Gildan New Mexico Bowl
We kick our bowl season off with two decent football teams squaring off, Colorado State (7-6) and Washington State (6-6). Washington State was terrible this year versus their own conference (4-5), but did take down #25 USC earlier in the year and lost by only 7 to Auburn. The Cougars will be led by Connor Halliday and the 4th best passing offense in the league. On the other hand, Colorado State has not had great competition all year long, but will be led by a nice peanut butter and jelly combo of QB Garrett Grayson (3327, 21TDs) and RB Kapri Bibbs (1572, 28TDs). Both defenses are horrible so I expect a high scoring game.
Washington State OVER Colorado State
Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl
This is one game I am actually looking forward to watching between #20 Fresno State and #25 USC. Fresno State has not played great teams at all this year. The plus side, the Bulldogs have the best passing team in the country with QB Derek Carr (4866, 48TDs) and the 5th overall offense averaging 45.3 points per game. USC will have a tough time defending this, even with the 21st overall defense in the country. Unless Pete Carroll comes back and coaches USC, the Trojans will be playing an uninspired game with several coaching changes throughout the year.
Fresno State OVER USC
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Not too sure if it is Idaho that is famous or the actual potato from Idaho that is famous. This game will feature San Diego State the king of OTs this year and the Buffalo Bulls (not Bills). San Diego State's passing attack is not so bad at 35th in the country but their defense is horrendous at 97th. Buffalo does not have a lot of special attributes, except maybe that they have the 27th overall defense in the nation.
San Diego State OVER Buffalo
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Tulane will play Louisiana-Lafayette on a Saturday at 9pm... If you are born and raised in Louisiana, I would still keep away from this stinker of a game. The Rajin' Cajuns have a semi-decent rushing attack ranking 26th overall. Tulane has a solid defense averaging 21.2 points per game, meanwhile their offense is atrocious. STAY AWAY from this game I repeat STAY AWAY. Watch the Pelicans vs Blazers game instead.
Louisiana-Lafayette OVER Tulane
Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl
Possibly the most unappealing name for a bowl game, nonetheless will be played in Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay. East Carolina has a solid offense ranking 11th in points for. Ohio has nothing flashy about themselves at all. I expect East Carolina's QB Shane Carden (3866, 32TDs) to shred this Bobcats secondary.
East Carolina OVER Ohio
Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
This game will be played in the beautiful Aloha State featuring a Chris Peterson-less Boise State squad versus an Oregon State team that currently rides a 5 game losing skid. The Broncos are an overly solid all around team across the board. The Beavers are riding on their air attack which ranks 3rd in the country behind QB Sean Mannion (4403, 36TDs). The Broncos are gonna need a Christmas miracle to win this one and they will continue that 4 game Bowl win streak.
Boise State OVER Oregon State
Little Caesars Bowl
The Little Caesars Bowl or should I say the Pizza Pizza Bowl will be fought between Pittsburgh and Bowling Green. Pittsburgh actually went 3-5 in the ACC game but did play some good competition. Bowling Green is coming off a huge win against Northern Illinois and Heisman candidate Jordan Lynch. This Falcons defense is ranked 5th in the nation only allowing 14.8 points per game. Pittsburgh only wins this game if LeSean McCoy comes back and suits up for the Panthers.
Bowling Green OVER Pittsburgh
San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
The name of this Bowl game gives me a headache, however I am looking forward to seeing Jordan Lynch and Northern Illinois take on Utah State. Northern Illinois as you should know has Jordan Lynch who can do everything from pass, run, and probably catch. The Huskies ran into a tenacious defense in Bowling Green last week and they run into another this week being the Aggies'. Utah State's defense is 7th overall and averages only 17.3 points per game. Northern Illinois for sure is the sexy pick, but I am thinking otherwise.
Utah State OVER Northern Illinois
Military Bowl
In a game for the troops, (We Are) Marshall will face hometown Maryland in Annapolis, Maryland. Marshall has a real good offense averaging 43 points per game and ranking 7th overall. The only thing Maryland has is the hometown advantage. Marshall will be led to victory by QB Rakeem Cato (3579, 36TDs) big time.
Marshall OVER Maryland
Texas Bowl
I am very excited to see an absolute putrid offense in Syracuse play a horrendous passing offense in Minnesota. The Orangemen are 100th in points for this year and 102nd in passing yards. The Golden Gophers are even worse with a 116th overall in passing yards. I will give the upper hand to Minnesota since they did beat #24 Nebraska earlier in the year
Minnesota OVER Syracuse
Fight Hunger Bowl
Another Bowl game being played in a baseball stadium, this time between BYU and Washington. Both teams carry a run-heavy offense and will score a lot of points. Washington will have newly acquired coach Chris Peterson and he definitely still has some tricks up his sleeves. Huskies RB Bishop Sankey (18TDs) will bring his A game to the McCovey Cove
Washington State OVER BYU
New Era Pinstripe Bowl
Yet another bowl game being played in a baseball stadium. This game will draw a large crowd from Rutgers and Notre Dame, especially since Yankee Stadium is the host. Rutgers is not a good team at all, as a matter of fact, I do not know how they are in a Bowl game. The Irish are going to express their anger from last year's BCS Championship game and pound the Scarlet Knights in this one.
Notre Dame OVER Rutgers
Belk Bowl
This will be Cincinnati's second straight year in this Bowl and they will play hometown team North Carolina. The Bearcats have a solid passing attack behind Brendon Kay (3121, 21TDs) and the 12th overall defense in the country. North Carolina on the other hand started off 1-5 and they also got demolished by Old Dominion 80-20. There is nothing to see in this game. Brendon Kay will add his second straight Belk Bowl MVP to his trophy case after this game.
Cincinnati OVER North Carolina
Russell Athletic Bowl
This Bowl game will be a good one with Louisville facing off against Miami. The U has a solid offense behind QB Stephen Morris averaging 35.9 points per game. Little do they know, they are facing a Cardinals defense that is ranked 3rd in the nation only allowing 12.4 points per game. Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater should have a field day versus Miami as this could be his last college game of his career pending his decision.
Louisville OVER Miami
Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl
Unless you are a Michigan or Kansas State fan, this game will be boring. Michigan QB Devon Gardner will be the only human being keeping your attention in this one. I know "almost" only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, but Michigan almost beat Ohio State (42-41 loss) on a two-point conversion miss. The only chance of me watching this game is if both teams have a hot wing contest consisting of Buffalo Wild Wings' Blazin' sauce instead of playing the game.
Michigan OVER Kansas State
Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl
Not sure how Middle Tennessee received a Bowl game but they will play the triple option frenzy offense Navy. The Midshipmen are going to run all over this weak Conference USA Blue Raider squad.
Navy OVER Middle Tennessee
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl
Take a breath after reading this joke of a Bowl game name. Besides the name, I do look forward to watching Ole Miss versus Georgia Tech. The Rebels' 7-5 record does not reflect their team accurately. They lost close games to Texas A&M, Auburn, and Missouri. Georgia Tech's record is 7-5 as well and will no doubt be running the ball the majority of the time. The Yellow Jackets rank 5th in rushing yards and average 311.7 yards per game. In the end, I will always lean towards SEC over ACC
Ole Miss OVER Georgia Tech
Valero Alamo Bowl
Let's just say this game is going to end fast, real fast. Even without Chip Kelly, Oregon should destroy Texas in this Bowl. The Ducks are 3rd in the country in points behind future NFL QB Marcus Mariota (3412, 30TDs). The Ducks will be flying high in these bad boys.
Oregon OVER Texas
National University Holliday Bowl
This is an interesting game that should be a blowout. Coming into this game, Arizona State has the 10th overall offense in the country averaging 41 points per game and has only one loss to a team not named Stanford. They will facing a pretty bad Texas Tech football team that is 4-5 in the Big 12, on a 5 game losing skid, and has a points against average of 31.2 points per game. The number 14 ranked Sun Devils prevail.
Arizona State OVER Texas Tech
AdvoCare V100 Bowl
Another vanilla Bowl game taking place between two 7-5 teams. This game will be all about ground and pound with Arizona versus Boston College. The Wildcats are ranked 11th in the nation in rushing yards behind RB Ka'Deem Carey (1716, 17TDs) and QB B.J. Denker (868, 12 TDs). Boston College is not far from Arizona's rushing attack. The Eagles are led by Heisman nominee and part-time tank Andre Williams (2102, 17TDs). This game will be down to the wire.
Arizona OVER Boston College
Hyundai Sun Bowl
This game will be battled out by a stout defense in Virginia Tech versus P. Diddy's son and UCLA.
UCLA OVER Virginia Tech
AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Another game that will put you to sleep between Rice and Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are 3-5 in the SEC, 0-5 versus ranked teams this year, and 82nd in points scored. They matchup versus a Conference USA Rice Owls team that heavily depends on the run game. Rice RB Charles Ross (1252, 14TDs) will lead the way to victory.
Rice OVER Mississippi State
Chick-fil-A Bowl
Texas A&M versus Duke is a non BCS game I am looking forward too for sure. The Aggies will be led by Johnny Football himself, Johnny Manziel (3732, 33TDs). This year's Heisman nominee and ex-Heisman winner leads the high-powered offense against a surprisingly good Duke football team. Notice I did not say basketball team because their football team is good for once. Although Texas A&M is 0-4 versus top 25 teams this year, I am still sticking with Johnny.
Texas A&M OVER Duke
Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl
Georgia will play Nebraska in what should be called the Deja Vu Bowl. Last year these two teams met in the Capital One Bowl on the same date, nearly the same time, and the same state of Florida. Georgia outlasted Nebraska 45-31 last year and this year the outcome is expected to be familiar. Georgia has a real solid offense and suffered through a tough schedule throughout the year. The only thing Nebraska has going for them is to save Bo Pelini's job from being terminated in Lincoln. Georgia wins this game unless this happens again.
Heart of Dallas Bowl
The only person I can see watching this game is Jerry Jones. UNLV will battle North Texas in Dallas, Texas to try and win over the hearts of heart-broken Tony Romo fans. This is as boring as it gets but North Texas does win the battle of the better nickname, the Mean Green. North Texas also holds the 9th ranked defense only averaging 18.1 points per game.
North Texas OVER UNLV
Outback Bowl
LSU will take on the Iowa Hawkeyes. Iowa has real good defense averaging a mere 18.8 points per game. LSU also shares a strong defense but their offense is where the questions are asked. With star QB Zach Mettenberger out with a torn ACL, can the Tigers still perform offensively? I think so, Freshman Anthony Jennings will be taking over and he will have two 1000 yard receivers to throw to.
LSU OVER Iowa
Capital One Bowl
Wisconsin and South Carolina will sure be an underrated game to pay attention to. Wisconsin has played well all year and their three losses have come from only 7 points or under. They play phenomenal defense allowing only 14.8 points per game on average. The Badgers' offense will consist of a two-headed monster in RBs Melvin Gordon and James White with a combined total of 2,803 yards and 25 TDs. As I am speaking they are watching film on this video here of Jadeveon Clowney.
South Carolina OVER Wisconsin
Rose Bowl
The traditional Rose Bowl will be host to Stanford and Michigan State. Stanford is not afraid of anyone with an outstanding 7-0 record versus ranked teams this year. Their defense ranks 10th in the nation while averaging 18.6 points per game to opponents. The most points they have allowed in a game this year was 28 twice and they won both of those games. It should be mostly ground and pound with Tyler Gaffney (20 TDs). Michigan State actually has the better defense though, allowing a microscopic 12.7 points per game to opponents. The Spartans' biggest win of the year came in the Big Ten game against Ohio State. This game is going to be a gory battle for that prized rose at the end of the game.
Stanford OVER Michigan State
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Folks in Glendale, Arizona are in for a battle of high-octane offenses between UCF and Baylor here. Baylor has the number one offense in the nation by far averaging a whopping 53.3 points per game. Bryce Petty (3844, 30TDs, 2INT) will have all cylinders rolling this game despite UCF's defense. UCF's defense is 13th in the nation only allowing opponents to average 19.6 points per game. Baylor's only loss of the year came to a Oklahoma State defense that held the Bears to 17 points. UCF QB Blake Bortles (3280, 22TDs) is no Bryce Petty but will lead the Knights to an upset victory.
UCF OVER Baylor
Allstate Sugar Bowl
I do not know how Alabama and Oklahoma got paired up. Last time Oklahoma and Alabama met in a Bowl game was the year 1970 in the Bluebonnet Bowl, surprisingly ending in a tie game. When the defending champs (Alabama) have only lost 3 times in the past 3 years, it is hard to pick against them. Roll Tide wins this one by 20+.
Alabama OVER Oklahoma
At&T Cotton Bowl
Missouri will be playing their old Big 12 partner Oklahoma State. Missouri carries a loaded offense behind multiple players with 10+ TDs. The Tigers also went through a tough schedule facing six top 25 teams and finishing 4-2. Oklahoma State did shut down Baylor with their reluctant defense holding the Bears to only 17 points. Missouri is going to want revenge from the Auburn loss and on an old friend. \
Missouri OVER Oklahoma State
Discover Orange Bowl
After Ohio State choked against Michigan State, they will get another test versus Clemson. Tajh Boyd (3473, 29TDs) threads the needle like no other. Clemson averages 40.2 points per game in the 12th best overall offense. The Buckeyes are very similar averaging 46.3 points per game with a 4th ranked overall offense. To go along with that, they have the 3rd best rushing attack in the nation averaging 317.5 yards per game. Ohio State is 24-1 behind Urban Meyer and are hungry for their first Bowl win.
Ohio State OVER Clemson
BBVA Compass Bowl
Houston will get their chance versus the big boys in the SEC, Vanderbilt. Houston is riding high behind Freshman QB John O'Korn (26TDs). The Cougars have not faired well against top 25 schools falling to 0-2. Vanderbilt has held their own with the SEC going 4-4 in the conference.
Vanderbilt OVER Houston
GoDaddy Bowl
Arkansas State versus Ball State is not a tasty appetizer at all following the entree (Auburn and Florida State). Arkansas State's head coach Bryan Harsin left for Boise State leaving the Red Wolves in the wind. Keith Wenning (3933, 34TDs) is going to have a field day.
Ball State OVER Arkansas State
Vizio BCS National Championship
The Granddaddy of them all Florida State versus Auburn. Florida State has the 2nd best overall offense in the country averaging an astronomical 53 points per game. The heart and soul of the offense is Heisman winner QB Jameis Winston (3820, 38TDs). Auburn's defense will be in for a rude awakening. The Tigers' offense will be led by Heisman nominee RB Tre Mason (22TDs) + QB Nick Marshall's ground game. These two help Auburn to be the number one rushing offense in the nation. Florida State's defense is no joke at all ranked 1st in the nation only allowing opponents to score an average of 10.7 points per game. This game is going to be an epic battle of the best and I am leaning towards the SEC yet again.
Auburn OVER Florida State
Rest In Peace BCS (1998-2014)
