New Year's Bowl Predictions

Here is a look at this season’s New Year’s Day Bowl games as predicted by Dawg Post.

Outback Bowl in Tampa

Georgia vs. Wisconsin (+6.5)

Straight up – Georgia

Against the spread – Georgia

Score: Georgia 27 – Wisconsin 16

Comment – Both of these teams would like to be in a better bowl than this one. Which team will want to be in Tampa more? Wisconsin has lost two in a row and they have never beaten an SEC team in a bowl contest and haven’t beaten an SEC opponent 1928. Take the Dawgs.

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Cotton Bowl in Dallas

Tennessee vs. Texas A&M (-2.5)

Straight up – Texas A&M

Against the spread – Tennessee

Score: Texas A&M 31 – Tennessee 30

Comment – The Vols looked sloppy at the end of the season against Kentucky and Vanderbilt. They played well in the SEC Title game, but A&M should be too much for the Big Orange to handle – it will be close, however, even with their quarterback situation.

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Capital One Bowl in Orlando

LSU vs. Iowa (+6.5)

Straight up – LSU

Against the spread – Iowa

Score: LSU 28 – Iowa 24

Comment – LSU, perhaps the most athletic team in the SEC, should be too much for the Hawkeyes. Iowa might needs to pressure LSU’s questionable quarterbacks and force them into mistakes – that could be a key to victory for them. Nick Saban’s departure to the NFL could cause problems for LSU as well, but the Tigers are too talented for Iowa. Iowa’s ability to force turnovers could be problematic for LSU.

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Gator Bowl in Jacksonville

Florida State vs. West Virginia (+8.5)

Straight up – FSU

Against the spread – FSU

Score: FSU 31 – West Virginia 13

Comment – The Seminoles are too good for West Virginia.

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Rose Bowl in Pasadena

Michigan vs. Texas (-5.5)

Straight up – Texas

Against the spread – Texas

Score: Texas 31 – Michigan 17

Comment – Texas finally gets to the BCS this season, and they should roll. Michigan lost their final game of the season to back their way into the Rose Bowl. Texas couldn’t be happier to finally get to the big show – so much so, in fact, that they gave their head coach a huge new contract. He’s guide them to another win.

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Fiesta Bowl in Tempe

Utah vs. Pitt (+16.5)

Straight up – Utah

Against the spread – Pitt

Score: Utah 42 – Pitt 31

Comment – Utah will eventually run away from Pitt, but this game will be closer than the experts in the desert think. If Walt Harris wasn’t leaving Pitt after this season perhaps they would have a shot at pulling off the upset.

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Sugar Bowl in New Orleans

Auburn vs. Virginia Tech (+6..5)

Straight up – Auburn

Against the spread – Virginia Tech

Score: Auburn 24 – Virginia Tech 21

Comment – I would not be surprised with an upset in this game, however, with a potential, albeit a long shot chance, national title on the line, Auburn should be ready to go. Virginia Tech’s quarterback is underrated – he’s a game breaker and might give Auburn’s defense a taste of their own medicine.

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Orange Bowl in Miami

Oklahoma vs. USC (-3.5)

Straight up – Oklahoma

Against the spread – Oklahoma

Score: Oklahoma 29 – USC 27

Comment – Southern Cal is an impressive team, but are they as good as advertised? Probably not. Oklahoma has been wanting to redeem themselves for the last 12 months for what happened in the Sugar Bowl in 2003. The most critical statistic – the Heisman jinx. Both teams’ quarterback have one, but Matt Leinart won his this season.