Bowl Projections

Breaking down the bowl schedule and potential match-ups.

THE TITLE GAME:

1.7.10 - Citi BCS Championship Game (BCS #1 vs. BCS #2) Texas vs. Alabama

THE BCS BOWLS:

1.1.10 - Rose Bowl presented by Citi (BCS/Big Ten Champ If Available vs. BCS/Pac-10 Champ If Available) Ohio State vs. Oregon

1.1.10 - Allstate Sugar Bowl (BCS/SEC Champ If Available vs. BCS) Florida vs. TCU

1.4.10 - Tostitos Fiesta Bowl (BCS/Big 12 Champ If Available vs. BCS) Boise State vs. Cincinnati

1.5.10 - FedEx Orange Bowl (BCS/ACC Champ If Available vs. BCS) Georgia Tech vs. Iowa

THE REST OF THE BOWL SCHEDULE:

12.19.09 - New Mexico Bowl (WAC vs. Mountain West) Nevada vs. Wyoming

12.20.09 - R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl (C-USA vs. Sun Belt) Marshall vs. Troy

12.19.09 - St. Petersburg Bowl (Big East vs. C-USA) South Florida vs. Central Florida

12.22.09 - Las Vegas Bowl (Mountain West vs. Pac-10) BYU vs. Oregon State

12.23.09 - San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl (Mountain West vs. Pac-10 or WAC) Utah vs. Arizona

12.24.09 - Sheraton Hawaii Bowl (WAC vs. C-USA) Fresno State vs. SMU

12.26.09 - Meineke Car Care Bowl (Big East vs. ACC) West Virginia vs. Clemson

12.26.09 - Little Caesars Bowl (MAC vs. Big Ten) Central Michigan vs. UCLA

12.26.09 - Emerald Bowl (Pac-10 vs. ACC) California vs. North Carolina

12.27.09- Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl (ACC vs. SEC) Boston College vs. Georgia

12.28.09 - AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl (SEC vs. Big 12) South Carolina vs. Missouri

12.29.09 - EagleBank Bowl (ACC vs. Army/Conference USA) Southern Mississippi vs. Northern Illinois

12.29.09 - Champs Sports Bowl - (ACC vs. Big Ten) Florida State vs. Michigan State

12.30.09 - Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl (WAC vs. Mountain West) Idaho vs. Bowling Green

12.30.09 - Texas Bowl (Big XII vs. Navy) Iowa State vs. Navy

12.30.09 - Pacific Life Holiday Bowl (Pac-10 vs. Big XII) USC vs. Nebraska

12.31.09 - Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl (Mountain West vs. C-USA) Air Force vs. East Carolina

12.31.09 - Burt Sun Bowl (Pac-10 vs. Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame) Stanford vs. Oklahoma

12.31.09 - Insight Bowl (Big 12 vs. Big Ten) Texas A&M vs. Minnesota

12.31.09 - Chick-Fil-A Bowl (SEC vs. ACC) Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech

1.1.10 - Outback Bowl (Big Ten vs. SEC) Wisconsin vs. Auburn

1.1.10 - Capital One Bowl (SEC vs. Big Ten) LSU vs. Penn State

1.1.10 - Konica Minolta Gator Bowl (ACC vs. Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame) Miami (FL) vs. Pittsburgh

1.2.10 - International Bowl (Big East vs. MAC) Connecticut vs. Temple

1.2.10 - Papa John.com Bowl (Big East vs. SEC) Rutgers vs. Kentucky

1.2.10 - AT&T Cotton Bowl (Big 12 - SEC) Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss

1.2.10 - AutoZone Liberty Bowl (C-USA vs. SEC) Houston vs. Arkansas

1.2.10 - Valero Alamo Bowl (Big Ten vs. Big 12) Northwestern vs. Texas Tech

1.6.10 - GMAC Bowl (ACC or WAC) Middle Tennessee State vs. Ohio

Photos Courtesy of College Press Box, University of California, OU Athletics Department

College Football Insiders Radio - Week 14

The voice of college football is here as CFI Founder Daniel Mogollon brings you coast-to-coast coverage of all the football action from across the nation, every Thursday at 5:00pm ET. 60 min.

Special Guests:

* Editor Kirk McNair of 'Bama Magazine & 'BamaMag.com

* Columnist Kirk Bohls of the Austin-American Statesman

* Florida Beat Writer Jeremy Folwer of the Orlando Sentinel

* NFL Draft Bible Super Scout & Former Oregon State Beaver Kelron Sykes

* Join us as we break down the SEC Championship, Big XII Championship, ACC Championship, Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh, Oregon State @ Oregon and more in this week's edition of College Football Insiders Radio.

CLICK TO LISTEN OR DOWNLOAD (30 Minutes After Show's Completion)

Call-in Number: (347) 945-6275

Photo Courtesy of College Press Box

Big East Week One Review

By CHRISTOPHER MOGOLLON - BIG EAST INSIDER

Best game: This one wins by default–considering the week consisted of mostly blowouts, Minnesota’s overtime victory over Syracuse was by far the most competitive contest. Greg Paulus played a sound game under center in his collegiate football debut, going 19-for-31 with a touchdown, a strike which found a wide-open Mike Williams late in the first quarter. More impressive was how he and the Syracuse team responded after the first snap of the game sailed over Paulus’ head and was recovered by Minnesota deep in Orange territory. Despite renewed spirit and improved play, the story didn’t have a happy ending: it was Paulus’ interception, thrown in the team’s first series in overtime, which led to the Gophers’ 23-20 victory. The turning point of the game was Syracuse’s inability to move the ball on offense after halftime. They did not score any points and only managed a total of 38 yards in their six second-half possessions.

Team of the week: It was about midway through the first quarter when Cincinnati emerged as the conference favorite once again. Getting ahead of ourselves? Perhaps, but the Bearcats looked that good in their manhandling of Rutgers in a 47-15 romp. Quarterback Tony Pike was perfect on the team’s first drive, leading them 81 yards down the field for a touchdown. He and the Cats never looked back. Pike finished the game with 362 yards passing and three touchdowns. The offense was running on all cylinders, from the line to the wide-outs. Most impressive were Marshwan Gilyard, who pulled down eight receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown, and sophomore D.J Woods, who posted a career-high 71 receiving yards and made an outstanding reaching grab to set up the team’s first touchdown. For a defense that had a ton of question marks, Cincinnati made a lot big plays against the run and picked off three Rutgers passes. Senior Aaron Webster had one of those interceptions and laid the hit of the week on Rutgers receiver Tim Brown. It’s way too early to crown anyone just yet, but Cincinnati couldn’t have started their quest in more impressive fashion.

Laying an egg: For Rutgers, the season opener was a chance to start off a promising season with a conference victory while they unveiled their newly-renovated stadium…but they were flat-out humiliated. The team looked unprepared and out-coached—on the opening drive the Scarlet Knights’ defense played like they had never seen a no-huddle offense before. The quarterback play was just awful and the offensive line, the unit that was supposed to be the most stable on the team, didn’t provide space for the running backs to shine. It was an all-around disaster.

Freshman Watch: Pittsburgh isn’t ready to anoint Dion Lewis the next LeSean McCoy just yet, although the 5’ 8” tailback surely looked like an all-conference player in week one, propelling the Panthers to a 38-3 victory over Youngstown State. On 20 carriers he rushed for 129 yards and his two touchdowns in the first half put the Penguins away early.

The one bright spot for Rutgers in week one was the play of freshman Mohamed Sano. The 6’ 2” receiver showed good hands and size and caught a couple of tough throws in traffic. The freshman from New Jersey finished with ten total catches for 101 yards. Sano also caught a two-point conversion thrown from fellow freshman, quarterback Tom Savage. This glimpse into the future of Rutgers’ offense was the lone positive in the game for the Knights.

Best player you never heard of: Last year, Connecticut defensive end Lindsey Witten was limited because the Huskies rotated their defensive ends. Now the team is relying on the senior to step up, and he didn’t disappoint in the team’s opener—he was a playmaker, recording two sacks and a safety in Connecticut’s 23-16 win. Expect him to be among the conference’s sack leaders by year’s end.

Photo Courtesy of the University of Cincinnati

College Football Insiders Preview: Big East

By CHRISTOPHER MOGOLLON - Big East Insider

It may not possess the talent pool of the SEC, school recognition of the Big Ten, or National Championship contenders of the Big 12, but the Big East isn’t the cream-puff conference that many in the college football world believe them to be. Whether it’s the rapidly developing programs, the top of the line post-season record, or recent success in its BCS appearances, the Big East has established itself as a football conference to be reckoned with. The competitiveness and depth of the league has made for an exciting conference race down the stretch each year, and 2009 should be no different.

The Favorites: South Florida & West Virginia: This season, a legitimate case can be made for five different teams winning the conference. But when the two deepest and most athletic teams meet in Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay on October 30th, it should determine who wins the conference title. Losing Pat White is more than just a setback for West Virginia—not only did they lose their leading passer, scorer, and the two-time Offensive Conference Player of the Year (2007, 2006), they lost the face of the program and the undisputed team leader. The good thing is that White’s former backup, Jarrett Brown, has not only won both games he started in his career, but has never a lost a game in which he entered with the lead. Even though the senior doesn’t bring the security Pat White did at quarterback, he does instill some confidence because of his mobility, which makes him a more than capable fit in West Virginia’s system. Running back Noel Devine put together a sophomore season in which he rushed for 1,289 yards at 6.3 yards per carry. Between his big play ability and the athleticism of returning wide receivers Alric Arnett and Jock Sanders, West Virginia has the offensive firepower to win a conference title. The Mountaineers also return six starters from a defense that held opponents to only 17.0 points a game, the best in the conference led by a strong defensive line. South Florida has captured the attention of the nation for two consecutive seasons by breaking into the top 10 in the polls. However they haven’t been able to maintain that momentum past mid-October, collapsing down the stretch each time including losing four of their last five in 2008. What will it take this year for the Bulls to break free from this pattern of feeling, but not overcoming the pressure? Discipline, discipline, discipline. From being the most penalized (111) team in the league to the ill-advised throws made by Matt Grothe, South Florida has given away games and wasted red-zone opportunities far too often in recent seasons. The key again this year offensively rests on the shoulders of Grothe, who must curb his interceptions (18 touchdowns, 14 interceptions in 2009). His mobility and arm strength make him both a Unitas Award and Big East POY candidate. Helping Grothe is an athletic group of running backs (led by Mike Ford) and wide outs (Jessie Hester, Dontavia Bogan, A.J. Love and Carlton Mitchell). The defense contains star athletes, again led by defensive end George Selvie, the conference sack leader in 2007, as well as defensive backs Jerome Murphy and Nate Allen.

The Contenders: Cincinnati & Pittsburgh: Last year’s champion Cincinnati brings back what might be the most proven quarterback in the conference, (Tony Pike), the top wide-receiver (Mardy Gilyard) and a solid rushing tandem (John Goebel and Jacob Ramsey). However, on the other side other ball, the Bearcats only return one starter and are very unproven at linebacker. Pittsburgh must be mentioned as one of the candidates to win to the conference because of a returning defense that was outstanding in the second-half of last season. Led by junior defensive end Greg Romeus, who has the most sacks of any returning player in the conference (he finished third in 2008), and second-team All Big East cornerback Aaron Berry, Pittsburgh returns seven defensive starters. But the quarterback play last year for the Panthers was simply awful. Both quarterbacks Bill Stull and Pat Bostick are sure to make it difficult for the Panthers to win games against tough defenses and after losing superstar half-back LeSean McCoy, they may have to rely too much on freshman running backs Dion Lewis and Chris Burns for offensive punch.

The Sleeper: Rutgers: If there’s one thing for sure, it’s that the Scarlet Knights have an offensive line that can bring them to the promised land in Miami (site of the Orange Bowl). Returning all five starters from last season, Anthony Davis leads a colossal front-five that will undoubtedly give running backs Kordell Young, Jourdan Brooks and Joe Martinek the space they need for a strong ground attack. What Rutgers does lose is their quarterback Mike Teel and stud wide-receiver Kenny Britt, as well as speedster Tiquan Underwood. They do return Tim Brown who caught 27 balls for 565 yards, and will rely on highly touted recruiting classes of the past two years. The Knights may not have the meat and potatoes front like West Virginia, or the talented South Florida secondary, but they do return spectacular tackling linebacker Ryan D’Imperio and very solid cornerback Devin McCourty on defense. In such a compact conference, the schedule for Rutgers works heavily in their favor. Not only do they play four conference home games, which only half the teams in the league do, but by far their toughest conference games are at home. If they are in the driver’s seat down the stretch, home field advantage in games versus South Florida and West Virginia late in the season could be enough to squeeze them into the Orange Bowl.

Offensive Player of the Year: QB Tony Pike (Cincinnati) vs. QB Matt Grothe (South Florida) vs. RB Noel Devine (West Virginia): Bearcat quarterback Tony Pike threw for 2,407 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. He is projected to surpass those numbers this year since he is expected to start from the get-go. Cincinnati’s offense scheme gives Pike the opportunity to put up some serious stats, and having the best wide receiver in the conference (Mardy Gilyard) doesn’t hurt either. Matt Grothe’s mobility and cannon arm are sure to put up top passing/rushing numbers in the conference. If he keeps his interceptions to a minimum and his Bulls are competing for a Big East title, don’t be surprised if Grothe becomes the favorite for the award. Noel Devine’s sophomore season wasn’t a slump, but seemed a bit that way because the expectations were so high. With Pat White gone, look for offensive attention to shift toward Devine. His numbers last year were excellent as he averaged 99.2 yards a game. More touchdown conversions will equal a better chance for the offensive player award.

Honorable Mention: QB Jarrett Brown (West Virginia), RB Victor Anderson (Louisville), RB Jordan Todman (Connecticut), RB Mike Ford (South Florida), WR Mardy Gilyard (Cincinnati)

Defensive Player of the Year: DE George Selvie (South Florida) vs. DE Greg Romeus (Pittsburgh): When healthy, George Selvie is an All-American. His junior year was a bit if a disappointment as he had to deal with a foot injury and constant double-(and triple-) teams from opponents. But this year, with a more experienced line and a clean bill of health, Selvie is likely to return to his dominant form. His sack numbers should once again reach double-digits. Selvie isn’t just a tremendous pass rusher but relentless at stopping the run. Out of Pittsburgh is Greg Romeus who, like Selvie, is a strong pass rusher. The big man racked up 7.5 sacks last year and the second team all-conference selection is likely to have another strong season for the Panthers. He should compete with Selvie for the conference sack lead.

Honorable Mention: DT Arthur Jones (Syracuse), LB Scott Lutrus (Connecticut), LB Ryan D'Imperio (Rutgers), CB Aaron Berry (Pittsburgh), FS Nate Allen (South Florida)

Breakout Seasons: RB Delone Carter (Syracuse) & WR Jessie Hester (South Florida): Plagued with injures for the past two seasons, Delone Carter has barely seen the field since his freshman season in 2006. In his short career, Carter was able to raise eyebrows in upstate New York despite a lack of touches and a less than impressive offensive line. In the eight games that he was the lead ball carrier as a freshman, Carter rushed for 664 yards, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. He’s shown a nose for the first down marker and, occasionally, the ability to take over drives. With an improving O-Line and a new offensive scheme, don’t be surprised to see Carter among the conference leaders in yards and touchdowns. This could be the year the Bulls get that complete season from a wide-out as senior Jessie Hester returns as the team’s leader in receptions (54) and yards (579). Hester is a skillful player and came along very nicely down the stretch while the rest of the team struggled. In the past, USF has mixed and matched their pass targets so much that it has been difficult for one player to break out…that will change this season.

Best Pro Prospect: Arthur Jones, Syracuse: He isn’t Warren Sapp. He isn’t Kevin Williams. He isn’t Tommie Harris. He’s just Art Jones, which is pretty darn good. It is difficult to compare the 291-pound defensive tackle to past greats at his position. He isn’t the widest, but plugs in holes. He isn’t the fastest, but finds a way to catch runners up-field. He isn’t the most explosive, but constantly disrupts the quarterback. Jones is constantly making an impact when he is on the field, and his tackling skills will have him playing football at the next level. The fifth-year senior gives opposing quarterbacks fits, and he’s also an aggressive run stopper, one who recorded a total of 20.5 tackles for a loss in his past two seasons despite being the main focus of the opposing offensive line each week. But what makes Jones such a valuable prospect is his versatility. He can be a pass rushing tackle in a 4-3 or a more focused run stopper—he has tremendous discipline and is scarcely out of position. His combination of quickness and stoutness gives him the ability to perhaps play the outside in a 3-4 scheme. Either way, Jones will find a spot on an NFL team and make an impact. He is coming off shoulder surgery, but coaches have stated that his rehab has gone splendidly. If there is a reason to watch any Syracuse football games this season, it’s to watch Jones thrive in the attacking defense the new coaching staff has implemented.

College Football Insiders’ Picks:

Conference Champion: South Florida: Winning out in a three-team tiebreaker and heading to the Orange Bowl for the first time in school history will be South Florida. Unlike season’s past, the Bulls will finally live up to all the pre-season hype. The system tweaking by newly hired offensive (Mike Canales) and defensive coordinators (David Blackwell/Joe Tresey) will make the difference in 2009.

Offensive Player of the Year: Noel Devine, West Virginia: The explosive back will be among the leaders in all-purpose yards by the season’s end. Look for him to vastly improve his touchdown mark of four from a year ago.

Defensive Player of the Year: George Selvie, South Florida: George Selvie looks to become only the second Big East player to win two defensive player of the year awards (Corey Moore of Virginia Tech won in 1998 & 1999). If it wasn’t for injures Selvie might be in a NFL camp right now. Needless to say, he is a pro prospect that will flourish in his senior campaign.

Photo Credit: WVU Sports Communication, University of Pittsburgh, USF Athletics Communications