Tripleheader Tuesday -- A Blue Field, the NFL Network and Lots and Lots of Points

Roady's Humanitarian Bowl
4:30 pm, ESPN
Nevada (-1) Maryland

On the blue turf in Boise, Maryland will do its best to get QB Chris Turner enough time to find open receivers. Those receivers will be open, because Nevada gives up more passing yards than any team in the nation. But the reason for that is a fearsome pass rush that should be a brutal test for Maryland's offensive line. When Nevada has the ball, they're going to run. Their QB and RB each rushed for more than 1,000 yards this year, and they'll try to grind out a steady attack against a Jekyll-and-Hyde Terrapin team that could show up and crush them or roll over and surprise no one.

This is a three-point game and is also required for the Homer Simpson Bonus because its corporate sponsor has to do with food. (Okay, it's a stretch. Roady's is a chain of truck stops.) Only Ed, Chris and Yohan remain eligible for the Simpson Bonus.

PICKS

Dan: Nevada -1
Jim: Maryland +1
Jon: Maryland +1
Mark: Maryland +1
Ed: Nevada -1
Greg: Maryland +1
Nino: Nevada -1
Chris: Maryland +1
Yohan: Maryland +1
Rob: Maryland +1
Sal: Maryland +1
Steve: Maryland +1

Texas Bowl
8 pm, NFL Network
Rice (-3) Western Michigan

Rice's potent passing attack and corps of stud receivers will try to exploit a Western Michigan secondary that's supremely gifted at safety but depleted at cornerback. As long as he can keep track of FS Louis Delmas, Rice QB Chase Clement should be able to find some good matchups. When Rice is on defense, they play a base nickel that's focused on coverage rather than pressure and should allow Western Michigan QB Tim Hiller plenty of time to throw the ball. Western Michigan also will rely on RB Brandon West to pick up yards early and keep them out of third-and-long situations.

This is a three-point game. It is required for the Tom Landry's Hat Bonus because it's being played in Texas. Dan, Ed, Yohan, Rob and Steve remain eligible for the Landry Bonus.

The game is also required for the Dreams of Sunday Bonus, because it's being broadcast on the NFL Network. This is the first of the Sunday Bonus games, so all of us remain eligible for it.

It would have been required for the Purism Bonus (since its name does not include a corporate sponsor), but we've all been eliminated from that one. And it would NOT have been required for the Climate Control Bonus, because the roof will be open at Houston's Reliant Stadium for the game. Of course, that doesn't matter either, because all of us have already been eliminated from the Climate Control Bonus as well.

PICKS

Dan: Western Michigan +3
Jim: Rice -3
Jon: Rice -3
Mark: Rice -3
Ed: Rice -3
Greg: Rice -3
Nino: Rice -3
Chris: Western Michigan +3
Yohan: Rice -3
Rob: Rice -3
Sal: Rice -3
Steve: Rice -3


Pacific Life Holiday Bowl
8 pm, ESPN
Oklahoma State (-3) Oregon

This game matches two teams that combined to score 106 points and allow 99 on the night of Nov. 29. Oklahoma State's 61-41 loss to Oklahoma that night put the Sooners in the Big 12 title game, launching them into the BCS National Championship Game against Florida. And Oregon's 65-38 victory over Oregon State that same night effectively eliminated the in-state-rival Beavers from the Pac-10 title, put USC in the Rose Bowl and earned the Ducks a prime-time matchup on the day before New Year's Eve.

It suffices to say that we expect some points to be scored here.

This is a three-point game. It is required for the Pete Carroll's Tan Bonus, since it's being played in the state of California. Jon, Mark, Ed, Greg, Yohan, Rob, Sal and Steve all remain eligible for this bonus.

The game is also required for the Damp Basement Bonus, since it's being played in a city (San Diego) that sits at or below sea level. Steve is the only one still eligible for this bonus.

In addition, this is the funniest of the LOCK/SUPER-LOCK games this year. Steve has designated Oklahoma State as his LOCK pick, which means he gets a five-point bonus if the Cowboys cover. But Ed has designated Oregon as his SUPER-LOCK, which means he gets a 10-point bonus if the Ducks cover.

Since Ed is MORE certain, does that mean he's right? We'll see...

PICKS

Dan: Oklahoma State -3
Jim: Oklahoma State -3
Jon: Oklahoma State -3
Mark: Oklahoma State -3
Ed: Oregon +3 SUPER-LOCK
Greg: Oklahoma State -3
Nino: Oregon +3
Chris: Oklahoma State -3
Yohan: Oregon +3
Rob: Oregon +3
Sal: Oregon +3
Steve: Oklahoma State -3 LOCK

Have those remotes handy -- this is the first time (but not the last) two bowls will be on at the same time.

And pull for a push in the Holiday, so both Steve and Ed can hit those lock picks...