December 30 - January 2 Bowl Games

      We've reached the last slate of bowl games for the 2022 College Football Season and our 2023 games will kick off on Monday. There are some great matchups in these final games along with our College Football Semifinal games to determine who will play for the national championship. I've got all the keys to victory laid out below with my predictions so read on, enjoy some football and Happy New Year!

Bowl Record: 17 - 11

Duke's Mayo Bowl

Maryland vs #23 NC State

     The Terps square off against an old ACC foe as they take on the Wolfpack from NC State. Maryland has won most of their games with a high-powered offense led by Junior QB Taulia Tagovailoa. He's thrown for just under 2,800 yards this year with an impressive 17:6 TD to INT ratio. He's proven to be especially dangerous on third downs, where he's helping the Terps convert on 41% of them. A secret weapon to watch with Maryland is Freshman RB Roman Hemby. With just 76 more yards on the ground he'll crack 1,000 yards to go with his 10 TDs. Look for him to provide balance against a tough NC State defense. The Wolfpack 20th in the nation in total defense, so they will be a tough squad to move the ball on. They hold games close and will look to shut down Hemby early forcing Tagovailoa to win it with his arm. This should be an interesting one to watch with best on best from the Maryland offense and NC State defense, but I'm going with the Terps. I think they get Hemby going and he's the X-factor. Maryland 28, NC State 26.

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl

Pittsburgh vs #18 UCLA

     The Panthers and Bruins meet for the first time since 1972 in the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas. We've got a couple of high-powered rushing attacks to break down in this one. Pitt is led by Junior RB Israel Abanikanda who ranks first in the nation with 20 rushing TDs. He's gained nearly 1,500 yards on the ground and averages 6 yards per carry. On the Bruins sideline, they have a two-headed rushing monster with RB Zach Charbonnet and QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson. DTR has been one of my favorite players to watch in College Football over the last few years, and this season did not disappoint. In addition to his near 3,000 yards passing and 25 TDs in the air, he's accounted for 631 yards and 11 more TDs on the ground. Complimenting Charbonnet's 1,359 yards and 14 rushing TDs, the option game with these two in the backfield is deadly. Defensively, Pitt ranks 8th in the country against the run, so they are typically up for the task. However, I think DTR has a big day in his last game as a Bruin and UCLA wins the Sun Bowl 31-28.

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl

#21 Notre Dame vs #19 South Carolina

     Earlier in the season, this would not have been a great matchup to see on the slate of games. However, both teams have really come into their own as the year progressed and with a few big victories, they find themselves squaring off in Jacksonville. South Carolina will be without their offensive coordinator as he is now the Huskers' OC, but after a combined 94 points in the last two games of the season this unit is one to watch. QB Spencer Rattler threw for 798 yards in those two games and will be looking to torch an Irish secondary that struggled against Heisman winner Caleb Williams in their final game. However, Notre Dame does a great job at causing pressure on opposing QBs, racking up 35 sacks this season. They'll look to keep Rattler rattled throughout the night as Drew Pyne and the offense pound the rock and set up their play action passing attack. Both teams will be without some star talent due to the Transfer Portal and the Draft. The Gamecocks could start off hot and build a lead, which is not a great situation for Notre Dame, but if the Irish can get in an early punch or two this one should be in hand. Notre Dame wins it 30-17.

Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl

Ohio vs Wyoming

     After disappointing endings to their respective seasons, the Bobcats and Cowboys square off in the desert to see who can keep their bowl win streak alive. Both squads are riding a 3-game win streak in bowls and have a chance to finish their season with a much needed positive note. Star QB for Ohio, Kurtis Rourke is out for the rest of the year with an injury, so their potent offense could be a bit lackluster like in the MAC Championship. Wyoming doesn't have a great offense by any means, and with Junior RB Titus Swen leaving for the NFL draft, points could be hard to come by in this game. In a game like this turnovers make the difference and Ohio ranks 5th in the nation with a +12 turnover margin. I'll give my nod to the Bobcats as they knock off the Cowboys 23-14.

Capital One Orange Bowl

#6 Tennessee vs #7 Clemson

     A true Orange Bowl matchup as the Vols and Tigers meet in a battle of which team has the best color Orange. Clemson finds themselves with a true freshman starting at QB after benching DJ Uiagalelei who has since transferred to Oregon State. The Vols are in a similar situation as Joe Milton III will be starting in place of the injured Hendon Hooker, but Milton does have experience under his belt with a couple starts last year and starting against Vanderbilt to end the season. Unfortunately for the Vols, star wideout Jalin Hyatt has opted out along with WR Cedric Tillman who has the fourth most receiving yards on the team this year. Clemson's offense has been up and down all year, but the ground game with Will Shipley has never been an issue. Combined with their pass rush that's totaled 40 sacks on the year, this game should fall their way. I've been on the Rocky Top train all year, but experience for Clemson and lack of star power for Tennessee should be the difference makers in this one. Tigers win the orange vs orange Orange Bowl 28-20.

Allstate Sugar Bowl

#5 Alabama vs #9 Kansas State

     The Tide will be at full force in this one as Bryce Young, Will Anderson and many other star players have decided to play in this game. This is a good thing for Bama because despite consistently being overlooked the K-State Powercats are the real deal in 2022. Their defense is absolutely stifling to opposing offenses, giving up just 20.1 points per game. The Wildcats are also extremely disciplined, averaging just 4 penalties per game and are sitting with a +14 turnover margin, having only lost 10 all season. This year's Bama squad has not played like a typical Nick Saban unit. They rank 126th in the nation with an average of 8 penalties per game and over 70 yards given up by them. They will need to play sound football in order to stay on pace in this game. However, talent does factor in to this as well. While Deuce Vaughn will get his for K-State, Bryce Young and Jahmyr Gibbs will give headaches to the Wildcats. Both Vaughn and Gibbs are two of the most difficult backs in the nation to tackle in space, so we should get a pretty good show in this one. I'd love to see the upset like they did on TCU, but it's hard not to say Roll Tide in this one. Bama wins a good one in New Orleans 34-28 in the Sugar Bowl.

TransPerfect Music City Bowl

Iowa vs Kentucky

     It's odd at first when you look at this game and see just a 2.5 point spread and a split decision on who will win, but with the horrendous offense of the Hawkeyes and the big question mark of what Wildcat team will show up, it actually makes a lot of sense. Iowa still ranks 2nd to last in the nation with total offense, but that Hawkeye defense is always going to keep them in the game. Honestly, I wouldn't expect a lot of points in this game as neither team has much of an idea who will even be calling plays for them. Spencer Petras is still injured and Alex Padilla has transferred for Iowa while Will Levis has opted out for the Wildcats. Kentucky has a solid defense as well so neither offense is likely to do much. Unfortunately this is where I tend to pick Iowa because despite both my hatred for them and their offensive incompetencies, this team doesn't make many mistakes and lets opponents beat themselves. Kentucky does that often, especially with a -1 turnover margin on the season. I'll give this one to Iowa but I don't think it will be pretty. Hawkeyes 17, Wildcats 13.

VRBO Fiesta Bowl (CFB Semifinal)

#3 TCU vs #2 Michigan

     I'm very excited as I will actually be in attendance for this game and be cheering on the Frogs! As my vacation in Phoenix draws to an end, I saw no reason not to attend my first CFB Playoff game and see if TCU can pull of the upset. Michigan is looking for redemption after falling in this stage to Georgia in the Orange Bowl a year ago. TCU is the team that wouldn't die as they ran the table with multiple close games in the Big XII but fell inches short of a championship against K-State the second time. The Frogs have a dynamic offense led by one of the most likable guys in football, QB Max Duggan. He's proven to be an absolute warrior, not only on the field, but off the field, recovering from heart surgery last summer and taking back his starting job after an early season injury to TCU QB Chandler Morris. His favorite target is my X-Factor of the game, 6'4 WR Quentin Johnston. He's one of the biggest threats to this Michigan defense as TCU uses his size to body up corners and safeties over the middle. Combined with Duggan's scramble abilities, the Wolverines needs to contain both these playmakers as much as possible. They don't rank third overall in defense for nothing though. For the Maize and Blue offensively, it's all about the ground game. Michigan did lose star RB Blake Corum to a knee injury at the end of the year, but with how dominant their offensive line is, Sophomore Donovan Edwards should have plenty of room to work. TCU will need to slow down the ground game early and force McCarthy to beat them with his arm. This can still be done as he's thrown for nearly 2,400 yards with 20 TDs and just 3 picks this season, but the Wolverines thrive off staying ahead of the chains and controlling the pace of the game. With how fast the TCU offense plays, their defense needs to force Michigan into uncomfortable situations. This is a tough game to predict but since I'll be in attendance I'm going with the Frogs. Max Duggan could've won the game in the Big XII Championship if they didn't take the ball out of his hands with those goal line play calls, and I don't think Sonny Dykes will make that mistake twice. Horned Frogs pull the upset as they defeat the Wolverines 30-27 in the CFB Semifinal.

Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl (CFB Semifinal)

#4 Ohio State vs #1 Georgia

     The Bulldogs effectively get a home game playing this one in Atlanta, so Ohio State has a lot to overcome before this one even kicks off. They've been given a second shot by the CFB Playoff Committee, but their offense needs to step it up if they're going to take advantage of this one. Michigan effectively dismantled the Buckeyes' high-powered scoring machine in their meeting, so this will be interesting to see how they fare against the formidable Georgia defense. The Dawgs rank first against the run, giving up just 77 yards per game on average. Ohio State's biggest issues against Michigan started due to a lack of a run game. It's struggled all year, so they will need a big night on the ground if they want to win this one. Defensively, they should match up well with Georgia and will look to apply lots of extra pressure to Stetson Bennett. The Bulldog offense is led very well by the former walk-on, and I don't think I have a big enough stomach to eat all my words I've said about him. The man just doesn't seem to lose and I don't think he'll start in this game. Buckeyes put up a fight but Georgia smothers them for a 36-21 victory.

ReliaQuest Bowl

#22 Mississippi State vs Illinois

     With the tragic death of Bulldog Head Coach, Mike Leach, there's no extra motivation needed for Will Rogers and crew in this game. The maroon-clad gunslinger has thrown for over 3,700 yards with 34 TDs and just 6 picks. He'll be up against one of the nation's best pass defenses as the Illini give up just 164.5 yards through the air per game on average. Illinois will lean on their ground game with star running back Chase Brown, who is just 54 yards away from breaking the school's single season rushing record. I think this will be a fun game to watch but playing to honor your coach should provide with the Bulldogs with more than enough motivation to go out and win this one. Mississippi State wins this game 33-24 in honor of the Pirate himself.

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

#16 Tulane vs #10 USC

     The Green Wave are set to represent the G5 schools in the New Year's six as they take on the Trojans of USC. Most everyone will be looking for Heisman winner Caleb Williams to put on a show (as he usually does). The high-powered offense is likely to cause headaches for Tulane as they put up points in a hurry, but don't count the Green Wave out right away. They've proven to bee a tricky team to defeat, winning 3 games by 1 score. Junior running back Tyjae Spears is a force though, rushing for nearly 1,400 yards and 15 TDs for the Green Wave. If they can get out early and score they could make this interesting. However, I think the speed and talent of players like Jordan Addison and Raleek Brown will likely be too much for Tulane to over come. Caleb Williams has too many weapons in this office and Lincoln Riley finishes up his first year in LA with a 40-28 Cotton Bowl Victory.

Cheez-It Citrus Bowl

#17 LSU vs Purdue

     The Boilermakers are now led by Drew Brees as an interim coach with Jeff Brohm leaving for Louisville. QB Aiden O'Connell will need to play some of his best football in his career in this one, especially with the Tigers being vulnerable in the secondary. Purdue has been a solid team all year, but LSU looks primed to kickstart next year with a big bowl win in Brian Kelley's first season. LSU has lost two straight with A&M and Georgia, but with Jayden Daniels under center, they should be running the show. Daniels is the leading rusher for LSU in addition to all his passing statistics, and the ex-Seminole will likely run circles around the Purdue defense. The Boilermakers put up a strong fight, but much like the Michigan game they will get over whelmed after a while. Tigers 34, Boilermakers 21.

Rose Bowl

#11 Penn State vs #8 Utah

     Arguably one of the best matchups of the entire bowl season, the 'grandaddy of them all' looks to be a good one as the Nittany Lions take on the Utes. Both teams are formidable opponents in their respective conferences, and the hard-nosed, rugged style of football within each program sets up for an instant classic. Penn State rolled through everyone except Michigan and Ohio State on their schedule, averaging 35.8 points per game and shutting opponents down to just 18. Utah had a couple of tough losses throughout the year, but have posted back-to-back PAC-12 Championships on their resume. Junior Quarterback Cameron Rising and Senior Sean Clifford will both be leading their respective squads without their top pass catchers. TE Dalton Kincaid (Utah) and WR Parker Washington (PSU) have opted out of this game along with Utes RB Tavion Thomas and Nittany Lion's CB Joey Porter Jr. Regardless, this will be a great game to watch and a tough battle on the line of scrimmage. Both teams have a focus on dominating that line, so we'll see who takes it in this one. I'm going with the Utes as they beat Penn State 23-21 in the Rose Bowl.

Thanks for reading all of my Bowl Game predictions and I hope you enjoy the last slate of football for 2022!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando

December 23 - 29 Bowl Games

      We've wrapped up the first week of Bowl Games and there has been a lot of great games thus far. We've seen some big offensive performances, stifling defenses and a few games that came down to the wire. This next slate of games has some intriguing matchups for you to enjoy over your Holiday breaks. So kick back, grab some Christmas Cookies and watch some football. More bowl games coming your way!

Current Bowl Record: 7 - 6

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl

Louisiana vs Houston

     The Ragin' Cajuns and Cougars meet in Shreveport, LA to do battle in the Independence Bowl. Houston relies on their fast-paced air raid attack. Senior QB Clayton Tune leads the offense with 3,845 yards and 37 TDs through the air. With just 10 picks on the season, Louisiana will need to rattle him if they want to force any turnovers. I expect Houston to run away with this one, but kudos to Michael Desormeaux for continuing Louisiana's bowl streak in his first season as head coach. Cougars 45, Ragin' Cajuns 33.

Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl

Missouri vs Wake Forest

     Despite a strong start to the season, the Demon Deacons spiraled as they dropped 4 of their last 5 games. There were a few close losses, but the defense really fell apart toward the end of the season, giving up an average 36.6 points per game over those last 5 games. Sam Hartman appears to be primed to play in this game and the NFL prospect QB has nearly 3,500 yards with 35 TDs. His counterpart, Brady Cook has sparked the Tiger offense in the second half of the season and has 2,509 and 13 TDs to his name. This game could be a big boost for both teams in the offseason, but Sam Hartman has been one of my guys to watch over the last couple years, so I'm rolling with him. Wake Forest beats Missouri 34-31.

EasyPoint Hawai'i Bowl

Middle Tennessee vs San Diego State

     The Blue Raiders and Aztecs are set to give us some entertainment on Christmas Eve as they due battle in Hawai'i. Middle Tennessee has the better offensive attack, but SDSU brings in a stout defense giving up just 20.2 points per game. They'll need to slow down Chase Cunningham and an offense that averages 390 yards per game. Middle Tennessee either blows teams out or gets blown out themselves. SDSU typically keeps things close with a tough defense, but they struggle to score points for themselves. This one is tough to pick but I'll give it to the Aztecs, they typically perform well in the post season with a 10-9 all time record, but have won each of their last two bowl games in 2019 and 2021. San Diego State 20, Middle Tennessee 14.

Quick Lane Bowl

New Mexico State vs Bowling Green

     Head coach Jerry Kill has brought the Aggies to their first Bowl Game since 2017. He'll look to unleash his two sophomore running backs, Star Thomas and Jamoni Jones, who have combined for 845 yards and 11 TDs this season. The Falcons have struggled to stop the run this year, but do have a potent passing attack led by Senior QB Matt McDonlad with 2,639 yards and 22 TDs to just 8 picks. If they Aggies can force a turnover or two, their ground game could put this game out of reach. New Mexico State wins this one 28-25.

Camellia Bowl

Georgia Southern vs Buffalo

     Clay Helton's Eagles pulled off a double-overtime victory against Appalachian State to win their 6th game of the year and earn a spot in the Camellia Bowl. Their potent passing attack is led by Kyle Vantrease, who happens to have five seasons as a Buffalo Bull under his belt. His former teammates will have to try and slow down the #4 passing offense in the nation. The Bulls also pulled off a close win to get to 6-6 on the season, so this should be a fun battle to watch. Vantrease has been sensational this year, and I think he'll show out one last time against his old squad. Clay Helton and the Eagles win big down in Montgomery, Alabama as they beat the Buffalo Bulls 38-24.

SERVPRO First Responders Bowl]

Memphis vs Utah State

     The Tigers are often known for having a high-powered offense, and with an average of 35.1 points per game, they have been tough to stop at times this season. Sophomore QB Seth Henigan has had a solid campaign in his second year, throwing for 3,287 yards and 19 TDs with 8 interceptions. He'll look to light up an Aggies squad that has been very strong the second half the season. Offensively, Utah State is led by their back-up QB, Cooper Legas. However, Senior RB Calvin Tyler Jr. is the key factor to watch in this one. He's crossed the 1,000 yard mark this season and averages 4.4 yards per carry. If they can get him going they have a much better chance at an upset in this one. I would certainly expect a high-scoring affair, and I'll take the Aggies on the upset. Utah State 44, Memphis 38.

TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl

Coastal Carolina vs East Carolina

     The Chanticleers find themselves in their third straight bowl game as they take on the Pirates from Greenville, NC. ECU's bowl game last year was cancelled, so this is technically their first appearance in the post season since 2015. The Pirates have a dynamic offense that ranks 24th nationally. Senior QB Holton Ahlers leads the squad with 3,408 yards through the air while Sophomore sensation Keaton Mitchell supplements work on the ground with his 1,325 rush yards. Mitchell also has 237 yards receiving this season and when he's toting the rock he averages an insane 7.4 yards per carry. Coastal is dealing with the departure of head coach Jamey Chadwell who has taken over the Liberty job, and QB Grayson McCall could still be dealing with an injury. As much as I love the fighting teal chickens, I'm going with the Pirates in this one after Mitchell has a big performance to put him on some watch lists next year. ECU beats Coastal 37-21.

Guaranteed Rate Bowl

Wisconsin vs Oklahoma State

     I actually might be in attendance for this bowl as I head to Arizona for the holidays! The Badgers pulled 6 wins together despite a rough start and a very unique move firing Paul Chryst from his head coaching position. Luke Fickell is set to coach in this game which is not common. He'll have a lot of question marks to deal with as QB Graham Mertz has jumped into the transfer portal alongside Cowboys QB Spencer Sanders. Both backup Badger QBs have combined for 11 total pass attempts this season, so I would expect a heavy dose of RB Braelon Allen, who has another 1,000+ season in his sophomore campaign. The pokes on the other hand have some experience at QB as true freshman Garret Rangel started a couple of games for them when Sanders was injured. He'll look to pick apart a stout Wiscy defense that gives up just 20.5 points per game. Oklahoma State started the season hot, but the Cowboys really fell off their horse after K-State blanked them 48-0. This was one of four losses in their final five games. Wisconsin did not produce many points on offense in 2022, but I think they'll have a rugged enough ground game paired with a salty defense to win this one. Badgers stifle the Pokes 23-17.

Military Bowl Presented by Peraton

UCF vs Duke

     The Knights fell to Tulane in the American Conference Championship, but still have a shot for a 10-win season with a victory over Duke. The Blue Devils haven't been to a bowl game since 2018, but this squad has been tough to beat all year and all 4 of their losses have all been one score games. This game will feature two of the best (and unknown) dual-threat QBs in the nation. John Rhys Plumlee is the better known of the two, and the Senior announced he's coming back for another season at UCF in 2023. He's got a lot of experience and despite some injury issues the last part of the season, he's accounted for 3,245 total yards of offense with 25 total TDs. He's the leading passer and rusher for the Knights and is likely to give the Duke defense headaches all night. However, the Blue Devils have a headache of their own at QB, and that would be sophomore Riley Leonard. He's also the leading passer and rusher for the Blue Devils and has 3,430 total yards with 31 total TDs. UCF's defense has given up 39 and 45 points in their last two games respectively, so I expect this to be a barn burner. Give me the Duke Blue Devils as Riley Leonard wins the dual-threat duel at QB. Duke 44, UCF 40.

AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Kansas vs Arkansas

     This game feels very different for each team as the Jayhawks have their first bowl appearance since 2008 and the Razorbacks are sitting at a frustrating 6-6 after one of the nation's toughest schedules. Arkansas has multiple players sitting out and prepping for the NFL and they've also lost their Defensive Coordinator as Barry Odom is headed to UNLV to be the head coach of the Rebels. Kansas did lose 6 of their last 7 games after hosting College Gameday against TCU, but the Jayhawks were competitive and QB Jalon Daniels has battled injuries throughout the second half the season. However, this team is highly motivated and proving you don't need the "AR" added onto Kansas to make it sound good. Rock Chalk as the Jayhawks win this one 34-27.

San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl

#15 Oregon vs North Carolina

     Points. I would expect a lot of them in this one as the Ducks and Tar Heels due battle in Southern California. Both Oregon and North Carolina were eyeing potential playoff spots until late season losses in November derailed those hope. Regardless, we'll see two of the best QBs in the nation with Bo Nix and Drake Maye. Starting with Nix, the veteran has decided to return to Oregon for the 2023 season, but will be working with some new pieces as Will Stein has taken over as OC after Kenny Dillingham took the head coaching position at Arizona State. Sophomore RB Bucky Irving should provide a good pace on the ground as he's just 94 yards away from breaking 1,000 this season, but this offense needs to own the line of scrimmage if they want to win this game. North Carolina's offense runs at a crazy pace, so slowing down this game will be tough. Freshman star Drake Maye leads the Tar Heels at QB and is also their leading rusher. He's accounted for 4,768 total yards and 42 TDs. I'm still unclear why he wasn't at least a Heisman finalist, but regardless, the Oregon defense will have their hands full with this one. Again, I would expect a show from both sides down in San Diego, but Oregon should handle this one. Bo Nix and the experience around him will make the difference as Oregon gives a boost to their top 5 recruitment efforts with a solid bowl performance. Ducks 48, Tar Heels 38.

TaxAct Texas Bowl

Texas Tech vs Ole Miss

     In his first season as head coach, Joey McGuire has taken the Red Raiders to an impressive 7-5 record after facing 6 ranked opponents throughout the season and winning 3 in a row to finish the year. Ole Miss finished the season in the wrong direction, losing 4 of their last 5 games as their defense struggled to keep things competitive in a few of those. Lane Kiffin has a contract extension now, so hopefully the locker room is a bit more stable. For the Rebels, Sophomore QB Jaxson Dart has been solid, throwing for 2,613 yards with 18 TDs and 8 picks. He'll command this offense against a vulnerable defense, but the real key to victory is on the ground with Freshman stud Quinshon Judkins. He's racked up nearly 1,500 yards with 16 TDs on the ground and averages 5.9 yards per carry. This could cause trouble against a Red Raiders defense that rank 90th in the nation against the run. Tech has a sneaky way of staying in games this year, but I think Ole Miss is looking to make a statement in this one. Rebels beat the Red Raiders 36-30.

Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl

Syracuse vs Minnesota

     The Orange fell apart late in the season after a strong 6-0 start, and now are without both coordinators as they head up the road to Yankee Stadium to take on the Gophers. Minnesota on the other hand has a top 5 defense, but did not defeat a single team with more than 6 wins this season. I watched this team in person against Iowa, and despite a top notch performance from star RB Mohamed Ibrahim, the Gophers threw (literally) that game away to the Hawkeyes. If Minnesota can feed Ibrahim the rock for his final game as a Gopher, they should be able to run through the Orange fairly easily. He's sensational to watch, so if you have a chance, tune into this game an watch this guy rumble for one more game in a college uniform. Gophers win on the back of Ibrahim and solid defensive play 24-14.

Cheez-It Bowl

Oklahoma vs #13 Florida State

     The Sooners first year under Brent Venables did not go as planned as they quickly fell from the top 10 ranks to a 6-6 record with multiple bad losses including a 49-0 embarrassment to Texas. The Seminoles finished 9-3 with a very impressive season, losing three tough games to ranked conference opponents. Mike Norvell might be figuring some things out down in Tallahassee, as his team ranks 12th in total offense and 13th in total defense. The QB battle between Dillion Gabriel and Jordan Travis should be more than enough entertainment for this game, but keep an eye on the FSU secondary. They have a lot of future NFL talent on the back end of that defense and I would expect them to lock down receivers and cause headaches for OU. The 'Noles win big in Orlando as they defeat Oklahoma 37-17.

Valero Alamo Bowl

#20 Texas vs #12 Washington

     The Longhorns get a bit of a home game as they head down to San Antonio to take on Washington and the nation's leader in pass yards, Michael Penix Jr. The Indiana transfer had an incredible year and shows why he was a dark horse Heisman candidate back in the BIG 10 before his injuries a few years ago. Texas has Quinn Ewers back under center after his mid-season injury against Alabama and he's played well in their final games, posting 55 points against Kansas and another 38 against Baylor to end the year. They will be without star RB Bijan Robinson has he prepares for the NFL draft, so Sarkisian will need to find a new weapon to compliment Ewers in this one. Defensively, Texas looked good at times this season, but they've struggled to force teams off the field on third down, allowing a nearly 40% completion rate to opposing teams. The Huskies rank 1st in the nation in third down conversions, so that will be a key area to watch in this one. We should have a good QB battle between Ewers and Penix Jr., but I like Washington to win this one. Texas has not held much consistency this year and there is just so many ways for Michael Penix Jr. to beat you. Kalen DeBoer finishes his first year as Washington's head coach with a big win in the Alamo Bowl 40-30 over Texas.

Thank you for reading my next slate of bowl game picks and I hope you have a wonderful holiday season filled with family, friends and lots of great football!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando

December 16 - 22 Bowl Games

      Welcome to Bowl Season football fans! There are 42 bowl games slated for us to watch over the next few weeks and the first two kick off today. As usual I will be giving all my thoughts and opinion with these bowl game predictions. I'll do my best to keep you up to date on players who are or are not playing for certain teams, but regardless, there should be some entertaining matchups to end our season. So sit back, read on and enjoy some mid-day football.

Conference Championship Record: 6 - 2

Overall Season Record: 145 - 71

Hometown Lenders Bahamas Bowl

Miami (OH) vs UAB

     The Redhawks and Blazers had mediocre seasons and are rewarded with a trips to the Bahamas, not a bad deal in my opinion. Miami (OH) has been fairly solid on defense this season, but the offense has struggled to put up points. UAB's Junior RB, DeWayne McBride is the best running back you don't know about. The Walker award snub leads the nation with 1,713 yards and 19 TDs. He averages a staggering 7.4 yards per carry and I don't think the Redhawks will have an answer for him. McBride has a big day in the Caribbean as the Blazers torch the Redhawks 36-20.

Duluth Trading Cure Bowl

#25 UTSA vs #24 Troy

     The Roadrunners once again have won the Conference USA Championship, but the bigger victory for UTSA is star QB Frank Harris will be returning for his 7th season of college football. Harris already has 34 school records and will look to lead his squad to a bowl victory after falling to San Diego State last year. They square off against the Sun Belt champions in the Troy Trojans. Troy's offense has turned it on late in the season, scoring 127 points in their last three games combined, but the defense is what truly leads this team. They give up just 17.5 points per game on average and rank 5th in the nation with 39 sacks on the season. They'll look to pressure Harris all afternoon, but I like UTSA to take this one. This team has a lot of speed on the edge with WR Zakhari Franklin and the Roadrunners win this game 31-21. Meep Meep!

Wasabi Fenway Bowl

Cincinnati vs Louisville

     This should be renamed the Scott Satterfield bowl for this year as the man who led the Cardinals this season will be headed to the other sideline to coach next season. Due to potential awkwardness, Satterfield has decided to go out and recruit rather than attend the game, but man that would've been a great story. As for the teams, both are without the head coaches that led them during the season. Luke Fickell is up in Wisconsin now and this is Cincy's last game before heading to the Big XII next year. Louisville has been up and down this year, but did have a good surge late in the season. Cincy was consistent yet agin, but lost a few close games to Arkansas, UCF and Tulane. It's hard to figure out which team will be more motivated based on the coaching changes, but I'll lean toward the Bearcats and their consistency. Cincy wins the Satterfield Bowl 23-14.

SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl

Florida vs #14 Oregon State

     The Gators were very inconsistent this season, despite the long list of talented players on their roster. The Beavers were hoping for more this year but had two close losses to USC and Washington and one beat down from the Utes. However, they ended their season on 3 straight wins and have a smothering defense waiting in Vegas. Neither team is very flashy, and Florida will look to get Anthony Richardson going early with easy completions, but I like the Beavers. Oregon State has been a very determined and overlooked team this season. They could make a big statement with a quality win over the SEC. Beavers 27, Gators 17.

Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl Presented by Stifel

Washington State vs Fresno State

     Wazzu has a dynamic offense led by Sophomore QB Cameron Ward. Ward has accounted for 28 total TDs so far this year and has thrown for more than 3,000 yards. Fresno State is coming fresh off their Mountain West Conference title over Boise State, and they have a star QB of their own. Senior Jake Haener is back from injury and really tough to beat. He doesn't turn the ball over and the offense flows so much better with him under center. Both teams have great offensive attacks and this will truly be a QB battle to watch. I'm having a difficult time picking a winner in this one, but after watching him over the last few years, Jake Haener doesn't drop many games. Fresno State 34, Washington State 28.

LendingTree Bowl

Rice vs Southern Miss

     Despite their 5-7 record, Rice is headed to Mobile, Alabama to take on the Golden Eagles of Southern Miss. The Owls have lost their last 3 games and give up nearly 34 points per game on average on defense. Southern Miss ended their season with a win, but lost the three games before that. I don't expect too many big fireworks in this one, but if you're watching, be sure to keep an eye on Frank Gore Jr. The Sophomore RB for the Golden Eagles is following in his dad's footsteps as he's rushed for over 1,000 and 7 TDs this season. Southern Miss defeats Rice on the back of Gore 33-17.

New Mexico Bowl

SMU vs BYU

     A rematch of the famous 1980 Holiday Bowl is set to take place in New Mexico as the Ponies and the Cougars due battle. I would expect a lot of points in this one as neither team has been very stout on defense this season. BYU has been a difficult team to read as they were red hot to start the season but had some bad losses in the middle and won a few down the stretch. SMU has won 4 of their last 5 games and are looking to finish strong as QB Tanner Mordecai is just 2 TD passes away from breaking the school record for a career, currently at 71. He'll be without his star receiver Rashee Rice who wants to heal up before the NFL draft, and it's unlikely we'll see BYU QB Jalen Hall. I'll give the nod to Mordecai as he gets the win and breaks the SMU career TD passing record. Mustangs run past the Cougars 40-31.

Frisco Bowl Presented by SERVPRO

North Texas vs Boise State

     The Mean Green take on the Broncos as both teams look to avenge their respective conference championship losses. Boise State's defense ranks 4th in the nation against the pass and North Texas QB Austin Aune has thrown for 3,309 yards with 32 TDs and 13 picks this year. This should be a fun best on best system to watch, but I give the nod to Boise State. Their Junior RB George Holani averages 5.3 yards per carry and the Mean Green give up an average of 460 offensive yards to opponents. Broncos win the Frisco Bowl 38-21.

Myrtle Beach Bowl

Marshall vs UConn

     Jim Mora has led the Huskies to their first bowl game since 2015 and they take on the Thundering Herd. They have a big task ahead of them as the Herd ranks 10th in total defense and gives up just 16.2 points per game. UConn has played tough in all their games and pulled a number of impressive upsets this year. They're on the way up, but Marshall should take care of this one. Look for Senior RB Kahlan Laborn to have a big night. The Herd runs away with this one 31-14.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Eastern Michigan vs San Jose State

     EMU and San Jose State meet on the Smurf Turf for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. The Spartans are led by Junior QB Chevan Cordeiro, he's thrown for nearly 2,900 yards this season and has an impressive 20:4 TD to INT ratio. The Eagles have been susceptible to the pass this year, so look for them to rely on their Senior RB to carry the rock and slow down the game. Samson Evans averages 4.8 yards per carry, but I think it's Eastern Michigan's defense that will get gashed the most. San Jose State Spartans win this one 28-24.

Roofclaim.com Boca Raton Bowl

Liberty vs Toledo

     The Flames and the Rockets meet in South Florida for what's likely to be a bit of a barn burner. Liberty has dropped three straight, but the Rockets were able to claim another MAC title over Ohio a couple weeks ago. Both teams average around 30 points per game, but Hugh Freeze is now at Auburn, leaving the Flames to fend for themselves. I doubt they'll be able to slow down the Rockets, especially on the ground. Toledo wins it in Boca Raton 42-23.

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

Western Kentucky vs South Alabama

     The Hilltoppers high-powered offense could run into a wall in this one as they take on the 10-2 Jaguars of South Alabama. They give up fewer than 20 points per game and will look to slow down the passing attack of Austin Reed. The Hilltoppers' defense isn't too shabby themselves, ranking 10th in the nation in turnovers with a +10 margin this season. Both teams should play well in this game, so any turnovers could break it one way or the other. However, there's a lot of hype around South Alabama and HC Kane Womack in his second year. I've got the Jaguars in a close one 31-28.

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl

Baylor vs Air Force

     The Bears and the Falcons meet up for a matchup you don't often see. Air Force brings the triple option ground attack to Fort Worth as the Bears will look to spread the ball out and use that traditional Big XII speed on the edge. Baylor dropped their last 3 games and really fell flat in Dave Aranda's third season in Waco. The Bears know how to put up points though, and the Falcons aren't a team that score quickly. Baylor ends their season on a much needed high note with a 30-20 victory. Sic 'Em!

Thanks for reading my first slate of Bowl Game predictions. More coming your way next week. Enjoy the games!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando

Conference Championship Predictions

      We've made it to December football and it's Conference Championship season! There are still some big stakes on the line with conference championships this weekend and some teams could get knocked out of Playoff contention with one slip up. I've got all the keys to victory along with predictions below, so kick back and enjoy a fabulous weekend of football.

Rivalry Week Record: 16 - 9

Overall Season Record: 139 - 69

Sun Belt Conference Championship

Coastal Carolina at Troy

    The Chanticleers are looking for their first Sun Belt title after the historic 2020 season they had ended with a cancelled conference championship. They're coming off a 40-point beat down from the Dukes of James Madison who would be in this game if they didn't have a 2 year probation period for newly joining the FBS. Regardless, Coastal and Troy should provide a good show. The Trojans have a tough defense, ranking 4th in the conference. They give up just 16.8 points per game on average and the Chanticleers offense has been up and down at times this year. Offensively, the Trojans run through sophomore RB Kimani Vidal. He's cracked 1,000 yards this season and has 9 TDs on the ground. Coastal gave up 215 on the ground last week to JMU, so this will be a point of weakness I expect Troy to attack. On the flip side, the Chanticleers will likely be without star QB Grayson McCall, who has been injured since early November. That plus home field advantage really helps to Trojans so I'm saying Troy wins the Sun Belt Conference Championship 31-17 over the Chanticleers.

American Athletic Conference Championship

#22 UCF at #18 Tulane

     The Green Wave are set to host the Knights down in New Orleans for the second time in less than a month, however the conference title is on the line this time around. Tulane and UCF squared off on November 12th where the Knights walked out of Yulman Stadium with a 38-31 victory. The Knights dominated early in that game and never looked back. They had 468 yards of offense and 2 turnovers against Tulane. Slowing down the run game will be key for the Green Wave as they gave up 336 on the ground in the previous meeting this season. However, I have one major rule in college football, and the rule is you NEVER want to play a team twice. It is hard enough to beat a team on any given Saturday, let alone twice. In a tough game against Cincy last week, Tulane was able to run the ball very well and control the clock. If they can get Tyjae Spears established early in the game they will look to control how often UCF has it. Give me Tulane for round 2 as they win the American Conference Championship 27-21.

Mountain West Conference Championship

Fresno State at Boise State

     The Bulldogs renew their rivalry with the Broncos as they return to Boise for the Mountain West Conference Championship. The Broncos won the first round of this matchup by 20 at home back in early October. Boise State dominated that game with nearly 450 yards of offense and held onto the ball for more than 34 and a half minutes. Fresno State is on a 7-game win streak since that day and have held 5 of those 7 opponents to 14 points or fewer. Their defense will need an impressive showing in this game and keep the ball with their offense. Lucky for the Bulldogs, star QB Jake Haener has come back from an injury he sustained against USC early in the year, and with him in the show I think they beat Boise State. Fresno State wins the Mountain West 33-27.

PAC-12 Conference Championship

#11 Utah vs. #4 USC

     The USC Trojans have a slot in the College Football Playoff waiting for them if they can avenge their only loss of the season and take down the Utah Utes. Lincoln Riley's first season in LA couldn't have gone any better as they boast the 5th best offense in the nation. Only the game against Oregon State resulted in a point total less than 30 for the Trojans, and the lone loss is to these very Utes in Salt Lake City on an overtime 2-point conversion. As I've stated before, you never want to play a team twice, and with so much on the line, USC is going to come out with a mighty big chip on their shoulder. Never discount the Utes though, they're looking to defend their only PAC-12 Title and bring the 17th ranked defense into Las Vegas for this game, being played at Allegiant Stadium. The QB battle in this one will be sensational yet agin. In the first round back in October, Utah's Cameron Rising shredded the Trojans' defense for 415 through the air with another 60 yards on the ground and 5 total TDs. Caleb Williams did his own damage for USC by throwing for 381 and 5 TDs while adding another 57 yards on the ground. Both defenses have to contain these playmakers and keep them under pressure. Caleb Williams all but has the Heisman locked in his trophy case at home, but this is the night to truly go out and take it. This should be a fantastic one to watch, but I think Williams has his Heisman moment and the Trojans defeat the Utes 40-38 for a PAC-12 Title and a College Football Playoff spot.

Big XII Conference Championship

#10 Kansas State vs. #3 TCU

     All hail the mighty hypnotoad as they say in Fort Worth these days. This is one game I've been head scratching about all week long. First and foremost, the Horned Frogs have had a sensational season. Even when their backs have been against the wall, they have found a way to finish out and win each game on their schedule. One of those games back in late October was against these very Wildcats of Kansas State. TCU won that game 38-28 with an impressive second half shut out and 11 point deficit erased from halftime. K-State has been tough to beat all season long, and they will be looking for revenge in this one. Will Howard has taken over at QB and the offense has scored 48 and 47 points in back to back games. On the defensive side of the ball, they have blanked two opponents this season, but 3 out of their last 5 have scored at least 27 points. You don't want to get in a shootout with the Frogs because they score and score in a hurry. TCU averages 41.3 points per game and QB Max Duggan has 34 total TDs to his name this season. Another Heisman hopeful, I think Max has a big day in this game. It goes against my number one rule, but the Frogs are the exception this year and they beat K-State for the Big XII Title. TCU 40, Kansas State 28. FROGS!

SEC Championship

#14 LSU at #1 Georgia

     The Tigers had an outside shot at making it into the playoffs up until they got walloped by A&M last weekend. Now they're just looking to play spoiler but Georgia would still go to the playoffs regardless of a loss at this point to be honest. It would make for some interesting conversation, and it is impressive that Brian Kelley was able to get LSU to the SEC Championship game in his first season. QB Jayden Daniels has been fabulous all season, throwing for 2,566 yards with 15 TDs and just 2 picks. He's added another 824 on the ground with 11 TDs. Georgia's defense is fast, but containing Daniels is a different story. On the other side the Bulldogs should be able to put points on the board in this one. LSU's defense is vulnerable and Stetson Bennett seems to pick everyone apart. LSU averages just 2 sacks per game, so if they're unable to make Bennett uncomfortable it could be a long afternoon. Bulldogs win back to back SEC Championships on their way to another Playoff birth as they beat the Tigers 35-17.

ACC Championship

#9 Clemson vs. #23 North Carolina

     The Tigers are looking for their 7th ACC Title in 8 years as they welcome the Tar Heels and their dynamic offense. This is a classic case of unstoppable force meeting an immovable object when we look at UNC's offense against Clemson's defense. Now, there's a bit of an asterisk on that due to both teams losing during rivalry week where Clemson gave up 31 to the rival Gamecocks and UNC scored just 27 points which is 10 below their season average. The Tar Heels were on fire until it ultimately consumed them and they dropped very winnable games to Georgia Tech and NC State over the last couple of weeks. Regardless, Freshman QB Drake Maye has been insane this season with 3,847 yards through the air and 35 TDs to just 5 picks. He's also the team's leading rusher with 629 and 6 TDs. The one man show carried UNC to a 9-win season, but has yet to meet the Clemson defense. Despite a couple of tough losses to Notre Dame and South Carolina, the Tigers have gone unbeaten in ACC play and rank 22nd in total defense. They also have 36 sacks on the season as the defensive line is the core strength of that unit. I would expect them to give the true freshman a nice welcome to the ACC Championship as the Tigers have all been there before. On offense, Clemson has really struggled to find rhythm. My remedy would be to feed RB Will Shipley and let him carry the rock as much as possible. He's on of the best playmakers in open space, but also a tough runner between the tackles. He averages 5.9 yards per carry and has 14 TDs on the season. I think he has a big night and leads the Tigers to their 7th ACC Title. Clemson beats North Carolina with strong defensive play 24-17.

BIG 10 Conference Championship

Purdue vs. #2 Michigan

     The BIG 10 Championship seems to be the most mis-matched out of all the games this weekend, but you never want to discount that spooky train under the lights. Over the past decade, it just seems like a bad idea to play Purdue when you have a shiny little number next to your team's name. Fun fact of the week, Jeff Brohm is actually 3-1 with Purdue when the opponent is ranked in the top 5. The "Spoilermakers" are sure to be looking to have some fun in this game as they make their first appearance in the BIG 10 Championship game. Michigan has been dominant all season, suffocating opposing offenses with a formidable defense and churning out yards on the ground. Unfortunately, star RB Blake Corum is now done for the season after a knee-surgery earlier this week. The Junior racked up nearly 1,500 yards and 18 TDs on the ground and was by far the Wolverine's best weapon. Backup RB Donovan Edwards has 687 yards and 6 TDs on the season, and he gashed the Buckeyes for 216 and 2 of those TDs last week. Purdue struggled to stop the run against Wisconsin and Iowa in a couple of their losses earlier this season, so this will be Michigan's key. Purdue QB Aiden O'Connell is a 6th year player and has done this before. If he plays lights out, the Boilermakers will stay in it. They will need some turnovers to pull the upset though. Michigan played great coverage on Ohio State's receivers last week and I expect them to do the same this week. Look for extra pressure to be put on O'Connell as the Wolverines win back to back BIG 10 Titles. Michigan 31, Purdue 14.

Thanks for reading my conference championship predictions and enjoy your football weekend!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando