[d4cohn]

The problem with this bowl match-up is that we have little to gain from it and plenty to lose.  OK, we are not ranked, so we cannot drop out of the top 25 if the game goes pear-shaped on us (for whatever reason); but a victory will also probably not move us into the Top 25 unless a bunch of teams ahead of us in the rankings lose.  This is reminiscent of the game two years ago when we faced North Carolina and barely survived thanks to Solomon Thomas's sack of Tubrisky on the two-point conversion at the end of the game.  In fact, North Carolina was actually more highly-ranked than Pitt, so the match-up was more even.  We were also in the top 20 at 9-3 and ended the year 12th in the AP poll at 10-3.  Our one extra loss this year will probably leave us on the outside looking in even if we move to 9-4 after the Sun Bowl.  

Anyway, I prefer it when we face a highly-regarded opponent with a ranking that will actually burnish our reputation if we win and not cost us so much if we are on the wrong side of the score.  Beating Pitt will give us a 9th win, but not a lot more.  

Looking at the Pac-12 bowl line-up, I would predict the following:

UW loses to Ohio State
WSU vs. Iowa State: Cougs win
Utah vs. Northwestern: the Utes win if they get Moss and Huntley back.  If not, Northwestern wins
Oregon vs. Michigan State: Oregon wins
Stanford vs. Pitt: Stanford prevails
Cal vs. TCU: Hard to say, but Cal has good chances if they can generate a bit of offense and get a few takeaways.  TCU is not the team we played last year.
ASU vs. Fresno State: I like the Bulldogs in this one.  

So the Pac-12 could go 4-3 or 3-4 this bowl season, which would be an improvement over last year.  Stanford should be one of the wins.  Go Cardinal!

Moss and Huntley are out for the year for Utah. However, Thorson is very turnover prone, and that Utah defense could have a field day (like they did against Costello with the pick-six). 

I also think Iowa State could be a tricky matchup for Wazzu if their defense is not ready. Iowa State's QB is outstanding, and they have a great RB and an All-American WR. Would not be surprised if Iowa State upset Wazzu. That game will be a track meet on the Alamodome surface per usual.

UW definitely loses to Ohio State, I will say Wazzu wins against ISU, Utah beats Northwestern, Oregon beats Michigan State (by a mile), Stanford beats Pitt (hopefully, by a mile too), TCU beats Cal (Cal too limited offensively), and Fresno State beats ASU.

[d4cohn]

The problem with this bowl match-up is that we have little to gain from it and plenty to lose.  OK, we are not ranked, so we cannot drop out of the top 25 if the game goes pear-shaped on us (for whatever reason); but a victory will also probably not move us into the Top 25 unless a bunch of teams ahead of us in the rankings lose.  This is reminiscent of the game two years ago when we faced North Carolina and barely survived thanks to Solomon Thomas's sack of Tubrisky on the two-point conversion at the end of the game.  In fact, North Carolina was actually more highly-ranked than Pitt, so the match-up was more even.  We were also in the top 20 at 9-3 and ended the year 12th in the AP poll at 10-3.  Our one extra loss this year will probably leave us on the outside looking in even if we move to 9-4 after the Sun Bowl.  

Anyway, I prefer it when we face a highly-regarded opponent with a ranking that will actually burnish our reputation if we win and not cost us so much if we are on the wrong side of the score.  Beating Pitt will give us a 9th win, but not a lot more.  

Looking at the Pac-12 bowl line-up, I would predict the following:

UW loses to Ohio State
WSU vs. Iowa State: Cougs win
Utah vs. Northwestern: the Utes win if they get Moss and Huntley back.  If not, Northwestern wins
Oregon vs. Michigan State: Oregon wins
Stanford vs. Pitt: Stanford prevails
Cal vs. TCU: Hard to say, but Cal has good chances if they can generate a bit of offense and get a few takeaways.  TCU is not the team we played last year.
ASU vs. Fresno State: I like the Bulldogs in this one.  

So the Pac-12 could go 4-3 or 3-4 this bowl season, which would be an improvement over last year.  Stanford should be one of the wins.  Go Cardinal!

Moss and Huntley are out for the year for Utah. However, Thorson is very turnover prone, and that Utah defense could have a field day (like they did against Costello with the pick-six). 

I also think Iowa State could be a tricky matchup for Wazzu if their defense is not ready. Iowa State's QB is outstanding, and they have a great RB and an All-American WR. Would not be surprised if Iowa State upset Wazzu. That game will be a track meet on the Alamodome surface per usual.

UW definitely loses to Ohio State, I will say Wazzu wins against ISU, Utah beats Northwestern, Oregon beats Michigan State (by a mile), Stanford beats Pitt (hopefully, by a mile too), TCU beats Cal (Cal too limited offensively), and Fresno State beats ASU.