2010 Fiesta Bowl Preview & Pick
Believe it or not, many college football fans are more excited for the Fiesta Bowl than they are for the BCS championship game. The Fiesta bowl pits two undefeated, top-six teams against each other, both of which field high-octane offenses.
CLICK HERE NOW TO VIEW THIS WEEKS BEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL HANDICAPPERS —–>
It also offers a rare opportunity for a team not playing in the BCS title game to be voted national champion. If TCU can blow out Boise State and Florida loses to Texas, we just might see that happen, as improbable as it seems.
FIESTA BOWL
(6) Boise State Broncos vs (3) TCU Horned Frogs
Monday, January 4, 8:00 p.m. ET
Sportsbook favorite: TCU -7
Breaking down the matchup, it’s understandable why everyone is excited for this game, which is a rematch of last year’s Poinsettia Bowl. Boise State has the nation’s No. 1 offense and TCU has the nation’s No. 1 defense. What more could you want?
Quarterback and MWC Player of the Year Andy Dalton was everything TCU could’ve hoped for this season. The junior threw for 2,484 yards and 22 touchdowns versus just five interceptions this season. What makes the Horned Frogs’ offense especially dangerous, however, is the balance the dynamite O-line creates. Dalton was one of four different TCU players to top 500 rushing yards this season.
TCU’s true bread and butter is its top-ranked defense. Led by elite pass rusher Jerry Hughes, TCU does everything well, pressuring the passer with the best of them and boasting an elite group of run stoppers including standout linebackers Daryl Washington and Tank Carder.
We know TCU “deserves” to be undefeated and playing in a BCS bowl game. Can we say the same about Boise State? The Broncos’ only real noteworthy win came against Oregon. In the Sugar Bowl, facing TCU’s vicious “D,” we’ll find out if Boise State really is the nation’s standard for offensive excellence. 
On paper, Boise State sure looks the part. It scored at least 40 points in each of its last seven games and had a whopping three different players top 14 touchdowns on the season. Kellen Moore vaulted himself into the Heisman Trophy race by posting an amazing 39:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Boise State’s future is bright and we can expect more success from Moore in 2010, but this season is about TCU. They’re anxious to prove they deserve consideration as the country’s best team. Since the Horned Frogs are the more balanced squad – Boise State’s defense doesn’t hold a candle to theirs – I like them to cover here.
It’s also worth noting that some of Boise State’s key offensive playmakers, such as Dough Martin and Austin Pettis, have battled injuries this season. That doesn’t bode well against the No. 1 defense in college football.
Pick: TCU -7
This bowl season get all your BCS National Championship live online sports betting & college football betting lines, odds and props at Bodog Sportsbook.
Shea Matthews lives and breathes sports. He made the transition from athlete to sports journalist at a young age, writing in TV & national newspapers. He now applies his knowledge to sports betting and handicapping every day, and shares his winning picks with the world.
3 replies on “2010 Fiesta Bowl Odds + Free Betting Predictions”
The Broncs took a 12-0 record into last season’s Poinsettia Bowl against TCU, blowing a fourth-quarter lead and losing 17-16. They will be looking for bit of revenge I expect. Boise had ONE team to beat ALL season. The opener against Oregon, they did win by eleven points. TCU at least they can say they played tough games mid season when things start heating up.
I like TCU in this one.
TCU is out to prove that they are as deserving of national title consideration as either Texas or Alabama. They should either completely crush Boise State or take them too lightly and struggle to win. Do not be surprised if it is the latter as I think the Broncos are going to give them all that they can handle.
TCU lost…they were outclassed, outplayed and their number one defense paled in comparison to BSU’s defense against the “best” offense. Boise State has nothing to prove anymore. The proved it, not by a point but by an entire game of classy football free from personal fouls and trash talk. I’m sure no one will give BSU their dues, even now….and heaven knows the BCS schools will never, now, find it in their “strategic scheduling” to play them…but they left no doubt with TCU!