Bowl Preview (Dec 23rd - 26th Games)

East Carolina Pirates vs Ohio Bobcats

Both teams had hopes of conference titles before the season, but instead will face off here in Tampa Bay.  We should see a good game between to underrated quarterbacks in Shane Carden and Tyler Tettleton.  Ohio has won their past two bowls, but don't look for that streak to continue.  Ohio doesn't have the athletes on defense to hang with East Carolina's spread passing attack, nor the offense to go blow for blow.
Prediction:  East Carolina 38 Ohio 23

Draft Eligible Players to Watch

East Carolina	Ohio
#84 TE Justin Jones #56 LB Derrell Johnson	#74 LT John Prior  #18 CB Travis Carrie

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Boise State Broncos vs Oregon State Beavers

Neither team had the season they wanted with Boise losing four game for the first time since 2005 while the Beavers finished on a five game winning streak.  But that shouldn't take away from this game which could be one of the most exciting of the bowl schedule.  Both teams bring top offenses to the table and the tandem of Sean Mannion and Brandin Cooks of Oregon State is one of the top QB/WR tandems in college football.  But the main thing to watch is how Boise State plays without Chris Peterson, that could be the deciding factor in this game.
Prediction:  Boise State 41 Oregon State 42

Draft Eligible Players to Watch

Boise State	Oregon State
#78 OT Charles Leno  #8 DE Demarcus Lawrence	#95 DE Scott Crichton  #7 WR Brandin Cooks  #4 QB Sean Mannion

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Pittsburgh Panthers vs Bowling Green Falcons

This game has all the makings of a dud.  Pittsburgh is coming into this game after another 6-6, while the Falcons are returning to Ford Field where they just beat Northern Illinois, but will do so without Dave Clawson who is now coaching at Wake Forest.  Bowling Green is the better team on paper and should have more motivation to win this game.  They want to prove their upset over Northern Illinois was no fluke and that they can hang with the big boys.  Pitt is still transitioning and isn't that great.  Bowling Green could run away with this one.
Prediction:  Pitt 17 Bowling Green 27

Draft Eligible Players to Watch

Pittsburgh	Bowling Green
#15 WR Devin Street  #97 DT Aaron Donald	#82 TE Alex Bayer  #24 S Jerry Gates

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Utah State Aggies vs Northern Illinois Huskies

Here we have another under the radar game that should turn out to be very exciting.  We'll see strength on strength as Heisman finalist Jordan Lynch goes against the top defense in the Mountain West.  The Huskies were on the verge of a second straight BCS Bowl before they lost to Bowling Green while Utah State stood toe to toe with Fresno State's to ranked passing attack. Bowling Green showed that if you slow Jordan Lynch, the Huskies will struggle.  Add in that the Aggies have a better defense and they should get the win.  It will be considered an upset by many, but the true better team
Prediction:  Utah State 20 Northern Illinois 17

Draft Eligible Players to Watch

Utah State	Northern Illinois
#58 C Tyler Larsen #1 CB Nevin Lawson	#6 QB Jordan Lynch #97 DE Joe Windsor  #15 S Jimmie Ward