IDAHO over BOWLING GREEN by 1
Boise weatherman is calling for mid-30’s and sunny skies on the quick Smurf Turf. Gentlemen...start your engines. The team with the ball last might win this track meet. Idaho mans a balanced offense, but they’ll keep it on the ground against one of the country’s worst run defenses. That strategy will also keep the Vandal D off of the field against the vaunted Falcon aerial assault. Idaho gave up 30 TD passes to just 6 interceptions on the season – so Bowling Green QB Sheehan and WR Barnes, who hooked up 138 times on the season – will be licking their chops. The in-state squad will have a healthy QB Enderle back when it is time to chuck it. They lost their last three ball games when he was out or playing injured. We’ll give the slight edge to Idaho for two reasons: (1) Enderle is back, giving them the more bal- anced offense; and (2) Boise St. fans cannot stand Idaho and they’ll be out in full force in place of the Bowling Green faithful, many of whom won’t be making the trip under these eco- nomic conditions. IDAHO, 41-40.

ARIZONA over NEBRASKA by 3
Playing against Sun Belt offenses, and in-conference against familiar Big 12 offenses where the personnel was down a notch or two from the year before, Nebraska’s defense has com- piled upper-echelon stats and rankings. Stepping out of a comfort zone and into a match-up against a relatively consistent and productive Pac 10 offense that has time to prepare around standout 6’4’’, 300-pound defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh could be a different story for the Huskers. With the most eyes upon him this season against Texas in the Big 12 Championship Game, Suh matched a career high with 12 tackles, nine for zero or negative yards, and had 4.5 sacks. But Texas allows sacks. Colt McCoy had been taken down 31 times before that game. Arizona quarterback Nick Foles has been sacked only 11 times this season, largely a function of offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes spreading out opposing defenses with a quick-pass offense borrowed from Texas Tech. A return from injury by RB Nic Grigsby would be a big boost to Arizona’s offensive potential. Nebraska’s offense averages only 15.9 first downs per game (San Jose State’s got 16) and doesn’t figure to have much of an upside against an Arizona defense that ranked in the Top 20 in yards (315) and first downs (16.5) allowed, featuring standout defensive ends, a fifth-year senior at nose tackle, and experi- enced linebackers. ARIZONA, 20-17.