Hash Marks 01.02.08: The Final Set of Bowl Games for the 2008-09 Season

Posted by Cody Dalton on 01.02.2009

411mania’s Cody Dalton talks about the final 7 bowl games left in the college football season in the newest edition of Hash Marks!


Thanks everyone for joining me for Hash Marks, as I close out the 2008-09 college football bowl season. I will preview the final 7 games remaining in the season and give my take on who I think will win. We'll start with action from the first three games..

JANUARY 2ND GAMES

AT&T COTTON BOWL – 2 P.M. ON FOX



The Cotton Bowl will certainly be an interesting match up. You have the potent passing offense of Texas Tech, led by senior quarterback Graham Harrell and wide receiver Michael Crabtree. Then you have the story of the resurgent Ole Miss Rebels. This is a team that was the #3 SEC team behind Florida and Alabama. Led by first year coach Houston Nutt, the Rebels are looking to upset the Red Raiders and end their dream season with a Cotton Bowl title.

Prediction: Texas Tech 42, Ole Miss 21



AUTOZONE LIBERTY BOWL – 5 P.M. ON ESPN



The Liberty Bowl celebrates their 50th Anniversary with a match up between Kentucky and East Carolina. The Wildcats have had a disappointing 2008 after having such competitive seasons in 2006 and 2007. The Pirates have had a great 2008 and were ranked in the Top 25 poll early in the season. It should be an interesting match up that very well might go high scoring.

Prediction: East Carolina 28, Kentucky 24




ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL – 8 P.M. FOX



This game is either going to be a classic or a demolition. Undefeated Utah takes on the second best team in the SEC in Alabama. Nick Saban had a tremendous season as head coach of the Crimson Tide and his team only lost one game – the one that counted. However, they'll have a chance to rebound against a Utah team that has had a great year and earned another BCS bid. In 2005, the Utes defeated Pittsburgh in their first BCS game. Now, they'll look to do it again and knock off Alabama in what is essentially a home game. A tough task for the Utes.

Prediction: Alabama 49, Utah 17




JANUARY 3RD GAMES –

INTERNATIONAL BOWL – 12 P.M. ON ESPN2



The International Bowl is probably one of the most unrecognizable bowl games out there. It has an intriguing match up though. Buffalo won their first ever MAC Championship under heralded coach Turner Gill. On the other hand, UConn almost won the Big East this year, but some late slip ups cost them. Watch out for running back Donald Brown of Connecticut to have a big game. I think this might be the closest game of the ones remaining.

Prediction: Connecticut 20, Buffalo 17




JANUARY 5TH GAME –

TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL – 8 P.M. ON FOX



This looks to be a competitive game and is one of the more intriguing match ups in the BCS. You have Ohio State, a team that finished 2ND in the Big Ten Conference and probably didn't deserve a BCS bid. However, Texas was snubbed for Oklahoma in the BCS National Championship Game and they have a lot to prove. I look for Mack Brown and the Longhorns to put it on Ohio State and try to convince the voters of a split National Championship.

Prediction: Texas 35, Ohio State 21




JANUARY 6TH GAME –

GMAC BOWL – 8 P.M. ON ESPN



Another interesting bowl match up, which features a good one loss team. Ball State was upset by Buffalo in the MAC Championship Game, which ended their previously unbeaten season. The key to this game will be Ball State quarterback Nate Davis and Tulsa quarterback David Johnson. They are both two of the best quarterbacks in the nation and the one who makes the fewer mistakes might very well take this game.

Prediction: Ball State 35, Tulsa 28




JANUARY 8TH GAME –

FEDEX BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – 8 P.M. ON FOX



Finally, the 2008-09 Bowl Season concludes with the crowning of a champion. Big 12 Champion Oklahoma faces Southeastern Conference Champion Florida. It's a match up of Heisman winners in Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow. It also marks the first time two coaches who have won BCS Championships games before (Bob Stoops and Urban Meyer) face each other. One of those men will be the first to win a second BCS National Championship and only one Heisman winner will win this year's National Title.

Who will it be? It's hard to tell, especially with all the factors. Florida has a "B" offense, but an A+ defense, while Oklahoma has an "A+" offense and a "C" defense. This game could all come down to the defensive game, which favors Florida.

Prediction: Florida 28, Oklahoma 24




Well folks, that caps a 2008 bowl season filled with intrigue, losses, wins, and drama. I'll be back next week to take a look at the highs and lows of this bowl season.


Until then…..



Cody Dalton's book on sale now! "Sideline Warriors: The Greatest Sports Coaches and Managers of All Time" – http://www.lulu.com/content/2003212