Bowl Preview: Pacific Life Holiday Bowl

Pacific Life Holiday Bowl
Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego
Arizona vs. Nebraska
Date: Dec. 30
Time: 8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Line: Nebraska -2.5

About Arizona (8-4): The Wildcats took another leap forward under Mike Stoops which certainly surprised the hell out of me. I thought he'd take the John Mackovic right turn into hell. Whatever happened to Mackovic anyway? So the 'Cats have a good defense and a decent offense with a decent QB in Nick Foles. That's about it.

Intangibles:
"Bear Down": -2
Tucson Nov-Feb.: +3
Tucson rest of year: -112 degrees

About Nebraska (9-4): Suh, Suh, Suh, is pretty much all you hear about with the 'Huskers. The reason for that is the rest of the team pretty much blows. Offense? Terrible. Special teams? Terrible? DBs? Terrible. Suh. FREAKING AWESOME. Bo Pelini? Curses a lot.

Intangibles:
Still not running triple option: -2
Tom Osborne pulse rate: +34 per minute.
Blackshirts are back: +2

Impact player: Okay. Other than Suh. How about Nic Grigsby, 'Zona's oft injured running back? Without Grigsby the 'Cats stop running the ball and call about 70 wide receiver screens a game.

Bowl slogan: "We love defense at the Holiday Bowl. Just can't get enough of it!"

Little known fact: Bo Pelini was a horrendous safety at Ohio State. When then coach John Cooper said he had "too many slow, white guys" he pretty much had a picture of Bo in his pocket.

Watchability (1-5): 4 (out of respect to history)

The pick: Arizona 14, Nebraska 13

Podcast: Episode 52

OK, we all saw Tim Tebow crying. Let it go. It's not that big a deal.

What's making us cry are these BCS bowl match ups. Really? TCU vs. Boise State. That's not what anyone wants to see. Give the little guys a chance. Now one of them will end up undefeated and their congressman will run to Capitol Hill begging and pleading for a playoff.

And who out there doesn't think the Gators won't put a beat down on Cincinnati? Bearcats coach Brian Kelly may not even be around to see it happen as he's interviewing at Notre Dame and wants nothing more than to get out of The Queen City by Saturday so he can start recruiting for the Fighting Irish.

We applaud the Mike London hiring at Virginia and also think Charlie Strong to Louisville is a good call.

With the five Heisman finalists announced we think Alabama's Mark Ingram is the best bet to win, but we like Nebraska long shot Ndamukong Suh. Phil believes the bowl schedule bodes well for the Big 10 this year, while Tom is confident the Big East will hold its own (except Cincinnati).