Last week ATS: 7-2 (7-1 National, 0-1 B1G)
Season ATS: 132-113 (65-56 National, 67-57 B1G)
Aside from Ohio State and Virginia losing on Saturday night, my picks for the rest of the conference title games were flawless. Now we head into bowl season nearly 20 games up on .500.
Over the next month I’ll have my predictions for every bowl game. While this week only features five bowl games between now and next Thursday (as well as Army/Navy), the next few picks articles will definitely be meatier. If all goes well, we’ll smash last season’s record when MC&J finished 23 games north of .500.
FBS games 12/13 – 12/18
Army
v. Navy (-6.5) – Saturday 12/13 3:00 p.m. ET – CBS
The pageantry of the Army/Navy game is outstanding. The actual football played in the game is tough to watch. At least one of the teams has reached 20 points in just four of the last nine meetings. So if games between these two teams are normally low-scoring and close, taking the points is an easy option, right?
Wrong. Navy is a little more dynamic than normal. Navy quarterback Blake Horvath has done a decent job of moving the football through the air, throwing for nearly 1,400 yards and nine touchdowns, which in terms of Navy pretty much makes him Patrick Mahomes. The Midshipmen went 9-2 this year. For a bit it looked like Navy was a serious contender for the Group of 5 spot in the CFP but losses to North Texas and Notre Dame erased those hopes.
Even though Army does a great job at controlling the football, I just can’t see them keeping pace with Navy in this one. Even a touchdown victory means a cover for the Midshipmen and I don’t think that’s asking for too much. Horvath and company have a little bit too much on offense for the Black Knights to handle.
Navy 21, Army 10
LA Bowl: Boise State v. Washington (-9.5) – Saturday 12/13 8:00 p.m. ET – ABC
They should call this the Chris Petersen Bowl since he coached at both schools. Last year around this time Boise State was getting ready to play either Penn State or SMU on New Year’s Eve in the Fiesta Bowl. Now the Broncos are now playing the first bowl game.
While most of the season has been a disappointment for Boise State, at least they won the Mountain West title last week, beating UNLV.
If Washington is at full strength in this game they should be able to easily handle Boise State. Head coach Jedd Fisch isn’t expecting any holdouts. As long as Denzel Boston and Jonah Coleman are healthy enough to suit up, the Huskies should score early and often.
A strong performance from sophomore quarterback Demond Williams Jr. could set the tone for the 2026 season, which could see Washington as a team projected to be in the mix to finish in the top half of the Big Ten.
Washington 38, Boise State 21
Salute to Veterans Bowl: Troy (-3.5) v. Jacksonville State – Tuesday 12/16 9:00 p.m. ET – ESPN
Both Troy and Jacksonville State are coming into this game after losing in the conference championship games. This bowl game being in Alabama is fitting since both teams are located in Alabama, about 150 miles apart. The Trojans didn’t exactly light the world on fire to close out the regular season, losing three of their last five games. Running back Tae Meadows is Troy’s leading rusher, but he has already entered the transfer portal.
Jacksonville State took a little time to adjust to life after Rich Rodriguez, opening up the season 2-3 before winning six of their last eight games. The Gamecocks love to run the football, rolling up over 3,300 yards on the ground this year. Running back Cam Cook rushed for 1,659 yards and 16 scores, while quarterback Caden Creel added 1,085 yards.
After falling behind 12-0 to Kennesaw State in the Conference USA Championship Game, Jacksonville State rallied to take a 15-12 lead before a late Kennesaw State touchdown. This feels like a game where the Gamecocks are a little more excited to be playing than their opponents. I’ll take Jacksonville State to win straight up.
Jacksonville State 24, Troy 20
Cure Bowl: Old Dominion v. South Florida (-5.5) – Wednesday 12/17 5:00 p.m. ET – ESPN
South Florida started the season with two impressive wins, blowing out Boise State and beating Florida in Gainesville. The only losses for the Bulls came to Miami, followed by three-point losses to Memphis and Navy later in the season. Auburn took notice of how well South Florida played this year, hiring head coach Alex Golesh to replace Hugh Freeze.
Old Dominion can hang their hat on not getting blown out by Indiana, only losing 27-14 to the Hoosiers in the season opener. The Monarchs closed out the season on a five-game win streak, but they will be without starting quarterback Colton Joseph, who has opted out of playing in a bowl game.
On the other side, even though Byrum Brown isn’t playing, he is still involved with the team as Gaston Moore will get the start in his final college game. Even without the Bulls having Brown or their head coach, I think they are still the more dynamic team and will have a lot to show ahead of Brian Hartline joining the program after Ohio State’s season ends.
South Florida 38, Old Dominion 28
68 Ventures Bowl Louisiana (-3.5) v. Delaware – Wednesday 12/17 8:30 p.m. ET – ESPN
As Louisiana entered November it looked like a long shot the Ragin’ Cajuns would be sitting at home during bowl season. Then Louisiana won their last four games of the regular season, all by nine points or less.
The Ragin’ Cajuns haven’t been great in bowls under head coach Michael Desormeaux, posting just a 1-3 record. I just wonder how much energy Louisiana expended just to get to a bowl game. Is there anything left in the tank?
This will be Delaware’s first bowl appearance as an FBS school. The Fighting Joe Flaccos are led by quarterback Nick Minicucci, who tossed 22 touchdowns and just seven interceptions this year.
In a game that feels like it won’t feature a ton of defense, I’m happy to take the points and ride with the better quarterback.
Delaware 34, Louisiana 30
XBox Bowl: Missouri State (-1.5) v. Arkansas State – Thursday 12/18 9:00 p.m. ET – ESPN2
Another team who will be making their first bowl appearance as an FBS school is Missouri State. The Bears held their own in their first season at this level, going 7-5. Quarterback Jacob Clark is an exciting watching, throwing for nearly 2,900 yards and 24 touchdowns this year. Running back Shomari Lawrence will have a shot at reaching 1,000 yards on the ground this year, entering this game 36 yards shy of the mark.
I could try and spin positives about Arkansas State but the only thing you need to know about the Red Wolves is they are coached by Butch Jones. Are you really comfortable trusting Butch Jones? If you are then you live your life a lot more dangerously than I do.
At least it helps make this decision even easier that Missouri State is a likable team.
Missouri State 33, Arkansas State 27
