First off, I hope everyone has a safe night and rings in 2010 successfully (read: using Jan 31 as an excuse to get girls to make out with you). I showed some sings of life in the last round of picks, going 3-1, so hopefully I can get this thing turned around as we hit the real meat of the bowl season. 10 games in just two days - should be fun.
Air Force +4.5 over Houston
Houston has a theme this year - they absolutely crush bad teams, but then they either lose or win squeakers over solid teams. Air Force is solid, so I'm expecting a close one. Plus, it's the ARMED FORCES BOWL! How can you pick against the United States Air Force in that one?
Oklahoma -7.5 over Stanford
I've actually changed my mind on this one at least twice. Stanford has been impressive this year, but Oklahoma really looked good against Oklahoma State. Stanford is playing a true freshman quarterback in Andrew Luck, and he hasn't seen a defense this year as good as the Sooners unit he'll see today. I think OU wins this one by 10 or so, which coincidentally, is what the betting line has moved to in Vegas since opening at this 7.5 number we're using.
Missouri -6.5 over Navy
I love America, but I can't take both of the service academies in the same round. I think Missouri has the type of offense that will give the less athletic Navy defense some problems. Also, I always think that option-based offenses are differentially hurt during bowl season because the opposing defense gets a full month to prepare.
Minnesota -2.5 over Iowa State
Wow. This bowl is awful. 6-6 vs. 6-6? How can you even promote that if you're working for the Insight Bowl - "Mediocrity's Last Shot"? I'm going to take the Gophers here because I respect them for moving out of a dome into an outdoor stadium this year. Also, Tubby Smith is a better coach than Larry Eustachy ever was.
Tennessee +4.5 over Virginia Tech
It pains me to pick the SEC over the ACC here, but I think this is the worst possible matchup VT could've drawn. If they were playing Georgia or Auburn, I would like the Hokies to roll. But the Vols are built very similarly to UNC this year. Both teams rely on a strong defense and a conservative, run-based offense. So basically, they'll be giving VT a dose of their own medicine. Unfortunately, I've got NYE plans that will prevent me from watching this game, even though I'll be within a mile of the damn stadium while it's going on. FML.
That's it for today. I'll be back tomorrow with another full slate of picks.
Happy New Years everybody.
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