December 18th - 21st Bowl Games

     After starting off 5-0 in the opening day of Bowl Games, I look to carry that momentum in to the next set of predictions! Hello and welcome football readers, as we dive deeper into bowl season and begin to find more and more enticing match-ups. This post will focus on the next few days of games and hopefully yield me an even larger lead on my pal Nate, who has started 2-3 this bowl season. Be sure to keep a look out for all our other predictions coming later this holiday season and enjoy the games!

Alex Bowl Record: 5-0
Nate Bowl Record: 2-3


Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl

UAB vs. Northern Illinois

Alex

     This is the only non-New Year's 6 bowl game featuring two conference champions, UAB of the Sunbelt and Northern Illinois of the MAC. NIU is in familiar territory with bowl games, but are looking to end a 5-game bowl loss streak tonight. UAB has never won a bowl game in the program's history, and are looking to avenge last year's 41-6 beat down to fellow MAC team Ohio. The Blazers are led by a tough defense, giving up just 300 yards per game and 17 points on average. The Huskies have been less than impressive on offense this season, averaging just 20 points. The key factor in this game will be NIU star Defensive End, Sutton Smith. He's tied for the lead in the nation with 15 sacks and second in the nation with 24.5 TFL. He's one of the best (and most underrated) defensive players in the nation, and will be looking to cause havoc in the UAB backfield. UAB looks like an enticing team to pick, but I just have a gut feeling about Northern Illinois, they're not a team you want to pick against often. Huskies win down in Boca Raton 27-23.

Nate

     You like defensive struggles right? I mean, just two solid pass rushes sacking everyone out there? Two conference champions looking to cement a great season in stone? Then this is the game for you! NIU has probably the better of the Two defenses, with Sutton Smith and Josh Corcoran combining for 25 out of NIU’s 50 sacks on the season. Expect a slug-fest, but those two NIU players should make the difference in this one.

NIU: 14, UAB: 10

DXL Frisco Bowl

San Diego State vs. Ohio

Alex

     My man Frank Solich is in yet another bowl game and looking to add another victory to his storied legacy at Ohio. They will be taking on the Aztecs from down in San Diego and their rugged run defense. The Aztecs give up just 94.5 rush yards per game on average, ranking 4th in the nation. They will be up for a tough task as Solich has the Bobcat offense rolling in 2018, averaging 41.2 points per game and 470 yards of offense. SDSU's offense has taken a tumble since the departures of their star running backs in the last couple of years, and could find it difficult to hold the ball as the Bobcats rank 9th in the nation in Time of Possession. I'm sticking with Frank Solich in this game, and I think the Bobcats roll big to a Frisco Bowl Victory. Bobcat QB Nathan Rourke should have a big night. Ohio 37, San Diego State 17.

Nate

     Again, this is the ultimate hot hand argument. Did you know that Ohio has won 5 out of 6 games with points scored in those wins being over 45? That’s some dang hot offense. SDSU has lost 4 out of 5, and it looks to be reeling. I’m not saying that this means that much, I haven’t seen much of either of those teams to be honest. But this stat is shocking enough for me to pick the Bobcats.

Ohio: 40, SDSU: 32

Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl

Marshall vs. USF

Alex

     This is an interesting game, not only because of the ridiculous name for the bowl game, but also because both teams have some dynamic players on the offensive sides of the ball. Starting with the opposing QBs, Isiah Green for Marshall has accounted for over 2,200 yards with 15 TDs through the air. His 10 interceptions have caused issues, as he's only completing 55.7% of his passes this year. Blake Barnett, USF's QB, has thrown for nearly 2,500 yards with 11 TDs and 11 Interceptions. He has another 8 TDs and 313 yards on the ground as well, but most of that load is carried by star RB Jordan Cronkrite. The Bulls have lost 5 straight games however, so the Heard will look to keep on Thundering. As I mentioned in my last post, one of the most telling stats of College Football is if you can stop the run. Marshall gives up just 104 rush yards per game while USF yields 245 per game to their opponents. Marshall wins whatever this bowl is 23-17.

Nate

     It’s a Home game for the Bulls, who play in their home stadium. A strange choice, but will be a big boon for the USF team who have faltered during the end point of the season. Marshall good record is a bit of a mirage, as they only have on win against a bowl eligible team, punching around on CUSA cupcakes for the rest of their schedule. I however like their strengths against USF, particularly Marshalls strong Run D vs USF’s middling Ground attack, and I say they pull it off.

Marshall: 17, USF: 14

Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl

FIU vs. Toledo

Alex

     I'm sure I've said this every year now, but I cannot think of a better bowl game to be in than the Bahamas Bowl. Florida International and Toledo are lucky enough to get the trip down to Nassau this year as they square off for the first time in 8 years. The 2010 Little Cesar's Bowl ended with a last second field goal and FIU winning 34-32, so this could get interesting. Panther's QB, James Morgan, is a graduate transfer from Bowling Green, and has dominated down at FIU. He's thrown for 2,727 yards with a 65.3 completion percentage. Morgan has 26 TDs compared to just 7 interceptions and will look to light up the Rockets' 105th ranked pass defense. Toledo does have offense though, so this could be a tight, high-scoring affair. I like the Panthers in this game though, and I expect them to win their first bowl game since the 2010 victory. FIU 38, Toledo 28.

Nate

     We are still in the G5 jungle here, with another pair of teams that I can’t say I have too much of a passing familiarity with. I’m going to pick FIU for one reason only. Turnover margin. FIU has the 12^th fewest turnovers given up in the entire nation, and with Toledo’s offense not being the G5 juggernaut it has been in the last couple of years, that should get FIU that win they’ve been hoping for. FIU: 33, Toledo:30

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Western Michigan vs. BYU

Alex

     After their upset at Wisconsin, the Cougars (and the Badgers for that matter) fell of the CFB map. They're still a physical football team and are looking forward to bringing the wood against the Broncos. Injuries have plagued the Cougars this season, forcing their depth chart to step up. As for Western Michigan, they've dropped off quite a bit since the departure of PJ Fleck. The Broncos still move the ball well, averaging nearly 450 yards and 33 points per game, but their defense has dropped off. I think the Cougars are the tougher team in this match-up, so I'll give the nod to them. BYU tops Western Michigan 28-14.

Nate

It feels like forever ago when BYU was ranked. After that barn burner with Wisconsin, it looked like BYU might have been legit, turns out that both teams aren’t great, who would have thought? But I think they should get back on track with this one. Western Michigan is giving up 50 points a game over the last three games, and while I don’t think BYU will ever get that much, it should have no problem outscoring the Broncos. BYU: 32, Western Michigan: 17

Thank you for reading our Bowl Game Predictions and stay tuned for more to come! GO BIG RED!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando