Sports

Pigskin profit: Post’s bowl guide lives on!

Are you ready for some (mostly meaningless) football?

Bowl season is back — the final one without a playoff system. But don’t fret. The traditional charade of college football’s postseason will remain intact, replete with empty stadiums, .500 teams, annoying sponsors and unknown assistants replacing coaches who have skipped town.

If you’re a fan of a team that helps fill the unnecessary 30-day gap before the only game that really matters, you’ll still need a reason to watch most of the other action. So, at this special time of the year, let’s remember to thank Charles McNeil — the inventor of the point spread — who allowed even the most uninteresting games to remain compelling.

NEW MEXICO: Colorado St. (+4½) over Washington St.

An open challenge to anyone who thinks they’ll remember where they were when they watched the Rams (7-6) and Cougars (6-6) five years from now.

LAS VEGAS: Fresno St. (+6) over USC

With Ed Orgeron gone, the Trojans will play an uninspired game under their third head coach of the season.

IDAHO POTATO: San Diego St. (-1) over Buffalo

The Aztecs’ late-game experience will serve them well, having played eight games decided by a touchdown or less, with four going to overtime.

NEW ORLEANS: Louisiana-Lafayette (+1½) over Tulane

Do not pick this game until learning the playing status of Cajuns quarterback Terrence Broadway, who is attempting to return from a broken arm. My guess: he’ll suit up.

BEEF ‘O’ BRADY’S: East Carolina (-13½) over Ohio

The reigning king of bad bowl names hosts two equally unappealing teams. The Pirates’ high-octane offense will embarrass Ohio, but the Bobcats can be grateful few will be watching.

HAWAII: Oregon St. (-3) over Boise St.

Which is worse, a team that lost its final five games (Oregon St.) or a team that lost its coach of eight years (Boise St.)? A week in Hawaii won’t help a team that just lost its leader.

LITTLE CAESARS: Bowling Green (-5½) over Pittsburgh

Pizza! Pizza! Pointless! Pointless! Bowling Green has lost most of its coaching staff, but should be rolling after a dominant performance over Northern Illinois in the MAC title game. The Panthers (6-6) have no business being in a bowl.

POINSETTIA: N. Illinois (-1½) over Utah St.

The Huskies missed their opportunity at a BCS bowl game, but QB Jordan Lynch will give one last Heisman-worthy performance.

MILITARY: Maryland (+2½) over Marshall

Injuries derailed a promising season for the Terps, but coach Randy Edsall will make his first bowl appearance at Maryland despite a 3-5 conference record. Playing in Annapolis, Md. — just 35 minutes from Maryland’s campus — should be enough of a boost in an even matchup.

TEXAS: Minnesota (-4) over Syracuse

Neither fan base may be well represented at the game, but the Gophers defense is a good bet to show up.

FIGHT HUNGER: BYU (+3) over Washington

In what should be an entertaining shootout, former Boise State coach Chris Petersen won’t be able to help the Huskies just yet.

PINSTRIPE: Notre Dame (-15½) over Rutgers

The Scarlet Knights (6-6) earned their spot by beating South Florida (2-10) in the regular-season finale. Next season, Rutgers moves to the Big Ten. A .500 record will be a fond memory.

BELK: North Carolina (-3) over Cincinnati

Not only do the Tar Heels get to play in Charlotte, but they’ll also be playing in their fourth Belk Bowl. You can’t buy that kind of experience.

RUSSELL ATHLETIC: Miami (+3½) over Louisville

No reason for the underachieving Cardinals to stop now. Besides, Teddy Bridgewater could throw nine interceptions and still be the top pick in the NFL Draft.

BUFFALO WILD WINGS: Kansas St. (-3½) over Michigan

Wolverines coach Brady Hoke already hit his high point of the season, earning more respect and acclaim in a loss than most coaches receive in wins, following the team’s failed two-point conversion against Ohio State.

ARMED FORCES: Middle Tennessee (+6½) over Navy

The game will be dominated by two run-heavy offenses, but the Midshipmen’s lackluster secondary will show its vulnerability against quarterback Logan Kilgore, who needs to improve his draft stock after an inconsistent senior season.

MUSIC CITY: Mississippi (-3) over Georgia Tech

Three weeks should be more than enough time for an already stout Rebels run defense to prepare for the Yellow Jackets’ triple-option offense.

ALAMO: Texas (+13½) over Oregon

The Longhorns won’t win, but expect the team to give Mack Brown one more admirable effort. Besides, the line has moved more than two points with Oregon. Thanks, everyone!

HOLIDAY: Arizona St. (-14) over Texas Tech

The Red Raiders went from seven straight wins to five straight losses. Two touchdowns won’t be enough against a Sun Devils squad that only lost one game against teams not named Stanford.

ADVOCARE V100: Arizona (-7½) over Boston College

This is a battle between two of the nation’s best running backs — Boston College’s Andre Williams against Arizona’s Ka’Deem Carey. The rest is just filler.

SUN: Virginia Tech (+7) over UCLA

Since a season-opening loss to Alabama, the Hokies defense has held six offenses averaging more than 30 points to an average of 15.8 points.

LIBERTY: Rice (+7) over Mississippi St.

We can’t allow the new playoff system to grow too large and destroy the traditional bowls, which ensure teams such as the Bulldogs (6-6) get to play another game. Give us the Liberty Bowl or give college football death!

CHICK-FIL-A: Duke (+12½) over Texas A&M

Unless the Aggies acquire Richard Sherman and J.J. Watt, the story will stay the same. Johnny Manziel can only do so much with a defense that offers no help, but he will make it worth watching, playing in what is likely his last collegiate game.

GATOR: Nebraska (+9) over Georgia

In a rematch of last year’s Capital One Bowl, even the Bulldogs will get bored.

HEART OF DALLAS: North Texas (-6½) over UNLV

The Mean Green name is enough to sway your favor, but playing in Texas with the No. 9 scoring defense in the nation seals the pick.

CAPITAL ONE: Wisconsin (-1) over South Carolina

One bad game against Penn State doesn’t define Wisconsin’s season. The Badgers’ rushing attack will be unstoppable as usual, but perhaps Jadeveon Clowney could give us one more helmet-popping hit before he leaves for the pros. He hasn’t left much else to remember this season.

OUTBACK: LSU (-7½) over Iowa

Zach Mettenberger’s injury is devastating, but true freshman Anthony Jennings could provide a glimpse of what’s to come when he’s under center for a full season.

ROSE: Michigan St. (+4½) over Stanford

No tricks, no gimmicks, just power. Take the points in a coin flip game.

FIESTA: UCF (+16½) over Baylor

Amazingly, the biggest point spread of all the bowls comes from a BCS game, but the Knights will show they deserve a shot at the big boys.

SUGAR: Alabama (-15) over Oklahoma

The two-time defending champs will prove they’re still the best team in their state.

COTTON: Oklahoma St. (+1) over Missouri

It’ll be hard for the Tigers to get up for a non-BCS game after letting an opportunity to reach the national championship game slip away.

ORANGE: Ohio St. (-2½) over Clemson

Despite winning 24 straight games prior to the Big Ten championship, Ohio State got the Rodney Dangerfield treatment because of its strength of schedule. But who exactly did Clemson beat? The Tigers’ one win over a ranked team came against four-loss Georgia at home.

BBVA COMPASS: Vanderbilt (-2½) over Houston

You’re at a Springsteen concert, he leaves the stage and he won’t return for his encore for another two days. In the meantime, enjoy Carrot Top!

GODADDY.com: Ball St. (-8½) over Arkansas St.

Beware the channel-surfing mirage. That is football you see, but the game you’re looking for is still another day away.

BCS CHAMPIONSHIP: Auburn (+8½) over Florida St.

Four teams favored by six or more points — two by double-digits — have lost outright in BCS title games. There’s no such thing as a sure thing.

BEST BETS: Ohio St., Duke, Minnesota, N. Illinois, Alabama, Rice, Nebraska

Record: 78-96-4; Best Bets: 11-24-1