My picks for every bowl game before Christmas:
Myrtle Beach Bowl
Georgia Southern (-3.5) vs Ohio
I’ll pick Ohio to get the outright win here. While they won’t have their star QB, I think the rest of their team is still better than Georgia Southern.
Celebration Bowl
Howard vs Florida A&M
I don’t know anything about these two teams, but I’m pretty confident that Florida A&M is the better team.
New Orleans Bowl
Jacksonville State (-3.0) vs Louisiana
The Gamecocks have been great since they have joined the FBS, and I expect them to get their first bowl win as Jacksonville State covers as well.
Cure Bowl
Miami (OH) vs Appalachian State (-6.5)
Miami (OH) has been playing great lately and I expect them to carry their success in the MAC to a bowl victory.
Mexico Bowl
New Mexico State Aggies (-3.5) vs Fresno State
Both of these teams had great seasons, but I think New Mexico State has more momentum going into this one and will win with the cover.
LA Bowl
UCLA (-4.0) vs Boise State
I think this is a very interesting game. Boise State has all the momentum, and UCLA’s best player (Latu) will not be playing. I think Boise State will be more motivated and win the game.
Independence Bowl
Cal vs Texas Tech (-3.0)
Both teams are better than what their records show, but only one can get the win. In the end, it will come down to whoever is more motivated. I’m not sure who that’s going to be, but I think Cal will get the win as TTU’s QB is in the transfer portal.
Famous Toastery Bowl
Western Kentucky vs Old Dominion (-2.5)
Both teams have been decent this year, but I think Western Kentucky will win with better QB play.
Frisco Bowl
UTSA (-13.0) vs Marshall
UTSA had a rough start to the season, but they have been one of the best teams in the group of 5 down the stretch. Marshall has been very disappointing this season and has been 2-6 since their 4-0 start. I like UTSA to win and cover.
Boca Raton Bowl
South Florida vs Syracuse (-3.0)
Syracuse keeps making bowl games after losing to all the hardest teams on their schedule. On the other hand, USF has been wildly inconsistent on both sides of the ball. In the end, I think USF is the better team and will get the win.
Gasparilla Bowl
Georgia Tech vs UCF (-4.5)
I have very conflicted feelings about this game. Both teams have impressed me this year, but UCF will get the win with their explosive offense, though I think Georgia Tech will cover.
Birmingham Bowl
Troy (-7.5) vs Duke
Duke doesn’t have much going for them right now. They lost their coach and their QB. I like Troy to win and cover with nothing to lose.
Camelia Bowl
Arkansas State (-1.0) vs NIU
Both teams had strong ends to the season, but I think Arkansas State will win as they have the edge on offense.
Armed Forces Bowl
James Madison (-3.0) vs Air Force
James Madison has had some close calls this season, but ended up with an amazing 11-1 record. Air Force had a great start to the season, but what would have been a MW championship run was derailed by injuries to their QBs. Since I don’t know who will be Air Force’s QB, so I’ll stick with JMU to win this one.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Georgia State vs Utah State (-1.5)
Georgia State has sucked down the stretch, so I’ll go with Utah State, who has the momentum going into it.
68 Ventures Bowl
South Alabama (-16.5) vs Eastern Michigan
South Alabama has not been as good as I thought they would be, but Eastern Michigan was lucky to even make a bowl game, so I’ll go with South Alabama to cover.
Las Vegas Bowl
Utah (-6.5) vs Northwestern
While Northwestern has been a great story this year by getting 7 wins despite all the offseason drama, I like Utah to win. While QB is a question mark, the rest of the Utes’ team I believe is superior to Northwestern, though I do think the Wildcats will cover.
Hawai’i Bowl
Coastal Carolina vs San Jose State (-10.0)
San Jose State is red hot right now and I believe they will take down Coastal Carolina. However, the Chanticleers have had some pretty good showing this season, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they made this game close.
JacobErwin.com 