Alabama (6-6) vs. Colorado (6-6)

Conference Matchup: SEC vs. Big 12
Date: Dec. 30
Location: Shreveport, La.
Spread: Alabama -3.5

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Although any matchup between two 6-6 teams might be hard to get excited about, this one provides some intrigue because of the similarities of the programs and the differences in how they play football. Each could use a win in this bowl as a springboard toward next season and as another step toward returning to the success and glory they used to enjoy. Dan Hawkins and Colorado probably are ahead of schedule in this regard; Nick Saban and Alabama, not so much. Both coaches were hired to resurrect programs that were left in bad shape by their predecessors; Hawkins was left with the remnants of the disastrous scandals that happened at Colorado under Gary Barnett, while Alabama pulled Saban away from the Miami Dolphins after Mike Shula seemed to have the Tide mired in a cycle of mediocrity. That's one tradition Saban has kept alive, at least for now. The Tide got off to a 6-2 start but finished 6-6 after they failed to hold a double-digit lead over LSU, had an inexcusable loss to Louisiana-Monroe, then lost to rival Auburn for the sixth consecutive year. Even so, there were some bright spots, such as a 41-17 win over Tennessee and 41-38 win over Arkansas. But the near-misses against LSU and Georgia were costly, as was the unthinkable home loss to Monroe. Hawkins might have the Buffaloes ahead of schedule, given the sad state of affairs the program faced when he took over just two seasons ago. Colorado's turnaround seemed to get its official start when it upset then-No. 3 Oklahoma in week 3, but the Buffaloes saw a 4-2 start turn into 5-6 after a mid-season slump, and needed a win over rival Nebraska in their final game to become bowl eligible.

Alabama can cover if: the Crimson Tide's physical brand of SEC defense can slow down the potent Colorado offense and muster up some offense of its own. The onus for this falls on quarterback John Parker Wilson, who has largely been a disappointment in his second full year as a starter for the Crimson Tide. His QB rating was 11th out of the 12 starters in the SEC, and he showed a knack for untimely errors and critical turnovers. He had just one touchdown and three interceptions in the Tide's last three losses. However, through its first nine games Alabama averaged 395 yards of offense and 32 points while committing just 11 turnovers. Wilson finished with 2,590 yards, 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions; receiver D.J. Hall had a big year with 947 yards and six scores. If the Tide can play mistake-free offense and limit big plays on defense, they have a good chance to avoid their first back-to-back losing seasons in 45 years.

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Colorado can cover if: the Buffaloes avoid mistakes from their own inexperienced quarterback, the coach's son, Cody Hawkins. He had the second-worst rating among starters in the Big 12 and his inconsistency cost the Buffaloes in some of their losses. But he showed gradual improvement as the season progressed and the ability to make big plays. He finished with 2,693 passing yards and 19 touchdowns with 15 interceptions. Hugh Charles leads a balanced rushing attack with 989 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. The Buffaloes need to shore up their weak pass defense, which is among the worst in the country in yielding 262 yards per game. Colorado will need to get some sustained drives and a few big plays to contend with Alabama's defense, which will probably be tougher than most of the teams it faced in Big 12 play.

General Notes: Alabama is 4-1 ATS in its last five games against Big 12 opponents, but 7-19-1 in last 27 contests as a favorite. The Buffaloes are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games as an underdog.