When Virginia was given a pass on their last games, I worried that the NCAA would automatically grant them an exception and a bowl slot, in sympathy for the slain players. Fortunately, they did not do that. However, one undeserving team still crept in. Can anyone explain why Rice, with a 5-7 record, was awarded a bowl slot? Absolutely no reason for that!
Withe over 40 games, this column could get busy, so I'm splitting it in two. I'll split it nearly evenly, and cover the bowls through December 27th.
Friday Dec 16
Bahamas Bowl : Miami Ohio Redhawks (6-6) v UAB Blazers (6-6) : The Redhawks have been a bit inconsistent this season. When they are "on", they are strong. When they aren't, they stink. Which team will show up for this game? Being a bowl game, you'd think it would be the strong team, but I fear not. I'm a college professor, so I know that they modern student is too easily distracted by things around them, and being in the Bahamas is the ultimate distraction. It takes a strict discipline to overcome that, but if the Redhawks coaching staff that that discipline, they wouldn't have been so inconsistent this season. UAB by 13
Cure Bowl : #16 UTSA Roadrunners (11-2) v Troy Trojans (11-2) : The Roadrunners have been one of the most impressive teams over the past two years. Still, they should not discount Troy. Not only does the Sun Belt have an excellent record in bowl games, but Troy is a clever team with a large playbook. No matter how much preparation you do, they will throw something at you that you don't expect. Fortunately the Roadrunners have shown an excellent tendency to adapt. UTSA by eight
Sat Dec 17
Fenway Bowl : Cincinnati Bearcats (9-3) v Louisville Cardinals (7-8) : These two former Big Ten teams meet again. Cincy started the year strongly but stumbled near the end. They'll use the bowl game as a REST button, and prepare strongly. Louisville closed the season with some great performances, so they have the momentum coming into this game. This will be a close game, and I think the winner will pull a final amazing drive out of their sleeve. CINCY by four
New Mexico Bowl : SMU Mustangs (7-5) v BYU Cougars (7-5) : This is another great match-up. BYU has a talented team, although they had trouble finishing close games. BYU's downfall may be their own self-confidence. The Courars have a nasty history of underestimating Group of Five teams, which is quite strange considering they came from the old WAC. Underestimating SMU will be deadly, as their defense can get stiff. That will also help them in what will likely be a close game. SMU by six
LA Bowl : Washington State Cougars (7-5) v Fresno State Bulldogs (9-4) : We're only in our second day of bowls and we already have our second conference champion. Fresno State, who had been an offensive powerhouse during the season, showed a stiff defense in the Mountain West title game. That defense will prove advantageous here, as the Cougars struggle against tough defenses. FRESNO STATE by 14
Lending Tree Mobile Bowl : Rice Owls (5-7) v Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (6-6) : Rice doesn't belong here, plain and simple. So long as Southern Miss doesn't expect them to just roll over, the Eagles defense should prevail. SOUTHERN MISS by 11
Las Vegas Bowl : Florida Gators (6-6) v #19 Oregon State Beavers (9-4) : Florida has a grand history of bowl victories, but the Gators were not the strong force they often are. Oregon State has a good defense, and their special teams is a bit of sneakiness. OREGON STATE by 16
Frisco Bowl : North Texas Mean Green (7-6) v Boise State Broncos (9-4) : Here's an interesting game, as two conference championship losers fave each other. Both have something to prove. Boise State has a bit more power, and they will unleash that after being curtailed by the Fresno State defense. BOISE STATE by 16
Mon Dec 19
Myrtle Beach Bowl : Marshall Thundering Herd (8-4) v UConn Huskies (6-6) : UConn almost never makes a bowl game, and I'd love to pick them. However, Marshall has a powerful offense and a great history in bowls. MARSHALL by 18
Tues Dec 20
Idaho Potato Bowl : Eastern Michigan Eagles (8-4) v San Jose State Spartans (7-4) : Eastern Michigan was a surprise team this season, but their non-conference performance was a bit lackluster. San Jose State was an early force in the Mountain West, and that team has talent. SAN JOSE STATE by 17
Boca Raton Bowl : Liberty Flames (8-4) v Toledo Rockets (8-5) : This is Liberty's first bowl game. Beginner's luck could be on their side, but their biggest advantage has been a series of missteps by Toledo throughout the season. Still, the Rockets put forth a great performance in the MAC Championship, and I think they will carry that into the bowl game. TOLEDO by 15
Wed Dec 21
New Orleans Bowl : Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (8-5) v South Alabama Jaguars (10-2) : The Jaguars chased Coastal Carolina throughout the season, and They have shown up strong for every game. Western Kentucky has a strong bowl history, and they have a good team, but they have been a bit inconsistent, and I think they will fold under the pressure of the Jaguars offenses. SOUTH ALABAMA by 20
Thurs Dec 22
Armed Forces Bowl : Baylor Bears (6-6) v Air Force Falcons (9-3) : Baylor was an early season force but then faded. Air Force exhausts opponents with their hard-pounding running game. I think the Bears will fade in the fourth quarter. AIR FORCE by 18
Fri Dec 23
Independence Bowl : Louisiana Ragin Cajuns (6-6) v Houston Cougars (7-5) : The Cajuns can be a tricky team, but Houston survived a very competitive American Athletic Conference. I think the Cougars are better prepared for the type of game plans often brought to bowl games. HOUSTON by 13
Gasparilla Bowl : Wake Forest Demon Deacons (7-5) v Missouri Tigers (6-6) : Wake started the season strongly. Although they could not maintain that level of success as they got deeper into ACC play, they were still a tough force. That will be more than Missouri can handle. WAKE FOREST by 17
Sat Dec 24
Hawaii Bowl : Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (7-5) v San Diego State Aztecs (7-5) : On paper, these two teams still evenly matched. That is, until you look at their list of opponents. Not only did San Diego State play a tougher slate of opponents, they performed better, even when seemingly overmatched. The Aztecs have a tenacious team that never gives up. SAN DIEGO STATE by 13
Mon Dec 26
Quick Lane Detroit Bowl : New Mexico State Aggies (6-6) v Bowling Green Falcons (6-6) : The Aggies rarely make it to a bowl, so you wonder how well their preparation will be. Besides, the MAC needs a break, and I think this game might be it. BOWLING GREEN by ten
Tues Dec 27
Camellia Bowl : Georgia Southern Eagles (6-6) v Buffalo Bulls (6-6) : Buffalo has been a major disappointment this year, so this game would seem ripe for a Sun Belt victory. After all, that conference has a tremendous record in bowl games. However, somehow I think Buffalo, who has played some excellent games this season, will get themselves together for this game. BUFFALO by six
First Responder Bowl : Memphis Tigers (6-6) v Utah State Aggeis (6-6) : This game is really a toss-up. Both teams have positives and negatives, and their performances, when compared to the relative strength of their opponents, is fairly equal. In this case, I draw upon the comparative bowl performances, and that gives Memphis the edge. MEMPHIS by three
Birmingham Bowl : Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (9-3) v East Carolina Pirates (7-5) : The Chanticleers may have lost the Sun Belt title game, but they are still a strong force. East Carolina showed flashes of their former defensive dominance, but it's not enough. COASTAL CAROLINA by 18
Guaranteed Rate Bowl : Wisconsin Badgers (6-6) v Oklahoma State Cowboys (7-5) : The last game of the day, and the last one covered by this column, is the first game to feature a team from the Big Ten, the last conference to be represented in the bowls. At one point, Wisconsin was competing for the West division title, despite a terrible start to the season. It is that midseason improvement that gives them the edge. The Badgers looked at their team and found solutions to many of their problems, and that should shore them up for the bowl. WISCONSIN by eight
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