Goin Bowlin' Previews - A Thursday Threesome

Well, yesterday's Emerald Bowl got us into the part of the schedule where the games actually start getting good.

Tonight's Holiday Bowl is easily the best matchup of the entire bowl season thus far. I'm not going to go into as much detail on these games as I have been on the individual ones (sorry, I'm lazy) but I'll give you as much as you need to know on each matchup.

We'll start with the Independence Bowl.

Independence Bowl-Oklahoma State Cowboys (6-6) vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (6-6)-ESPN 4:30PM Est.

There's too many problems for Alabama right now for me to think they have a realistic shot at winning this game. Hell, they don't even have a coach right now, as Joe Kines fills in until Nick Saban leaves the Miami Dolphins. As far as the game goes, I don't think the Tide's O-line will be able to open any holes for RB Kenneth Darby against the Cowboys front four, and I'm not sure QB John Parker-Wilson can win a game for Bama with his arm. I do love the fact that the Tide has a running back named Jimmy Johns though, so they got that going for them. (Which is nice.)

The Cowboys have a balanced offense, and should pose problems for Alabama's defense. RB Dantrell Savage could have a big day. The big question for the Cowboys will be QB Bobby Reid, who suffered a shoulder injury in the Cowboys season finale. He's not a great QB, but given time can get the job done. The only question is whether or not his shoulder lets him.

PREDICTION: Oklahoma State 24 Alabama 10

Texas Bowl-#17 Rutgers Scarlet Knights (10-2) vs. Kansas State Wildcats (7-5)-NFL Network 8:00PM Est.

I don't have much to say about this game, cuz I think it's going to be a pretty big mismatch. Kansas State has a weak run defense, and Rutgers can run the ball as well as anybody in the country with Ray Rice and Brian Leonard.

K-State's only chance would be if freshman QB Josh Freeman has a huge game. With Freeman's athletic ability, and strong arm, he's bound to have a few highlights in this game, but his youth and inexperience will hurt the Wildcats.

I'm thinking Rutgers big tonight.

PREDICTION: Rutgers 31 Kansas State 13

Holiday Bowl-#19 Cal Golden Bears (9-3) vs. #21 Texas A&M; Aggies (9-3)-ESPN 8:00PM Est.

Now this is the game I really want to see. This is one of those bowl games that could catapult its winner to a great 2007 season. Cal was a bit of a disappointment this season, as many had them as a darkhorse for the National Championship. The Aggies on the other hand, were a complete surprise.

If you like running backs, this game has a trio of good ones. There's bruiser Jorvorskie Lane and the speedy Mike Goodson on the Aggies, and all around stud Marshawn Lynch on the Bears.

I think the biggest difference between these teams comes in the passing attacks. I don't know if the Aggies can cover DeSean Jackson, so they're going to have to get pressure on Cal QB Nate Longshore. That seems to be the best way to beat Cal, as in all three of their losses (Tennessee, USC, and Arizona) Longshore was under constant pressure.

Still, the Aggies don't get blown out by anybody, so if they can catch a break here or there, they could pull off the "upset."

PREDICTION: Cal 28 Texas A&M 24