New Years Eve College Bowl Previews - Sun and Chick-fil-A Bowls

College Football Bowls: Thursday Preview

There's no better way to ring in the New Year than a full slate of college football betting. There are five bowl games on tap Thursday. Here's a look at the most intriguing matchups:

Sun Bowl – Stanford vs. Oklahoma (-10)

Oklahoma is hoping to end its season on a high note. The Sooners expected to be competing for the national title again, not playing a middle-tier Pac-10 team on New Year's Eve. After the injury to Sam Bradford, OU's offense spiraled out of control. The Sooners were just 5-6-1 against the college football pointspreads.

Freshman quarterback Landry Jones did his best to make up for Bradford's injury, passing for almost 232 yards per game. But in the end the Sooners couldn't keep pace with the scoring in the Big 12. The defense remained solid, allowing just under two touchdowns per game and ranking seventh in yards allowed.

The Cardinal are trying to cap off one of their most successful seasons in some time. Stanford is playing in its first bowl game since 2001 and will ride on the back of star rusher Toby Gerhart, who flirted with Heisman glory this season. The senior finished second in the country in rushing, rumbling for more than 144 yards per game and 26 touchdowns.

There is a slim chance star freshman quarterback Taylor Luck may play in the Sun Bowl. Coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters that Luck may see some action after the quarterback had pins removed from his broken right index finger. Senior Tavita Pritchard has been taking the snaps with the first team since Luck's injury.

Chick-fil-A Bowl – Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech (-5.5, 49.5)

Tennessee first-year coach Lane Kiffin gets his first taste of bowl season thanks to a red-hot second-half run from his Volunteers. After opening the schedule with three losses in its first five games, UT battled to a 7-5 record – winning four of its last five contests to get the nod for New Year's Eve. Tennessee closed the year at 7-5 against the spread.

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The Volunteers bring a inconsistent offense and understated defense to Atlanta. Tennessee closed the year ranked 11th in pass defense, behind the stingy play of safety Eric Berry. The junior won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back after recording 83 tackles, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.

Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor had better keep an eye on Berry. Taylor continued to mature under center for the Hokies, improving his passing numbers from last year. The junior averaged 175 yards per game, connected for 13 touchdowns, and threw just four interceptions. Taylor also added a total of 344 yards rushing and four scores to those stats.

The Hokies closed the schedule with four wins in a row. Their defense was huge during that stretch, giving up an average of just under nine points. Virginia Tech ranked sixth in pass defense and limited opponents to 161 yards through the air.