Sporting a 63-28 mark for the regular season picks, it's time for the Bowl Edition of Out of the Pac. Seven Pac-12 teams qualified for post season play and the first out of the gate is Arizona State.
Thursday, Dec 22
Arizona State vs. Boise State
Maaco Bowl - Las Vegas
By any measure this one should be a mismatch. And in the end it might be just that, another blowout by the Broncos and another sad exit for the Sun Devils. But.. a few years back there was an Oregon team that had high hopes for a season that ended up in Las Vegas on a cold December night and promptly got waxed by a team (BYU) more than happy to lay the lumber on the disinterested Ducks. This could be something of a parallel - Boise State held BCS ambitions again this year only to be shut out thanks to a home loss to TCU. Arizona State suffered a total meltdown in the second half of the season, costing head coach Dennis Erickson his job. Say what you want about Erickson's tenure in Tempe, but universally his players love to play for the man. It would not be a huge surprise for the Sun Devils to play up to their potential to redeem a disappointing season and send Erickson out with a nice win. Always the sentimentalist, the pick is for the upset, ASU 38-34 although it could just as easily be a 58-10 Bronco blow-out.
Wednesday, Dec 28
California vs. Texas
Bridgepoint Education Holliday Bowl
Remember when Mack Brown trashed the California Bears and lobbied poll voters to elevate the Longhorns past the Golden Bears into the Rose Bowl? The guess is that more than a few in Strawberry Canyon do. While the Bears have been inconsistent this year, the Longhorns are anything but a juggernaut. While generally remaining as detached as possible making these weekly prognostications, there is no denying the hope here is for a case of not so instant karma - Bears 57 - Texas 3
Thursday Dec 29
Washington vs. Baylor
Valermo Alamo Bowl
Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III has been on the awards circuit since the end of the regular season and the Huskies better hope that the rubber chicken has taken a toll on the Baylor's athletic quarterback. QB Keith Price and RB Chris Polk will have to play well to give the Huskies a chance but the Washington defense will have their hands full with Griffin. Baylor by ten - 34-24.
Saturday Dec 31
Utah vs. Georgia Tech
Hyundai Sun Bowl
One of the best defenses in the Pac-12 against Georgia Tech's triple option should make for an interesting match-up. The question for the Utes is how do they respond to an embarrassing regular season ending loss to Colorado. Well enough for a 23-18 win in El Paso.
UCLA vs. Illinois
Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl
One team with a losing record, the other lost their last six games. Both head coaches have been fired and each team will be guided by an interim coach who will not be on the staff next season. Wouldn't you just love to be the PR person responsible for marketing this match-up? But hey, someone's got to win. It won't be Illinois. the Bruins might be the worst team ever to qualify for a bowl game, but they escape AT&T Park with a 24-21 win.
Monday Jan 2
Stanford vs. Oklahoma State
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
In yet another example of the BCS selection process devolving into legalized SEC larceny Oklahoma State was passed over for the championship game, ending up instead in this Fiesta Bowl match-up with Stanford. That injustice aside, this is one of bowl season's more interesting pairings. Will the Cowboys high powered offense shred the Cardinal defense as Oregon's did? Can Andrew Luck set aside the disappointment of that Oregon loss to win another BCS bowl game? In a close call the pick is for the Trees. by a field goal 41-38.
Oregon vs. Wisconsin
Rose Bowl Game presented by Vizio
Check back next week.
