the booooj:
AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic
Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas
10 Units on Ole Miss (+4) over Texas Tech
Mississippi (8-4) vs. Texas Tech (11-1)- Texas Tech will come into this game with a chip on their shoulder. They still have a bad taste in their mouth from the beating that Oklahoma put on them, they feel their season warranted a birth in a BCS game, and QB Graham Harrell was snubbed on an invite to New York for the Heisman trophy presentation. The Red Raiders have been one of the most entertaining teams to watch all season and were one of the nation’s best teams for most of the season. Wide Receiver Michael Crabtree is in all likelihood playing in his last game at the collegiate level and will look to go out with a bang. Crabtree creates all types of matchup problems for opposing defenses, which creates opportunities for other receivers, and Graham Harrell is a master at exploiting those opportunities. Ole Miss comes in as a team on the rise, and will look to use this game as a springboard to next season. Jevan Snead is one of the country’s top young signal callers and has directed an offense that has gotten progressively better throughout the season. The Ole Miss defense will look to create pressure on Harrell and force him out of his comfort zone. The Rebels defensive front seven matches up favorably with the Texas Tech offensive line and could be the difference in the game. Look for the Rebels to spring the upset. Ole Miss by 4-7.
Auto Zone Liberty Bowl
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee
5 Units on East Carolina (-3) over Kentucky
Kentucky (6-6) vs. East Carolina (9-4)- East Carolina comes in winning 6 of their last 7 after a rough stretch in the middle of the season. The Pirate defense will look to take advantage of a Kentucky offense that has struggled of late. Defensive end CJ Wilson should be able to get to QB Mike Hartline who will regain his starting job from the injured Randall Cobb. For Kentucky to have any chance they will have to win the turnover battle. East Carolina QB Patrick Pinckney has struggled at times turning the ball over, but seems to have put those problems behind him. Look for East Carolina to pull away late. East Carolina by 10-14.
Allstate Sugar Bowl
Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
25 Units on Alabama (-9.5) over Utah
Utah (12-0) vs. Alabama (12-1)- Alabama has suffered a huge loss with the suspension of All American Left Tackle Andre Smith. Utah will no doubt look to attack the Alabama offense on that side to take advantage, that being said, nobody adjusts better than Nick Saban. Utah QB Bryant Johnson is a dual threat who has been at his best in the biggest moments, but will see a defense like none he has seen before. Utah will need to establish the run to give Johnson a chance, but that could be a problem with Terrance Cody in the middle of the Crimson Tide defense. On offense Alabama is a run first team with Glen Coffee and dynamic Freshman Mark Ingram in the backfield. They will look to dominate the line of scrimmage by pounding the ball and set up the play action pass. John Parker-Wilson has been a very good game manager for the Tide all season, and when he needs a big play he has been able to find his outstanding receiver Julio Jones. Utah could keep it close early, but look for Alabama to separate in the 2nd half when talent and depth really start to show through. Alabama by 14-20.