Bowl Predictions: Independence, Russell Athletic, Meineke Car Care

Independence Bowl
Ohio (8-4) vs. Louisiana-Monroe (8-4)
Parker's pick: Louisiana-Monroe
My pick: Louisiana-Monroe

Ohio faded mightily down the stretch. Louisiana-Monroe played some tough SEC competition this season and fared well.

Russell Athletic Bowl
Rutgers (9-3) vs. Virginia Tech (6-6)
Parker's pick: Virginia Tech
My pick: Rutgers

A toss-up. Does the traditional football power Virginia Tech show up tonight or does their disappointing season continue? Is Rutgers a good team or have they simply played alot of weak teams?

Meineke Care Care Bowl
Minnesota (6-6) vs. Texas Tech (7-5)
Parker's pick: Texas Tech
My pick: Texas Tech

Even in the midst of a coaching change, Texas Tech should defeat a team that finished 2-6 in the weak Big Ten.

Great Quote Thursday

You must be frank in the world, frankness is the child of honesty and courage. Say just what you mean to do on every occasion, and take it for granted you mean to do right. Above all do not appear to others what you are not- Robert E. Lee to his son, as Robert E. Lee Jr. was beginning college

Bowl Predictions: Military, Belk and Holiday

Military Bowl
San Jose State (10-2) vs. Bowling Green (8-4)
Parker's pick: Bowling Green
My pick: San Jose State

CBS Sports panel guys go heavily toward San Jose State. I might as well also. Parker's trying to pick up a game on me by going with the underdog. After the SMU and CMU victories, he's decided "anything can happen".


Belk Bowl
Cincinnati (9-3) vs. Duke (6-6)
Parker's pick: Cincinnati
My pick: Cincinnati

Cincinnati may miss former head coach Butch Jones who left to come to Tennessee but they should have the talent to overcome a Duke team that started the season strong but faded down the stretch. We'd both love to see David Cutcliffe win this game but that's probably not the smart pick.


Holiday Bowl
Baylor (7-5) vs. UCLA (9-4)
Parker's pick: Baylor
My pick: Baylor

In what should be an offensive shootout, we'll go with the better offense. UCLA is probably the better team, but for one game, we're both choosing Baylor.

Bowl Predictions: Little Caesars Bowl

Little Caesars Bowl
Western Kentucky (7-5) vs. Central Michigan (6-6)
Parker's pick: Western Kentucky
My pick: Western Kentucky

Excitement abounds when the 5th place team in the Sun Belt (Western Kentucky) plays the 4th place team in the MAC West (Central Michigan). WKU lost coach Willie Taggart to South Florida, replacing him with Bobby Petrino. Two of CMU's top receivers will sit out this game due to suspension.

Merry Christmas

Christ left everything, to come to nothing, to take care of everything.

Bowl Prediction: Hawaii Bowl

Hawaii Bowl
Fresno State (9-3) vs. SMU (6-6)
Parker's pick: Fresno State
My pick: Fresno State

On paper, this game could be a blowout. But it is bowl season and that's why the games are played on the field.

Bowl Predictions: New Orleans Bowl and Maaco Las Vegas Bowl

New Orleans Bowl
East Carolina (8-4) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (8-4)
Parker's pick: Louisiana-Lafayette
My pick: Louisiana-Lafayette

Louisiana-Lafayette has a slightly stronger running game and are bascially playing a home game. Plus, all the CBS Sports College Football writers are choosing the Ragin Cajuns. Hope they're right.

Maaco Las Vegas Bowl
Boise State (10-2) vs. Washington (7-5)
Parker's pick: Boise State
My pick: Boise State

This season has been somewhat of a disappointment for the Washington Huskies. Even though this Boise State squad is not playing in a BCS bowl, the Broncos historically play well in bowl games when they have weeks to prepare for an opponent.