We have 41 games to discuss. I'll pick 20 games in this column and finish up next week. We have some interesting match-ups this season, but I object to Minnesota, with a record of 5-7, making a bowl game. The requirement for reaching a bowl game is six wins. When you start messing with that rule, you pen the door to lots of complaints and persistent whining from teams who feel they deserve the exception. They should have picked another team.
As a special treat this year, I will be including the original name for some long-standing bowl games. Enjoy the nostalgia!
Sat Dec 16
Myrtle Beach Bowl : Georgia Southern Ealges v Ohio Bobcats -- The Bobcats competed for a division title for much of the season. They didn't make it, but that doesn't reduce the strength of their team. While the Sun Belt often does well in bowls, they have too many teams playing this season. OHIO by eight
New Orleans Bowl : Jacksonville State Gamecocks v Louisiana Ragin Cajuns -- This is practically a home game for the Cajuns, but I'm not sure that will help. Louisiana has struggled much of the season, The Gamecocks played well, but they did have a weaker slate of opponents. Still, I'm going for beginner's luck to the bowl game newcomer, who often did well in FCS playoff games. JACKSONVILLE STATE by ten
Cure Bowl : #24 Miami Ohio Redhawks v Appalachian State Mountaineers -- We have our first ranked team, as the MAC Champion is relegated to such an early bowl game. That lack of respect will motivate them. They'll need that motivation, as the Mountaineers have a great bowl record. MIAMI OHIO by nine
New Mexico Bowl : New Mexico State Aggies v Fresno State Bulldogs -- The Aggies have practically a home game, but they face a team who is a fierce road opponent. This game is really a toss-up. Fresno State might underestimate the Aggies, who are normally a basement team yet had a great year this season. If so, the Aggies win, but it will still be close. NEW MEXICO STATE by three
Los Angeles Bowl : UCLA Bruins v Boise State Broncos -- This is a home game for the Bruins, but they were very disappointing this season, and I don't think they have ironed out their difficulties. BOISE STATE by 12
Independence Bowl : Cal Golden Bears v Texas Tech Red Raiders -- The Pac-12 was touted as the best conference, but Cal wasn't in that classification. They pulled off a couple of surprises against Pac-12 teams that they knew well, but the Raiders, well-prepped by the stiff Big XII competition, will overwhelm them. TEXAS TECH by 15
Monday Dec 18
Bahamas Bowl : Western Kentucky Hilltoppers v Old Dominion Monarchs -- The Bahamas Bowl is in North Carolina, not the Bahamas, as the stadium in the Bahamas is under repairs. I think the two teams would have enjoyed playing in the Bahamas. As it is, playing stateside may give the Monarchs the advantage, as they won't be distracted by the island festivities. OLD DOMINION by nine
Tues Dec 19
Frisco Bowl : UTSA Roadrunners v Marshall Thundering Herd -- Marshall has a good bowl record, but their play was a bit inconsistent this year. They ended strongly, so they are hoping that momentum will help them, but the Roadrunners are a strong team. UTSA by 13
Thurs Dec 21
Boca Raton Bowl : South Florida Bulls v Syracuse Orange -- Strangely, Florida teams have not done will in this bowl. Furthermore, Syracuse battled teams strongly early in the season, before injuries hurt them against tough ACC opponents. The players have time to heal, so a healthy Syracuse team will demolish South Florida. SYRACUSE by lots
Friday Dec 22
Gasparilla/St Petersburg Bowl : Georgia TEch Yellow Jackets v UCF Golden Knights -- Georgia Tech does not play well in Florida, and they also struggle against tough defenses, like that played by UCF. UCF by eleven
Sat Dec 23
Birmingham Bowl : #23 Troy Trojans v Duke Blue Devils -- Duke could not live up to early season success, and once they started their slide they couldn't reverse it. Troy kept their hype quiet, and let their play on the field speak for them. This is a really good team. TROY by 23
Camellia Bowl : Arkansas State Red Wolves v Northern Illinois Huskies -- Northern Illinois started the season slowly, but they finished well. That should carry them into this bowl game. NORTHERN ILLINOIS by eight
Armed Forces Bowl : #19 James Madison Dukes v Air Force Falcons -- No contest. JAMES MADISON by lots
Idaho Potato/Humanitarian Bowl : Georgia State Panthers v Utah State Aggies -- The Aggies are used to playing in this environment. The stadium is at a higher altitude, and that affects passing. UTAH STATE by ten
Mobile Bowl : South Alabama Jaguars v Eastern Michigan Eagles -- This IS a home game for Jaguars. SOUTH ALABAMA by nine
Las Vegas Bowl : Utah Utes v Northwestern Wildcats -- Northwestern finished the season strongly in order to make bowl eligibility, but Utah played much better against tough competition. UTAH by 18
Hawaii Bowl : Coastal Carolina Chanticleers v San Jose State Spartans -- For most teams, the attraction of this game is Hawaii, and they spend more time at the beach than practicing. San Jose is used to beaches, so they might actually take this game seriously. SAN JOSE STATE by 12
Tues Dec 26
Quick Lane Bowl : Bowling Green Falcons v Minnesota Golden Gophers -- I didn't think Minnesota should be playing in a bowl game, but this matchup is actually very favorable for them. While I don't like the idea of 5-7 team playing, I think they will win. MINNESOTA by six
First Responder Bowl : Texas State Bobcats v Rice Owls -- Texas State had some great results, but Rice faced much tougher competition. They are better prepared for this game. RICE by eleven
Cactus/Copper Bowl : Kansas Jayhawks v UNLV Running Rebels -- Wow, this is really the first game that is a toos-up. Both teams are strong teams. Perhaps the biggest incentive was UNLV's massive loss in the Mountain West Championship. They want to reverse that, sot hey will fight harder. UNLV by four
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