The Birdman's Bowl Picks Including the GAME OF BOWL YEAR

Well, I have put off my bowl picks for long enough so I am going to release my big picks (only excluding me and Murdoch's Consensus Game of the Year which will come sometime after Dec 26). Well, here goes:

1. Bowl Game of the Year---KANSAS -3
Yes, that's right, Kansas -3 against Houston. I am using the same strategy that has won me my Bowl Game of the Year the PAST 4 YEARS!! Just to recap for those who haven't been around, last year it was Colorado -3 against UTEP (in the closest one yet) winning 33-28. The year before it was Oregon State -2 against New Mexico in a game they won 55-14. Before that it was Boston College -6 against Toledo as they rolled 51-25 and in the first year it was Clemson -5 against La Tech winning 49-24. This is a tested strategy that will once again prove correct.

On to KU...statistically, they have the 3rd best run defense in the Country and 19th overall while playing in the Big 12. People think that Houston is a pass only team however they need the run to set up their passing game and average a very good 180 yards on the ground per game (35th in nation). They will not be able to run on Kansas period! KU is too fast and too physical for Houston's inferior athletes. Houston has a "high-octane" offense that puts up big numbers, right? Well, yes, in theory. But they do not put up great numbers against good defenses. The only decent power school they played was Oregon in a game where they managed 21 quick points with some big plays, but only 3 points for the rest of the game getting completely shut down. And this was by Oregon, not exactly Ohio State's defense. Houston will not be able to run and will be forced to throw a lot which KU will be able to control easily with their bigger, better athletes (including lockdown corner Gordon, who will also be playing reciever). I have made a killing off of taking fast, suffocating defenses when they are going up against gimmick, spread offenses, and this game is exactly that. Remember, KU went to Texas Tech and held them to only 2 offensive touchdowns...and Houston isn't even close to Tex T.

Yes, KU struggled to score points against a lot of teams in the Big 12, but Houston is not even close to this caliber. In KU's 3 non-conference games, they put up at least 30 in all three and racked up plenty of yards. Agaisnt La Tech, a team very comparable to Houston, KU dominated winning 34-14. Or take last year, when KU played Toledo (a better offense than Houston) and won 63-14 and also beat Tulsa 21-3 (with a defense that was not quite as good and an offense that was equally inept). The fact is that KU is a great defensive team that will completely shut down Houston and their offense will be able to run all day on the smaller, less physical Houston D that is giving up 4.6 yards per carry in Conference USA. They will wear down Houston, control the clock, win the battle of field position and easily put up 30 points. Oh, and Houston's kicker is only 4-9 on the year meaning they will leave points on the board by going for it on 4th down at least a couple times. You heard it hear first, KU 34 - Houston 14. This game will not be close.

KU -3 (5* Bowl Game of Year)

2. Minnesota -3
This game was originally given to me by "the sixth man" who is releasing it on a pay site as his bowl game of the year. He told me to look into it and see what I thought. Well I love it. The analysis is on a post below so check it out. But, this game is my second favorite after looking at it at "the sixth man's" suggestion. Read the post below for full analysis, but this game is also a fav of the birdman.

Minn -3 (4*)

3. Boston College as a PK
This game was very close to being my Game of the Year as it fit all the categories, but I could not make it the game of the year with it being on the blue turf of Boise. However, I love this game. Boston College boasts the number 8 ranked run defense and in case (like Houston), you thought Boise only threw the ball, you are greatly mistaken. Boise relies heavily on the run as they are in the top 20 in run offense, yet only 80th in passing. Not that impressive. Like KU, BC will be able to control this game with their dominating defense and limit Boise severly on offense. Also, BC is no slouch on offense and considering Boise is 105th in passing defense, I could see BC opening up the passing game early and often in this one. It will be too easy for BC to move the ball down the field in this one and Boise's offense is a lot of hype with not that much substance. Look at the good defenses they have played: Georgia-lost 48-13 and Fresno beat them 27-7. They can't score with their gimmick offense against a physical, fast defense which is exactly what BC is. Boise might start this game hot, riding the energy of the fans, but talent will win out in this one. BC will win this by double digits.

Boston College PK (4*)


***I know these are early games, and I will have more when it comes to the big games, but it is often easier to pick the early games then the later ones. Remember, we will have our Consensus Game of the year after Dec. 26 as well as our other big plays.

***Also, we will be giving out a pick on every bowl game of the season starting with tonight's game. Stay tuned.