Steve Zukiel's Free Pick
Northwestern vs. UCLA, Take Over

In this contest, my money is on the OVER. This is such an EZ analysis.
Both teams have incredible offenses and suspect defenses. Both teams love
to throw the football. Add all of that up and you have the makings of
having one of the highest scoring bowl games in the history of college
football. Take the 'over' in this one.
STEVE ZUKIEL TAKES THE NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS AND THE UCLA BRUINS TO
GO 'OVER' THE TOTAL


Mike Rose's Free Pick
Iowa vs. Florida, Take Under

If you’re a fan of defense you must not miss this battle between the Iowa Hawkeyes and Florida Gators. This will be the second time in two seasons that these teams have met in the Outback Bowl. Iowa took the first meeting in a 37-17 beat down of a very disinterested Gators club the first time around.

This match-up is a much different story however. The Gators will be out for blood this afternoon, but the Hawkeyes aren’t the type of team to just roll over and let their opponent have its way with them. Kudos to HC Ferentz and his staff just for getting this club in a post New Year’s Day Bowl. I had written them off when they lost the heartbreaker in the final seconds to Northwestern, but the Hawkeyes took a deep breath and simply smashed their last two opponents en route to their fourth straight big bowl invite in a row.

The defense showed signs of progress late in the season once the D-Line became acclimated to their surroundings, and it enters today’s game playing its best ball of the season. Florida’s got some major ballers on their stop unit as well, and come in ranked in top 20 for overall defense.

It will be interesting to see how both of these excelled QBs fare in this match-up. Iowa’s secondary has been beat up at times this season, while Florida’s has recently suffered through some injury concerns. Both units are stout vs. the run as well (FL: 98 YPG/ IOWA: 122 YPG), so it will most likely be up to the field generals to get their teams in position to score via the pass. Both squads take excellent care of the ball, so any points scored will most likely be earned by covering huge chunks of yardage. Sit back and relax as these clubs battle it out in a defensive minded affair.



These picks are by courtesy of ProCappers Free Picks Chick