On a roll

There's nothing like going 6-0 in New Years Day (late) bowl games!

Review: HOUSTON 30 Penn State 14 √
As I said, the Cougars ended the year on top, rebounding from their own loss of the season to down the Nittany Lions. The loss ended a less than memorable (but forever remembered) season for Penn State. Houston quarterback Case Keenum had another stellar performance racking up 532 yards and three touchdowns. Keenum already hold several records including being the NCAA career leader in passing yards and touchdown passes, and broke the record for the most passing yards in a single quarter in any bowl game with 227 in the opening 15 minutes of the game. Houston ended the day with 600 yards of total offense compared to Penn State's 306. The Nittany Lions also had three turnovers on the day, while Houston, who had two in their last game, didn't give it up a single time.

Review: FLORIDA 24 Ohio State 17 √
My, My, Myer. Your former team looked like they had it out for the squad you'll be manning next year. This game may not have been about offense, but the Gators lived up to the SEC's reputation of having a defense to keep your eyes on. The Gator's had six sacks in the game, and special teams also played a big part in Florida's victory as Andre Debose took the ball 99 yards on a kickoff return for a touchdown, which was the longest scoring play in bowl history. They also managed to block a punt and Chris Rainey returned it for a touchdown. The loss ended Ohio State's year at 6-7, giving them their first losing season since 1988. The seven losses were the most since 1897. Meyer, you might have your hands full.

Review: SOUTH CAROLINA 30 Nebraska 13 √
The Cornhuskers managed 13 points in the first quarter and led 13-9 entering the second quarter, but from there on it was all Gamecocks as they reeled off 21 unanswered to win the Capital One Bowl. Does this mean Capital One Bowl Week (or MONTH) is finally over? In a season that involved cutting the starting quarterback and losing your star running back to injury, who knew Steve Spurrier would be able to rally the troops and give the Gamecocks their winningest season on record. The Gamecocks did most of their damage through the air as the Cornhuskers out-rushed South Carolina by 16 yards. Conner Shaw, who stepped in after Stephen Garcia was kicked off the team, went 11 of 17 on the day for 230 yards and two touchdowns. South Carolina won their first bowl game in the last four tries.

Review: MICHIGAN STATE 33 Georgia 30 3/OT √
What a thriller in Tampa, though it didn't start out that way! When Georgia led 2-0 after the first quarter, who knew this one would take three overtimes to decide a champion. I didn't get the chance to see any of this one, but I tuned in to the final 3 minutes of the game and the overtimes on the radio. The Bulldogs led 16-0 at halftime and seemed to be in control, but in the third quarter, the Spartans cut that lead to just two, putting two touchdowns on the board. On Michigan State's first touchdown of the day, they went for the 2-point conversion and got it, but the second touchdown, courtesy of a Darqueze Dennard interception returned for six, was just good for six as the 2-point conversion was no good. The fourth quarter was back and forth but the Spartans tied the game with 14 seconds to go, sending them into overtime. After Kirk Cousins pass was intercepted during State's possession in overtime, Mark Richt opted to try a 42 yard field goal on 3rd down, and Blair Walsh missed it. Double Overtime. Walsh would redeem himself with a 47 yard field goal this time, but Michigan State's Dan Conroy would make from 35 to tie the game again. Triple Overtime. Again, the game was left to the kickers as Conroy knocked another through, this time a 28 yard field goal. Walsh got his chance from 47 yards but it was blocked, giving Michigan State their first bowl win under head coach Mark Dantonio.

Review: OREGON 45 Wisconsin 38 √
I changed my pick, and I couldn't be happier that I did. This game looked like it might outscore the Alamo Bowl at first, with 28 points scored in the first and second quarters. It was an explosive game, but in the end it came down to final review by the officials to confirm that indeed Wisconsin had pulled a Les Miles. They had snapped the ball and spiked it, but there was no time left on the clock. Game over. The Ducks claimed their first Rose Bowl in 95 years. D. Thomas was a common name on the stat sheet as quarterback Darron Thomas and freshman running back De'Anthony Thomas racked up most of the Oregon yards. Darron Thomas threw for 268 yards and 3 touchdowns, and while LaMichael James did lead the Ducks in rushing yards with 159 on 25 carries, De'Anthony Thomas had 155 yards on two carries of 91 yards and 64 yards, both for touchdowns. Looks like the Ducks still have plenty to work with for another season. One of the biggest plays of the night, besides the spiking of the ball that ran the clock out, was a fumble by Wisconsin's Jared Abbrederis after a reception near the Oregon sideline with 4 minutes to go in the game. Abbrederis and the Oregon defenders slid out of bounds, but the ball stopped. The ball lay on the field right infront of Oregon's head coach Chip Kelly. Kelly was jumping up and down, pointing at the ball and looked as if he'd have recovered it himself if he could have. Oregon's Michael Clay recovered the fumble and let the Ducks run the clock down to 16 seconds. It's a good thing they did because if Wisconsin had just a few more seconds on the clock, this game might've had a different ending.

Review: OKLAHOMA STATE 41 Stanford 38 OT √
It seems like the Cardinal's luck ran out. What a way to end a day full of exciting college football. I said I'd see every snap, and I wish I had. Stanford took a 14 point lead early in the second quarter, but two touchdown passes from Brandon Weeden to Justin Blackmon tied the game. Blackmon finished the game with three touchdowns, including a 43 yarder and a 67 yarder. He also made a big play with 1:00 to go until halftime as the Cowboys had the ball in a 4th and 4 situation at the 32 yard line. Blackmon made a 23 yard reception to get the cowboys inside 10 yard line and make it 1st and goal.
That led to a Weeden rushing touchdown to tie the game at 21 going in at halftime. Oklahoma State never took a lead in regulation, but continued to fight back to tie the game. Tied at 38 they headed into overtime where Stanford and Andrew Luck got the opportunity to strike first. However, they were forced to try a 43 yard field goal and Jordan Williamson missed it. The Cowboys got the ball to the one yard line, centered it up on the next play and Quinn Sharp knocked through a 22 yard field goal to give Oklahoma State their first lead of the night, and the only one they'd need. Luck finished with 347 yards and two touchdowns on the night. Weeden ended with one shy of 400 yards and 3 touchdowns.

AllState Sugar Bowl
Preview: Michigan v. Virginia Tech
This might be the most surprising match-up out of all the games in bowl season. Not counting Boise State of course. Though Boise could make a stand that they deserve to be in this game more so than either of these teams. They aren't even top 10 teams. Both have two losses. Despite that, I was offered a ticket to this game and I hate I couldn't go, because this will likely be a good game between two good, but not great teams. This may not be a high scoring shootout like the Fiesta Bowl or Alamo Bowl since these are two top 20 defenses. I've been a Denard Robinson fan since the start of the 2010 season, though I haven't kept up with him much this year.  Virginia Tech has had some off the field distractions this bowl season as kicker Cody Journell was suspended indefinitely Dec. 22. Despite the distraction, I've got the Hokies taking this one. Here's hoping I make it to nine in a row!