Here are my picks for all of the bowl games of the 2016-17 bowl season (with the exception of the College Football Playoff games).
December 17th, 2016
Gildan New Mexico Bowl: New Mexico (8-4) vs UTSA (6-6)- 2:00, ESPN: The Lobos won six of their last seven games with a red-hot offense. The Roadrunners have won five of their last eight games despite it's up and down play on both sides. The Lobos are the more superior team and they'll take this one. It certainly helps that they are home for this one as well.
Pick: New Mexico
Las Vegas Bowl Presented by Geico: Houston (9-3) vs San Diego State (10-3)- 3:30, ABC: This is a sneaky good game here between two very good Group of Five teams. The Cougars were a trendy pick to get to a New Years Six Bowl but they got picked off a few times on the road and now Tom Herman is now at Texas. The Aztecs won the MWC Conference Championship game and were capable of getting a New Years Six Bowl too. This is Donnell Pumphrey's final college game and I believe he'll lead the Aztecs to a win here.
Pick: San Diego State
Raycom Media Camellia Bowl: Appalachian State (9-3) vs Toledo (9-3)- 5:30, ESPN: This isn't a bad game either. The Mountaineers won a share of the Sun Belt title this season behind their great defense. The Rockets had a good season as well and they can flat out score. This is a tough call, but I like the Mountaineers here because they have balance on both sides of the ball.
Pick: Appalachian State
AutoNation Cure Bowl: UCF (6-6) vs Arkansas State (7-5)- 5:30, CBSSN: Central Florida went winless a year ago and now they're here in a bowl game. Arkansas State won seven of their last eight games to get to a bowl game. Talk about turn arounds. I like the Knights here and their offense to lead the way to complete this great turnaround season.
Pick: UCF
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: Southern Miss (6-6) vs Louisiana-Lafayette (6-6)- 9:00, ESPN: The Golden Eagles had a disappointing season considering they were one of the Conference USA favorites before the season. The Rajin Cajuns won four of their final six games to get to this spot. The Eagles are just more talented than the Cajuns, especially offensively so give me the Eagles here despite the game being in New Orleans.
Pick: Southern Miss
December 19th, 2016
Miami Beach Bowl: Tulsa (9-3) vs Central Michigan (6-6)- 2:30, ESPN: Tulsa quietly had a great season and their offense was lights out. Central Michigan lost four of their last six games, so they have not played well. I love the Golden Hurricane and that offense to give them their tenth win, which will cap off a terrific season for Philip Montgomery's club.
Pick: Tulsa
December 20th, 2016
Boca Raton Bowl: Memphis (8-4) vs Western Kentucky (10-3)- 7:00, ESPN: Memphis had another solid season in their first season under Mike Norvell. WKU won their conference championship this season and are riding a seven game winning streak. This game will have a ton of scoring and give me the Hilltoppers here despite being coached by an interim head coach since Jeff Brohm left for Purdue.
Pick: Western Kentucky
December 21st, 2016
San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl: BYU (8-4) vs Wyoming (8-5)- 9:00, ESPN: BYU had a solid season, but their quarterback Taysom Hill is hurt. Wyoming had a great season although they did lose their conference championship game. Despite the Cowboys losing three of their last four games and the Cougars winning seven of their last eight, Hill's injury will haunt the Cougs as the Cowboys will cap off a great season with an upset win.
Pick: Wyoming
December 22nd, 2016
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Idaho (8-4) vs Colorado State (7-5)- 7:00, ESPN: Idaho had a pretty good season despite moving down to the FCS next season. Colorado State won four of their last five games to get here. I like the Rams and their offense to light it up against Vandals defense, which has been inconsistent this season.
Pick: Colorado State
December 23rd, 2016
Popeyes Bahamas Bowl: Old Dominion (9-3) vs Eastern Michigan (7-5)- 1:00, ESPN: Both of these teams had terrific seasons. The Monarchs won eight of their last nine games. The Eagles have lost four of their last seven games. I love the Monarchs to close out a great season with their sixth straight win led by their offense.
Pick: Old Dominion
Lockheed Martin Air Forces Bowl: Navy (9-4) vs Louisiana Tech (8-4)- 4:30, ESPN: Navy had another great season despite losing their last two games to Temple and Army. Louisiana Tech had a decent season although they lost their conference championship game. The Midshipmen are down to their third-string quarterback and their running back is out as well. Give me the Bulldogs here.
Pick: Louisiana Tech
Dollar General Bowl: Ohio (8-5) vs Troy (9-3)- 8:00, ESPN: Ohio had a nice season despite losing their conference championship game. Troy had a terrific season as well despite not winning their conference. The Trojans have been very balanced most of the season and that will show here.
Pick: Troy
December 24th, 2016
Hawaii Bowl: Middle Tennessee (8-4) vs Hawaii (6-7)- 8:00, ESPN: Middle Tennessee was the C-USA favorite before the season, but they did get to their conference championship game. Hawaii lost four of their last seven (although they won their last two). The Rainbow Warriors may be home, but the Blue Raiders are just the better team.
Pick: Middle Tennessee
December 26th, 2016
St. Petersburg Bowl: Mississippi State (5-7) vs Miami-Ohio (6-6)- 11:00, ESPN: Mississippi State became bowl eligibility due to APR. Miami-Ohio started 0-6 and won their final six games to become bowl eligible. The Bulldogs led by Nick Fitzgerald are the more superior team here and they'll get a bowl victory despite being 5-7.
Pick: Mississippi State
Quick Lane Bowl: Maryland (6-6) vs Boston College (6-6)- 2:30, ESPN: Maryland is here despite losing six of their final eight games. Boston College won three of their final five games to get here. The Eagles have a decent defense, but I don't love their offense. I like the Terps here in a close one.
Pick: Maryland
Camping World Independence Bowl: North Carolina State (6-6) vs Vanderbilt (6-6)- 5:30, ESPN2: North Carolina State had to win two of their final three games to get here. Vanderbilt won four of their final six to become bowl eligible. Derek Mason is a decent quarterback and the a Commodores have a decent defense, but can that defense stop the Wolfpacks offense? I'm not sure.
Pick: North Carolina State
December 27th, 2016
Zaxby's Heart Of Dallas Bowl: Army (5-7) vs North Texas (5-7)- 12:00, ESPN: Army won three of their final five games to become bowl eligibility. North Texas is bowl eligibility due to the APR rule. The Knights are flat out the better team here so they'll cap off a successful season with a bowl win despite people thinking they'll have a hangover from the Navy win.
Pick: Army
Military Bowl Presented By Northrop Grooman: Temple (10-3) vs Wake Forest (6-6)- 3:30, ESPN: Temple won it's conference championship this season thanks to a well rounded team. Wake Forest, despite losing five of their last six games, is bowl eligible. The Owls are just flat out better and I don't think Matt Rhule leaving for Baylor will affect the team, but I do think the turmoil around the Demon Deacons will be a distraction.
Pick: Temple
National Funding Holiday Bowl: Minnesota (8-4) vs Washington State (8-4)- 7:00, ESPN: Minnesota, despite some turmoil going on decided not to boycott their bowl game. Washington State had a great season this season as well and came close to winning their division. Something tells me Luke Falk will have a big game and lead the Cougars to a bowl win to close out a good season.
Pick: Washington State
Motel 6 Cactus Bowl: Baylor (6-6) vs Boise State (10-2)- 10:15, ESPN: Baylor started out unbeaten than wound up losing six straight games to close the regular season. Boise State had New Years Six potential but they got picked off a few times on the road in conference play that cost them a chance to play for the MWC Championship. Despite that, give me the Broncos big because I'm not sure if the Bears will get up for this considering how their season ended.
Pick: Boise State
December 28th, 2016
New Era Pinstripe Bowl: Pittsburgh (8-4) vs Northwestern (6-6)- 2:00, ESPN: Both teams have been playing well coming into this game. Pittsburgh has won their last three games and Northwestern won two of its final three to become bowl eligible. This should be a decent game, but I see James Conner leading the Panthers to a win here in the Bronx.
Pick: Pittsburgh
Russell Athletic Bowl: Miami (8-4) vs West Virginia (10-2)- 5:30, ESPN: This should be a fun game. Miami hasn't won a bowl game since 2006 and West Virginia has had a great season overall. Brad Kaaya should have a good game, but the Mountaineers are just a better team and I don't see the Canes defense stopping the 'Neers running game.
Pick: West Virginia
Foster Farms Bowl: Indiana (6-6) vs Utah (8-4)- 8:30, FOX: Indiana won three of their final games to become bowl eligible. Utah lost three of its final four games of the season, but they are still a decent team. That said, I like the Utes here.
Pick: Utah
AdvoCare 100 Texas Bowl: Kansas State (8-4) vs Texas A&M (8-4)- 9:00, ESPN: Kansas State has won five of their last six games to get here. Texas A&M has lost four of their last six games after starting unbeaten. The Wildcats, unlike the Aggies have been playing really good football lately, so I'll take them to win this one.
Pick: Kansas State
December 29th, 2016
Birmingham Bowl: South Carolina (6-6) vs South Florida (10-2)- 2:00, ESPN: South Carolina won four of their final six games to get bowl eligible. South Florida has had a great season and had New Years Six potential. That said, the Bulls are just flat out better and I don't see a decent Gamecocks defense stopping the Bulls offense.
Pick: South Florida
Belk Bowl: Arkansas (7-5) vs Virginia Tech (9-4)- 5:30, ESPN: Arkansas has been rotating wins and losses over the last few months. Virginia Tech has had a good season although they lost their conference championship game. That said, except a ton of points and good quarterback play, but I'm taking the Hokies here.
Pick: Virginia Tech
Valero Alamo Bowl: Oklahoma State (9-3) vs Colorado State (10-3)- 9:00, ESPN: This game should be a ton of fun. Oklahoma State won seven of their last eight games to get here. Colorado State has had a phenomenal season although they lost in the Pac-12 Championship game. Expect a ton of points here but give me the Buffaloes to cap off their amazing season.
Pick: Colorado State
December 30th, 2016
AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Georgia (7-5) vs TCU (6-6)- 12:00, ESPN: Georgia won three of their last four to become bowl eligible. TCU is here despite losing four of their last six games. It wouldn't surprise me if it's high scoring or low scoring, but give me the Bulldogs.
Pick: Georgia
Hyundai Sun Bowl: Stanford (9-3) vs North Carolina (8-4)- 1:30, CBS: This should be a decent game, although it would have been more fun if Christian McCaffrey had played. Mitch Trubisky is a star quarterback and he'll lead the Tar Heels to a bowl win here.
Pick: North Carolina
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl: Nebraska (9-3) vs Tennessee (8-4)- 3:30, ESPN: Nebraska lost three of their last five games. Tennessee has won three of its last four games. Tommy Armstrong hasn't been healthy for the Huskers so who knows if he'll play or not, so give me the Vols led by Josh Dobbs.
Pick: Tennessee
Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl: Air Force (9-3) vs South Alabama (6-6)- 5:30, ASN: Air Force has won five straight games to this point. South Alabama has been up and down and some impressive wins this season. Give me the hot team here and that is the Falcons, who are the better team here.
Pick: Air Force
Capital One Orange Bowl: Florida State (9-3) vs Michigan (10-2)- 8:30, ESPN: This should be a fairly entertaining game. There's some star power abound in this one as well. Expect the Wolverines defense to keep Dalvin Cook in check and for Jabril Peppers to make big plays to lead the Wolverines to a New Years Six bowl win.
Pick: Michigan
December 31st, 2016
Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl: Louisville (9-3) vs LSU (7-4)- 11:00, ABC: This should be an interesting game, although it would have been more fun if Leonard Forunette played. The Cardinals did lose their last two games, but Lamar Jackson should lead them to a bowl win.
Pick: Louisville
TaxSlayer Bowl: Georgia Tech (8-4) vs Kentucky (7-5)- 11:00, ESPN: Georgia Tech has won five of their last six games to get here. Kentucky has won five of their last seven as well. This was a tough call, but give me the Yellow Jackets here in a close one.
Pick: Georgia Tech
January 2nd, 2017
Outback Bowl: Florida (8-4) vs Iowa (8-4)- 1:00, ABC: Florida made the SEC Championship game and including that, they lost three of their last five games. Iowa won their final three games, including a big upset over Michigan to get to this bowl. Expect a low scoring game here and for the Hawkeyes to come out on top.
Pick: Iowa
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic: Western Michigan (13-0) vs Wisconsin (10-3)- 1:00, ESPN: Western Michigan went unbeaten, including the MAC Championship and here they are with their well deserved New Years Six bid. Wisconsin made the Big-10 Championship game, but lost to Penn State. This should be an entertaining, high scoring game, but give me the Badgers here in a close one.
Pick: Wisconsin
Rose Bowl Game Presented By Northwestern Mutual: Penn State (11-2) vs USC (9-3)- 5:00, ESPN: Penn State won the Big-10 Championship, but since they had two losses, they deserve the Rose Bowl instead of the College Football Playoff, which is a nice constellation prize. USC has won eight straight games to get themselves here. You can argue the Trojans should be in the Alamo Bowl instead and the Colorado Buffaloes should be here, but the Trojans led by Sam Darnold are just the better team here and they'll close out the season with nine straight wins.
Pick: USC
AllState Sugar Bowl: Oklahoma (10-2) vs Auburn (8-4)- 8:30, ESPN: Oklahoma has won nine straight games, including the Big-12 Championship to get here. Auburn is here despite losing two of their last three games. Baker Mayfield and Dede Westbrook have been an unstoppable duo all season long and that will be the difference here in this game as the Sooners will close the season with ten straight wins.
Pick: Oklahoma
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