So I've been doing this the past couple of years, both for fun and as a great finals week procrastination tool.  Basically this is my predictions of the 2008-9 bowls based entirely on how good or bad the marching band looks.  It's my belief that a good looking band does nothing but help a team's performance.  Last year I went 20-13 with this strategy, and if gambling were legal I'd have won some money.  So here we go:

EagleBank Bowl: Wake Forest vs. Navy

I like Wake Forest's look, very 21st century marching band uniform.  Nothing overly ridiculous about it, cept for maybe the sparkly stripe, but it probably looks cool on the field when it catches light, so it's ok.  But really, you can't compete with the best dressed military in the world.  You just can't.

WINNER: NAVY

New Mexico Bowl: Colorado State (back view)  vs. Fresno State

Two very contrasting styles that both work for me.  I'm calling this one for CSU (as opposed to CSU-F) based on the contrast of the jackets: white on the front and green on the back makes for a really cool visual on the field during turns and the like.

WINNER: COLORADO STATE

magicjack St. Petersburg Bowl: Memphis vs. South Florida

First of all, what the hell is magicjack? It appears to be a really cheap looking phone company. Alright then.  Moving on... I got the privilege of meeting many of the USF "Herd of Thunder" at the Sun Bowl last year, and they're one of the classier bands out there.  We also scraped them in the Battle of the Bands.  That being said, gray pants Memphis, really?  Green and yellow > gray pants every time.

WINNER: SOUTH FLORIDA

Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl: BYU vs. Arizona

That's a lotta blue in BYU's uni.  It doesn't look bad, but Arizona looks effing sharp.  Silver sequins, more color.  It's not close.

WINNER: ARIZONA

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: Southern Miss vs. Troy

Oh sweet jeezus, are you kidding me?  I know your mascot is the Trojans.  That isn't a good enough excuse.  Black and crimson is a great color combo for marching band, and you have danglies, and sashes, and to be honest, the helmets make USC's look like baseball caps.  I've already spent too much time on this.

WINNER: SOUTHERN MISS

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl: Boise State vs. TCU

Boise State's unis are busy.  Lots of stripes, patches, cuffs, etc.   TCU's are far from busy, and far from interesting.  And purple.

WINNER: BOISE STATE

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl: Hawaii vs. Notre Dame (back view)

I really like Hawaii's look, with the shark's teeth and the modern style.  Notre Dame is all about tradition, and the tartan plaid is really cool.  The front of the uni looks a little goofy though, with the shoulder points.  It's also really plain.  Doesn't translate real well to being effective on the field.

WINNER: HAWAII

That takes us through Christmas, I'll try and find time to keep going with the rest of the bowls this week, maybe when I'm in Austin with the volleyball team.  Go Ducks!