By Andrew Jones
FoxSportsSouth.com
December 28, 2010
Who: Air Force (8-4) vs. Georgia Tech (6-6)
Bowl: AdvoCare V100 independence Bowl
Where: Shreveport, LA, Independence Stadium (49,147)
When: Dec. 27, 5:00 p.m.
The snap: Air Force beat only one team with a winning record in the regular season, and that was Navy, which runs the triple option just like Tech does. In fact, the Falcons helped the Midshipmen to just 6 points. The Yellow Jackets' streak of 14 consecutive years with a winning record is on the line, and if they aren't ready to hit and get hit, it will end. This is a challenge to Paul Johnson, his staff and his senior leaders.
Forecast: AFA, 27-23.
Who: West Virginia (9-3) vs. N.C. State (8-4)
Bowl: Champs Sports Bowl
Where: Orlando, FL, Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium (65,438)
When: Dec. 28, 6:30 p.m.
The snap: The Mountaineers' three losses are all to bowl teams, including a 20-14 defeat at LSU. They clobbered Maryland and are on a four-game winning streak. State's challenge here is to handle WVU's spread offense enough to slip the field a few times. The Wolfpack has an edge with Russell Wilson under center, but it will help if he doesn't have to lead State to scores on most of its possessions. Wilson will, however, direct enough scoring drives to win if the defense gets some stops.
Forecast: N.C. State, 34-31.
Who: East Carolina (6-6) vs. Maryland (8-4)
Bowl: Military Bowl Presented By Northrop Grumman
Where: Washington, D.C., RFK Stadium (45,000)
When: Dec. 29, 2:30 p.m.
The snap: This might be a classic case of one team wanting to be there and the other not so interested. The danger for Maryland is lacking focus, because there's no doubt ECU, which beat N.C. State in October, will be fired up. If the Terrapins are ready to play, they will have a decided edge on both sides of the ball, then add the emotional factor of Ralph Friedgen's last game and they are prohibitive favorites.
Forecast: Maryland, 43-17.
Who: Tennessee (6-6) vs. North Carolina (7-5)
Bowl: Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl
Where: Nashville, TN, LP Field (67,000)
When: Dec. 30, 6:30 p.m.
The snap: Great story line with this one. Tennessee canceled a home-and-home series with UNC that was to begin next season in Chapel Hill because it wanted to lighten the schedule as the program is under reconstruction. Now, UT can't avoid the Tar Heels, and it has the attention of the baby blues. The Vols will have a huge advantage playing in their home state in front of mostly their fans, but UNC has won at places like Florida State, so the Heels are well equipped to handle the circumstances. T.J. Yates will once again be Carolina's key.
Forecast: North Carolina, 27-21.
Who: South Florida (7-5) vs. Clemson (6-6)
Bowl: Meineke Car Care Bowl
Where: Charlotte, NC, Bank of America Stadium (73,667)
When: Dec. 31, Noon
The snap: Rumors are swirling that Clemson coach Dabo Swinney's job could be on the line with this game. The Tigers are more than capable of beating the Bulls, and quite handily, but they've underachieved since a September loss at Auburn, a game Clemson should have won, and it's hard to imagine this bowl game has changed things in Death Valley. USF is a fairly talented team and is coming off a win at Miami to close the regular season, so it's not like it's a patsy.
Forecast: South Florida, 19-13.
Who: Notre Dame (7-5) vs. Miami (7-5)
Bowl: Hyundai Sun Bowl
Where: El Paso, TX, Sun Bowl Stadium (50,426)
When: Dec. 31, 2:00 p.m.
The snap: What a blast from the past comprises this matchup. No longer the Catholics vs. the Convicts, these are two programs in search of identities, and just seeing their names battling each other should be fun. It could be a pretty good game, as well. Both teams have some weapons, but Miami is more talented overall and has more depth. The key for the Canes is if it can generate a running game and if its defense can force a few turnovers. It has the makeup to win both of those aspects, and if so, expect a Canes victory, even without Randy Shannon, who was fired last month.
Forecast: Miami, 23-17.
Who: South Carolina (9-4) vs. Florida State (9-4)
Bowl: Chick-fil-A Bowl
Where: Atlanta, Georgia Dome (71,147)
When: Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m.
The snap: Really neat matchup with Steve Spurrier going against FSU, but more so two clubs that are evenly matched. FSU needs QBs Christian Ponder and E.J. Manuel to have big games and for the defense to force a few turnovers. If the Seminoles don't force turnovers, they won't win. Simple as that. Key here might be the Gamecocks' not-so-good pass defense. FSU has a pair of QBs who can hurl and post big numbers against that unit.
Forecast: FSU, 26-20.
Who: Stanford (11-1) vs. Virginia Tech (11-2)
Bowl: Discover Orange Bowl
Where: Miami Gardens, FL, Sun Life Stadium (72,230)
When: Jan. 3, 8:00 p.m.
The snap: This is a huge game for the Hokies program and for the ACC. Tech hasn't had much success against powerhouse teams, and this Cardinal unit certainly qualifies as such. The ACC needs an eye-opening win and a BCS win, as it has just one so far. Stanford will give the Hokies trouble because of its passing game. Andrew Luck is the best QB in the nation, and whole VT has been opportunistic against good arms, it has also given up its share of big plays. Offensively, Tech must pound the ball on the ground, which will set up the play action pass, something Tyrod Taylor can hit against Stanford. This is a fascinating but dangerous matchup for the Hokies.
Forecast: Stanford, 28-23.
Who: Nevada (12-1) vs. Boston College (7-5)
Bowl: Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl
Where: San Francisco, AT&T Park (40,184)
When: Jan. 9, 9:00 p.m.
The snap: The Wolf pack will face its stiffest challenge of the season in that BC is the real deal on defense. Offensively, the Eagles aren't much better than most of the WAC teams on Nevada's slate. Too bad this game is more than a week after most of the bowls, as it will get little fan fare, even though the national title game is the following day.
Forecast: BC, 19-17.
Record: 72-25
Andrew Jones is in his 15th season covering the ACC.
