December 23rd
Popeyes Bahamas Bowl
Eastern Michigan vs. Old Dominion
Alex:
Eastern Michigan has made it to the program's first bowl game since 1987 and ODU is playing in their program's first ever bowl game! What better place to send these two teams than the Bahamas?? If that's my first ever bowl game, I would be stoked. Looking at the game, both teams come in with solid passing attacks lead by veteran QBs. For EMU, Junior QB Brogan Roback has very similar numbers to last season, but the most impressive stat is his 6 interceptions to 11 last year. For ODU, Senior QB David Washington has more than doubled his passing numbers from 2015, and he's posted an impressive 28 to 4 TD to INT ratio. Clearly ball security will be a key in this game, so look for both QBs to make good passes. My focus will be on the ground game however. Eastern Michigan does not run the ball very much, and their leading rusher only has 741 yards and 9 TDs this season. The Monarchs on the other hand have a 1000+ yard rusher with 11 TDs as well as another rusher with 685 yards and 13 TDs. I think their ground game will allow them to control the clock and keep Eastern Michigan off the field. Old Dominion wins 37-31, but both teams still have fun since they're in the Bahamas.
Nate:
Is the Bahamas bowl the greatest destination for a bowl game? It brings me back to watching a video of Central Michigan a couple of years ago celebrating uproariously when they got selected. It sounds like a great time for the players. I know I want to go to the Bahamas… What a great first bowl destination ever for ODU, and for the players from Eastern Michigan, who are attending their first bowl since 1987.
Regardless, looking at the football side of things, it seems on the surface to be a battle between two teams who have been trending opposite directions. After the Eagles started promisingly enough at 5-1, they’ve gone 2-4 to end the season. The Monarchs on the other hand, have ripped off a 5-1 record of their own over the last 6 weeks of the season. Go a little bit deeper and you can find some explanations, ODU played a relatively weak schedule over their last 6 games (20-40 combined opponent win/loss), while EMU played a relatively stronger one (45-32 combined opponent win/loss). Both teams average over 30 points per game and have rather middling defenses, so a shootout feels almost guaranteed. This game will be close, but my gut tells me that momentum has to count for something.
Old Dominion: 45 Eastern Michigan: 42
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
Louisiana Tech vs. #25 Navy
Alex:
Both teams have lost their last two games heading into this bowl game, but I think it stings a little more for Navy. Not only did they lose the American Athletic Conference Championship, but they lost their QB and a number of other players in that game as well. Then, just a week later, they lose to their biggest Rival (Army) for the first time in 15 years. While the Bulldogs are on a skid as well, they have the offensive firepower to turn that script around. Senior QB Ryan Higgins leads a dynamic passing game with his 4200+ yards and 37 to 8 TD to INT ratio. He has two 1400+ yard receivers including one of my favorites, Trent Taylor. Taylor is only 5'8, 178 lbs., but he's one of the career leaders in receptions in all of College Football. I'm not sure if Navy will have the offense to keep up with the Bulldogs late in the game. This game will be a good chance for Navy to get experience for younger players with all the injuries, but Louisiana Tech will be too much. Bulldogs 42, Midshipmen 28.
Nate:
Here is our first sighting of a ranked team, as Navy slots in at number 25. If this game were played a month ago, it would have been one of the bowls with the greatest amount of hype. However both teams are on a two game skid and some unfortunate injuries, especially to Midshipman QB Will Worth, have dampened expectation quite a bit. I don’t mean to sound negative, but I don’t hold much hope in the Midshipman. Zack Abey has had a lot of responsibility thrust onto him, and his results have been less than stellar.
The Bulldogs on the other hand, look to continue to roll. Ryan Higgins has thrown for over 4,000 yards, and has a pair of 1,000-yard receivers, Trent Taylor and Carlos Henderson, to watch out for. Neither defense is anything special, and it seems that Navy will have to match La Tech in points, a feat I just don’t see them achieving with their backup quarterback.
Louisiana Tech: 51 Navy: 39
Dollar General Bowl
Ohio vs. Troy
Alex:
I have not gotten to watch Troy very much this season, but I always keep my eye on former Husker Head Coach Frank Solich and his Ohio Bobcats. Both teams lost close games in their respective conference championships, so they'll be itching to end their seasons on a good note heading into this game. Both teams have been decent on offense throughout the year, but defense has been their strongest point. All but one of Ohio's losses have been 1 score games, so they've been keeping them tight all season. The lone loss that wasn't was their 28-19 game against Tennessee early in the season. Troy has kept most of their games close as well, nearly knocking off Clemson in week 2. I expect both teams to be evenly matched in this game, which means it will likely come down to turnovers. Ohio looked very tough against Western Michigan in the MAC championship, and even forced 2 interceptions from the Broncos star QB Zach Terrell. I'll stick with my Husker and pick Frankie to win the Dollar General Bowl. Bobcats 27, Trojans 25.
Nate:
Another Ex-Husker, Frank Solich, lead his Ohio team to face the Troy Trojans in the Dollar General Bowl down in Mobile, Alabama, which just sounds grungy. It sure isn’t the Bahamas, that’s for sure. The teams themselves are spookily similar. Both teams lost tight games in their respective conference championship games. Not enough? Look at the stats.
Ohio rushes for 175 yards per game, Troy 176. They both allow a tight 22 points per game on D. The tiebreak looks to be the passing game, as the Bobcats let up a bit more than the Trojans do in the air. I really do like rooting for former huskers, especially since I believe we did Solich wrong when he was here. However, stats don’t lie. This should be a close game, but I give Troy the slight edge.
Troy: 24 Ohio: 20
December 24th
Hawai'i Bowl
Hawai'i vs. Middle Tennessee State
Alex:
To a degree, I feel bad for the Rainbow Warriors as they have to play their bowl game in their own stadium and have to stick around their home for their bowl game... but then I remember they're in Hawai'i and I think they'll probably be okay. However, they probably won't be okay on the scoreboard after this game. The Rainbow Warriors have a very poor defense, and with the Blue Raiders lead by Senior RB I'Tavius Mathers, I think Hawai'i will have a lot of trouble in this game. Mathers has over 1500 yards on the ground and 16 TDs, and will be the main focus of Middle Tennessee's offensive attack. I see the Blue Raiders rolling in this game and not looking back. Hawai'i's only chance is to force a couple of turnovers and keep the ball in the hands of their offense. The spread is only 6 points for this game, which I think is generous. I'm going big with the Blue Raiders in this one, Middle Tennessee wins it 59-34.
Nate:
The only bowl that can rival the Bahamas for a destination, The Hawaii bowl features its own team on their own turf. The Rainbow Warriors have lost the last two times they’ve played here, but can they avoid a third? The short answer is no. The long answer is that Hawaii has a defense so bad, they might as well just be putting tackling dummies out there. They give up over 240 yards on the ground, which isn’t so good when the opposition features a 1,500 yard rusher in I’Tavius Mathers (Hell of a name) and who just rushed for a team total of over 400 yards in their final game.
I suppose all is not lost of the Hawaiians, they do have an emerging QB in Dru Brown, who has quietly led the Hawaii passing attack to over 200 yards per game. The Blue raiders find themselves possibly quarterback less, as both their starter and their backups have found the sidelines by the end of the season. Hawaii will score, but that Defense is so porous that I don’t think it will matter, third string QB or not.
Middle Tennessee: 45 Hawaii: 28
December 26th
St. Petersburg Bowl
Miami (OH) vs. Mississippi State
Alex:
The Redhawks are riding one of the most impressive win streaks in all of college football after starting the season 0-6 and finishing the year at 6-6. The heart of this win streak lies with Sophomore QB Gus Ragland. He was out the first six games (probably a big reason why they went 0-6 to start), but since his return he's passed for nearly 1300 yards, 15 TDs and 0 INTs. The no interception stats is absolutely insane, but he'll be up against a very different opponent in Mississippi State in this game. Speaking of State, their season has been up and down, puzzling losses, big blowouts, close games and random upsets (*mock Texas A&M here*). However, Sophomore QB Nick Fitzgerald has been incredible week in and week out. Apart from the opener (which he did not play much in) Fitzgerald has lead the Bulldogs' offense and is the main reason they won as many games as they did. He leads the team in passing with 2287 yards, 21 TDs and 10 picks, but also leads the team in rushing with 1243 yards and 14 more TDs on the ground! This kid will be sensational, mark my words. I'm sticking with the Bulldogs and I'm excited to see where he takes this team in the future. I think the Redhawks keep it closer than the 14 point spread though. Bulldogs win it 40-30 behind a stellar performance by Mr. Fitzgerald. Hail State!
Nate:
Miami (of Ohio) Magic! What a story for the Redhawks, who come into this bowl game as the first ever team to start 0-6 and win its final 6 games to become bowl eligible. Leading the resurgence is QB Gus Ragland, who missed the first 6 games with a knee injury. Surprise-surprise, he hasn’t thrown an interception yet and has tossed 15 touchdowns. I really like this kid. However, while I do like this kid, I think I like Nick Fitzgerald more. The fact that he is the leading passer, throwing for just over 2,000 yards and 21 TDs isn’t surprising, what is surprising is that he is also the leading rusher on the team, running for a cool 1,243 yards on the season. I’m extremely excited to see how he develops during his career
My heart says I should take the Redhawks, for it would be such a great story, I just think Mississippi State is better than any team they will face this year. Sorry heart, I have to follow my head. Mississippi State: 34 Miami (OH): 17
Quick Lane Bowl
Maryland vs. Boston College
Alex:
Our first BIG 10 team of bowl season will be Maryland and they take on the mighty Eagles of BC. I would love to see Maryland start off with a solid win for the conference, but this could be a closer game than I want. The teams are fairly similar on the stat sheet, so I think it will come down to defense. Both teams have struggled quite a bit there, and Maryland lost to Ryker Fyfe (love him since he's a Husker, but he should not be a QB for a program like Nebraska). The Terps do get Perry Hills back after he's been out the past few games so that should give them a big boost. Their biggest focus should be giving him time to throw the ball. If he can sit in the pocket and make his reads, they will have a much easier time winning this game. Boston College has a strong run defense, so the pass game will be important to spread them out. Sophomore Wideout DJ Moore will need to have the ball in his hands. Easily one of the most explosive players in this game, Maryland should look to build their offense around him, not only for the bowl game, but for the next couple years as well.
For BC, they need to find a way to score. Offense has been this team's biggest struggle of the season. Luckily for them, Maryland's defense has been one of their biggest struggles (again, they let Ryker Fyfe throw for over 200 yards on them). Patrick Towles will need some help from the run game to take some of the pressure off. I don't think it will happen however, and the Eagles won't be able to keep up with the Terps in scoring. Maryland wins it 30-14.
Nate:
At least DJ Durkin is having Maryland trending up. Even after spinning out into a 2-6 ending after a promising 4-0 start, he looks to have the program trending up. I mean I have questions as to how much can any non-Ohio state/Michigan program can actually trend up in a division like the Big Ten East, but that is an entirely different can of worms and problems that a lot of people don’t like to think about. Boston College makes a bowl after missing last year, so that’s nice at least.
Was that last paragraph boring? Well, you aren’t the only ones to notice, and yeah, that’s about how I feel about this game. Do you like average rushing attacks and some decent rush defense? Well good, tune right into this one. I know I’m being flippant, especially because the Eagles have a bit more than a decent rush defense; they have a top 10 unit as usual. The sad thing is, as usual BC’s offense is very sub-par. Maryland has their quarterback, Perry Hill, back. Hill, who missed the last 4 games due to injury, has been fairly effective when he hasn’t been hurt. And as Husker fans, we’ve seen Maryland without him, Captain Ryker out-dueled their backup.
Neither of these teams impresses me. But I don’t think Boston College will score enough points, and I think Hill coming back is good enough for the Terps.
Maryland: 17 Boston College: 9
Camping World Independence Bowl
North Carolina State vs. Vanderbilt
Alex:
This is an interesting game because both of these teams came very close to big upsets throughout the year, but did pull of some smaller upsets. Both teams come in at 6-6 with tough schedules behind them. I'm really not sure who to pick in this game, because both teams have looked so similar throughout the year. Both teams have solid rushing attacks lead by Senior Matthew Dayes for NC State and Junior Ralph Webb for Vanderbilt. Dayes has 1119 yards and 10 TDs on the ground while Webb has 1172 yards and 12 TDs. Both offense will have to bring their A game because the opposing defenses on both sides are very difficult to move against. I'm going to go with the commadors in this one because I think they've been very impressive this year. NC State has struggled to finish out games, and Vandy has at times too, but I've got a feeling about the Commodores. Vandy 23, NC State 20.
Nate:
Hey good defenses, nice to see you again. If you like stout defense, this is for you. Both teams have solid units across the board, with the highlight being the Wolfpack’s rush D, clocking in at 5th in the nation. Vandy QB Kyle Shurmer has been killing it over the last two games, tossing a cool 450 against Tennessee to secure bowl eligibility. There are questions as to if that will continue, but Vandy has as good of a chance as any. NC State has a tendency to not close, as their meltdown vs Clemson and almost blowing their game against North Carolina.
I’m actually kind of pumped for this one. Both have some stingy defense, and all right offense. It should be a close game, and unlike Maryland, I actually think Vanderbilt is trending upwards.
Vanderbilt: 20 NC State: 14
Thanks for reading and be ready for more game picks coming soon! GO BIG RED!
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Special Guest: Nate Muhlbach
Alex Fernando
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