Bowl Preview: Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl

Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowls
LP Field, Nashville, TN
Date: Dec. 27
Time: 8:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Line: Clemson -6.5

About Kentucky (7-5): The Wildcats finished their traditional Rich Brooks 7-5 this season, starting out like crap and finishing strong. This miraculously coincided with the schedule getting much easier. Kentucky always seems like it has potential, but really, unless it gets to play Vanderbilt eight times year, this is about the best UK can hope for.

Intangibles:
Fired Billy Gillespie: +2
Hired John Calipari: -2
Not in Louisville: +3

About Clemson (8-4): The Tigers won the ACC Atlantic Division over such heavyweights as Boston College, N.C. State and Maryland. They went to the ACC title game and in front of 12,000 screaming fans came up short against Georgia Tech. Dabo Swinney is still the coach. I figure that'll last about two more years before they Rich Rodriguez away from unemployment after he gets the ax at Michigan.

Intangibles:
Head coach named "Dabo": +1
not coached by any member of the Bowden family: +5
1978 Gator Bowl: -6 (not that I'm still bitter.)

Impact player: Clemson RB C.J. Spiller. Duh. This guy is awesome. It probably still won't be enough.

Bowl Slogan: "It's like the Grand 'Ol Opry with more teeth."

Little Known Fact: I totally made you say Gaylord.

Watchability (1-5): 3.6

The pick: Kentucky 31, Clemson 30

Picks of the Week: No. 11

I’m 0-10 on upsets this season. I thought I had the Florida State game against Clemson last week and then C.J. Spiller and the Tigers went crazy in the fourth quarter and ended my hopes of ending the drought. Here I go again. Let’s see if I can finally get a 5-0 week.

Idaho (+32.0) over Boise State
You have to love Idaho coach Rob Akey. All week he’s been hyping this game. The Vandals have been a joke the past decade, but Akey has Idaho playing at a higher level and feeling like it can take down the WAC-power Broncos. Idaho isn’t going to go into Bronco Stadium and take take Chris Petersen’s team, which has the nation’s best home winning percentage this decade at .968 (60-2). Not to mention Boise has won 10 straight in this series. Also hurting the Vandals chances of pulling an upset is the possible loss of starting QB Nathan Enderle, who’ll be a game-time decision. Still, I think Idaho will be jacked and keep this closer than 32 points.
Pick: Boise State 44, Idaho 32

Wisconsin (-8.5) over Michigan
Badger fans were ready to ship coach Bret Bielema out of Madison at the beginning of the season and start making a run at Brian Kelly or Chris Petersen. Instead, Wisconsin has been one of the best surprises in the Big Ten and could easily finish this season 10-2. Michigan’s defense will have a tough time stopping QB Scott Tolzien, who completed 11-of-20 for 194 and a score in last week’s win over Indiana. The Wolverines have fallen apart since opening the season 4-0 and are in trouble of missing a bowl game for a second consecutive season under Rich Rodriguez.
Pick: Wisconsin 38, Michigan 17

Alabama (-12.5) over Mississippi State
The Bulldogs have been a competitive and spunky bunch under first-year coach Dan Mullen, but Mississippi State will struggle to score against Alabama’s staunch defense. RB Mark Ingram, who should be the favorite to win the Heisman this season, should pad his rushing stats in this one. He’s rushed for 1,148 yards and eight TDs this season. QB Greg McElroy could also work out of his midseason funk against the Mississippi State defense. It should be noted that McElroy did play well against LSU last week.
Pick: Alabama 27, Mississippi State 9

Oregon (-18.0) over Arizona State
After weeks of anticipation, this game marks the return of RB LeGarrette Blount. But when or will Chip Kelly put him on the field Saturday? The Ducks should bounce back from last week’s disappointing performance against Stanford as Oregon remains in a great position to win the Pac-10. The Sun Devils secondary is porous so QB Jeremiah Masoli should rack up some impressive stats. Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler has a bright future, but he’ll be stymied by Oregon’s defense.
Pick: Oregon 45, Arizona State 21

Upset of the Week
Arizona (+3.0) over California
Wildcats coach Mike Stoops is doing the best job of coaching in the conference, as well as in his family. Arizona has a tough close to the season starting with Cal and then Oregon, Arizona State and USC. The Wildcats get the stretch going in the right direction behind QB Nick Foles, who should feast of the Bears weak pass defense. Cal must also deal with the loss of RB Jahvid Best, who suffered a concussion for the second straight week.
Pick: Arizona 30, California 28

Last Week: 3-2
Season Record: 26-24