December 17 Bowl Games

     Hey everyone! I hope you've all had a pleasant couple of weeks since the bowls were announced! I've been hitting the books with all my finals this week, but since I'm all done I figured there's nothing better than to get started up on my bowl game picks! I'm going to mix it up a bit with the bowl game picks this year, as my friend Nate Muhlbach will be making guest picks right here on my blog! The two of us have a lot of classes together with our broadcasting majors and always love talking football. We're even going to ask to have our own sports talk radio show next year! So be sure to read about both our picks and keep up on who makes better selections (hopefully I come out on top)! Enjoy!!
QUICK DISCLAIMER: My computer went a little crazy last night and did not save all of my write ups for each game. I apologize, but I had to quickly summarize what I had written, so this one will just have primarily score predictions from me. Sorry!

     Hey guys. Thanks Alex a bunch for letting me come on here and preach to you guys, it takes a big man to invite someone who will make more right picks than he will onto his platform. (I kid, I kid) Regardless of jokes, I do look forward to this bowl season, we have a ton of good match-ups, and we shall see the best man win. (Me)

December 17th Bowl Games

Gildan New Mexico Bowl

 New Mexico Lobos vs. Texas San Antonio Roadrunners

Alex:
     For the second year in a row, the poor kids at UNM will play their destination bowl game... at home. I mean, New Mexico in December doesn't sound to terrible, but at least let them go somewhere and have the experience of traveling to a new destination for a game. Nonetheless, this "neutral site game" on their home turf pits them against the Roadrunners from UTSA. New Mexico is the early favorite with an 8 point spread, and with how well they run the ball, I think that's a generous spread for UTSA. The Lobos average 360 yards rushing per game, and the Roadrunners give up nearly 200 yards per game on average. If New Mexico controls the clock with the ground game, I don't think UTSA will have enough successful possessions to keep pace with the Lobos. The Roadrunners will need to have balanced, time consuming drives to give their defense a chance to rest, but I think the Lobos get it done. UNM 34, UTSA 20.

Nate:

     When looking at two teams that you haven’t watched at all, the best place to go it looking at the stats. New Mexico has two running backs, Teryion Gipson and Tyrone Owens, both rush for over 1000 yards. UTSA has none. It might be disappointing playing the New Mexico Bowl for the second time in a row, but it is basically a home game for the Lobos. Vegas says they are a seven point favorite, and looking at the stats, it seems good enough for me. New Mexico: 21 UTSA: 14

Las Vegas Bowl Presented by Geico

Houston vs. San Diego State

Alex:
     I like this match-up a lot because it has two dark horse Heisman candidates facing off against each other. Greg Ward Jr. is a very dynamic dual threat QB, and has 31 total TDs this season, and SDSU RB Donnel Pumphrey is just 108 yards away from becoming the all time FBS rushing leader. With Houston only giving up 97 rushing yards per game, he could have some trouble finding room. However, SDSU's biggest advantage is how the Cougars must be feeling after Head Coach Tom Herman bolted and took over at Texas. They struggled this season after being picked as a possible playoff buster, and I'm not sure if they'll be fully motivated in this game. I'm taking the Aztecs 39-31.

Nate:

     Houston we have a problem. (Clever joke rite?) What a mess of a once promising season. Houston finished 6^th in their division yet they beat 2 ranked teams. What a cluster. They have no coach, and even freshman all-American Ed Oliver can’t stop what appears to be a downward spiral. I think the Coogs are a better team than SDSU, but not by as much as people think. I’ll still pick them to win, but don’t be shocked if I’m wrong here. (This doesn’t apply to Alex, you should never be shocked when he is wrong.) Houston: 41 SDSU: 38

Raycom Media Camellia Bowl

Appalachian State vs. Toledo

Alex:

     Lots of offense faces off against lots of defense. Toledo's high-scoring offense will face off against one of the better scoring defenses in the country. I think Toledo runs away with this one and the Mountaineers can't quite keep up. Rockets win 38-28.

Nate:

     This game will feature a pretty strong unit match-up, as Toledo is the 18^th ranked scoring offence, while App state cracks down with the 7^th ranked scoring Defense, allowing only 17 points per game. Both of their respective opposite units are solid, but nothing special. Another game that I find to be a tossup, but a personal preference when comparing a good offence to a good defense is to always take the D (Raise your hand if you took the Panthers in last years super bowl!) App State 24 Toledo 17

Autonation Cure Bowl

Alex:

     Scott Frost has really turned the UCF program around in just the 1 short year he's been Head Coach. Going from 0-12 to a possible 7-6 with a bowl win would be a fantastic feat! I like his chances against the Red Wolves and it's always good to root for a former Husker! Knights win it 30-24.

Nate:

     What a turnaround for the Knights. From 0-12 to 6-6, new coach and ex husker Scott Frost has really whipped them into shape.  The defense has been the most improved, going from almost last to in the top half of the FBS in only one year. I don’t know much about the Red Wolves, but they are 6-0 when they score over 30 points and 1-5 when they don’t. UCF allows around 24 points per game, so this might be a close one. I think I like UCF here straight up in a pick 'em, but scoring wise, I’m a little less sure of myself. UCF: 28 Arkansas State: 24

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

Southern Miss vs. Louisiana Lafayette

Alex:

     When I did have all my stats (so mad about my computer deleting all my work), I talked a lot about how this game would be tough for Lafayette to stick around in. The Golden Eagles average close to 300 passing yards per game, and the Ragin' Cajuns give up around 240. I've got Southern Miss going big in this game. Golden Eagles 40, Ragin' Cajuns 21.

Nate:

     Hooray for another two teams that I never got around to watching a game on this past year (for shame me). Looking at the stats, the Cajuns have had a bumpy year, but they do have a 1,000 yard rusher in Elijah McGuire. The quarterback for the Eagles, Nick Mullens, had a solid season, passing for almost 3,000 yards in the air. The defenses are similar, but LA-Lafayette has the better numbers across the board.  Another tight one, but again, comparable teams, pick the Defense.

Louisiana-Lafayette: 21 Southern Miss: 17

Again, I apologize I could not have my full write ups on each game, but at least it's only for a few of them! Thanks to Nate for joining me, I know it'll be a good competition (still thinking of a prize, feel free to comment suggestions). Be on the look out for more of our game predictions as we'll make them on every single bowl game! Happy Bowl Season and GO BIG RED!!

#CollegeFootballKnowItAll

Special Guest: Nate Muhlbach

Alex Fernando