Dec28

Playing with Fire: Alamo Bowl and Chick-Fil-a Bowl – College Football Picks – 2012

Zach Mettenberger, (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images North America)

Two sets of Tigers tangle, as LSU and Clemson face off in another SEC vs. ACC matchup in the Chick-Fil-a Bowl. And Texas and Oregon State duke it out in the Alamo Bowl. So here are my big game picks for these two bowls.

The Big Games

Alamo Bowl

23 Texas - 35

13 Oregon State - 42

Both of these teams had similar type seasons, but only one would really consider their season a good one, and that’s Oregon State. Most teams would be happy going 8-4 and earning a bowl bid, but the Texas Longhorns go into each season with greater aspirations. While Oregon State is considered by many to be the surprise of the Pac-12, they had a chance to finish better than 9-3, but that record is better than anyone thought it would be entering the season.

And now the Beavers can win ten games with a victory, which would usher in their own greater aspirations for next season. Both teams have QB controversies coming into this game. The Longhorns with David Ash and Case McCoy and the Beavers with Sean Mannion and Cody Vaz. It’s more than likely that all of them will play, but which one gives their team the best chance to win?

Overall I think the Beavers have the better offense, but neither team is dominant defensively. So it should turn out to be a high scoring game. The Longhorns come in on a two game losing streak, with disappointing losses to TCU and Kansas State ending their season. A win would give them much-needed momentum going into next year.

And the Longhorns should have an advantage with the game being in San Antonio, Texas as the game is closer to their fan base. But I don’t think it will matter too much. Oregon State is the better team, and getting to ten wins will mean more to them than Texas getting to nine. The Beavers win.

Ryan Murphy, (Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images North America)

Chick-Fil-a Bowl

8 LSU - 28

14 Clemson - 21

Another SEC-ACC matchup that looks really good on paper. Clemson has a high-powered offense and LSU has a powerful defense, so the matchup should be a good one. Clemson is capable of being very explosive, but they have struggled with teams like LSU that are stong in the trenches, and I think they’ll struggle again.

Clemson may have an advantage in talent at the skilled positions, as QB Tajh Boyd leads the Tigers offense. But LSU has shown that they can put up points on occasion, and their QB Zach Mettenberger improved as the season went on. Coach Les Miles seemed more comfortable opening up the offense and Mettenbeger put up some solid numbers down the stretch.

Clemson had a chance to make statement in their last game against South Carolina, but they stumbled at home, and showed that they aren’t quite ready to beat the best the SEC has to offer. and I don’t think they will be this time either. Tajh Boyd is a good QB, but the elite defenders for South Carolina gave him problems. I see a similar result against LSU.

The LSU Tigers advantage is on the offensive and defensive lines, and in SEC games running the ball and stopping the run are the keys to winning. And I think those will be the keys in this game. The SEC one ups the ACC again. LSU wins.

Championship Week review:

I went 3-1 in picks for Championship week, and that takes me to 35-20 overall and 64% on the season. I thought Georgia would beat Alabama in the SEC championship game. and while the Bulldogs came close, is wasn’t enough. And as a reminder, I only pick games between ranked opponents, which makes it much more of challenge, but I like it that way.

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