My favorite part of the college football season is finally under way as we will be jam packed with bowl games. In this article, I will preview bowl games taking place between December 20th and December 24th. If you are looking for a specific game, they are listed in order of date from earliest to latest.

Bahamas Bowl: Buffalo vs Charlotte

Betting Line: Charlotte +6

Over/Under: 58

Buffalo ended their regular season on a high note with a 49-7 win over Bowling Green. The Bulls finished the regular season with a 7-5 record, their second straight winning season under Lance Leipold. Leipold was a bold hire as he was a tremendously successful coach, but at the Division 3 level. While last season saw a dominant passing attack for Buffalo, they have become much more reliant on the run game this season. Running back Jaret Patterson has 1,626 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns this season on 5.8 yards per carry. Patterson also enters this game on a hot streak as he has put up 140 yards in five straight games and 298 yards in their regular season finale. Charlotte’s run defense is a bit faulty so if Patterson gets going, it could be over soon. If Patterson can not lead the charge, the Bulls have another running back with over 1,000 rushing yards in Kevin Marks. Quarterback Kyle Vantrease only throws the ball an average of 12 times per game, but he takes care of the ball well. I think all Vantrease needs to do is just enough to keep Charlotte from getting too settled in stopping the run. The Bulls also need to be weary of blocking Charlotte’s standout defensive end Alex Highsmith. If they can prevent Highsmith from having too much of an impact, they should have no problem running the ball. Buffalo’s offensive line gives up the second fewest sacks in the country and has the second fewest tackles for loss yardage given up so I think they can hold their own. On defense, I think Buffalo needs to try and force turnovers. Charlotte gives up slightly over one interception per game and I think being able to steal a possession and sit on the ball with their run game will make a big difference. Safety Joey Banks leads the team in interceptions and I expect him to make an impact in defending the pass. Defensive ends Taylor Riggins and Malcolm Koonce we’re both named first team all-MAC and should be able to hold their spots down well and defend the run. If the defensive line can man their stations, the rest of their energy can be focused on forcing turnovers in the passing game.

After a 2-5 start, Charlotte rallied for five straight wins to finish the regular season 7-5 and secured the first bowl berth in program history. Head coach Will Healy has done very well in his first season and is becoming a very solid up and comer in the coaching world. On offense, the 49ers are led by dual threat quarterback Chris Reynolds. Reynolds has solid passing numbers, completing 62% of passes for 2,366 yards and 21 touchdowns on 8.9 yards per attempt, but he also has 757 rushing yards as well. If Charlotte can keep Reynolds protected, they should be able to move the ball effectively. Ben LeMay has 1,027 rushing yards in just 10 games and any contributions from him will be beneficial in that they will take some of the heat off of Reynolds. On defense, I think stopping Buffalo’s rushing attack will be the key to the game. Buffalo sports one of the best offensive lines in the Group of Five, and a top 10 rushing offense. Buffalo running back Jaret Patterson has run for 1,626 yards this season and has another 1,000 yard rusher in Kevin Marks. Thankfully for Charlotte, they have two terrific playmakers on the defensive line in defensive ends Alex Highsmith and Markees Watts. Highsmith has 21.5 tackles for loss and 15 sacks on the season and I think it was ridiculous that he did not get any All-American votes. If Highsmith can get the same push against a strong offensive line that he has for most of Charlotte’s opponents, then the 49ers will be in a good place. Watts also can not be forgotten as he has 12.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. Big plays will be needed against Buffalo’s ground game. If Charlotte can force Buffalo to beat them through the air, I think the 49ers will come out on top.

Prediction:

Buffalo wins a back and forth game 34-31.

Frisco Bowl: Utah State vs Kent State

Betting Line: Kent State +6

Over/Under: 66

After going 11-2 in 2018, this season feels like a bit of a disappointment for Utah State. One bright spot for this team has been quarterback Jordan Love who has drawn some attention as a potential first round pick in the upcoming draft While Love has some flaws to his game, he also flashes of brilliance with his strong arm, athleticism, and ability to make throws on the run. That being said, Love has some issues with accuracy and making the correct reads on his throws. For Utah State to have real success on offense, Love will need to make smart reads and have good pass protection. Running back Gerold Bright’s contributions will also be appreciated in order to take some of the heat off of Love. It will also be huge for the offense of Siaosi Mariner (who actually transferred to Utah State from Utah) or Jordan Nathan can break loose on a deep route and allow Love to show off his arm. A big play like that can turn the tide of the game. On defense, the Aggies need to create big plays against a Kent State offense that is a bit methodical in their approach. While the Golden Flashes do not generate a ton of big plays, they do pretty well in slowly matching the ball down the field and staying ahead of the chains, ranking in the top 25 in the country in both third down and fourth down conversion percentage. I think if the Aggies can create negative plays on early downs, it can put Kent State in unfamiliar and uncomfortable territory when they have to generate big plays. Defensive end Tipa Galeai will likely be the guy if the Aggies are going to create big plays as he leads the team in sacks and tackles for loss. Utah State also will likely need to use a quarterback spy on Kent State quarterback Dustin Crum who leads the team in rushing yards in addition to putting up solid passing stats. Safeties Shaq Bond and Troy Lefeged look to be the main spies used and if they can keep Crum from getting comfortable in the pocket, their defense should have some success.

Kent State is entering this game on a hot streak as they won their last three games to secure their first bowl berth since 2012. On offense, the Golden Flashes are led by dual threat quarterback Dustin Crum. On the season, Crum has completed 68% of his passes for 2,333 yards and a touchdown to interception ratio of 18/2. With injuries at the running back position, Crum also leads the team in rushing with 560 yards. Will Matthews, their leader in rushing yards per game, has done well after missing the first five games of the season. Matthews and secondary back Xavier Williams will be key players in the offense in that any contribution from them can help keep the Golden Flashes balanced. I think playing the same disciplined style of offense will work for Kent State if they are able to convert on third down more than half the time. If they can do that, I see their offense having a lot of success. On defense, the Golden Flashes will have a lot of energy put into slowing down Utah State quarterback Jordan Love. I think that Kent State needs to try and exploit Love’s tendency to be a one read quarterback and try to lock down Utah State leading receiver Siaosi Mariner. Jamal Parker has had a strong showing at cornerback this season and I think he can hold his own. Safety KJ Sherald will also likely be asked to play the role of a centerfielder back deep and try to provide support for any receiver on a deep route. I think this plan will be of great help for the Golden Flashes if it is effectively executed. It will also be very helpful if Kent State can get a successful pass rush. Defensive end Theo Majette and linebacker Manny Lawrence-Burke will be the two guys asked to get that job done.

Prediction:

While both teams have exploitable flaws, I think talent prevails and Utah State wins 38-31.

New Mexico Bowl: Central Michigan vs San Diego State

Betting Line: San Diego State -3.5

Over/Under: 40.5

While Central Michigan came up short against Miami Ohio in the MAC Championship, I still think their turnaround this season has been very impressive under first year head coach Jim McElwain. The Chippewas were 1-11 in 2018 but have had an impressive bounce back to go 8-5 this season. On offense, Central Michigan is led by the two pronged rushing attack of Kobe Lewis and Jonathan Ward. Lewis has 977 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns while Ward has 1,082 yards and 15 touchdowns in addition to 322 receiving yards. Unfortunately for the Chippewas, they will be facing the nation’s second best run defense in terms of yards given up per game. In order to find success, Central Michigan needs to stay ahead of the chains on the ground. Quarterback Quinten Dormady will need to be able to provide enough in the passing game to keep San Diego State on their toes defensively. Dormady has lost out on the starting job at Tennessee and Houston before, but he has put up solid numbers with Central Michigan, completing 66% of his passes for 2,148 yards. Where Dormady and Central Michigan need to be careful is throwing into the teeth of San Diego State’s defense. The Aztecs are near the top of the country with 15 interceptions and could definitely take advantage of any ill advised throws. On defense the Chippewas need to be weary of San Diego State’s power run game. Central Michigan needs to force the Aztecs into the passing game which they are less comfortable with. It looks as though the Chippewas are in luck because they have their fair share of defensive playmakers as there are five players with at least eight tackles for loss. Linebacker Troy Brown leads the team with 17 tackles for loss and will be an important player along with defensive ends Sean Adesanya and Robi Stuart. I think it is important for Central Michigan to hold their own on the defensive line and make San Diego State work for their rushing yards.

San Diego State capped off the regular season with a win over BYU. The Aztecs are 9-3 at the moment, which means this season will be their tenth straight winning season and could have their fourth winning season in five years if they win this game. This season, the Aztecs have kept their same offensive identity as they have under head coach Rocky Long, meaning they are reliant on a power run game. While running back Juwan Washington is not quite the elite talent previous Aztec running backs like Rashaad Penny or Donnel Pumphrey were, he is a solid lead back when healthy. Washington is listed as questionable for the game with an ankle injury. In order to find success offensively, the Aztecs need for Washington or backups Chance Bell and Chase Jasmin to be a reliable source of yardage. This also means that the offensive line will have greater expectations this game as they will be blocking for either an injured or less experienced back. Central Michigan also tends to blitz their linebackers and safeties often, so the offensive line will also have the tough task of picking up blitzes well. Quarterback Ryan Agnew also needs to do enough to punish Central Michigan if they commit too hard to the run. I think San Diego State should be able to use play action effectively if Agnew is able to be consistent with his accuracy. Defensively, I think the Aztecs should focus on stopping the run and keeping tight coverage. Central Michigan seems to be more of a run first team but San Diego State excels in stopping the run. Defensive ends Keshawn Banks and Myles Cheatum lead the team in tackles for loss and will need to have a good game if the Aztecs want to effectively shut down the run game. In pass defense, San Diego State ranks near the top of the country in interceptions and Central Michigan quarterback Quinten Dormady has a bit of a problem with making ill advised throws. A big reason for San Diego State’s advantage in pass defense is cornerback Luq Barcoo who is second in the country with eight interceptions and first in the country with 16 pass deflections. I expect him to be solid in coverage and the same goes for safety Tariq Thompson who has three interceptions of his own. If the Aztecs can create turnovers and then sit on the ball with their run game, I think they will be in the fast track to winning this game.

Prediction:

San Diego State is able to keep Central Michigan at an arms length and wins 23-14.

Cure Bowl: Liberty vs Georgia Southern

Betting Line: Georgia Southern -4

Over/Under: 58.5

Liberty secured their first ever bowl berth with a 38-10 win over New Mexico State in their regular season finale. The Flames are in just their second season at the FBS level but look to be in a good place under first year head coach Hugh Freeze. Offensively, Liberty’s clear go to guy is receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden. Gandy-Golden is third in the country in receiving yards and is an excellent possession receiver. If Gandy-Golden can keep up his typical form, it will set up the Flames well offensively. Fellow receivers Kevin Shaa and DJ Stubbs will also be important pieces as a good game from them can force Georgia Southern to not put all of their energy into covering Gandy-Golden. Quarterback Stephen Calvert has solid passing stats in terms of yards and yards per attempt, but completed just 58% of his passes. If Calvert can throw into tight windows well during this game, it will really elevate things through the air. Any contributions from running backs Frankie Hickson and Joshua Mack will also be appreciated as it can take some of the heat off of Calvert. On defense, the Flames will need to prepare well for Georgia Southern’s spread option offense. Linebackers Solomon Ajayi and Brandon Tillmon need to make reads and react quickly. Being quick in pursuit is absolutely crucial for Liberty’s defensive success. It will also do the Flames a lot of good to generate negative plays for Georgia Southern as they do not feel comfortable resorting to their passing game often. The player that I think Liberty will look to to make this happen will be defensive end Jesse Lemonier who leads the team with 13.5 tackles for loss. For the entire defense, playing disciplined and sticking to assignments will be a crucial factor in their success.

Georgia Southern had a bit of a down year this season but they still capped off the regular season with a 38-10 win over rival Georgia State. The Eagles have an offense that can be pretty tough to prepare for with their spread option scheme. Quarterback Shai Werts has been the starter since his freshman season and runs the offense quite well. Werts is second on the team in rushing yards and more importantly keeps things moving for this offense that ranks 12th in the country in time of possession and 18th in turnover margin by taking care of the ball and making the right reads on a consistent basis. If Werts and running backs Wesley Kennedy and JD King continue to play disciplined and take care of the ball, the Eagles will be tough to stop. Being able to convert third downs regularly will also be big for the Eagles as it can keep drives alive and allow them to dominate time of possession. On defense, the Eagles will need to do well in coverage against Liberty receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden. Gandy-Golden brings a major matchup disadvantage for the Eagles as he stands 6’4” and weighs 220 pounds while Georgia Southern’s starting cornerbacks are both 5’11” and weigh 190 pounds. Playing physical in coverage against Gandy-Golden and forcing him to make catches in tight windows will be the best way to defend him, but that is easier said than done. Kindle Vildor was named all-Sun Belt at cornerback so he is no pushover, but I think covering Gandy-Golden will be tougher than what he is used to. Liberty does not have any other receiver that has more than 350 receiving yards so I think forcing the Flames to beat them with another receiver will be the best way to go. Liberty also has a solid run game, but the Eagles should be fine if they can come out on top in the battle in the trenches.

Prediction:

Georgia Southern wins a tight game 31-28.

Boca Raton Bowl: SMU vs FAU

Betting Line: FAU +3

Over/Under: 68.5

While the end of the season might have been a bit disappointing after an 8-0 start, going 10-2 will never be something to complain about, especially after going 5-7 last season. The Mustangs have turned into a very impressive team offensively, led by quarterback Shane Buechele. Buechele has thrown for 3,626 yards and 33 touchdowns this season and has had some help from a very strong receiver duo in James Proche and Reggie Roberson. Roberson has not played since October but could play in the bowl game on Saturday. If Roberson does play, it will help out the passing game significantly as another threat will be added. If not, it means Proche and Kylen Granson will need to do well in his absence. I think that the Mustangs need to try and get Proche open deep early as he is an elite athlete and scary with ball in his hands, and a big play early can really set the tone for a game. On the ground, Xavier Jones has been a consistent threat this season, and I think a big game from him can end up overwhelming FAU’s defense. In general offensively, the Mustangs need to take care of the ball and handle their blocking assignments as FAU’s defense is built on generating big plays. The Owls lead the country in interceptions and forced turnovers and are in the top 40 in tackles for loss. I think that while the Mustangs should take a couple of home run swings offensively, they need to be careful about when they do it. On defense, the Mustangs will have the tough task of shutting down one of the country’s best tight ends in FAU’s Harrison Bryant. Bryant has 1,004 receiving yards this season and has been a consistent security blanket for FAU. Safety Rodney Clemons will be the primary player assigned to cover Bryant and if he can neutralize him, it can force FAU to rethink their offensive game plan. I also expect SMU to have defensive ends Delontae Scott and Turner Coxe to jam Bryant on the line, which should be a hindrance to him if done well. I think that strong pass coverage will lead to almost certain defensive success for SMU as FAU does not turn to their run game as their consistent source of offense often.

In their most recent outing, FAU brought home their second Conference-USA Championship in three seasons as they boat raced UAB 49-6. The Owls have had a nice turnaround this season as they are currently 10-3 after going 5-7 in 2018. Unfortunately for FAU, they will be without head coach Lane Kiffin for this game as he has left to take the head coaching job at Ole Miss. What has surprised me about FAU this season has been their success defensively. The Owls have been able to swarm their opponents on defense and create a lot of big plays. In terms of turnovers, Owls have 10 fumble recoveries and a nation leading 21 interceptions this season in addition to being in the top 40 in fourth down defense and tackles for loss and 15th in third down defense. Cornerback Meiko Dotson leads the country with nine interceptions and should provide some much needed support in guarding SMU’s strong receiving corps. If Dotson and fellow starter James Pierre can keep SMU receiver duo of Reggie Roberson and James Proche from getting too comfortable, it will make the path to victory much easier for FAU. I think this matchup will be the most important one in the game. Against the run, linebacker Akeleis Leroy will be a key player as he leads the Owls with 101 tackles and 15.5 tackles for loss. Fellow linebacker Rashad Smith will also need to do well in pursuit as do defensive ends Leighton McCarthy and Tim Bonner. On offense, the Owls will again look to find tight end Harrison Bryant. Quarterback Chris Robison has had a major turnaround in his play this season, being named first team all-Conference-USA after being benched last season and I believe a big reason for his improvement has been the play of Bryant. If Bryant can get open and come up with some tough catches, the rest of FAU’s offense can take shape more easily. Running back Malcolm Davison also will help keep the SMU defense in their toes if he can put up a good performance. I think it is also important for Robison to have solid field vision and go through his progressions, as it can get ugly if he reverts back to the way he played last season.

Prediction:

SMU’s offense proves to be too much as they win 38-28.

Camellia Bowl: FIU vs Arkansas State

Betting Line: Arkansas State -2.5

Over/Under: 60.5

FIU might have lost to Marshall in their most recent game, but this regular season will be a tough one to be too upset about after they beat Miami and secured their third straight bowl berth under Butch Davis. On offense, the Golden Panthers are led by quarterback James Morgan. While his numbers have regressed some since last season, he does take care of the ball well and has shown flashes of great play this season. Morgan will also have a prime opportunity to find his form from 2018 as Arkansas State struggles a bit against the pass. Receiver Tony Gaiter IV has had over 80 receiving yards in each of FIU’s last three games and will be Morgan’s too target in this game. If Gaiter can keep up his recent form, that will lead to good things for the Golden Panthers. Morgan and the passing attack should also be helped out by an offensive line that allows the fourth fewest sacks in the country. While Arkansas State is not too great against the pass, they really struggle against the run as they are 122nd out of 130 FBS teams in rushing yards allowed. The running back stable of Anthony Jones and Napoleon Maxwell will be set up quite well for success if they can follow their blocks well. On defense, FIU will have their hands full against the pass as Arkansas State has the country’s second leading receiver in Omar Bayless as well as two other players with over 750 receiving yards. Cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver leads a strong secondary for FIU and will need to do well in coverage against Bayless. Thomas-Oliver is not going to be overmatched physically by Bayless, but staying strong in coverage will be a tough task that many teams have failed to fulfill. I think FIU can also slow down Arkansas State’s passing attack by getting a good pass rush. Arkansas State’s offensive line is not too great in pass protection and their quarterback is not very mobile. I think linebacker blitzes need to be utilized often and Arkansas State quarterback Layne Hatcher should not be too comfortable ever.

Arkansas State wrapped up their ninth straight winning season and sixth straight under head coach Blake Anderson, but they are looking for what will be just their second bowl win during Anderson’s tenure. The Red Wolves are led offensively by a very strong passing game. Alabama transfer Layne Hatcher has done well at quarterback, completing 68% of his passes for 2,553 yards and 23 touchdowns on 9.9 yards per attempt while being named Sun Belt Freshman of the Year. Hatcher found great chemistry with receiver Omar Bayless who took home Sun Belt Player of the Year after finishing the regular season second in the country with 1,473 receiving yards. Bayless stands 6’30 but can win battles over cornerbacks in multiple ways as he possesses great hands and speed. If Bayless has a good day, the Red Wolves will be rolling on offense. Fellow starting receivers Kirk Merritt and Jonathan Adams each have over 750 receiving yards of their own and could really cause a problem for FIU’s pass defense if they can get open as well. If FIU can not put all of their focus on slowing down Bayless, then it will help out Arkansas State’s offense as a whole. Arkansas State’s offense also could really be helped out if their offensive line can give Hatcher time to throw which also will give time for receiver to let their routes develop. The Red Wolves have struggled in pass protection this season and a good day up front could make things run much more smoothly. On defense, the Red Wolves have had some struggles, but thankfully they are not facing a particularly star studded offense. I think Arkansas State should try to generate big plays on first and second down. FIU’s offense moves a bit methodically and is not designed to create big plays. If they are forced into a position where they need a big play, that will be a preferable spot for the Red Wolves. While Arkansas State might give up some big plays in the process, it will likely work enough to keep FIU from being able to settle offensively before they fall behind.

Prediction:

Arkansas State makes some big plays in a 34-27 win.

Las Vegas Bowl: Boise State vs Washington

Betting Line: Washington -3.5

Over/Under: 49.5

Boise State brought home the Mountain West Championship in their most recent outing as they beat Hawaii 31-10 to make it 12 wins on the season. The Broncos have had a great season, but fans have to wonder what it would have been like if not for injuries, especially at the quarterback position. The injuries at quarterback have also created somewhat of a quarterback controversy for this game. Blue chip true freshman Hank Bachmeier started off the season and did well, but suffered a shoulder injury midway through the season. Chase Cord briefly took over but also succumbed to injury. This left third stringer and fifth year senior Jaylon Henderson to take the reigns and he did quite well in his four starts, putting up better per game stats than Cord and Bachmeier. Henderson started the Mountain West Championship, but head coach Bryan Harsin said that all three quarterbacks should be available for this game. I suspect Henderson will get the nod, but I could definitely be wrong. Whoever does start will need to take care of the ball well and be able to test a strong Washington defense. True freshman running back George Holani has had a strong showing this season with 979 rushing yards and he will need to be able to fight through tackles well against Washington’s defensive front. On defense, the Broncos will look to let defensive end Curtis Weaver go wild on a Washington offensive line that is missing its best player. Weaver was named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year this season after putting up 19.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks. Weaver has been the recipient of some first round buzz in the upcoming draft and this game will be a prime spot for him to prove his believers right. A big performance from Weaver will also throw a wretch in Washington’s passing attack that is already prone to error. Huskies quarterback Jacob Eason has curtailed some of his early season issues but he still will make his fair share of questionable throws that will surely increase if Boise State gets a good pass rush on him. Cornerbacks Avery Williams and Jalen Walker need to stay with their assignment but if they do, they will find an opportunity for an interception sooner or later. I think it will also be important for the Broncos to react quickly play well in pursuit against Washington’s primarily speed based rushing attack. Washington has turned away from the power run game after Myles Gaskin graduated, but this new style of play has been successful with Salvon Ahmed. Linebackers Benton Wickersham and Riley Whimpey need to be ready to make plays.

This season was a bit of a disappointing one for Washington as they finished the regular season 7-5 and had a losing record in Pac 12 play. While I would typically write off a team like this as unmotivated in their bowl game, the Huskies will look to send head coach h Chris Petersen our with a win in his final game as he announced that he will retire after this season and defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake will take over the head coaching gig. Washington was hit with some news that will make things tougher for them as tight end Hunter Bryant and offensive tackle Trey Adams will both skip this game to begin training for the upcoming draft. Bryant’s absence will definitely put a dent in the passing game as he is Washington’s leading receiver and arguably the best tight end in the country. The good news is his backup, Cade Otton, is no slouch as he has the team’s third leading receiver and is a mainstay in the passing attack already. If Otton can come close to providing the help in the passing game that Bryant brings, it will be huge for the Huskies. Quarterback Jacob Eason also needs to be accurate with the ball, especially on his deep passes. Eason has a cannon, but he tends to be a bit erratic with his throws which has come back to bite the team on more than one occasion. Receivers Aaron Fuller, Terrell Bynum, and Andre Baccellia can help this out by creating separation from Boise State’s cornerbacks. I think Washington should look to establish the run game with Salvon Ahmed early and then let Eason start taking big swings down field once Boise State is on their heels. This does require the offensive line to hold up well without Adams which will be a tougher task. Tackles Jared Hilbers and Henry Bainivalu need to watch out for Boise State defensive end Curtis Weaver who has feasted on Boise State’s competition this season. If Weaver can be neutralized, Washington will be in a much better position offensively. On defense, I think they key will be to get pressure on what will be either an injured or less experienced quarterback for Boise State. The Huskies have a stout defensive front led by defensive ends (I know they are listed as linebackers but they are basically defensive ends) Joe Tryon and Ryan Bowman. Tryon and Bowman set the edge very well and are the top two on the team in sacks and tackles for loss. If they can get penetration into the backfield, it will make things a bit more difficult for Boise State. I also feel confident in the decision to focus on stopping the run because I trust Elijah Molden, Myles Bryant, Trent McDuffie and the secondary to hold their own against Boise State’s receiver without too much of a problem. If that suspicion is true, Washington should have a much easier time defensively.

Prediction:

Washington sends off Chris Petersen with a 27-21 win over his former team.

New Orleans Bowl: Appalachian State vs UAB

Betting Line: UAB +17

Over/Under: 48

Appalachian State brought home their fourth straight Sun Belt title in their most recent game after beating Louisiana 45-38. The Mountaineers has a glimmer of hope to be the G5 representative in the NY6 Bowls but that never came to fruition. Appalachian State will also be without head coach Eliah Drinkwitz who accepted the head coaching gig at Missouri. Offensive line coach and new head coach Shawn Clark will be coaching this game. The Mountaineers are led by a very prolific offense led by Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year Darrynton Evans. Evans has run for 1,323 yards and 17 touchdowns on 5.6 yards per carry this season. UAB does boast a very strong run defense, but if Evans can crack it, the Mountaineers will be on the fast track to victory. Appalachian State needs to have good run blocking up front as UAB generates a lot of tackles for loss. If the Mountaineers can prevent negative plays and keep the ball moving, they will be able to keep UAB’s defense more balanced. Quarterback Zac Thomas is another very good player on this Appalachian State offense that would likely have better stats if not the elite play of Evans. On the season, Thomas has thrown for 2,576 yards and 26 touchdowns. Receiver Thomas Hennigan is Thomas’s main target but if others could step up, it could balance out the passing attack and let Hennigan get open more often. On defense, the Mountaineers need to cover UAB receiver Austin Watkins and Kendall Parham. Watkins and Parham help keep alive an otherwise fairly weak offense from UAB and shutting them down could really torpedo UAB’s offensive game plan. UAB does not have a player on their team with more than 600 rushing yards and I just do not see them winning this game behind their ground game. Cornerbacks Shaun Jolly and Shemar Jean-Charles will be the key players defensively and they will almost shut down an entire offense if they do their jobs.

UAB was blown out by FAU in the Conference-USA Championship game, but they still are 9-4 and have been quite successful since the program was reestablished in 2017. Since their re-establishment in 2017, the main identity for these UAB teams under Bill Clark has been their defense and this team is no different. The Blazers make a lot of big plays defensively as they have five guys with at least eight tackles for loss and three with more than 10. Linebacker Kristopher Moll is the leader of the defense as he has a team leading 93 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and eight sacks. Moll and the rest of the defensive front will be faced with the tough task of slowing down Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans. Evans averages about as many rushing yards per game by himself as UAB’s defense typically gives up total in a game. If the Blazers want to keep this game interesting, slowing down Evans will be their step one. Moll along with fellow linebacker Noah Wilder and defensive end Garrett Marino will have a lot asked of them, but if they can slow down Evans, Appalachian State will be much more beatable. It will also be quite beneficial to generate some turnovers so to better set up their offense. On offense, UAB needs to create big plays. UAB does not have very many home run threats on those offense, but I think that momentum can play a big role in this game. Any long touchdown or big gain could set the wheels in motion for an upset win. Quarterback Tyler Johnston in nursing a knee injury and is listed as questionable for the game. If he plays, he will need his offensive line to protect him well and if he does not play, then it will be even more important for UAB’s receivers to get open. Austin Watkins and Kendall Parham have been the clear go to guys on this offense for awhile and if either of them can come up big this game, it will keep UAB in it. Running back Spencer Brown also needs to do enough to keep Appalachian State’s defense from only focusing on defending the pass.

Prediction:

Appalachian State gets an early scare but gives Shawn Clark a 24-17 win in his debut.

Gasparilla Bowl: Marshall vs UCF

Betting Line: UCF -17.5

Over/Under: 61.5

Marshall got off to a rough 2-3 start but the Thunder Herd rallied to win six of their final seven games to finish the season 8-4 for their third straight bowl berth. Like most Marshall teams coached by Doc Holliday, the main strength of this team is their defense. The main focus for the Thundering Herd needs to be slowing down UCF’s passing attack. UCF receiver Gabriel Davis is going to be a tough matchup for Marshall as he has 1,241 receiving yards on the season and really seems to step up in big games. Cornerbacks Kereon Merrell and Chris Jackson will have their work cut out for them in coverage, but I think eliminating Dillon Gabriel’s favorite target will make things much tougher for UCF. Against the run, I expect linebacker Omari Cobb to really shine as he leads the team with 17 tackles for loss and is second with 107 tackles. I also expect safety Tavante Beckett to blitz often as he typically does, which will help create some chaos in the backfield. I think getting a pass rush with Beckett, Cobb, and the defensive line should be a primary goal for Marshall as well. Even though I have really been impressed by UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel, he is a true freshman playing in his first bowl game and getting some pressure on him can definitely lead to more mistakes on his part. On offense, the Thundering Herd need to have strong run blocking up front. UCF generates more tackles for loss than any other FBS team and any negative plays for a run first team line Marshall will really put them in an undesirable situation. Running back Brenden Knox was named Conference-USA Offensive Player of the Year and I expect him to get the ball early and often. Knox will need to be able to get the hard yard on the ground, which he is used to doing. Quarterback Isaiah Green also needs to be able to do enough through the air to keep UCF’s defense honest. If Green is able to, I think Marshall is in prime position to get UCF to bite on play action. I believe if Marshall is really going to try and win this game, they need to have good blocking up front and grind out clock with Knox carrying the ball. If they are able to do that, this game could be interesting.

UCF’s season might have been a bit disappointing considering their success in 2017 and 2018, but the Knights showed a lot of flashes and look to still have a very bright future under head coach Josh Heupel. What has interested me the most about this UCF team is the strong play of true freshman quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Gabriel, a three star recruit from Hawaii, has had a strong showing this season and has drawn some comparisons to former Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore, which is definitely high praise (unless you are talking about his NFL ability which I as a Cowboys fan unfortunately saw first hand). Gabriel has thrown for 3,393 yards and 27 touchdowns this season on nine yards per attempt. While I have been very impressed by Gabriel this season, I do worry he will make some crucial freshman mistakes, which he did during UCF’s losses to Cincinnati and Tulsa. The risk of this can be mitigated by solid pass protection and a big day from receiver Gabriel Davis. Davis has been Gabriel’s top target all season and can really bring the offense up a notch if he does well. On the ground, one of UCF’s four running backs that get consistent carries will really impact the game if they step up and go beyond their role of rotational back. On defense, the Knights have a clear cut goal of stopping the run. Marshall clearly does not trust their quarterbacks too much and their running back was named Conference-USA Offensive Player of the Year. Marshall running backs Brenden Knox is a very good power back that will be tough to bring down on initial contact. Thankfully, the Knights have a lot of defensive playmakers as they have eight players with at least five tackles for loss. If UCF can swarm the ball and force Marshall to do something through the air, this victory will be all but wrapped up. While that all sounds great, that means that a lot of players will need to step to the task. The most important of which will be linebackers Eric Mitchell and Nate Evans and defensive tackle Kenny Turnier. If those three can hold down their spots and get penetration into the backfield, UCF will have a much easier path to victory.

Prediction:

UCF proves too much for a one dimensional Marshall team and wins 41-17.

Hawaii Bowl: Hawaii vs BYU

Betting Line: BYU -1.5

Over/Under: 64

Despite a 31-10 loss to Boise State in the Mountain West championship game, this season has been Hawaii’s most successful since 2010. While the Warriors have not been as effective offensively in recent weeks, I think that is mostly due to playing some solid competition. Quarterback Cole McDonald is a bit of a gunslinger, but he fits the offense well and can make some big plays in addition to being a solid runner. There is not a true go to guy at receiver, but the Warriors have four receivers with over 800 yards. Cedric Byrd leads the team in catches and yards but is only 240 yards ahead of fourth place. If one of the group of receivers can emerge this game, it will really elevate the offense. McDonald also needs to not force bad throws. While the offense can encourage making boom or bust decisions, choosing wisely when to go for broke will be key. Any contributions from Miles Reed at running back will also be beneficial as it will take some of the heat off of McDonald. On defense, Hawaii will likely need to use a quarterback spy on BYU quarterback Zach Wilson. Wilson is a solid dual threat who can make plays scrambling if Hawaii is not keying in on him. I think it will also be important for the Warriors to keep tight coverage and try to force bad passes as BYU has prone to it all season. Cornerbacks Cortez Davis and Rojesterman Farris will be looked to for this and I think they should be able to at least make BYU work for big passing plays. Hawaii is also tied for second in the country with four pick sixes. Any big play like that would be huge for them and could turn the tide of the game. In general, I think forcing BYU to beat them with the run game is how Hawaii should attack this game. BYU does not have a running back with more than 400 rushing yards and I just do not trust their run game to get the job done.

BYU did lose their regular season finale against San Diego State, but the Cougars did have a very strong second half of the season, winning five of their last six games. Quarterback Zach Wilson has struggled against good defenses, but I do not know if Hawaii is a good enough team to expose some of his bigger flaws as a quarterback. I do not think he is quite on that level yet, but Wilson has drawn comparisons to former Heisman winner Johnny Manziel and I definitely see how someone can draw parallels as Wilson is a very good athlete that makes a lot of big plays, but he can often make incorrect reads or force bad passes because he wants to make a home run swing instead of taking the safe route. While I am not as confident in Hawaii’s defense, Wilson needs to pick his spots well in terms of when to swing for the fences and when to take the simple check down. Multiple injuries at running back has left Lopini Katoa is the probable starter for this game. Katoa has just 307 rushing yards this season but is a solid receiver out of the backfield. He will need to contribute at least some on the ground to give the offense somewhere to turn on shorter yardage situations. While tight end Matt Bushman is the team’s leading receiver, I think it was due to him being more of a security blanket when the Cougars were resorting to their secondary options at quarterback. Still, he has been a reliable target and if he can get open consistently, it could really help the offense stay ahead of the chains. Micah Simon and Talon Shumway are also some of Wilson’s favorite targets and a good day from them will elevate the offense. On defense, I think the Cougars should focus on forcing bad passes from Hawaii. Coverage will obviously be one key aspect of that plan. Cornerback Dayan Ghanwoloku has stepped up in big games this season, especially against USC, but Hawaii has multiple solid receivers so this will be a task for the entire secondary. Fellow starting cornerback D’Angelo Mandell will need to play well, as will some of the backups when they go in for passing downs. BYU is 125th in the country in team sacks and needs to do better this game if they want to hamper Hawaii’s ability to ease into throws. I am not sure that Hawaii can win the game by utilizing the rushing attack, but I know they can torch teams through the air. If BYU can slow down Hawaii’s passing attack, they will definitely be in a good place.

Prediction:

Hawaii brings home a 38-35 win in a fun back and forth game in front of their home crowd for this revived rivalry.

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