December 19th
Miami Beach Bowl
Central Michigan vs. Tulsa
Alex:
There's one thing about Nate you all should know heading into this game... he's also an Oklahoma State Cowboys fan!! So back in the early part of the season, there was this fantastic game between the Cowboys and the Chippewas, with an incredible Hail Mary play to finish off the Central Michigan upset! Now, the officials made some pretty bad calls in that game, and that play technically shouldn't have even been allowed to happen, but since it did, OSU lost and that Hail Mary play is still one of my favorite poking points at Nate! Sorry buddy, just need to remind you as much as possible. Getting back to the game, CMU doesn't stand too much of a chance in this game. Tulsa averages over 40 points on offense, and the Chippewas have struggled to stop anyone all year long. I've got the Golden Hurricanes winning this one big. Tulsa 52, CMU 20.
Nate:
One of the things you will learn about me is that I am an
Oklahoma State fan as well as a Nebraska one. So it takes me great pain to
discuss the team who faithlessly robbed the Pokes of a game. Fair’s fair
though, you have to go into it with an open mind. And that mind says Tulsa will
run with this one. Tulsa averages 41 points per game, while the Chippewa’s give
up more than 28. They have two running
backs over 1,000, and a 1,000 yard receiver. This one looks bad for the Central
Michigan faithful, and I don’t see it improving. I don’t think it will be a
total blowout, but I’m predicting Tulsa going away. Tulsa: 51 Central Michigan:
31
December 20th
Boca Raton Bowl
Memphis vs. Western Kentucky
Alex:
Lot's of high-powered offense and lots of points are expected in this bowl match-up. The Hilltoppers have been nearly unstoppable on offense this season, with QB Mike White throwing for over 4000 yards and posting a 34:6 TD to INT ratio. Plus their RB Anthony Wales has just under 1400 yards rushing this season and 24 TDs! Memphis can score points too however, but their defense is the question mark. They lost two of their last 5 games, and in both of the losses, they gave up 59 points to Tulsa (again, Central Michigan will struggle today) and 49 points to USF. If they can keep pace with WKU's scoring, they may be able to pull the upset (that's how they beat Houston during rivalry week), but I think the Hilltoppers are too much. They did lose their coach as he moved onto take the head coaching job at Purdue, but I think the team will still be ready. I've got the Hilltoppers in a solid 45-28 win. I'm slightly biased because I've always enjoyed watching their offense work, but I think this is a smart pick!
Nate:
Ready for and Explosion of Offense? Memphis and western
Kentucky will give you all you want and more, as they have the 17th
and 2nd ranked scoring offense respectively. When both teams score
this much, it is a bit of a toss up, but I do think Memphis has the stronger
defense, despite have the lesser offence. The Hilltoppers are also missing
their coach Jeff Brohm, who jumped ship to Purdue so he could lead the 5th
best team in the Big Ten West every year. Memphis: 42 Western Kentucky 38
December 21st
San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
BYU vs. Wyoming
Alex:
This was one of my most anticipated match-ups of Bowl Season because both teams have played really well throughout the year and it will be a fun game to watch. Sophomore QB Jared Allen of Wyoming struggled when I saw him play in Lincoln with 5 picks, but if you look beyond that stat, he honestly played okay against the Blackshirts. Since that game in Lincoln, Allen has really stepped up his game and lead the Cowboys to a Mountain Division Crown and nearly knocked off San Diego State again for the Mountain West Conference Title. I think it will take another year or two for Allen to be extremely dangerous, be he grew by leaps and bounds as I watched him this season. On the other side, BYU has lost their star QB Taysom Hill to injury yet again. However, I thought Tanner Mangum should have been starting all year, so now I get my wish. Magnum has great game experience and knows how to lead the offense. BYU's biggest asset will be their defense, as they love to blitz and cause pressure. Again, I think it will be another year for Allen before he really surprises the football world, and the extra pressure from BYU won't help. I'll take the Cougars in a closer game than people might think. BYU 34, Wyoming 30.
Nate:
Hey! A team I have first hand experience with! When Wyoming
played Nebraska all the way back in week two, saying they looked less than
stellar is an understatement. But that has all been erased. They finished on a
hot streak including an upset of Boise State, losing a heart-breaker to SDSU in
the Mountain West Championship game. BYU might be even hotter though. After
starting 1-3, they have reeled off 7 of 8 and look like a team on a mission.
Starter Taysom Hill is done for the season (again), but as people who watched
them both years could tell you, its not a big secret that backup Tanner Mangum
is better. BYU: 28 Wyoming: 13
December 22nd
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Alex:
Idaho has to play a bowl game in their home state, but the last two times they've been in this bowl, they've won! Sadly, this could be the last time they play in a bowl game as they are moving down a division in football after this year. I would love to say they'll go out with a bang and upset CSU, but that's going to be difficult to accomplish. The Rams have won 4 out of their last 5 games, and the only loss was a 3 point game to Air Force on the road. Their offense has proven to be one of the better ones in the Mountain West, and I think Idaho will struggle to move against their defense as well. The Vandals' offense runs through Junior QB Matt Linehan who can be hot or cold depending on the day. He's thrown 15 TDs this season, but 10 picks as well and only completes an average of just 61.5% for his passes. He'll have to have a big game to upset the Rams. I'll be rooting for Idaho, because c'mon, it's their first bowl in 7 years and it's their last one, but I think the Rams are too much. Colorado State wins it 38-21. Won't be mad if I miss this pick though!
Nate:
Colorado State will come into this game trying to leverage
its solid rushing attack, averaging over 220 yards per game, good for 31st
in the FBS. Idaho has a solid passing
attack lead by quarterback Matt Linehan, but their rushing attack sits
comfortably in the bottom quarter of the FBS, of which it would seem to be
unable to attack the Ram’s similarly poor rush defense. It should be an
emotional game for the Vandals, as this probably will be their last bowl game
ever before they drop down to FCS, but it seems like they match up wrong
against Colorado State, and that is hard to overcome. Colorado State: 35 Idaho: 20
Thanks for reading our picks and enjoy the games! Be watching because we'll have more coming out soon! GO BIG RED!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Special Guest: Nate Muhlbach
Alex Fernando
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