Fiesta Bowl Prediction: Texas Longhorns Ohio State Buckeyes

GAME INFO:

Bowl Game: Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Game Date/Time: Jan 5, 2009 8:0 pm EST
Teams: Ohio State Buckeyes vs Texas Longhorns
Location: Glendale, Az TV: FOX

THE TEAMS
The Ohio State Buckeyes finished the 2008 college football season at 10-2 and 7-1 in the Big Ten Conference. Ohio State is ranked #10 in the nation in the AP Top 25 Poll. They have scored 338 points and given up only 157.

The Texas Longhorns finished 11-1 overall and 7-1 in the Big 12 conference. Texas is ranked #3 in the AP Top 25 Poll. They have amassed 527 points and given up 223 in 2008.

THE LINE
Texas is the favorite by 8 1/2 points (-8 1/2). The Over/Under is 53 1/2 points

AGAINST THE SPREAD
The Longhorns are 9-3 ATS

The Buckeyes are 5-6 ATS

THE PREVIEW
Texas QB Colt McCoy has been the ringleader of an offense that has posted big numbers without a featured running back. McCoy has been the Longhorns' top rusher and has thrown to wide receivers Jordan Shipley and Quan Cosby, who rank among the top 20 nationally in receptions per game.

That offense will be challenged by a typically stout Ohio State defense that places in the top 10 nationally in total defense, scoring defense, turnover margin and pass defense. And the Longhorns probably still have nightmares about the way James Laurinaitis ripped through them during a 2006 loss in Austin.

THE PREDICTION
Texas Longhorns 42 Ohio State Buckeyes 28
Colt McCoy and the Longhorn offense will be no match for the Buckeyes

Sugar Bowl Prediction Utah Utes vs. Alabama Crimson Tide

GAME INFO:

Bowl Game: Sugar Bowl

Game Date/Time: Jan 2, 2009 8:15 pm EST

Teams: Utah Utes vs. Alabama Crimson Tide

Location: New Orleans, La

TV: FOX

THE TEAMS

The Utah Utes are 12-0 and 8-0 in the Mountain West conference. The have scored 449 points and given up 207.
The Alabama Crimson Tide is 12-1 and 8-0 in the SEC conference. They have scored 405 points while givig up only 169.

THE LINE

Alabama is the favorite by 10 points (-10). The Over/Under is 44 1/2 points

THE PREVIEW

The Utes finished their second undefeated regular-season campaign in the past five seasons and will look to win their second BCS game in that same time span when they meet Alabama in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
The Utes' strength this season has been their defense, but the offense will have to show up if it wants a chance against one of the best defenses in the country in Alabama.
Similar to Florida, Alabama faces a Utah club capable of scoring points in bunches. The Utes scored 30 or more points in nine of their 12 games. Something has to give, though, because the Tide have given up 30 or more points only twice all season and held opponents to 10 or fewer points seven times.

THE PREDICTION

Aabama Crimson Tide 35 Utah Utes 21
Yes, 10 points are a lot to give up but the Crimson Tide defense is up to the challenge of holding the Utes offense in check.

Cotton Bowl Prediction Mississippi Rebels at Texas Tech Red Raiders

GAME INFO:

Bowl Game: Cotton Bowl

Game Date/Time: Jan 2, 2009 2:00 pm EST

Teams: Mississippi Rebels at Texas Tech Red Raiders

Location: Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Tx

TV: FOX

THE TEAMS

Ole Miss is 8-4 overall and 5-3 in the SEC. They have scored 370 points and given up 213 in 2008. They are ranked #2 in the AP Top 25 poll
Texas Tech is 11-1 overall and 7-1 in the Big 12 conference. They have scored 535 points and given up 315. They finished #8 in the AP Top 25 poll

THE LINE

Texas Tech is the favorite by 4 points (-4) Over/Under is 69 1/2 points

THE PREVIEW

Graham Harrell should be recovered from surgery and will be throwing to Michael Crabtree for the last time in his Tech career as the Red Raiders hope to cap off the winningest season in school history. They will try to end the Rebels' five-game winning streak and spoil the Texas return of Mississippi quarterback Jevan Snead, a one-time backup behind Colt McCoy at Texas.

THE PREDICTION

Texas Tech Red Raiders 42 Mississippi Rebels 28
The Red Raiders didn't get much respect the entire year. The came one game short of being in contention for the national championship. Expect the Red Raiders to beat up on the Rebels of Ole Miss.