December 31st - January 1st Bowl Games

     Happy New Year football readers and welcome to the last of the bowl games before the CFP Championship game! As we get set for Bama-Clemson Round 4 (not surprised), there are a few more games to preview. Unfortunately, Nate has caught up to me in our predictions battle, so my race for the 3-peat is slightly more challenging than anticipated. Nonetheless, I'm ready to come out on top again, and I hope you all enjoy the last of our bowl predictions before the big game!

Alex Bowl Predictions: 19-8
Nate Bowl Predictions: 19-8


Military Bowl Presented By Northrop Grumman

Cincinnati vs. Virginia Tech

Alex

     The Bearcats and the Hokies meet up in Annapolis, MD to close out their 2018 campaigns. After an opening week thrashing of Florida State, VA Tech looked like a possible contender in the ACC against Clemson, those dreams were quickly smashed two weeks later when they lost to Old Dominion. The wheels basically fell off the cart at that point in the season and the Hokies have struggled to their 6-6 record. They will need some serious "Beamer-Ball" plays to upset Cincy in this game. The Bearcats come in as the 16th ranked rushing offense in the country, averaging nearly 240 yards per game on the ground. Sophomore RB, Michael Warren II has racked up 1,163 yards and 17 TDs on the ground this year, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. Since the Hokies are ranked 105th in rush defense, I think the Bearcats shouldn't have to many issues in this game. Never count out Justin Fuente and VA Tech, but Cincy pulls away with some tough defense (they're ranked 8th in total defense). Cincinnati 30, Virginia Tech 17.

Nate

     Cincinnati was very very good at beating mediocre teams this year. Will that continue against the Gobblers? Virginia Tech limped into bowl eligibility, beating Virginia and Marshall in the final weeks to make it in. Cincy dominates the time of possession per game, holding onto the ball for nearly 35 minutes per game. They do that by converting a lot of third downs, around half of them. I think that the Bearcats will have enough to beat a struggling Tech team.

Cincinnati: 30, Virginia Tech: 20

Hyndai Sun Bowl

Stanford vs. Pittsburgh

Alex

     This is one of those toss up games where you have no idea which version of each team will show up. Both Pitt and Stanford have shown potential to be solid teams, but have also struggled when the spotlight was on them. An early win for the Panthers is that star RB Bryce Love is sitting out of the Bowl Game to prepare for the draft. However, he honestly hasn't done much for the Cardinal this season, battling numerous injuries along the way. This is where the table turns to K.J. Costello and the Stanford receiving corps. JJ Arcega-Whiteside is the name to know, and he's likely to give Pitt more than they can handle with his 6'3, 225 lbs. frame. He has nearly 1,000 yards receiving on the year and 14 touchdowns. After all this though, I think Pitt is going to show up for this one. They're looking to avenge their late season blowouts and end on a high note, so why not do it here? Running back Qadree Ollison is averaging 6.3 yards per carry, and I think he carries them to victory. The Panthers have two 1,000+ yard rushers for the first time in school history, as Darrin Hall and Ollison make for a nasty 1-2 punch. Pitt surprises Stanford with a 28-24 win.

Nate

     Even with Bryce Love, Stanford couldn’t move the ball at all, only averaging 130 yards per game. Now Love is gone, and maybe the chances for Stanford to win this game. But the chance for Stanford? KJ Costello is actually pretty good, averaging 8.5 yards per attempt. Pitt has been so inconsistent, and I think the bad Pitt will show up. (Sleeper thing for Pitt though, kickoff return, Stanford has the statistically worst Kickoff coverage in the nation, strange stat)

Stanford: 24, Pitt: 14

Redbox Bowl

Michigan State vs. Oregon

Alex

     Buzz-saw, meet brick wall, brick wall, meet buzz-saw. Michigan State's stout defense against Oregon's dynamic offense should be fun to watch in this BIG 10/Pac-12 match-up. Michigan State's defense is one of the best in the country, giving up just 18 points and about 315 yards on average per game. The Ducks aren't quite as high-powered as they were under Chip Kelly, but Justin Herbert still has them humming to the tune of 37.2 points per game. Michigan State could have a difficult time shutting down the Oregon wideouts, as the Spartans give up an average of 230 yards passing per game. That's good enough to rank 64th in the nation, something I expect the Ducks to take advantage of. Herbert is coming back for his senior year, and this bowl game is going to be a good example of what we can all look forward to watching next season. Oregon wins 30-20.

Nate

     So, this one should be interesting. Michigan State has the adjusted S&P number 2 ranked defense in the nation. But their offense has been putrid all season, and the Oregon defense is no slouch. Justin Herbert is gonna be back next year, and should be a ready to go despite a bum shoulder the last few weeks. An iffy match-up for two teams that didn’t really succeed as much as they wanted, but I think Oregon has enough to squeak by this one.

Oregon: 17, Michigan State: 10

Autozone Liberty Bowl

#23 Missouri vs. Oklahoma State

Alex

     Old Big XII foes square off in Memphis as the Tigers take on the Pokes. I would expect a lot of points in this game, as both offenses average nearly 40 points per game. Missouri is riding a four game winning streak, including a big road win against #11 Florida. Drew Lock has thrown for 3,125 yards, 25 TDs and just 8 picks for the Tigers, so Oklahoma State's secondary better be ready for an air raid. The Pokes have been in their fair share of barn burners this season, often being on the wrong end of those tight games. Taylor Cornelius is a stellar QB for sure, but he'll be without one of his top offensive weapons in Justice Hill, as he sits out to prepare for the NFL draft. I think that could be the deciding factor in this game, and I'm giving the edge to Missouri. Tigers 39, Cowboys 33.

Nate

     From a fan, Oklahoma State has been a nightmare. Against teams like Oklahoma and West Virginia, this team has looked amazing, scoring over 40 points. Against teams like Baylor and Kansas State, not so much. It will be a case of whatever teams will show up against a solid, but not amazing Missouri Team. They did impress when they rolled over Florida, but their other wins aren’t amazing. Its always a toss up when you think its gonna be a shootout, and call me a homer, but OK state will show up. Oklahoma State: 45, Missouri: 39

San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl

#22 Northwestern vs. #17 Utah

Alex

     One of my more anticipated match-ups of bowl season, this BIG 10/Pac-12 match-up features the Wildcats and the Utes. Northwestern and Utah are very similar teams, winning their divisions in the weaker side of their respective conferences, both have tough, passionate head coaches, and both schools seem to love playing in close games. Utah has been plagued by injuries this year, claiming their starting QB and RB. Their defense remains one of the best in the nation however, so this should be a tight one. Northwestern has just found a way to win in almost every game, and Senior QB Clayton Thorson is a big reason for that. His stats are not flattering at all this year, but his experience is second to none, and the 4-year starter is always on point during clutch time. Combine that with Freshman stud Isaiah Bowser at Running Back and I say the Wildcats pull off a big win for the BIG 10. It will be tough, as the Utes are 11-1 in bowl games under Kyle Whittingham, but I like what Pat Fitzgerald does with his teams. Wildcats 26, Utes 24.

Nate

     If I had to describe this Holiday Bowl, Utah vs Northwestern would be the sitting on your couch for 4 days watching Netflix type of holiday. All joking aside, It’s a very similar match-up. Grind 'em out, ball control, running. Both teams have very good run defense, allowing teams to run for over 200 yards against them just once or twice. I think Utah is gonna get the upper hand based on their defensive line against Northwestern’ O line. It should be an interesting game.

Utah: 28, Northwestern: 25

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl

NC State vs. #19 Texas A&M

Alex

     I was fortunate enough to attend this bowl game last year, watching Lamar Jackson in person against Mississippi State. This year features the Wolfpack of NC State against Jimbo Fisher, Kellen Mond, Trayveon Williams and all of the Aggies from A&M. A lot of people are saying this game is going to be somewhat tight, but I just don't see it. NC State will be without their top receiver, Kevin Harmon (1,186 yards and 7 TDs), and their top tackler, Germaine Pratt (55 solo tackles), as they prepare for the NFL draft. Texas A&M has some of the best offensive weapons in the nation, and I think they'll be rolling all over the Wolfpack. Ryan Finley will do some damage, but will likely be running for his life in the backfield against A&M's ferocious pass rush. The Aggies have 35 sacks on the season, and their offense should have no issues moving the ball. Texas A&M wins big 43-24.

Nate

     A bizarre year for NC State, as they finished a very very quiet 9-3. Mostly its Ryan Finley, who is leading the team to a great 51% third down conversion. Texas A&M has had a less quiet season, almost beating 2 playoff teams. Its gonna be interesting. State is missing its top receiver and its best defender, and I think that’s gonna mean something. Texas A&M: 32, NC State: 24

Outback Bowl

#18 Mississippi State vs. Iowa

Alex

     This one is fairly easy to pick for me 😉. Iowa is a solid team, loves to control the clock, and has one of the best defenses in the nation. Unfortunately for them, their opponent is much of the same, and Iowa typically loses to teams similar to them. The Hawkeyes are also going to be without star TE, Noah Fant as he preps for the NFL draft. The Bulldogs will be full force, and Nick Fitzgerald will look to end his stellar collegiate career with a win. He's likely to cause issues for the Hawkeyes, just as the Bulldogs defense will cause issues too. Mississippi State gives up just 12 points per game on average, and average 3 sacks per game. Montez Sweat will be giving Nate Stanley a warm SEC welcome and the Bulldogs win 28-14.

Nate

     Iowa is gonna be a hard team to beat. They have a stellar secondary, grabbing 16 interceptions in their last 8 games. They’ve allowed 28 points or more only 3 times all season, and they have a very solid front. Mississippi State also has a solid defense, as opponents are converting only 28% on third down. Whoever I pick I know is gonna let me down. I’ll pick Iowa, the team I have personal experience watching. But to be honest, I don’t mind if I lose this pick.

Iowa: 21, Mississippi State: 17

VRBO Citrus Bowl

#14 Kentucky vs. #12 Penn State

Alex

     Trace McSorley vs. Josh Allen. One of the best QBs in the nation vs. one of the best pass rushers in the nation. Neither team lived up to the hype they brought on in the first half of the season, but this could be an interesting game to watch. Penn State's defense hasn't been the best year, so Benny Snell and the Wildcat offense has potential to step up. The Nittany lions have stepped it up in recent weeks, though, so look for James Franklin's crew to blitz early and often. On the flip side, Josh Allen will be doing his best to reek havoc on a Penn State offense that has been underwhelming this year. Losing Saquon Barkley proved to be a bit much when it came to competing in the BIG 10, but there's no way McSorley loses his last game in a Penn State uniform. Nittany Lions 31, Wildcats 21.

Nate

     Kentucky is a strange team. They play bad, drag their opponents down to their level, and try to beat them there. It will be interesting to see if that will work on Penn State. Personally, I think Penn State will get there. Their D line leads the nation with 43 sacks, and with Josh Allen gone for Kentucky, I think that their offense should be able to get ahead, and stay ahead.

Penn State: 28, Kentucky: 13

Playstation Fiesta Bowl

#11 LSU vs. #8 UCF

Alex

     UCF gets another crack at an SEC West team, and an opportunity to be the first team since my '94-95 Huskers to finish undefeated in back to back seasons. LSU has an opportunity to not get made fun of like Auburn by beating UCF, so there's a lot at stake in this game. Star QB McKenzie Milton won't be active for this game after suffering a nasty leg injury late in the season, but redshirt freshman Darriel Mack Jr. accounted for 6 TDs against Memphis in the AAC Championship game, so they didn't miss too much of a step. LSU will be without their top corner, Greedy Williams, and I just can't go against the Knights in this one. This is another statement game for them, just asking yet again for a shot at the Playoffs. They'll need to play perfect to make it happen, but UCF with another stunner 27-21 over the other Tigers of the SEC West.

Nate

     So Mackenzie Milton isn’t playing, but neither is like half of LSU’s defense. I predict a very grind it out game plan, put the ball in the trenches, grind it out against a UCF defense that gives up 180 yards on the ground per game. LSU doesn’t turn it over, +12 on the year, and I think the loss of Milton is just too much. Sorry Knights, you guys deserve better.

LSU: 31, UCF: 17

Rose Bowl Presented by Northwestern Mutual

#9 Washington vs. #6 Ohio State

Alex

     Two teams that started the year with big playoff dreams fell short and ended up in the Rose Bowl. Ohio State and Washington square off with a top notch offense against a top notch defense. The Huskies give up just 15.5 points per game and rank 11th in total defense. The Buckeyes average just under 45 points and 550 yards per game on offense. Dwayne Haskins has nearly 4,600 yards passing to go along with his 47 TDs and 8 picks, so Washington's rugged secondary will be heavily tested in this one. On the other side, the Huskies need to lean on RB Myles Gaskin. The Buckeyes defense gives up 400 yards per game on average and the Huskies will want to keep the ball away from Haskins if they're going to win. Paper looks like a good game, but the Rose Bowl has a way of getting out of hand quickly. Ohio State is going to make another statement for the Playoff committee, and there's no way Urban Meyer is losing his last game as head coach. Buckeyes win 41-24.

Nate

     Urban Meyer is gonna teach an ethics class at Ohio State. That’s some darkest timeline signifier if I’ve ever seen one. Regardless of his humanity status, Meyer knows how to bring it in bowl games, he always shows up. Haskins should be able to light up a rather so so Washington secondary. The Huskies gave up 270+ to both Justin Herbert and Jarrett Stidham, and as a pure college passer, Haskins should surpass them. The buckeyes don’t have a stellar group on D, but it should be solid enough to frustrate a rather average Jake Browning and a Washington O that hasn’t exactly lit up the scoreboards. Ohio State: 38, Washington; 27

Allstate Sugar Bowl

#15 Texas vs. #5 Georgia

Alex

     I'm going to drop the coldest of all cold takes: GEORGIA IS ONE OF THE 4 BEST TEAMS IN THE NATION. But, here we sit, with them at #5, wondering what could've been had they had the chance to play Bama again, or even replace a dismal Notre Dame to face off against Clemson. Oh well, they'll prove it to everyone as they throttle Texas in the Sugar Bowl. Sam Ehlinger is a good QB, but Texas is not ready for the DAWGS quite yet. Star wideouts Collin Johnson and Lil'Jordan Humphrey will do some damage, but Georgia will get too much pressure on Ehlinger to make it last. On offense, Holyfield and Swift should run wild and Jake Fromm will prove yet again why he is one of the best QBs in the nation... and he's just a Sophomore. Georgia wins 34-14.

Nate

     I told Alex when the selection committee chose its four teams that it was a cowards move leaving Georgia at 5 as a tacit “yeah we know Georgia is one of the four best teams in the nation, but you know, conference politics.” And after the manhandling of Oklahoma, that seems to have been proven right. Jake Fromm is legit one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, and we will see yet another SEC team throttles a top Big 12. Georgia is just that good. Georgia: 35, Texas: 20

Thank you for reading all of our predictions and enjoy the last of the College Football Bowls of the 2018 season! The next post will have our predictions on the National Championship game, Round 4 between Clemson and Alabama! Happy New Year and GO BIG RED!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando

December 27th - 29th Bowl Games

     I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays thus far! As Bowl Season trudges on, Nate has done his best to inch closer and closer to me. The last set of predictions wasn't the kindest to me, but as the games ramp up, I hope to keep my lead with this next set of predictions Power 5 teams are set up and ready to play as we inch closer to the new year, and there are some really good match-ups in these next couple days. Sit back, relax and enjoy our predictions as you watch some more College Football!

Alex Prediction Results: 12-4
Nate Prediction Results: 10-6


Walk-on's Independence Bowl

Temple vs. Duke

Alex

     The Owls and the Blue Devils square off in Shreveport, Louisiana. Both teams are pretty even when it comes to statistics, but Duke is looking to get back on track after losing 3 of their last 5 games. Temple finished the year strong, with just 1 loss in their last 7 games, and that was on the road at undefeated UCF. The Owls have played solid defense this year, giving up just 24.7 points and 356 yards per game on average. Duke Quarterback, Daniel Jones, has cooled off after his hot start to the season, as he's not completed more than 60% of his passes in a game since October. The Owls rank 7th in the nation in pass defense, so I expect his struggles to continue in this game. The other major factor to watch is the ground attack for Temple. Duke gives up an average of 222 rush yards per game and have given up at least 35 points in 4 of their last 5 games. Once the Owls get the rushing attack going with Ryquell Armstead, Duke will be in a world of hurt. All Temple in this game, and the Owls win 31-17.

Nate

     Hey look, its another test of “Do I pick the G5 team whose coach left? Or do I pick a very very mediocre P5 team?” Duke lost by 50 to another mediocre team, Wake Forest, to close out the season. But you know what, I picked a much better temple team 2 years ago when Matt Rhule left, and they got skunked. This is much worse opponent than they faced then, but its still tough. Plus their quarterback may be injured. Yeah, I’m going with Duke. Duke: 35, Temple: 28

New Era Pinstripe Bowl

Wisconsin vs. Miami

Alex

     Badgers and Hurricanes round #2 has a lot less luster to it than last year's match-up. Wisconsin won last year's game 34-24, primarily behind the arm of Alex Hornibrook, who completed 67.6% of his passes for 258 yards and 4 TDs! I highly doubt anything like that will happen this year, as Hornibrook has been very unimpressive. Miami as a whole has been unimpressive as well, but their defense is still highly touted. They give up just 18 points and less than 270 yards per game on average. Their defense has kept them in games, but their offense usually takes them out of it. The Hurricanes have scored more than 30 just once in their last 5 games, and with how much Wisconsin dominates time of possession, I doubt they'll have many changes to score in this one. Johnathan Taylor will do Badger RB-like things and Wisconsin should take this one. On Wisconsin as they beat the Hurricanes 23-20.

Nate

     It’s the “hey, last year was pretty cool wasn’t it?” Bowl.  Wisconsin Dominated Miami in an NY6, Orange Bowl, that was a consolation prize for teams that just missed the playoffs.  Now both teams are not nearly as good. Both teams have major question marks at QB, with Miami going through a mediocre rotation, and Wisconsin’s Hornibrook being himself. Wisconsin still does have Jonathan Taylor, all Big Ten running back, so I’m gonna take them.

Wisconsin: 24, Miami: 17

Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl

Baylor vs. Vanderbilt

Alex

     Both the Bears and the Commodores had to fight for late season victories in order to make it down to Houston for this game. Matt Ruhle and Derek Mason have really energized these teams and make them headaches for any opponent to play. Baylor's offense is lead by Sophomore Quarterback, Charlie Brewer, who's thrown for over 2,600 yards with 17 TDs and 8 picks. He'll be up against a stingy Vandy defense that held Notre Dame to 22 points early in the season. On the other side, the main player to watch in this game is the Commodores star QB, Kyle Shurmur. He's just 118 yards away from taking the top spot on Vandy's career passer list, and already has the career record in Touchdown passes 63. Shurmur has thrown for nearly 2,900 yards already this year with an impressive 23:6 TD to INT ratio. I think he'll have a big game in his final one as a Commodore and Vandy will light up the scoreboard on Baylor. Commodores win 40-21.

Nate

     So which team wants to be a little less mediocre in the Texas Bowl? Baylor is scoring 28 points per game, which isn’t an offensive juggernaut. They will be missing their best weapon Jalen Hurd out at receiver, so it will be tough to see if they can overcome their troubles and outscore a rather solid Vandy defense. Baylor is fairly turnover prone however, so I’ll take the Commodores.

Vandy: 28, Baylor: 22

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl

Purdue vs. Auburn

Alex

     The Boilermakers and the Tigers have been up and down all season, but this is one of my favorite match-ups of Bowl Season. Auburn's rugged defense up against Jeff Brohm's dynamic offense and a juicy BIG 10 vs. SEC showdown to earn some conference bragging rights. Auburn's offense has been somewhat dismal this year, averaging less than 375 yards of total offense per game and just 28 points per contest. Their defense is still top notch though, giving up less than 20 points per game and ranking 44th in total defense overall. They will be tested by Purdue's offense because of a young man named Rondale Moore. The Freshman standout has more than 1,100 receiving yards and 12 TD catches on the year, and is one of the best return men in the nation. Senior QB David Blough has been very stellar this season, throwing for more than 3,500 yards with 25 TDs and 8 picks. Purdue Superfan, Tyler Trent, is an honorary captain for the bowl game down in Memphis, and there's no way they lose with him in town. Boiler Up! Purdue 36, Auburn 31.

Nate

     Now this is one of those unranked match-ups that is just a treat to watch. I hate to say it, but while we know this was a disappointing season for the tigers, for pursue, it has to be a disappointing season as well right? They’ve vacillated between stunning dominance and bizarre heartbreak. I think Auburn will take this one. They’ve played a better schedule, are more consistent, and I expect their solid defensive line will give Purdue a hard time. Auburn: 33, Purdue: 25

Camping World Bowl

#20 Syracuse vs. #16 West Virginia

Alex

     I'm going to keep this one short and sweet, Syracuse is winning this game. West Virginia will be without Star QB Will Grier, and back-up transfer from Miami, Jack Allison has attempted 10 passes this year. Greg Jennings and David Sills IV will help as much as they can, but Syracuse will take advantage of the Mountaineers pathetic defense and Eric Dungey will have a big afternoon in his final game for the Orange. Syracuse 45, West Virginia 28.

Nate

     My favorite video game I’ve played this year is the Legend of Zelda, Breath of the Wild, a truly stunning open world of exploration, peace, and beauty. If you have a Nintendo Switch, I very much recommend this game, its not to be missed. What was that? There is a game to be previewing? Will Grier isn’t playing, that’s all that needs to be said.

Syracuse: 45, West Virginia: 34

Valero Alamo Bowl

#24 Iowa State vs. #13 Washington State

Alex

     The Big XII and the Pac-12 face off as Wazzu and ISU meet up in San Antonio. I always enjoy this game and they find some really good match-ups every year in my opinion. This one should be no different as Iowa State has star players at key positions and Wazzu is lead by one of the nation's top QBs. Gardner Minshew and his mustache have thrown for 4,480 yards so far this season, and is completing 70.6% of his passes. He's thrown 36 TDs compared to just 9 picks and with Iowa State's pass defense giving up nearly 230 yards per game on average, he could have a big night. For the Cyclones, their offensive weapons are star RB David Montgomery and WR Hakeem Butler. Montgomery averages 4.7 yards per carry and has 12 TDs on the year while Butler has over 1,100 yards and 9 TDs receiving. Wazzu gave up 170 and 3 TDs on the ground to Miles Gaskin in their regular season finale against Washington, so look for ISU to feed Montgomery. Tight, tough game, but I like the Cougars to win this one. Washington State 37, Iowa State 30.

Nate

     So here's the rub, to bet on the Coogs or not to bet on the Coogs. Two years ago I thought their solid team would kick the tar out of a mediocre foe, but they didn’t, I picked against them last year and they did end up kicking the crap out of that foe. I think I’m going to take the Stash this year. The Coogs have been remarkably consistent, and Iowa state, well, hasn’t. I love David Montgomery, but I think Washington State is too much. Washington State: 38, Iowa State: 20

Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl

#10 Florida vs. #7 Michigan

Alex

     The first of our top 10 bowl match-ups comes with the Gators and the Wolverines. Florida is looking to win 10 games under Dan Mullen in his first season while Michigan is trying to erase the beat down brought on by the Buckeyes over Thanksgiving weekend. A big issue for Harbaugh and company is that star Running Back Karan Higdon is sitting out. Higdon has nearly 1,200 yards and 10 TDs on the year, so that's a big part of their offense missing. Michigan will also be without defensive stars Devin Bush and Rashan Gary, so they won't be at full strength either. Florida and Michigan are very similar with tough defenses, so this should be a tight game. Florida DE, Jachai Polite is anything but, and is a 2nd-team All-American with 5 forced fumbles, 11 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. I like the Gators in this one though, I think the Wolverines make one too many mistakes and Dan Mullen edges out Harbaugh. Florida wins 20-17.

Nate

     Its always a tough one to pick bowls when good players are sitting out. This isn’t a “Will Grier is sitting so I’m just auto-dismissing WV” situation, when it comes to other players it always gets more complicated. But damn. Devin Bush, Rashan Gary, Karon Higdon. That’s 3 real good players. Chase Winovich and Shae Patterson are playing, but who knows how that will shake out. I’ll take Florida, but barely. Florida: 30, Michigan: 22

Belk Bowl

Virginia vs. South Carolina

Alex

     Faux Pelini's favorite bowl game features the Cavaliers and the Gamecocks. South Carolina ranks 24th in passing offense, averaging just under 280 yards through the air per game while the Cavaliers rank 15th in pass defense, giving up just 180 through the air. The big factor is that the Gamecocks will be without star wideout Deebo Samuel, as he prepares for the upcoming draft instead. Jake Bentley still has plenty of weapons, but playing without Samuel definitely gives the Virginia defense an edge. Offensively, the Cavs haven't been overly impressive, but Junior QB Bryce Perkins has put up some impressive numbers. He's completed 63.8% of his passes for 2,472 yards with 22 TDs and just 9 picks. I think he'll have a big game and Virginia will avenge their two overtime losses that ended their regular season. Cavaliers 34, Gamecocks 30.

Nate

     Jake Bently is a quarterback that I really really love. He threw for 5 touchdowns and 500 yards against Clemson in the final game of the season. Virginia has had trouble scoring against teams that have a pulse in air, and even without Deebo Samuel, I think the Gamecocks will get it done.

South Carolina: 33, Virginia: 20

Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl

Nevada vs. Arkansas State

Alex

     The "random G5 game mixed in right before the CFP Semi-finals" bowl game takes place down in Tuscon, AZ as the Red Wolves take on the Wolfpack. Nevada has improved by 4 wins in Jay Norvell's second season, and are looking for their first bowl win in 3 years. The Red Wolves are in familiar territory, as they've had 8 consecutive winnings seasons, but have only won once in their last 4 post season games. The key player to watch is Arkansas State QB, Justice Hansen. He's experienced, takes care of the football, and has nearly 10,000 career passing yards and 83 career passing TDs to his name. Most importantly, he's on a major hot streak, throwing for more than 1,100 yards and 12 TDs with no picks in his last 4 games. Nevada owns the 85th ranked pass defense in the nation, giving up an average of 243 yards per game through the air. I expect Hansen to take full advantage of that and the Red Wolves win this one with style. Arkansas State 36, Nevada 26.

Nate

     The Wolfpack live behind the line of scrimmage, grabbing 32 sacks and 90 tackles. That will be a tough challenge for an Ark State O-Line that is solid, but nothing special. I think that the defense will be enough to pull it out for Nevada. Nevada: 32, Arkansas State: 28


Goodyear Cotton Bowl- CFP Semifinal

#3 Notre Dame vs. #2 Clemson

Alex

     The first of the CFP Semifinal matches takes place down in Jerry-World as the Tigers take on the Fightin' Irish. Lots of people have already picked Clemson as the winner, but Notre Dame has proven time and time again to be a team you don't want to mess with this year. Ian Book took over at QB part way through the season and has really lifted this offense, helping them score an average of 33.8 points per game. Book and the passing attack average 265 yards per game, and will look to light up a Clemson secondary that isn't always as good as advertised. The Tigers gave up 510 yards and 5 TDs through the air to South Carolina in their regular season finale, and with Book's quick trigger and plethora of targets, he should have a good night. The big story we're all watching is if star DT Dexter Lawrence will be cleared to play for Clemson after testing positive for traces of a banned growth hormone. Secondary tests should come in today, determining his status, but it's unlikely he'll be available for this game. That's a big hole on arguably the best defensive line in college football, giving Notre Dame's offense a lot of wiggle room. On the flip side, the Clemson Offense has run into very few snags this season. Stud Freshman, Trevor Lawrence took over the starting job from Kelly Bryant and has thrown for over 2,600 yards with 24 TDs and just 4 picks. Notre Dame's stingy secondary will give the Freshman more than just headaches in this game. The Tigers' offense is loaded with weapons, but the deadliest of them all is Running back Travis Etienne. I still cannot fathom how this man cannot event get a sniff at the Heisman, but whatever, he's one of the best players in the nation and one of my personal favorites to watch. Etienne has racked up nearly 1,500 yards on the ground this year and has a staggering 21 TDs. He averages 8.3 yards per carry and against the Irish's 32nd ranked rush defense he could have a big night. One sneaky fact about the Irish is that they've given up only 4 rushes of 25+ this season, and Etienne has 17 of those. Travis Etienne is the key factor in this game, and I just hate picking against him. I'm going to disappoint my uncle once again, but Etienne and Clemson will edge out Notre Dame in this one. Don't be surprised if they have to come back or even go to Overtime though, this will be a great game to watch!
Tigers 27, Irish 24.

Nate

     Its playoff time! We have a showdown between the Clemson Tigers, in its 4^th straight playoff appearance vs Notre Dame, a team in its first appearance. This should be a more traditional showdown on this side of a playoff bracket. I think Notre Dame plays it too traditional though, and getting through a Clemson defensive line that has only given up 150 rushing yards twice this season will be a tough ask of even a top tier team. Notre Dame has a stellar secondary, and do have a stout defense, but stopping a Clemson team that has ran for over 280 yards in over 8  of the games this year. I think it will be interesting, but I think Clemson has too much talent to lose this one.

Clemson: 34, Notre Dame: 20

Capital One Orange Bowl- CFP Semifinal

#1 Alabama vs. #4 Oklahoma

Alex

     The other semifinal match-up is likely to be a completely different game in 1 of 2 ways. Either Bama Rolls as they've done with just about everyone, or there's an insane shootout because Kyler Murray is so good that even the Tide can't stop him. I'm hoping for the latter, but wouldn't be surprised in the slightest by the former. This game could also be called the "Heisman Game" as Tua was the favored winner all season until Murray swooped in at the last second to rightfully claim the trophy. Lincoln Riley and crew will be looking to avenge last year's Rose Bowl loss to Georgia in double OT after blowing a 17 point lead. Their only hope is to outscore Bama (not as easy of a task as it once was), because the Sooners "defense" ranks dead last in pass defense and 108th in total defense. Tua struggled against Georgia (who I think should still be in the Playoffs), but is likely to have a big night against the Sooners. The game will ultimately be decided on if Bama's defense can actually contain Mr. Murray, who's accounted for 4,945 yards BY HIMSELF and 51 total TDs. This kid is absolutely amazing and I'm really sad this is potentially his last football game ever. The future MLB star will look to torch Bama's defense in every which way, and if there's anyone that can do it, it'd be him. He's hoping to have star wideout Marquise "Hollywood" Brown back from injury, but that won't be known for sure until Saturday. Bama will be without starting offensive lineman Deonte Brown, and two reserve players as they've been suspended for this game for a violation of team rules and did not make the trip to Miami. This could be a fun one to watch, but when your defense is as bad as Oklahoma's, you probably can't win a semifinal game. My mom would be disgusted having to pick either of these teams, and this may be one of the only times she would root for the Sooners. I'm sure Kyler Murray will do his thing, but Bama wins and moves closer toward another championship. Roll Tide, 48-35.

Nate

     If anyone in this field can beat Alabama, I’m guessing its this team. Oklahoma can outscore the Crimson Tide, or at least, they can try. Bama should be able to slice through a Sooner defense that can charitably be called terrible, as they’ve surrendered almost 4 thousand yards in the air. The Ground game defense for the Sooners isn’t much better, allowing 300-ish yards to teams like Army. It will be tough for Oklahoma to stop Bama, but Kyler Murray might outscore them. However, its tough to pick against Saban. Alabama: 48 Oklahoma: 41

Thank you for reading our Bowl Predictions and keep watching as more are on the way! GO BIG RED!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando

December 22nd - 26th Bowl Games

     Bowl Season trudges on and Nate and I both ended up 4-1 after this weeks games. It wasn't super exciting as we had the same predictions for all 5 games this week, but we'll try to shake it up over the next set of games. Some Power 5 teams are getting into the mix now as we get closer to the bigger games, so be sure to pay close attention to all the predictions! Thank you for reading and enjoy!

Alex Bowl Predictions: 9-1
Nate Bowl Predictions: 6-4


Jared Birmingham Bowl

Memphis vs. Wake Forrest

Alex

     This game should yield a lot of offense and a lot of points. Both offenses love to rack up the points as the Tigers average 43.6 points per game while the Demon Deacons average 32.5. Star wideout Greg Dortch for the Demon Deacons could give Memphis some headaches, but the main factor of this game is the rushing attack of the Tigers. Memphis averages 285 rush yards per game, and Junior RB Darrell Henderson is #2 in the nation when it comes to rushing yards, averaging just under 9 yards per carry. He has 22 TDs on the season and only needs 91 yards in the bowl game to eclipse 2,000! With Wake Forest ranking 91st in the nation in rush defense, I expect Memphis to roll BIG in this game. Tigers dominate on the ground and win this one 42-17.

Nate

     Memphis falls just short of upsetting UCF a few weeks ago, and unfortunately they have to spend their bowl season in Birmingham Alabama. A sad ending. But, they can still win the football game at least. What hasn’t been said about Darrell Henderson? He has lead the Tigers to close to total three thousand yards rushing, and multiple 200 yards per game on the ground. Wake forest will probably hang, but I’m picking the Tigers. Memphis: 31, Wake Forest 28

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl

Houston vs. Army

Alex

     No star Defensive Tackle and no star Quarterback. This is not a recipe for success and I doubt it will work today. The Cougars are absolutely atrocious on defense, giving up 34.4 points per game and nearly 500 yards of total offense. Army averages just under 300 rush yards per game, ranking second in the nation, so I doubt they'll have many issues in this one. Army rolls right on past Houston with a 34-17 victory.

Nate

     Turns out when you don’t have your best player on offense or on defense, you don’t win. Ed Oliver and D’Eriq King are both out, and with Houston’s horrid defense allowing 34 rushing touchdowns this season, good for 122^nd in the nation. Not good for a team that has to face the monstrous rushing attack of Army, a team that almost beat a team in the playoffs.
Army 28, Houston: 24


Dollar General Bowl

Buffalo vs. Troy

Alex

     Two tough G5 teams who were near the top spots of their respective conferences this season square off down in Mobile, Alabama. Buffalo has 10 wins on the season, but lost the MAC title game to the Huskies of Northern Illinois. Troy is a tough team that was bested by App. State, falling short of a division title. Both of these teams are fairly well matched, but the Bulls offense has the advantage on paper. They average 417 yards per game and score just under 35 points. Troy's defense has been tough this season, giving up no more than 21 points in their last 5 games. Having watched them in person, I know this is a talented team that will put up a fight in every game. Their Linebackers are a fantastic unit, and I think they'll have the edge in this game. Troy wins 31-27.

Nate

     Buffalo is coming off of a depressing loss in their conference championship game, and will be looking to rebound against a feisty Troy team. Buffalo has faltered when they play tougher competition, losing to teams like Army and Ohio, and this match-up should be no different, expect Troy to pound the rock early, then expose the Bull’s secondary late. 

Troy: 38, Buffalo: 29

Sofi Hawai'i Bowl

Hawai'i vs. Louisiana Tech

Alex

     The Rainbow Warriors get to stay at home for the holidays as they take on Louisiana Tech in the Hawai'i Bowl. Hawai'i's offense has been up and down all year, but has potential to light up the scoreboard on any given day. Sophomore QB, Cole McDonald, has thrown for nearly 3,800 yards to go along with his 35 TDs and just 8 picks. He's very good at escaping pressure in the pocket and should make it difficult for the Bulldogs to contain him in this one. LA Tech doesn't have much to offer on the offensive side of the ball and not having to travel gives Hawai'i a huge advantage. I'm taking the Rainbow Warriors with a 33-21 victory in their home bowl game.

Nate

     Hey another home game for one of these teams! Hawaii has alternated between “Oh man this team might be special” to “Uh oh, not so much”. Hawaii’s Run and Shoot offense can look impressive, but against the 5 best defenses that they have played, they’ve only scored an average of 21 points. And LaTech is no defensive slouch. I’ll take the team from Louisiana in this one. 

LaTech: 24, Hawaii: 20

Servpro First Responder Bowl

Boston College vs. Boise State

Alex

     I think this is one of the more interesting match-ups of all of bowl season. The Eagles have hung around with some top teams and have a Heisman-caliber Running Back to hand the ball to. Boise State is always lurking as one of the top G5 teams you never want to play, and QB Brett Rypien has been stellar in his senior campaign, throwing for more than 3,700 yards with 30 TDs and just 7 picks. BC will look to ground and pound with AJ Dillion, who averages 5 yards per carry. On the flip side, the Broncos have a start RB of their own, and his 1,415 yards and 17 TDs on the year should not be overlooked. Alexander Mattison is an absolute workhorse (pun intended) for Boise State, as he carried the rock 40 times in their Mountain West Championship loss to Fresno State. I've enjoyed watching both of these teams all year, and they're tough to play for anyone, but I like Boise State in this one. I think Mattison has another big game, even against the stiff Eagles defense, and there's no way Brett Rypien is losing in his final game as a Bronco. 

Boise State 35, Boston College 28.

Nate

     Honestly, the stats and momentum all favor Boise. BC has lost 3 straight to end the season, including two games they were favored in. Boise ended strong, even though they lost their conference championship. I however think this is one of those games where a mid tier P5 Team beaks a top tier G5 team by like 20. I expect AJ Dillon and the rest of the Golden Eagle crew to put a statement win, and take some comfort into the off-season. 

Boston College: 38, Boise St: 20

Quick Lane Bowl

Georgia Tech vs. Minnesota

Alex

     Our first Power 5 game comes with the Gophers taking on the Yellow Jackets in what will be Paul Johnson's final game before retirement. He's won 82 games as the Yellow Jackets' head coach over 11 seasons and will likely ground an pound one last time with the triple option attack. The Gophers squeaked into bowl season with big victories over Purdue and Wisconsin late in the year, giving them so building momentum under PJ Fleck. Their team is so hot and cold it's hard to keep up with, but one staple is star wideout Tyler Johnson. He earned 1st Team BIG 10 honors with over 1,100 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns. He will give headaches to Georgia Tech's 56th ranked pass defense. On the other side, it's all about the ground attack. GT is the top ranked rushing offense in the nation, averaging 335 yards on the ground per game. Nebraska racked up 383 on Minnesota when I saw them in Lincoln and I imagine a similar situation occurring in this game. The Gophers have struggled to stop the run all year long and that will prove costly against a team like Georgia Tech. Paul Johnson gets his 3rd straight bowl victory on his way to retirement and Georgia Tech wins the Quick Lane Bowl 34-23.

Nate

     The last throws of triple option comes to roost in this game, as Paul Johnson retires after this one. It will be up to Minnesota to prevent his swan song, but their frightfully inconsistent defense tries to step up. They have held 6 opponents to under 100 yards rushing in a game, but 4 to over 300. Which Minnesota will show up? I’m betting on the good one. Minnesota 24, Georgia Tech: 20

Cheez-It Bowl

Cal vs. TCU

Alex

     At the beginning of this season, I would be extremely hyped for this match-up. While I'm still excited, injury-plagued TCU vs. an underwhelming Cal offense isn't quite as exciting as the early-year potential of these teams. Nonetheless, there is a game to be played and key factors to look at. Statistically, both programs are extremely well matched, so I would not be surprised with a tight game, maybe even overtime! Both QBs have struggled with their accuracy this season, but have dynamic play-makers around them to spread the ball to. TCU is a very talented team and I never like to go against Gary Patterson when it comes to predictions. He's building this team back up to the top in another couple years, and that will start with a big bowl victory. Cal was my sleeper/upset-minded team in the Pac-12 this year, but Patterson is 6-0 all time against the conference, so I'm going with the Frogs. Look for Jalen Reagor to have a big night out in Phoenix!

Horned Frogs: 26, Golden Bears 24.

Nate

     Good for TCU for sneaking into bowl eligibility! I doubt however, that it will continue the good feelings in the Cheez-It Bowl. (tangent, but cheez-its are disgusting, yuck). TCU has scored under 17 points in 8 of their games this season, and even with great players like Jalen Reagor, it will be tough for them to score on a tough Cal secondary, I like the bears.

Cal: 29, TCU: 17

Thank you for reading our predictions and stay tuned for more to come as we get to the bigger bowl game. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and GO BIG RED!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando

December 18th - 21st Bowl Games

     After starting off 5-0 in the opening day of Bowl Games, I look to carry that momentum in to the next set of predictions! Hello and welcome football readers, as we dive deeper into bowl season and begin to find more and more enticing match-ups. This post will focus on the next few days of games and hopefully yield me an even larger lead on my pal Nate, who has started 2-3 this bowl season. Be sure to keep a look out for all our other predictions coming later this holiday season and enjoy the games!

Alex Bowl Record: 5-0
Nate Bowl Record: 2-3


Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl

UAB vs. Northern Illinois

Alex

     This is the only non-New Year's 6 bowl game featuring two conference champions, UAB of the Sunbelt and Northern Illinois of the MAC. NIU is in familiar territory with bowl games, but are looking to end a 5-game bowl loss streak tonight. UAB has never won a bowl game in the program's history, and are looking to avenge last year's 41-6 beat down to fellow MAC team Ohio. The Blazers are led by a tough defense, giving up just 300 yards per game and 17 points on average. The Huskies have been less than impressive on offense this season, averaging just 20 points. The key factor in this game will be NIU star Defensive End, Sutton Smith. He's tied for the lead in the nation with 15 sacks and second in the nation with 24.5 TFL. He's one of the best (and most underrated) defensive players in the nation, and will be looking to cause havoc in the UAB backfield. UAB looks like an enticing team to pick, but I just have a gut feeling about Northern Illinois, they're not a team you want to pick against often. Huskies win down in Boca Raton 27-23.

Nate

     You like defensive struggles right? I mean, just two solid pass rushes sacking everyone out there? Two conference champions looking to cement a great season in stone? Then this is the game for you! NIU has probably the better of the Two defenses, with Sutton Smith and Josh Corcoran combining for 25 out of NIU’s 50 sacks on the season. Expect a slug-fest, but those two NIU players should make the difference in this one.

NIU: 14, UAB: 10

DXL Frisco Bowl

San Diego State vs. Ohio

Alex

     My man Frank Solich is in yet another bowl game and looking to add another victory to his storied legacy at Ohio. They will be taking on the Aztecs from down in San Diego and their rugged run defense. The Aztecs give up just 94.5 rush yards per game on average, ranking 4th in the nation. They will be up for a tough task as Solich has the Bobcat offense rolling in 2018, averaging 41.2 points per game and 470 yards of offense. SDSU's offense has taken a tumble since the departures of their star running backs in the last couple of years, and could find it difficult to hold the ball as the Bobcats rank 9th in the nation in Time of Possession. I'm sticking with Frank Solich in this game, and I think the Bobcats roll big to a Frisco Bowl Victory. Bobcat QB Nathan Rourke should have a big night. Ohio 37, San Diego State 17.

Nate

     Again, this is the ultimate hot hand argument. Did you know that Ohio has won 5 out of 6 games with points scored in those wins being over 45? That’s some dang hot offense. SDSU has lost 4 out of 5, and it looks to be reeling. I’m not saying that this means that much, I haven’t seen much of either of those teams to be honest. But this stat is shocking enough for me to pick the Bobcats.

Ohio: 40, SDSU: 32

Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl

Marshall vs. USF

Alex

     This is an interesting game, not only because of the ridiculous name for the bowl game, but also because both teams have some dynamic players on the offensive sides of the ball. Starting with the opposing QBs, Isiah Green for Marshall has accounted for over 2,200 yards with 15 TDs through the air. His 10 interceptions have caused issues, as he's only completing 55.7% of his passes this year. Blake Barnett, USF's QB, has thrown for nearly 2,500 yards with 11 TDs and 11 Interceptions. He has another 8 TDs and 313 yards on the ground as well, but most of that load is carried by star RB Jordan Cronkrite. The Bulls have lost 5 straight games however, so the Heard will look to keep on Thundering. As I mentioned in my last post, one of the most telling stats of College Football is if you can stop the run. Marshall gives up just 104 rush yards per game while USF yields 245 per game to their opponents. Marshall wins whatever this bowl is 23-17.

Nate

     It’s a Home game for the Bulls, who play in their home stadium. A strange choice, but will be a big boon for the USF team who have faltered during the end point of the season. Marshall good record is a bit of a mirage, as they only have on win against a bowl eligible team, punching around on CUSA cupcakes for the rest of their schedule. I however like their strengths against USF, particularly Marshalls strong Run D vs USF’s middling Ground attack, and I say they pull it off.

Marshall: 17, USF: 14

Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl

FIU vs. Toledo

Alex

     I'm sure I've said this every year now, but I cannot think of a better bowl game to be in than the Bahamas Bowl. Florida International and Toledo are lucky enough to get the trip down to Nassau this year as they square off for the first time in 8 years. The 2010 Little Cesar's Bowl ended with a last second field goal and FIU winning 34-32, so this could get interesting. Panther's QB, James Morgan, is a graduate transfer from Bowling Green, and has dominated down at FIU. He's thrown for 2,727 yards with a 65.3 completion percentage. Morgan has 26 TDs compared to just 7 interceptions and will look to light up the Rockets' 105th ranked pass defense. Toledo does have offense though, so this could be a tight, high-scoring affair. I like the Panthers in this game though, and I expect them to win their first bowl game since the 2010 victory. FIU 38, Toledo 28.

Nate

     We are still in the G5 jungle here, with another pair of teams that I can’t say I have too much of a passing familiarity with. I’m going to pick FIU for one reason only. Turnover margin. FIU has the 12^th fewest turnovers given up in the entire nation, and with Toledo’s offense not being the G5 juggernaut it has been in the last couple of years, that should get FIU that win they’ve been hoping for. FIU: 33, Toledo:30

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Western Michigan vs. BYU

Alex

     After their upset at Wisconsin, the Cougars (and the Badgers for that matter) fell of the CFB map. They're still a physical football team and are looking forward to bringing the wood against the Broncos. Injuries have plagued the Cougars this season, forcing their depth chart to step up. As for Western Michigan, they've dropped off quite a bit since the departure of PJ Fleck. The Broncos still move the ball well, averaging nearly 450 yards and 33 points per game, but their defense has dropped off. I think the Cougars are the tougher team in this match-up, so I'll give the nod to them. BYU tops Western Michigan 28-14.

Nate

It feels like forever ago when BYU was ranked. After that barn burner with Wisconsin, it looked like BYU might have been legit, turns out that both teams aren’t great, who would have thought? But I think they should get back on track with this one. Western Michigan is giving up 50 points a game over the last three games, and while I don’t think BYU will ever get that much, it should have no problem outscoring the Broncos. BYU: 32, Western Michigan: 17

Thank you for reading our Bowl Game Predictions and stay tuned for more to come! GO BIG RED!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando

December 15th Bowl Games

     Hello football fans and welcome to Bowl Season! I've been quite busy over the last couple weeks preparing for graduation, but I will do a season recap post after the national championship game. With my predictions this season, I finished with a 104-77 record. This was down a bit from last year's 63.8% success rate, but 57.5% isn't too bad. Hopefully I can turn it around during the bowl season and come away with some top notch predictions. This post will have my predictions on the first few bowl games of the year, along with predictions from my good friend Nate Muhlbach. Many of you have read Nate's predictions over the past couple of years, and he's back again to challenge me in Bowl Game predictions. We all know how this is going to end, as I've gone 2-0 against him the past two seasons, but it's always fun to let him try! 😂 Enjoy the Bowl Game Predictions!

Autonation Cure Bowl

Tulane vs. Louisiana Lafayette

ALEX

     The Green Wave come into this game having won four of their last five, earning that 6-6 record with tough performances to close out the year. The Ragin' Cajuns fought hard against App State in the Sun Belt Title game, but couldn't top the Mountaineers. This match-up isn't one of the big highlights of bowl season, but they're all special games for the teams involved. Both teams score and give up around the same amount each game, so it will be interesting to see who really steps up to make plays. In a game like this, there's a very important stat I look at, and while it's one of the most basic, it's very telling. Who can stop the run? Tulane gives up 152.6 yards per game while Lafayette gives up 209.8. With the Green Wave averaging 208 on the ground offensively per game, I'm giving them the edge in this one. Tulane wins 30-21.

NATE

     Is this a rivalry? I have no idea. I can’t find anything to indicate that would be the case, and that’s a shame. The two teams from Louisiana sport nearly identical records: 7-6 vs 6-6.  Both the stats and the intangibles seem to favor Tulane just a little bit, as Tulane’s solid rushing attack bumps against Louisiana’s kind of weak run defense. Tulane has also won 4 out of 5 games. This feels like a toss up if I’ve ever seen one, and I’ll trust the stats and the gut.

Tulane: 17, Louisiana: 13

New Mexico Bowl Presented by Progressive

Utah State vs. North Texas

ALEX

     Utah State Head Coach Matt Wells has moved on to Texas Tech, but the Aggies still have a bowl game to play. Interim Coach Frank Maile will lead Utah State against the Mean Green of North Texas, and we could see quite a few points in this one. The Aggies are the top scoring G5 team, and number 3 overall in the nation, averaging 47.2 points per game. Sophomore Quarterback Jordan Love is the primary reason for their success on offense, as he's thrown for more than 3,200 yards this season while completing 65.8% of his passes. He's accounted for 34 total Touchdowns (28 pass, 6 rush) and only thrown 5 picks. He should be (won't be unfortunately) a dark horse Heisman candidate for next season, and will likely rack up big numbers in this game. His counterpart, Mason Fine is also a star, throwing for more than 3,700 yards this season with 27 TDs and just 5 interceptions. This one could turn into a bit of a shootout, but I'm going with Jordan Love and the Aggies. This is going to be an entertaining game to watch. Utah State 44, North Texas 38.

NATE

     I almost thing this is a crime sticking these two well deserving teams against each other on the first Saturday early afternoon, as these teams both had stellar years. In terms of game feel, its two high flying offensives as NT’s Mason Fine and US’s Jordan Love try and outscore each other. I think this is a fairly even match up, but my “Don’t take a G5 team who’s coach just left” corollary has worked out pretty good these last few years, and with Utah State’s Matt Wells becoming the new Texas Tech Head Coach, I think that will hold true.

North Texas: 36, Utah State: 27

Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl

#21 Fresno State vs. Arizona State

ALEX

     The only story line you really need to know about this game is that star wideout, N'keal Harry, is sitting out to prepare for the draft. This means Arizona State's offense will be extremely one dimensional, and run right into the teeth of Fresno State's stout defense. The Bulldogs are giving up just 13.7 points per game and less than 130 yards rushing on average. Sophomore RB, Eno Benjamin, and the Sun Devils' offense will have a difficult time moving the ball without Harry on the field, but Manny Wilkins will look to relieve some of that stress. The Senior QB has thrown for nearly 3,000 yards with an impressive 19:4 TD to INT ratio this season. His counterpart, Marcus  McMaryion, has thrown for nearly 3,500 yards with 25 TDs and just 3 picks. This QB duel will be fun to watch, but Eno Benjamin will have to have a big day to push ASU over the Bulldogs, and I don't think it'll be enough. Fresno State wins this one 30-17.

NATE

     What a bit of a letdown for Fresno, they were so close to a NY6 bowl before UCF came storming back and now they are playing on Bowl weekend. This is exactly the type of game that we look back on in a week and go “dang how did Arizona State win by 13?” I still don’t know if I’m all in on Herm, but I do like Manny Wilkins, and I have confidence he will lead the Sun Devils to a win.

Arizona State:32, Fresno State: 24

Raycom Media Camellia Bowl

Georgia Southern vs. Eastern Michigan

ALEX

     Ball control vs. Clock control in this game. Georgia Southern loves to ground and pound on teams, and there will be no exception today. The GSU Eagles average around 260 yards per game on the ground, and love to control the clock. Eastern Michigan might not have many opportunities with the ball in this game, so they'll have to make the most of it. Luckily for them, they rank #1 in ball security during the season, recording just 5 turnovers the entire year thus far. The Air-Attack from EMU will be a good challenge to GSU, but Eastern Michigan gives up nearly 200 on the ground, and if you can't stop the run, you can't win the game. Georgia Southern wins 28-20.

NATE

     Georgia southern has the 9^th best rushing attack, averaging around 260 yards per game. This is one of those games where the stats say one thing: that Southern should run all over Eastern, but the real life intangibles say another. Eastern has won 5 of their last 6, but I feel like a unit as good as Southern’s rushing attack should get the job done.

Georgia Southern: 24, Eastern Michigan: 15

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

Middle Tennessee vs. Appalachian State

ALEX

     This game doesn't need much analysis fortunately. Even without Head Coach Scott Satterfield  Middle Tennessee has struggled all season, especially with getting a consistent amount of production out of their offense. Appalachian State will look to dominate this game with suffocating defense and a steady dose of Zac Thomas, the Mountaineer Quarterback. He's thrown for over 1,800 yards to go along with his 18 TDs and 4 interceptions. Their defense gives up just 15.7 points per game, and I'm not sure the Blue Raiders are going hang around in this one for very long. Appalachian State wins this one easily 37-21.

NATE

     Hey look its another coach from a G5 that is hopping to a P5 team, as Scott Satterfield is joining Louisville. This is a big test of my “don’t bet on a G5 team whose coach leaves theory.” App state ranks better than Middle Tennessee in many statistical categories, including big ones like passing defense and third down conversion rates. But I’m still gonna stick with the theory.

Middle Tennessee: 31, App State: 28

Thanks for reading our opening Bowl Game Predictions! Be sure to watch for all my other posts with more predictions! Enjoy the Football!!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando

Conference Championship Predictions

     Conference Championship Week is upon is and we've got some key games that could determine who's in and who's out of the College Football Playoffs! Teams like Ohio State and Oklahoma will be looking to make a statement and possibly jump into the top 4, while teams like Texas, Washington and Northwestern are fighting for a spot in the New York Six Bowls. This post will have my predictions for all the big games this weekend, so sit back, read on and enjoy some football!

Rivalry Week Prediction Results: 12-6
Overall Prediction Results: 98-73


Northern Illinois vs. Buffalo (MAC Championship)

     The Buffalo Bulls have won their first East Division title since 2008, and have their school's first ever 10-win season. They're looking to claim the MAC Championship away from the Huskies of Northern Illinois, who are making their 7th championship appearance in the last 9 years. NIU is a MAC blue-blood, often knocking off Power 5 teams during non-conference play. They've struggled a bit this year, finishing with a 7-5 record and an offense that ranks 125th in the nation. The Huskies average just 19.9 points per game and could have a difficult time slowing down Buffalo's pass rush, as they have 30 recorded sacks on the year. Their defense is solid, giving up just 20.9 points per game, but the Bulls have dropped 40+ 5 times this year, and average 35 per game. Star QB Tyree Jackson has played very well this season, throwing for 2,605 yards with a 25:11 TD to INT ratio and another 7 TDs on the ground. I expect him to have a big game, especially because NIU gives up 237 passing yards per game, and the Bulls should walk out with the trophy. Never count out the Huskies, experience pays dividends, but I like Buffalo as the 2018 MAC Champions.


Louisiana-Lafayette at Appalachian State (Sun Belt Conference Championship)

     Short and sweet on this game as the Ragin' Cajuns travel to App State to take on the Mountaineers in the inaugural Sun Belt Championship. The Mountaineers edged out Troy last week to claim the East division title, and will likely have no issues beating Louisiana. The Ragin' Cajuns really struggle on defense, ranking 104th in the nation and giving up nearly 450 yard per game on average. The Mountaineers have a strong offense, scoring 37.3 points per game. Their defense however, that's the difference maker. Appalachian State gives up just 15.4 points per game and just over 275 yards per game on average. They rank 4th in total defense in the nation, so Louisiana-Lafayette will likely struggle to move the ball in this one. Mountaineers win the Sun Belt Championship 40-17.


Stanford at Cal

     While not a conference championship game, this is always a great rivalry.  Their game was moved due to the air quality last week from all of the forest fires. Stanford has fallen off the map this season, falling to 7-4 after starting 4-0. The Trees struggled to run the ball this year, with Bryce Love battling injuries, making them somewhat one-dimensional. Their air attack was strong, with K.J. Costello throwing for 3,198 yards, 28 TDs and just 11 picks, but the defense was a big issue for this squad. The Cardinal rank 86th in total defense, their worse ranking since 2009. Cal on the other hand has been a tough opponent for everyone this season. The 7-4 Bears have a tough defense that gives up just 21 points per game and an offense lead by Senior Running Back, Patrick Laird. Laird has over 1,000 yards of total offense and 9 TDs on the season, which may not sound like much, but this kid makes the big plays when needed. He's called upon on key third downs and always seems to get the mark. Cal's defense could struggle with Arcega-Whiteside and Stanford's air attack, but I like the Golden Bears at home. They were my "sneaky team" pick in the Pac-12 this season, and they improve to 8 wins with a 26-21 victory over Stanford this weekend.


Memphis at #8 UCF (American Conference Championship)

     A rematch of last year's thriller is set to take place in Orlando on Saturday, but there may be fewer fireworks than last year's 62-55 double OT game. The Knights are riding a national-best 23 game win streak, but will be without star QB McKenzie Milton as they push for number 24. The Hawaii-native suffered a gruesome knee injury in their win over USF last week, and was taken off the field on a stretcher and immediately to a hospital. Milton is the spark of this team, so they will need to rely heavily on their ground game to shoulder the load. Luckily for the Knights, they have a stable of backs to carry the ball. Greg McCrae is averaging 9 yards per carry and has 8 TDs on the ground this season. The Tigers' defense gives up an average of 154 on the ground per game, so I'll be watching that stat closely. As for Memphis, Junior RB Darrell Henderson ranks 2nd in the nation with 1,699 yards and 19 TDs, UCF will need to shut him down in order to win. Offensively, these teams are evenly matched yet again. Both average around 530 yards of offense per game and 43 points per game. The defenses will be tested in this game, but winning the turnover battle is crucial in this one. The Knights are +16 on the season while the Tigers are just +2. Even without McKenzie Milton, I give the edge to UCF. A lot of people will say the streak stops with Milton, but this team has talent across the board. Knights win their second straight American Conference Championship with a 38-24 victory over the Tigers.


#25 Fresno State at #22 Boise State (Mountain West Conference Championship)

     For the second straight year, Fresno State must travel to their rival Boise State and fight for the Mountain West Conference Championship on the Blue Turf. The Bulldogs lost once already on the Smurf Turf this year, falling to the Broncos by 7 in early November. This game will feature two fabulous Quarterbacks who love to air it out. Marcus McMaryion (FS) and Brett Rypien (BS) have both played phenomenally this season, throwing for 3,283 yards and 3,580 yards respectively. McMaryion has a 24:3 TD to INT ratio while Rypien has 29:7. They're both Seniors and would love nothing more than to finish off their careers by beating their rival for the Conference title. Aside from the gunslingers, each team has an extra weapon of their own, for the Broncos, his name is Alexander Mattison. The Junior Running Back has 1,215 yards to go along with 16 TDs on the season. He averages nearly 5 yards per carry and drives this Boise State offense, helping them rank 12th in the nation for time of possession. For the Bulldogs, their extra weapon is a lock-down defense. Fresno State ranks 17th in total defense, giving up just 13.5 points and 321 yards per game on average. They will need to play their best game of the season and stay off the field if they want to win. Now this game presents a dilemma for me, because it challenge two of my most important rules in College Football. 1. You never want to play a team twice, and 2. You should always pick Boise State at home. Last year, Fresno State won the first meeting (in Fresno) but lost the Conference Championship just a week later up in Boise. This year the Bulldogs have already lost on the Blue field, but now travel back again with a vengeance. This is a tough prediction and will likely be an even tougher game, but I'll go with the Broncos. Boise State is just too good on that field and besides, depending on what uniform they're wearing, you probably won't be able to even see them! Boise State wins yet another Mountain West Crown with a 23-20 victory over Fresno State.


#17 Utah vs. #11 Washington (Pac-12 Conference Championship)

     The Pac-12 Championship is set to take place in Levi's Stadium as the Utes take on the Huskies. These teams met early in the season, resulting in a 21-7 Washington victory. I would expect a lot of defense in this game, as Utah ranks 15th and Washington ranks 13th in total defense. Both squads give up less than 20 points per game and love to shut down the run. That's going to be the key stat in this game, as both teams love to run the ball. Utah's star Running Back, Zack Moss is done for the year with an injury, so Junior Armand Shyne has taken over, rushing for 276 yards and 3 TDs over the last three weeks. The Huskies have one of the best (and underrated) backs in the nation with Myles Gaskin. I've been watching this kid tear up opposing defenses for the last four years, and I know he's going to be a gem in the NFL draft this spring. Gaskin has over 5,100 career yards and 55 TDs. Ten of those scores came this season as he posted his 4th straight 1,000+ yard season and is averaging 5.1 yards a pop. Utah only gives up 100 yards on the ground per game, but Gaskin will look to break that mark. Just in the month of November, he's rushed for 453 yards and 5 TDs. I think that trend continues tonight and Washington wins the Pac-12 Championship 27-14 over the Utes.


#2 Clemson vs. Pitt (ACC Conference Championship)

     There's not much to say about this game, Clemson will continue to dominate the ACC for the foreseeable future. Pitt is a tough team, but the Tigers are just too strong. They have 4 potential 1st round picks on their defensive line, a dark horse Heisman-caliber player at Running Back and one stud of a Freshman Quarterback. They are one of the most complete teams in all of college football and probably the only team capable of beating Alabama. Travis Etienne is going to run all over, around and through Pitt's defense, especially since they rank 80th in rush defense. Trevor Lawrence will torch their lowly secondary for about 300 yards and their defensive line will finish this game with more sacks than a paper bag factory. Clemson with a BIG statement win to claim a 5th straight ACC Championship. Tigers 44, Pitt 17.


#14 Texas vs. #5 Oklahoma (Big XII Conference Championship)

     A rematch of the Red River Rivalry (I'm still not going to say "Showdown") thriller from early October. Texas walked away with a 48-45 victory and the Horns are looking to play spoiler yet again to the Sooners and their Playoff dreams. Texas is also fighting for a New Year's Six Bowl game, so this (somewhat unnecessary) conference championship game has major implications all around. The Longhorns have been tough all season, and will definitely be a formidable opponent in 2019. Sam Ehlinger has shined in his Sophomore year, throwing for 2,774 yards, 23 TDs and just 4 picks. He's also added another 11 scores on the ground and is the biggest threat to OU's success. Ehilnger is the spark of this Texas offense, but the Wideouts are the backbone. Collin Johnson, Devin Duvernay and Lil'Jordan Humphrey have been phenomenal this season, accounting for 18 TDs combined. They're all Juniors, so Texas will likely have the BEST receiving corps in the nation next season. However, none of this really matters for this game because of two things: 1. They beat OU already this season, and one of my primary rules in CFB is that you never want to play a team twice, and 2. A young man by the name of Kyler Murray. In my humble opinion, Murray is hands-down the best athlete and player in the nation, which is why HE should win the Heisman that they've already handed to Tua. That argument can be saved for another day, but in the first match-up with Texas, Murray accounted for 396 yards and 5 TDs... and that was only his 5th game as a starter. He's going to be absolutely BONKERS in this game and Oklahoma will get revenge (and the Big XII Crown) with a 57-44 win over Texas. Boomer Sooner (I still hate both teams😁).


#21 Northwestern vs. #6 Ohio State (BIG 10 Conference Championship)

     The Wildcats have been waiting for a few weeks, but now they're ready to square off against East Division Champ, Ohio State. The Buckeyes throttled Michigan last week, dropping 62 on the nation's top defense last week. They look like the Ohio State of old, dominating both sides of the ball and seemingly scoring at will. Quarterback Dwayne Haskins is doing a damn good job sticking in the Heisman race, as he's thrown for over 4,000 yards and posted a 42:7 TD to INT ratio during the regular season. He's the key to their offense because if he's having an off day, they don't have much to lean on. J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber have stepped up the ground attack in recent weeks (thanks Nebraska 😒), but this offense still lives with the air attack. This bodes well, as the Wildcat's secondary is one of the weaker parts of their team, giving up nearly 240 yards per game through the air. Northwestern still ranks 32nd in total defense, 30 spots ahead of the Buckeyes, and Pat Fisher knows how to get his team to step up in big moments. Senior QB Clayton Thorson hasn't had the best season, but is never someone you want to leave on the field for very long. He'll eventually get his, and star wideout Flynn Nagel will help with that. They Buckeyes secondary is also fairly weak, and Thorson is often very smart with this throws. While I'd love to see a Wildcat upset, and they're a team you should never sleep on, I'm not quite sure they'll have it in this one. Freshman Running Back Isaiah Bowser will need a big performance to help lift the Purple Cats up, but I think Urban Meyer's coaching in the big games will be the difference maker. Ohio State wins the BIG 10 38-23.


#1 Alabama vs. #4 Georgia (SEC Conference Championship)

     A playoff semi-final is set to take place early as the Tide and the Dawgs square off in Atlanta. Georgia won last year, knocking off Auburn, but fell to Bama in the CFP Championship. They've been waiting for this moment all year to get revenge. Jake Fromm has been stellar, throwing for more than 2,200 yards with a 24:5 TD to INT ratio. The two-headed rushing monster of D'Andre Swift and Elijah Holyfield have combined for 1,858 yards on the ground, 16 TDs and are both averaging just under 7 yards per carry. They'll be running into the brick wall named Bama's defense, giving up just 282 total yards and 13.8 points per game on average. The Tide's defense has gotten better as the year progressed, but they haven't faced an offense quite like Georgia's. The Bulldogs are so incredibly balance, they could walk a tightrope over the Grand Canyon. On the other side, you have the Heisman winner (basically engraved his name already) with Tua Tagovailoa, going against a rugged Georgia defense. Don't get me wrong, Tua is amazing, and he's going to have a big game against Georgia, just as Fromm and crew will have a big day against Bama. I honestly think the offenses of each team will shine more than the defenses, creating a bit of a shootout. Pressure will be key in this game, otherwise both secondaries are going to get torched (still probably will). This is a tough pick because Bama is absolutely amazing, but I picked Georgia to win the SEC and knock Bama out of the Playoffs before the season. So, I could either stick by my pre-season prediction or jump ship and hop on the Bama train (statistically, never a bad decision). However, I am a man of my word and I say Georgia wins the SEC Championship with revenge! I do think Bama will stay in the Playoffs, and I would not be upset seeing a Tigers vs. the Tide round 4. The DAWGS with a shocker down in the ATL with a 30-28 victory over Bama. You heard it here first!

Thank you all for reading my Conference Championship Predictions and enjoy your weekend of football! Big Playoff moves could be in store this weekend, GO BIG RED!

#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando

Rivalry Week Reflections

     Another Rivalry Week has come and gone ladies and gentlemen, and with it, more chaos is left behind. Hello football readers and welcome to the end of the College Football regular season. I'm not crying, you're crying😭. However, there's still the conference championships and bowl games, so never fear! This post will highlight all the craziness of Rivalry Weekend, what this means for the CFB Playoffs and break down Nebraska's loss to Iowa. Thank you for all the support throughout the season and be sure to tell all your football loving friends where to get the best Husker/College Football info 😁, enjoy!


     The Huskers finished the season at 4-8 for the second straight year. This 4-8 season definitely tastes a little better than last year. Scott Frost's first season as head man of the Huskers was full of ups and downs, but I think Husker Nation can all say this team is headed in the right direction with a confidence that has been missing in recent years. I really thought Nebraska was going to pull of the victory at Iowa this past week. The Blackshirts failed to show up, after putting on their best performance just a week ago against Michigan State. This whole team has been up against a steep learning curve this season, but the defense has struggled all year long. Iowa played a solid game, but they almost lost it themselves by throwing the ball so much. Adrian and the offense finished strong, but as we all knew from the beginning, this was a growing year. Read through my break down analysis of the Iowa game below.

GOOD- The GOOD award this week goes to The Man Stan. Stanley Morgan Jr. has been a stellar wideout for the Huskers over the past four years, proving it once again in his final game for the Scarlet and Cream. Against Iowa, Morgan became the first ever Husker receiver to surpass 1,000 yards in a single season. He finished the game with 7 catches for 81 yards, averaging 11.6 yards per catch. I've really enjoyed watching Stanley play, and as a former receiver it's great to see a player like Stanley having such a fantastic career. He leaves Nebraska as the all time leader in catches and yards, with 189 receptions for 2,747 yards and 22 TDs. I credit the Husker offense with the GOOD award as well, racking up 400 total yards and fighting back from a double-digit deficit. Maurice Washington finished with 102 yards receiving and a TD to lead the Huskers. While the offense struggled on third down for much of the game, they fought back in the end, erasing a 15-point deficit to force Iowa's last second field goal. The offense really started clicking during the last half of this season, and I'm excited to see how they do next year. Ozigbo and Morgan will be key losses, but there are a lot of weapons around Martinez, so opposing defenses better be ready.

EXPECTED- The EXPECTED category is how Iowa nearly handed this game back to Nebraska. Specifically with their lack of production on offense. Now I say that with a grain of salt, because the Hawkeyes did have 266 yards rushing, but they easily could've had more. I understand coaches need to mix it up and throw the ball once in a while, but the Hawkeyes offensive line was man-handling the Blackshirts' front 7, pushing them back at least 6 yards on every run play. If I were Ferentz,, I would've ran the ball until they proved they could stop it, Nate Stanley wasn't throwing very well anyways. Now this filters into my REAL EXPECTED category of Nebraska's defense still being on a steep learning curve and honestly just not very strong. It was clear to see the dominance of Iowa's O-line, but even more clear to see the work needed to be done by the Blackshirts in the weight room. They're not even 1 full year in with this Coaching and Strength staff, so I don't expect them to be world-beaters by any means, but you can't get knocked back 6+ yards on every snap. The defense has a lot of changes coming this off-season, and Chinander better make sure these guys really understand the scheme on top of getting in the weight room.

BAD- My BAD category for the Huskers this week was the secondary, specifically the coaching. As a former defensive back, I understand the various situations Corners and DBs are put into and how difficult of a position it is to play. However, there is absolutely no reason why the coaches should have our secondary players 10-12 yards off the ball in a third or fourth and short/medium. Chinander loves his zone coverage, but at least make it a press zone in those situations. They're so scared of getting beat deep, they constantly move further and further back from the line of scrimmage. Again, I don't know exactly how Nebraska's coaches run their system, and I don't mean to say they don't know what they're doing, they have far more experience than I do. But when it's 3rd & 4 or 4th & 8, there needs to be tighter coverage. Danny Langsdorf is not Iowa's OC, so he's not going to bomb it deep every other play. The coaches need to have the DBs put their heels on the first down line and stay put, make sure if the receiver catches it, they catch it underneath and you make the tackle. The secondary play has frustrated me (and many others) time and time again throughout the years, so expect that to be a big focus during the off-season as well. A big part of it is recruiting, but the coaches need to build up those recruits. I'm confident they can get it done. Again, there's no way of saying tighter coverage would've prevented Iowa from completing their 4th & 8 at the end of the game, but being 5 yards off the first down line where the ball was caught is definitely not going to stop it for the defense. A bit nit-picky, but it's the little things that count in this game!

     Overall, I have to continue to remind myself this was a building and learning season. This team has been through so much overhaul, change and culture shock over the previous year or so, and with how they turned the second half of their season around truly impressed me. I'm excited for what Coach Frost and crew have in store for next year and the years to come, and now that I'm nearly graduated, hopefully I can be part of it! Tough, challenging and solid season by Husker Football this year, a lot to look forward to in 2019, especially with a more favorable schedule. GO BIG RED!


Now for some other news from around College Football:

- The Texas A&M/LSU game was AMAZING. I basically only watched Overtime, but that was more than enough. The Aggies and the Tigers dueled it out in a record-tying 7 Overtimes, scoring the most points ever in a College Football game with a 74-72 victory for A&M. The best part is that LSU thought they had won with an interception toward the end of regulation and celebrated prematurely with a Gatorade bath for Coach O. The Interception was overturned because Aggie QB Kellen Mond's knee was on the ground, and they tied it on the last play of regulation. Unfortunately a sour ending occurred when an Aggie staff member (possibly Jimbo Fisher's nephew) punched an LSU coach in the pacemaker, but otherwise a great spectacle of our sport. Crazy game, Mom would've LOVED it!

- One last thing from the A&M/LSU game, can we just award Kendrick Rogers the Biletnikoff for that game? He wasn't even the Aggies leading receiver but this kid made the biggest catches when it mattered most. With Kellen Mond being a Sophomore, and returning his top 5 receivers and his running back next season, watch out for the Aggies. This team will be LOADED in 2019 on the offensive side of the ball.

- Big coaching changes already occurring as Texas Tech fired Kliff Kingsbury and North Carolina fired Larry Fedora. The Heels immediately hired Mac Brown who added Kingsbury and Gene Chizik as his Offensive and Defensive Coordinators respectively. That's a very impressive staff, and North Carolina could at least cause some havoc within the conference now. USC also kept Clay Helton and Mike Leach is reported to be interested in the Texas Tech job... again. The big hire mid-week before the turkey was ready occurred in Kansas, as the Jayhawks finalized a deal with former LSU coach Les Miles. There will be plenty more coaching shake ups to come!

- Jim Harbaugh still cannot beat Urban Meyer. "The" Ohio State dismantled Michigan, dropping 62 on the top ranked defense in football. With LSU and Wazzu losing, the Buckeyes have a decent shot of getting into the playoffs.

- Minnesota POUNDED Wisconsin, winning Paul Bunyan's Axe for the first time in 15 years!

- UCF Quarterback McKenzie Milton suffered a horrible knee injury in their win against USF. He was carted off the field and taken to a local hospital. I hope his injury isn't too severe and that he's able to recover, because he was one of my favorite players to watch over the past two seasons. Prayers up!

- Much like Jim Harbaugh and Urban Meyer, Mike Leach cannot beat Christ Petersen. The Huskies took down my Bandwagon Cougars and won the Pac-12 North for the second time in 3 years.

- Oklahoma and West Virginia had their offensive explosion, and it did not disappoint. The Sooners defense made the difference though (they still gave up 56 points), scoring two TDs and setting OU up for another date with the Longhorns. CFB Playoff hopes are likely on the line and you NEVER want to play a team twice in one year, especially if you lost to them the first time. Look out Texas.

- A few classic rivalry week brawls occurred over the weekend, reminding us just how much these games mean. It hurts the importance of football in my mind, but are still kind of funny to watch.

- There were a lot of great games, catches and happenings this week in College Football. I'd just like to take a moment to think about the other parts of the game, like Tyler Trent with Purdue or The Wave to the Children's Hospital in Iowa City. The ability to bring people together in respectful competition is important to remember, and that while football is one of my biggest passions, there are more important things to focus on with it in life.

I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday weekend and are ready for Conference Championship week! Thank you all for reading my post and GO BIG RED!

#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando