Pac-10 Bowl Predictions

Bowl Games Pac-10 Predictions
(Last week Truebluebruin 1-2, 2-1 against the spread. Blueandgold 2-1, 1-2 against the spread)
(Overall Truebluebruin 51-24, 28-41-2 against the spread. Blueandgold 52-23, 32-36-3 against the spread)

BYU vs Oregon State (-2.5): Vegas Bowl
(Truebluebruin) People like to joke that USC was getting tired of Rosebowls the last few years, but BYU could probably say the same thing about multiple trips to the Vegas bowl. They will definitely be accustomed to the intense cold of the bowl game (I was at that bowl 2 years ago, it was freezing!!). Still, this is an Oregon State team that game 1 game away from going to the rosebowl in a very strong pac-10. They beat a Gerhart lead Stanford, so taking on Unga of BYU shouldn’t be too imposing.
Oregon State 31 BYU 23
(Blueandgold) The meeting of 2 offensive minded teams. OSU looked good in the Civil War and they have a dual threat of passing via James and running via Jaquizz, and with Canfield being the orchestrator the Beaver Offense is in good hands. But they go up against Max Hall who has been rock solid the past two seasons with over 3,000 yards this year as well. BYU is slightly better than OSU in all offensive categories, however OSU had a tougher schedule. Because this game is in Vegas and BYU's second home, I'm gonna pick them in this one; their fans really know how to fill Sam Boyd Stadium.
BYU 28 OSU 21

Utah vs Cal (-2.5): Poinsetta Bowl
(Truebluebruin) Probably the most inconsistent team in the pac-10, you never know what team will show up when Cal takes the field. Utah isn’t the team that went 13-0 last season, but they are still a strong enough team to give Cal fits if they don’t take this game seriously. Shane Vareen has been a power for Cal since the loss of Best, but I don’t know how focused they’ll come out for this game. I have to pick Utah in this one
Utah 21 Cal 20
(Blueandgold) This is a great matchup. Cal would win this easily with Best, but without him, it makes for an interesting game. The team showed a lot of poise beating Arizona and Stanford in the final weeks, although getting spanked by Washington in the last game really hurt. Utah is formidable opponent, however they aren't the same team from last year. Also with the game in CA, I feel the home crowd will help put Cal over the top on this one. Cal, like BYU, is slightly better statistically than Utah, but those statistics come playing in a tougher conference than Utah.
Cal 24 Utah 17

Boston College vs USC (-7): Emerald Bowl
(Truebluebruin) Be careful what you wish for, Trojan fans. After complaining about getting tired of Rosebowls, USC finally gets a new venue, but definitely not the way they would hope. The fact that USC didn’t win the pac-10 again isn’t that big of a shock, given that all “dynasties” end eventually, but that with the embarrassing amount of talent on both sides of the ball and in the depth chart, that USC finished in 5th place in the pac-10. If USC is even remotely focused on this game, they should overwhelm Boston College based off of talent alone.
USC 38 BC 21
(Blueandgold) Well a down year for USC, finishing 5th in the Pac 10 after 7 straight Pac 10 Championships. However even though they lost their final game to AZ and haven't looked the same in the final 6 weeks, they are really statistically better than BC in all offensive categories. However, the Joe McKnight scandal may change the tides of this game, losing their 1,000+ yard rusher, leaving TRUE FRESHMAN Matt Barkley to win the game on his arm (which hasn't been stellar of late). Still the competition of BC is not enough to match 'SC's superior talent on both sides of the ball.
USC 28 BC 17

Temple vs UCLA (-4): EagleBank Bowl
(Truebluebruin) Well, the bowl season hasn’t played out so far how UCLA would have hoped, with 3 players already removed from the team for the bowl game, and fans upset over the “wall incident” while the Owls are much more focused after gaining only their 3rd bowl bid ever. Temple should enjoy an advantage in location, weather, and fan support, but UCLA should be the more talented team and more battle tested due to playing a much tougher schedule. If UCLA can stay focused, they should be able to win a tough game.
UCLA 24 Temple 17
(Blueandgold) A very interesting matchup to say the least. Bruins come in as basically the last team to get a bowl bid and being only at 6-6 against an Owl team appearing in their first bowl in 3 decades under a rising superstar coach. UCLA is a pass oriented team playing against a Temple Run oriented team. The two are very different, and they split many offensive statistics because of that. UCLA did play a tougher schedule though and should prepare them for solid Temple team. Playing against Vareen, James, Gerhart, and Rodgers should have prepared the Bruins for what they see in Temple's running game.
UCLA 24 Temple 21

Nebraska vs Arizona (even): Holiday Bowl
(Truebluebruin) Probably the hardest game to forecast, you have a strong offense for Arizona against a stifling Nebraska defense, that can’t really move the ball. Nebraska almost knocked off Texas, and Arizona’s offense should be easier to shut down. This could be an ugly, low scoring game, with Suh being the difference, causing havoc in the Arizona backfield
Nebraska 17 Arizona 14
(Blueandgold) Well the winner of this game will show whether a good Defense or Offense is more dominant. Arizona is an Offensive minded team, beating Nebraska in all offensive statistics. However Nebraska comes into the game with a Heisman Candidate in Suh leading a suffocating defense that almost pulled off the win against Texas. I feel this is the toughest game to project of all the Pac 10 matchups. But with a little help from a hometown crowd, I feel AZ will be pushed over the top.
Arizona 24 Nebraska 21

Oklahoma (-7) vs Stanford: Sun Bowl
(Truebluebruin) Oklahoma should enjoy a sizeable home field advantage in this game. Stanford’s offense won’t be at 100% with Andrew Luck somewhat beaten up. Gerhart alone could carry this team. However, he is no longer facing a pac-10 team that has a reputation of defending against more finesse, speed, spread based offenses. Stanford is going up against a big-12 school used to power, smash-mouth football. Oklahoma should be able to keep Gerhart in better check than the rest of the pac-10 could.
Oklahoma 31 Stanford 20
(Blueandgold) Stanford finds itself in a bowl for the first time since 2001, but they will play a team that was in the National Championship game last year. Stanford is statistically better offensively than OU, and will need a big game from their go-to guy and Heisman winner (according to me) Toby Gerhart. However Luck may not be back in time for the game, which could severely hurt Stanford, but no Bradford will definitely hurt Oklahoma. Still Stanford's backup has experience and won't be a total drop off from Luck. Pac 10-Big 12 Bragging rights are on the line here and I will go with the Big 10 on this one because of the home crowd from OU in Texas and with the Bowl experience that OU has over Stanford.
OU 35 Stanford 27

Ohio State vs Oregon (-2): Rose Bowl
(Truebluebruin) So nice to see a rosebowl without USC playing in it. Funny that despite a close line of only Oregon as a 2 point favorite, the entire nation seems to agree that Oregon should win this game. Oregon’s offense should give Ohio State fits. While Ohio State can put up points on an average Oregon defense, I’d be very surprised if they can keep up with the yards and points that this Oregon offense produces in large quantities. Ohio State’s vaunted rushing defense is about to be exposed.
Oregon 35 Ohio State 17
(Blueandgold) Oregon wins this one because their offense is just way too hard to contain. They can run with James and Masoli and they have the future Heisman candidate in Masoli as well. Oregon is better in all offensive statistics and has individual leaders beating their Buckeye counterparts. Oregon's defense is also superior, which will suffocate the OSU offense. Add to that Trussell's uncanny ability to lose big time games and you have the makings of possibly an Oregon blowout (not to mention a probable Oregon hometown crowd with the game on the West Coast). Too many weapons against a team that hasn't really shown in the national spotlight they have the answers. Although this game is the 6th best rushing offense in Oregon against the 5th best rushing defense in Ohio State. I'll take the offense in this one.
Oregon 28 Ohio State 17