Alex Bowl Prediction Results: 15-6
Nate Bowl Prediction Results: 14-7
Servpro First Responder Bowl
Western Kentucky vs. Western Michigan
ALEX
There's not too much to say with this game to be honest. Both teams had solid seasons, but weren't quite able to reach the top of their respective conferences, falling just short of conference title appearances. The Hilltoppers struggled on offense for most of the season, ending with an average of 380 yards and 25.6 points per game. However, in their final three games of the season, WKU averaged 34.6 points per game. For the Broncos, they come in with a balanced attack, but I would expect a heavy dose of Senior running back LeVante Bellamy. Bellamy has rushed for more than 1,400 yards this season with 23 TDs. Western Kentucky is solid in run defense, but Bellamy is another challenge all on his own. Broncos win 33-27.
NATE
The Western Bowl, as it will named this year, features two teams who had solid, if not particularly impressive seasons. Maybe more impressive for Western Kentucky, who if they win this game, will have equaled their win total for the last two years combined. Helping them to that mark is Arkansas transfer Ty Storey, who has cut down on his interceptions to lead a solid senior campaign. This hasn’t stopped the Hilltoppers from coughing up the ball a lot, as 14 fumbles have lead the team to one of the most turnover prone in the nation. Tough going up against a Western Michigan Defense who is 19th in the country in forcing turnovers. Western Kentucky has a solid defense, but Western Michigan has LeVante Bellamy, who leads the nation with 23 touchdowns and averages over 5 yards per carry. I think the turnover bug bites the Hilltoppers, and the Broncos pull it out.
Western Michigan: 27, Western Kentucky: 24
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl
Mississippi State vs. Louisville
ALEX
This was a match-up I was fortunate enough to witness live in a bowl game just two years ago. However, that one featured former Cardinal star, Heisman QB Lamar Jackson. This one won't have a Heisman winner playing in the game, but should still be an intriguing game. Louisville has exceeded all expectations this year, going 7-5 in the first season under Scott Satterfield. The defense needs improvement, but Micale Cunningham leads a dynamic offense that averages nearly 450 yards per game. The running game for Mississippi State will be the key in my opinion, as they average nearly 230 yards per game on the ground, and the Cardinals defense gives up an average of 211 per game. If Louisville can contain the option attack, they have a shot. However, I think the Bulldogs will win this shootout. Hail State as they win 34-24.
NATE
This game will be a test to see if Louisville can get
anything out of their 111th ranked defense, as Mississippi State
will come out running downhill with RB Kylin Hill, who has topped 100 yards in
his last 10 games. Louisville has great skill position players of its own, lead
by All ACC receiver Chatarius Atwell, a 1,000 year from him. More than that,
Louisville has momentum. They have seriously over preformed expectations this
year after being tabbed as potentially being one of the worst teams in the
country this year. Mississippi State on the other hand seems to be only going
backwards, as they needed to win a one point game vs their rival to even make
it here. With starting quarterback Garrett Shrader out, I see Louisville
showing it has something to prove and getting the win. Louisville: 31, Mississippi State: 24
Redbox Bowl
California vs. Illinois
ALEX
A classic BIG 10 versus Pac-12 battle is set to take place out in California... but no, this one is not the Rose Bowl. The 2019 Redbox Bowl features a couple of mid-tier teams in Cal and Illinois. Lovie Smith has finally brought the Fightin' Illini to their first bowl game since 2014, and he's done it on the impressive play of Brandon Peters. The Michigan transfer has thrown for more than 1,700 yards this season, along with 17 TDs and 7 picks. The Illini have had some close calls, but pulled off some major upsets, most notably against Wisconsin. Their defense however has been a struggle, and that's where the Golden Bears exceed. Star QB Chase Garbers was injured after their 4-0 start, which really halted the offensive production. The defense has willed them into back-to-back bowl games, and will will them to victory. Golden Bears defense makes some impressive stops and gets some key turnovers to win 20--14.
NATE
California essentially has a home game this match, as the
bowl is playing just under an hour from their home stadium. Not that being at
home has really rallied Cal into scoring more points, as the 20.1 points per
game sits abysmally in the bottom 20 teams in the country in offense. This
Illinois team can be stingy when it wants to be, accumulating 22 sacks and 18
forced fumbles, but also having games where it gives up lots of points.
Offensively for the Illini, Brandon Peters has quietly had a pretty solid
season, and Lovie Smith has assembled a solid group of skill position players
that have combined for over 4 thousand yards of offense. Though while Cal can’t
seem to score more than 20, its good at holding their opponents to around the
same. This will be an ugly game, but I think I like Illinois in a stinker. Illinois: 14, California: 9
Capital One Orange Bowl
#9 Florida vs. #24 Virginia
ALEX
The Gators and the Cavaliers meet down in Miami for the Orange bowl, which could have a little home field advantage. To counter that, Bronco Mendenhall will look to utilize the dual threat talents of Bryce Perkins against a stingy Florida defense. The Gators have the 9th best defense in the nation, giving up just 14.4 points per game and under 300 yards on average. If they can contain Perkins, this game won't be close. Kyle Trask leads a Gator offense that loves the air attack. Averaging 300 yards per game passing, Florida will look to duplicate Trevor Lawrence's success from the ACC championship against Virginia. I think Florida will handle this challenge quite well and win big in the Orange Bowl. Gators 38, Cavaliers 14.
NATE
After getting throttled by Clemson in the ACC title game the
Hoo’s get their consolation prize, the chance to get throttled again by a top
10 with a killer defense. I’m being a little flippant, but Florida has the
SEC’s best pass rush, and man, Virginia’s offensive line struggled against good
teams. This should also be a breakout game for Kyle Trask, filling in for
injured QB Feleipe Franks, Trask has been stellar, throwing for 24 touchdowns.
Virginia has been porous through the air, allowing over 300 yards per game over
the last 5 weeks. I think this should be an easy cruise for a locked in Florida
team. Florida: 30, Virginia: 17
Belk Bowl
Virginia Tech vs. Kentucky
ALEX
The Hokies and the Wildcats had up and down seasons, and now find themselves against each other in the (Faux Pelini made famous) Belk Bowl. Kentucky comes into the game with a strong rushing attack led by Junior Lynn Bowden Jr., a former wideout. Bowden Jr. may not be catching as many passes now, but he has rushed 1,235 yards and 11 TDs. Virginia Tech has been fairly solid against the run, but did give up 164 yards on the ground to Bryce Perkins in their season finale. My big factor of the game is QB Hedon Hooker of the Hokies. Since taking over mid-season, he's thrown for nearly 1,500 yards with 11 TDs and 2 picks. Kentucky's defense ranks 19th in the nation, but I think Justin Fuente and Hedon Hooker will have something special cooked up. Hokies win 27-21.
NATE
This is a battle between a one-dimensional offense, as
Kentucky almost always runs the ball, against a Virginia Tech defense that
hasn’t allowed more than 200 yards since September. Lynn Bowden will have to
make it his show this game. The WR turned quarterback will need to bust out
some big runs. Bryce Perkins from Virginia hit the Tech D for 150, Bowden will
need to do just the same. Kentucky will also need to hammer Tech where it
hurts, its fumbling problems. VaTech has given up 14 fumbles all year, and
stands at -5 in turnover differential. Kentucky wins when it wins the turnover
battle, and I think that will happen this time as well.
Kentucky: 24, Virginia Tech: 21
Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl
Florida State vs. Arizona State
ALEX
Okay, these bowl game names are getting a bit ridiculous, but regardless, we have Florida State against Arizona State. The Seminoles somehow squeezed into a bowl game after firing Willie Taggart mid-season, but I wouldn't expect much. The offense has improved, but has play makers like Cam Akers sitting out this game. Their defense isn't any better, and they'll have more than they can handle with Sun Devils' Freshman QB Jayden Daniels. Daniels has been stellar out West this season, throwing for 2,748 yards with 17 TDs and just 2 picks. Arizona State should have no issues running away with this game. I won't trust Florida State for a while. Sun Devils: 35, Seminoles: 24.
NATE
This bowl is going to be weird. Every top skill position
player for both teams have really decided to sit this one out. The sun devil’s
top wideout and back are both passing on this game, and Florida State’s Cam
Akers is also passing for the draft, leaving both teams with starting options
who have under 400 yards per game. Florida State has an especially bad defense,
as they allow 436 yards per game, most of that through the air. That should be
good for Arizona State, as freshman standout Jayden Daniels should have room to
make some good things happen. Daniels smashed most freshman passing records for
the Sun Devils, and even with some talent gone, he should be able to put the
points up on a mediocre Seminole team. Arizona State: 32, Florida State: 20
Autozone Liberty Bowl
#23 Navy vs. Kansas State
ALEX
The Midshipmen and the Wildcats square off in Memphis as two power rushing attacks collide. These two teams are eerily similar, just with different styles for their rushing strategies. Kansas State will have a more balanced attack and utilize the read option, while Navy will make heads spin and grind it out with the triple option. The primary factor to look at in this game is the run defense. Navy ranks 13th with an average of 110 yards given up on the ground per game while K-State ranks 61st with an average of 152. K-State does have the number one defense for opponent 3rd down conversion, holding teams to under 26%, but I like Navy in a tight one. Midshipmen win 23-21.
NATE
After beating Oklahoma, there was a moment where it looked
like Kansas State might be stepping up to take that second-best spot in the Big
12. It did not come to pass, as a pair of close losses to West Virginia and
Texas left them at 8-4 and put them against a solid Navy squad. Navy rushes for
360 yards per game, best in the country. With a big game Malcom Perry will
probably eclipse 2,000 yards on the ground, and the Midshipmen eat possession,
holding onto it for close to 35 minutes a game. Kansas State also eats clock
too, so this will be a battle to see which team can hold onto it more. I’m
going out on a limb, and say the Midshipmen pull what might be considered an
upset.
Navy: 23, Kansas State: 20
Navy: 23, Kansas State: 20
Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl
Wyoming vs. Georgia State
ALEX
Wyoming and Georgia State will meet for the first time ever down in Tucson for the Arizona Bowl. Both teams come in at 7-5 and both have lost 3 of their last 5 games. It will be strength on strength and weakness on weakness in this game as Georgia State has a high-powered offense but rough looking defense, and Wyoming is flipped with a strong defense and so-so offense. The Cowboys give up just 17.8 points per game, and hold teams under 100 yards rushing. The Panthers have a very balanced attack led by Senior QB Dan Ellington. He's thrown for nearly 2,300 yards with 21 TDs on the season. This could be an interesting one to watch. On the other side of the ball, I favor the Cowboys. They like to run the ball, and Georgia State has struggled to defend the run all season long. Good defense and a big game on the ground lead to a Wyoming victory.
Cowboys 30, Panthers 21.
NATE
Both teams are going to want to use this one to stop the skid as both teams lost 3 of their final 4 games. Wyoming is a tale of two attacks as their passing is 125th in the nation, but their rushing attack is 27th. The Cowboys average over 200 rushing yards per game led by Xazavian Valladay. Their rush defense also holds opponents to under 100 yards per game. Given that Georgia State relies on their ground game, this gives me confidence that Wyoming will be the one to walk out of this bowl with the win. Wyoming: 24, Georgia State: 18.
Valero Alamo Bowl
#11 Utah vs. Texas
ALEX
Utah fell short of their shot to go to the CFB Playoffs, but now can flex their muscle against a Big XII opponent who really disappointed this season. The Longhorns came into the year as Big XII Title favorites, but finish at 7-5 as an atrocious defense led to their demise. Junior QB Sam Ehlinger, still Heisman caliber in my book, has done his part, throwing for nearly 3,500 yards while rushing for another 590 and accounting for 35 touchdowns this season. Utah's defense was their strength during the season, but fell apart against Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship. I imagine they'll look to prove themselves against a high-caliber Texas offense. On the other side, Utah will look to get their offense back on track for Tyler Huntley and Zack Moss in their final game. The two Ute record holders are the key factors in this game, and I expect them to have a big night. Texas is not back, but Utah finishes their season strong. Utes 37, Longhorns 24.
NATE
Despite an abysmal performance in the Pac12 championship,
Utah is actually a pretty capable team offensively. They average 34 points a
game and are 29th in the country running the football. They will
take on a Texas team that has disappointed majorly this season, predicted in
the top ten, they finished 7-5 and unranked. Sam Ehlinger had to do it all,
passing for 3000 yards and only finishing with 200 yards less rushing yards
than their top running back. But it was really the defense that disappointed,
as they allowed close to 30 points a game on their own. I really want to pick
Texas here, this seems like just the type of game they win. But I think Utah is
focused coming off of their loss. Utah: 29, Texas: 20
Thank you for reading our predictions and be sure to watch for the post of our last set of predictions before the National Championship!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
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