Welcome to Bowl Season Football fans! As usual, I will have my regular slate of Bowl Game Predictions, and I've brought back my roommate and podcast partner, Nate Muhlbach, to challenge me in predictions. He bested me last year, halting my run for a three-peat, so this year is all about payback. This post has the first 10 bowl predictions, enjoy!
Regular Season Final Prediction Record: 126-60 (67.74%)
Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl
Buffalo vs. Charlotte
ALEX
Charlotte has made their first bowl game in program since joining the FBS, and have won five straight games. The Bulls have won five of their last six, and are lead by a dynamic rushing attack with Sophomore RB, Jaret Patterson. Patterson is sixth in the nation with 1,626 rushing yards and has 17 TDs on the ground this year. The 49ers haven't been the best on defense this season, and give up nearly 200 yards per game on the ground. I anticipate Patterson having a big day on the ground down in the Bahamas, and the Bulls win this one 33-21.
NATE
The Bahamas is not a bad landing spot for the Charlotte 49ers, who have notched their first bowl appearance and first winning season in only their 7th year in D1 football. They will match-up with another team looking for their first ever bowl win, Buffalo. Buffalo will be led by Jarrett Patterson, a first team MAC running back. Patterson and 12 other All-MAC players will push Buffalo to their first win against the 49ers. Buffalo: 28, Charlotte: 20
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl
Utah State vs. Kent State
ALEX
The Golden Flashes finished their 2019 regular season on a hot streak, winning their final three games to become bowl eligible at 6-6. This is just the forth Bowl Game in Kent State school history, and it will feature a pair of dual-threat QBs. Dustin Crum, Junior QB for the Flashes, has been stellar this season, throwing for more than 2,300 yards with an impressive 18 to 2 TD to INT ratio. Crum has also added another 560 yards on the ground with 5 TDs to be the leading rusher for Kent State. Jordan Love, Junior QB for the Aggies, struggled a bit this season after the departure of Matt Wells. His completion percentage dropped by four percent from 2018, and the 32 to 6 TD to INT ratio from last season turned into a disappointing 17 to 16 in 2019. He's still a threat whenever the Aggies have the ball though, and I think he'll have a big game to boost momentum for 2020. Utah State wins the Frisco Bowl 37-28.
NATE
Jordan Love hasn’t quite been able to replicate his 2018 season, posting a 17/16 TD to INT ratio, but he still remains one of the more potent dual threat QBs in CFB. I think that makes them primed to abuse a Kent State defense ranked 120th in total defense. Congrats to the Golden Flashers for their second bowl game since 1972, but I think Utah State pulls away in this one. Utah State: 41, Kent State: 24
New Mexico Bowl
Central Michigan vs. San Diego State
ALEX
Jim McElwain is in his first season coaching the Chippewas, and already has a conference championship appearance and a trip to New Mexico set for the bowl game. His team has a top 30 offense with a balanced attack, led by Senior QB Quinten Dormandy. Dormandy and company will be up against their toughest test of the season though, as San Diego State boasts the 5th best defense in the nation. The Aztecs give up just 12.8 points per game on average, and hold teams under 75 yards per game on the ground. Only the Cowboys of Wyoming have scored more than 20 against SDSU, so I anticipate this being a close game. Defense wins [New Mexico Bowl] Championships, right? Aztecs 26, Chippewas 21.
NATE
Jim McElwain may have flamed out in Florida, but he has turned around Central Michigan from 1 win to 8 in his first year. A good offensive line and stellar play from Tennessee transfer Quentin Dormandy has lead to a great offense. SDSU has a top 20 defense and special teams unit, but their offense is a pitiful 128th in the nation. A strange game, but I think SDSU drags the Chippewas down to their level and beat them there. SDSU: 17, Central Michigan: 13
FBC Mortgage Cure Bowl
Liberty vs. Georgia Southern
ALEX
This game features two teams with very different offensive game plans. Liberty likes to air it out, and Senior QB Stephen Calvert has nearly 3,400 passing yards on the season with an impressive 26 to 5 TD to INT ratio. The Eagles on the other side love to run the ball. They average over 250 yards per game on the ground, and will look to control the clock, limiting Calvert's opportunities. Liberty gives up around 230 yards on the ground per game, and I'm a sucker for a good run game. Georgia Southern wins this bowl game 27-20.
NATE
I would hate for all the stats to point to the Flames here, but thankfully, I think that Georgia Southern makes a good case. Liberty has an atrocious defense, ranked in the bottom 30 in the country, and especially against the run (88), which is the Eagles primary mode of attack. Stephen Calvert is a solid quarterback, but i think Georgia Southern pulls it out in a tight one. Georgia Southern: 30, Liberty: 24
Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl
SMU vs. FAU
ALEX
The Owls of FAU have home field advantage for this bowl game, as it is played in their home stadium. However, they will be without Head Coach Lane Kiffin, as he moved onto Oxford, Mississippi to coach the Rebels (and of course Tony the Landshark). Without Kiffin calling the shots, there won't be as many fireworks as originally anticipated in this match-up. SMU fell short of a New Year's Six Bowl Bid and an American Conference Championship appearance after close losses to Memphis and Navy, but the Ponies are not a team many want to take a ride with. Ex-Longhorn QB Shane Buechele has found another home in Texas, and is thriving, throwing for more than 3,600 yards this season with 33 TDs and 9 picks. FAU QB Chris Robinson is no slouch either, with nearly 3,400 yards, 26 TDs and just 6 picks. However, talent across the roster favors SMU, and I think Sonny Dykes has this team on the rise. Buechele and that dynamic receiving corps will do some damage in this game. Ponies 43, Owls 35.
NATE
SMU was the G5 darling at the beginning of the season, racing out to a 6-0 start before a pair of one touchdown losses to Navy and Memphis dampened that a bit. Still, at 10-2, they have a killer passing attack under Sonny Dykes. They will face Conference USA champion Florida Atlantic, another good team. This should be a shootout, but I have my tested “Don’t pick a G5 team after their coach leaves for another job” theory in place. And after Lane Kiffin leaves for Ole Miss, I will pick the Mustangs. SMU: 40, FAU: 30
Camellia Bowl
FIU vs. Arkansas State
ALEX
This should be an interesting game as not much is known about either team. FIU did upset Miami at home in late November, but have been up and down all season, sitting at 6-6. The Red Wolves finished 7-5, but won four of their last five games. They love to air it out, and with a stud like Senior Wide Receiver Omar Bayless catching the passes, they should have no problem with that. FIU does play solid defense against the air raid, ranking 6th in the nation against the pass, but they have yet to face Bayless. He's second in the nation with 1,473 yards receiving and 16 TDs. His 6'3 frame will help him create space from the defenders and I imagine he'll boost his draft stock after a big performance in the bowl game. Red Wolves win 40-28.
NATE
This is a strange one. FIU has a putrid offense, averaging under 6 yards a play all season, but Arkansas State has the 105th ranked defense. The Red Wolves have a good passing attack, complete with one of the nation’s leader in receiving yards, Omar Bayless (1,473). But FIU actually has a good secondary, as they are only 35th in yards allowed. I think Arkansas State pulls it out, but this could be a weird one. Ark State: 28, FIU: 17
Mitsubishi Las Vegas Bowl
#19 Boise State vs. Washington
ALEX
Easily the most exciting match-up of the early bowl season, Chris Petersen's final game coaching the Huskies, against the program he built into a national brand and powerhouse. The Broncos come into this game with one tough loss at BYU, which likely held them out of the New Year's Six. Other than that, they haven't had too many issues with their opponents as they average 36.8 points per contest. These teams stack up really well against each other, and I'm excited to watch this game. Defense will be a key factor, and both teams rank in the top 40 in total defense statistically. Run games will be stuffed and QBs will be under a lot of heat, not just Vegas heat. This one could come down to the wire, but there's no way Petersen could go out with a loss! Jacob Eason finishes the game with an impressive drive and the Huskies pull out a Vegas Bowl victory 31-27.
NATE
Hey, the first P5 team! Washington had a high-key disappointing season, as prized transfer Jacob Eason disappointed, and incredible coach Chris Peterson retired. For the Huskies, they need some good news heading into next year. They play maybe the second best G5 team in the country, #19 Boise State. This should be a match-up that Boise rolls, but I’ve seen too many games in which a heavily favored G5 team loses to a mediocre P5 team, Boise State among them. I’m picking the Huskies. Washington: 28, Boise State: 23
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
#20 Appalachian State vs. UAB
ALEX
For a team that took away their football program just a few years ago, UAB has been very impressive since joining the ranks once again. This is the team's third straight bowl game after only having one bowl appearance in history prior to Bill Clark's revival of the team. The Blazers have been solid this season, and especially tough on defense. They rank 9th in the nation statistically, and give up around 20 points per game on average. Unfortunately, they are against another team that was narrowly defeated only once this season, causing them to miss out on a New Year's Six opportunity. The Mountaineers of App State roll into New Orleans ranked #20, and have one of the most dynamic offensive attacks in the nation... that you never knew of. Junior QB Zac Thomas is in his second year as the starter, and threw for an extra 500 yards and 5 TDs compared to his Sophomore season. He's helped by the Mountaineers' start RB, Darrynton Evans, who has 1,323 yards and 17 TDs on the ground this season. Their head coach, Eliah Drinkwitz, has moved on to coach the Missouri Tigers, but I think there's too much of a talent gap for UAB to pull the upset. They'll keep it close for a little while, but the Mountaineers win fairly easy in the Big Easy. App State 33, UAB 17.
NATE
UAB may have had some oops against FAU in the CUSA title game, but Bill Clark has got the Blazers going on defense. As they rank top 5 in both defending the pass and run. They face a balanced App State, who rates in the top 30 for both sides of the ball. The balanced attack should keep App State ahead and stay ahead. App State: 23, UAB: 17
Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl
UCF vs. Marshall
ALEX
The Golden Knights have fallen off a bit this season at 9-3, but their offense is still as deadly as ever. Freshman QB Dillion Gabriel has taken over Orlando by storm, throwing for nearly 3,400 yards with a 27 to 7 TD to INT Ratio. Junior Wideout Gabriel Davis has 12 of those TDs, and I anticipate the two of them will make quick work of Marshall's middle of the road (67 out of 130) pass defense. The Herd will look to Thunder-on behind the Sophomore duo of QB Isiah Green and RB Brenden Knox, who have a combined 29 touchdowns on the season. They'll do some damage, but they're not quite ready for the upset yet. Watch out for The Herd in the next couple seasons though!
UCF 48, Marshall 21.
NATE
Its strange for a 9-3 to be a disappointing season, but for UCF it was an interesting ride. Dillon Gabriel has been incredible for them, tossing only 2 interceptions in the final 6 games. They also rush for close to 2 touchdowns on the ground per game. Marshall is no slouch, but I love Gabriel, and think the Knights will get it done. UCF: 38, Marshall: 28
Sofi Hawai'i Bowl
Hawai'i vs. BYU
ALEX
Another team with home field advantage are the Rainbow Warriors of Hawai'i. They will be facing an old rival, the BYU Cougars in Aloha Stadium on Christmas Eve. This should be a very entertaining game, as you never really know what you're going to get from these teams. BYU finally found their identity with sophomore QB Zach Wilson, but he's had an up and down year, throwing for just 2,108 yards with 11 TDs and 7 picks. They have struggled to run the ball in most games, but Wilson usually makes some big plays happen with his legs. On the other side, Hawai'i has been having some Colt Brennan flashbacks with Cole McDonald throwing for 3,642 yards and 29 TDs. He does have 14 picks on the season, and that has been a struggle for the Warriors as they rank 124th in the nation for turnover margin. They have not been able to take care of the ball, and that will likely break them in this game. BYU has 22 takeaways on the season including 15 interceptions. With a couple more takeaways and a big performance from Zach Wilson, I think the Cougars walk out of Aloha Stadium with a victory. BYU 36, Hawai'i 34.
NATE
If you are the Rainbow Warriors, it will be a test to see if your passing attack can come away with a BYU secondary that gets multiple picks per game. They have a pair of quarterbacks who they are not afraid to switch around, and while BYU doesn’t exactly get enough pressure on the quarterback to really bother Hawaii. Couple that with a quarterback for BYU that isn’t the greatest, I think Hawaii takes it. Hawaii: 33, BYU: 20
Thank you for reading our Bowl Predictions for the first set of games and be sure to watch for our next set of predictions coming out soon!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
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