Happy New Year

Sorry about the lack of posting yesterday. But I finally figured out what is worse than my ability to pick bowl games - and that is food poisoning. I picked up a nasty case of it at dinner on NYE, and I have been in epic pain and nausea for the last 36 hours. I'm just starting to recover, so I'm sorry for not posting until now - I just woke up. Anyways, on to my picks:

South Florida -6.5 over N. Illinois

I like USF's quarterback, BJ Daniels. He is absurdly athletic and makes a lot of plays after they break down. The Bulls have covered for me a couple times this year, so I'm gonna ride them again. Long live Tampa.

South Carolina -4.5 over UCONN

I don't have a lot of faith in South Carolina, but I have even less faith in UCONN to score points in this one. The Huskies' offense is pretty one-dimensional, and the Gamecocks are usually stout against the run. UCONN has made a habit of keeping games close this year, but I think South Carolina wins this one comfortably. I see 24-7.

Oklahoma St +2.5 over Ole Miss

OK State should have their starting RB and QB healthy for this game, which is huge. Jevan Snead never materialized into the QB that Rebel fans expected this season, but Dexter McCluster came on strong late in the year. I think this will be an entertaining game. I'm taking OK State because I trust Zac Robinson more than Snead.

East Carolina +7.5 over Arkansas

I'm biased towards the Pirates in this one - my brother and my mom both went to school there. Everyone seems to assume that Ryan Mallett will light it up and the Razorbacks will run away with this one. However, a lot of people assumed the same thing about Case Keenum and Houston a few weeks ago in the Conference USA title game. Somehow, I think ECU keeps it close here, and they might even pull the upset. Arrrgh!!!!

Texas Tech -7.5 over Michigan State

I don't know what to make of this game. Texas Tech is obviously playing without its coach and offensive coordinator, but Michigan State had ELEVEN players suspended for a brawl in a dorm a month ago. At the end of the day, Michigan State was terrible this year, and Texas Tech was solid. So I'll lay the points here. On a side note, I think it is AWESOME that Mike Leach has totally stuck to his guns during this debacle. He has refused to apologize and basically painted Craig James' family as a bunch of meddling, overprotective liars. I don't know who is telling the truth, but I definitely respect Leach's refusal to adhere to modern public relations standards.

I'm going to like back in the fetal position again. Food poisoning is worse than a bowl game in Canada...