Bob McCarty Writes

I must be honest and admit that the college football bowl games that matter begin tomorrow morning. That in mind, I offer my predictions below for the eight major bowl games* being played during the next seven days:

JANUARY 1

OUTBACK BOWL

Tampa, 11 a.m. ET, ESPN HD

Wisconsin Badgers vs. Tennessee Volunteers

Though Wisconsin has won seven of its last ten bowl games, all three of its losses came against Southeast Conference foes. Despite being on a 4-6 bowl run of late, Tennessee is a stronger team and due for a win. Volunteers by 10.

AT&T COTTON BOWL

Dallas, 11:30 a.m. ET, FOX

Missouri Tigers vs. Arkansas Razorbacks

After being humiliated by the Oklahoma Sooners in the Big 12 Championship Game, the 11-2 Tigers should come out swinging against the 8-4 Razorbacks. Aside from the fact Arkansas lacks a head coach, the big story of this game centers upon whether the Hogs’ Heisman Trophy runner-up Darren McFadden will be allowed to suit up. According to one Arkansas newspaper report this morning, the star running back’s status remains unclear following allegations that a pro scout helped him purchase a luxury automobile. If Mizzou doesn’t take advantage of the distractions, shame on them. Mizzou by 21.

KONICA MINOLTA GATOR BOWL

Jacksonville, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Virginia Cavaliers

Virginia’s 9-3 record this year looks good when compared to years past. When I compare the Cavaliers’ schedule and, more importantly, the team’s losses (Wyoming, North Carolina State and Virginia Tech), to the schedule and losses (Oklahoma State, Missouri, Colorado and Texas) of the Red Raiders, I can’t help but side with the scoring machine. Lead by quarterback Graham Harrell and freshman phenom receiver Michael Crabtree, it’s Red Raiders by 24.

CAPITAL ONE BOWL

Orlando, 1 p.m., ABC HD

Michigan Wolverines vs. Florida Gators

A lot of don’ts in this one. First, the 8-4 Wolverines don’t deserve to appear in a New Year’s Day bowl game, especially after losing to Appalachian State! Likewise, they don’t stand a chance against the 9-3 Gators, lead by Heisman-winning QB Tim Tebow. Florida by 30.

ROSE BOWLPresented by Citi

Pasadena, Calif., 4:30 p.m. ET, ABC HD

Illinois Fighting Illini vs. USC Trojans

Coach Ron Zook’s 9-3 season ranks among the top feel-good stories of the year in college football. Despite that, I predict the Fighting Illini will get their bottom’s spanked by the strong-finishing Southern Cal Trojans. When the final whistle blows, USC will be 11-2. Trojans by 35.

ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL

New Orleans, 8:30 p.m., FOX

Hawaii Warriors vs. Georgia Bulldogs

A .500 finish. That’s how Colt Brennan’s undefeated Hawaii Rainbows would have finished had they played in a real conference — let’s say the Southeast Conference or Big 12 — this year. Facing the strong Georgia Bulldogs (10-2) in New Orleans, however, I predict June Jones is going to find a way to motivate his team to somehow remain undefeated. Upset special: Rainbows by 3.

JANUARY 2

TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL

Glendale, Ariz., 8 p.m., FOX

Oklahoma Sooners vs. West Virginia Mountaineers

The Mountaineers stepped off the field Dec. 1 with their heads hanging low. Their loss to unranked Pitt cost the team a chance to play in the BCS Championship. Their coach, Rich Rodriguez, fled for greener pastures in Ann Arbor a short time later. Sadly for them, it’s not going to get any better for the hillbillies when they face Oklahoma. Lead by the nation’s highest-rated passer, Sam Bradford, the Sooners take the field with a stable of talented running backs and receivers, one of the largest offensive lines in the nation and a defense that finished the season by keeping Missouri’s Chase Daniel from throwing a touchdown pass for the first time this year. Boomer Sooner by 21.

JANUARY 3

FEDEX ORANGE BOWL

Miami, 8 p.m., FOX

Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Kansas Jayhawks

If for no other reason, I love the Kansas Jayhawks’ ability to spin the truth. For the first time in forever, they gained attention — even a modicum of respect — for athletic prowess displayed outside of Allen Fieldhouse. Unfortunately, it wasn’t deserved and, worse yet, it won’t last long. KU played a traditionally-weak non-conference schedule, didn’t win any big games or defeat any ranked teams. Virginia Tech, on the other hand, went 11-2. Oops, they didn’t win any big games either! In fact, they lost to LSU 48-7! No, Virginia and Boston College don’t qualify as “big” games. Maybe it will be canceled for lack of interest. Hokies by 26.

JANUARY 7

ALLSTATE BCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

New Orleans, 8 p.m., FOX

Louisiana State Tigers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

Talk about dumb luck. Sure, both teams are good, but neither could defeat Bob Stoops’ Oklahoma bunch the way they finished the season. Nevertheless, I must make a prediction. Will the slime that is LSU’s Les Miles (he abandoned my alma mater, Oklahoma State, to coach the Bayou Bengals) be able to out-think Ohio State’s Jim Tressel? I don’t think so. Are voters on the ESPN web site right when, by a 2-1 margin, they pick the Buckeyes to lose? I don’t think so. Ohio State by 7.

*Though I’m intensely interested in the outcome of tonight’s Insight.com Bowl (Indiana Hoosiers vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys, 5:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network), I’m sticking with my games-that-matter philosophy in writing this post. Sorry, but the International (Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Ball State Cardinals, Jan. 5) and GMAC Bowls (Bowling Green State Falcons vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane, Jan. 6) do not qualify as “big” bowl games.