*****2009 Bowl Games Thread including info, write-ups and articles*****

There is just too much talent on the field for Oregon State with the Rodgers brothers and lefty QB Sean Canfield may surprise some as being the better QB on the field as he has completed more than 70% of his passes which is quite impressive. James Rodgers will take back kicks and punts and give Oregon State great field position all day long. Oregon State also has a considerable advantage in the field goal game as Justin Kahut is 22 of 27 and 15 of 16 from inside 47 yards while Mitch Payne does not kick many and is just 9 for 13 on the year. Oregon State is more battle tested and although they will have periods of struggle in their pass defense they will rebound with the balanced offense that BYU won't be able to stop. BYU's QB Max Hall is one of the better QB's to come through the University. However, in his three year starting career he has just 13 games where he did not throw an interception. He often forces the ball and tries to make too much happen. Overall BYU has had a weaker schedule and has played 5 defenses that ranked outside the Top 100 of 120 in FBS total defense ranks. The Beavers apply to a solid system that plays on certain Bolw favorites of -3 or less tonight. Byu applies to a Sagarin fade system that has been effective the last few seasons. OSU is 7-1 vs the Mountain West Conference, 6-2 in all bowls the past few years, and 6-3 on Turf. Byu is 0-3 in games with a +3 to-3 spread and have lost 5 of their last 6 as a dog. Look for the Beavers to bounce back from their civil war loss to Oregon with a nice bowl win here.

Poinsettia Bowl

Utah(23) vs California

Utah is 26-7-1 ATS their last 34 games as an underdog and they are 26-12-1 ATS their last 39 Non-Conference games. The Utes are 29-14-1 ATS their last 44 games off an ATS win and they are 6-1 ATS the last 7 Bowl Games. California is 3-13 ATS their last 16 games as favorites of 0.5 to 3.0 points and they are 3-7 ATS their last 10 December games. The Golden Bears are 2-5 ATS their last 7 games after allowing more than 450 yards in their last game and they are 1-4 ATS their last 5 games as favorites. Utah is as balanced as they get however boasting a 1000 yard rusher and a 1000 yard receiver. The Utes are always quick and they always come to play. The Utes own the nations 6th best pass defense as well, and they hold their opposition QB to a mere 50% completion percentage. They have three losses on the season and they were to #4 TCU, #7 ORE. and # 14 BYU. Now also don't forget that we have a common opponent between these two teams. Utah lost to Oregon by 7, while Oregon defeated Cal by 39!!! Utah also held Jeremiah Masoli of Oregon to 25% completion and less than 100 yards in their meeting earlier in the year. The sure-tackling Utah defense (just 314 ypg) has held nine of 12 foes to 17 points or fewer (and is very familiar with Cal o.c. Andy Ludwig, who held the same post with the Utes in the previous 4 seasons). Plus, despite the frequent fits & starts that plagued the attack this season, Utah does have a ground hammer in hard-charging jr. RB Eddie Wide (1032 YR on 5.7 ypc, 13 TDs), a go-to WR in sure-handed sr. David Reed (75 catches for 1085 yards), and an accurate PK in jr. Joe Phillips (17 of 19 Fgs). Cal is the team that’s disappointed to be here. The Bears were expected to challenge for the Pac-10 championship this year, but back-to-back disastrous losses to Oregon and USC – by the combined score of 72-6! – ended those dreams. Then the Bears limped to the finish line, losing two of their final four games, including a 42-10 loss at Washington as a 6½-point road favorite to end the regular season. Cal completely quit in that game, and because of that, I doubt they’ll play with much energy tonight. Utah should have solid defensive success considering Cal's offensive coordinator was at Utah the past four seasons. The Utes are very familiar with Andy Ludwig's attack and they have plenty of time to prepare. Utah also has a solid edge in the kicking game as the Utes always seem to find one of the country's best place kickers, Joe Phillips is 17 of 19 on the season.

Good Luck buddy

Hawaii Bowl

Southern Methodist vs Nevada