College Football BCS and Bowl Preview: Ranking All 35 Games From Top To Bottom
By Lew Wright
No. 32 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl – December 21st on ESPN 2:30pm PT
Nov 30, 2013; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Diego State Aztecs running back Donnel Pumphrey (19) carries the ball against the UNLV Rebels during an NCAA football game at Sam Boyd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Since this one is played in Boise, prepare yourself for the blinding blue of Smurf Turf at Bronco Stadium. San Diego State (7-5) needs to hang on to the football if they are to challenge Buffalo (8-4). The Aztecs were one of the worst in the nation this season in the area of turnovers. The Bulls have a guy who specializes in hard hitting. Khalil Mack was honored with the Jack Lambert award as the top linebacker in college football, setting NCAA career records for tackles-for-loss with 75 and 16 forced fumbles.
No. 31 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl – December 30th on ESPN at 8:45 am PT
Nov 22, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; Navy Midshipmen running back DeBrandon Sanders (21) rushes for a gain against the San Jose State Spartans during the third quarter at Spartan Stadium. Navy won 58-52 in triple overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Riding a three game winning streak, Navy (7-4) will take on Middle Tennessee (8-4) out of Conference USA. The Blue Raiders finished the year with a five game winning streak of their own. They average nearly 43-points a game thanks to an offense which produces 523 yards a game. The Midshipmen will look to control the clock and game tempo with their triple-option offense which racks up 320 yards on the ground.
No. 30 Heart of Dallas Bowl – January 1st on ESPNU at 9am PT
Nov 23, 2013; Denton, TX, USA; North Texas Mean Green quarterback Derek Thompson (7) hands off to running back Antoinne Jimmerson (22) during the game against the UTSA Roadrunners at Apogee Stadium. The Roadrunners defeated the Mean Green 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The University of North Texas (8-4) are bowl bound for the first time since 2004 find themselves matched up against UNLV (7-5). The Runnin’ Rebels were invited to this one because the Big Ten couldn’t fulfill this commitment. “Timmy Touchdown” Cornett has enjoyed a record breaking career at UNLV with career marks of 3,700 yards rushing and 35 touchdowns. The Mean Green has a solid defense, leading the nation in red zone stops, and tries to play ball control on offense.