Alex Bowl Prediction Results: 20-10
Nate Bowl Prediction Results: 19-11
Outback Bowl
#18 Minnesota vs. #12 Auburn
ALEX
The Gophers and Tigers square off in Tampa as they both end stellar 2019 seasons. Auburn had numerous question marks coming into the season, especially with starting QB Bo Nix being a true Freshman. They beat Oregon in the opener and all of their losses came to top 10 programs, two of which were by a touchdown or less. Their defense has been formidable all season long, and defensive tackles Derrick Brown leads arguably one of the best defensive lines in the country. The Auburn defense ranks 21st in the country, but surprisingly, they're not the top defense in this game. The mighty Gophers of Minnesota rank 14th in total defense and have deadly play makers across the field on offense. Led by Sophomore QB Tanner Morgan, the Golden Gophers were just a couple wins away from a CFB Playoff bid. They were easily one of the biggest surprises of 2019, and they will look to provide more of a shock during bowl season. Wideouts Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson are a threat to take it to the house on every play, and Rodney Smith leads a powerful rushing attack. I'll be rooting for the Gophers in this one, but I think Auburn will be similar to Wisconsin and lock down the Minnesota offense. Also, watch out for Auburn's wide receivers, they're a young group but are great skill players. Tigers win 33-21.
NATE
Auburn has to feel pretty good about how they ended this
season really rising up to the occasion and beating their rival. And no matter
how much Minnesota should be proud of their great season, I think they can’t
help but be disappointed in losing 2 straight to rivals to end their season as
a Big 10 championship berth slipped out of their grasp. And that’s the big
question the Gophers need to answer, whether or not they were actually kind of
a fluke. Despite the slew of offensive weapons, Wisconsin managed to put the
screws into the Gophers and limit them. Auburn features a really stout
defensive line, and even the potential NFL picks are going to play this game. This
could be very much like the Wisconsin game. Plus if the Tigers manage to get
the ground game going like they did against Alabama, I think this should be in
hand. Auburn: 35, Minnesota: 21
Vrbo Citrus Bowl
#13 Alabama vs. #14 Michigan
ALEX
To be honest, Nate's write up is about all you need to know for this game, but I'll give a little bit of a statistical breakdown on why the Tide will Roll. These two teams were primed to meet in the CFB Playoffs at the start of the season, but a lackadaisical offense for Michigan and sub-par defense for Bama (combined with the injury to Tua) has them slated in the Citrus Bowl. Full disclaimer: I had very limited expectations for Michigan this season and predicted at least 3 losses (I was right). Looking at the game now, It's all with Alabama. Michigan's defense will cause headaches, and back-up QB Mac Jones will struggle at times. However, the Tide have one of the most talented receiving corps in the nation, and running back Najee Harris should take some pressure off with his 5.9 yard per carry average. Michigan's offense has improved during the second half of the season, and even with Bama's defense down a peg or two this year, I don't expect this to be particularly close. Bama rolls as they take out their frustrations of missing their first CFB Playoff on Michigan in a 40-21 win.
NATE
Saban is going to be very upset this game. Alabama: 38, Michigan: 24
Rose Bowl Game Presented by Northwestern Mutual
#6 Oregon vs. #8 Wisconsin
ALEX
We have a fantastic match-up for this year's Rose Bowl as the Ducks and Badgers square off in the Grandaddy of them all. The Ducks dominated Utah in the PAC-12 Title game, and were a tough road loss to the Sun Devils away from a likely CFB Playoff berth. The Badgers stumbled to Illinois early in the year, and loss to the Buckeyes twice after winning the BIG 10 West over rival Minnesota. They're led by a powerful ground game with the nation's top running back, Jonathan Taylor. Taylor has been tremendous in 2019, rushing for nearly 2,000 yards with 21 TDs. Wisconsin loves to grind it out and it works hand in hand with a defense that ranks 8th in the nation and 2nd in getting opponents off the field on third down. They'll have a tough task in this one, as Justin Herbert has thrown for 3,333 yards with 32 TDs and just 5 picks on the season. The Oregon offense isn't quite as dynamic as they used to be, but Sophomore running back CJ Verdell has been trying to change that 6.5 yard per rush average. The Oregon defense will be the key in this one though, as they have to slow down Jonathan Taylor in order to win. They locked down Utah's rushing attack (and overall offense) in the PAC-12 Championship, and have been statistically one of the best in program history. I'm with Wisconsin though, Jonathan Taylor is too much for basically everyone not named Ohio State. Badgers beat the Ducks 27-21.
NATE
Over 1900 yards, 21 touchdowns. What more do you need from a
running back? Those are Jonathan Taylor’s stats on the year. 3,333 yards, 32
touchdowns. What more do you need from a quarterback? Those are Justin
Herbert’s stats on the year. Both teams have veteran lines; both teams have top
10 defenses. Who wins? I dunno, flip a coin. Wisconsin: 20, Oregon: 17
Allstate Sugar Bowl
#5 Georgia vs. #7 Baylor
ALEX
The last of the big games features Georgia out of the playoffs and against yet another team from Texas... in the Sugar Bowl. This time the Baylor Bears are slated against the Bulldogs, and this looks to be a really interesting match-up. Both Georgia and Baylor play very tough defense, and have impressive QBs who are looking to shake off conference championship losses. Baylor's Charlie Brewer was injured in the Big XII Championship against Oklahoma, but is locked and loaded for this one after throwing for nearly 3,000 yards on the season with 20 TDs and just 6 picks. He also makes a lot of plays with his legs, rushing for 10 TDs this season. I don't think he'll reek havoc on the Bulldogs' defense quite like Joe Burrow did, but there will be some big plays courtesy of Mr. Brewer. On the other side, Georgia could struggle a bit as they will be without multiple starters including two lineman and possibly D'Andre Swift, their star running back. Tight game, but I don't think Georgia is loosing two Sugar Bowls in a row. The Bears fight hard, but the Bulldogs win it 28-24.
NATE
Both these teams ended their regular seasons one game away
from the playoffs. And honestly for both of them in kind of the same way. Both
teams couldn’t really get their offenses going. Will Charlie
Brewer actually play? If not, I would think that Georgia will have an
advantage. Also advantageous for the Dawgs? Their rushing attack. D’Andre
Swift will frustrate
an average Baylor rushing defense. Jake Fromm will need to take care of the
ball, his 5 interceptions have come in the only games Georgia has lost all
season. I think Georgia will play good enough defense, and Fromm will play well
enough that they will be able to get there. Georgia: 30, Baylor: 20
Ticketmaster Birmingham Bowl
Boston College vs. #21 Cincinnati
ALEX
The Golden Eagles fired their head coach and have chosen former Ohio State assistant Jeff Hafley to take over. He won't be available for this game, but another former Buckeye will be. That's Cincy Head Coach Luke Fickell, and he has the Bearcats rolling. Two tough losses to AAC Champion Memphis held them out of a bigger bowl game, but don't sleep on this team. Cincy has tough defense, and the offensive duo of QB Desmond Ridder and RB Michael Warren II is not to be trifled with. They will have their hands full with BC star, running back AJ Dillon, but I like the Bearcats in this one. Cincy 34, Boston College 24.
NATE
The Bearcats were really close to being the G5 darling of
the year, but a couple losses to Memphis kept them from reaching their heights.
Their reward was to battle against a mediocre Boston College team without their
coach. Steve Addazio was let go after the season was over, and who could blame
Boston College, as he never set the world on fire. Cincinnati has a solid
defense, and will have to contend with AJ Dillon, but also David Bailey, who is
close to 1K yards himself. I think this
game is going to be very close, but Cincy should have the talent to close it
out.
Cincinnati: 20, Boston College: 17
Taxslayer Gator Bowl
Indiana vs. Tennessee
ALEX
A very intriguing BIG 10 versus SEC battle is set to take place down int Jacksonville as the Hoosiers and Volunteers square off. Indiana flew under the radar, but had a very solid 8-4 season, while the Vols are going bowling after starting the season 1-4. Tennessee will be without their best player Jauan Jennings for the first half after he kicked a Vanderbilt player in the head during the season finale. Junior QB Jarrett Guarantano has had an up and down season, but is finishing strong. He'll need a big performance, because although none of their victories are against bowl eligible teams, Indiana can sling the football well. Juniors Peyton Ramsey and Whop Philyor have been a deadly QB-WR duo, and I think the Vols' defense will struggle against them. Not a flashy game by any means, but Indiana plays well and gets the win 31-28.
NATE
Can Indiana win a bowl game for the first time in 28 years?
That will be their quest this gator bowl. Helping them to achieve that fact
will be their 12th ranked passing offense. Whop Philyor is the star
receiver, and Peyton Ramsey will try and spread the ball around to his other
options. Tennessee has actually had a very underrated defense this year, 29th
in the country in total. Even without star weapon Jauwan Jennings, suspended
after an on field altercation, the Volunteers should pick this one up. Tennessee: 28, Indiana: 24
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Ohio vs. Nevada
ALEX
Fearless Frankie has the most wins as a head coach in MAC history, and now takes his Bobcats to the Smurf Turf to take on the Wolfpack of Nevada. Neither team has been stellar this season, but the star of the game is Nathan Rourke, the QB for Ohio. Rourke has thrown for nearly 2,700 yards with 20 TDs and just 5 picks. The Wolfpack rank 106th in pass defense, and that's about all you need to know. I'm always rolling with Frank Solich, and he wins with the Bobcats 36-22.
NATE
Ohio has been one of the more consistent G5 programs over
the last decade, making a bowl 9 of the last 10 years. They weren’t an
offensive powerhouse, but QB Nathan Rourke has been a solid dual threat option
for the bobcats. Nevada has been very middling on both sides of the ball. I
think Solich gets it done. Ohio: 21, Nevada: 13
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
Southern Miss vs. Tulane
ALEX
Tulane started the season strong at 5-2, but finished with 4 losses in their final 5 games. They were close, against tough competition like Navy and SMU, but the Green Wave have a lot to prove in this game. Southern Miss is back after missing a bowl in 2018, averaging nearly 28 points per game, but giving up nearly 26. Tulane's defense isn't much better, but play makers like dual-threat QB Justin McMillin (26 total TDs) will set them apart on offense. Watch out for the Southern Miss air raid though, Junior QB Jack Abraham can sling it. Green Wave 34, Golden Eagles 27.
NATE
What is a green wave? Not a team on a great finish to the
end of their year, that’s for sure. Tulane has finished 1-5 on the year. Their
offense could keep up, but their defense let them down, despite out gaining
several teams they lost too. Southern miss isn’t exactly an offensive
powerhouse, but the 23rd ranked passing attack should be enough to
get through a reeling Tulane secondary.
Southern Miss: 31, Tulane: 28
Southern Miss: 31, Tulane: 28
Lendingtree Bowl
Louisiana vs. Miami (OH)
ALEX
The Redhawks from Ohio come in as MAC Champions, and will take on the runner up in the Sun Belt. Not much favors Miami of Ohio here, as they even give up more points on average than they score. Louisiana can run up that score though, as they average more than 500 yards and nearly 40 points per game. Junior QB Levi Lewis has been stellar, throwing for over 2,800 yards with 24 TDs and just 4 picks. He'll have a big night and the Ragin' Cajuns win in a route, 43-21.
NATE
The Redhawks will look for Brett Gabbert, brother of Blaine
Gabbert to lead them to a historic upset. Louisiana Lafayette however, should
be the better team. They hold teams to under 20 points per game and are
incredible defensively in the red zone. They don’t score too many points, but
they will score enough. Louisiana: 25, Miami (OH): 14
Thank you for reading all of our Bowl Predictions, and be sure to watch for our National Championship Prediction post coming soon. Nate is picking the Tigers and I am as well, it should be a great game!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
No comments:
Post a Comment