CFN Preseason Bowl Predictions

[Harry0569]

TicketCity
Dallas, TX Cotton Bowl
Jan. 1, 12:00 pm, ESPNU
C-USA vs. Big Ten No. 7
Preseason Call: SMU vs. Northwestern
Top Three Other Options: 1) Houston, 2) Illinois, 3) Purdue

WHY? Will it finally be time for Northwestern to break its long bowl drought? The chance will likely either come in Dallas or in the Motor City Bowl against a MAC team; the Wildcats will get one slot while Purdue will take the other. Illinois and Penn State will be in the running. SMU could end up playing in the Armed Forces Bowl, but this game is a little stronger and it’s in Dallas. Tulsa and Houston would put a few fans in the stands, but not like SMU.

http://cfn.scout.com/2/1169807.html

[Harry0569]

AutoZone Liberty
Memphis, TN Liberty Bowl
Dec. 31, 3:30 pm, ESPN
C-USA No. 1 vs. SEC No. 8 or 9 or Big East No. 5 if not SEC
Preseason Call: UCF vs. Tennessee
Top Three Other Options: 1) SMU, 2) Southern Miss, 3) Houston

WHY? Tennessee might just barely get to six wins and would stay close to home for one of the SEC’s final bowl slots. UCF, SMU, Southern Miss and Houston are all going to be deep in the running for the Conference USA title with the Knights the best-looking team on the lot. However, even if UCF wins the championship there could be some backroom dealing for one of the Florida-based bowls.

[leopold]

I don't get it: how is UCF a consistant favorite? They have some questions at QB, return only, say, 4 true starters on offense, niether starting kicker, and even though they should be solid on D, they still lose half their guys there. And all this from a team that had a losing record.

I'm not saying their not a bowl team, I just don't see how they are the conference favorites.

[AusTxPony]

Check the football magazines. They have UCF from 5-7 to 11-1, all over the board. I think the CUSA is wide open this year with all the unknowns at coaching and QB, and so apparently do the pundits. Should be fun with 6-7 teams in the mix.

[Vitale]

I'd love to see that TicketCity matchup against Northwestern. Could be a great game, would be nice to see us beat a Big 10 team and we could all afford to get to the game.

[JasonB]

Traveling to bowl games is fun. After doing it last year, I hope that we don't stay here in Dallas for a bowl.