Now the fun part! Let's go bowling folks. 41 times. This time I'll be competing straight up against my computer so there won't be any haters. But bowl games are tougher as they are just one and done, which means no home field, and all motivation. One team may want to be there to prove themselves, while the opponent may have gotten stuck there...A lot of close matchups (as bowl games should be) so most of these predictions go either way and are usually within a touchdown spread.
Editors Note: Last year's formula provided a 70% success rate against my 50% picking skillz
(Source: USA Today)
New Mexico Bowl: Arizona vs. New Mexico - Computer: Arizona 34-30. Me: Arizona 31-27
Much like most of these bowl games, it will be fairly competitive. New Mexico did have a nice season coming out of the Mountain West, but Arizona should be able to edge them.
Las Vegas Bowl: BYU vs Utah - Computer: Utah 28-24. Me: BYU 31-30
One of the first truly close games of the bowl season comes to you courtesy of the battle of Utah...in Las Vegas. A great Utah defense versus a relentless offense. BYU with a small additional defensive edge however. This one I'll admit I was going back and forth with, but I'll fight my computer. (And lose)
Camellia Bowl: Ohio vs Appalachian State - Computer: Ohio 24-21. Me: App State 27-20
Both teams looked pretty damn good...unfortunately Ohio's was early in the season and App State came alive recently...gotta go with the hot hand on this one computer.
Cure Bowl: San Jose State vs Georgia State - Computer: SJSU 30-27. Me: SJSU 34-24
San Jose State has been playing meh ball all year, but so has Georgia State, and Georgia State is in a weaker conference...
New Orleans Bowl: Arkansas State vs Louisiana Tech - Computer: Tech 34-31. Me: Tech 38-31
A slightly disappointing season for Louisiana Tech will get met with a solid season from Arkansas State (motivational factor alert!) Both teams know how to score points, so this one will be the first close shootout of the bowl season, but Louisiana Tech knows how to do it better. And small home field advantage.
Miami Beach Bowl: Western Kentucky vs South Florida - Computer: Kentucky 31-28. Me: Kentucky 41-31
Another potential shootout bowl with a small home field advantage favoring the Bulls, however Western Kentucky has been one of the most underrated teams all year long.
Idaho Potato Bowl: Akron vs Utah State - Computer: Akron 24-21. Me: Utah State 31-21
Interesting choice computer...mind you this is the same Utah State team who hung up 52 on Boise State and has stayed very competitive in all of their games. Akron doesn't have much going for them, but we'll see if my computer isn't blowing smoke.
Boca Raton Bowl: Temple vs Toledo - Computer: Temple 28-27. Me: Temple 27-24
Another very fun to watch matchup pits two teams that had really phenomenal seasons against each other. Sadly one has to win. Survey says that team will be Temple and that brutal defense. (Can't we just all give them medals? I guess that's what the bowl game in of itself is for...)
Poinsettia Bowl: Boise State vs Northern Illinois - Computer: Boise 31-28. Me: Boise 31-28
Northern Illinois hasn't been the same since Jordan Lynch left, Boise State has seen better days themselves. Pity party bowl game! I'll take my computer on this one.
GoDaddy Bowl: Georgia Southern vs Bowling Green - Computer: Bowling 34-31. Me: Bowling 38-27
Georgia Southern is a great story, they transitioned after being an FCS powerhouse (much like Appalachian State has) to be a very solid mediocre FBS team, they got a great matchup against Bowling Green, who has also been a very underrated team. But the computer and I are taking the established FBS squad on this one. (Editors Note: Speaking of adjusting bowl games, Western Kentucky/Bowling Green would be a GREAT game to watch, mostly because they would just be flying down the field non stop. In turn, Georgia Southern/South Florida would still be a great matchup)
Bahamas Bowl: Middle Tennessee vs Western Michigan - Computer: Michigan 31-30. Me: Michigan 34-31
Damn, if Nebraska wasn't in the Big Ten, they maybe would've gone to the Bahamas. Not a bad reward for those non-major conference teams. In other news, this could either be a shootout or a runaway game for Western Michigan, who I must remind you, gave Michigan State a run for their money earlier in the year. (But then I'd have to see pictures of my Scarlet/Cheer friends and be utterly jealous that they got to travel there)
Hawaii Bowl: San Diego State vs Cincy - Computer: Cincy 30-27. Me: SDSU 34-27
Damn, if Nebraska wasn't in the Big Ten, they maybe would've gone to the Hawaiis. Not a bad reward for those non-major conference teams. In other news, this could either be a defensive stalemate or a runaway game for San Diego State, who I must remind you, gave no team a run for their money earlier in the year. They did win the Mountain West though. (But then I'd have to see pictures of my Scarlet/Cheer friends and be utterly jealous that they got to travel there)
St. Petersburg Bowl: Uconn vs Marshall - Computer: Uconn 21-17. Me: Marshall 27-15
Uconn has actually played some interesting games this year. They upset Houston to put a blemish on their record, almost got the best of Missouri in Missouri (pre-Missouri scandals), and they've been quietly one of the best defenses in the nation. Unfortunately, even though they allow less than 20, they hardly score 17 themselves...defense wins championships, but offense wins games. Just ask the 2006 Bears. (Or the Seahawks, the defense/special teams pretty much won them their Super Bowl against the Broncos, but against the Patriots their offense couldn't produce)
Sun Bowl: Miami vs Washington State - Computer: Miami 31-28. Me: Washington 45-38
Shootout! Miami has had a meh season, but shall never be terribly overlooked, whereas Washington State was very very very close to bringing it back together for a Pac-12 title run.
Heart of Dallas Bowl: Washington vs Southern Miss - Computer: Washington 27-24. Me: Miss 34-24
Remember when Southern Miss almost beat Nebraska? Yeah turns out they're actually not bad. Washington turning in another meh season as usual.
Pinstripe Bowl: Indiana vs Duke - Computer: Indiana 30-28. Me: Indiana 27-21
I'm saving myself by constantly saying "Oh close match up here!" as I prefaced earlier, a majority of these are. Just because I agree with my computer (or my computer agrees with me...*Twilight Zone*) doesn't mean that they'll be one sided. Anyway, Duke coming in hot with a bad season, Indiana coming in hot with a better-than-expected season. Points to the team that can run it farther!
Independence Bowl: Tulsa vs Virginia Tech - Computer: Tulsa 30-27. Me: Virginia Tech 27-20
Really computer? I mean, I still hate Virginia Tech as much as the next Husker fan, but really? Not on Beamer's farewell tour. I'll be a mad man if its right I guess...
Foster Farms Bowl: UCLA vs Nebraska - Computer: UCLA 31-28. Me: UCLA 34-30
As of right now I'll give Nebraska some shred of dignity of keeping it close against an overrated team, but stay tuned for details.
Military Bowl: Pittsburgh vs Navy - Computer: Pittsburgh 24-20. Me: Navy 34-24
Navy and Keenan Reynolds with a spectacular season, personally wish it could've gone better because I love it when small teams do great things, but oh well. To those about to rock Pitt, I salute you.
Quick Lane Bowl: Central Michigan vs Minnesota - Computer: Minnesota 24-21. Me: Minnesota 24-17
Minnesota has had a struggling season, but they should be able to soundly put away Central Michigan
Armed Forces Bowl: California vs Air Force - Computer: California 28-24. Me: California 35-31
California got off to a really hot start with high QB prospect Jared Goff, then they got to the meat of their Pac-12 schedule. I had California taking this year as a step in the right direction and they definitely have done that to obtain relevancy within the Pac-12. A win here will confirm that (Assuming Goff doesn't jump to the NFL)
Athletic Bowl: Baylor vs North Carolina - Computer: North Carolina 35-34. Me: North Carolina 45-31
This one was supposed to be a good game, but then Baylor got a million injuries that just slows down the team's fast paced offense. Baylor will take a back seat to the Tar Heels own high octane offense
Arizona Bowl: Nevada vs Colorado State - Computer: Nevada 27-24. Me: Nevada 24-20
Ironically no team from Arizona is playing, much like how Hawaii isn't in the Hawaii bowl. Either way this will be a close game contested by two programs that have fallen into mediocrity. And yet Nebraska still gets to play UCLA why again?
Texas Bowl: LSU vs Texas Tech - Computer: LSU 35-31. Me: LSU 38-27
And yet here we get a Texas team playing in the Texas Bowl. Texas Tech is still far and away from even being competitive against a stable LSU team. Fortunately, LSU has lost stability this season after starting 7-0, but then only winning 1 of their last 4 to finish 8-3, this may make for a close shootout, assuming LSU can find a way to score points again
Birmingham Bowl: Auburn vs Memphis - Computer: Memphis 35-27. Me: Memphis 38-20
Lol. I saw that Vegas has Auburn as a 2 point favorite. I'm not sure which Auburn team they're looking at (or which Memphis team they're looking at) but I'm seeing an Auburn team who almost (should have) lost to Jacksonville State, and a Memphis team who out-shot Ole Miss. Memphis would be the one "underdog" I'd ride to the casino and back
Belk Bowl: NC State vs Mississippi State - Computer: Mississippi 28-27. Me: Mississippi 31-24
Mississippi State may have been a one hit wonder, but Dak Prescott is still Dak Prescott, and well, being a one hit wonder is better than anything NC State can say
Music City Bowl: Texas A&M vs Louisville - Computer: A&M 27-24. Me: A&M 24-20
Some late QB controversy in A&M that could put some salt on this pick, but we'll stick tough with them as there are other players on a football team aside from the QB
Holiday Bowl: USC vs Wisconsin - Computer: USC 24-21. Me: USC 34-24
It was supposed to be USC's dream season with Kessler under center one last time, but their coach got drunk and made some interesting remarks. And on that day we learned that a drunk Sarkisian is a sober Pelini. And oh yea Joel Stave is still overrated AF.
Peach Bowl: Houston vs Florida State - Computer: Florida State 28-27. Me: Florida State 24-23
Houston had a spectacular season, hence the shot to take on usually-overrated-Florida State, and they will make a game of it. Unfortunately, I don't think the high flying Houston offense will be able to budge much against the Seminoles D.
Orange Bowl (Playoff Semi-Final): Oklahoma vs Clemson - Computer: Clemson 31-27. Me: Clemson 41-35
If there is one team that can stop Clemson it would be Oklahoma (and maybe Alabama, but one thing at a time). Since losing to Texas, Oklahoma has just absolutely ripped apart everyone they have played, because that is the appropriate response if you ever lose to Texas. But Clemson comes prepared to play, and Clemson is the one team you don't want to get into a shootout with. The dream season continues. This game will be what Ohio State/Alabama was last year. Probably.
Cotton Bowl (Playoff Semi-Final): Alabama vs Michigan State - Computer: Alabama 27-24. Me: Alabama 38-20
Alabama is just too good and frankly Michigan State isn't 12-1 good. The Spartans are a bit undeserving of being in the playoff, but that's how the lay of the land works. But man wouldn't it be cool if they did win it all and Nebraska fans can be like "Hey, remember you guys have a -1 on your record."
Outback Bowl: Northwestern vs Tennessee - Computer: Northwestern 27-21. Me: Northwestern 24-17
I'll still never buy into Tennessee, and Northwestern is having a dream season of their own with a 10-win season
Citrus Bowl: Michigan vs Florida - Computer: Florida 24-21. Me: Michigan 20-17
Anybody like defenses? This is your game. Anybody like first year coaches somehow doing spectacular with their teams? This is your game. As much as I don't like giving Harbaugh a win, Florida's QB struggle will be the X factor.
Fiesta Bowl: Notre Dame vs Ohio State - Computer: Notre Dame 28-24. Me: Ohio State 35-27
Starting to get to the juicier bowl games. Ohio State should be contending for a national title, but reaming Notre Dame will have to do
Rose Bowl: Stanford vs Iowa - Computer: Stanford 28-27. Me: Iowa 27-17
Bleh. Can both teams lose? Stanford is overrated and Iowa is a little bit too. Iowa should have beaten Michigan State because they play similar styles of football, except Iowa does it better (hence why Nebraska was able to beat Michigan State but lose to Iowa on the same field, sans-Armstrong throwing 4 INT) So I'll take the Hawkeyes in this battle of the birds. Oh and Stanford is still the Cardinals and Cardinals are gross.
Sugar Bowl: Oklahoma State vs Ole Miss - Computer: Oklahoma State 31-30. Me: Ole Miss 34-31
This one can easily be a shootout, or if Ole Miss shuts down Oklahoma State, a one sided blowout. Because we all know Big 12 teams can't play defense, sans-TCU
TaxSlayer Bowl: Penn State vs Georgia - Computer: Penn State 24-20. Me: Georgia 28-17
My computer might know something I don't, with Penn State being one of the better defensive teams in the nation and Georgia not being as hot as they used to be, but oh well projects are fun.
Liberty Bowl: Kansas State vs Arkansas - Computer: Kansas State 31-28. Me: Arkansas 38-30
Kansas State barely became bowl eligible, Arkansas had high expectations, and still have a couple solid wins under their belt, this one shouldn't be very close.
Alamo Bowl: Oregon vs TCU - Computer: TCU 38-34. Me: TCU 45-42
Outside of the playoff games, this will be one of the best games to watch. Two programs that were supposed to be in the national title hunt, got plagued with injuries, but whipped it back into shape. Grab some popcorn for this one.
Cactus Bowl: West Virginia vs Arizona State - Computer: Arizona 34-28. Me: Virginia 31-30
And the bowl season will end with a close, but not quite as compelling matchup, so why not fight my computer.
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