Merry Christmas my football friends! Bowl games are in full swing and my Christmas gift to you is more predictions! Nate and I are off to a decent start, but I'm sure that will change as our predictions differ for the upcoming games. Enjoy our predictions and Happy Holidays to all!
Alex Bowl Predictions: 6-4
Nate Bowl Predictions: 7-3
Walk-on's Independence Bowl
Louisiana Tech vs. Miami
ALEX
The Hurricanes had a very disappointing end to the season, losing their final two games to finish 6-6. They're going up against the 9-3 Bulldogs from Louisiana Tech, who is going for their 5th straight bowl victory. They have a dynamic offense under Skip Holtz, averaging 34 points per game. Senior QB J'Mar Smith has had an impressive year, throwing for more than 2,800 yards with 17 TDs and just 4 picks. He'll be up against their toughest test yet with the Miami defense. The 'Canes rank 13th in total defense, and will look to put a lot of pressure on Smith. Miami has 43 sacks on the season, and will likely sack their way to victory in this one. Defense gets it done as the Hurricanes beat the Bulldogs 26-20.
NATE
Miami really needs this bowl win. A rough season for first year head coach Manny Diaz, and they limp into the postseason after dropping several games they shouldn't have. Fourtunately, with them, I think the Hurricanes should pull it out. LaTech has not seen a pass rush like Miami's. They weren't good at much, but were 4th in sacks and 6th in tackles for loss. Couple that with a fairly stingy run defense and I think Miami pulls away. Miami: 20, LaTech:10
Quick Lane Bowl
Pittsburgh vs. Eastern Michigan
ALEX
Both of these teams have had up and down seasons, and now meet for a battle in the Quick Lane bowl. The two Quarterbacks will be the ones to watch in this game. EMU's Mike Glass III has been very impressive this season, throwing for nearly 2,900 yards with 28 TDs and 10 picks. Kenny Pickett has not been as stellar with 2,737 yards and just a 10 to 9 TD to INT ratio, but he's still the X factor for the Panthers. If he's able to get into rhythm, Pitt's offense can be problematic for opponents. Lastly, the Panthers have a stellar defense, giving up just 21.8 points per game and ranking 3rd in the nation for sacks with 49 on the season. They'll get a lot of pressure on Glass and bring this team to victory. Panthers 30, Eagles 14.
NATE
Only the 5th bowl appearance ever for Eastern Michigan, and they will battle a Pitt team who has real trouble taking care of the ball. They are 1-4 when they lose the turnover battle, and have coughed it up 3+ times in their last 5 games. Pitt will try an impose its will on the ground as Eastern Michigan gives up over 200 yards per game. I think the P5 talent will take Pitt to the victory.
Pitt: 20, Eastern Michigan: 10
Military Bowl Presented By Northrop Grumman
Temple vs. North Carolina
ALEX
The Owls have a better record and tight losses to some quality teams this season, while North Carolina is looking to complete their "comeback" season with a bowl victory for Mack Brown. Both teams are solid on defense, giving up just a bit over 20 points per game on average, but the main story will be told through the offensive battle. Two dynamic QBs lead offenses that haven't been great at keeping rhythm, but are deadly once it is found. Anthony Russo leads Temple with more than 2,700 pass yards along with 21 TDs and 11 picks. He often gets help from running back Re'Mahn Davis, who hasn't been too bad for his freshman campaign, racking up 900 yards and 7 TDs with a yard per carry average. They'll need to execute well and keep pace in this game, because UNC quarterback Sam Howell is looking to continue his impressive freshman campaign. Howell has taken the ACC by storm, throwing for 3,347 yards with 35 TDs and just 7 interceptions. Temple has been torched through the air too many times this season for me to not go with Howell's hot hand. Mack Brown ends his first season back with UNC on a high note, winning 34-28.
NATE
Another game much like the previous, a mediocre P5 makes the trek down to face a really solid G5 program. Sadly for the Owls, I have an aversion toward picking the G5 teams in these scenarios. I love the UNC quarterback Sam Howell, who has racked up 3500 yards and 35 touchdown passes. Temple's D isn't embarrassing, and I don't think this will be a blowout, but I like the Tar Heels here. North Carolina: 24, Temple: 21
New Era Pinstripe Bowl
Michigan State vs. Wake Forest
ALEX
This game was a tough choice to me, as Wake Forest has been fairly impressive for most of the season, and Michigan State has been atrocious. The Demon Deacons are led by Jamie Newman at QB, who is always a handful. Newman has nearly 2,700 yards on the season through the air, along with 23 TDs. However, 5 of his 10 interceptions have come in the last four games, and although the Spartans have not been their typical form of dominance, Mark Dantonio's defense is always a handful. The Spartans still rank 18th in total defense this season, and 18th in sacks with 36. Newman will have to have a big day if he wants to upstage Sparty in NYC, but I like Michigan State in this one. Their offense isn't great, but Freshman running back Elijah Collins has been a bright spot, rushing for 892 yards and 5 TDs this season. If they can establish a ground game and let their defense do what they were made to do, I like Michigan State in this game. Sparty 23, Demon Decons 17.
NATE
A really disappointing season for the Spartans, especially after starting ranked in the top 20 to start the season. A really putrid offense sank Sparty for another season. They have averaged less than 20 points in the back half of the season and have failed to rush for triple digits for much of those games either. That being said, the Spartans have had an excellent defense this year, and with the loss of star receiver Sage Surrat to injury, there are questions as to how much Wake Forest will be able to move the ball too. Still, I think the Deacons will get this one done in a slugfest.
Wake Forest: 17, Michigan State: 13
Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl
#25 Oklahoma State vs. Texas A&M
ALEX
An old Big XII rivalry is renewed as the Cowboys and Aggies meet for the first time as members of a different conference since the split back in 2011. The Pokes have the leading rusher in the nation with Chuba Hubbard, and will look to get his 6.3 yard per carry average moving against a questionable A&M defense. Hubbard has 21 TDs on the season, but will need help from the air attack to take the pressure off. OSU plans to play both Spencer Sanders and backup Dru Brown at QB in this game, so we'll see what kind of rhythm Mike Gundy's offense can develop. On the other side, Kellen Mond will be looking for his NFL-caliber wideouts as they air it out against Oklahoma State. The Pokes rank 113th in pass defense, and with the Aggies top tier group of receivers I expect them to run away with that. Texas A&M wins the Big XII reunion game 36-28.
NATE
This is a weird game. A&M has on the surface a bad record, but it lost to 5 teams in the top 25, (and 2 playoff teams). This should be the game to see if Kellen Mond can truly be a difference maker. He's been fine this year, but in the 5 games that mattered, he came up a little lacking. They play an Oklahoma State team that has had some troubles of their own down the stretch. Losing QB Spencer Sanders and WR Tylan Wallace has made the Poke's offense a little one dimensional, and while Chubba Hubbard might be one of the bets backs in the nation, he can't do it all by himself. I hate picking against a hometown team, but I'm going with the Aggies.
Texas A&M: 30, Oklahoma State:20
San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl
#22 USC vs. #18 Iowa
ALEX
Okay, to predict this game with a clear conscious, I am in fact rooting for the Giant Meteor in this game. But, since the odds don't favor that and I have to pick a team, here's a break down. We all know Iowa is going to come in with a stout defense and limit USC's opportunities to score in this one. Nate Stanley did not look impressive against Nebraska in the season finale, and has struggled all season with limited talent at wideout. Kirk Ferentz knows how to coach this team well though, and always does well in bowl games. As for the Trojans, this is an important game for Clay Helton to prove he's worth keeping his job. They've already agreed to bring him back for 2020, but he's been on the hot seat for a while. Freshman QB Kedon Slovis has been solid this year, throwing for more than 3,200 yards with 28 TDs and just 9 picks. He'll be leaning on Michael Pittman Jr. in this game, but I think the Trojans pull out a surprise victory 31-28.
NATE
I think this game will be dominated by defense. Iowa's defense that is. Iowa has quietly had one of the better secondary units in the country this year, averaging a little over 2,000 yards in their games. They also grab turnovers, sitting at plus 7 on the year, while USC coughs it up a lot, sitting at minus 7. Clay Helton has had a rough one in recruiting, and I expect his troubles to continue.
Iowa: 23, USC: 20
Cheez-It Bowl
Air Force vs. Washington State
ALEX
Mike Leach and the Cougars of Wazzu fell off a bit after their last couple seasons, fighting for a PAC-12 Championship. They now find themselves 6-6 and squared up against a very good Air Force team in the coveted Cheez-It Bowl. Senior Wazzu QB Anthony Gordon has put up astronomical numbers for Mike Leach in his first year as a starter, throwing for 5,228 yards with 45 TDs and 16 picks. Air Force plays tough defense, giving up just 19.8 points per game on average, but does surrender around 200 yards through the air per contest. On offense, the Falcons should have a lot of success with the triple option. Wazzu does not defend the run well and the triple option with make Leach's head spin in all sorts of directions. The Cougars will do some damage through the air, but with limited possessions due to Air Force's dominance in the run game, the Falcons come out on top in this one. Air Force wins the Cheez-It Bowl 33-28.
NATE
They haven't won as much this year, but Washington State's Anthony Gordon has been better than Minshew was last year, with over 5000 yards and 45 touchdowns. Air Force has a putrid passing defense, and they don't get any pressure, under 2 sacks per game. That's bad news against an air raid team. If Air Force can control the clock, I think they have a shot, but I think the Coogs get this one going away. Washington State: 40, Air Force: 21
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
#17 Memphis vs. #10 Penn State
ALEX
After finally winning the AAC, Memphis gets the nod for the G5 team in a major bowl game! The Tigers have dominated competition this year, running up the score with their high-powered offense loaded with talent. Freshman RB Kenneth Gainwell has been a big boost for the Tigers, rushing for 1,425 yards and 12 TDs to take some pressure off of Junior QB Brady White. White bettered his numbers from last season, throwing for over 3,500 yards with 33 TDs to just 9 picks. Star wideout Damonte Coxie has been the primary target for White, with nearly 1,200 yards and 9 TDs. They'll be up against the grueling Penn State defense however, and this will be their toughest test yet. The Nittany Lions allow just 14.1 points and fewer than 100 yards rushing per game. On offense, they'll look to get the ball in to the hands of their own star receiver, KJ Hamler. The Sophomore has battled injuries throughout the course of this season, but is a threat to take it to the house whenever he touches the ball. Sophomore quarterback Sean Clifford has improved tremendously throughout the early stages of the season, and I expect a great show from this game. Memphis will put a run on it, but I like the Nittany Lions in this battle of the cats. Penn State 37, Memphis 28.
NATE
The annual G5 new years six bowl appearance. Memphis won the AAC this year, behind Kenneth Gainwell's 1400 yards from scrimmage. He will go against a Nittany Lion defense who is 5th in the nation in rushing defense. It will be tough to establish Gainwell, so the Tigers might need to pass more. But then they have to deal with the Nittany Lion pass rush that has gotten 32 TFLs and 18 sacks. It will be tough for Memphis to get anything going. I don't think Penn State's offense is anything special, but I think the defense will be enough to get Penn State the win.
Penn State: 34, Memphis: 17
Camping World Bowl
#15 Notre Dame vs. Iowa State
ALEX
This looks to be a really fun match-up, and has potential to be a shootout with two solid QBs going at it. Starting with the Cyclones, they were so close to having just one or two losses on the season, losing 4 out of their 5 losses by 7 points or less. Brock Purdy ha been slinging it this year, throwing for more than 3,700 yards with 27 TDs and 9 picks. ISU has lost a step in their run game after David Montgomery moved onto the NFL, but Breece Hall has been doing his best with 842 yards and 9 TDs. They'll be up against a stingy Notre Dame defense, and the opposing QB, Ian Book. The signal caller for the Irish is one of the more underrated dual-threat QBs in the nation, with 2,787 yards through the air and another 516 yards on the ground. He's accounted for 37 TDs this year and led Notre Dame to the 13th best scoring offense in the nation. Irish beat the Cyclones 34-23.
NATE
Big expectations that were only mostly met for both of these teams. Both teams have games they wish they could get a do over in. Iowa State is 0-4 in games where it rushes for less than 100 yards, and Notre Dame has held their opponents to under that mark in 6 of its last 9 games. This should also be a battle between great quarterbacks, as Brock Purdy and Ian Book face off. Contrary to popular believe, Purdy has thrown for more yards than Book, but Book threw for more touchdowns. I think it will be a tight game, but I think Notre Dame will come out with it.
Notre Dame: 35, Iowa State: 27
Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl - CFB Semi-Final
#4 Oklahoma vs. #1 LSU
ALEX
The first playoff semi-final game features the Sooners and the (LSU) Tigers. Oklahoma doesn't have the Heisman winner for the first time since 2016, and has to face off against the current winner in Joe Burrow. Burrow has been absolutely incredible this season, leading the LSU offense to be one of the best it's ever been. The Tigers average 47.8 points per game, but Jalen Hurts and the OU offense aren't far behind with 43.2 points per game. This one could end up being a shoot-out as both offenses feature dynamic playmakers and both defenses have struggled throughout the year. LSU could be without their running back, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who is battling a hamstring injury. Oklahoma has played better defense as of late, and that was their achilles heel the past couple years in the playoffs. Jalen Hurts and CeeDee Lamb will be a lot for LSU's defense to handle, and again, I would expect a lot of points in this game. Joe Burrow has just been too overwhelming for opponents all year long, and I think he'll have just enough in the tank to beat Oklahoma. The Tigers edge out the Sooners in a game closer than people think. LSU 46, Oklahoma 42.
NATE
Game one of the playoffs, pitting two teams that are 90s on offense, and 70s on defense. Both teams have great quarterbacks, great offensive weapons, and sub par defenses. Both teams allow over 300 yards per game and even if RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire is out, I expect LSU to put up points. Some interesting stats to look at. Oklahoma is one of the worst teams in the country in terms of penalties, at 129th in the nation. They also cough up the ball more than other teams in the playoffs. I think LSU gets up early based on some Oklahoma mistakes, and stays ahead.
LSU: 48, Oklahoma: 39
Playstation Fiesta Bowl - CFB Semi-Final
#3 Clemson vs. #2 Ohio State
ALEX
The other playoff semi-final features the reigning champion Tigers against the BIG 10 Champion Buckeyes. This is a game where the two best all-around teams square off, and I expect a show you won't want to miss. Ohio State has dominated everyone in their path this season, and had two players finish as Heisman finalist, QB Justin Fields and DE Chase Young. Young is easily the most dominant players in all of football this year, and he leads a Buckeye defense that allows just 12.5 points per game. On offense, the Buckeyes love to run the ball with Fields and RB J.K. Dobbins. They have a tremendous group of wideouts that will challenge the Clemson secondary as well. However, I have been all aboard the Clemson train this season, and everyone is sleeping on the Tigers. Since the close call with North Carolina early in the season, they have demolished everyone in their path. Clemson's offense has too many weapons to handle, starting with last year's National Championship MVP, quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence has arguably one of the top receiver corps in the nation to throw to, and one of my favorite running backs in the nation to watch. Travis Etienne has 1,500 yards and 17 TDs on the season, and averages 8.1 yards per carry. They have yet to face a defense like the Buckeyes, but this is a team that's up for the challenge. Chase Young will make his presence felt quickly, but Dabo and his offense will scheme around him, especially with Etienne out of the backfield. Lastly, Justin Fields isn't quite 100% for this game with a knee injury that hindered him in the BIG 10 Championship. Fields will still be a factor, but this Clemson defense is suffocating, and if he's not able to make plays with his legs, this could turn quickly for Ohio State. The Buckeyes are an incredible team, and if they prove me wrong, then so be it. I like Clemson in this game, and I like them to flex their muscles. Tigers win 38-24.
NATE
This one is a real puzzle. Flip a coin is my guess to you. both these teams are incredibly similar. They have top flight offensive and top defensive units. My prediction? Whichever team jumps out quickly will have the edge. Both teams outscored their opponents by over 100 in the first quarter. Whichever team could get up quickly could stay that way. The other tidbit? Justin Field's health. Earlier this week he said he was 85% healthy. that's not entirely reassuring, but I've stuck by Ohio State as the nation's best team all year and I'll stick with my gut.
Ohio State: 31, Clemson: 30
Thank you for reading our bowl game predictions and enjoy the semi-finals! Watch for the next prediction post coming soon!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Special Guest: Nate Muhlbach
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