Military Bowl Presented By Northrop Grumman

Toledo Rockets (8-4) vs. Air Force Falcons(7-5)

Game Time: Dec. 28 4:30 PM (ESPN, ESPN 3)

In case you were wondering Northrop Grumman is Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.  I’m not really sure how sponsoring this game really helps them since we will never need their services.  This is the 4th annual Military Bowl and the first time that either of these teams have participated.  Both of these teams have prolific offenses so expect to see another high scoring game this afternoon.  Toledo will have a new head coach for this game since Tim Beckman left the Rockets and accepted the job at Illinois.  Former Offensive Coordinator Matt Campbell will be the new Head Coach.  Toledo has a pretty balanced offense so you can expect to see them run the ball just as much as they pass it.  Air Force Runs the Triple Option similar to Georgia Tech.  They are 2nd in the nation in rushing (rushing means the offensive player runs with the ball), however Toledo has a strong rushing defense so you can expect Air Force to pass the ball more than they usually do.  These teams have a common opponent, Toledo lost to Boise State at home 40 – 15 and Air Force lost to Boise State on the road 37 – 26.  Should be an exciting game Toledo is favored by 3.5.

SABOWL Picks

Toledo: Emily, Danny/Stephen, Jimmy, Rebecca, Jim, Joe, Joey

Air Force: Michael, Christina, Jonathan, Ellen, Josh, April

Bridgeport Education Holiday Bowl

California Golden Bears (7-5) vs. Texas Longhorns (7-5)

Game Time:  Dec. 28 @ 8 PM (ESPN, ESPN3)

Bridgepoint Education was founded on the principle that those who are academically prepared deserve access to an affordable higher education without sacrificing quality, transferability of credits, accessibility and academic standards. A leading provider of postsecondary education services, Bridgepoint Education is dedicated to those seeking flexible, high-quality choices in higher education.

This game features 2 teams that have seen better days.  Especially Texas who has been one of the nations best programs through the early 2000’s.  Texas did not make a bowl last year and this year they are playing in a pre-new years bowl.  This will be their first Bowl game since losing the BCS National Championship game 2 years ago.  Texas’ unsettled quarterback situation has played a big part in the team’s troubles. Garrett Gilbert — who nearly led the Longhorns past Alabama in the 2009 BCS championship game following Colt McCoy’s injury — began the season as the starter but decided to transfer after struggling in two games.  David Ash and Chase McCoy have shared time as quarterback since the departure of Gilbert.  Texas does have a strong defense, they rank 14th in the nation.  After a 4-4 start it was doubtful that California would be participating in this year’s Sabowl.  They however finished the season strong winning 3 of their last 4.  The only loss coming in a close game against then ranked #8 Stanford.  The Golden Bears score an average of 1.1 points more per game than the Longhorns, but they give up 1.1 more points per game.

Holiday Bowl Notes:

• This will be the 34th Annual Holiday Bowl.
• This will be Texas’ 5th appearance in the Holiday Bowl they are 2-2 in this game.
• This will be California’s 3rd appearance in the Holiday Bowl they are 1-1 in this game.

SABOWL Picks:  Texas Favored by 3.5

Texas:  Christina, Emily, Ellen, Danny/Stephen, Jimmy Josh, April, Rebecca, Jim, Joe, Joey

California:  Michael, Jonathan

SABOWL Scenarios for 12/28

If Toledo and Texas Both win

• Joe will remain in first place with a 1 game lead over Jimmy

If Toledo and California Both win

• Joe will remain in first place with a 1 game lead over Jimmy

If Air Force and Texas Both win

• Joe will remain in first place with a 1 game lead over Jimmy, April, and Josh

If Air force and California Both win

• Joe and Jonathan will be tied for first place with a 1 game lead over Jimmy, April, Josh, and Michael

Belk Bowl

Louisville Cardinals (7-5) vs. North Carolina State Wolfpack  (7-5)

Game Time:  Dec. 27 @ 8 PM (ESPN, ESPN 3)

This is the 10th Annual Belk Bowl in Charlotte North Carolina.  NC State (ACC)  had a slow start to the season, then won 5 of their last 7 games to become bowl eligible.  One of those victories includes a decisive 37 – 13 victory of #7 Ranked Clemson (ACC Champions).  Louisville(Big East)  also started the season slowly and won 5 of their last 6 games.  One of their victories includes a 38-35 victory over#23 Ranked West Virginia.  (Clemson and West Virginia will be playing each other in the Discover Orange Bowl later in the SABOWL season.)

These teams are very similar, Both of them ended the season strong and have big wins towards the end of the season.

Belk Bowl notes:

• ACC Representatives are 5-4 in the Belk Bowl.
• The Big East has won the last 3 Belk Bowl games.
• The last 3 games were decided by less than a touchdown.

This game could go either way.  NC State has been somewhat schizophrenic lately.  This game could come down to whoever has the least turnovers.  NC State was 2nd in the nation in forcing turnovers and led the nation in interceptions.  I predict that whoever scores the most points tonight will win the game and if NC State wins by more than 2.5 that will be a SABOWL victory for them.

Points of SABOWL Interest:

Josh  Can force a tie with Rookie Joe for first place with a victory in both of today’s games.  This will be the first time that Josh has been in first place this late in the season since SABOWL I.

Jimmy will be within 1 game of Rookie Joe if he can win both games today.

If Joe wins both games today, he will still have a 2 game lead over Danny/Stephan and April.

SABOWL Picks:  NC State is favored by 2.5

NC State:  Jonathan, Ellen, Danny/Stephen, Jimmy, April, Rebecca, Jim, Joe

Louisville:  Michael, Christina, Emily, Josh, Joey

Little Caesars Pizza Bowl

Western Michigan (7-5) vs. Purdue (6-6)

Game Time:  Dec. 27 @ 4:30 PM (ESPN, ESPN 3)

Today is a match up between two mediocre teams and the game has a title sponsor that makes a mediocre pizza.  Purdue is making its first Bowl appearance since the 2007 Motor City Bowl which also took place at Ford Field.  The Purdue Boilermakers are 8-7 in Bowl games.  Purdue will likely have to play without running back Ralph Bolden who was injured during the last game of the regular season.  This provides an opportunity for Akeem Hunt who ran for 100 yards on 10 carries.  Purdue is also likely to play without receiver O.J. Ross due to an indefinite suspension for braking team rules.  Western Michigan will be making their 5th Bowl appearance.  They lost each of their previous four bowl games.  The Broncos are lead by senior receiver Jordan White, who leads the nation in 127 receptions for 1,646 yards.  Both of these teams score a lot of points and give up a lot of points so expect a high scoring game.

Purdue (not to be confused with Perdue Chicken of Salisbury, MD)  is a college located in West Lafayette, Indiana.  I’m not 100% sure what exactly the meaning of a Boilermaker is but that is their mascot.  Before becoming the Boilermakers previous mascots include:  ‘grangers’, ‘pumpkin-shuckers’, ‘railsplitters’, ‘cornfield sailors’, ‘blacksmiths’ and ‘foundry hands’.  Sounds like Boilermakers was the right choice.

Western Michigan located in Kalamazoo, Michigan is only 140 miles from where the game is taking place.  The mascot of Western Michigan is the Broncos

Sabowl Picks: Purdue is favored by 2.5

Purdue:  Michael, Christina, Jonathan, Ellen, Jimmy, Josh, Rebecca

Western Michigan:  Emily, Danny/Stephen, April, Jim, Joe, Joey