Bowls ATS: 7-6 (6-5 National, 1-1 B1G – 3 games pending)
Season ATS: 139-120 (71-62 National, 68-58 B1G)
We are working our way through bowl season, and so far it has been a solid start. While there was some bad misses with Kennesaw State and Missouri State, there were also winners with Delaware, Washington State, and others.
The two losses in the playoff games were tough to stomach. Oklahoma blew a 17-0 lead and Oregon shut it down in the second half, allowing James Madison to creep back in for the late cover.
The next two articles will focus on non-playoff bowl games before predictions for the quarterfinals
are posted early next week.
Merry Christmas to all!
Bowl games 12/26 – 12/27
GameAbove Sports Bowl: Central Michigan v. Northwestern (-10.5) – Friday 12/26 1:00 p.m ET – ESPN
If you’re looking for an afternoon nap the day after Christmas, this is the game for you! Neither team does much on offense. This year these two squads combined to register just six games where they scored 30 points.
I know Northwestern has to be happy to reach a bowl game under David Braun, I just don’t know how much that will translate on the field. The Chippewas will likely have more pep in their step and fans in the stands since they get to stay in Michigan for this one. Give me the points in a defensive slugfest.
Northwestern 20, Central Michigan 13
Rate Bowl: New Mexico v. Minnesota (-2.5) – Friday 12/26 4:30 p.m. ET – ESPN
If this was college basketball this would be the Richard Pitino Classic since the son of Rick Pitino coached at both schools. Instead, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck is probably happy he doesn’t have to try and dodge a mayo shower like last year.
New Mexico put together a solid year in Jason Eck’s first year in charge. The Lobos played Michigan tough in the opener and went on to win nine games. The calling card for New Mexico is their defense, which is led by linebacker Jaxton Eck, who is the son of the head coach.
Minnesota did a lot of winning ugly this year. Only two of their wins saw the Golden Gophers score more than 30 points, and one of those came against Northwestern State. Wide receiver Le’Meke Brockington won’t play in this game, which will hurt the offense even more.
Despite Fleck being 6-0 in bowl games at Minnesota, all good things must come to an end. This feels like a game where New Mexico is going to play a little harder and cap off Eck’s first season with their 10th win.
New Mexico 24, Minnesota 21
Pinstripe Bowl: Penn State v. Clemson (-3.5) – Saturday 12/27 12:00 p.m. – ABC
Heading into the season it was a real possibility these teams would meet in the postseason after both were ranked in the top-5 in the preseason rankings. Obviously the Nittany Lions and Tigers lost the plot since nobody was predicting they would be matching up at Yankee Stadium in the Pinstripe Bowl.
Penn State fired James Franklin and lost quarterback Drew Allar to injury in the middle of the year. Following losses to Ohio State and Indiana, Penn State was in danger of not even making a bowl game, sitting at 3-6. Interim head coach Terry Smith rallied the troops, leading the Nittany Lions to three straight wins to close out the regular season.
Smith made a strong argument to be named permanent head coach before Iowa State’s Matt Campbell was hired to replace Franklin.
Much like Penn State, Clemson was wondering if they would even make a bowl game after starting the season 3-5. The Tigers closed out the regular season with four straight wins. Even though the season was a disappointment for Cade Klubnik, the Clemson quarterback played clean football over the last five games, only throwing one interception.
Even though a bunch of Clemson players are sitting out this one, Klubnik will be behind center, which gives the Tigers a big advantage over Penn State quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer. I’m also not convinced running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton will see much action, which will make it even harder for Penn State to put points on the scoreboard.
Clemson 28, Penn State 17
Pop-Tarts Bowl: No. 22 Georgia Tech v. No. 12 BYU (-4.5) – Saturday 12/27 3:30 p.m. ET – ABC
BYU has to be thrilled to not have to play Texas Tech again this season. The only two losses for the Cougars came against the Red Raiders. Running back L.J. Martin was a beast, rushing for 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns, taking a lot of pressure off freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier.
Georgia Tech just ran out of steam at the end of the season. All three losses for the Yellow Jackets came in their last four games. Quarterback Haynes King did everything for the Georgia Tech offense, throwing for 12 scores, and adding over 900 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns.
As great as King has been for Georgia Tech, it’s asking too much for him to be great against the BYU defense. I just hope for the sake of the Cougars that eating Pop-Tarts isn’t an honor violation since they’ll be the victors in this one.
BYU 34, Georgia Tech 23
Gator Bowl: No. 19 Virginia v. Missouri (-4.5) – Saturday 12/27 7:30 p.m. ET – ABC
Virginia has to be disappointed to not be in the College Football Playoff. All the Cavaliers had to do was beat Duke and they would be in the playoff field. Instead, Virginia fell in overtime to the Blue Devils in Charlotte. All three losses for Tony Elliott’s team this year were by seven points or less.
Missouri had quite a strange season. All four of their setbacks were quality losses, with three of them coming to playoff teams. Quarterback Beau Pribula missed a few games in the middle of the season and is now in the transfer portal.
Despite Pribula not playing in this one, I like Missouri because of Ahmad Hardy. The running back rushed for nearly 1,600 yards and 16 scores this year. Plus, I have to respect the Tigers are they stuffed Ohio State in a locker in the Cotton Bowl two years ago.
Missouri 24, Virginia 20
Rapid Fire Picks
First Responder Bowl: Florida International v. UTSA (-5.5) – Friday 12/26 8:00 p.m. ET – ESPN
UTSA 35, Florida International 31
Military Bowl: Pitt (-9.5) v. East Carolina – Saturday 12/27 11:00 a.m. ET – ESPN
Pitt 38, East Carolina 24
Fenway Bowl: UConn v. Army (-8.5) – Saturday 12/27 2:15 p.m. ET – ESPN
Army 27, UConn 14
Arizona Bowl: Miami (OH) v. Fresno State (-5.5) – Saturday 12/27 4:30 p.m. ET – CW Network
Fresno State 23, Miami (OH) 20
New Mexico Bowl: No. 25 North Texas (-3.5) v. San Diego State – Saturday 12/27 5:45 p.m. ET – ESPN
San Diego State 28, North Texas 21
Texas Bowl: LSU v. No. 21 Houston (-2.5) – Saturday 12/27 9:15 p.m. ET – ESPN
Houston 23, LSU 13
