FAVORITE TEAMS

FRANKLIN AMERICAN MORTGAGE MUSIC CITY BOWL 10:30AM PT/ 1:30PM ET [ESPN]

PURDUE (6-6) VS AUBURN (7-5)

Auburn and Purdue meet for the first time. Purdue had a memorable and inspiring year that involved super fan Tyler Trent. After three battles with bone cancer, he motivated the team that went out and wrecked Ohio State in grand fashion. Despite finishing 2-3 in their last five games, they went 3-0 against ranked teams during the season (Boston College, Ohio State, and Iowa). Despite the odds they may have against Auburn, I’m picking Purdue because of their inspiration coming from Tyler Trent. Oh, and watch Purdue’s receiver Rondale Moore. He’s an electrifying freshmen athlete!

MY PICK: PURDUE

CAMPING WORLD BOWL 2:15PM PT/ 5:15PM ET [ESPN]

16 WEST VIRGINIA (8-3) VS 20 SYRACUSE (9-3)

It’s great to know that two former Big East opponents are playing each other again since 2012. Both teams had good seasons. Syracuse started 4-0 before losing to Clemson while West Virginia started 5-0 before losing to Iowa State. Syracuse lost to two playoff teams, while West Virginia lost to one playoff team at the end of the season. This game could’ve featured two quarterbacks, but West Virginia’s Will Grier skipped the game to focus on the NFL. Syracuse won the last three meetings against West Virginia, and it could most likely be four since Will Grier isn’t available. Expect plenty of points from both teams regardless.

MY PICK: SYRACUSE

VALERO ALAMO BOWL 6PM PT/ 9PM ET [ESPN]

24 IOWA STATE (8-4) VS 13 WASHINGTON STATE (10-2)

This may be the first meeting for these two teams, but Mike Leach coached against Iowa State before. He went 3-1 against them in his tenure with Texas Tech. Washington State had an opportunity for at least a New Year’s Six Bowl appearance before blowing it once again in the Apple Cup. However, they had a great season and surprisingly Mike Leach’s defense continues to improve each season and transfer quarterback Gardner Minshew kept the Cougars’ offense humming. Iowa State started their season 1-3 before going 7-1 along with upsets against Oklahoma State and West Virginia. The defense continues to be a pain in any opponent’s keister, and freshmen Brock Purdy could be the Cyclones future quarterback to come in the next few years. Iowa State is 4-9 all-time in bowls and Washington State is 1-3 in bowls since 2013.

MY PICK: IOWA STATE