Bowl-O-Rama: First Update

Seeing as how this old school version of Blogger only shows the last 20 uses of a particular label I can't really link you to all of my bowl predictions. So until I move over to a new template(New Year's resolution of an indeterminate number), or get hired on by a shiny, big entity that has money to burn and provides cool looking Interweb homes, I will update you with the results of my predictions about every week or so. This first one is coming 10 days after the first bowl so you can see just how strict I am on that timeframe.

Poinsettia Bowl
Prediction: Navy over Utah, 31-17.
Actual Result: Utah beat Navy, 35-32.

Navy's running game did rack up the yards, but the three turnovers killed them. Utah also held them to just a 37.5% success rate on third downs. Something that I didn't think the Utes would be able to do.

Level of Correctness: On the right track, but derailed by some unpredictable circumstances.

New Orleans Bowl
Prediction: FAU beats Memphis, 42-31.
Actual Result: FAU over Memphis, 44-27.

FAU's quarterback Rusty Smith played an awesome game, and eventhough FAU's defense didn't force any turnovers they still did enough to pull out the win.

Level of Correctness: Right on target. I probably couldn't duplicate it ever again.

Papa John's.com Bowl
Prediction: Cincy wins 31-17.
Actual Result: Cincy won 31-21.

Ben Mauk killed it, though the Bearcats didn't exactly stop the Golden Eagles' rushing attack.

Level of Correctness: Pretty much there.

New Mexico Bowl
Prediction: Nevada beats New Mexico, 35-17.
Actual Result: New Mexico won 23-0

Donovan Porterie had no trouble passing, and New Mexico's starting tailback, Baker, shredded the Nevada defense.

Level of Correctness: Nothing to see here. Please keep moving along.

Las Vegas Bowl
Prediction: BYU wins easily, 38-17.
Actual Result: BYU beat UCLA 17-16.

UCLA played with a lot of heart, and their defense did a great job in slowing down the BYU attack. However, they couldn't totally stop them and BYU got a close victory.

Level of Correctness: Right winner, but that's about it.

Hawaii Bowl
Prediction: Broncos to win, 42-21.
Actual Result: East Carolina won 41-38.

Ian Johnson couldn't do anything, and ECU pulled out a somewhat surprising win.

Level of Correctness: "Impact" player got shutdown, and the team picked to win lost on a last second field goal. Close, but no cigar.

Motor City Bowl
Prediction: Purdue wins 42-28.
Actual Result: Purdue won 51-48.

Curtis Painter did have a big game, but Dan LeFevour was not slowed down in the least. He singlehandedly kept Central Michigan in this one.

Level of Correctness: Right team, but totally underestimated the losing opponent.

Holiday Bowl
Prediction: Arizona State wins 31-27.
Actual Result: Texas won 52-34.

Rudy Carpenter was beat-up all game long, and Colt McCoy actually played somewhat well. The Longhorns' running game made the difference.

Level of Correctness: Just wrong all the way around.