2011/2012 Bowl Predictions – Week 4

The 2011/2012 bowl season has been surprisingly exciting so far, especially most of the BCS games. I wish my picks were just as exciting and fun, but they are not. There’s nothing better than two MAC-level games and a Championship game, the most unpredictable types of games, to make it easy for me to end on a good note. Geez…

Bowl Season: 18-16 (52.9%)
Regular Season: 85-26 (76.6%)
Overall: 103-42 (71.0%)

1/7

BBVA Compass Bowl (12 p.m. ESPN)
SMU vs. Pittsburgh – June Jones had his name in the hat for the Arizona State job, but withdrew from consideration, opening the door for ex-Pittsburgh head coach, Todd Graham, to jump ship for Tempe. What does that mean? Nothing, but it’s a funny connection, isn’t it? Ok, maybe not.

Pitt has an interim coach and feels betrayed by Graham. They want to prove that they didn’t need him. SMU still has their coach, but knows he was looking around for another job. Which team do you think will play harder?

Pitt 38, SMU 21

SMU 28, Pitt 6 – FAILURE

1/8

GoDaddy.com Bowl (8 p.m. ESPN)
Arkansas State vs. Northern Illinois – It is an absolute joke that they they now do this whole “crappy bowl game the night before the BCS Championship game” stuff. This game should be back in the middle of December where it belongs.

I really have no idea who will win, but because I don’t like Arkansas State very much right now, I’ll go with Northern Illinois. Besides, the Red Wolves are just another one of those teams playing with an interim coach. That usually doesn’t end well.

Northern Illinois 28, Arkansas State 20

Northern Illinois 38, Arkansas State 20 – SUCCESS!

1/9

BCS National Championship Game (7:30 p.m. ESPN)
Alabama vs. LSU – I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for some good football. Man, that 10th punt at the end of the first quarter is just going to remind me that I’m witnessing one of the best football games in history. Give me a break.

We know both of these defenses are very strong, but they aren’t as strong as the score of the first game suggested. Honestly, both of these offenses are not that great. And don’t give me the stat about how they lead the SEC in scoring. Check who’s doing the scoring. I don’t care to take the time to look, but I’d say at least a fourth of both teams’ points came from drives that started on a short field because of a big defensive play, or from special teams. That’s how both of these teams work.

Of course, all of that doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter why they are both good. They are just good. Just don’t tell me that because the only scoring in the first game were field goals, that it’s good football. Both offenses did nothing that night.

Anyway, you’re not gonna like this, but Alabama is going to win this game. It’s just how the world works. Or maybe I’m just in an especially negative mood right now. I don’t want it to happen because this state needs some tempering, but it probably will, and then I’m going into hiding until September.

Alabama 24, LSU 17

Alabama 21, LSU 0 – SUCCESS!