Bowl Picks: Part IV

OUTBACK BOWL

Northwestern v. Auburn: We already sold one Big Ten team short against a faster and more athletic opponent, and Wisconsin dominated Miami for all intents and purposes. I don't think that will be the case here. Northwestern doesn't have a back like John Clay or a tight end like Garrett Graham. Auburn, unlike Miami, doesn't live and die with their quarterback. Chris Todd just manages the game and gets the ball to his playmakers.

Picks

Matt: Auburn

Ben: Auburn

CAPITAL ONE BOWL

No. 10 Penn State v. No. 13 LSU: I think it's too easy to dismiss LSU because it has looked bad at times, but Ben was smart, and didn't. Penn State didn't really beat a quality opponent this year and it will be up to Darryl Clark to make sure that happens. I foresee a battle of defenses, and it will probably be a low-scoring affair.

Picks

Matt: Penn State

Ben: LSU

GATOR BOWL

No. 17 West Virginia v. Florida State: The wild card factor here is how motivated will the Florida State players be to send Bobby Bowden out as a winner. It's easy to make jokes about how old Bowden is, but the truth is a legend is leaving the game we love. The problem for Florida State is the horrible run defense against the very good run offense of the Mountaineers.

Picks

Matt: West Virginia

Ben: West Virginia

ROSE BOWL

No. 7 Oregon v. No. 8 Ohio State: What scares me the most about this game is how confident most people are in Oregon. When you count a team like Ohio State out, that's when they surprise you, like last year in the Fiesta Bowl against Texas. However, Oregon has way too many weapons on offense and the Buckeyes don't have the weapons to go score for score. Oregon, on the other hand, can afford to give up a few scores.

Picks

Matt: Oregon

Ben: Oregon

SUGAR BOWL

No. 4 Cincinnati v. No. 6 Florida: Both teams have been dealing with head coach drama, so I'm not going to factor it in or even talk about this crap anymore. I think that the Bearcats are going to be completely outclassed by a very pissed off Florida team. Tim Tebow won't end his college career with two straight losses, especially when the other team is quarterbacked by someone as ugly as Tony Pike. I like Florida big here.

Picks

Matt: Florida

Ben: Florida