Tom Baker
12-06-2000, 11:02 AM
Very early still and this may change over the next few weeks but here are some BCS Bowl Predictions:
Rose Bowl: Purdue and Washington. With Brees and that offense, Purdue is never out of it. Expect a close game, but I think Washington has more talent and speed and should win. Huskies 31, Boilermakers 28.
Fiesta Bowl: Oregon State vs. Notre Dame. The Irish are a solid but unspectacular team. They struggled with Air Force AT HOME, and only a late FG block prevented the upset. Oregon State is one of the best stories of the year. I like Oregon St. in another close game, 24-19.
Sugar Bowl: Miami vs. Florida. The most interesting game right now and has the potential to be the best. Miami's defense and the fact that the 'Canes have more riding on the game (an impressive win keeps them in the NC picture for another few days) tilts the scales toward them, 34-24.
Orange Bowl = Anticlimax Bowl. I know the Sooners don't want to admit it, but the Kansas State team they struggled with is nothing like the FSU team they will face in Miami. Earlier in the season, I might have given OU a better chance. I think the tank is almost on "E" and not even three weeks off is going to help. Oklahoma has players who could play for anyone, but they don't have the player-for-player talent or SPEED that FSU does. FSU has the swagger and attitude of the defending champion and the players to back it up. It's a shame that Josh Heupel's career will likely end with one of his worst games, because he is in for a LONNNGGGGG night. Rest assured Mickey Andrews (FSU's D coord) has memorized the Big XII Championship game tape by now and knows exactly how to deal with Heupel. If OU doesn't score a TD on its first possession, they are in big trouble. Meanwhile FSU can use its tremendous speed to spread the field and run flare passes for 15-20 yards or more. The problem for Oklahoma is that they have to play near-perfect football to have a shot. FSU can make mistakes and still win by 20. Seminoles win going away, 52-21.
Rose Bowl: Purdue and Washington. With Brees and that offense, Purdue is never out of it. Expect a close game, but I think Washington has more talent and speed and should win. Huskies 31, Boilermakers 28.
Fiesta Bowl: Oregon State vs. Notre Dame. The Irish are a solid but unspectacular team. They struggled with Air Force AT HOME, and only a late FG block prevented the upset. Oregon State is one of the best stories of the year. I like Oregon St. in another close game, 24-19.
Sugar Bowl: Miami vs. Florida. The most interesting game right now and has the potential to be the best. Miami's defense and the fact that the 'Canes have more riding on the game (an impressive win keeps them in the NC picture for another few days) tilts the scales toward them, 34-24.
Orange Bowl = Anticlimax Bowl. I know the Sooners don't want to admit it, but the Kansas State team they struggled with is nothing like the FSU team they will face in Miami. Earlier in the season, I might have given OU a better chance. I think the tank is almost on "E" and not even three weeks off is going to help. Oklahoma has players who could play for anyone, but they don't have the player-for-player talent or SPEED that FSU does. FSU has the swagger and attitude of the defending champion and the players to back it up. It's a shame that Josh Heupel's career will likely end with one of his worst games, because he is in for a LONNNGGGGG night. Rest assured Mickey Andrews (FSU's D coord) has memorized the Big XII Championship game tape by now and knows exactly how to deal with Heupel. If OU doesn't score a TD on its first possession, they are in big trouble. Meanwhile FSU can use its tremendous speed to spread the field and run flare passes for 15-20 yards or more. The problem for Oklahoma is that they have to play near-perfect football to have a shot. FSU can make mistakes and still win by 20. Seminoles win going away, 52-21.