Predictions for the week of 12/26/2009
Last Week's Predictions
This week's accuracy: 58.06%
Southern Methodist at Nevada - Max is going with the Mustangs in June Jones' return to the Island. Southern Methodist by 2.
Result: Southern Methodist by 35
Kentucky at Clemson - Max was thinking about going against the Coaster here, but it's supposed to be a joyous time, so he's cutting the Tigers a break. Clemson by 17.
Result: Clemson by 8
Iowa State at Minnesota - Paul Rhoades had a heck of a year in Ames, but this is another BigEleven matchup that works out in Max's eyes. Minnesota by 20.
Result: Iowa State by 1
Northwestern at Auburn - So this isn't a good matchup for the Wildcats, but there has to be at least one BigEleven team that pulls an upset right? Northwestern by 6.
Result: Auburn by 3
Boston College at USC - This will be the blowout and more that everyone is expecting. Just think of the traveling. USC by 30.
Result: USC by 11
East Carolina at Arkansas - Max thinks Skip Holtz deserves a shot at a big school soon, and it will come. Especially after taking down the Razorbacks. Bobby Petrino is 2-2 in bowl games and hasn't won one without winning his conference championship first. Arkansas by 13.
Result: Arkansas by 3
Marshall at Ohio - Where have the Thundering Herd gone? They were a MAC powerhouse in the late 90s, but since they're move to C-USA, they've slipped into mediocrity. Let that be your guiding line for believing teams are interested in switching to the BigEleven Conference. Ohio by 21.
Result: Marshall by 4
Air Force at Houston - Max thinks it's only fair for the Falcons to win the Armed Forces Bowl, but those types of things don't measure up in bowl season. Bowling 'Green' doesn't always win the 'Emerald' Bowl, the RPI Engineers don't win the Car Care Bowl and Syracuse has never won the Orange Bowl. Houston by 2.
Result: Air Force by 27
Navy at Missouri - Gary Pinkel is 2-0 in his last two bowl appearances, both coming in the Lone Star State. Missouri by 10.
Result: Navy by 22
Idaho at Bowling Green - This won't be much of a game for the Vandals. Idaho by 17.
Result: Idaho by 1
Temple at UCLA - This is a good story here for the Owls, and Max realizes the travel accommodations, but UCLA is way better than Bill Cosby's alma mater. UCLA by 31.
Result: UCLA by 9
Michigan State at Texas Tech - What were the Spartan players thinking. The movie 300 is a Hollywood fictional flick. It's not for duplicating at an engineering fraternity. Besides, most of the football players will be working for those engineers in the future. And payback is a bitch. Texas Tech by 23.
Result: Texas Tech by 10
Texas A+M at Georgia - The Dawgs have been terrible all season. Max doesn't know why they're even invited to play in this game. Texas A+M by 6.
Result: Georgia by 24
Northern Illinois at South Florida - This is embarrassing for the Bulls to be pitted with the lowly Huskies. South Florida by 33.
Result: South Florida by 24
Connecticut at South Carolina - This would be an inspiring end to the season to win the bowl game for Jaz. Connecticut by 6.
Result: Connecticut by 13
(19) Stanford at Oklahoma - While Max giggles like a school girl dreaming of a 7-6 Sooners team, Stanford has to be distracted with Gerhart's Heisman stuff and Harbaugh's contract extensions. Oklahoma by 5.
Result: Oklahoma by 4
(21) Oklahoma State at Ole Miss - Isn't this the National Championship game? Max would have thought this was it based on the emails from RebelsFan at the beginning of the season. But maybe the fifth loss of the season is enough for OleMissNation to realize they don't have an elite team. P.S. Max went to see The Blind Side, and thought it was one of the best movies of the year. So at least the Rebels have that going for them. Oklahoma State by 14.
Result: Ole Miss by 14
(23) Utah at California - Cal definitely underachieved most of the year, so what better way to get yourself going again in 2010 than winning a bowl game against the top-25 Utes? California by 14.
Result: Utah by 10
(2) Texas at (1) Alabama - Plain and simple, Roll Tide. Max congratulates Mark Ingram on bringing the Heisman to Tuscaloosa for the first time ever. That's pretty amazing that the Tide has never had a Heisman winner. Which is most important, the Bronzed Running Back or the Sears' Crystal Football? Either way, enjoy it 'Bama fans. Alabama by 16.
Result: Alabama by 16
(6) Boise State at (3) TCU - Max is sorry the Frogs won't have the opportunity to play for the title, but whooping Boise into shape will go along way to disproving the Broncos' faith of a mythical national title. TCU by 20.
Result: Boise State by 7
(4) Cincinnati at (5) Florida - Max enjoyed the Tim Tebow Tear Fest in the Georgia Dome. Now it's on to a meaningless Sugar Bowl game. Florida won't have the same explosive defense losing Charlie Strong to L'Ville, and the offense probably won't have the same swagger. Cincy, however, will be out to show they can hang with the big boys, and it's not like the offensive coordinator wasn't paying attention to what Brian Kelly did. Cincinnati by 8.
Result: Florida by 27
(8) Ohio State at (7) Oregon - It's hard to believe this is the first Pasedena trip for Jim Tressel, but there's something here that Max thinks puts the buckeyes over the hump. Ohio State by 6.
Result: Ohio State by 9
(10) Iowa at (9) Georgia Tech - The Hawkeyes are back to full strength on offense, so the biggest factor will be Iowa's ability to defend the option. Max thinks Kirk Ferentz can get the job done. Iowa by 4.
Result: Iowa by 10
(13) LSU at (11) Penn State - Daryll Clark > Jordan Jefferson. Period. Penn State by 3.
Result: Penn State by 2
Tennessee at (12) Virginia Tech - This has long been one of Max's favorite bowls because it adds to the New Year's Eve party. This should add to Max's fondness. Virginia Tech by 1.
Result: Virginia Tech by 23
(24) Wisconsin at (14) Miami - Max likes the BigEleven matchups this bowl season. And when you get the post-season seasoned vets (Badgers) against a team that lost to Wake Forest, Max likes REALLY likes the BigEleven matchup. Wisconsin by 3.
Result: Wisconsin by 6
(15) BYU at (16) Oregon State - This will be one of the more intriguing matchups for Max. BYU has been a top-25 team all season, and the Beavers have come on as of late. BYU by 7.
Result: BYU by 24
North Carolina at (17) Pittsburgh - Playing just down the road, the Heels are playing too close to home to have it feel like much more than an ACC battle. And UNC has the better pro-coach-turned-college-coach. North Carolina by 5.
Result: Pittsburgh by 2
Florida State at (18) West Virginia - The 'Noles have been playing for their coach all season, right? So what makes us think they can dig deep and win one for the dad-gum coach? Nothing. West Virginia by 18.
Result: Florida State by 12
(20) Nebraska at (22) Arizona - Max is sorry for the way the Big XII championship went down, but at the same time, the Huskers can't really expect to earn a BCS bid by kicking four field goals. Unfortunately, Max thinks Arizona will simply be the better team here. Arizona by 7.
Result: Nebraska by 33
Troy at (25) Central Michigan - Max asks: Is Butch Jones the top candidate for the Notre Dame job in 2015? Central Michigan by 24.
Result: Central Michigan by 3
Disagree? Send
your comments to Maxwell Nuche