense is just middle-of-the-pack in the Big Ten. Texas has their big chance, and Cedric Benson, the nation's 2nd-leading RB, will help the Horns to victory.
THE EDITOR SAYS: Texas 28 - Michigan 20
FIESTA BOWL
THE MATCHUP: Pittsburgh vs (4) Utah
SCS.com MATCHUP RANKING: #8 of 28
WHY TO WATCH: Utah earned the first-ever BCS bowl berth for a team whose conference is not one of the six major BCS leagues. The Utes obviously have doubters, as does Pittsburgh, perhaps the BCS's biggest disgrace in history. Who proves the many doubters wrong down in Tempe?
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: Pittsburgh slipped in thanks to a horrendous Big East. The Panthers lost to UConn and Syracuse this season, and the team's offense and defense rank 3rd and 4th in the conference respectively. Utah, averaging over 46 points a game, has yet to lose and won't start now.
THE EDITOR SAYS: Utah 34 - Pittsburgh 21
SUGAR BOWL
THE MATCHUP: (3) Auburn vs (8) Virginia Tech
SCS.com MATCHUP RANKING: #2 of 28
WHY TO WATCH: This is easily the second-most exciting BCS game of the season. Both teams are flying high coming into this one. The Tigers are unbeaten this season, while Virginia Tech has won eight straight and was the outright conference champion in their first year in the ACC.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: Special teams will play a huge role in this one, and that usually favors Virginia Tech. The Tigers have a point to prove, however, and the senior trio of QB Jason Campbell and RBs Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown will make sure AU goes out with a bang.
THE EDITOR SAYS: Auburn 31 - Virginia Tech 28
ORANGE BOWL
THE MATCHUP: (2) Oklahoma vs (1) Southern Cal
SCS.com MATCHUP RANKING: #1 of 28
WHY TO WATCH: It's the national title game. Though some question the two teams playing in Miami, USC and OU were numbers one and two throughout season in the SCS Fab 15. Two of the nation's top five defenses and top ten offenses are going head to head. Winner gets the trophy!
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: Like the Sugar Bowl, special teams will be huge. USC's Reggie Bush and OU's Antonio Perkins can take a punt to the house at anytime. Just like four years ago, OU will head to Miami after their QB came up just short in the Heisman race. Make it number two for Stoops.
THE EDITOR SAYS: Oklahoma 23 - Southern Cal 20
The Editor's Final CFB Records:
Bowls: 15 - 13 (.536)
For the Season: 223 - 113 (.664)
Game of the Week: 10 - 2 (.833)
