NCAA Football 2018 Bowl picks part II

[Ed note: We are aware that Christmas Eve is Monday, not Sunday.  The correction has been made]
 
We left off with the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, the last bowl game on Friday Dec 21st.  This column covers the bowl games into Dec 29th, excluding the National Championship semi-final games.

Sat Dec 22
Birmingham Bowl: Memphis Tigers (8-5) v Wake Forest Demon Deacons (6-6) : Wake Forest started out the season hot, but they stumbled badly in conference play.  So the question is -- which team will show up?  The one that went 3-1 in non-conference play, or the team who crumbled under pressure from quality ACC teams?  Memphis certainly won't give them an easy time.  The Tigers are a strong team, and got stronger as the season rolled on.  That momentum should carry them through this bowl game.  MEMPHIS

Armed Forces Bowl: Houston Cougars (8-4) v #21 Army Black Knights (10-2) : Here's a battle of two strong teams.  Houston has a fast-paced offense while Army's pounding ground game relies on ball control and time of possession, wearing down opposing defenses.  This seems a very good matchup, the kind of quality contests that were common in bowl games in the late 1970s and early 1980s, before corporate sponsorships and conference ties forced favoritism.  However, the nature of the Armed Forces Bowl brings in the best of the armed forces academies, so Army definitely has the crowd on their side.  That might be enough to propel them to win what might be one of the closest contested bowl games.  ARMY

Dollar General Bowl: Buffalo Bulls (10-3) v Troy Trojans (9-3) : The Bulls lost the MAC title game on a miraculous drive by Northern Illinois.  Until then, they had played brilliantly, proving to be the most dominant team in the MAC.  Troy is a good team, especially in bowls, but Buffalo is out to prove their worth.  Moreover, they have the emotional support of an unbeaten basketball team as well.  BUFFALO

Hawai'i Bowl: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (7-5) at Hawaii Warriors (8-5) : This game is typically on Christmas Eve, but since that is Monday this year, they play early.  That won't bother the Warriors, who are devastating at home.  A stronger team would prove a challenge, but Louisiana Tech has only been average this season.  The only thing that makes the Bulldogs a threat?  They play well in bowl games.  They won't play well enough here.  HAWAII

Wed Dec 26
First Responder Bowl: Boston College Eagles (7-5) v #11 Boise State Broncos (10-3) : Boise State nearly won the Mountain West title game.  This game won't be as close.  BOISE STATE

Quick Lane Bowl: Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-6) v Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (7-5) : Here's our first game pitting two Power Five conference teams against each other.  Georgia Tech overcame a mediocre first half of the season with some stunning play and excellent performances.  Minnesota was a powerhouse in non-conference games, but couldn't compete with the quality teams in the Big Ten.  Georgia Tech certainly seems, at least on paper, to be the stronger team, but Minnesota's stiffer conference competition, and strong non-conference record, makes them an interesting upset pick.  GEORGIA TECH

Cheez-It Bowl: California Golden Bears (7-5) v TCU Horned Frogs (6-6) : TCU is one of those teams who I often question whether they should be in a bowl.  If you remove their FCS game, they allowed more points than they scored.  While Cal was not a stellar team, they certainly performed better than that, and should have enough power to knock off TCU.  CAL

Thurs Dec 27
Independence Bowl: Temple Owls (8-4) v Duke Blue Devils (7-5) : Duke was a colossus in non-conference play, but conference play demolished them.  Temple hovered on the outskirts of the Top 25 rankings for the last few weeks of the season, and that team will certainly pester Duke.  TEMPLE

Pinstripe Bowl: Miami Hurricanes (7-5) v Wisconsin Badgers (7-5) : Based solely on record, these two teams seem evenly matched.  That's where record can be deceiving.  Miami accumulated a 4-4 ACC record mostly by beating on weaklings.  Wisconsin earned a 5-4 record in the Big Ten and played some hard-fought games.  Wisconsin is more battle-hardened, and has the better talent than Miami, especially on defense.  WISCONSIN

Texas Bowl: Baylor Bears (6-6) v Vanderbilt Commodores (6-6) : This is essentially a home game for the Bears.  Talk about favorable conditions!  Their offense was weaker than usual, but it's still better than what Vanderbilt will engineer.  BAYLOR

Fri Dec 28
Music City Bowl: Purdue Boilermakers (6-6) v Auburn Tigers (7-5) : Purdue's upset of Ohio State juvenated them, and they finished strongly.  Auburn started strongly, but proved to be lacking against SEC opponents.  Purdue stands a real chance to win this game, but Auburn can be determined, especially when representing the SEC.  AUBURN

Camping World Bowl: #17 West Virginia Mountaineers (8-3) v #24 Syracuse Orange (9-3) : By the time this battle of ranked teams occurs, some of the luster may have fallen from Syracuse, as their basketball team is struggling.  That doesn't take anything away from what the football accomplished this year.  They'd like to culminate that year with a bowl victory, but that may not happen.  West Virginia is a strong team who gave a tough battle to Oklahoma.  They'll give an equally tough job to Syracuse.  WEST VIRGINIA

Alamo Bowl: Iowa State Cyclones (8-4) v #12 Washington State Cougars (10-2) : Washington State was the lone bright spot among the Pac-12, and might be their best chance for a bowl win.  Iowa State surprised some Big XII opponents, but they knew those opponents.  I don't see Iowa State surprising Washington State.  WASHINGTON STATE

Sat Dec 29
Peach Bowl: #20 Florida Gators (9-3) v #8 Michigan Wolverines (10-2) : Michigan couldn't overcome their bitter rival, but Michigan has rolled over everyone else since losing a close game to Notre Dame to start the season.  While Michigan traditionally has a poor bowl record, I think the Wolverines will win this one.  MICHIGAN

Belk Bowl: South Carolina Gamecocks (7-5) v Virginia Cavaliers (7-5) : Virginia is another school who has allowed more points than scored.  South Carolina was dominant in their non-conference games, and I see that continuing here.  SOUTH CAROLINA

Arizona Bowl: Arkansas State Red Wolves (8-4) v Nevada Wolf Pack (7-5) : It would be nice for Arkansas State to win this game, and close out a successful bowl season for the Sun Belt Conference.  However, I think Nevada is just a bit more talented. Arkansas State has a decent bowl history, though, and could pull this one out.  NEVADA