Welcome to Bowl Season football fans! There are 42 bowl games slated for us to watch over the next few weeks and the first two kick off today. As usual I will be giving all my thoughts and opinion with these bowl game predictions. I'll do my best to keep you up to date on players who are or are not playing for certain teams, but regardless, there should be some entertaining matchups to end our season. So sit back, read on and enjoy some mid-day football.
Conference Championship Record: 6 - 2
Overall Season Record: 145 - 71
Hometown Lenders Bahamas Bowl
Miami (OH) vs UAB
The Redhawks and Blazers had mediocre seasons and are rewarded with a trips to the Bahamas, not a bad deal in my opinion. Miami (OH) has been fairly solid on defense this season, but the offense has struggled to put up points. UAB's Junior RB, DeWayne McBride is the best running back you don't know about. The Walker award snub leads the nation with 1,713 yards and 19 TDs. He averages a staggering 7.4 yards per carry and I don't think the Redhawks will have an answer for him. McBride has a big day in the Caribbean as the Blazers torch the Redhawks 36-20.
Duluth Trading Cure Bowl
#25 UTSA vs #24 Troy
The Roadrunners once again have won the Conference USA Championship, but the bigger victory for UTSA is star QB Frank Harris will be returning for his 7th season of college football. Harris already has 34 school records and will look to lead his squad to a bowl victory after falling to San Diego State last year. They square off against the Sun Belt champions in the Troy Trojans. Troy's offense has turned it on late in the season, scoring 127 points in their last three games combined, but the defense is what truly leads this team. They give up just 17.5 points per game on average and rank 5th in the nation with 39 sacks on the season. They'll look to pressure Harris all afternoon, but I like UTSA to take this one. This team has a lot of speed on the edge with WR Zakhari Franklin and the Roadrunners win this game 31-21. Meep Meep!
Wasabi Fenway Bowl
Cincinnati vs Louisville
This should be renamed the Scott Satterfield bowl for this year as the man who led the Cardinals this season will be headed to the other sideline to coach next season. Due to potential awkwardness, Satterfield has decided to go out and recruit rather than attend the game, but man that would've been a great story. As for the teams, both are without the head coaches that led them during the season. Luke Fickell is up in Wisconsin now and this is Cincy's last game before heading to the Big XII next year. Louisville has been up and down this year, but did have a good surge late in the season. Cincy was consistent yet agin, but lost a few close games to Arkansas, UCF and Tulane. It's hard to figure out which team will be more motivated based on the coaching changes, but I'll lean toward the Bearcats and their consistency. Cincy wins the Satterfield Bowl 23-14.
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl
Florida vs #14 Oregon State
The Gators were very inconsistent this season, despite the long list of talented players on their roster. The Beavers were hoping for more this year but had two close losses to USC and Washington and one beat down from the Utes. However, they ended their season on 3 straight wins and have a smothering defense waiting in Vegas. Neither team is very flashy, and Florida will look to get Anthony Richardson going early with easy completions, but I like the Beavers. Oregon State has been a very determined and overlooked team this season. They could make a big statement with a quality win over the SEC. Beavers 27, Gators 17.
Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl Presented by Stifel
Washington State vs Fresno State
Wazzu has a dynamic offense led by Sophomore QB Cameron Ward. Ward has accounted for 28 total TDs so far this year and has thrown for more than 3,000 yards. Fresno State is coming fresh off their Mountain West Conference title over Boise State, and they have a star QB of their own. Senior Jake Haener is back from injury and really tough to beat. He doesn't turn the ball over and the offense flows so much better with him under center. Both teams have great offensive attacks and this will truly be a QB battle to watch. I'm having a difficult time picking a winner in this one, but after watching him over the last few years, Jake Haener doesn't drop many games. Fresno State 34, Washington State 28.
LendingTree Bowl
Rice vs Southern Miss
Despite their 5-7 record, Rice is headed to Mobile, Alabama to take on the Golden Eagles of Southern Miss. The Owls have lost their last 3 games and give up nearly 34 points per game on average on defense. Southern Miss ended their season with a win, but lost the three games before that. I don't expect too many big fireworks in this one, but if you're watching, be sure to keep an eye on Frank Gore Jr. The Sophomore RB for the Golden Eagles is following in his dad's footsteps as he's rushed for over 1,000 and 7 TDs this season. Southern Miss defeats Rice on the back of Gore 33-17.
New Mexico Bowl
SMU vs BYU
A rematch of the famous 1980 Holiday Bowl is set to take place in New Mexico as the Ponies and the Cougars due battle. I would expect a lot of points in this one as neither team has been very stout on defense this season. BYU has been a difficult team to read as they were red hot to start the season but had some bad losses in the middle and won a few down the stretch. SMU has won 4 of their last 5 games and are looking to finish strong as QB Tanner Mordecai is just 2 TD passes away from breaking the school record for a career, currently at 71. He'll be without his star receiver Rashee Rice who wants to heal up before the NFL draft, and it's unlikely we'll see BYU QB Jalen Hall. I'll give the nod to Mordecai as he gets the win and breaks the SMU career TD passing record. Mustangs run past the Cougars 40-31.
Frisco Bowl Presented by SERVPRO
North Texas vs Boise State
The Mean Green take on the Broncos as both teams look to avenge their respective conference championship losses. Boise State's defense ranks 4th in the nation against the pass and North Texas QB Austin Aune has thrown for 3,309 yards with 32 TDs and 13 picks this year. This should be a fun best on best system to watch, but I give the nod to Boise State. Their Junior RB George Holani averages 5.3 yards per carry and the Mean Green give up an average of 460 offensive yards to opponents. Broncos win the Frisco Bowl 38-21.
Myrtle Beach Bowl
Marshall vs UConn
Jim Mora has led the Huskies to their first bowl game since 2015 and they take on the Thundering Herd. They have a big task ahead of them as the Herd ranks 10th in total defense and gives up just 16.2 points per game. UConn has played tough in all their games and pulled a number of impressive upsets this year. They're on the way up, but Marshall should take care of this one. Look for Senior RB Kahlan Laborn to have a big night. The Herd runs away with this one 31-14.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Eastern Michigan vs San Jose State
EMU and San Jose State meet on the Smurf Turf for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. The Spartans are led by Junior QB Chevan Cordeiro, he's thrown for nearly 2,900 yards this season and has an impressive 20:4 TD to INT ratio. The Eagles have been susceptible to the pass this year, so look for them to rely on their Senior RB to carry the rock and slow down the game. Samson Evans averages 4.8 yards per carry, but I think it's Eastern Michigan's defense that will get gashed the most. San Jose State Spartans win this one 28-24.
Roofclaim.com Boca Raton Bowl
Liberty vs Toledo
The Flames and the Rockets meet in South Florida for what's likely to be a bit of a barn burner. Liberty has dropped three straight, but the Rockets were able to claim another MAC title over Ohio a couple weeks ago. Both teams average around 30 points per game, but Hugh Freeze is now at Auburn, leaving the Flames to fend for themselves. I doubt they'll be able to slow down the Rockets, especially on the ground. Toledo wins it in Boca Raton 42-23.
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Western Kentucky vs South Alabama
The Hilltoppers high-powered offense could run into a wall in this one as they take on the 10-2 Jaguars of South Alabama. They give up fewer than 20 points per game and will look to slow down the passing attack of Austin Reed. The Hilltoppers' defense isn't too shabby themselves, ranking 10th in the nation in turnovers with a +10 margin this season. Both teams should play well in this game, so any turnovers could break it one way or the other. However, there's a lot of hype around South Alabama and HC Kane Womack in his second year. I've got the Jaguars in a close one 31-28.
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
Baylor vs Air Force
The Bears and the Falcons meet up for a matchup you don't often see. Air Force brings the triple option ground attack to Fort Worth as the Bears will look to spread the ball out and use that traditional Big XII speed on the edge. Baylor dropped their last 3 games and really fell flat in Dave Aranda's third season in Waco. The Bears know how to put up points though, and the Falcons aren't a team that score quickly. Baylor ends their season on a much needed high note with a 30-20 victory. Sic 'Em!
Thanks for reading my first slate of Bowl Game predictions. More coming your way next week. Enjoy the games!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
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