Hello, all. Over a week ago, I previewed all of the pre-Christmas Day bowl games. This time around, we have a graphic courtesy of my cousin Brad. The graphic reveals who my three cousins and I think will win each bowl game. I am not writing about Penn State in this entry, as I have decided to do a separate preview for them as well as for the College Football Playoff. Now, it's time for the post-Christmas Day games. Things are a little more serious now. I was forced to write this whole thing on my phone, so there won't be pictures until after the Dec. 28 bowl games are over. Let's get into it.
Pitt got shafted (military bowl)
Pitt (8-4) at Navy (10-2)
Anybody who knows me knows that I don't think too highly of the University of Pittsburgh. That being said, they had a good season and deserved better than to play Navy in what is basically a road game, while inferior ACC schools got a better draw. I expect Navy's home field advantage, and Kennan Reynolds, to be too much for Pat Narduzzi's Panthers.
Navy 35, Pitt 24
Player to Watch: Kennen Reynolds
Not interested (Quick Lane Bowl)
Minnesota (5-7) at Central Michigan (7-5)
Another 5-7 team in a bowl game. Ridiculous.
Watch Jarred Goff (Armed Forces Bowl)
Cal (7-5) at Air Force (8-5)
Cal has fallen off of a cliff ever since losing at Utah, but Jarred Goff is the man. Cal's QB is expected to go in the top 5 of this spring's NFL draft, and I think his last college game will be one to remember. Goff will go off, and Cal will be victorious.
Cal 42, Air Force 31
Player to Watch: Jared Goff
Baylor is too banged up (Citrus Bowl)
Baylor (9-3) at UNC (11-2)
Baylor is down to about their 95th quarterback this season while UNC is very good and very pissed off about the phantom offsides call on an onside kick call in the ACC Title game. Corey Coleman and Shock Linwood are also out for Baylor. Oh, and good luck slowing Marquise Williams down.
UNC 45, Baylor 30
Player to Watch: Marquise Williams
Who the Hell Cares?
Nevada (6-6) at Colorado State (7-5)
Every team that plays in a bowl game should have a record of 8-4 or above. That would make things more meaningful.
Watch Patrick Mahomes (Texas Bowl)
#20 LSU (8-3) at Texas Tech (7-5)
LSU is the better team, but they are not why I'm interested in this game. I've gotten a few looks at the Texas Tech offense this year, and my oh my. They score in bunches. I am interested to see how this Big 12 offense will go against an SEC defense. I do think that LSU's defense will slow down the Red Raiders just enough to get the W, but the player to watch in this game for me is not Leonard Fournette, but rather Patrick Mahomes. The Texas Tech QB is 7th in the nation in passing yards and is a joy to watch. He will shine in a losing effort. His defense will not.
LSU 35, Texas Tech 30
Player to Watch: Patrick Mahomes
Watch Paxton Lynch (Birmingham Bowl)
Memphis (9-3) at Auburn (6-6)
Auburn has disappointed greatly. Memphis has been a pleasant surprise, and their quarterback, Paxton Lynch, has a good chance of being the first QB taken in the 2016 NFL Draft. Auburn is a little better than their record shows, and I think they will make it close. But almost only counts in horseshoes.
Memphis 35, Auburn 27
Player to Watch: Paxton Lynch
Dak Prescott's last hurrah (Belk Bowl)
Mississippi State (8-4) at NC State (7-5)
MSU's Dak Prescott is one of the best quarterbacks in SEC history. An average NC State team is not going to spoil his last college game.
MSU 38, NC State 21
Player to Watch: Dak Prescott
Farewell, Cody Kessler (Holliday Bowl)
#25 USC (8-5) at Wisconsion (9-3)
This is an even matchup, but I think that USC has been through too much this season to end on anything but a high note. This will be Cody Kessler's last game behind center in a Trojan uniform, and he has had a great career in LA. However, my player to watch is not Kessler, but rather his #1 receiver. JuJu Smith-Schuster is just a sophomore, but he is already a star. JuJu has accumulated 1,389 yards recieving this year, and I expect him to tack on over 100 more. The Trojans will play an inspired football game, and they will not be denied.
USC 33, Wisconsion 21
Player to Watch: JuJu Smith-Schuster
Upset City (Peach Bowl)
#18 Houston (12-1) at #9 Florida State (10-2)
This will be a fun one to watch. Both of these teams are good, as evidenced by their rankings. However, I see this as a coming out party for Houston. Greg Ward Jr. is one of the most versatile QB's in the land, and the country will take notice after he torches the Seminoles both in the air and on the ground. Houston in a close one, thanks to Ward. Book it.
Houston 38, Florida State 30
Player to Watch: Greg Ward Jr.
Good Ol Rockey Top (Outback Bowl)
#13 Northwestern (10-2) at #23 Tennessee (8-4)
Northwestern may be 10-2, but since their opening day win over Stanford, they have done little to impress me.
Tennessee has had an up and down year, but I think they get it done simply because Northwestern does not often play well against quality competition. I don't have a lot more to say about this one.
Tennessee 24, Northwestern 14
Player to Watch: Jalen Hurd
I'm really not too intrigued (Citrus Bowl)
#14 Michigan (9-3) at #19 Florida (10-3)
Yes, this is a matchup between two ranked, storied programs. But, is it really that interesting? Michigan is not ready to be a big-time player, as evidenced by the waxing given to them by Ohio State at home, and Florida just is not very good despite what their record says. I think Michigan is the better team with the better coach, and Jake Rudock can make big plays, so I'll take the Maze and Blue over the Orange and Blue.
Michigan 24, Florida 14
Player to Watch: Jake Rudock
The "2006 flashback" bowl (Fiesta Bowl)
#7 Ohio State (11-1) at #8 Notre Dame (10-2)
This is a matchup between two very good football teams, but I'm gonna take the Buckeyes. Ohio State appears to have gotten their crap together after a crushing loss to Michigan State wrecked their playoff hopes, and I think they finally have their focus that won them a national championship last season. Big Zeke Elliot, despite his recent legal troubles, should still have a big day against the Notre Dame defense. The sleeping giant is awake, and the Irish will pay the price.
Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 21
Player to Watch: Zekeeeeeeeeee
"The Grandaddy of them All" (Rose Bowl)
#6 Stanford (11-2) at #5 Iowa (12-1)
The Mother of all New Year's Day bowl games has a matchup worthy of it's nickname. Stanford is a team built of speed, and Iowa is a team built on grit. I think the speed will get the best of the grit. Iowa has not yet faced an offense like Stanford's, nor have they faced a player like Christian McCaffrey. I expect the heisman runner-up to have himself a day against Iowa's defense, but it won't be anything like his performace in the Pac-12 Title game against USC. Nonetheless, CM will have 100+ yards of total offense, and the Cardinal defense will hold CJ Beathard well enough to get a win.
Stanford 30, Iowa 24
Player to Watch:
Points, points and more points (Sugar Bowl)
#16 Oklahoma State (10-2) at #12 Ole Miss (9-3)
Shootout city. Ok. State's Mason Rudolph and Ole Miss's Chad Kelly should provide for a very exciting matchup. If Ole Miss had Robert Nkemdiche at defensive end, I would expect them to get the W. But since the beast is suspended, I'm going with the Cowboys. Oklahoma State has a stud defensive end themselves in Emmanuel Ogbah, and he will be on the field. Expect Ogbah to get to Kelly at least twice, and maybe even force a big turnover. Rudolph will do the rest.
Oklahoma State 45, Ole Miss 34
Player to Watch: Emmanuel Ogbah
The "buzzkill bowl" (Liberty Bowl)
Arkansas (7-5) at Kansas State (6-6)
Wow. All of those great games, and now this. Buzzkill. Arkansas will win by something, but I probably won't be watching this one
Now back to the good part (Alamo Bowl)
#15 Oregon (9-3) at # 11 TCU (10-2)
Coming into the season, both of these teams had higher aspirations than the Alamo Bowl. But they are here, so they might as well make the most of it. Both of these teams have electrifying playmakers on offense in Trevone Boykin (TCU) and Royce Freeman (Oregon). It will be close, but I give TCU the slight edge because the are the better team in my eyes, and they are playing in their own state.
TCU 38, Oregon 28
Player to Watch: Trevone Boykin
Another Buzz Kill (Cactus Bowl)
WVU (7-5) at Arizona State (6-6)
WVU will win. By how much? Don't know, and don't care.
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