#7 Little Cesars Bowl, Detroit, Michigan, Dec 26th, 12:00 ESPN
Marshall vs Ohio
Ohio is going for their first ever bowl win.  Senior Theo Scott will be back at full strength and most likely targeting Terrence McCrae and Taylor Price.  Also keep an eye on Punt Return man, Chris Garrett for the Bobcats who averages 27yds per return.  The Herd has an interim coach after Mark Snyder resigned after the last game of the season.  The Herd is led by Jr QB Brian Anderson and a couple of standout freshmen receivers, Wilson and Dobson as well as 9th ranked all purpose yds RB DArius Marshall.  Defense will be the difference on this one and Ohio has the #1 ranked take away defense in teh country.  As the Dash said  "Moderately useful Dash fact: Marshall (11) excels at nothing. The Thundering Herd do not rank higher than 47th in any major statistical categories and are 59th or lower in 16 of 17 categories."

Pick: Ohio is favored by 3.  I'm picking Ohio to get their first bowl victory and cover.

#8 Meineke Car Car Bowl, Charlotte, NC 3:30 ESPN
#17 Pittsburgh vs North Carolina
You've got to wonder if Pitt can bounce back from that last second loss to to Cincy (and West Virginia) and blowing a ridiculous lead and a chance to go to a BCS bowl.   If they can it will be on the shoulders of Freshman RB and 3rd ranked rusher in the country Dion Lewis and 15th ranked receiver Jonathan Baldwin.  But it won't be easy.  The Heels have a really solid defense ranking 9th in Rushing Defense and 13th in pass efficiency defense and scoring defense not to mention being ranked 3rd in tackles for loss (TFL's). 

When UNC has the ball, you should go get a beer until they get back on defense.  Their offense is horrible ranking 107th in total offense.  That won't be helped by the fact that Pitt is #1 in Sacks and 11th in TFLs in teh country.   When your offense sucks and you are 8-4 you have to have a bright spot.  Casey Barth the UNC kicker has accounted for almost 8pts of their 24 per game and is tied for 6th in field goals and 44th in scoring.  Unfortunately he doesn't run, pass or catch. 

Not sure how it affects hte game but Dave Wannstedt and Butch Davis both coached under Jimmy Johnson at the U and in fact Butch Davis is blamed by many to be the reason that the U's Dynasty came to an end.  This is also virtually a home game for UNC playing in Charlotte.   

Pick: Vegas says Pitt by 3.  The Dash says UNC keeps it to 2.  I think the statistical edge goes to Pitt  but the only teams that they beat on the road this year were Buffalo and Lousyville.  I'm taking UNC and the points. 


#9 Emerald Bowl, San Francisco, CA 7:00 ESPN
Boston College vs USC
Everyone is concerned about USC mailing it in after a crappy season and showing up with their pouty faces on.  I'm just wondering if Joe McKnight shows up in an escalade or at all.  Boston College is definitely happy to be there but you just don't know if their notoriously aloof fans will actually make the drive.  We'll see.

When USC has the ball watch for Joe McKnight (if he is cleared to play after Escalade-gate).  This will be the battle to watch against BC's 16th ranked rushing D.  If McKnight doesn't play it will be 19yr old Matt Barkley and his go to guy Damian Williams trying to get it done against BC's 31st ranked pass efficiency D and Luke Kuechly who averages 11 tackles per game.  When BC has the ball it's the Montel show, Montel Harris that is who is ranked 18th in the country for rushing going against the Trojans 42nd ranked rushing D.  Look for BC to pass the ball only as a last resort because they are horrible (90th in pass efficiency) and they will be going up against the 16th ranked pass efficiency D in the country. 

Pick: USC is favored by 7.  As far as I'm concerned with or without McKnight it's a pick'em but I'll take BC and the points.