A day late

Not my post, just the "New Years Day" games that are now being played on the 2nd. Totally throwing me off.

Ticketcity Bowl
Preview: Houston v. Penn State
This is anything but just another bowl game. Houston is coming off their only loss of the season at the hands of a Southern Miss squad who ruined the Cougars chances at a BCS bowl berth. Penn State? It doesn't take explaining to say why this is important for the Nittany Lions. With the season they've had dealing with the Jerry Sandusky sex scandal and Joe Paterno being let go midway through the season, will Penn State show up ready to prove themselves? Or will the Cougars rebound, led by quarterback Case Keenum in his final outing? Keenum is still around but head man, Kevin Sumlin, has already moved on and accepted the opening at Texas A&M and will not coach the Cougars in their bowl. Penn State will have plenty to play for, in an attempt to put a positive cap on this ugly season, but I see Houston rebounding from a tough loss and ending the year on top.

Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl
Preview: Ohio State v. Florida
Otherwise known as the Urban Meyer Bowl. Meyer's former school, Florida, will be taking on the squad he'll be coaching next season, Ohio State. Both these teams finished 6-6, though they were probably expected to do a little better. Florida was 0-5 against ranked opponents this season, dropping six of their final eight games. The Buckeyes went 2-3 against the top 25 with wins over Illinois and Wisconsin in back to back weeks, but they dropped their final three games, one against the Nittany Lions. Meyer says he may not even watch this game because of the emotions he has tied to both programs now, and sadly, I won't be getting the chance to see it either. I've got the Gator's in the Gator Bowl. Fitting, right?

Outback Bowl
Preview: Michigan State v. Georgia
This game pits two 10-3 teams against one another, but the Spartans haven't won a bowl game in their last five tries. For the fourth time in five seasons, they'll be playing a bowl in Florida, though with the history they've had, that doesn't seem to play to their advantage. The Bulldogs are making their 15th straight bowl season appearance after facing top ranked LSU in the SEC title game. Any other year, Georgia might've stood a chance in the conference title game, but with the way LSU has played, the fact that the Bulldogs kept it so close was incredible to me. Today's game will be the final outing for Michigan State's winningest quarterback and all-time leader in receiving yards, as Kirk Cousins and B.J. Cunningham finish their careers with the Spartans. I see them going out big and Cousins adding to his record. I've got Michigan State.

Capital One Bowl
Preview: Nebraska v. South Carolina
Up next is the team that kept Michigan State from reaching the Rose Bowl, Nebraska (with the old conference alignment, Michigan State would've received the automatic bid), and the team that handed Georgia their only regular season conference loss, South Carolina. The Gamecocks are one win away from their winningest season in the program's history, however, they have dropped three straight in postseason play. With a win, the Cornhuskers could reach 10 wins for the third straight year. Nebraska hasn't played an SEC opponent since a loss to Auburn in the Cotton Bowl after the 2006 season. Maybe that bodes well for the Gamecocks. I've got Steve Spurrier leading his team to their 11th win and finishing with the winningest season in school history.

Rose Bowl
Preview: Wisconsin v. Oregon
Finally getting into top 10 matches. The Ducks were still waiting to play this time last year as they awaited the Auburn Tigers in the title game. The Tigers have already finished their year at 8-5, while the Ducks have 11 wins entering today's game. Clearly, the Ducks had more success coming out of the title game as the defeated squad than the Tigers did winning the championship and losing their front man, Hesiman trophy winner, Cam Newton. The Badgers have their own Heisman connection as Montee Ball traveled to New York this season as a Heisman finalist. He didn't come home with the hardware, but Ball led the country with 1,759 rushing yards and 38 total touchdowns. Wisconsin is no stranger to the Rose Bowl as they played in this game last season against TCU. A failed 2-point conversion left the Horned Frogs undefeated, while the Badgers were sent home licking their wounds. So, you've got two teams who suffered heartbreaking losses in bowl games last season. Who'll rebound? I changed my pick this morning. I had the Badgers, but I'm going with the Ducks. Kelly, I couldn't have pulled harder against you last year in the title game, but this year I'll be a big fan. Sorry I couldn't make the trip out though ;)

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Preview: Stanford v. Oklahoma State
What a game this should be. 3 v. 4. And I was in this venue last year for the championship game. Good luck to anyone trying to get in the stadium. All of you have one gate to go through. Keep smiling. Andrew Luck will be finishing his career with the Cardinal, while the Cowboys will be looking to prove they should've had their chance against LSU in the title game. Both these teams were national title contenders until late in the season. The Cardinal lost to Oregon on Nov. 12, and the Cowboys fell to Iowa State nearly a week later on the 18th. Last year's Fiesta Bowl had nowhere near the excitement level of this game. Oklahoma versus a four-loss Connecticut team didn't seem to have the draw this match-up brings. This will likely be one of the best bowl games of the season, and I intend to see every snap. I see the Cowboys taking this one, though I see it being close.