FAVORITE TEAMS

DECEMBER 20, 2019

BAHAMAS BOWL -NASSAU, BAHAMAS (11AM PT / 2PM ET) [ESPN]

BUFFALO (7-5) VS. CHARLOTTE (7-5)

• Charlotte makes their first bowl appearance since joining the FBS division. Buffalo appears in their second straight bowl game but have yet to win a bowl game. While the MAC hasn’t been successful in bowl games, so has C-USA at times too, but managed to win 4 out of 6 games. This might be Buffalo’s time to finally shine this bowl season since they have two 1,000 yard rushers (Jaret Patterson and Kevin Marks) and their rushing defense is fourth in the nation. Charlotte’s chances of winning comes down to quarterback Chris Reynolds’ ability to run and throw.

MY PICK: BUFFALO

 

FRISCO BOWL – FRISCO, TX (4:30PM PT / 7:30PM ET) [ESPN2]

UTAH STATE (7-5) AT KENT STATE (6-6)

• Kent State returns to a bowl game since 2012 but have yet to win a bowl game in program history. They have been in close games and are 4-3 in games decided by eight points or less this season. Utah State makes their eighth bowl appearance in nine seasons and are 3-2 against the MAC. This is the third meeting against each other with a possible high-scoring game since both defenses struggle. Utah State has the edge based on experience from quarterback Jordan Love.

MY PICK: UTAH STATE

 

DECEMBER 21, 2019

CELEBRATION BOWL – ATLANTA, GA (9AM PT / 12PM ET) [ABC]

NORTH CAROLINA A&T (8-3) VS. ALCORN STATE (9-3)

• This is my very first time giving information on FCS teams and I want to make this a part of my future games to cover in that division. So bear with me. This is the fifth annual Celebration Bowl for MEAC champion North Carolina A&T (3-0) and SWAC champion Alcorn State (0-2). This will be the third matchup in five championships between those teams, and A&T is 2-0 in those meetings. Alcorn State was a 2-point conversion away from making a second half comeback run to tie the game to force overtime. After failing two times against A&T, this could be Alcorn State’s year to end their run as the second decade of the 21st century comes to a close.

MY PICK: ALCORN STATE

 

NEW MEXICO BOWL – ALBUQUERQUE, NM (11AM PT / 2PM ET) [ESPN]

CENTRAL MICHIGAN (8-5) VS. SAN DIEGO STATE (9-3)

• Central Michigan plays their 10th bowl game in 14 seasons, and that includes winning eight games after winning only one last season. San Diego State makes their 10th straight bowl appearance. Central Michigan’s on a 3-game losing streak against Mountain West/WAC opponents while San Diego State lost to a MAC opponent (Ohio) for the first time in program history. San Diego State should bounce back in the likely hands of quarterback Ryan Agnew. However, starting running back Juwan Washington’s status is questionable. Also, Central Michigan has struggled against good defenses and the Aztecs allowed over 20 points twice all season.

MY PICK: SAN DIEGO STATE

 

CURE BOWL – ORLANDO, FL (11:30AM PT / 2:30PM ET) [CBS SPORTS NETWORK]

LIBERTY (7-5) VS. GEORGIA SOUTHERN (7-5)

• Liberty makes their bowl debut in their second season in the FBS, and this will also be coach Hugh Freeze’s sixth appearance all-time. Georgia Southern appears in their third bowl game and are currently 2-0 all-time. This game features Liberty quarterback Stephen “Buckshot” Calvert and Georgia Southern quarterback Shai Werts. Georgia Southern’s defense and time of possession by itself is their strength, but their pass defense is prone to big plays. However, Liberty’s adjustment to a bowl game setting is key to how well they play.

MY PICK: GEORGIA SOUTHERN

 

CHERIBUNDI BOCA RATON BOWL – BOCA RATON, FL (12:30PM PT / 3:30PM ET) [ABC]

SMU (10-2) AT FAU (10-3)

• SMU appears in their second bowl game in three seasons with a nice 10-2 record. They were on their way to a potential conference title game before losing two of three games to Memphis and Navy. FAU’s 3-0 in bowl games all-time and hopes to win their second straight bowl game at home. Both teams come in with dangerous offenses, but FAU has a slightly better defense and are capable of forcing turnovers in a heartbeat. They picked off 21 passes and forced 14 fumbles that resulted in 10 recoveries. C-USA teams aren’t that successful in bowls, but the fact that FAU’s at home for the third straight time this season is enough for a potential upset.

MY PICK: FAU

 

CAMELLIA BOWL – MONTGOMERY, AL (2:30PM PT / 5:30PM ET) [ESPN]

FIU (6-6) VS. ARKANSAS STATE (7-5)

• FIU makes their third straight bowl appearance while Arkansas State makes their ninth straight, but there’s plenty of discrepancy in this matchup. While Arkansas State won the last two meetings to FIU, they’re 0-3 against C-USA, lost the last two bowls, and are 2-3 in bowls in the state of Alabama. FIU quarterback James Morgan and Arkansas State quarterback Layne Hatcher make their bowl debut and have enough support to score some points. Arkansas State’s more vulnerable on defense allowing over 3100 yards passing and 31 rushing touchdowns, but FIU’s rush defense could suffer themselves against Arkansas State back Marcel Murray. The offenses chance of success comes down to young Layne Hatcher being smart with the ball while their top three receivers battle FIU’s strong secondary.

MY PICK: FIU

 

MITSUBISHI MOTORS LAS VEGAS BOWL – WHITNEY, NV [4:30PM PT / 7:30PM ET]

#19 BOISE STATE (12-1) VS. WASHINGTON (7-5)

• This is the first and last annual “Chris Petersen” Bowl. For anyone that knows Washington coach Chris Petersen, he used to coach for Boise State. This game will be his last before he officially retires. Boise State wins their conference title game and returns for their second Las Vegas Bowl appearance in three seasons. The Broncos also ended their drought against Power 5 opponents with a win against Florida State earlier this season. But this offense looks deceptively inconsistent due to quarterback injuries. Washington started 4-1 before losing four of their last seven. The defense, before the four-game stretch from Stanford to Utah, allowed 15.9 points per game. In that four-game stretch, they allowed 29.5 points per game and lost three of those four. If Washington’s defense struggles to slow down Boise State’s offense, especially since quarterback Hank Bachmeier returns from injury, Petersen’s final game could be a curtain call on his bowl record with the Huskies (currently 1-4).

MY PICK: BOISE STATE

 

R+L CARRIERS NEW ORLEANS BOWL -NEW ORLEANS, LA (6PM PT / 9PM ET) [ESPN]

UAB (9-4) VS. #20 APPALACHIAN STATE (12-1)

• This matchup involves plenty of recent history made. UAB has three straight winning seasons, appeared in two straight conference title games, and appears in their third straight bowl game in program history since coming out of a 2-year hiatus. Appalachian State had their own history with 10+ wins in six seasons and won 12 games for the first time ever since appearing in the FBS. They are also the first 12-win Sun Belt team in conference history. While UAB has a consistent defense for the second straight season, Appalachian State has an overall consistent roster. Despite coach Eliah Drinkwitz departing for Missouri, this team is 4-0 in bowl games in five FBS seasons (averaging 35 points per game) with a veteran roster and should outplay the Blazers with little to no issue.

MY PICK: APPALACHIAN STATE