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OK, it's time to get started on the Prophet's annual bowl
predictions. I'm hoping that THIS year I can avoid my (what's
becoming annual) December tank job. Let's start out with some of the
smaller bowls. My picks for games being played up through Wednesday,
December 24, are as follows....

12/16
The New Orleans Bowl,
North Texas vs Memphis
This is North Texas' third consecutive trip to the New Orleans Bowl.
The Mean Green have made a habit of winning the Sun Belt Conference
championship, you know. And although James Coburn used to always say
something about confidence being sexy, I kind of think the Texans may
be getting a little too big for their britches. I read in today's
paper where one Mean Green player, when asked about the fact that
their opponent Memphis was playing in their first bowl game in thirty
plus years, indicated that it would be to North Texas' advantage. He
was quoted as saying "they don't know how to prepare for a bowl
game", among some other drivel. OK, Memphis hasn't been a regular on
the bowl scene. But if it weren't for the lowly New Orleans Bowl,
then mighty North Texas wouldn't have been dusting off any suitcases
in December, either. Let's just say that I believe this game's going
to be worth the Tigers' long wait. If these guys can beat Eli
Manning and Ole Miss, they can handle the Mean Green. Memphis by 7.

12/18
The GMAC Bowl,
Miami(OH) vs Louisville
This year's GMAC Bowl will definitely decide who is/are the biggest
and baddest red birds playing football in Mobile, Alabama this
Thursday. The Mid-America Red Hawks of Miami, Ohio fly south to do
battle with the Conference USA Cardinals from Louisville, Kentucky.
Many people feel that this will be one of the best post-season games
of the year, given both clubs' propensity for scoring points. I
couldn't agree more, and am looking forward to this clash. Two
factors are going to decide who rules the south Alabama roost.
First, which birds are going to play defense, or perhaps more
correctly, play SOME defense? Offensive firepower the likes of that
shown by both clubs almost guarantee that some defensive squad will
end up with egg on their collective faces. There may be enough egg
for BOTH defensive squads. And lastly, ANY contest between birds has
to emphasize a strong air game. Something tells me that Miami
(OH)'s "John R" has the passing stats to wing the Red Hawks into the
end zone at least once or twice more often than the southern seed-
eaters. So, look for the northern birds of prey to "prey" on some
southern cookin' in Mobile this Thursday. In a high-scoring
contest, call it Miami by 9.

12/22
The Tangerine Bowl,
NC State vs Kansas
It was only three years ago that Jayhawk Coach Mangino and Wolfpack
Boss Amato stared across the field at each other in another Florida
bowl game. At the time, Mangino was the offensive coordinator for
the Oklahoma Sooners and Amato coached the Florida State linebackers,
and they were playing for the national title in the Orange Bowl.
Since then, both men have gone on to smaller and better things,
acquiring division-1 head coaching positions. Both NC State and
Kansas both somewhat stumbled into their bowl invitations, losing
some key games at season's end. The Wolfpack were eliminated from
BCS contention in overtime, whereas Kansas was blown out by (at the
time) mildly-regarded Kansas State. Time has since shown that losing
big to K-State ain't no hangin' matter, as Bob Stoops would suggest.
However on Monday in Orlando, the Fighting Manginos from Larry will
have the same problem they had back on a Saturday in Manhattan...the
other guy'll just have too much firepower. Orlando may host
the "happiest (or sappiest??) place on earth". But, there won't be a
lot of joy on the KU side of the field. NC State by 14.

12/23
The Fort Worth Bowl,
Boise State vs TCU
The Horned Frogs had hoped to crash the BCS, but were unable to win a
big November game at Southern Mississippi. This seemingly relegated
the Texans to playing in Mobile, Alabama's GMAC Bowl. At this point,
TCU made some statement about "having a conflict with exams" or
something and declined the call to Alabama, preferring to play at
home in the newly-coined Fort Worth Bowl. Cynics suggested that the
Horned Frogs were shedding crocodile tears about the exam conflict,
and were actually dodging potentially dangerous embarrassment at the
hands of Miami(OH). I don't know exactly why TCU did things their
way. Playing at home isn't exactly a special treat for the
holidays. But then again, I don't know any travel agents getting
rich pitching holiday junkets to Mobile. I will say this,
however... IF the Frogs were dodging Miami, they could have found a
safer substitute than the Broncos of Boise State. These Idaho
horsies are going to be a rough ride for TCU. Switching rodeo
analogies, I'll guess that the home crowd might be surprised who gets
roped and branded in this one. Boise State by 10.

12/24
The Las Vegas Bowl,
New Mexico vs Oregon State
The Beavers failed miserably. They already had their bowl bid in
hand when they last played. ALL they had to do was show up and lose
to USC in such a fashion as to guarantee the Trojans' inclusion in
the BCS title game, which would have been a first for the Pac Ten.
But somehow, Oregon State couldn't get it done for their conference.
Sure, they lost, but.... well we all know what happened after that.
For this trip to Vegas, New Mexico fans have another assignment for
the Corvallis rats. The Lobos want Oregon State to be a big enough
name to gather a little national recognition for the University of
New Mexico. The plan is, of course, for the Lobos to actually beat
Oregon State, teaching America that there are teams in the Mountain
West other than Colorado State, Air Force and BYU. Look for Oregon
State to again supply the prescribed loss on Christmas Eve. But like
USC before them, New Mexico may not find the win as satisfying as was
hoped. Lobos by 3.

OK folks, that covers us through Christmas Eve. Have a nice holiday
season, lay off the heavy egg nog and keep your hands off your
neighbors' sugar plums. See you soon with some later bowl picks!