Bowling Green (-2) Idaho (68)
It was a breakthrough season for Idaho with the first bowl appearance since 1998 for the
Vandals. That year Idaho played in this same bowl game and unlike most teams the Vandals
are thrilled to stay in its home state playing in Boise. That year Idaho won 42-35 as a 17-point
underdog against Southern Mississippi. Bowling Green looked like a rebuilding team but the
Falcons won six of the final seven games to find the postseason. Both teams only defeated
one bowl team all season but Idaho’s win was an impressive win on the road against Northern
Illinois of the MAC. Both teams feature impressive passing attacks with Bowling Green nearly
exclusively putting the ball in the air. QB Tyler Sheehan is capable of posting big numbers but
the Falcons can be a bit too aggressive through the air at times. Idaho was without QB Nathan
Enderle in a few of the losses and he should be at full health for this game. Enderle is an
excellent QB that is likely the difference-maker in this game. The Idaho defense has poor
numbers but if you take away losses against Boise State and Nevada the numbers are much
more respectable. Idaho actually out-gained undefeated Boise State so the Vandals should
not be underestimated, particularly in a favorable venue. The only quality win for Bowling
Green came surprising Troy to open the season and Idaho has a quality veteran offensive line
that should make moving the ball much more effective for the Vandals through the air or on
the ground. Look for Idaho to be an underdog with a rushing edge, playing a de facto home
game with some buzz for the first bowl appearance in over a decade. Bowling Green’s last
bowl appearance was a 63-7 loss and although Coach Clawson did a great job in his first year
this looks like a tough position to get a great performance from a team that got here through a
very favorable conference schedule in a weak MAC East. IDAHO BY 10
RATING 4: Idaho (+2) over Bowling Green

HOLIDAY BOWL @San Diego, CA 7:00 PM
Arizona (-1˝) Nebraska (40)
No team gained more attention championship weekend than Nebraska despite the Huskers
losing the game and featuring a pathetic offensive performance. With a BCS spot on the line
Nebraska posted a grand total of 106 yards of offense. Nebraska’s defense is outstanding but
Arizona brings an excellent offensive resume, averaging nearly 30 points per game through a
very tough schedule. Arizona lost four games but none by more than ten points and although
Nebraska was able to slow down the Texas pass offense, the worst game of the season came
against the Texas Tech air attack. Nebraska is a tough team to run against but the Huskers
struggled against the pass in several games despite finding ways to win, notably against
Oklahoma and Colorado, games they probably deserved to lose. Arizona appeared to be
lining up for a Rose Bowl spot before Oregon made a miraculous comeback to spoil those
plans. Even after a very disheartening loss like that Arizona rebounded to win the final two
games on the road at Arizona State and at USC, showing a lot about this team. While
Nebraska’s defense will get a lot more attention, Arizona allowed just 316 yards per game on
the year while facing a much tougher slate of offensive opponents. Nebraska will likely keep
the ball on the ground and run a conservative offense but Arizona is one of the best teams in
the Pac-10 against the run, averaging only 112 yards per game. Nebraska will have no
chance to keep up if Arizona can turn this game into a shootout. Arizona sophomore QB Nick
Foles made a name for himself with several big games and he can carry the team. Last year
was the breakthrough bowl appearance for Arizona in the Stoops era and the Wildcats played
well to beat a highly regarded BYU team. Bo Pelini led the Huskers to a bowl win last season
but Nebraska is a team that was very fortunate to win in several games and actually was outgained
in five of the final six games of the year, despite only one loss in that stretch. Arizona
faced eight teams that are playing in bowl games enduring one of the toughest schedules in
the nation and this is a program ready to make a national statement. ARIZONA BY 10
RATING 3: Arizona (-1˝) over Nebraska