We've wrapped up the first week of Bowl Games and there has been a lot of great games thus far. We've seen some big offensive performances, stifling defenses and a few games that came down to the wire. This next slate of games has some intriguing matchups for you to enjoy over your Holiday breaks. So kick back, grab some Christmas Cookies and watch some football. More bowl games coming your way!
Current Bowl Record: 7 - 6
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
Louisiana vs Houston
The Ragin' Cajuns and Cougars meet in Shreveport, LA to do battle in the Independence Bowl. Houston relies on their fast-paced air raid attack. Senior QB Clayton Tune leads the offense with 3,845 yards and 37 TDs through the air. With just 10 picks on the season, Louisiana will need to rattle him if they want to force any turnovers. I expect Houston to run away with this one, but kudos to Michael Desormeaux for continuing Louisiana's bowl streak in his first season as head coach. Cougars 45, Ragin' Cajuns 33.
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl
Missouri vs Wake Forest
Despite a strong start to the season, the Demon Deacons spiraled as they dropped 4 of their last 5 games. There were a few close losses, but the defense really fell apart toward the end of the season, giving up an average 36.6 points per game over those last 5 games. Sam Hartman appears to be primed to play in this game and the NFL prospect QB has nearly 3,500 yards with 35 TDs. His counterpart, Brady Cook has sparked the Tiger offense in the second half of the season and has 2,509 and 13 TDs to his name. This game could be a big boost for both teams in the offseason, but Sam Hartman has been one of my guys to watch over the last couple years, so I'm rolling with him. Wake Forest beats Missouri 34-31.
EasyPoint Hawai'i Bowl
Middle Tennessee vs San Diego State
The Blue Raiders and Aztecs are set to give us some entertainment on Christmas Eve as they due battle in Hawai'i. Middle Tennessee has the better offensive attack, but SDSU brings in a stout defense giving up just 20.2 points per game. They'll need to slow down Chase Cunningham and an offense that averages 390 yards per game. Middle Tennessee either blows teams out or gets blown out themselves. SDSU typically keeps things close with a tough defense, but they struggle to score points for themselves. This one is tough to pick but I'll give it to the Aztecs, they typically perform well in the post season with a 10-9 all time record, but have won each of their last two bowl games in 2019 and 2021. San Diego State 20, Middle Tennessee 14.
Quick Lane Bowl
New Mexico State vs Bowling Green
Head coach Jerry Kill has brought the Aggies to their first Bowl Game since 2017. He'll look to unleash his two sophomore running backs, Star Thomas and Jamoni Jones, who have combined for 845 yards and 11 TDs this season. The Falcons have struggled to stop the run this year, but do have a potent passing attack led by Senior QB Matt McDonlad with 2,639 yards and 22 TDs to just 8 picks. If they Aggies can force a turnover or two, their ground game could put this game out of reach. New Mexico State wins this one 28-25.
Camellia Bowl
Georgia Southern vs Buffalo
Clay Helton's Eagles pulled off a double-overtime victory against Appalachian State to win their 6th game of the year and earn a spot in the Camellia Bowl. Their potent passing attack is led by Kyle Vantrease, who happens to have five seasons as a Buffalo Bull under his belt. His former teammates will have to try and slow down the #4 passing offense in the nation. The Bulls also pulled off a close win to get to 6-6 on the season, so this should be a fun battle to watch. Vantrease has been sensational this year, and I think he'll show out one last time against his old squad. Clay Helton and the Eagles win big down in Montgomery, Alabama as they beat the Buffalo Bulls 38-24.
SERVPRO First Responders Bowl]
Memphis vs Utah State
The Tigers are often known for having a high-powered offense, and with an average of 35.1 points per game, they have been tough to stop at times this season. Sophomore QB Seth Henigan has had a solid campaign in his second year, throwing for 3,287 yards and 19 TDs with 8 interceptions. He'll look to light up an Aggies squad that has been very strong the second half the season. Offensively, Utah State is led by their back-up QB, Cooper Legas. However, Senior RB Calvin Tyler Jr. is the key factor to watch in this one. He's crossed the 1,000 yard mark this season and averages 4.4 yards per carry. If they can get him going they have a much better chance at an upset in this one. I would certainly expect a high-scoring affair, and I'll take the Aggies on the upset. Utah State 44, Memphis 38.
TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl
Coastal Carolina vs East Carolina
The Chanticleers find themselves in their third straight bowl game as they take on the Pirates from Greenville, NC. ECU's bowl game last year was cancelled, so this is technically their first appearance in the post season since 2015. The Pirates have a dynamic offense that ranks 24th nationally. Senior QB Holton Ahlers leads the squad with 3,408 yards through the air while Sophomore sensation Keaton Mitchell supplements work on the ground with his 1,325 rush yards. Mitchell also has 237 yards receiving this season and when he's toting the rock he averages an insane 7.4 yards per carry. Coastal is dealing with the departure of head coach Jamey Chadwell who has taken over the Liberty job, and QB Grayson McCall could still be dealing with an injury. As much as I love the fighting teal chickens, I'm going with the Pirates in this one after Mitchell has a big performance to put him on some watch lists next year. ECU beats Coastal 37-21.
Guaranteed Rate Bowl
Wisconsin vs Oklahoma State
I actually might be in attendance for this bowl as I head to Arizona for the holidays! The Badgers pulled 6 wins together despite a rough start and a very unique move firing Paul Chryst from his head coaching position. Luke Fickell is set to coach in this game which is not common. He'll have a lot of question marks to deal with as QB Graham Mertz has jumped into the transfer portal alongside Cowboys QB Spencer Sanders. Both backup Badger QBs have combined for 11 total pass attempts this season, so I would expect a heavy dose of RB Braelon Allen, who has another 1,000+ season in his sophomore campaign. The pokes on the other hand have some experience at QB as true freshman Garret Rangel started a couple of games for them when Sanders was injured. He'll look to pick apart a stout Wiscy defense that gives up just 20.5 points per game. Oklahoma State started the season hot, but the Cowboys really fell off their horse after K-State blanked them 48-0. This was one of four losses in their final five games. Wisconsin did not produce many points on offense in 2022, but I think they'll have a rugged enough ground game paired with a salty defense to win this one. Badgers stifle the Pokes 23-17.
Military Bowl Presented by Peraton
UCF vs Duke
The Knights fell to Tulane in the American Conference Championship, but still have a shot for a 10-win season with a victory over Duke. The Blue Devils haven't been to a bowl game since 2018, but this squad has been tough to beat all year and all 4 of their losses have all been one score games. This game will feature two of the best (and unknown) dual-threat QBs in the nation. John Rhys Plumlee is the better known of the two, and the Senior announced he's coming back for another season at UCF in 2023. He's got a lot of experience and despite some injury issues the last part of the season, he's accounted for 3,245 total yards of offense with 25 total TDs. He's the leading passer and rusher for the Knights and is likely to give the Duke defense headaches all night. However, the Blue Devils have a headache of their own at QB, and that would be sophomore Riley Leonard. He's also the leading passer and rusher for the Blue Devils and has 3,430 total yards with 31 total TDs. UCF's defense has given up 39 and 45 points in their last two games respectively, so I expect this to be a barn burner. Give me the Duke Blue Devils as Riley Leonard wins the dual-threat duel at QB. Duke 44, UCF 40.
AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Kansas vs Arkansas
This game feels very different for each team as the Jayhawks have their first bowl appearance since 2008 and the Razorbacks are sitting at a frustrating 6-6 after one of the nation's toughest schedules. Arkansas has multiple players sitting out and prepping for the NFL and they've also lost their Defensive Coordinator as Barry Odom is headed to UNLV to be the head coach of the Rebels. Kansas did lose 6 of their last 7 games after hosting College Gameday against TCU, but the Jayhawks were competitive and QB Jalon Daniels has battled injuries throughout the second half the season. However, this team is highly motivated and proving you don't need the "AR" added onto Kansas to make it sound good. Rock Chalk as the Jayhawks win this one 34-27.
San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl
#15 Oregon vs North Carolina
Points. I would expect a lot of them in this one as the Ducks and Tar Heels due battle in Southern California. Both Oregon and North Carolina were eyeing potential playoff spots until late season losses in November derailed those hope. Regardless, we'll see two of the best QBs in the nation with Bo Nix and Drake Maye. Starting with Nix, the veteran has decided to return to Oregon for the 2023 season, but will be working with some new pieces as Will Stein has taken over as OC after Kenny Dillingham took the head coaching position at Arizona State. Sophomore RB Bucky Irving should provide a good pace on the ground as he's just 94 yards away from breaking 1,000 this season, but this offense needs to own the line of scrimmage if they want to win this game. North Carolina's offense runs at a crazy pace, so slowing down this game will be tough. Freshman star Drake Maye leads the Tar Heels at QB and is also their leading rusher. He's accounted for 4,768 total yards and 42 TDs. I'm still unclear why he wasn't at least a Heisman finalist, but regardless, the Oregon defense will have their hands full with this one. Again, I would expect a show from both sides down in San Diego, but Oregon should handle this one. Bo Nix and the experience around him will make the difference as Oregon gives a boost to their top 5 recruitment efforts with a solid bowl performance. Ducks 48, Tar Heels 38.
TaxAct Texas Bowl
Texas Tech vs Ole Miss
In his first season as head coach, Joey McGuire has taken the Red Raiders to an impressive 7-5 record after facing 6 ranked opponents throughout the season and winning 3 in a row to finish the year. Ole Miss finished the season in the wrong direction, losing 4 of their last 5 games as their defense struggled to keep things competitive in a few of those. Lane Kiffin has a contract extension now, so hopefully the locker room is a bit more stable. For the Rebels, Sophomore QB Jaxson Dart has been solid, throwing for 2,613 yards with 18 TDs and 8 picks. He'll command this offense against a vulnerable defense, but the real key to victory is on the ground with Freshman stud Quinshon Judkins. He's racked up nearly 1,500 yards with 16 TDs on the ground and averages 5.9 yards per carry. This could cause trouble against a Red Raiders defense that rank 90th in the nation against the run. Tech has a sneaky way of staying in games this year, but I think Ole Miss is looking to make a statement in this one. Rebels beat the Red Raiders 36-30.
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl
Syracuse vs Minnesota
The Orange fell apart late in the season after a strong 6-0 start, and now are without both coordinators as they head up the road to Yankee Stadium to take on the Gophers. Minnesota on the other hand has a top 5 defense, but did not defeat a single team with more than 6 wins this season. I watched this team in person against Iowa, and despite a top notch performance from star RB Mohamed Ibrahim, the Gophers threw (literally) that game away to the Hawkeyes. If Minnesota can feed Ibrahim the rock for his final game as a Gopher, they should be able to run through the Orange fairly easily. He's sensational to watch, so if you have a chance, tune into this game an watch this guy rumble for one more game in a college uniform. Gophers win on the back of Ibrahim and solid defensive play 24-14.
Cheez-It Bowl
Oklahoma vs #13 Florida State
The Sooners first year under Brent Venables did not go as planned as they quickly fell from the top 10 ranks to a 6-6 record with multiple bad losses including a 49-0 embarrassment to Texas. The Seminoles finished 9-3 with a very impressive season, losing three tough games to ranked conference opponents. Mike Norvell might be figuring some things out down in Tallahassee, as his team ranks 12th in total offense and 13th in total defense. The QB battle between Dillion Gabriel and Jordan Travis should be more than enough entertainment for this game, but keep an eye on the FSU secondary. They have a lot of future NFL talent on the back end of that defense and I would expect them to lock down receivers and cause headaches for OU. The 'Noles win big in Orlando as they defeat Oklahoma 37-17.
Valero Alamo Bowl
#20 Texas vs #12 Washington
The Longhorns get a bit of a home game as they head down to San Antonio to take on Washington and the nation's leader in pass yards, Michael Penix Jr. The Indiana transfer had an incredible year and shows why he was a dark horse Heisman candidate back in the BIG 10 before his injuries a few years ago. Texas has Quinn Ewers back under center after his mid-season injury against Alabama and he's played well in their final games, posting 55 points against Kansas and another 38 against Baylor to end the year. They will be without star RB Bijan Robinson has he prepares for the NFL draft, so Sarkisian will need to find a new weapon to compliment Ewers in this one. Defensively, Texas looked good at times this season, but they've struggled to force teams off the field on third down, allowing a nearly 40% completion rate to opposing teams. The Huskies rank 1st in the nation in third down conversions, so that will be a key area to watch in this one. We should have a good QB battle between Ewers and Penix Jr., but I like Washington to win this one. Texas has not held much consistency this year and there is just so many ways for Michael Penix Jr. to beat you. Kalen DeBoer finishes his first year as Washington's head coach with a big win in the Alamo Bowl 40-30 over Texas.
Thank you for reading my next slate of bowl game picks and I hope you have a wonderful holiday season filled with family, friends and lots of great football!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
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