January 1 is annually one of the biggest days in college football, and this year is no exception as six bowls take place around the United States, including USC and Illinois in the Rose Bowl, Texas Tech and Virginia in the Gator Bowl, and Hawaii and Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Here is a look at the other three games taking place on the first day of 2008 . . .
Capital One Bowl – Michigan (8-4) vs. Florida (9-3)
The Gators “host” the Wolverines at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, and they will look to Heisman-winning quarterback Tim Tebow to lead them to their third straight bowl win. Tebow powered the Gators to the 14th-ranked offense in the country. The Wolverines were the nation’s biggest disappointment this season, but they will hope to send head coach Lloyd Carr out on a positive note as he is leaving Michigan after 12 years. The Gators have an 11.5-point spread in this Big Ten/SEC clash , and they will be aiming to avenge a 38-30 loss to Michigan in the 2003 Outback Bowl.
Outback Bowl – Wisconsin (9-3) vs. Tennessee (9-4)
The Badgers face the Volunteers at Raymond James Stadium and, like Florida, Tennessee should have an edge in fan support due to their proximity to the stadium. The Volunteers were 30th in the nation in points scored and tops in sacks allowed. The Badgers showed they were for real in late-season performances against Ohio State and Michigan, but the health of star back P.J. Hill could be an issue after a lower-leg injury slowed him down for the final third of the campaign. The Vols have a 2-point spread in another Big Ten/SEC contest , and this will be the first meeting between these two teams.
Cotton Bowl – Missouri (11-2) vs. Arkansas (8-4)
The Tigers will be going to the Cotton Bowl with a chip on their shoulder after being shunned from the BCS bowls, but they will face the nation’s best running back in Arkansas’ Darren McFadden. The Razorbacks had the third-best ground game in the nation this season. The Tigers were fifth in total offense behind the arm of Chase Daniel, and if it was not for a pair of Oklahoma losses Missouri could be looking at an unbeaten record and a spot in the BCS title game. The Tigers have a 3.5-point spread in this Big 12/SEC tilt , but the Razorbacks beat Missouri 27-13 in the Independence Bowl in 2003.
Odds (BetUS)
Michigan: +11.5
Florida: -11.5 (O/U 59)
Wisconsin: +2
Tennessee: -2 (O/U 58.5)
Missouri: -3.5
Arkansas: +3.5 (O/U 68)