Walk-On's Independence Bowl
Southern Miss vs. Florida State
Alex
One of the possible Final 4 contenders from week 1 skidded to a disappointing 6-6 record as their coach ran off to find a big pay day in another Power 5 Conference. The 6-6 is even in question as one of their wins is against an FCS team, so the 'Noles probably shouldn't even be here. Nonetheless, they are matched up against the Golden Eagles of Southern Miss, and look to get back on track for next year. Freshman QB James Blackman has had his ups and downs, but for a true Freshman, I thought he played well this season. Especially when you consider that he was sacked 29 times this season. The Seminoles' offensive line was practically non-existent all season, leading to very poor protection. The only bright spot was their sub-par rushing game lead by the two-headed rushing monster of Cam Akers (930 yards) and Jacques Patrick (687). The Golden Eagles are ranked 27th in rush defense nationally however, and give up just around 130 per game on average. Their primary play maker is Senior RB Ito Smith, who has nearly 4,500 career rushing yards. I would expect FSU to get a heavy dose of Smith running at them, leading to opportunities for QB Kwadra Griggs to air it out. Griggs only has 2 picks this season, but he'll be throwing against a much tougher secondary that features possible 1st-rounder Safety Derwin James. My biggest issue with picking this game is that FSU was HAPPY to have Jimbo leave. Numerous players said they would leave if he had stayed, so they may be more motivated in this game rather than the typical attitude we see from teams losing a coach. I would like to see the upset, just to mess with FSU's season even more, but they'll probably take this one. Seminoles 33, Golden Eagles 20. This could be a weird game.
Nate
Florida State is technically not eligible for this game. In the weirdest story of the season, it was found by social media of all places that the Seminoles weren’t eligible for the post season because of an FCS team they played didn’t meet the requirements to count as a win. But even through this mix up, they were still allowed to compete, probably because money. But it’s too bad for Southern Miss that the ‘Noles will still play, because expect them to roll this game. I don’t know if it will be a complete blowout but I would expect the ‘Noles to hit them with the one two punch of Cam Akers and Jacques Patrick on the ground. While James Blackman has had some freshman blues this season, but expect him to come alive sooner or later against lesser talent. I don’t think this will be a blowout, but expect the ‘Noles to pull away sooner or later.
Florida State: 30, Southern Miss: 18
New Era Pinstripe Bowl
Iowa vs. Boston College
Alex
Tough ground attacks will battle it out in Yankee Stadium as the Hawkeyes square off against the Eagles. Neither team has been overly impressive this year, but Iowa does have their 31-point beat down over Ohio State. Boston College has hung around with a lot of teams in the early parts of the game, but fail to get a lot moving in the second half. That's where I think we draw the line here between these surprisingly similar teams. While I do think BC RB AJ (that was a lot of double letters) Dillon will get his yards (1,432 yards so far this year), I don't think it will be enough to over come Iowa's play-makers. Defensive stars like LB Josey Jewell and DB Josh Jackson should hold the Eagles to a lack-luster performance while Iowa RB Akrum Wadley pushes through a sturdy but breakable Boston College run defense. A couple of mediocre throws down field by Stanley should seal this one. Iowa 37, Boston College 22.
Nate
This game feels like a toss up if I’ve ever seen it. Teams
are 7-5, both teams are within the same sphere of statistical categories, with
Iowa leading Boston College by about 10 places in them, and they both have
similar run first game plans. When two teams are this evenly matched, I tend to
go by the star players. And that is a category that I just feel like Iowa has
more of. I can’t see Josey Jewell, perennial award snub, and Josh Jackson (aka
Desmond King 2.0) will show up big time and show the Eagles what’s up.
Iowa: 27, Boston College: 24
Foster Farm's Bowl
Arizona vs. Purdue
Alex
The Boilermakers are bowling once again in their first season under Jeff Brohm. He's ignited their offense and solidified their defense into a respectable team. They easily could have more wins, losing a tough opener late against Lamar Jackson and Co., hanging with Wisconsin, losing a dumb one to Rutgers and outplaying Nebraska at home, but losing in the final seconds. Arizona on the other hand, either blows you out or gets blown out. Sophomore standout QB Khalil Tate has impressed everyone this season, taking over mid way and absolutely running WILD. After his break-out 327 yard rushing performance against Colorado, he's racked up 1,353 yards and 12 TDs on the ground as well as 1,289 yards trough the air with 9 more TDs and 8 picks. The biggest issue for the Wildcats as I mentioned, was getting blown out themselves. They rank 117th in total defense, so expect a lot of points in this one. Khalil Tate has been fun to watch, but I have a feeling about Purdue in this game. Arizona has struggled late this season, and I think their youth will benefit them next year, but hurt them in this bowl game. BOILER UP! Purdue 34, Arizona 30.
Nate
Are we going to Boiler up? Unfortunately, I don’t think so.
Arizona is 3rd in the nation in rushing; going for almost 324 yards
per game, and while Purdue has a rather stout, standing about 29th
in the nation allowing only 130 yards per contest. But I doubt a middling
Purdue offense can get it done. Khalil Tate should finish off the Boilermakers
by himself, but congrats to Jeff Brohm and his team, they are on the up and up.
Arizona: 28, Purdue: 14
Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl
Texas vs. Missouri
Alex
This may be one of the most disgusting match-ups I have ever encountered... sorry, that's just my Husker fan in me. Still though, I won't enjoy picking either of these teams in this one. All season long, people have wanted to say "Texas is back", especially since new Head Coach Tom Herman is in town. However, they didn't quite have the turnaround they were looking for. Falling to a 6-6 record with a couple of close losses, to very good teams (USC, OU and OSU). Freshman QB Sam Ehlinger, the hometown kid, has been the bright spot of this season, throwing for 1,803 yards with 10 TDs. He's had plenty of Freshman mistakes, resulting in 7 picks, but his scrambling ability has helped the Longhorns more than anything else this season. The Tigers come in with one of the hottest offenses in the nation, averaging nearly 40 points and over 500 yards per game. Junior QB Drew Lock has thrown for 3,695 yards and an impressive 43:12 TD to INT ratio. However, he did just lose his Offensive Coordinator Josh Heupel as he took the UCF opening from Scott Frost's departure. This could be the biggest story-line in the game because Texas has a very tough defense as it is. Middle Linebacker Malik Jefferson is a monster, with 110 total tackles this season. The Longhorns are extremely banged up and will be without some talent, but I think they'll pull this off. Missouri will look lost without their OC and that's where Texas can take it. Longhorns Hook'em 31-27.
Nate
This is a game between two strange teams. Texas has looked
absolutely amazing in many respects this season, such as close games against
teams like USC and Oklahoma. But then they also looked hapless against bad
teams too. Missouri is 7-0 against non-bowling teams and 0-5 against bowling
teams. I don’t think they will lose a sixth. First of all, Texas is depleted,
they are down two starting secondary members and a o-lineman for draft related
reasons, and the Texas o-line has already had its share of problems without
their best player. Jeff Lock will make a strained Longhorn Secondary pay, and I
expect Missouri to take this game.
Missouri 38, Texas: 20
Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman
Virginia vs. Navy
Alex
Virginia has lost 5 of their last 6 games, but their 1 victory was against a triple-option team... coincidence? Nope. Georgia Tech ran the ball fine in that game, but got a little pass happy and that lead to 2 picks. The Cavaliers have a decent offense to keep up with teams, but may struggle to find any time with the ball in this one. Navy ranks 1st in the nation for Time of Possession, holding the ball for nearly 36 minutes on average. Junior QB Zach Abey leads the Midshipmen attack with 1,325 yards and 14 TDs on the ground, followed by Sophomore RB Malcolm Perry (1,068 yards and 9 TDs). I've enjoyed watching Virginia all season, and I think Kurt Benkert is a solid QB, but I'm taking Navy in this game. I think their ground game will take over late in the game and finish off the Cavs. Midshipmen win it to go 2-0 for the military academies. Navy 33, Virginia 23.
Nate
It’s going to be hard to compete with Navy’s collection of
rushing talent this game. Both Zach Abbey and Malcolm Perry are 1,000 yards
rushers, and for a Cavalier rushing defense that has given up close to 200 yard
games in each of the last six contests. For Virginia, Kurt Benkurt is pretty
good, throwing for 3000 yards and 25 touchdowns. Potential NFL talent for
Virginia like safety Quin Blisling will be playing, so I kind of like Virginia
here.
Virginia: 27, Navy: 20
Camping World Bowl
#22 Virginia Tech vs. #19 Oklahoma State
Alex
Our first ranked match-up features the Hokies of VA Tech and the Pokes of Oklahoma State. Nate is all excited that at least one of his teams made a bowl game, and I'm sure this was an easy pick for him. As for me, this pick is quite easy as well. I think Virginia Tech is on the rise, and Freshman QB Josh Jackson will definitely be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come. However, their youth, especially on offense, will be their downfall in this one. Oklahoma State is too high-powered and too experienced to keep up with. My neighbor Ryan Dial (Big Cowboy fan) says they've got this in the bag, and having watched Mason Rudolph this year, I don't doubt it. Tech might hang around early, but the Pokes will take this one 36-24. Look for tough defense early on from the Hokies though, they are ranked 11th in total defense.
Nate
All right, now this is more like it. We got the first big
game between ranked teams, and who better than my second favorite team Oklahoma
State. Okie State ranks 3rd
in scoring offense with over 46 points per game. Led by offensive superstars
Mason Rudolph, who threw for 575 yards per game. Justice Hill, their 1000 yard
rusher, should lead the way on the ground too. Virginia Tech is a competent
team, but they lack the offensive capacity to stay up with the Pokes, even
against a rather mediocre defense.
Oklahoma State 42, Virginia Tech 28
Valero Alamo Bowl
#13 Stanford vs. #15 TCU
Alex
The Frogs had so much potential, but could not live up to they hype in this season. The funny thing is that's almost the same story-line for Stanford. Both teams are runner-ups in their respective conferences, and couldn't quite get over the hump of finishing off other teams. Apart from the early season loss to USC, Stanford lost their other 3 games by 3 points each. TCU fell short against a surprising Iowa State team, and were no match for Baker Mayfield and OU in their two meetings. So what does each team need to do to win this game? It's quite simple actually; for Stanford, hand the ball to Bryce Love, and for TCU, stop Bryce Love. Okay, maybe the second one isn't so simple, because Love is the nation's 2nd leading rusher and very difficult to bring down. TCU does rank 4th in rush defense, giving up just 99 yards per game on average, but in their two losses to Oklahoma, they gave up 418 yards combined (200 & 218). They may be able to slow Bryce Love down, but I doubt they'll stop him. Frog QB Kenny Hill will lead the offense against a mediocre Cardinal defense, but I'm not sure it will be enough. Plus, I am a huge fan of KJ Costello at QB for Stanford, that kid is going to be phenomenal next year! I think he'll make some big plays for them in this bowl and finish off the Horned Frogs. Stanford wins this one 30-21.
Nate
This is a classic unstoppable force vs. immovable object
game. As the 4th rated rushing defense of TCU comes up against the
monster rusher and Heisman Runner up Bryce Love. Stanford and TCU both don’t have too strong
of a passing defense, both hovering around 60th in the nation. But
don’t expect either Keller Chyrst or Kenny Hill to put too much fear into the
defense either. This feels like a game that comes down to who comes better-prepared
and ready. I think it will be Stanford.
Stanford 27, TCU: 20
San Diego Credit Union Holiday Bowl
#18 Washington State vs. #16 Michigan State
Alex
I like this match-up a lot because these have been two of the most polarizing teams in all of college football this season. Statistically, it looks like Wazzu should blow the Spartans out of the water. But Senior QB Luke Falk has two sides, and you never know which will show up. There's the NFL-caliber side, where he'll throw for 400+ yards, 5 TDs and complete more than 73% of his passes (i.e. Nevada game), or there's the BENCH HIM side where he still throws for over 250, but throws 5 picks instead of TDs (i.e. Cal game). The Cougars also have a fairly tough defense, but give up blowout performances like Arizona (58-37 loss) or Washington (41-14 loss). On the other side, you look at the Spartans and think; "this is a solid team". Brian Lewerke has been impressive at QB, passing for 2,580 yards, 17 TDs and 7 picks while also rushing for 486 and 5 more TDs. RB LJ Scott has fallen off a bit in production from a year ago, but is still a durable back that will get you the yards needed most of the time. The true stats lie with the Spartan defense, always tough, and giving up just 20 points per game on average. They've had some puzzling losses as well, like a 48-3 beat down to Ohio State just 1 week after upsetting Penn State, but hey, that's College Football in a nutshell. I picked Wazzu for my Dark Horse Playoff team and they failed me. I picked Wazzu to upset Washington and go to the Pac-12 Championship game and they failed me. I'm going to pick Wazzu to LOSE to Michigan State and they'll probably fail me and win just because. Oh well, Sparty takes this one 33-21.
Nate
Washington State has had a disappointing end to this season,
going 3-3 after starting 6-0. For both
it and its opponent, Michigan State, they have this weird weakness where they
both get weak against their opponents strength. Michigan State has been lit up
by good QBs this year, 400 to McSorly and Barrett. Washington state got
manhandled by Washington’s rushing attack, and Lewerke should get the job done.
I think that Michigan State’s secondary should get tired first though, and I
feel it will be hard to play comeback.
Washington State: 38 Michigan State: 20
Thanks for reading all of our bowl predictions and stay tuned because we've got more big games to come! Happy Holidays and enjoy the games! GO BIG RED!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Special Guest: Nate Muhlbach
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