Since this game is starting relatively early I figured I'd post it early. You can put your picks for all three games tonight here. There will also be another post later for the other two games. Got it? Good.
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The MainStay PetroSun (was unaware of the new sponsor) Independence Bowl
Shreveport, LA- Independence Stadium





Alabama (6-6) v. Oklahoma State (6-6)

Weather: Cloudy 55 Degrees, Or as Tony Kornheiser describes it....Indonesia Hot!

Past Results (30):

Last 10.....

Dec. 30, 2005	Missouri 38, South Carolina 31
Dec. 28, 2004	Iowa State 17, Miami (Ohio) 13
Dec. 31, 2003	Arkansas 27, Missouri 14
Dec. 27, 2002	Ole Miss 27, Nebraska 23
Dec. 27, 2001	Alabama 14, Iowa State 13
Dec. 31, 2000	Mississippi State 43, Texas A&M 41 OT
Dec. 31, 1999	Mississippi 27, Oklahoma 25
Dec. 30, 1998	Mississippi 35, Texas Tech 18
Dec. 28, 1997	LSU 27, Notre Dame 9
Dec. 31, 1996	Auburn 32, Army 29

Player(s) to Watch: Florida State's DT's Broderick Bunkley and/or Alabama's QB #14- John Parker Wilson

I really only picked him because he's the brother of Ross Wilson from MTV's Two-A-Days. Actually he's a pretty good QB....especially for being as young as he is. He's got 2,539 yards on the season and 16 TDs. Alabama has been passing a lot this year and he's been pretty darn accurate....including an 80% Comp game (3TDs) against Arkansas.

OK State's Junior Wide Receiver #12- Adarius Bowman

Bowman has 57 receptions for 1,131 yards and 11 touchdowns. He had a monster of a game against Kansas where he had 13 catches, 300 yards, and four TDs. Adarius is part of one of the most balanced offenses in the nation which gets about 200 on the ground and 200 through the air per game.

Deciding Factor(s): The Cowboys are going to be fine on offense. Alabama has lost that stellar defense they once had, so look for the 'Boys to put up a ton of points.

The main thing to watch is Alabama's Running Offense vs. OK State's Rush Defense. The Cowboys start two freshman linebackers, so look for Alabama to run with Darby early to open up the game for JPW. If Darby gets some yards this game will turn into a shootout....like most Cowboys games (pun intended). If not...it will be over early.

Interesting Fact: The first Independence Bowl was in 1976 and earned its first corporate title sponsor in 1990, when it was the Poulan/Weed Eater Bowl until 1997.

Spread: Oklahoma State -1.5, O/U 48

AA's Pick and Analysis: I'm all over OK State in this one. Alabama's defense won't be able to keep up with the speed of the Cowboys. This will put Bama's offense will be in a hole early, which will cause them to abandon the run....and the run is the only thing that can beat Oklahoma State.

The fact that Alabama lost their last 3 doesn't bode well for them either.

Prediction OK State 31-24.