NEW YEAR'S DAY COLLEGE BOWL GAME PREDICTIONS

TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl:

Nebraska (8 - 4) 23 vs. (22) Georgia (8 - 4) 27: Georgia started the season as a contender for the national title, but an opening loss to Clemson dimmed those hopes. Nebraska had a decent year, but their record is deceiving since they didn't have to play Ohio State or Wisconsin.

Heart of Dallas Bowl - Presented by PlainsCapital Bank:

UNLV (7 - 5) 34 vs. North Texas (8 - 4) 27: This one is difficult to predict, especially since neither team is very well known. I'll take UNLV on the basis of their tougher schedule.

Outback Bowl:

Iowa (8 - 4) 20 vs. (16) LSU (9 - 3) 27: LSU is a very good team in the toughest division in college football, and Iowa is a good team in the Big Ten. No real comparison here. The LSU defense is nasty and the offense is very balanced. They'll be starting true freshman Anthony Jennings, but I think the Tigers will still have too much for Iowa.

Capital One Bowl:

(19) Wisconsin (9 -3) 24  vs. (9) South Carolina (10 -2) 30: This is a great matchup, with South Carolina sporting a five game winning streak, capped by a beat down of rival Clemson. Wisconsin had a six game winning streak snapped by Penn State in the final week of the season. The SEC seems to be flexing its muscles again at bowl time, so I'll stick with the Gamecocks.

Rose Bowl Game presented by Vizio:

(5) Stanford (11 - 2) 23 vs. (4) Michigan State (12 - 1) 24: What a great Rose Bowl, between two very good defensive teams. I've liked Michigan State for most of the season, and their defeat of Ohio State was very impressive. Traditionally, the Big Ten teams haven't fared well going west to Pasadena, but defenses travel better than offenses, so I'll remain a Spartan fan.

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl:

(15) UCF (11 - 1) 27 vs. (6) Baylor (11 - 1) 30:  UCF is playing in its first BCS bowl game, following a perfect conference season in the American. The record would have been more impressive had they played and beaten Cincinnati, but the schedule worked in the Knight's favor. UCF has an SEC type team with a tough defense and balanced offense, but Baylor probably has a little too much speed for them.