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2009-2010 MAC Bowl Bonanza

Dec. 26: Little Caesars Pizza Bowl - Detroit, MI

1:00 p.m. - ESPN

Ohio University (9-4, 7-1 MAC) vs. Marshall (6-6, 4-4 Conference USA)

Note: Bobcats make their second bowl appearance (2007 GMAC Bowl) in four years.

Nick’s Pick: Ohio 23 – Marshall 17

Comment : Marshall’s Mark Snyder resigned following the final game of the regular season so DC Rick Minter will lead the Herd for this game. Ohio is susceptible to the run which will play into Marshall's offense as star running back Darius Marshall rushed for over a 1,000 yards this season averaging better than 5-yards per carry. The Bobcats' offense started to click late in the year with Theo Scott and receiver Taylor Price developing solid chemistry. Offensively the Herd ranks 78 th nationally at 355-yards per while the Bobcats rank 98 th with 325. OU averaged over 25-points per game while the Herd averaged 22. Give the nod to Ohio in this old-time MAC backyard rivalry due to the coaching change at Marshall and the fact that the Bobcats were playing much better football at seasons end.

Dec. 29: EagleBank Bowl - Washington, D.C.

4:30 p.m. - ESPN

Temple (9-3, 7-1 MAC) vs. UCLA (6-6, 3-6 PAC-10) or Army (5-6 Independent)

Note: Temple to make first bowl appearance since 1979.

Nick’s Pick: Temple 24 – UCLA 21

Comment: While both offenses average 338-yards per game, Temple is far superior in rushing averaging 192-yards per game while UCLA does more damage through the air (223). Both defenses are almost alike as Temple ranks 36 th and UCLA rank 38 th in total defense. Both rank 32 in turnover margin. Temple wants this game more as they have a chance to win a bowl game for the first time in 30 years and 10 games for the first time in several decades. Expect a dogfight as the Bruins are very talented.

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Dec. 30: Roady's Humanitarian Bowl - Boise, ID

4:30 p.m. - ESPN

Bowling Green (7-5, 6-2 MAC) vs. Idaho (7-5, 4-4 Western Athletic Conference)

Note: Bowling Green is making its fourth bowl appearance since 2003 (2003 Motor City Bowl; 2004 GMAC Bowl; 2008 GMAC Bowl).

Nick’s Pick: Idaho 28 – BGSU 27

Comment: Idaho’s Robb Akey may have deserved the national coach of the year award more than anything this year. The Vandals were 2-10 last season and 18-76 since 2001 and are making their first bowl birth since 1998. Look for this game to be a high scoring affair as Idaho is averaging 31.83 points per game while Bowling Green is averaging 27.33 points per game. Bowling Green features the nation's best receiver statistically in Freddie Barnes. Idaho ranks 10 th nationally in passing and should have an easy time against the Falcons pass defense, which has vastly improved with the return of safety PJ Mahone. Expect this game to go down to the wire with the team who has the ball last possibly pulling out a photo-finish victory.

Jan. 2: International Bowl - Toronto, Ontario

Noon - ESPN2

Northern Illinois (7-5, 5-3 MAC) vs. South Florida (7-5, 3-4 Big East)

Note: Northern Illinois to make its fourth bowl appearance since 2004 (2004 Silicon Valley Football Classic; 2006 Poinsettia Bowl; 2008 Independence Bowl).

Nick’s Pick: USF 33 – NIU 24

Comment: This game could come down the classic case of who really wants to be here. After a 5-0 start, South Florida went through another mid-year calamity and finished just 7-5. So the Bulls got shipped all the way out of the country to Toronto for a bowl game against a 7-5 MAC team. NIU lost their final two games but are quite happy to be playing in their second straight bowl under Jerry Kill. Coach Kill always has his team prepared and this game will be close even though South Florida is far superior in talent.

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Jan. 6: GMAC Bowl - Mobile, AL

7:00 p.m. - ESPN

Central Michigan (11-2, 8-0 MAC) vs. Troy (9-3, 8-0 Sun Belt)

Note: Game marks the battle of two conference champions from the MAC and Sun Belt conferences. Also marks the fourth consecutive bowl appearance for Central Michigan (2006 Motor City Bowl; 2007 Motor City Bowl; 2008 Motor City Bowl).

Nick’s Pick: Central Michigan 31 – Troy 27

Comment: Quite possibly this may be one of the most entertaining non-BCS or non-major bowls as each team averages 33-points per game. Sun Belt champ Troy will have to find a way to stop Central quarterback Dan LeFevour, statistically the best QB in MAC history. It's the fourth straight bowl appearance for Central Michigan and the last for LeFevour who helped the Chippewas to their third conference title in four years. Pick Central and LeFevour in a thriller.