by Jim Feist Happy New Year! After recovering from the weekend's New Year festivities, we glide through the end of the bowl season. A few more bowls are appetizers for the tune-up that is the January 6 Auburn/Florida State match for all the marbles. Chick Fil-A-Bowl (Tues., Dec. 31st): A pair of teams that don’t play much defense and have great offenses meet as Duke (10-3) and Texas A&M battle in Atlanta. Duke loves to throw the football under Coach David Cutcliffe and QB Anthony Boone (10 TDs, 11 INTs), averaging 31.6 points and 234 yards passing. Blue Devils are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 non-conference games, 18-8-1 over the total in non-conference games action. Texas A&M has speed all over the field on offense, averaging 43.6 points and 351 yards passing behind QB Johnny Manziel (33 TDs, 13 INTs) and WR Mike Evans (1,322 yards). The electric Manziel also ran for 686 yards to lead the team. Of course, he has to score a lot of points as the defense is weak giving up over 33 or more points six times. The Aggies are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 neutral site games, 4-1 under the total in their last 5 Bowl games. A&M failed to cover the last game, a 28-21 loss to Missouri – and the Over is 45-21-2 in Aggies last 68 games following a spread loss. Outbook Bowl (Wed., Jan 1): The Iowa Hawkeyes (8-4 SU/7-5 ATS) are apower running team with sophomore QB Jake Rudock (18 TDs, 12 INTs) playing well as a young starter behind junior RB Damon Bullock (467 yds, 4.1 ypc) and junior RB Mark Weisman (938, 4.5 ypc). Iowa is 34-16-2 under the total away from Nile Kinnick stadium. The defense allowed 18.9 ppg (13th in the nation). Iowa missed a bowl last season but the Hawkeyes are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games. LSU (9-3) lost senior QB Zach Mettenburger (22 TDs, 8 INTs) in the finale, so all eyes are on freshman QB Anthony Jennings (1 TD, no picks, 99 yards). The kid has great targets to throw to in junior WRs Jarvis Landry (1,172 yds) and Odell Beckham. LSU is on a 9-3 run over the total, 10-2 over on grass. Orange Bowl (Fri., Jan., 3): How will (12-1) Ohio State react? Urban Meyer went 24-0 as Buckeye coach before losing the Big 10 title game, 34-24, to Michigan State. Instead of playing Monday for the national title, they’re facing Clemson. It’s a powerhouse rushing offense behind QB Braxton Miller, third in the nation in rushing with 317.5 yards per game, fourth in scoring (46.3 ppg). The defense had some struggles during the year, then imploded the last two games, giving up 41 to rival Michigan and 438 yards to Michigan State. Clemson (10-2) has a dynamite, balanced offense striking for 40 points and 329 yards passing (12th) behind QB Taj Boyd (29 TDs, 9 INTs) and WR Sammy Watkins (1,237 yards). The Tigers topped Georgia (38-35) to open the year, but then flopped in losses to the only other Top 10 teams they faced, Florida State (51-14) and South Carolina (31-17). Tigers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 bowl games, while the Buckeyes are 36-16 ATS on grass. BCS Championship Game (Mon., Jan., 6): There are no secrets about this one: Can Florida State’s quick, athletic defense stop the incredible Auburn ground attack? Florida State allowed 10.7 points per game, tops in the nation. They faced four Top 25 teams this season and won by an average score of 50-9. Their closest game was a 14-point win over BC. The Seminoles are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 neutral site games. Auburn’s defense will have to content with talented freshman QB Jameis Winston (38 TDs, 10 INTs), plus Florida State boasts the nation's best combination of receivers. Auburn’s defense has been bend but don’t break all year, giving up 41 to Texas A&M, 38 to Georgia, 42 to Missouri and 35 to LSU. LSU was the only team to beat the Tigers, 35-21, allowing 457 yards (228 rushing). But Auburn’s deceptive-run offense leads the nation in rushing with 335.7 yards and 40.3 points per contest. Auburn is on an 11-1 ATS run, 7-0 ATS against a team with a winning record. Florida State is 5-1 under against the SEC, while the under is 6-2 in the Tigers last eight bowl games.