THE BOWL SEASON IS UPON US
Get ready. There are 39 games to
keep even the die-hard college football fan content. In addition to the College
Football Playoff semifinals, there are plenty of intriguing matchups pitting
top-25 teams against each other, while those in the Group of Five will go
head-to-head with hopes of capping already successful seasons.
So let's have a look at all 39
bowl games featuring FBS schools and leading up to the National Championship
Game on Jan. 7. All times eastern.
CURE BOWL: TULANE (6-6) VS. LOUISIANA (7-6), 1:30 P.M., DEC. 15, CBS
SPORTS NETWORK
Tulane is making its first bowl
appearance since 2013. Coincidentally, it lost the New Orleans Bowl that year
to Louisiana. The Green Wave have won four of the last five but will be tasked
with trying to contain Ragin' Cajun running backs Trey Ragas (1,141 yards) and
Elijah Mitchell (951, 12 touchdowns).
Prediction: Tulane
27, Louisiana 24
NEW MEXICO BOWL: NORTH TEXAS (9-3) VS. UTAH STATE (10-2), 2 P.M., DEC.
15, ESPN
Regardless who is coaching these
teams, this gives both a good opportunity to conclude strong seasons with a
win. Though Coach Matt Wells moved on to a bigger pay day, the Aggies should have enough
motivation to record their second 11-win season in the last seven. The Mean
Green will try for their third 10-win campaign.
Prediction: Utah
State 38, North Texas 21
LAS VEGAS BOWL: FRESNO STATE (11-2) VS. ARIZONA STATE (7-5), 3:30 P.M.,
DEC. 15, ABC
It's the always fun
Pac-12-Mountain West matchup where the little guys try to take down the big
boys. Fresno, though, should not be intimidated after winning the MWC title and
also beating UCLA earlier this season. However, Herm Edwards' Sun Devils have
won four of five.
Prediction: Fresno
State 31, Arizona State 24
CAMELLIA BOWL: GEORGIA SOUTHERN (9-3) VS. EASTERN MICHIGAN (7-5), 5:30
P.M., DEC. 15, ESPN
Eastern Michigan made quite
the plea to earn a bowl bid, but it also proved worthy of an
invite by winning at Purdue and losing at San Diego State in overtime. Georgia
Southern, meanwhile, is making its second bowl appearance since earning FBS
status in 2014 thanks to an offense that averages 260.8 rushing yards.
Prediction: Georgia
Southern 33, Eastern Michigan 27
NEW ORLEANS BOWL: MIDDLE TENNESSEE (8-5) VS. APPALACHIAN STATE (10-2),
9 P.M., DEC. 15, ESPN
Another bowl matchup where who is
on the sideline coaching, specifically
for Appalachian State, could be a factor in the outcome. The
Mountaineers won the Sun Belt title game for their fifth straight victory.
Middle Tennessee was edged by UAB in the Conference USA Championship Game but
has one of the Group of Five's top quarterbacks in Brent Stockstill.
Prediction: Appalachian
State 24, Middle Tennessee 21
BOCA RATON BOWL: UAB (10-3) VS. NORTHERN ILLINOIS (8-5), 7 P.M., DEC.
18, ESPN
Two years ago, UAB didn't even
have a football program. Now it's going to a second straight bowl as the
champion of Conference USA. Led by star defensive end Sutton Smith, NIU is
coming off a fourth Mid-American Conference title and will try to snap a
five-game bowl losing streak. These are also two of the top defensive teams in
the nation.
Prediction: UAB 24,
NIU 13
FRISCO BOWL: SAN DIEGO STATE (7-5) VS. OHIO (8-4), 8 P.M., DEC. 19,
ESPN
Ohio went 7-2 after losing two of
its first three games, while San Diego State limps into the bowl season a loser
of three in a row. Give the edge to Frank Solich and the Bobcats, who have also
averaged 48.2 points over the last six games.
Prediction: Ohio 33,
San Diego State 24
GASPARILLA BOWL: MARSHALL (8-4) VS. SOUTH FLORIDA (7-5), 8 P.M., DEC.
20, ESPN
This season started so promising
for Charlie Strong and South Florida, which won its first seven games. Once the
schedule toughened, the Bulls perhaps showed their true colors and will try to
snap a five-game skid while making a fourth consecutive bowl appearance.
Marshall, meanwhile, will put a six-game bowl winning streak on the line.
Prediction: Marshall
27, South Florida 23
BAHAMAS BOWL: FIU (8-4) VS. TOLEDO (7-5), 12:30 P.M., DEC. 21, ESPN
Butch Davis has FIU in position
to set the school's single-season victory record while making a second
consecutive bowl trip. Toledo has been inconsistent but will go bowling for a
fifth year in a row. These programs last met in 2010 in the Little Caesars
Pizza Bowl, won by FIU 34-32.
Prediction: FIU 31,
Toledo 30
FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL: WESTERN MICHIGAN (7-5) VS. BYU (6-6), 4 P.M.,
DEC. 21, ESPN
Last season, BYU won an
unthinkable four games. Now the turnaround isn't that grand, but the young
Cougars are back in a bowl. They'll try to complete a winning season against
Western Michigan, which played in the Cotton Bowl two seasons ago and boasts
two of the MAC's better running backs in LeVante Bellamy (1,172 yards) and
Jamauri Bogan (702 yards, 15 TDs).
Prediction: BYU 24,
Western Michigan 16
BIRMINGHAM BOWL: MEMPHIS (8-5) VS. WAKE FOREST (6-6), NOON, DEC. 22,
ESPN
This has the potential to be a
fun contest. Memphis features one of the nation's top running backs in Darrell
Henderson (1,909 yards, 22 TDs). Wake Forest receiver Greg Dortch (89
receptions, 1,078 yards, eight TDs) is equally as exciting. These two need to
have the ball as much as possible.
Prediction: Wake
Forest 32, Memphis 30
ARMED FORCES BOWL: HOUSTON (8-4) VS. ARMY (9-2), 3:30 P.M., DEC. 22,
ESPN
This matchup would be more
intriguing if both star defensive lineman Ed
Oliver and injured quarterback D'Eriq King were available for
Houston. The former opens the door for Army's option attack to potentially have
its way with the Cougars defense. The Cadets are trying for a third straight
bowl win after going five consecutive seasons without a bowl trip.
Prediction: Army 34,
Houston 28
DOLLAR GENERAL BOWL: BUFFALO (10-3) VS. TROY (9-3), 7 P.M., DEC. 22,
ESPN
If Buffalo is completely over a
collapse in the MAC championship game, then expect the Bulls to be in good
shape. Led by quarterback Tyree Jackson, Buffalo has topped the 40-point mark
five times this season. Troy, meanwhile, is eyeing a third consecutive 10-win
season and fourth straight bowl victory.
Prediction: Troy 28,
Buffalo 27
FIRST RESPONDER BOWL: BOSTON COLLEGE (7-5) VS. BOISE STATE (10-3), 1:30
P.M., DEC. 26, ESPN
It was a rough home stretch for
BC, which enters on a three-game losing streak and needing more from offensive
stars Anthony Brown and AJ Dillon. Boise State's seven-game winning streak was
snapped with an overtime loss to Fresno State in the Mountain West Title Game,
but it's won seven of nine bowl appearances.
Prediction: Boise
State 38, Boston College
QUICK LANE BOWL: MINNESOTA (6-6) VS. GEORGIA TECH (7-5), 5:15 P.M.,
DEC. 26, ESPN
Tec coach sets up nicely for his
team to send him out in style. The Yellow Jackets lead the nation, averaging
334.9 rushing yards. Minnesota yielded more than 300 yards on the ground to
both Maryland and Nebraska and 430 to Illinois this season — all three
opponents failed to make a bowl.
Prediction: Georgia
Tech 44, Minnesota 24
CHEEZ-IT BOWL: CALIFORNIA (7-5) VS. TCU (6-6), 9 P.M., DEC. 26, ESPN
Back-to-back wins in its final
two games sent TCU to a fifth consecutive bowl. Cal is making its first bowl
appearance since 2015 and only the program's second in seven seasons. This game
should be all about defense, but the Horned Frogs might have enough offensive
firepower to prevail in the end.
Prediction: TCU 27,
Cal 17
INDEPENDENCE BOWL: TEMPLE (8-4) VS. DUKE (7-5), 1:30 P.M., DEC. 27,
ESPN
Temple has won three in a row and
six of its last seven. Duke, meanwhile, has dropped two straight and four of
the last six. See where we are going with this? Owls running back Ryquell
Armstead (1,098 yards, 13 TDs) is a name to remember this bowl season.
Prediction: Temple
33, Duke 24
PINSTRIPE BOWL: MIAMI, FL (7-5) VS. WISCONSIN (7-5), 5:15 P.M., DEC.
27, ESPN
Two teams that underachieved in
2018 meet in a rematch of last season's Orange Bowl. Wisconsin won that
meeting, 34-24 and will look for a fifth consecutive bowl victory. Miami's won
two in a row following a four-game skid but has lost seven of its last eight
bowls.
Prediction: Wisconsin
35, Miami 27
TEXAS BOWL: BAYLOR (6-6) VS. VANDERBILT (6-6), 9 P.M., DEC. 27, ESPN
Credit both Baylor's Matt Rhule and
Derek Mason of Vanderbilt with quality coaching jobs this season. The Bears had
one win in 2017, and Vandy missed a bowl for the third time in four seasons a
year ago. Now these teams will go head-to-head with winning seasons for both on
the line.
Prediction: Vanderbilt
24, Baylor 21
MUSIC CITY BOWL: PURDUE (6-6) VS. AUBURN (7-5), 1:30 P.M., DEC. 28,
ESPN
This could be the most memorable
6-6 season in the history of Purdue football. While it very well might be one
of the more disappointing campaigns for Auburn, even though it has a shot at
eight wins. The Boilermakers beat three ranked teams, highlighted by that
resounding rout of then-No. 2 Ohio State. The Tigers lost to Tennessee at home
and by 31 in the Iron Bowl.
Prediction: Purdue
33, Auburn 30
CAMPING WORLD BOWL: WEST VIRGINIA (8-3) VS. SYRACUSE (9-3), 5:15 P.M.,
DEC. 28, ESPN
Star West Virginia receiver David
Sills V will suit up for this contest. Whether teammate
Will Grier does the same remains to be seen. Regardless, this matchup seems like it
might mean more to Syracuse, which last played in a bowl in 2013 and hasn't won
10 games since 2001.
Prediction: West
Virginia 44, Syracuse 28
ALAMO BOWL: IOWA STATE (8-4) VS. WASHINGTON STATE (10-2), 9 P.M., DEC.
28, ESPN
Perhaps it's a stretch, but Iowa
State could end up being the Washington State of 2019: a surprise team that was
expected to be good, but not quite to the quality in which the Cougars actually
displayed this season. The Cyclones finished third in the Big 12 and have a
good one in freshman quarterback Brock Purdy. Unitas Award-winner Gardner
Minshew II's one season at Washington State won't be forgotten.
Prediction: Washington
State 31, Iowa State 24
PEACH BOWL: FLORIDA (9-3) VS. MICHIGAN (10-2), NOON, DEC. 29, ESPN
It will be interesting to see how
much fight Michigan will have. One devastating defeat to Ohio State pretty much
ruined a special season in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines are 4-0 against Florida,
which is a program ready to return to prominence under Dan Mullen. Can the same
be said for Michigan?
Prediction: Michigan
22, Florida 17
BELK BOWL: SOUTH CAROLINA (7-5) VS. VIRGINIA (7-5), NOON, DEC. 29, ABC
Not having
versatile threat Deebo Samuel for this contest is more of a loss
for the fans of college football than South Carolina as a team. The Gamecocks
still have more overall talent, while Virginia has struggled down the stretch,
losing two in a row and three of the last four.
Prediction: South
Carolina 35, Virginia 24
ARIZONA BOWL: ARKANSAS STATE (8-4) VS. NEVADA (7-5), 1:15 P.M., DEC.
29, CBS SPORTS NETWORK
Not exactly two marquee names
playing on the biggest day of the bowl season. Following two consecutive losing
campaigns, Nevada is back in a bowl and looking to post eight victories for the
first time since 2010. Out of the Sun Belt, Arkansas State is making an eighth
straight bowl appearance.
Prediction: Nevada
28, Arkansas State 20
COTTON BOWL (CFP SEMIFINAL): NOTRE DAME (12-0) VS. CLEMSON (13-0), 4
P.M., DEC. 29, ESPN
Clemson enters as the heavy
favorite, but Notre Dame has proved many wrong all season. The Tigers are a
complete team, while the Irish's offense will face a test like none other this
season. It might end up being closer than the early double-digit line, but
Clemson seems on a destined course.
Prediction: Clemson
24, Notre Dame 16
ORANGE BOWL (CFP SEMIFINAL): OKLAHOMA (12-1) VS. ALABAMA (13-0), 8
P.M., DEC. 29, ESPN
The hype will surround Tua
Tagovailoa's health, but there's a good chance Oklahoma's Kyler Murray will be
the best player on the field. That doesn't mean the Sooners will pull off the
upset, because we know about all their defensive shortcomings. Oklahoma is fine
with a shootout, but by now Alabama knows how to win games like this.
Prediction: Alabama
44, Oklahoma 31
MILITARY BOWL: CINCINNATI (10-2) VS. VIRGINIA TECH (6-6), NOON, DEC.
31, ESPN
It wasn't pretty, but Virginia
Tech's bowl streak has reached 26 seasons. Meanwhile, a victory in
this contest would give Cincinnati its best season since going 12-1 in 2009.
This is a rematch of the 2014 Military Bowl, which the Hokies won 33-17.
Prediction: Cincinnati
34, Virginia Tech 24
SUN BOWL: STANFORD (8-4) VS. PITTSBURGH (7-6), 2 P.M., DEC. 31, CBS
It was Pittsburgh, not Stanford,
which actually played for a conference championship in 2018 — not exactly what
many expected prior to the season. The Panthers, however, totaled 13 points
while losing to Miami and Clemson in their last two games. The Cardinal were
one of '18's biggest underachievers but have won three in a row.
Prediction: Stanford
27, Pitt 20
REDBOX BOWL: MICHIGAN STATE (7-5) VS. OREGON (8-4), 3 P.M., DEC. 31,
FOX
In 2014 and '15 these teams met,
and on both occasions each was ranked in the top 10. Now, it's a matchup of
programs that are hard to figure out. The Spartans took a step back from a
10-win 2017 season, while the Ducks were an inconsistent group within the
Pac-12. Will this be Justin Herbert's last game for Oregon?
Prediction: Oregon
31, Michigan State 30
LIBERTY BOWL: MISSOURI (8-4) VS. OKLAHOMA STATE (6-6), 3:45 P.M., DEC.
31, ESPN
A winner of four in a row, Missouri
finds itself amid a nice late-season surge. The Tigers look to keep it going
against Oklahoma State, which has been all over the map this season. The
Cowboys won't have
leading rusher Justice Hill available for this contest, and
that could be a big X-factor.
Prediction: Missouri
42, Oklahoma State 31
HOLIDAY BOWL: NORTHWESTERN (8-5) VS. UTAH (9-4), 7 P.M., DEC. 31, FOX
SPORTS 1
This should be renamed the
Perseverance Bowl. Northwestern overcame a 1-3 start and the retirement of its
leading rusher to win the Big Ten West Division crown. Not to be outdone, Utah
lost both its starting quarterback and running back to injury but still claimed
the Pac-12 South Division title.
Prediction: Northwestern
26, Utah 24
GATOR BOWL: NORTH CAROLINA STATE (9-3) VS. TEXAS A&M (8-4), 7:30
P.M., DEC. 31, ESPN
Jimbo Fisher enjoyed a fine first
season at Texas A&M, with two of his defeats coming against Clemson and
Alabama. The Aggies should only get better. So, too, may North Carolina State
if it can quickly overcome the loss of quarterback Ryan Finley and receiver Kelvin Harmon.
Prediction: Texas
A&M 35, N.C. State 28
OUTBACK BOWL: MISSISSIPPI STATE (8-4) VS. IOWA (8-4), NOON, JAN. 1,
ESPN2
Iowa will be minus star
tight end Noah Fant, so that's obviously a big blow to the offense —
especially against a Mississippi State defense that last allowed a touchdown in
the second quarter of a 24-0 loss to Alabama on Nov. 10. The Bulldogs will also
be trying for a fourth straight bowl victory.
Prediction: Mississippi
State 24, Iowa 13
CITRUS BOWL: KENTUCKY (9-3) VS. PENN STATE (9-3), 1 P.M., JAN. 1, ABC
Kentucky has not won a bowl game
since 2008 when it beat East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl. If there is ever a
Wildcat team capable of ending that drought, it could be this one. Kentucky's
Nagurski Award-winning linebacker Josh Allen will have his sights set on Penn
State quarterback Trace McSorley, whose stellar collegiate career comes to an
end.
Prediction: Kentucky
26, Penn State 20
FIESTA BOWL: LSU (9-3) VS. UCF (12-0), 1 P.M., JAN. 1, ESPN
With its winning streak at 25,
UCF has another chance to prove wrong any doubters who remain. Darriel Mack Jr.
is doing a solid job in place of injured quarterback McKenzie Milton, but the
challenge gets amped up in the desert. Star cornerback Greedy Williams is sitting
this one out for the Tigers, who have talent to spare on the
defensive side of the ball.
Prediction: LSU 31,
UCF 27
ROSE BOWL: WASHINGTON (10-3) VS. OHIO STATE (12-1), 5 P.M., JAN. 1,
ESPN
The Buckeyes' resume wasn't good
enough to earn them a spot in the College Football Playoff, so they will try
to send Urban
Meyer off into the sunset of retirement with a victory in the
"Granddaddy of Them All." It will be an emotional one for Ohio State
and an opportunity for Washington to record a fifth straight win to cap a
somewhat bittersweet campaign.
Prediction: Ohio
State 42, Washington 40
SUGAR BOWL: TEXAS (9-4) VS.GEORGIA (11-2), 8:45 P.M., JAN. 1, ESPN
One of these days Georgia will
find a way to hang onto a lead against Alabama. For now, the Bulldogs need to
muster up enough motivation not to be upset by the Longhorns. Georgia is the
big favorite, but Texas is solid enough on both sides of the ball to make this
a game.
Prediction: Georgia
33, Texas 27
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