DECEMBER 27
Pinstripe Bowl
Wake Forest vs. Michigan State
We do not deserve to be playing this extra game after the collapse against Illinois, but then, neither really does Woke. Lewerke has regressed to the mean, as I feared from the start: it was 2017 that was the anomaly, not 2018. Bachie’s suspension seems to have ripped the heart out of our defense. Still, I think Dantonio can bring the defense (lead by 2019 Burlsworth Trophy for Best Former Walk On Winner Kenny Willekes – our year was not a total loss!) around and I would pick my team even if I didn’t. I’d rather be loyal than right. Besides, Syracuse beat Wake by 9. Maryland beat Syracuse by 43. We beat Maryland by 3. Therefore, we are 55 points better than Wake. I defy anyone to point to a logical flaw in that argument. Eventual 2020 National Champion Michigan State.
Texas Bowl
Oklahoma State vs. Texas A&M
Team Chubba! Oklahoma State
Holiday Bowl
Iowa vs. Southern California
I was more than a little surprised that the University of California* chose to keep Helton. They did not have a bad year, and they are young, so maybe keeping Helton to see what he can do with the talent works. The Scottsdale Slinger has played pretty well, but Iowa has a top flight pass defense. Offensively, Iowa is solidly unspectacular. Nothing to write home about, but I never write home anyway, it is so much easier to just call. Iowa
* Southern
Cheez-It Bowl
Air Force vs. Washington State
The Palouse is surpassingly lovely in a pastoral way, but it is the most remote Power 5 school around. It is hard to imagine recruiting well there. Which speaks to both the great job Leach has done there, and why his name pops up year in and year out for other coaching jobs. A definite contract in offensive styles. Wazzou has the style of offense and defense that leads to exciting finishes and keeps both teams in the game, and AF’s running game needs to control the ball to win. I think Wazzou gasses them in the end. Washington State
DECEMBER 28
Camping World Bowl
Notre Dame vs. Iowa State
Our Lady of the Perpetual tie in a third rate bowl game the middle of the afternoon between Christmas and New Years. Thank you, Santa. Is that schadenfreude, and given where and when my team is playing morally unjustifiable schadenfreude? Yes. Yes it is. Objectively, ISU has been all over the map, from dark horse Pure Prairie League pick to losing to every good team they played. Close losses, to be sure, but losses. OLotPT has been better consistently and actually beat a good team. Our Lady of the Perpetual Tie
Cotton Bowl
Penn State vs. Memphis
As RedJimm pointed out, the Gang of 6 teams have had a way of tripping up the big name teams in the NY6. Not sure if Norvell will be coaching yet. the PSU has some interesting offensive talent (and I wonder where they would be if Fields had not backed out of his commitment to PSU and gone briefly to Georgia) and a stout defense. They will take care of business. the Pennsylvania State University at State College
Peach Bowl
LSU vs. Oklahoma
No Pure Prairie League team has ever won a playoff game. I do not expect that to change this year. Oklahoma’s defense is comparatively better this year, but if you look at the offenses and defenses for the Four Playoff Teams, it is the Okie Defense that stands out as the weakest link. Burreaux has been the best player, offensively or defensively, this year, and he has skill position talent all across the field to assist him – like pretty much everyone, I have developed a football related mancrush on Edwards-Helaire. There may be a defense that can check LSU (see below), but it is not Oklahoma. LSU.
Fiesta Bowl
Ohio State vs. Clemson
True interesting fact: no one seed or three seed has ever won the Tournament, which augurs well for THE. The #1 Scoring Offense v. the #1 Scoring Defense. The #3 Scoring Offense v. the #4 Scoring Defense. Strength against strength, strength against strength. This will be fun. ClemSIN’s biggest drop from last year is in its defensive front, and if they cannot pressure Fields and contain THE, THE will put up a lot of points. While THE has some top flight defensive backs, and should be able to bring pressure, Lawrence is a special talent at QB and I think THE is vulnerable to a quick passing game. ClemSIN has not played a team as good as THE, and while THE has played some teams in the general area code, none have been as good, or as complete offensively as ClemSIN. I think the difference will be the surprisingly underrated Etienne. ClemSIN.
DECEMBER 30
First Responder Bowl
Western Michigan vs. Western Kentucky
I will go out on a limb and predict they will play the game all the way to the end this year. WK crushed a Power 5 team – granted, Arkansas – and WM is… a MAC schoot. Western Kentucky
Redbox Bowl
Illinois vs. California*
I plan to return this one without viewing it. Illinois
*
Music City Bowl
Louisville vs. Mississippi State
Louisville had a nice one year turn around, but they are not a good defensive team – no FBS team scored fewer than 20 against them. OMSU has beaten three bowl teams, though none of them are that good. LVille is vulnerable to the run and the best way to limit a high powered offense is by running on their defense. Mississippi State
Orange Bowl
Virginia vs. Florida
Was Virginia really the only choice from the South Atlantic League? I thought their arrangement with Our Lady of the Perpetual Tie let them slide in. This will be the worst of the NY6. Florida is back on the rise after a few years of malaise. Florida
DECEMBER 31
Belk Bowl
Virginia Tech vs. Kentucky
Bud Foster’s last game as Defensive Coordinator for VT, and it is a tough assignment. KY can run the ball – 4th in CFB in YPG. Still, their quarterback is a wide receiver who leads them in rushing yards and tried 2 – yes, 2 – passes in his last game. Granted, that had something to do with the 500 rushing yards, but I think VT can develop a way to shut that down. Kentucky wants to be here, but they really don’t want to be here. Virginia Tech
Sun Bowl
Florida State vs. Arizona State
Not just the Sun Bowl – the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl. Grrrrreat! I think the FSU kids may be playing to impress their new coach, but he is not there yet. ASU beat Oregon, yet lost to Oregon State, whish means they need to work on that consistency thing. Arizona State
Liberty Bowl
Kansas State vs. Navy
KSU is the only team to beat a playoff team this year. That has to count for something, right? Kansas State
Arizona Bowl
Wyoming vs. Georgia State
True interesting fact #1: both of these teams have a win over a God’s Conference team on their resumes. True interesting fact #2: neither of these two teams are really all that good. GSU got butt whipped by a MAC team. Wyoming
Alamo Bowl
Utah vs. Texas
God, the PAWCP has a rotten bowl schedule, outside of the Rose. Lose your conference championship game and they ship you to the middle of the day on Tuesday in a tertiary bowl. Wow, Larry Scott must suck. Texas was “back” last year. They were “back” this year. They will be “back” next year too. Utah
JANUARY 1
Citrus Bowl
Alabama vs. Michigan
On paper, this looks to be an excellent way to start off your New Year’s football. But consider: Mac Jones is talented enough to be recruited by Alabama, and he is still throwing to the best set of wide receivers in CFB. Defensively, there have been lapses but I think Methchicken’s offense is still clunky. Big Game Jim may find another dark spot on the fruit of his coaching reputation. That is a crappy metaphor and I am frankly ashamed of it. I think Alabama is the better team than Methchicken. Alabama.
Outback Bowl
Minnesota vs. Auburn
Minnesota had a nice run this year - I am a little surprised Fleck is still their cox. Still, this is a team that came within a lash of losing to an FCS team. Their QB is good, and their receivers have talent, but Auburn’s defense is better. Nix has not been impressive this season, so I expect Minnesota’s defense to keep them in the game for, oh, three quarters. In the end, Auburn.
Rose Bowl
Wisconsin vs. Oregon
Wisky has never lost a Bowl under Chryst, and have won five in a row total. They have a way of showing up a little better than you expect in bowl games, even when they lose. A couple of good running backs, two top level O lines. The difference in the game will be Justin Herbert. Which is why I am taking…. Wisconsin
Sugar Bowl
Baylor vs. Georgia
Baylor is a great story. Both of these teams are much better defensively than offensively. The three weeks should help Georgia get Swift and the receivers healthy, and get Brewer healthy for Baylor. Still, I think the Georgia defense will be motivated, and I have not seen anything special from Baylor’s offense this year. Georgia
JANUARY 2
Birmingham Bowl
Boston College vs. Cincinnati
Supposedly, BC is interested in Cinncinnatti’s coach, but he is not fickle…. BC is a one dimensional team who fired its coach for a reason. Cinci’s three losses are all to teams in the NY6. Cinwhatever
Gator Bowl
Indiana vs. Tennessee
Tennessee has had a resurgence after a wretched start, but really, that came once they got to the underbelly of God’s Conference. Indiana likewise benefitted from playing Rutgers and Maryland.
They also lost to us, which is inexcusable. Neither team has an impressive win. Indiana seems to be rising, though. Indiana
JANUARY 3
Idaho Potato Bowl
Ohio vs. Nevada
One of these teams is getting mashed! Their defense will get totally fried, their defense diced, their QB scalloped and their offense will spud-der. I’ll have to get baked to even sit through it. There is not a latke to recommend this game. This will be just an ugh rotten bowl. Seriously I got nothing. Nevada
JANUARY 4
Armed Forces Bowl
Southern Mississippi vs. Tulane
Tulane was falling apart at the end of the season but frankly I am losing interest in this project. Why are they playing bowl games AFTER New Year’s Day? How many more reasons do I need to not care? Southern Mississippi
JANUARY 6
Mobile Bowl
Miami (Ohio) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
Is this game really necessary?** ULL
JANUARY 13
College Football Playoff title game
** No.
Poll
