The crystal ball took a hit on New Year's Eve with Missouri pooping on the field against Navy and Iowa State pulling it out against Minnesota. Of course we're happy to be wrong about the Cyclones because a bowl win for the Big 12 over the Big 10 is a win for everyone. Besides that Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads was nice enough to visit with us last summer giving us another reason to root for the Cyclones this season. As far as the Missouri debacle goes, I think they've got it covered pretty good right here.
Now the crystal ball turns its attention to the Alamo Bowl and Texas Tech against Michigan State. They crystal ball isn't loving the Big 12 today. After predicting loss for Oklahoma State our fortune teller says that the pirates may be in trouble without their captain. Here are a few predictions heading into the game.
Distractions will take their toll on this game. Both schools have had their share of distractions leading into the game with the Spartans suspending players after a fight and the Red Raiders suspending their dignity and common sense in parting ways with Mike Leach.Tech and Michigan State will both ride emotion early and end the first half within a score of each other.Coaching adjustments will have a huge advantage in the second half and the Red Raiders will find themselves at a disadvantage.
Adam James won't play but we'll be sick of hearing about him by game's end. The ESPN Spin Machine will be in full force in this game and we'll here about what a great kid James is and how much his father wanted everything to work out with Leach at Texas Tech. The way the world wide leader in sports network handles things the Alamo Bowl will most likely be a side story to the James/Leach saga. You might want to go ahead and plan on having a barf bag handy.
Close but no cigar moments will lead to lots of place kicking. Our simulation showed eight field goals in this game. That's a lot of almost getting to the end zone and even more hair pulling for the coaches.
Michigan place kicker Brett Swenson will be the player of the game. He'll be the game's leading scorer and will literally kick the Spartans to victory.
The crystal ball is 3-2 in picking the winners of the Big 12 bowl games. In addition we gave you a big second half by Georgia, Nebraska scoring over 30 on Arizona and Landry Jones having a big day against Stanford.
