F o o t b a l l  F o r e c a s t e r s: 

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Alabama is one of the better rushing teams in the entire country, averaging 226 ypg and 5.3 ypc.  ISU gives up 4.7 ypc and 188 ypg -- a strong basic match-up advantage to the Tide. The Cyclones like to run the ball and average 4.2 ypc for 182 ypg, but that plays right into the strength of the Tide's defense who only give up 3.2 ypc on 99 ypg; A strength on strength match-up which we see as favoring the Tide as well.  ISU went 1-4 against bowl teams and were totally dominated in those losses. While Alabama only went 2-3 against bowl teams they were at least respectable in their losing efforts. We're going with the team that showed well against the better teams to roll to a 31-17 bowl win. A Play

Washington State is a veteran team and traveled very well this year winning 5 of 6 on the road. They're loan road loss to intra-state rival Washington (a game where they turned the ball over 4 times).  WSU did lose 2 of their past 4 games but were in the hunt for the conference title right up to the final game.  Purdue came out of the gate hot but fizzled down the stretch losing 5 of their last seven. The Boilermakers did not travel well losing 3 of 5 on the road.  Most people are aware of Purdue's solid defense; but Washington State grades out slightly better on defense than Purdue. The Boilermakers have a young offense and it showed on the scoreboard, averaging only 19 pts a game.  The Cougars have a dynamic pass attack going against an average Purdue pass defense, our yardage projections indicate WSU should dominate this game through the air to the tune of 290 passing yards. Oregon was able to defeat WSU (24-17) by implementing a brilliantly conceived offensive game plan that produced 446 rushing yards in a game that was played in a downpour (Oregon lined up 3 receivers to one side who were used to block the linebackers and the RB simply ran through the DB's--it worked great in the rain). Purdue rushes for an anemic 2.8 ypc and 102 ypg and we don't see them running on the Cougars.  We're going with 5%.   WSU 34-13     Double AA Bowl Play