Independence Bowl - Air Force vs. Georgia Tech (+2.5) - This game might set a record for fastest bowl game ever. If the teams weren’t forced to stop in order to take media timeouts and halftime, it could probably finish in about an hour. The two best rushing offenses in the country will run up some big yardage on the ground, and thankfully, the game is being played where there isn’t any snow to slow these two down. I foresee a high-scoring clash as both teams struggle to slow things down on the other side. The computer likes Air Force at a 67 percent clip, so we are going to go with the Falcons and lay the 2.5 points.

MRI Pick	Expert Picks	Winner
67.83%	Air Force: A. Miraski, McCabe, Popelka, Dodd, Darst, Harris, Van Pelt, McShay, B. Miraski	14-7
	Georgia Tech: Congrove, Forde

Champ Sports Bowl - West Virginia vs. North Carolina State (+3) - (Preview #1 by Ben Miraski) This game really bugs me. Maybe it is because I see West Virginia and all the talent and wonder how they could have not beaten Connecticut. And how they didn’t win the Big East. And how Rich Rodriguez goes to Michigan and can’t coach somehow he was excellent in West Virginia. None of this makes sense to me. And then I look at North Carolina State, who also should have won their division in the ACC, and probably would have at least challenged Virginia Tech for the conference crown. So here were have two teams that were more frustrating that good this season, although both had times where they looked like the class of their not so great leagues. And their prize is a big “Welcome to Orlando!” Not very punishing for being less than all they could be. To me, this one comes down to who wants it more, and West Virginia can’t have much want left in them after losing the worst league title. The AD obviously saw it was going to become an issue down the road and has already stepped in to make a change at head coach in a couple of years. North Carolina State at least can salvage their season with a win. In a year when no one thought they would be much of anything, they put a lot of fear into their opponents, even if it was inconsistent. And Russell Wilson should have been the player of the year in the league, since he basically came close to rewriting the record book in his league much like Cam Newton did in the SEC. The computer likes West Virginia in this one, but at 65 percent, which isn’t too much less than it liked Air Force, but I don’t feel the same for West Virginia that I did for the Falcons. Take the Wolfpack and the points.

(Preview #2 by Brian McCabe) Bowl season is well underway, and unless you are my sister, your picks are struggling mightily.

The Big East check is bowling again tonight in the Champs Sports Bowl as the underachieving Mountaineers of West Virginia face up against North Carolina State and their phenomenal quarterback Russell Wilson.

Both teams were the definition of inconsistency this season, but a bowl victory will wipe away many negative memories.

The Champs Sports bowl is in its 21st season and will be played at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida.

Today, I am debuting a new game called: “What did this bowl used to be called?”

Take a few minutes and think it over. I will give you the answers after the pick.

West Virginia is in a state of flux as new athletic director Oliver Luck, father of Andrew, has stated that Bill Stewart is not good enough to lead the team all the way and therefore will be out of a job after next season.

Russell Wilson is a two-sport star and was taken during the fourth round of the Major League Baseball draft last season.

The Mountaineers have not faced an athlete comparable to Wilson at quarterback all season and will not have an answer for him.

West Virginia is favored by three points, but the Wolfpack will cover that and then some.

Take N.C. State and enjoy the game.

And on to the Bowl game answer …

Former names for the Champs Sports Bowl in its 21 years of existence:

1. Blockbuster Bowl
2. CarQuest Bowl
3. MicronPC Bowl
4. Tangerine Bowl

If you got more than one of those right, you might watch too much college football. But then again, that is not possible.

Enjoy the Champs Sports game this evening and watch Russell Wilson put on a clinic.

MRI Pick	Expert Picks	Winner
65.03%	West Virginia: A. Miraski, Popelka, Dodd, Darst, Congrove, Forde	23-7
	North Carolina State: McCabe, Harris, Van Pelt, McShay, B. Miraski

Insight.com Bowl - Missouri vs. Iowa (+2.5) - (Preview by Alex Miraski) After losing the last three games of the season, the problems for Iowa have continued, star wide receiver Darrell Johnson-Koulianos was arrested on numerous drug charges and promptly suspended. Then, running back Adam Robinson was suspended for the bowl game for violating team rules, leaving freshman Marcus Coker to start in his place. With all the changes on offense, it still might not matter if the defense can’t stop anyone. Fourth quarter leads could not be protected, leading directly to the three straight losses.

This defense will be tested by a Missouri team that can score points, having averaged 30 ppg in the regular season. Their open offense should have the Hawkeyes secondary running The Tigers defense has been the surprise, and should be able to contain an offense that is missing two of its biggest playmakers. This game comes down to which team can be trusted, the one that started the season with so much promise, but disappointed late, or the team that overachieved and now looks to win 11 games for only the third time in school history. I’ll trust the team light on melodrama, and that’s Missouri. Lay the points.

MRI Pick	Expert Picks	Winner
65.03%	Missouri: A. Miraski, McCabe, Dodd, Darst, Harris, Forde, Van Pelt, B. Miraski	27-24
	Iowa: Popelka, Congrove, McShay