Looking Into The Crystal Ball And Predicting The Big 12's Bowl Games

I understand that with my current record in predicting bowl games that there may be some reason to be skeptical. However, I would like to remind you that I went 7-1 last year in picking the bowl winners of games that featured a Big 12 team. Reality tells me that I probably won't top that this year but I gotta try. So, here we go!

December 27th

Holiday Bowl

Baylor vs. #17 UCLA

Prediction

UCLA 43 - Baylor 35

How It Will Happen: This game won't feature a whole lot of defense, but when it does it will be the Bruins who are making the stops. Look for Baylor to come out early and establish the lead and then for UCLA to take control of the game in the second and third quarters, only to have to hang on while the Bears mount a late comeback attempt.

MVP Prediction: UCLA's Johnathan Franklin

December 28th

Meineke Car Care Bowl

Minnesota vs. Texas Tech

Prediction

Texas Tech 45 - Minnesota 9

How It Will Happen: The Red Raiders should be able to overwhelm the Gophers on both sides of the ball. I would expect Tech quarterback Seth Doege to have a field day with over 350 yards through the air and the Red Raider defense to completely frustrate Minnesota.

MVP Prediction: Texas Tech's Seth Doege

December 29th

Pinstripe Bowl

West Virginia vs. Syracuse

Prediction

West Virginia 42 - Syracuse 24

Its a bit ironic that West Virginia leaves for the Big 12 only to end up playing an old Big East Rival in their bowl game (See Texas A&M/OU). There will be way too much Mountaineer offense in this game for the Orange to overcome. They'll try though, by closing out the first half strong and then making some noise in the fourth quarter but it'll be too little, too late by then.

MVP Prediction: West Virginia's Geno Smith

December 29th

Alamo Bowl

#23 Texas vs. #13 Oregon State

Prediction

Oregon State 28 - Texas 27

How It Will Happen: If you actually do remember the Alamo...or at least the story of it...then you know it was a heartbreaking battle that Texas ultimately lost. You can pretty much look for this game to go along the same path as the Longhorns will keep it extremely close, only to lose on a missed field goal attempt at then end.

MVP Prediction: OSU's Sean Mannion

December 29th

Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl

TCU vs. Michigan State

Prediction

Michigan State 20 - TCU 6

How It Will Happen: Sparty will control this game by controlling the line of scrimmage and pounding it out on the ground. Look for it to be a frustrating day for the TCU offense and for Michigan State to take advantage of a few Horned Frog turnovers.

MVP Prediction: MSU's Le'Veon Bell

December 31st

Liberty Bowl

Iowa State vs. Tulsa

Prediction

Tulsa 27 - Iowa State 13

How It Will Happen: These two teams played a fairly tight game in early September and then pretty much went in opposite directions for the remainder of the season. Injuries on the ISU defense will be the key to this game as Tulsa will find success on the ground and then take advantage of a few Cyclone offensive miscues.

MVP Prediction: Tulsa's Trey Watts

Heart of Dallas Bowl

January 1st

Purdue vs. Oklahoma State

Prediction

OSU 55 - Purdue 20

How It Will Happen: This game is going to get ugly pretty quickly as I expect the Cowboys to gain full control in the second quarter and then semi coast the rest of the way. A balanced attack with running back Joseph Randle and receiver Josh Stewart will be too much for an over-matched Boilermaker defense.

MVP Prediction: OSU's Joseph Randle

January 3rd

Fiesta Bowl

#4 Oregon vs. #5 Kansas State

Prediction

Oregon 38 - Kansas State 30

How It Will Happen: Its speed vs. power in this game, and while I think that the Wildcats will do a spectacular job at controlling the clock with their ground and pound offense, the Ducks will be able to respond fairly quickly and will ultimately pull ahead for good in the fourth quarter.

MVP Prediction: Oregon's Kenjon Barner

January 4th

Cotton Bowl

#9 Texas A&M vs. #11 Oklahoma

Prediction

Oklahoma 38 - Texas A&M 26

How It Will Happen: Of course I've got to pick Oklahoma to win. Didn't you pay attention to the name of the website? Everything will go wrong for the Sooners in the first quarter of this game but OU will eventually be able to balance it out and overcome an early double digit deficit to pull off Landry Jones' fourth consecutive bowl will. After riding his arm to yet another record breaking performance (I'm predicting a 350+ yards passing game for Jones) the Sooners will say goodbye to one of the most under appreciated quarterbacks in the history of the football program.

MVP Prediction: Landry Jones

Well, that's it for me and my prognosticating of games. How about you? How do you see it shaking out for the conference. Be sure to sound off about it in the comments section below.