Bowl Predictions, Day 9

Yesterday's record against the point spread: 0-2.
Bowl season record against the point spread: 9-5.

Today's games:

Roady's Humanitarian Bowl: Nevada vs. Maryland (+2). Nevada can score points like crazy with quarterback Colin Kaepernick at the helm. He can run and throw. Somehow, they lost 5 games in the WAC. Maryland, on the other hand, is a better team in a better conference, but they lost 5 games, too. Nevada played Texas Tech tough, but got blown out by Missouri. Maryland could struggle against Delaware and then go 4-1 against ranked teams. Here's guessing that the "bad" Terp team shows up tonight, but it's only a hunch. Diner Prediction: Nevada 34, Maryland 28.

Pacific Life Holiday Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Oregon (+2.5). The folks who believe the Big 12 is the strongest conference this year base that entirely on the South division. Here's the fourth place team in that division going up against the 2nd place team in the Pac 10. The question comes down to defense...in other words, are the offenses in the South that great or are the defenses that bad. We won't find out tonight because neither team is particularly good on that side of the ball. I think Oklahoma State is the better team in the better conference here, and they can run--and control the ball, while the Quack Attack is pass happy. Diner Prediction: Oklahoma State 38, Oregon 35.

Texas Bowl: Rice vs. Western Michigan (+2.5). Lots of things line up for Rice here. They have a chance for a 10-win season. They are, in effect, playing a home game. They're in a better conference. Western Michigan can't defend the pass well (even though they've done a better job late in the season) and Rice has two receivers who average 100 yards a game. For some reason, Vegas thinks the Broncos are worthy of being the favorite. I can't understand why. Diner Prediction: Rice 28, Western Michigan 17.

Only 17 more to go!