Bowl Season is upon us, and that means there will be quite a few interesting matchups in college football. Some teams are riding high and ready to cap off the season with a win, and some are ready wrap things up. Some are excited to be here, and others are disappointed. In this article, I will preview the bowl games taking place between December 15th and December 22nd.

Cure Bowl: Tulane vs Louisiana

Analysis:

Tulane won four of their last five games to gain bowl eligibility for the first time since 2013 and the second time this century. Quarterback Justin McMillan only has just nine passing touchdowns in eight games, but is also a factor in the run game with four rushing touchdowns. Darius Bradwell and Corey Dauphine lead the rushing attack with 982 and 754 rushing yards respectively. Darnell Mooney is far and away the best receiver on the Green Wave with 987 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. The standouts on defense are defensive end Patrick Johnson, who has 9.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss this season, and defensive back Donnie Lewis, who is third on the team with 41 solo tackles, and leads the team with 14 pass deflections. The key to the game for Tulane will be to slow down Louisiana’s rushing attack.

While Louisiana’s 7-6 record might not make them look like they are much of a challenge, four of their losses are to Appalachian State twice, Mississippi State, and Alabama who were all ranked in the top 25 at one point. The Ragin Cajuns are built on the run game as they have three players with over 700 rushing yards. Trey Ragas leads the way with 1,141 rushing yards on the season. Andre Nunez is not relied on too much at quarterback, but he completes 64% of his passes and does not shy away from big games. Jacques Boudreaux is the leading tackler for Louisiana with 87 total tackles this season. To win this game, Louisiana needs to get their run game going early, and force Tulane to play catch up.

Prediction:

Louisiana comes ready to play as they win 27-24.

New Mexico Bowl: North Texas vs Utah State

Analysis:

North Texas is 9-3 this season, but have been a bit disappointing after their red hot start. North Texas has a pretty strong offense led by quarterback Mason Fine. Fine has thrown for 3,734 yards this season with 27 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Fine’s top target is first team all Conference USA receiver Rico Bussey, who has over 1,000 receiving yards on the season. Bussey is listed as questionable for this game, and the Mean Green are definitely hopeful he can play as he is a major contributor on offense. Deandre Torrey is the main player in the run game as he has racked up 942 rushing yards and 16 total touchdowns. North Texas has made big strides defensively this season, and linebacker EJ Ejiya is a big reason for that. This season, Ejiya has amassed 113 total tackles, nine sacks, and 23.5 tackles for loss. Defensive backs Khairi Muhammad and Nate Brooks are also big contributors. North Texas will need to find cracks in Utah State’s defense and exploit them. Fine will be looked to quite a bit in this game.

Utah State’s most recent loss to Boise State has put a bit of a damper on their season, but let it be known that Utah State is the real deal. The Aggies (horrible mascot choice) are 10-2 right now with losses to Boise State and Michigan State. The Aggies have surpassed 40 points in eight of their games this season. Jordan Love has been prolific at quarterback with 3,208 passing yards and 28 touchdowns to just five interceptions. Love is backed up by two running backs with at least 750 rushing yards in Darwin Thompson and Gerold Bright. Utah State’s defense is nothing special, but it is enough to keep them in games. Their defense will have their work cut out for them, as they will need to slow down Mason Fine to keep their chances of winning high.

Utah State head coach Matt Wells will not be coaching in this game as he has taken the job at Texas Tech. This will definitely be a point in North Texas’s favor.

Prediction:

Both teams come up big on offense, but North Texas ultimately prevails 38-35.

Las Vegas Bowl: Fresno State vs Arizona State

Analysis:

Fresno State exercised their demons and finally beat Boise State at the blue turf to secure a Mountain West Championship. The Bulldogs played terrific defense and held Boise State quarterback Brett Rypien to just four yards per attempt. Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year Jeff Allison led their bruising defense with 12 total tackles, and defensive end Mykal Walker had 11. Quarterback Marcus McMaryion commanded the offense well. Ronnie Rivers can make plays running the ball, and KeeSean Johnson is a dangerous receiver. The most important part of this game for Fresno State will be to slow down the very potent Arizona State offense.

Arizona State is 7-5 in their first season under Herm Edwards. The Sun Devils chances of winning here did suffer a blow when star receiver N’Keal Harry said he would not play in this game to prepare for the NFL Draft. Running back Eno Benjamin will have to do some heavy lifting this game, but he is no slouch with 1,524 rushing yards this season. Dual threat quarterback Manny Wilkins will have his work cut out for him in this game, but Wilkins is more than capable of making plays through the air and on the ground. Arizona State’s biggest challenge in this game will be to keep their offense going against a very good Fresno State defense.

Prediction:

Fresno State wins 28-20, as Arizona State cannot quote find their footing on offense.

Camellia Bowl: Georgia Southern vs Eastern Michigan

Analysis:

Georgia Southern runs the triple option, meaning they like to run the ball. Quarterback Shai Werts has only thrown the ball 109 times all season, but has 165 rushing attempts. Werts is pretty effective at both as he has amassed 954 passing yards, 822 rushing yards, and 23 total touchdowns. Wesley Fields leads the Eagles with 959 rushing yards. Georgia Southern chews clock and will grind out yards with an offense that is difficult to stop. On defense, Georgia Southern wants to create turnovers, and get their offense on the field again. Georgia Southern’s most important task for this game will be to keep their offense sound, and keep Eastern Michigan’s defense on their toes.

For just the eighth time in school history, Eastern Michigan has a winning record at 7-5 this season. Their offense seems to subscribe to running back by committee, as nobody takes a lion’s share of the carries. Quarterback Tyler Wiegers completes 65% of his passes, and a touchdown to interception ratio of 11/3. Wiegers’s main target is Blake Banham, who has 714 receiving yards on the season. While Eastern Michigan’s defense does well against the pass, that will not be a useful skill against a team that runs as much as Georgia Southern does. The Eagles need to stop Georgia Southern’s triple option offense, which is far from an easy thing to do.

Prediction:

Georgia Southern’s triple option is just too difficult to stop as they win 28-20.

New Orleans Bowl: Middle Tennessee vs Appalachian State

Analysis:

Appalachian State won the Sun Belt, and is sitting a 10-2 on the season. The Mountaineers have a prolific offense led by quarterback Zac Thomas. Thomas has dealt with some injuries this season, but has thrown for 1,862 yards, as well as 476 rushing yards, and 28 total touchdowns. Thomas gets a lot of help from Darrynton Evans, who has 1,079 rushing yards this season. The Mountaineers also play sound defense, allowing less than 10 points six times. Their defense will have to do well against a pretty high powered Middle Tennessee offense. Appalachian State is also losing their coach, which will hurt their chances in this game.

While Middle Tennessee’s 8-5 record may not seem too great, but three of their losses are to SEC teams Georgia, Vanderbilt, and Kentucky. The Blue Raiders have an offense led by quarterback Brent Stockstill. Stockstill has thrown for 3,203 yards and 28 touchdowns. Stockstill’s top target is Ty Lee, who has 828 receiving yards, followed by Patrick Smith with 526 yards. Middle Tennessee’s defense seems to take risks, as there are three players with 12 or more tackles for loss. This defense will need to be smart against an offense that can make them pay.

Prediction:

Appalachian State wins a tight game 27-24.

Boca Raton Bowl: UAB vs Northern Illinois

UAB secured a Conference USA Championship and 10-3 record in their last game. The Blazers have one of the best defenses in the country, and have six games where they have held their opponents to single digit point totals. This defense is hard for anyone to crack. UAB has also been aided by the return of running back Spencer Brown from injury. Brown has run 1,152 yards and 16 touchdowns, the most touchdowns of anyone in the team including quarterbacks. Tyler Johnston has had to step in at quarterback after an injury to AJ Erdely, and has began to play about on the level that Erdely was. To win this game, Johnston, Brown, and the UAB offense needs to find a source of yardage against a stout Northern Illinois defense.

Northern Illinois won the MAC Championship in their last game in an exciting game over Buffalo. The Huskies are built on defense. That defense is led by pro prospect Sutton Smith, who has 15 sacks and 24.5 tackles for loss this season. Smith has been a force against every offensive line he has gone against. Smith is backed up by Josh Corcoran, who has 10 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. Northern Illinois’s offense is built on the run game, led by 985 rushing yards from Tre Harbison. The key to this game for Northern Illinois will be to get something going on offense.

Prediction:

UAB wins an ugly game 20-17.

Frisco Bowl: San Diego State vs Ohio

Analysis:

San Diego State has dropped four out of their last five games after a 6-1 start. The Aztecs offense has stalled out, and they have just not had things break their way recently. The Aztecs are here because of a strong defense. Kyahva Tenzino is the anchor for this defense with 119 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 14.5 tackles for loss. Trenton Thompson provides support with 101 total tackles. The Aztecs rotate quarterbacks, with neither particularly shining. Juwan Washington leads the run game with 870 rushing yards, and Chase Jasmin has put up 592 rushing yards. San Diego State will need to get something out of their offense if they want to win this game.

Ohio has benefited from a recent offensive explosion as they have scored 45 or more points in five of their last six games. Quarterback Nathan Rourke has led the charge with 2,225 yards through the air and 816 yards on the ground with 35 total touchdowns. AJ Oulette supports Rourke in the ground game with 1,142 rushing yards. Where Ohio is falling behind is on defense, which has cost them. Thankfully, San Diego State does not have a very strong offense. Ohio will need to overcome this weakness if they want to come out on top in this game.

Prediction:

Ohio’s offense is too much for San Diego State as Ohio wins 30-23.

Gasparilla Bowl: Marshall vs South Florida

Analysis:

Marshall has had a quietly successful season as they sit at 8-4. Quarterback Isaiah Green has thrown for 2,060 yards and 7.4 yards per attempt, but he completes just 55% of his passes and has a touchdown to interception ratio of 15/10. Thankfully Tyre Brady has been there at receiver to bail Green out. Brady has 819 receiving yards on the season. Where Marshall earns their keep is on defense. The Thundering Herd have held their opponents under 21 points seven times. Malik Gant, Nazeeh Johnson, and Chris Jackson lead a very strong secondary that has given quite a few teams problems. In this game, it is important for Marshall to have their offense take advantage of every opportunity given to them by their defense, that needs to create turnovers and good field position.

At one point this season, South Florida was 7-0. South Florida is now 7-5. There are a couple of possible causes to this. First off, quarterback Blake Barnett has been battling injury late along with many other players. The second cause is that their schedule was considerably tougher in the latter half of the season. Thankfully for the Bulls, Barnett is likely to return in this game. Barnett is prone to making bad throws, but does very well at salvaging plays. Florida transfer Jordan Cronkrite has run for 1,095 yards, and has also provided a spark. South Florida is the more talented team in this game, it will just come down to whether or not they can get out of this tailspin.

Prediction:

Marshall wins 31-24, as they come ready to play.

Bahamas Bowl: FIU vs Toledo

Analysis:

FIU is 8-4 this season and made a bit of noise in Conference USA. Offensively, the Golden Panthers owe a lot of success to quarterback James Morgan. Morgan has thrown for 2,727 yards and completed 65% of his passes. The ball is spread around quite a bit through the air, as six different players have at least 20 catches this season. The same goes for the run game although Napoleon Maxwell is the clear leader with the most carries and yards. The Golden Panthers also have a very solid pass defense. As a team, they have 38 pass deflections and 17 interceptions. FIU can have the most wins ever for their program if they win this game. FIU should look to stop the run in this game as Toledo is on their backup quarterback, and trust their secondary to he able to handle any mistakes from their front line.

Toledo is 7-5 and has no loss that looks too embarrassing. Toledo has scored over 45 points in every win, and under 27 in every loss. Now of course it is obvious that a team scores more when they win but this is quite a discrepancy. Eli Peters has had to step in for the injured Mitchell Guadagani at quarterback and has done about as well in the passing game, but lacks the running ability that Guagadani has. Peters has had more of a smooth transition due to the recent great performances of running back Bryant Koback. Toledo unfortunately struggles a bit on defense and will need to fix that in this game if they want to win.

Prediction:

FIU wins an offensive heavy game 41-34.

Idaho Potato Bowl: BYU vs Western Michigan

Analysis:

Western Michigan has seemingly faded into oblivion since their 2016 Cotton Bowl appearance, but they are back in bowl season with a 7-5 record. Backup quarterback Kaleb Eleby has started the last three games in place of the injured Jon Wassnik. Eleby completes 65% of his passes, but the Broncos have relied a bit more on the run game with him at quarterback. LeVante Bellamy has put up 1,172 rushing yards while Jamauri Bogan has put up 702. Bogan leads the team with 15 rushing touchdowns. D’Wayne Eskridge has been a security blanket for Eleby with 715 receiving yards in just 10 games. Their defensive is nothing to write home about, but linebacker Alex Grace is a player to watch. To win this game, they need to establish the run game early, and grind out the win through Bellamy and Bogan.

BYU is limping to the finish line a bit, as many defensive players including standout defensive lineman Corbin Kaufusi, have suffered injuries recently. True freshman Zach Wilson has looked promising at quarterback, but is definitely a work in progress. Running back Squally Canada’s status is questionable for this game as he is recovering for an injury. It will be a big help for the Cougars if he is able to play. In the absence of Kaufusi, Sione Takitaki will have to step up on defense as he leads the team with 100 total tackles. Wilson will need to make some plays as well for BYU to pull this one off.

Prediction:

BYU holds off the Broncos with a 28-21 win.

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