Here's our guide to the coming college football feast.
***: Worthy of your couch time.
**: Worthy of a glance.
*: You have our permission to watch college basketball.
—Humanitarian Bowl: Cincinnati (7-4) vs. Utah State (6-5)
Cincinnati has an excellent defense—linebackers Phillip Curry
and Brad Jackson are names you will hear come NFL draft
time—and on Dec. 29 that should be enough to overcome the
Aggies and the predominantly Utah State crowd. *
—Carquest Bowl: Georgia Tech (6-5) vs. West Virginia (7-4)
Injuries curtailed the Mountaineers' run at the Big East title,
but they're healthier, which doesn't bode well for Georgia Tech
on Dec. 29. After their devastating last-minute loss to Georgia,
what could motivate the Yellow Jackets here? *
—Holiday Bowl: Colorado State (10-2) vs. Missouri (7-4)
WAC champion Colorado State would love to prove itself against
the Big 12, and Missouri is too new to success not to be
oversatisfied with its regular season. Look for Rams quarterback
Moses Moreno to close his college career on Dec. 29 by
outplaying counterpart Corby Jones. ***
—Alamo Bowl: Purdue (8-3) vs. Oklahoma State (8-3)
The Cowboys are 0-3 against teams with winning records, and the
Boilermakers never had to prove themselves against Michigan or
Ohio State. Purdue, though, has a coolheaded senior quarterback
in Billy Dicken. The Cowboys are young and happy to be in San
Antonio for this Dec. 30 game. That feeling should end shortly
after the kickoff. **
—Sun Bowl: Iowa (7-4) vs. Arizona State (8-3)
The Sun Devils won't have quarterback Ryan Kealy, who blew out
his right knee in a regular-season-ending loss to Arizona, but
backup Steve Campbell will suffice. Iowa quarterback Matt
Sherman, on the other hand, has yet to recover from a broken
bone in his right hand, injured in October. The Hawkeyes are
making their fourth straight postseason trip to Texas, and on
New Year's Eve they may play as if they would rather be
elsewhere. **
—Liberty Bowl: Pittsburgh (6-5) vs. Southern Mississippi (8-3)
Pittsburgh held a press conference to announce they would accept
this bid before it was extended, thus foiling the Liberty Bowl's
hope of bringing in more attractive Ole Miss instead. The
Panthers have an exciting offense, and Peyton Manning showed
that the Golden Eagles are susceptible to the pass. But Panthers
quarterback Pete Gonzalez is no Peyton Manning. Southern
Mississippi should have a happy New Year's Eve. *
—Fiesta Bowl: Kansas State (10-1) vs. Syracuse (9-3)
This is a game worth staying home for, and Syracuse's fans will
do just that. The old saying that offense sells tickets won't
apply here: As exciting as quarterback Donovan McNabb is, the
Orangemen on the field may be the only people wearing that color
in Sun Devil Stadium on Dec. 31. The other half of the
saying—defense wins championships—will apply, to the benefit
of the Wildcats. ***
—Outback Bowl: Georgia (9-2) vs. Wisconsin (8-4)
The Bulldogs played well all season and had moments of
greatness. The Badgers played well all season and had moments of
disaster. Wisconsin tailback Ron Dayne will be as healthy as he
has been all year, but Georgia has an edge in tough-minded
offensive players. On Jan. 1 go with Dawgs quarterback Mike Bobo
and multiple threat Hines Ward. **
—Gator Bowl: North Carolina (10-1) vs. Virginia Tech (7-4)
Since the end of the season the Tar Heels have lost their coach
and several assistants and made headlines in a bar brawl. Not
that any of those things should have an impact on this game.
Injuries snuffed out Virginia Tech's bid to win the Big East,
and the Hokies' only chance on Jan. 1 is if ailing quarterback
Al Clark gets healthy by kickoff. *
—Citrus Bowl: Florida (9-2) vs. Penn State (9-2)
Since the Michigan game, the Nittany Lions have been
surrendering yards at an alarming pace. The Gators suffered
their slump at midseason and overcame it. Steve Spurrier has
more talented players than does Joe Paterno, and Florida will be
ready to play come New Year's Day. ***
—Cotton Bowl: UCLA (9-2) vs. Texas A&M (9-3)
The Bruins should be playing in an Alliance bowl, and you have
to wonder how interested they will be in beating the Aggies, who
lost their last game 54-15. Come Jan. 1 will UCLA have
maintained its focus through a six-week layoff? Yes—but pencil
in young Texas A&M as a team to watch next fall. **
—Rose Bowl: Michigan (11-0) vs. Washington State (10-1)
Wolverines cornerback Charles Woodson is about to discover how
hard it is to stop Cougars quarterback Ryan Leaf and his Fab
Five receiving corps. That said, it isn't wise to underestimate
Michigan quarterback Brian Griese. It'll be close, but on the
night of Jan. 1, the Wolverines will be singing "Hail to the
victors...." ***
—Sugar Bowl: Florida State (10-1) vs. Ohio State (10-2)
This Jan. 1 game should turn out to be a preview of the first
Super Alliance championship, the 1999 Fiesta Bowl. With a win
here the Seminoles would finish in the top four for the 11th
straight year. Their defense will do the job. ***
—Peach Bowl: Clemson (7-4) vs. Auburn (9-3)
Auburn ran for just 886 yards and had three games of negative
rushing yardage. Not even a passer like Dameyune Craig could
overcome that. Clemson improved as the year progressed and is
due to win a close game. This Jan. 2 matchup is it. *
—Orange Bowl: Nebraska (12-0) vs. Tennessee (11-1)
The Volunteers allowed only 93.3 rushing yards per game, but
don't believe the numbers. The teams that knew how to run got
their yards—and Nebraska knows how to run. If Peyton Manning is
healthy and sharp on Jan. 2, he'll take advantage of the young
Cornhuskers secondary, but he alone doesn't figure to make up
the difference between the teams. ***
Issue date: December 29, 1997
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