2007 Independence Bowl

2007 Independence Bowl ($1.1 million payout)

Alabama, 6-6 vs. Colorado, 6-6 (Colorado +4)

Mike Shula was fired from Alabama in 2006 for going 6-6 and making the Independence bowl. Nick Saban went 6-6, losing their last 4 including to Louisiana-Monroe, and should be thankful that they made it to Shreveport for one of the traditionally worst bowl games of the year. Look for Bobby Petrino to have a similar effect, proabaly worse, next year at Arkansas (that makes Nick Saban, Steve Spurrier, Les Miles AND Bobby Petrino in the same conference. Phil Fulmer is suddenly a nobody as far as the SEC is concerned).

The Nate Longshore Theory comes into play in this one. John Parker-Wilson and Longshore could switch teams tomarrow and no one would notice. Parker-Wilson is more moblie, but not more effective. He makes bad throws at bad times. Something that is very hard for a quarteback to really fix at any point in their career.

Colorado hasn't traveled well in recent bowl seasons, and finished the season in a slump themselves going 1-4 in their last 5. Their only win coming by way of a 65-51 shootout against Nebraska. They pose no real threat in the passing game, as Cody Hawkins may not be as talented as Parker-Wilson or Longshore but seems to make as many big mistakes late in games.

That might be enough to be the difference in this game. If DJ Hall is able to make big plays downfield than Bama will have the advantage. And considering that Colorado's lockdown CB Terrence Wheatly is coming off a broken toe, he should be able to do just that.

I think this game will be alot higher scoring than most think, even though the Buff's D which got tired late in the season will be refreshed. This one is a coinflip at best, and when in doubt, take the points.

Prediction:
Alabama, 30 Colorado, 31