The final day of 2010 has four bowl games to whet our appetite for 2011 and the BCS bowl games - including both the Rose Bowl and Fiesta Bowl on New Year's Day.
The first bowl game today is the Meineke Car Care Bowl, held in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Meineke Bowl features two teams who were rather mediocre this year - the South Florida Bulls and Clemson Tigers. The Bulls, who went 7-5 this year and 3-4 in the Big East, were simply awful on offense this year. South Florida currently ranks 88th in the FBS in scoring - averaging just over 23 points per game. The Bulls average only 162 yards per game passing - good for 101st in the FBS. Their defense, however, is pretty good: the Bulls allowed only 19.5 points per game, 19th best in the FBS.
Clemson was better on defense, however. The Tigers currently rank ninth in the FBS in points allowed per game, allowing only 17.8 per contest and are powered by junior defensive end Da'Quan Bowers. Much like the Bulls, Clemson struggled on offense, ranking just 86th in the FBS in points per game.
Both teams are fairly evenly matched - and Clemson is just a four point favorite headed into it. I'll take Bowers and the Tigers beat South Florida in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.
Sun Bowl prediction after the jump.
The Sun Bowl, held at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, features two former powers. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will take on the Miami Hurricanes in one of the more intriguing bowl games thus far.
The Fighting Irish went 7-5 en route to their Sun Bowl berth. Dayne Crist, the Irish's starting quarterback, was lost for the season in late October and freshman Tommy Rees took over - winning each of his starts. Notre Dame ranked 29th in the FBS in passing but just 73rd in points per game - not terribly impressive.
The Hurricanes (7-5, 5-3 in ACC) enter the Sun Bowl on a two game losing streak - dropping contests to Virginia Tech and South Florida. Quarterback Jacory Harris, who suffered a concussion against Miami's loss to Virginia, will make his first start since October 30th.
Miami are four point favorites - and I'll take the Hurricanes to beat the Irish. Jacory Harris' return should help propel Miami to their eighth win of the year and end their season on a positive note.