2009-2010 NCAA Bowl Schedule

NCAA Football Bowl Schedule

It seems so far off when the NCAA releases their bowl schedule, but before we know it we'll be in our favorite chair taking in the bowl games for the 2009/2010 college football season. Here is the 2009/2010 NCAA football bowl schedule with conference match-ups.

New Mexico Bowl – Dec 19, 2009

Fresno State Bulldogs (8-4) vs. Wyoming Cowboys (6-6)

This may be a blowout, as Wyoming only had one win against a team that ended the season with a winning record and that is Weber State. The Cowboys only have the nation’s 112th ranked offense and their defense only ranks 83rd. That is not good facing a Bulldogs’ offense that ranks 19th in the nation with, maybe, the best RB nobody has ever heard of in Ryan Mathews (1,664 yds 17 TD). The Bulldogs finished the season winning their last 2 games.

St. Petersburg Bowl – Dec 19, 2009

Central Florida Knights (8-4) vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (8-4)

Rutgers has the nation’s 19th ranked defense, but they are not great on the offensive side of the ball and they lost 2 of their last 3 games. Central Florida ended the season on fire winning their last 3 games. However, Rutgers plays in a tougher conference and the Knights do not rank in the top 45 on offense or defense.

New Orleans Bowl - Dec 20, 2009

Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (7-5) vs. Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders (7-5)

Southern Miss has the nation’s 31st ranked offense and their strength is defiantly the run with the solid RB duo of Damion Fletcher (937 yds 8 TD) and Tory Harrison (626 yds 9 TD). They will have to run the ball well in this game and control the clock since their defense is only ranked 77th in the nation. Middle Tennessee has the nation’s 30th ranked offense and they are all about QB Dwight Dasher who had 2,627 yards passing with 21 TD and he is the team’s leading rusher as well with 953 yards and 11 TD. The Blue Raiders’ defense ranks 49th in the nation.

Las Vegas Bowl - Dec 22, 2009

Oregon State Beavers (8-4) vs. BYU Cougars (10-2)

The Beavers barely missed out in the playing in the BCS Rose Bowl and they have a solid and well-balanced offense with QB Sean Canfield (3,103 yds 21 TD) and Jacquizz Rodgers (1,377 yds 20 TD). BYU and their 35th ranked defense will have their hands full in this game. BYU has the nation’s 18th ranked offense and their QB Max Hall has put up legit numbers this season with 3,368 passing yards and 30 TD. That is not good for the Beavers, who only rank 87th in the nation in passing defense.

San Diego Bowl - Dec 23, 2009

Utah Utes (9-3) vs. California Golden Bears (8-4)

The Utes did not finish the season well losing 2 of their last 3 games. Utah only has a mediocre offense, but they rank 20th on defense. Cal has the nation’s 46th ranked defense, but they will need a big game from RB Jahvid Best, who did not play in the Bears last 3 games. If he can’t go in this game QB Kevin Riley (2,636 17 TD) will have to move the chains though the air.

Hawaii Bowl - Dec 24, 2009

Nevada Wolfpack (8-4) vs. SMU Mustangs (7-5)

Nevada lost their last game of the season, but before that loss they reeled off 8 straight wins. Their rushing offense is the #1 ranked unit in the nation with a coupe of 1,000-yard rushers in RB Vai Taua and QB Colin Kaepernick. Nevada will have to win this game on offense, as their defense only ranks 88th in the nation. SMU won 4 of their last 5 games. Even though SMU was 7-5 this season they do not rank in the top 60 in the nation on offense or defense.

Little Caesars Bowl - Dec 26, 2009

Marshall Thundering Herd (6-6) vs. Ohio Bobcats (9-4)

Marshall lost 3 of their last 4 games and if they lose this game they will be below .500 for the season. Add to the fact that they do not rank in the top 75 on offense or defense, so they may be one of the weaker bowl teams this season. However, Ohio does not rank in the top 50 on either side of the ball and their offense only ranks 98th in the nation. Ohio lost their last game, but won their previous 4.

Meineke Car Care Bowl - Dec 26, 2009

Pittsburgh Panthers vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (8-4)

Pitt was quietly putting together a BCS season, but they lost their last 2 games of the season. Pitt has a well-balanced offense with the pass and the run and their defense is solid ranking 26th in the nation. The Tar Heels reeled off 4 straight wins, 2 against ranked teams, at the end of the season before losing their season finale. The Tar Heels will have to win this game on defense, which ranks 6th in the nation, as their offense only ranks 107th in the nation.

Emerald Bowl - Dec 26, 2009

Boston College Golden Eagles (8-4) vs. USC Trojans (8-4)

USC had national title hopes at the beginning of the season, but they lost 3 of their last 5 games and in those games their defense gave up an average of 41 points per game. Their D was ranked in the top 10 for the first part of the season, but ended ranking 42nd. Boston College won 3 of their last 4 games and their defense is their strength ranked 23rd in the nation. They will face a legit USC offense that can move the chains on the ground and in the air. BC has to make this a low scoring defensive game, as their offense only ranks 97th in the nation.

Music City Bowl – Dec 27, 2009

Kentucky Wildcats (7-5) vs. Clemson (8.5)

The Wildcats finished the season well winning 3 of their last 4 games, but they were only 3-5 in SEC play and were 0-3 vs. ranked teams this season. Kentucky was 7-5 in the tough SEC, but they only have the nation’s 90th ranked offense and 59th ranked defense. What is not good for the Wildcats is they are stronger on D against the pass only having the nation’s 100th ranked rushing defense. Why is that not good? Well, Clemson has a guy named C.J. Spiller, who is a legit RB averaging 5.7 yards per carry and he had 233 yards rushing and 4 TD in the ACC Championship game. Clemson lost their last 2 games of the season.

Independence Bowl – Dec 28, 2009

Texas A&M Aggies (6-6) vs. Georgia Bulldogs (7-5)

The Aggies lost 3 of their last 4 games and they are all about offense, which ranks 5th in the nation. A&M QB Jerrod Johnson put up sick numbers this season passing for 3,217 yards and tossing 28 TD’s. The Bulldogs won 3 of their last 4 games and they are solid on defense ranking 30th in the nation. Their pass D ranks 33rd in the nation and they will have to have a solid game against Johnson and the dynamic Aggies’ offense. The Aggies will have to score points in this game, as their D only ranks 107th in the nation.

Champs Sports Bowl – Dec 29, 2009

Miami Hurricanes (9-3) vs. Wisconsin Badgers (9-3)

Miami won 4 of their last 5 games and they beat 3 ranked teams this season. Their offense is ranked 36th in the nation led by solid QB Jacory Harris (3,164 yds 23 TD). The Badgers won 4 of their last 5 games and they have the 18th ranked defense and 34th ranked offense. Their defense has to keep Harris from making the big play downfield. The Badgers’ offense is well-balanced with QB Scott Tolzien (2,445 yds 16 TD) and RB John Clay (1,396 yds 16 TD). The Miami D ranks 25th in the nation and in their last 4 games only gave up an average of 16 points per game.

Humanitarian Bowl – Dec 30, 2009

Bowling Green Falcons (7-5) vs. Idaho Vandals (7-5)

Bowling Green ended the season on fire winning their last 4 games scoring over 30 points in each of those games. QB Tyler Sheehan leads the Falcons and their 8th ranked passing offense and they are tough to stop. Unlike Bowling Green Idaho did not end the season well losing their last 3 games. Their defense killed them in those 3 games giving up an average of 48 points per game. Idaho only has the nation’s 114th ranked passing defense so they may get lit up in this game. However, Idaho does have the nation’s 10th ranked offense and they can move the chains on the ground and in the air and Bowling Green only has the nation’s 82nd ranked defense. This may be one of the best bowl games to watch, as this game will be a shootout.

Holiday Bowl – Dec 30, 2009

Arizona Wildcats (8-4) vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers (9-3)

Arizona won their last 2 games including beating USC. Arizona has a solid defense, ranked 21st in the nation, and offense, ranked 40th in the nation. Nebraska had won 5 straight games and came within a hair of beating Texas and playing in a BCS game. Their defense is awesome ranked 9th in the nation and in their last 6 games they only gave up an average of 10 points per game. Their offense is ranked 102nd in the nation and they will have to win this game with their D since they do not put up a lot of points.

Armed Forces Bowl – Dec 31, 2009

Houston Cougars (10-3) vs. Air Force Falcons (7-5)

Man, this game is all about offense vs. defense, as Houston has the nation’s top-ranked offense and Air Force ranks 10th in the nation on defense. If the Falcons can somewhat contain Case Keenum (5,449 yds 43 TD), which will be far from easy, they will be in good shape since the Cougars’ defense only ranks 108th in the nation. The Falcons offense only ranks 77th so they will have to play good D to win this game.

Sun Bowl – Dec 31

Oklahoma Sooners (7-5) vs. Sanford Cardinal (8-4)

Oh what could have been for the Sooners. They began the season terribly and lost Heisman winning QB Sam Bradford for the season. The Sooners were up and down all season never winning 3 in a row or losing 2 in a row. The Sooners have the nation’s 28th ranked offense, but they are led by their stellar defense, which ranks 7th in the nation. Stanford won 4 of their last 5 games including beating USC and Oregon, who were both ranked in the top 10 at the time. Their D is only ranked 85th in the nation so stellar RB Toby Gerhart (1,736 yds 26 TD).

Texas Bowl – Dec 31

Navy Midshipmen (8-4) vs. Missouri Tigers (8-4)

Navy won 3 of their last 5 games, but they were upset in their last game losing to Hawaii in the Aloha State. Navy is all about the run, as they have the nation’s 3rd ranked rushing offense led by QB Ricky Dobbs 913 yards rushing with 23 TD and FB Vince Murray (884 yds 6 TD). Mizzu is legit at stopping the run, as they have the nation’s 12th ranked rushing defense. Mizzu won their last 3 games and their 32nd ranked offense is led by QB Blaine Gabbert (3,302 yds 23 TD). He will be facing a Navy defense that ranks 44th in the nation.

Insight Bowl – Dec 31, 2009

Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-6) vs. Iowa State Cyclones (6-6)

The loser of this game will finish the season below .500. Minnesota lost 4 of their last 6 games and they were 0-4 against ranked teams this season. The Golden Gophers may have to win this game on defense since their offense only ranks 113th in the nation while their defense is decent ranking 61st. Iowa State is a surprise bowl team really turning things around this season even though they lose 3 of their last 4 games. Much like Minnesota they are not great on either side of the ball not ranking in the top 70 in either offense or defense.

Chick-A-Filet Bowl – Dec 31, 2009

Virginia Tech Hokies (9-3) vs. Tennessee Volunteers (7-5)

The Hokies won their last 4 games and they have a great defense ranking 14th in the nation. They also have a well balanced offense with QB Tyrod Taylor (2,102 yds 13 TD) and great freshman RB Ryan Williams (1,538 yds 19 TD). They will be tested in this game against a Volunteers’ defense that ranks 16th in the nation. Tennessee won 4 of their last 5 games and their offense is solid ranking 48th in the nation and they scored an average of 33 points per game.

Outback Bowl – Jan 1, 2010

Northwestern Wildcats (8-4) vs. Auburn Tigers (8-4)

Northwestern won their last 3 games including ruining Iowa’s perfect season and beating then #16 Wisconsin in their season finale. They are decent on both offense and defense, but they need to be able to air it out in this game, as they only have the nation’s 93rd ranked rushing offense. Auburn lost 5 of their last 7 games, but they have a legit offense ranking 21st in the nation. If the Tigers’ can contain the pass and score some points they should easily win this game.

Capital One Bowl – Jan 1, 2009

Penn State Nittany Lions (10-2) vs. LSU Tigers (9-3)

The Nittany Lions won 7 of their last 8 games, but they only played one ranked team all season, which they lost. Their offense is ranked 36th in the nation led QB Darrell Clark and RB Evan Royster. LSU lost 2 of their last 4 games and their 28th ranked defense will have to win this game since their offense only ranks 108th in the nation. Penn State ranks 8th on defense and they are great at getting to the opposing QB and at stopping the run. If the Tigers can’t keep the Nittany Lions on offense they will be in trouble in this game.

Gator Bowl – Jan 1, 2010

West Virginia Mountaineers (9-3) vs. Florida State Seminoles (6-6)

West Virginia won 3 of their last 4 games and they will be facing a FSU team that ended the season well winning 4 of their last 6 games even though they did not have their star QB, Christian Ponder, in the last few games. West Virginia has the nation’s 60th ranked offense, but luckily they will be facing a weak Seminoles’ defense that only ranks 110th in the nation. However, FSU does have a legit offense ranked 27th in the nation and they need to lead them to send Bobby Bowden off with a victory to end his storied coaching career.

Rose Bowl (BCS) – Jan 1, 2010

Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2) vs. Oregon Ducks (10-2)

The Buckeyes won their last 5 games to capture the Big 10 and the reason they won was their defense, which ranks 5th in the nation and is solid against both the pass and the run. OSU’s run defense will be tested in this game, big time, against a Oregon rushing offense that ranks 6th in the nation. Containing QB Jeremiah Masoli and stellar freshman RB LaMichael James will not be easy, but if the Buckeyes can stuff the run they will be in great shape since the Oregon passing offense only ranks 91st in the nation. The Ohio State offense only ranks 71st in the nation so they will have to win game on defense.

Sugar Bowl (BCS) – Jan 1, 2010

Florida Gators (12-1) vs. Cincinnati Bearcats (12-0)

Will Florida be motivated for this game since it is not for the National Championship? The Bearcats may end the season undefeated and not even have a national title to show for it. Cincy has to figure out a way to score on a Gators’ defense that ranks 4th in the nation as well play D on a Florida rushing offense that ranks 10th in the nation. The QBN match up is vital in this game with Tim Tebow vs. Tony Pike. The Bearcats and their 48th ranked D will have to contain Tebow and the Florida rushing attack and the Florida D will have to keep Pike (2,350 yds 26 TD) from making the big play with his arm.

International Bowl – Jan 2, 2010

South Florida Bulls (7-5) vs. Northern Illinois Salukis (7-5)

The Bulls lost 4 of their last 6 games and even though they did beat 2 ranked teams this season. QB B.J. Daniels, who leads the Bulls in passing and rushing yards, will have to have to play well to win this game. He will be facing a Salukis’ D that ranks 27th in the nation. Northern Illinois lost their last 2 games and they gave up at least 38 points in each of those games.

PapaJohns.com Bowl – Jan 2, 2010

South Carolina Gamecocks (7-5) Connecticut Huskies (7-5)

USC won their season finale after dropping their previous 3. Gamecocks’ QB Stephen Garcia had an up and down season and he has to play well in this game facing a Huskies’ D that only ranks 72nd in the nation. UCONN won their last 3 games and their strength on offense is rushing the ball with the legit RB duo of Jordan Todman (1,152 yds 14 TD) and Andre Dixon (967 yds 13 TD). South Carolina ranks 15th on defense, but unfortunately for them they are much better at defending the pass than the run.

Cotton Bowl – Jan 2, 2010

Oklahoma State (9-3) vs. Ole Miss Rebels (8-4)

The Cowboys had won 3 straight games at the end of the season before getting shutout playing Oklahoma (27-0). The same thing goes for Ole Miss, who lost their last game against Mississippi State after winning their previous 3. The Cowboys rank 33rd on defense and their main goal in this game is contain Rebels’ QB Jevan Snead (2,464 yds 20 TD), who was once a Heisman candidate. Ole Miss has the nation’s 24th ranked defense and they have to play well against an OSU offense that can pass the ball with Zac Lee and run it with Keith Toston.

Liberty Bowl – Jan 2, 2010

Arkansas Razorbacks (7-5) vs. East Carolina Pirates (9-4)

The Razorbacks won 4 of their last 5 games even though the lost the season finale. However, they played well in that game losing in OT to #15 LSU. The Arkansas offense is all about the pass with solid QB Ryan Mallett (3,425 yds 29 TD). East Carolina only has the nation’s 75th ranked defense and they may need to score a lot of points to win. The Pirates won their last 4 games and their offense, which ranks 68th in the nation, played great averaging 36 points per game. Arkansas only has the nation’s 90th ranked defense, so this may be a high scoring game.

Alamo Bowl – Jan 2, 2010

Michigan State Spartans (6-6) vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders (8-4)

The Spartans lost 3 of their last 5 games and they were 1-2 against ranked opponents this season. MSU has the nation’s 41st ranked offense and their strength is passing the ball, as their rushing offense only ranks 79th in the nation. Texas Tech has the nation’s 7th ranked offense, but their D is not bad ranking 47th in the nation. The Spartans are not a high scoring team and they have to keep Tech QB Taylor Potts (3,068 yds 20 TD) from having a big game. The Red Raiders won 3 of their last 4 games.

Fiesta Bowl (BCS) - Jan 4, 2010

Boise State Broncos (13-0) vs. TCU Horned Frogs (12-0)

Even though the winner of this game will be undefeated they will not win the national title. Both of these teams have stellar defenses, as TCU ranks 1st in the nation and Boise state ranks 13th. They are not too shabby on offense either, as TCU ranks 4th and Boise State ranks 8th. Both teams have a well-balanced offense that can air it out and move the chains on the ground, so the team that can play some defense in this game will come out victorious. These teams are pretty even in most categories on offense and defense.

Orange Bowl (BCS) – Jan 5, 2010

Iowa Hawkeyes (10-2) vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (11-2)

Iowa did not win the Big 10, but they still snagged a BCS bowl bid. To win this game their defense, which ranks 11th in the nation, will have to play well against RB Jonathan Dwyer, who leads the Yellow Jackets and their 2nd ranked rushing offense. If the Hawkeyes can contain the run they will be in good shape for this game. However, if they cannot stop the Iowa and their triple-option they will be in for a long game. Luckily for Iowa they will get QB Ricky Stanzi back after he missed the last 2 regular season game with an ankle injury. Tech has the nation’s 54th ranked defense and their main goal will be stopping Stanzi, as the Iowa rushing offense only ranks 103rd in the nation.

GMAC Bowl – Jan 6, 2010

Central Michigan Chippewas (11-2) vs. Troy Trojans (9-3)

Central Michigan won their last 4 games and they won the MAC Title. After losing their first 2 games Troy won 9 of their last 10 games and they won the Sun Belt Conference. Troy is all about offense, as they rank 3rd in the nation and they have a solid QB in Levi Brown (3,868 yds 22 TD). He will be facing a Central Michigan D that ranks 29th in the nation. Central Michigan has a good offense and they are all about QB Dan LeFevour, who passed for over 3,000 yards and rushed for over 700 yards. Troy will have to win this game with their offense, as their D only ranks 100th in the nation.

BCS National Championship Game – Jan 7, 2010

Texas Longhorns (13-0) vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (13-0)

Well, this game is for all the marbles, as the winner will be the National Champion. Texas has the nation’s 20th ranked defense led by QB Colt McCoy and they will be facing a Alabama D that ranks 2nd in the nation. The Tide cannot let McCoy and WR Jordan Shipley make the big play downfield. The Longhorns are not great at running the ball and they struggled on offense in beating Nebraska in the Big 12 title game. The Longhorns were the best team at stopping the run in the Big 12 and they will have to contain RB Mark Ingram, who led the SEC in rushing and averaged an impressive 6.2 yards per carry. If Texas can’t keep him from having a big game they will be in trouble, as it will keep McCoy and the dynamic offense of the Longhorns on the sidelines. If Ingram does not have a good game the Tide will have to win with D, as their passing offense only ranks 84th in the nation.

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