It’s that time of the year again…#BowlSeason! In my opinion, the longer the bowl name is, the worse the bowl game is. Would you pay $100 to see UCF play Marshall in the “Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl?” Yeah, didn’t think so. For every bad bowl game, there is a good one in its place. Three undefeated teams (LSU, Clemson, and Ohio State) are playing for College Football’s most coveted prize, the National Championship.
Just making it to a bowl can mean a lot for some programs who have never been before or haven’t been in a number of years. We have a number of those teams such as Liberty and Charlotte who are making their first appearance on the big stage. I’ll briefly analyze and give my two cents on twenty bowl games that look the most appealing to watch this holiday season, including my prediction on who will take home the National Championship in New Orleans this year. Enjoy!
The Kick-off Bowl:
Bahamas Bowl (Buffalo vs Charlotte; Dec 20th)- In 2012, Charlotte was without a football program. Seven years later, they have risen to the ranks of FBS football and are bowl-eligible for the first time in school history. They take on a Bulls team that is 0-3 in their bowl appearances. Not only do you get a trip to the Bahamas but you get to play for school history. Both teams can put up some serious points, averaging around 31 PPG. Both teams have taken on elite competition (Clemson, Penn St, App St), going 0-3 in those contests. You have two choices on this Friday: see Star Wars in theaters or watch the Bulls play the 49ers. You should get a quality show either way. Charlotte 35, Buffalo 31
Quality Mid-tier bowls:
Las Vegas Bowl (#21 Boise State vs Washington; Dec 21st)- This game should just be renamed the “Chris Petersen Reunion Bowl.” Before coming to coach the Huskies in 2014, he was part of the Broncos staff that played in one of the most memorable bowl games of all time (2007 Fiesta Bowl). Washington is fully capable of winning this game. They hung right in there with both Oregon and Utah. However, their inconsistencies as a team have deterred me away from picking them to upset. Boise State 38, Washington 34 (OT)
Holiday Bowl (#22 Southern California vs #16 Iowa; Dec 27th)- Our first dual-ranked matchup pits the Trojans as they attempt to upset the Hawkeyes in San Diego. Iowa’s defense is one of College Football’s best as they rank fifth overall in points allowed (13.2). Meanwhile, you have USC who ranks in the top 20 in total offensive yards. Something has to give. I’m all for the old adage, “Defense Wins Championship”...err bowl games. Iowa 17, USC 14
Military Bowl (North Carolina vs Temple; Dec 27th)- Mack Brown has done wonders with a team that just won five games in the last two seasons. North Carolina has several injuries in the secondary, starting true freshman Don Chapman and Storm Duck at cornerback. Look for prolific Temple receiver Jadan Blue to eclipse 100 yards receiving once again, as he has done in three of his last four games. However, the biggest mismatch here is at the quarterback position. ACC Rookie of the Year, Sam Howell, has kept the Heels in every game this season. With that said, expect Carolina to win their first bowl game since 2013. UNC 31, Temple 23
Texas Bowl (#25 Oklahoma State vs Texas A&M)- Texas A&M has a HUGE task on their hands as they try and defend Chuba Hubbard who is trying to eclipse 2,000 rushing yards this season. With 21 touchdowns on the year, Hubbard is the dominant player that the casual fans have barely heard a peep about. Against good teams, A&M seems to fold. Expect this game to be closer but no cigar for the Aggies. Oklahoma State 30, Texas A&M 24
Cheez-It Bowl (Air Force vs Washington State; Dec 27th)- It was a down season for the Cougars, having their worst season since going 3-9 in 2014. It isn’t all gloom and doom as they have played tough against elite Pac-12 competition such as their last-second loss to Oregon in late October. However, WSU’s offense may have tough sledding against the Falcons 16th ranked D. Ironically, the Air Force offense loves to keep it on the ground, which should bode well against a WSU team that allows 170 YPG on the ground. Air Force 24, Washington State 20
Camping World Bowl- (#15 Notre Dame vs Iowa State; Dec 28th)- Iowa State’s 7-5 record looks subpar but they are a much better team then what’s on paper. They have played Iowa, Oklahoma, Baylor, and Oklahoma State, losing all those games by seven points or less. The Fighting Irish have run roughshod over opponents since escaping Virginia Tech back on November 2nd. The Cyclones should put up a great fight and it wouldn’t stun me if they pulled off the upset. However, Ian Book and Chase Claypool should have success against a subpar defense. Notre Dame 35, Iowa State 24
Sun Bowl (Florida State vs Arizona State; Dec 31st)- I flip-flopped on this game several times. FSU has the potential to take this game and help catapult the Seminoles into a win going into 2020. Florida State running back Cam Akers will need to be a force on the ground and in the passing attack. On the other side, Sun Devils RB Eno Benjamin has run for 282 yards in the last two weeks. Whoever wins in between the tackles will likely emerge victorious. Arizona State has has shown me more consistency so I’ll cast my ballot for them. Arizona State 27, Florida State 23
Belk Bowl (Virginia Tech vs Kentucky; Dec 31st)- Tech’s season seemed to have gone haywire after their embarrassing 45-10 loss to Duke at Lane Stadium. However, they finished the season strong, beating UNC in 6OT, shutting out Georgia Tech and Pitt in back-to-back weeks, and playing UVA and ND down to the wire. Meanwhile, the Wildcats have been hot as well, winning four of five coming into this matchup. Paul Hornung Award winner, Lynn Bowden Jr, has done it all. He has played wide receiver, kick returner, and quarterback throughout the season for Kentucky. This should be one of the more entertaining games to watch. Virginia Tech 38, Kentucky 34
Liberty Bowl (#23 Navy vs Kansas State; Dec 31st)- Random stat of the day: Kansas State is number one in...you guessed it: kickoff return average and kickoff TDs! Give some love to the special teams. In what should be a close one, the Midshipmen will escape Memphis with a narrow win. Navy 28, Kansas State 27
Alamo Bowl (#11 Utah vs Texas; Dec 31st)- This will feel like a road game for the Utes. After coming out flat with a potential playoff berth in the balance, I’m not sure if the motivation will be there to finish the season out strong. If you’re playing the Capital One Bowl Mania challenge and need an upset pick, look no further. All this means I’m picking Texas, right? Not exactly. When it’s all said and done, Utah’s strong defense should be the key difference maker against Sam Ehlinger and the Longhorns in a close contest. Utah 23, Texas 20
Citrus Bowl (#14 Michigan vs #13 Alabama; Jan 1st)- For the first time in the College Football Playoff era, the Crimson Tide failed to qualify. Obviously, the loss of Tua Tagovailoa had much to do with that but either way, still a shocking development. If you had to pick one non-NY6 game to watch, this is definitely the one. Henry Ruggs and Jerry Jeudy should be top NFL Draft picks, but look for Jaylen Waddle to have a big game in an encore of his dominating performance last week. Michigan has been handled by every ranked team not named Notre Dame and I don’t expect that to change here. Alabama 38, Michigan 24
Outback Bowl (#18 Minnesota vs #12 Auburn; Jan 1st)- I’m really pumped to see this matchup. Although Minnesota tailed off at the end of the season, they are still fully capable to knock off an Auburn team that eliminated Alabama from the playoffs in the stunning Iron Bowl classic. QB Bo Nix will have to be careful against a top 15 defense led by cornerback Antoine Winfield Jr and his seven interceptions. When taking a look at this game, the Tigers have a player with the name, “Smoke Monday.” That name alone should make opponents cower in fear. He did record his first INT of the season in their last game. Both Winfield and Monday record an INT in Auburn’s late win to close the season in style. Auburn 31, Minnesota 20
New Years Six:
Cotton Bowl (#17 Memphis vs #10 Penn State; Dec 28th)- A very predictable shootout in the making. Memphis receiver Damonte Coxie and the elite Memphis passing attack should keep DC Brent Pry up at night trying to prepare for this one. The Nittany Lions offense is alright but they’ll never quite run away from upper-tier teams. If Memphis sticks around going into the Fourth Quarter, there is a chance they can pull off the upset. Penn State 38, Memphis 26
Peach Bowl (#1 LSU vs #4 Oklahoma; Dec 28th; CFP)- Everyone is counting out Oklahoma but they do have an advantage that LSU doesn’t...experience. Lincoln Riley has gotten quarterbacks Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and now Jalen Hurts to the big stage. The issue is they haven’t been able to win after getting to this point. LSU’s defense is susceptible to giving up big plays but the offense has their back. Ed Orgeron’s bunch has scored at least 40 points in TEN games this season. Quite incredible if you ask me. The Sooners should put up a fight but it’s clear that LSU is the favorite here. LSU 41, Oklahoma 28
Fiesta Bowl (#2 Ohio St vs #3 Clemson; Dec 28th; CFP)- Clemson’s offense is so potent that anyone can be a touchdown threat at any time. Trevor Lawrence can launch it deep to Tee Higgins, hand it off to the electric Travis Etienne, or take off himself on the ground. However, the Buckeyes defense, led by Chase Young and Jeff Okudah, are fully capable of limiting the damage. All eyes will be on Buckeyes QB Justin Fields who seemed a little off for a bit against Wisconsin. Is the injury still affecting him? Against Brent Venables defense, he needs to be as healthy as possible. Look for the Tigers to make a statement in the desert under the bright lights in Phoenix. Clemson 37, Ohio State 24
Orange Bowl (#9 Florida vs #24 Virginia; Dec 30th)- Can Virginia make a statement for the ACC? Many believe that the Gators will roll here but I’m not so sure. Bryce Perkins has shown resiliency in tough situations such as their win over in-state rival, Virginia Tech. However, Florida has the home field advantage and UVA has struggled on the road. Kyle Trask is a very efficient QB, completing about 68% of his passes. If UVA’s defense continues on its current trend of allowing 30+ points to opposing offenses, it will be a long night. Florida 41, Virginia 26
Rose Bowl (#6 Oregon vs #8 Wisconsin; Jan 1st)- The Granddaddy of all bowl games. The Rose Bowl seldomly disappoints and this game should be no different. The offenses should be ablazing as presumed top 10 pick Justin Herbert takes one of the most dominant running backs in College Football: Jonathan Taylor. However, the story here may end up being the defenses with both teams ranking in the top ten in points allowed. Herbert couldn’t get much going against Utah as the ground game really carried the Ducks. I like how the Badgers played against #2 Ohio State which gives me confidence in them to edge out Oregon in Cali. Wisconsin 28, Oregon 24
Sugar Bowl (#5 Georgia vs #7 Baylor; Jan 1st)- Two teams that were in the College Football Playoff picture until the last day of the regular season. I have no doubt that this should be fun. If it wasn’t for a blown 28-3 loss to Oklahoma in the regular season, the Bears may be taking on LSU in the Peach Bowl. Now, they take on a Georgia team that is looking for redemption after getting smacked in the SEC title game. One thing that concerns me is how Jake Fromm and the offense can just go ice cold at random times. That’s what led to their losses to South Carolina and LSU. Even in their wins against Texas A&M and Kentucky, it wasn’t pretty. I’m going Georgia here but watch this game very closely. Georgia 30, Baylor 20
The last time these teams played, it was in the 2012 Chick-fil-A Bowl where Clemson upset LSU 25-24 on a game-winner by kicker Chandler Catanzaro. Following Clemson’s near defeat to North Carolina this season, they have thrashed every team in their path. However, if there was a team to knock off Clemson, it would be the Tigers...the LSU Tigers that is. Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence seem like two future #1 overall picks in the making and this matchup may be played over and over if both men go on to have stellar NFL careers.
This game is a true toss-up. I predict there will be drama in the game’s final moments. Clemson will be up 30-27 but Joe Burrow will drive his team down the field, seemingly about to take home the championship. However, star linebacker Isaiah Simmons will come in on a blitz inside the redzone, knocking the ball loose as it is scooped up for a “fumble-six” and seal the game for the orange and purple. Although LSU seems to be the consensus “best-team,” I believe Clemson is peaking at the right time for another championship run. This won’t be the blowout that Clemson is accustomed to being a part of but Dabo Swinney only cares about one thing: winning. Clemson 37, LSU 27
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