I’m now back in the running in my College Bowl Mania group, thanks to a great January 1st. I’m sure that the Big 10 isn’t feeling the same way. However, in hindsight, they probably should have changed some of the Big 10’s matchups. I think that putting Northwestern against Baylor and Illinois against Texas Tech would have garnered better results for the conference.
We’re now winding down the bowl season. Here is my pick for the January 3rd bowl game.
Discover Orange Bowl
Stanford vs. Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech comes in as one of the hottest, most underrated teams in the nation. After dropping their first two games to start the season, they have reeled off eleven straight victories to make it to Miami. Hokies quarterback Tyrod Taylor is a very good passer, throwing 23 touchdowns to only 4 interceptions this season.
Like Virginia Tech, Stanford has also felt a lack of respect this year, due to the Pac-10 being regarded as weak. However, this is a very good Stanford team. It will be interesting to see how storylines not concerning the actual play on the football field (whether Andrew Luck will enter the draft; if head coach Jim Harbaugh bolt Stanford for another job) will affect the team at all. I do not think that it will though, as Harbaugh is a good coach who will have his team focused on only the game.
Virginia Tech’s most glaring weakness this season has been their pass defense. Unfortunately for the Hokies, that is where Stanford will try to hurt them. Unless Virginia Tech can get constant pressure on Luck and cause him to make bad decisions (which has been rare this season), Stanford may be able to pick apart the Hokie defense.
I have Stanford for 4 points in the College Bowl Mania game, and I think that it should be an entertaining game.
Final Score: 34-28 Stanford
– K. Becks
