(12-09-2013 10:12 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(12-09-2013 10:09 PM)Lurker Above Wrote:  

(12-09-2013 03:16 PM)JRsec Wrote:  We have 10 schools in bowls. Which match ups are you most excited about? Which match ups do you think will produce SEC wins? Which match ups are you most concerned about? Which ones do you like least? And for any or all of these questions, why?

1. Texas A&M vs Duke in the Chic Filet (Peach Bowl): A&M should win easily......if they take it seriously. (Winner A&M)

2. Nebraska vs Georgia in the Gator: Maybe the Dawgs can get it up for the Huskers two years in a row.
(Winner for a second year Georgia)

3. Ole Miss vs Georgia Tech in the Music City: Tech gets up for bowls, Ole Miss is still hungry for respect. Ole Miss D line is pretty good. (Winner Ole Miss)

4. Rice vs Mississippi State in the Liberty: Rice is much better than people think. Miss State is hungry and very very large in the line. (Winner Miss State but it's scary close)

5. Wisconsin vs South Carolina in the Capital One: Spurrier coaches bowls pretty well. Wisconsin will have something to prove. The Badgers can't pass. The questions will be how healthy is Conner Shaw, and will Clowney be playing all out? (Winner South Carolina)

6. Iowa vs L.S.U. Outback: Does L.S.U. even show up? Iowa is balanced all around but not outstanding in any one particular facet. Miles doesn't want another loss and they are more athletic. (Winner L.S.U. but it will be close)

7. Oklahoma State vs Missouri in the Cotton: The Cowboys will be out to prove something, but so will Missouri. Oklahoma State struggled against the good defenses they played this year and they rely more heavily upon the pass. Missouri is much better defensively than Miss State. (Winner Missouri)

8. Vanderbilt vs Houston in the Compass: I don't like this match up. Vanderbilt will have a hard time getting up to play Houston. I don't think they will be mentally into this game. I hope Vanderbilt wins, but I have big doubts and it's not because of Houston's ability. They will be playing for a lot more.
(Winner: too close to call)

9. Oklahoma vs Alabama in the Sugar Bowl: Straight up I take Alabama. The question is will they show up disappointed about the Iron Bowl or with something to prove. If they are disappointed it will be way to close. If they have something to prove Alabama wins by 17. If Saban is auditioning for Texas they will win by 28.

10. F.S.U. vs Auburn in the BCS N.C.: Winston will have to work the Heisman Press circuit. It has taken it's toll on almost every winner except Johnny Manziel. The long layoff affects passing teams generally more than it does running teams. Who knows how good Florida State really is? Who knows how bad Auburn's defense is or isn't? One has played nobody, the other has played a great schedule. I think F.S.U. is really good and that the Auburn D is not as bad as Missouri made it look. Who the officials are will make a difference in this one too. If they are Big 12 officials where the spread has been run for a number of years Auburn won't have trouble running up tempo. PAC officials are less, but not totally unfamiliar with it. Big 10 officials will slow the game down. I never make predictions on my own school. But even if I could, I have no idea about this one.

I like most of our bowl pairings okay. Outside of the National Championship game I'm particularly interested in Alabama/Oklahoma, Wisconsin/South Carolina, Iowa/L.S.U., and Oklahoma State/Missouri. Those are our top teams and how they perform is important. I like the pairings in the rest with two exceptions. I don't like the Georgia/Nebraska rematch even though the emotional factor should be in Georgia's favor for revenge. It's just hard to get fans excited about playing the same bowl opponent two years in a row. And I hate Vanderbilt's pairing. Houston is not a rival, not a team Vandy will want to get up for, not a team that will inspire a big Vanderbilt turnout for a game that is within easy driving distance for the game, and it gives the Cougars everything to play for and Vanderbilt very little to get excited about.

JR, Georgia won last years Capital One Bowl with Nebraska 45-31

Oops! Thanks for the correction. Sorry for the mistake. It serves me right for going on memory. I knew the SEC lost one last year to the Big 10 and I didn't remember that it was the other Bulldogs who lost to Northwestern. Due apologies to the righteous Dawgs in this case.