SOLID PLAY:

Little Caesar's Bowl
Location:* Ford Field - Detroit, MI* (FieldTurf)* Time:* 10:00am EST
EVALUATION:* Breaking down the Little Ceasars Bowl between Marshall (6-6) and Ohio (9-4).

Take OHIO UNIVERSITY BOBCATS -3 vs. Marshall Thundering Herd
This bowl game could be a dud with Marshall playing with a lame duck interim staff, after their head coach Mark Snyder stepped down after a lackluster 6-6 SU record, and this stunned several of the players on the squad, and now defensive coordinator Rick Minter steps in as the interim coach not knowing if he will be retained full time. * This bowl game could be his one and only game as head coach if they lose.* * The Herd will have their leading rusher Darius Marshall back after missing the last two games with a high ankle sprain, and word is he has looked good in practice, and should be 100 percent healthy for this bowl game.* His 1,054 yards along with 11 touchdowns can be a good thing for the Herd, and this could be a problem for Ohio since they have struggled against the run allowing an average of just a hair over 150 yrds a game.** Ohio, on the other hand, is looking for its second 10-win season in its history as an FBS team. The Bobcats last won 10 games in 1968. This is a dramatic turnaround from winning four games a year ago, but we have always known that Frank Solich can coach.* Ohio last lost to Central Michigan in the MAC Championship 10-20 on this same field, and we expect them to show up ready to play in this one.** The Bobcats have only lost 4 games, and those were to UConn in their first game, Tennessee in week 4, Kent St.* on 10/24, and Central Mich in that MAC Championship game.* It's hard to judge whether a team with a lame duck interim coach will be motivated to play, but Ohio has a lot to play for and we think they will be up for their second consecutive game at Ford Field
PROJECTION:*** OHIO* 31*** Marshall* 17

NCAA Football 12/26/09

SOLID PLAY:

Meinke Car Care Bowl
Location:* BkofAma Stadium - Charlotte, NC* (Grass)* Time:* 1:30pm EST
EVALUATION:* Breaking down the Meinke Car Care Bowl between North Carolina (8-4) and Pittsburgh (9-3).

Take NORTH CAROLINA TARHEELS +1.5 vs. Pittsburgh Panthers*
These two coaches know each other very well, having been on Jimmy Johnson's coaching staff together for 11 years.* That includes four seasons at Oklahoma State, three at Miami and four with the Dallas Cowboys. There will be some familiarity on the opposing sidelines Saturday, when Butch Davis and Dave Wannstedt square off, but they never met as opposing coaches in the NFL.* If UNC's defensive line can hold up, it should help their linebackers Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter to pursue the Panthers' standout running back, Dion Lewis. Robert Quinn is one of the best defensive ends in the country, and he enters the game with 19 tackles for losses of 120 yards and 11 sacks for 94 yards. He also has forced six fumbles and has 15 quarterback hurries.* On the offensive side UNC quarterback T.J. Yates, has had an inconsistent season, but some of that can be attributed to his young receivers and average-at-best pass protection. He enters the bowl game needing 224 yards to reach the 6,000-yard career passing mark. For the season, Yates is 195 of 323 for 1,953 yards, 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He'll need to limit the mistakes in this game and help UNC win the turnover battle, but his supporting cast will have to help him out more, too.* For the first time in more than a decade, UNC is making an appearance in back-to-back bowls. Carolina's 16 wins over the last two years are the most by a Tar Heel team since posting 21 victories in 1996 and 1997. The program is changing under Davis, but can it take the next step and gain a postseason win?* UNC has proven it's capable of the upset this season, as it earned wins against No. 14 Virginia Tech and No. 12 Miami. A win over Pittsburgh would give Carolina nine wins for just the 15th time in school history and the first time since 1997.* Pitt has a tendency to find a way to lose (See: Big East title on the line vs. Cincinnati and regular season game against NC State). The Tar Heels will have the edge with Davis on the sidelines, Yates will redeem himself from an inconsistent season, and UNC's defense will once again be the difference. They'll pressure Pittsburgh QB Bill Stull into mistakes and come out on top of a defensive game.** The crowd should be pro Tarheel and we expect this to give them a slight advantage in the motivation department.
Projection:* ** North Carolina* 23***** Pittsburgh 20

NCAA Football 12/26/09

BEST BET:

Emerald Bowl

Location:* AT & T Park- San Francisco, CA* (Grass)* Time:* 7:00pm EST

TAKE USC TROJANS -7 vs. Boston College Eagles.

EVALUATION:* Breaking down the Emerald Bowl between No. 24 USC (8-4) and Boston College (8-4).
This game comes down to one thing, which USC quarterback named Matt Barkley will show up.* The one that led a game-winning drive in the waning moments at Ohio State on Sept. 12, or the one who looked like an overmatched true freshman quarterback in their . The Trojans offense sputtered down the stretch, and Barkley ended seventh in the Pac-10 in passing efficiency, with 12 interceptions and only 13 touchdowns. If Barkley reclaims his steady, heady self from the first half of the season, which means getting the ball into the hands of his playmakers and avoiding risky throws, the Trojans offense should * have no problem matching the smooth-running unit that scored 106 points against California, Notre Dame and Oregon State.** Most people think the Trojans will come out flat and uninspired because: 1. the Emerald Bowl is beneath a team that's played in seven consecutive BCS bowls; 2. the program has been in the news a lot of late for all the wrong reasons, and that will dilute motivation. * Know that BC will show up hungry and unintimidated. * Even without its A-game, which we haven't seen since the first three quarters of the win at Notre Dame, USC might prevail because it's got better players, but a lackluster effort could lead to another embarrassing defeat. * * If the Trojans roll and post an impressive win, it would suggest the program is righting itself and will be back in the Pac-10 and national mix next fall. If they look sloppy and uninspired, folks will start to wonder if the dynasty is truly dead. And keep in mind: While USC has lost four times in the Pac-10 this season, no team outside the conference has beaten USC since the 2005 national championship game. ** The problem we see with BC is that they just haven't got a respectable win away from Alumni Stadium, losing 3 of 5 to Clemson, Va. Tech, and Notre Dame.* Yes they were great at home, but when they traveled they either lost or played bad football and just managed to win.* Away from home the Eagles only scored 7, 14, 16, 14, and 19. ** We are thinking that USC has too much pride to play without fire. The absence of three starters and a reserve due to academics and NCAA issues will hurt, but that might be off-set by a team that was beaten up getting three weeks to rest and heal, mentally as well as physically.* We like the Trojans talent to prevail in this game.
PROJECTION:* USC 31* Boston College13