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Houston Bowl Dec 29th
For while this summer, it looked as if Gary Barnett was out of a job, but he survived, and his Colorado Buffaloes are in a bowl; Barnett is 1-4 in bowls, allowing 37.2 ppg Colorado's last bowl win was five years ago. Mike Price was booted by Alabama without ever coaching a game, so he is thrilled to be at UTEP and they're lot happier to have him, as Miners are 8-3, 7-1 in last eight games, an amazing turnaround, for both the coach and his team.
Colorado won three of last four games, getting drilled by Oklahoma in Big 12 title game; teams that lost that title game has covered just one of its last six bowls. Big 12 teams are 1-5 as favorites away from home in non-Big 12 games this season. Iowa State got Big 12 off with a win last night, but WAC's Fresno upset Virginia.
I would be stunned if this game didn't mean lot more to the Miners than to Colorado. Buffs were hurt by some transfers last summer; they were only favored in three of their eleven games this season, none since mid-October. Big 12 teams won and covered three of four in this bowl
Miners were 3-1 as dog this season; they score points, and give some up. Think UTEP and over is way to go.
Alamo Bowl Dec 29th, San Antonio
Ohio State flourished once Smith took over as QB, with a 4-1 record in his starts, including upset wins over both Michigan schools. Buckeyes scored 27.4 ppg in his five starts, compared to 20 ppg in other games. We mention this because Smith is suspended for this game, will not play. Shaky former starter Zwick gets nod for Buckeyes who are 2-1 in bowls under Tressel,.after 1-10 spread run in bowls by his predecessors.
Oklahoma State runs the ball, simple as that; they lost three of last four games, allowing 36.5 ppg, but they also played Oklahoma, Texas back-to-back. Cowboys have plus-18 turnover ratio and are 4-1 in last five tries as a favorite. In only three of eleven games this year did State complete ten passes. Balanced teams do better in bowls and Oklahoma State has very little offensive balance.
In five of the eleven Alamo Bowls, losing side scored 0 or 3 points; in three of last five, total was 35 or less. The imbalance of Oklahoma State makes them suspect, and loss of QB Smith makes Buckeyes a no-play. Both of these teams are very well-coached.
For while this summer, it looked as if Gary Barnett was out of a job, but he survived, and his Colorado Buffaloes are in a bowl; Barnett is 1-4 in bowls, allowing 37.2 ppg Colorado's last bowl win was five years ago. Mike Price was booted by Alabama without ever coaching a game, so he is thrilled to be at UTEP and they're lot happier to have him, as Miners are 8-3, 7-1 in last eight games, an amazing turnaround, for both the coach and his team.
Colorado won three of last four games, getting drilled by Oklahoma in Big 12 title game; teams that lost that title game has covered just one of its last six bowls. Big 12 teams are 1-5 as favorites away from home in non-Big 12 games this season. Iowa State got Big 12 off with a win last night, but WAC's Fresno upset Virginia.
I would be stunned if this game didn't mean lot more to the Miners than to Colorado. Buffs were hurt by some transfers last summer; they were only favored in three of their eleven games this season, none since mid-October. Big 12 teams won and covered three of four in this bowl
Miners were 3-1 as dog this season; they score points, and give some up. Think UTEP and over is way to go.
Alamo Bowl Dec 29th, San Antonio
Ohio State flourished once Smith took over as QB, with a 4-1 record in his starts, including upset wins over both Michigan schools. Buckeyes scored 27.4 ppg in his five starts, compared to 20 ppg in other games. We mention this because Smith is suspended for this game, will not play. Shaky former starter Zwick gets nod for Buckeyes who are 2-1 in bowls under Tressel,.after 1-10 spread run in bowls by his predecessors.
Oklahoma State runs the ball, simple as that; they lost three of last four games, allowing 36.5 ppg, but they also played Oklahoma, Texas back-to-back. Cowboys have plus-18 turnover ratio and are 4-1 in last five tries as a favorite. In only three of eleven games this year did State complete ten passes. Balanced teams do better in bowls and Oklahoma State has very little offensive balance.
In five of the eleven Alamo Bowls, losing side scored 0 or 3 points; in three of last five, total was 35 or less. The imbalance of Oklahoma State makes them suspect, and loss of QB Smith makes Buckeyes a no-play. Both of these teams are very well-coached.
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