Some of the more high profile teams are starting to have their games this week, meaning there will be some more interesting matchups. In this article, I will preview every bowl game between December 22nd and December 28th.

Birmingham Bowl: Memphis vs Wake Forest

Analysis:

Memphis is 8-5 on the season after collapsing in the second half in a loss to UCF in the AAC Championship. Memphis will be playing this game without All-American running back Darrell Henderson, who is sitting out this game to train for the NFL Draft. Thankfully for the Tigers, backup running back Patrick Taylor Jr. is no slouch, with 1,012 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns this season. With Henderson out, more will rest on the shoulders of quarterback Brady White, who is good, but is a step down from what Memphis has tended to expect at quarterback in recent years. Expect White to connect quite a bit with Damonte Coxie who has put up 1,104 receiving yards this season. Memphis’s defense has fallen apart in some of their big games, and they need to make sure that does not happen this game if they want to win. In this game, Memphis will be without both coordinators, who have taken other jobs.

Wake Forest secured bowl eligibility on the last week of the season, and are 6-6 on the year. On offense, they are led by the backfield duo of Matt Colburn and Cade Carney. Both of them have 750 rushing yards this season. Jamie Newman stepped in as the starting quarterback after Sam Hartman went out with injury, and has outdone expectations. Newman completes 61% of his passes and has a touchdown to interception ratio of 8/3. Greg Dortch has helped Newman out with 89 catches for 1,078 receiving yards. Unfortunately for the Demon Deacons, Colburn and Dortch are listed as questionable for this game. Wake Forest will need to make up for their absence if they are out, and also be able to stop Memphis’s run game.

Prediction:

Memphis wins a back and forth game 38-31.

Armed Forces Bowl: Houston vs Army

Analysis:

Houston has definitely limped to the finish line a bit. The Cougars lost three of their last four games to finish 8-4. After their star quarterback D’Eriq King was injured, points did not come as easily, and their defense has definitely missed Ed Oliver. Houston will be without King, Oliver, and cornerback Isaiah Johnson in this game. In the absence of King, backup Clayton Tune has not been the best in terms of completing a lot of his passes but he does boast a 7/2 touchdown to interception ratio. Running back Patrick Carr needs to be able to run well, and keep Tune from having to do too much. In the absence of Oliver, linebacker Austin Robinson (who started his college career as a quarterback) will have to up his already impressive play. Robinson has 115 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss and six sacks on the season. Houston will need to be prepared to stop Army’s triple option offense in this game, which requires quite a bit of preparation. Earlier this season, Houston allowed 36 points to Navy, another triple option team, and Army has a much better offense than Navy.

Army is in the middle of a run, on an eight game win streak with a 10-2 record. On offense, Army runs the triple option, meaning that they have only thrown the ball 94 times this season. Quarterback Kelvin Hopkins Jr and running back Darnell Woolfolk lead a strong rushing attack with each surpassing 850 rushing yards. Army’s offense is disciplined, dominates the clock, and is difficult to stop one they get going. On defense, Army tries to create turnovers and disrupt the flow of opposing offenses. The defensive leaders are defensive back Mike Reynolds and linebacker Cole Christiansen. Army did unfortunately lose their defensive coordinator as he has accepted the same position at North Carolina. To win this game, Army needs to run their offense well, and stop Houston’s run game.

Prediction:

Army plays their brand of football and wins 34-27.

Dollar General Bowl: Buffalo vs Troy

Analysis:

Despite falling short against Northern Illinois in the MAC Championship, Buffalo is a very dangerous team. The Bulls have an explosive offense led by quarterback and pro prospect Tyree Jackson. Jackson has a cannon for an arm, and is hard to bring down in the pocket. On the season, Jackson has thrown for 2,857 yards and 27 touchdowns as well as seven touchdowns on the ground. In the run game, Kevin Marks and Jaret Patterson split carries, each with over 800 rushing yards. Jackson’s top two targets through the air are Anthony Johnson and KJ Osborn, each topping 800 receiving yards. Buffalo’s defense is led by linebacker Khalil Hodge, who leads the team with 138 total tackles and 7.5 sacks. To win this game, the Bulls need to give Jackson time to throw and try to slow down Troy’s run game.

Troy comes into this game at 9-3, and is becoming one of the more consistently good G5 programs under head coach Neal Brown (I seriously do not get why a P5 school has not hired him). The Trojans will be on their second string quarterback for this game as Kaleb Barker, their starter, tore his ACL earlier this season. Sawyer Smith has been able to do his job, but is a clear step down from Barker. Thankfully their offense still has BJ Smith, who has run for 1,090 yards and 12 touchdowns. Damion Willis is someone that needs to help out Smith, as he has 43 catches for 775 yards receiving this season. The Trojans defense is built on pressuring the quarterback with Hunter Reese and Jarvis Hayes. The two have combined for 12 sacks and 25 tackles for loss. To win this game, Reese and Hayes need to get pressure on Tyree Jackson, and BJ Smith needs to run the ball well.

Prediction:

Troy disrupts Buffalo’s offense in a 27-24 win.

Hawaii Bowl: Hawaii vs Louisiana Tech

Analysis:

At 8-5, Hawaii has had their most successful season since 2010. Like most successful Hawaii teams, this team is built around an air raid offense with a very talented quarterback. Cole McDonald has thrown for 3,790 yards and 35 touchdowns this season. McDonald is also pretty efficient which sets him apart from many Hawaii quarterbacks, as he has thrown for 8.2 yards per attempt and just eight interceptions. McDonald has connected quite a bit with receiver John Ursua, who has 89 catches for 1,343 yards and 16 touchdowns. Cedric Byrd and Jojo Ward each have over 850 receiving yards of their own as well. The defense has five different players bringing in most of their tackles, but Kaimana Padello leads the pass rush with 7.5 sacks. The key to this game for Hawaii will be for McDonald to be efficient and for Ursua and the receivers to help him out as much as they can. Their offensive line also needs to give McDonald time and contain Jaylon Ferguson. Hawaii will be helped out by the fact that this game takes place at their home stadium.

Louisiana Tech is bowl eligible for the fifth straight season as they are 7-5 with two of their losses coming against SEC opponents LSU and Mississippi State. On offense, the Bulldogs rely mostly on quarterback J’Mar Smith. Smith has thrown for 2,873 yards this season, but struggles with efficiency as he completes just 56% of his passes and has a touchdown to interception ratio of 14/9. Smith gets quite a bit of help from Adrian Hardy, who has 1,052 receiving yards and six touchdowns this season. In defense, Jaylon Ferguson is the star for Louisiana Tech. Ferguson has tallied 15 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss this season. Louisiana Tech will need to keep up with Hawaii’s offense if they want to win. They either need Smith and the offense to play very well or Ferguson and the defense to make a big impact.

Prediction:

Hawaii has a great game behind their home crowd in a 35-28 victory.

First Responder Bowl: Boise State vs Boston College

Analysis:

Even though they lost to Fresno State in the Mountain West Championship, Boise State is one of the best teams in the G5 ranks. Brett Rypien leads a strong offense with 3,705 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. Rypien is efficient as well, completing 67% of his passes. Alexander Mattison has been a workhorse running the ball for the Broncos as he has 1,415 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns this season. Mattison has a herculean effort in their loss to Fresno State with 200 yards and 40 carries. Sean Modster and AJ Richardson have been Rypien’s two main targets with each scoring eight touchdowns and combining for 1,803 receiving yards. Their defense is solid, but does not have a standout. Their defense will have a lot asked of them this game, as they will need to slow down Boston College running back AJ Dillon.

Boston College started out the season strong, but has stumbled down the stretch losing three straight games. The bad news for Boston College just gets worse as star running back AJ Dillon is listed as questionable for the game. Dillon has carried the Eagles offense with 1,108 rushing yards in just 10 games. This means that quarterback Anthony Brown needs to step up, as does backup running back Ben Glines. Boston College will need to find a way to get yards on offense if Dillon does not play. Defensively, they have 18 interceptions as a team, and need to have more of the same against a very experienced quarterback in Brett Rypien.

Prediction:

Boise State sends out their seniors, that include quite a few key contributors, with a 38-24 win.

Quick Lane Bowl: Minnesota vs Georgia Tech

Analysis:

Minnesota became bowl eligible by beating Wisconsin for Paul Bunyan’s Axe for the first time since 2003. Minnesota will be without offensive lineman Donnell Greene and linebacker Blake Cashman, who are preparing for the NFL Draft. This will be a bit important for the Golden Gophers as they are thin on the offensive line and Cashman is their leading tackler. Minnesota made a midseason switch to Tanner Morgan at quarterback, and while he has done better than Zack Annexstad, the person he replaced, it has not been by a significant margin. Their primary running threat is freshman Mohamed Ibrahim, who has 936 rushing yards this season in just nine games. Tyler Johnson has been a security blanket for whatever quarterback Minnesota plays as he has hauled in 1,112 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. On defense, stopping the run will be key against Georgia Tech’s triple option offense. Linebacker Carter Coughlin will be called upon in Cashman’s absence. Coughlin leads Minnesota with 9.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss. Stopping the run will be key if the Golden Gophers want to win this game.

Georgia Tech won four of their last five games to finish off the season 7-5. Georgia Tech runs the triple option and has had some success with it this season. Quarterback TaQuon Marshall has only thrown 100 passes this season, but leads the Yellow Jackets with 897 rushing yards. Second on the team is Tobias Oliver, who is listed as a quarterback but has run the ball 11 times as often as he has thrown it. Oliver has 807 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the season. Georgia Tech’s defensive players do not have eye popping stats, but that is because they try to milk the clock on offense. Their defense is led by defensive lineman Anree Saint Amour who leads the team with 11 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions (yes a defensive lineman leads the team in interceptions). Georgia Tech’s defense is not as stout as it has been before, but they need to be this game if they want to win. Offensively, they just need to run their offense well and keep Minnesota on their toes. This game is also the last game Paul Johnson will coach for Georgia Tech as he is retiring.

Prediction:

Minnesota cannot stop the option as Georgia Tech sends off Paul Johnson with a 34-17 win.

Cheez-It Bowl: TCU vs California

Analysis:

While 6-6 might seem disappointing for TCU, they have had a significant number of injuries, are on their third string quarterback, and had to win three out of four games to get to bowl eligibility. Backup quarterback is not expected to play, leaving it to third stringer Grayson Muehlstein. Muehlstein has completed 28/43 passes this season for 328 yards and three touchdowns. Jalen Reagor has been a star on offense for the Horned Frogs this season with 1,222 all purpose yards and 11 touchdowns. Ben Banogu is the main defensive playmaker with 7.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss. To win this game, TCU will need to get a push against a stout California defense. Reagor and running back Sewo Olonilua will be looked to often to help out this injury laden offense.

California is 7-5 this season and seems to be turning things around under head coach Justin Wilcox. The Golden Bears are built on a stout defense led by linebackers Evan Weaver and Jordan Kunaszyk who have 141 and 129 total tackles respectively. These two are the heart and soul of a defense that is among the best in the country. On offense, Chase Garbers finally pulled away as the main quarterback. Running back Patrick Laird has been the main source of offense for California with 935 rushing yards and nine total touchdowns. California will need to lock up star TCU receiver Jalen Reagor in this game if they want to win, as well as finding a way to put up some points on offense.

Prediction:

California grinds out a 20-16 win against a depleted TCU.

Independence Bowl: Duke vs Temple

Analysis:

Duke had two straight losses to end the season, (including a puzzling 59-7 loss to Wake Forest) but did finish the regular season 7-5. On offense, the Blue Devils are led by quarterback Daniel Jones. Jones has thrown for 2,251 yards this season and has added another 325 on the ground. Jones does not really have a main target as Duke has six receivers with at least 225 receiving yards. Duke’s leader in the run game is Deon Jackson, who has 806 rushing yards. Jackson will be called upon much more if Jones does not play (he is listed as questionable). Their defense is led by Joe Giles-Harris, who has 81 total tackles. Duke will need to force turnovers, and bring pressure on defense. On offense, Jones will need to make plays and keep the defense on their toes.

Temple won six out of their last seven games to finish off the season 8-4. Quarterback Anthony Russo is a bit of a gunslinger, throwing for 2,335 yards, eight yards per attempt, and a touchdown to interception ratio of 13/13. Running back Ryquell Armstead has become a staple in the offense with 1,098 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in just 10 games this season. Temple’s defense does pretty well against the pass with Michael Dogbe leading the way with seven sacks and Rock Ya-Sin with 12 pass deflections and two interceptions. Temple’s key to victory will be to continue to defend the pass well against Daniel Jones and Duke’s offense. Temple will be without head coach Geoff Collins in this game as he has left to coach Georgia Tech.

Prediction:

Duke wins a back and forth game 24-20.

Pinstripe Bowl: Miami vs Wisconsin

Analysis:

Miami is 7-5 in a season where at one point they won five straight and lost four straight. While the turnover chain may have lost its luster, Miami still has an impressive 17 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries this season. The star of the defense is linebacker Shaq Quarterman, who is second on the team in total tackles with 76, and has 13 tackles for loss. With defensive lineman Gerald Willis out with injury, Jonathan Garvin and Joe Jackson will be asked to step up in his absence. Garvin has 16 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks this season while Jackson has 14.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. On offense, N’Kosi Perry has finally taken the reigns (each quarterback on Miami’s roster has been benched and then brought in about 17 times). Perry is not the most skilled passer, but can make more plays, and is less mistake prone than Malik Rosier. Deejay Dallas has come on strong this season, as he and Travis Homer make up a solid backfield. Miami’s receiving corps took a hit when leading receiver Jeff Thomas was kicked off the team. To win this game, the Hurricanes need to establish the run game with Homer and Dallas. Defensively they need to key in on and slow down Jonathan Taylor and Wisconsin’s run game. This game will also likely be in weather that Miami is not used to, which can be a disadvantage.

Wisconsin has had a bit of a down year, finishing 7-5. The one constant for this team has been the dominance of running back Jonathan Taylor. Taylor has accumulated 1,989 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns (I am still mad he was not a Heisman finalist). Taylor will be asked to even more as starting quarterback Alex Hornibrook will not play in this game because of a concussion. Wisconsin will turn to Jack Coan, who has completed 50/82 passes this season for 488 yards. Receivers Danny Davis and Jake Ferguson will be called upon as well to help Coan out. TJ Edwards has nearly been a one man show on defense with 105 total tackles. To win this game, Wisconsin’s offensive line will need to block for Taylor. This will be more difficult if David Edwards does not play, as he is questionable for this game.

Prediction:

Wisconsin wins a run heavy game 24-20.

Texas Bowl: Baylor vs Vanderbilt

Analysis:

Baylor has bounced back well by going 6-6 this season after a 1-11 season in 2017. On offense, Baylor is led by quarterback Charlie Brewer. Brewer has thrown for 2,635 yards and 17 touchdowns despite being banged up in multiple games. Unfortunately for Baylor, leading receiver Jalen Hurd will not play in this game. This means that Denzel Mims, will need to step up in his place. Brewer will also be asked to make more plays on the ground as he is capable of making plays on the ground. John Lovett, Baylor’s leading rusher will have to shoulder more of a load as well with Hurd (who has gotten some carries) and running back JaMycal Hasty out. On defense, Clay Johnston carries the load, with 96 total tackles. Baylor’s toughest task this game will be for their defense to defend Kyle Shurmur and Vanderbilt’s passing game well.

Vanderbilt won three out of their last four games to secure bowl eligibility. On offense, Vanderbilt is led by efficient quarterback Kyle Shurmur. Shurmur has thrown for 2,844 yards and 28 touchdowns this season. Ke’Shawn Vaughn leads rushers with 1,001 rushing yards, and Kaija Lipscomb leads receivers with 81 catches and 886 receiving yards. Vanderbilt’s defense is a two man crew led by linebacker Jordan Griffin and cornerback Joejuan Williams. Griffin has amassed 110 total tackles while Williams has 56 total tackles, four interceptions, and 10 pass deflections. To win this game, Vanderbilt will have to disrupt Charlie Brewer and Baylor’s offense.

Prediction:

Vanderbilt takes advantage of an injury riddled Baylor in a 34-24 win.

Music City Bowl: Auburn vs Purdue

Analysis:

Auburn has had a bit of a disappointing season as they finished 7-5. While their offensive line has struggled, Jarrett Stidham has still been able to do well at quarterback with 2,421 passing yards. True freshman JaTarvious Whitlow has taken the reigns at running back and put up a team leading 777 rushing yards. Stidham has spread the ball around, but Seth Williams is the best playmaker of the group with five receiving touchdowns. On defense, Deshaun Davis leads the team with 103 total tackles and 14 tackles for loss. Auburn’s defense will be tested in this game by Rondale Moore and Purdue’s offense, and they will need to pass that test if they want to win this game.

Purdue has had a very up and down season, capable of beating or losing to anyone as a moments notice. Purdue’s offense has been run through true freshman and All-American receiver Rondale Moore. Moore leads the nation with 103 catches and has put up 1,164 receiving yards. Moore has done well helping an already good quarterback in David Blough. Blough has completed 66% o his passes for 3,521 yards and 25 touchdowns. Isaac Zico is another favorable target to Blough, as he has 712 receiving yards. DJ Knox leads the rushing attack with 868 rushing yards. The defense is led by linebacker Markus Bailey, who has 104 total tackles and leads the Boilermakers with 6.5 sacks. In this game, Purdue will need to get Moore in open space, and give Blough time to throw if they want to come out on top.

Analysis:

Purdue’s offense shines in a 31-24 win.

Camping World Bowl: West Virginia vs Syracuse

Analysis:

West Virginia dropped their last two games, making a 9-3 finish feel a bit worse than one would expect. West Virginia fans should also be disappointed to hear that quarterback Will Grier and offensive lineman Yodny Cajuste will not play in order to train for the NFL Draft. Without Grier, the Mountaineers will turn to Jack Allison at quarterback, who has 10 pass attempts this season. With uncertainty at quarterback, West Virginia will look to running backs Kennedy McKoy and Martell Pettaway more. McKoy leads the team in rushing, but Pettaway always seems to step up in big games. David Sills and Gary Jennings will look to be big contributors as they have 896 and 917 receiving yards respectively. Their defense has their struggles, but they are pretty good at forcing turnovers. West Virginia will need to ease Allison into the offense while making some defensive stops if they want to win the game.

Syracuse is one of the biggest surprise teams this season as they have a 9-3 record going into this game. Eric Dungey has been one of the leaders of the turnaround this season, throwing for 2,565 yards and 17 touchdowns. While he may be inefficient at times throwing the ball, he is effective running it as he has 732 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns this season. The only Syracuse player to outrush Dungey is Moe Neal, with 823 rushing yards. Dungey has connected quite a bit with receivers Jamal Custis and Sean Riley. The Orange’s (is their mascot the Orange or Orangemen? I probably should have googled it) main playmaker on defense is true freshman cornerback Andre Cisco, who has seven interceptions and 51 total tackles this season. The key to the game for Syracuse will be for Dungey to avoid being too reckless, and for their defense to stop the run and force an inexperienced quarterback to make plays.

Prediction:

Syracuse wins a tight game 31-28.

Alamo Bowl: Washington State vs Iowa State

Analysis:

Washington State might have finished the regular season on a sour note when they lost to Washington in the Apple Cup, but this is still a very good team. The face of this season for Washington State has to be quarterback Gardner Minshew. Minshew has thrown for 4,477 yards and 36 touchdowns this season. What is surprising about this team is that there is not one key receiver. Dezmon Patmon leads the Cougars in receiving yards with 740, while Easop Winston and Davontavean Martin lead in receiving touchdowns with eight a piece. Washington State does not run the ball much (their leading rusher has more receiving yards than rushing yards) but running backs James Williams and Max Borghi can not be discounted. Peyton Pelluer leads a sneaky good defense with 86 total tackles. This game looks like it could be a shootout so Washington State will need to make some stops on defense while continuing to fire on all cylinders offensively if they want a good chance at winning.

Iowa State is a program on the rise under head coach Matt Campbell. The Cyclones are 8-4 behind a pretty star studded offense. The strong play of true freshman quarterback Brock Purdy has been a pleasant surprise as he has put up 1,935 passing yards and 16 touchdowns in just nine games. Purdy has certainly been helped by receiver Hakeem Butler. Tall and still athletic, Butler has been a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses this season with 1,126 receiving yards. David Montgomery has also been a staple in the offense with 1,092 rushing yards. On defense, the Cyclones like to make big plays, with five players having at least five tackles for loss. If Iowa State wants to win this game, Montgomery, Butler, and Purdy need to keep up with Washington State’s offense in terms of putting up points.

Prediction:

Washington State wins a high scoring affair 41-34.

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