Thursday Bowl Picks  

Walter:

Alabama +3.5 over Oklahoma State

Let's be clear, I am a Crimson Tide fan and that, and that alone, is why I am picking them in this game. 'Bama has no chance. They have been a mediocre team all season, and now they are dealing with the uncertainty of an interim coach after losing Mike Shula (who I get the feeling was fairly popular among the players). The Alabama program has spent far more time over the past two weeks worrying about who their next coach will be then preparing for an explosive and underrated Cowboys team. This is a dead man walking game.

Texas A & M +4 over California

An interesting game between two teams and two coaches that just cannot win big games. That said, I like the way that A & M has been playing over the past few weeks. They have to be buoyed by the huge win over Texas (when they really dominated the Horns), their biggest win to date under Franchione. California, on the other hand, has lost two of their last three, and did not play well against a terrible Stanford team. Marshawn Lynch may be the best player in the game but he has been off recently, and has topped 100 yards only once in the last 4 games. The A & M defense is strong, and their offense will control the line of scrimmage and the clock with Lane and Goodson. Plus I will never go against my main man Stephen McGee. A & M takes it outright, 21-20.

Kansas State +7 over Rutgers

This game should be a preview of two of the chic teams for 2007. Rutgers arrived on the scene this year, as did K State with their win over Texas. Rutgers is the more experienced team, but the Wildcats, and QB Josh Freeman, may have more talent. Plus, it's not like Rutgers has been blowing anyone out this season. Kansas State reminds me a lot of the South Florida team that Rutgers struggled with. Expect a big game from Brian Leonard in his last appearance for the Scarlet Knights, but without any semblance of a passing game this one stays close until the final horn. Call it Rutger 23-20.

Overall Bowl Record: 7-2

Frazier:

Oklahoma St. -3.5 over Alabama

Um, let's see, one of these teams is in completel and utter turmoil after a disappointing season and playing without a coach. The other team is Oklahoma St. The Tide were thoroughly unimpressive all season, and I think it's asking a lot for them to get their shit together for this one. I hate picking the Big 12 over the SEC, but Alabama is not exactly the cream of that conference, and things have been more than a little hectic over there in Tuscaloosa. I see it as a roll over and die sort of game for them. The Cowboys roll, 34-17.

Texas A & M +4 over California

Well, I'm officially on the Aggies bandwagon. It's a team with guts led by McGee on the offense (with the indescribible Javorskie Lane toting the rock) and Mark Dodge as the defensive leader. Can't love what California brings to the table, and I've had terrible luck picking against A&M. I think they get physical, and make it a battle, but the Bears use superior athleticism to win by the slimmest of margins. Call it Bears, 24-21.

Kansas State +7 over Rutgers

Love this line. Rutgers hasn't exactly steamrolled teams this year, and they've been playing Big East foes all season. Kansas St. has a couple of good wins under their belts, and they have a lot of talent. This was a huge disappointment for Rutgers, but it's a great opportunity for the Wildcats to get more exposure than they normally would in a nominal bowl like this one. I like them to take advantage of that opportunity. Fuck Rutgers, I'm calling the full upset. When the Scarlet Knights needed a win against WVU to make the BCS, the Mountaineers put up huge numbers with their back-up quarterback, and Pat White was the key to that offense. I don't like teams that choke, I don't like teams that get destroyed and totally out-played by Cincinatti, and I don't like teams from New Jersey. It's K-State, 27-23.

Overall Bowl Record: 5-4