Friday, December 15, 2017

2017-18 College Football Bowl Season: Picks

Here are my picks for the 2017-18 College Football bowl season.

Saturday, December 16th
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: Troy (10-2) vs North Texas (9-4)- 1:00, ESPN: The Trojans have been red hot winning six straight games playing well on both sides of the ball. The Mean Green have won their final five regular season games and lost the Conference-USA Championship to the Owls of Florida Atlantic. The Trojans weren't really great outside of the Sun Belt despite beating LSU in Death Valley and the Mean Green are very underrated and I like them here to pull off the upset.
Pick: North Texas


AutoNation Cure BowlWKU (6-6) vs Georgia State (6-5)- 2:30, CBSSN: The Hilltoppers have underachieved this season and they have lost four of their final five games. The Panthers have overachieved this season although they have lost their final two games. The Hilltoppers are just the better team here and they're the pick here.
Pick: WKU


Las Vegas Bowl: Oregon (7-5) vs (25) Boise State (10-3)- 3:30, ABC: The Ducks have won three of their final four games to become bowl eligible. The Broncos won seven of their final eight regular season games and also won the MWC Championship game. Justin Herbert is healthy now and it's very possible that they'd have a better record if Herbert was healthy and I like them here in this spot against a Bronco team that wasn't that great offensively outside of the conference.
Pick: Oregon


Gildan New Mexico Bowl: Marshall (7-5) vs Colorado State (7-5)- 4:30, ESPN: The Thundering Herd lost four of their final five games and most of them were close games. The Rams have lost three of their final four games. The Rams are just the better team here and I like them here to win big.
Pick: Colorado State

Raycom Media Camellia Bowl: Middle Tennessee (6-6) vs Arkansas State (7-4)- 8:00, ESPN: The Blue Raiders have won three of their final four games to become bowl eligible. The Redwolves have played well in conference play and were competitive. Outside of conference, it's a different story so give me the Raiders here.
Pick: Middle Tennessee


Tuesday, December 19th
Cheribundi Tart Cherry Boca Raton Bowl: Akron (7-6) vs FAU (10-3)- 7:00, ESPN: The Zips played well in conference play for the most part but lost in the MAC title game against the Toledo Rockets. The Owls dominated Conference-USA and won the conference title game over the North Texas Mean Green. The Owls are the easy pick here and I like them big here against a Zips team that isn't great out of conference.
Pick: FAU

Wednesday, December 20th
DXL Frisco Bowl: Louisiana Tech (6-6) vs SMU (7-5)- 8:00, ESPN: The Bulldogs underachieved this season to some degree and won their final two games just to become bowl eligible. The Mustangs lost three of their last four, but the three losses were either close games or against better competition. That said, I like the 'Stangs here despite them losing head coach Chad Morris to Arkansas.
Pick: SMU

Thursday, December 21st
Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl: Temple (6-6) vs FIU (8-4)- 8:00, ESPN: The Owls won three of their last four games to become bowl eligible. The Panthers had a very good first season under Butch Davis and played well in conference play. That said, I like the Owls here who are the better team and that would be a nice way to cap off Geoff Collins's first season at the helm after Matt Rhule left for Baylor.
Pick: Temple

Friday, December 22nd
Bahamas Bowl: UAB (8-4) vs Ohio (8-4)- 12:30, ESPN: The Blazers have had a great first season back in the FBS after a three year hiatus and here they are in a bowl game with eight wins. The Bobcats had a good season as well despite not making their conference title game due to losing a tiebreaker with the Akron Zips. The Bobcats are the pick here, but it will be a much closer game than the experts think.
Pick: Ohio

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Central Michigan (8-4) vs Wyoming (7-5)- 4:00, ESPN: The Chippewas very quietly had a great season, winning their last five games. The Cowboys had a good season as well although they lost their final two games. If Josh Allen plays in this game, I'll take the Cowboys and if not, give me the Chips.
Pick: Wyoming

Saturday, December 23rd
Birmingham Bowl: Texas Tech (6-6) vs South Florida (9-2)- 12:00, ESPN: The Red Raiders had to win two of their final three games just to become bowl eligible. The Bulls were ranked in the preseason, but you can make a case despite their record that they didn't really live up to expectations considering many people thought they'd be the Group Of 5 team to reach a New Years Six Bowl. That said, the Bulls are the better team and expect a ton of points here.

Pick: South Florida

Armed Forces Bowl: San Diego State (10-2) vs Army (9-3)- 3:30, ESPN: The Aztecs have had a great season and they've won their final four games. The Black Knights have had an amazing season and could have possibly been coming into this game with a eight game winning streak if not for a 
close loss a few weeks ago in Denton against the North Texas Mean Green. The Aztecs are the pick here and game will be much closer than the experts think.
Pick: San Diego State

Dollar General Bowl: Appalachian State (8-4) vs Toledo (11-2)- 7:00, ESPN: The Mountaineers have a had a good season in conference and they've won their final three games. The Rockets have had a great season winning the MAC championship over the Akron Zips. The Rockets are the better team here and I like them here in a shootout.
Pick: Toledo

Sunday, December 24th
Hawaii Bowl: Fresno State (9-4) vs Houston (7-4)- 8:30, ESPN: This is a nice bowl game for Christmas Eve. The Bulldogs had a tremendous season in conference although they lost the MWC title game against the Boise State Broncos. The Cougars won three of their last four games to become bowl eligible. This was a hard call, but I like the Bulldogs here to cap off a great turnaround from a 
season ago.
Pick: Fresno State

Tuesday, December 26th
Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl: Utah (6-6) vs West Virginia (7-5)- 1:30, ESPN: The Utes lost two of their final three games and six of their final eight games. The Mountaineers lost their final two games and lost Will Grier for the season with a broken finger. The Utes are much better than their record indicates and their defense is very good and will slow down the Grier-less Mountaineer offense.
Pick: Utah

Quick Lane Bowl: Duke (6-6) vs Northern Illinois (8-4)- 5:15, ESPN: The Blue Devils won their final two games to become bowl eligible. The Huskies played very well in conference play winning six of their eight conference games. The Blue Devils are the better team here and they should win this game comfortably.
Pick: Duke

Cactus Bowl: Kansas State (7-5) vs UCLA (6-6)- 9:00, ESPN: The Wildcats have underachieved this season relative to preseason expectations although they won four of their last five games. The Bruins underachieved too which led to the firing of Jim Mora. Josh Rosen will not play in this game and I like the Wildcats here to take this one.
Pick: Kansas State

Wednesday, December 27th
Walk-On's Independence Bowl: Southern Miss (8-4) vs Florida State (6-6)- 1:30, ESPN: The Golden Eagles won their final three games and are one of the sneaky good C-USA teams. The Seminoles have massively underachieved this season and they won their final three games to become bowl eligible. Despite Jimbo Fisher leaving for Texas A&M and the team underachieving, I like the Noles to win this bowl game.
Pick: Florida State

New Era Pinstripe Bowl: Iowa (7-5) vs Boston College (7-5)- 5:15, ESPN: The Hawkeyes lost two of their final three games and before that was their signature win of this season over the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Eagles won five of their final six games to become bowl eligible. The Eagles have been playing really well and I like them here over a Hawkeye team that has only looked dominant a few times this season.
Pick: Boston College

Foster Farms Bowl: Arizona (7-5) vs Purdue (6-6)- 8:30, FOX: The Wildcats lost three of their final four games, but those games were against tougher opponents. The Boiler Makers overachieved this season and they won their final two games to become bowl eligible. Khalil Tate is one of the more underrated quarterbacks in the country and I like him to lead the Wildcats here to a win.
Pick: Arizona

Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl: Texas (6-6) vs Missouri (7-5)- 9:00, ESPN: The Longhorns underachieved in Tom Herman's first season and they had to win two of their final three games to become bowl eligible. The Tigers overachieved this season and won their final six games to become bowl eligible. The Longhorns are just the more talented team here and I like them to win this game and it helps that it's in state.
Pick: Texas

Thursday, December 28th
Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman: Virginia (6-6) vs Navy (6-6)- 1:30, ESPN: The Cavaliers overachieved this season, although they lost five of their last six games. The Midshipmen underachieved to some sort this season and they lost six of their last seven games. The Cavs were pretty good outside of conference this season and I like them here despite the Midshipmen playing in their own building.
Pick: Virginia

Camping World Bowl: (22) Virginia Tech (9-3) vs (19) Oklahoma State (9-3)- 5:15, ESPN: This is a pretty good game. The Hokies have kinda limped into this spot, splitting their final four games. The Cowboys split their final four games as well. The Cowboys offense led by Mason Rudolph and James Washington will dominate against a Hokies defense that isn't very good against elite offenses.
Pick: Oklahoma State

Valero Alamo Bowl: (13) Stanford (9-4) vs (15) TCU (10-3)- 9:00, ESPN: This is another great game. The Cardinal lost the Pac-12 title game and are much better than their record indicates. The Horned Frogs lost the Big-12 title game and you can argue are a little worse than their record indicates. Bryce Love is playing and I love the Cardinal here in a close one.
Pick: Stanford

San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl: (18) Washington State (9-3) vs (16) Michigan State (9-3)- 9:00, FS1: Here's another great game. The Cougars split their final six games and have not played that well away from home. The Spartans were tremendous in conference play this season with the exception of their game in Columbus. This was a hard call, but I like the Spartans here and I don't love the Cougs away from home.
Pick: Michigan State

Friday, December 29th
Belk Bowl: Wake Forest (7-5) vs Texas A&M (7-5)- 1:00, ESPN: The Demon Decons won three of their last five to become bowl eligible. The Aggies lost four of their last seven games and it cost Kevin Sumlin his job. This wasn't an easy call, but give me the Demon Decons in a high scoring game.
Pick: Wake Forest

Hyundai Sun Bowl: (24) North Carolina State (8-4) vs Arizona State (7-5)- 2:30, CBS: The Wolfpack lost three of their last five games and are arguably better than their record indicates. The Sun Devils won three of their last four to become bowl eligible although Todd Graham lost his job. The Wolfpack are the better team here and I like Ryan Finley to lead them to a bowl win.
Pick: North Carolina State

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl: Kentucky (7-5) vs (21) Northwestern (9-3)- 4:30, ESPN: The Kentucky Wildcats had a nice season although they lost three of their final four games. The Northwestern Wildcats are red hot, winners of their last seven games. I love the Purple Cats because of how hot they've been and the fact that there are just the better team.
Pick: Northwestern


Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl: Utah State (6-6) vs New Mexico State (6-6)- 5:30, CBSSN: The Utah State Aggies lost four of their last seven games. The New Mexico State Aggies won their final two games to become bowl eligible. Utah State is the better team here and I like them to pull this one out late.
Pick: Utah State

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic: (8) USC (11-2) vs (5) Ohio State (11-2)- 8:30, ESPN: This one could be an all-timer. The Pac-12 champion Trojans have won five straight games en route to their conference title. The Big-10 champion Buckeyes have won four straight games en route to their conference title and would have been in the playoff if not for an ugly blowout defeat in Iowa City. This will be the final collegiate game for each teams quarterback in Sam Darnold and JT Barrett as well. I love Darnold and the Trojans here in a tight game with a ton of points.
Pick: USC

Saturday, December 30th
TaxSlayer Bowl: Louisville (8-4) vs (23) Mississippi State (8-4)- 12:00, ESPN: This is a fun game. The Cardinals have underachieved this season although they won their final three games. The Bulldogs lost two of their final three games and Nick Fitzgerald fractured his ankle in the Egg Bowl. Lamar Jackson put together another amazing season that got him a trip to New York as a Heisman finalist and he'll head the Cardinals to a bowl win.
Pick: Louisville

AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Iowa State (7-5) vs (20) Memphis (10-2)- 12:30, ABC: The Cyclones overachieved this season although they lost three of their last four games. The Tigers have had an amazing season despite losing the AAC title game against the UCF Knights. The Tigers are the better team here and it'll help that they're playing at home and Riley Ferguson will lead the way in a high scoring affair.
Pick: Memphis

PlayStation Fiesta Bowl: (11) Washington (10-2) vs (9) Penn State (10-2)- 4:00, ESPN: This is going to be a great game. The Huskies have won four of their last five and both games they lost this season were close contests. The Nittany Lions had a great season in which their two losses were a combined four points. This will be Saquon Barkley's final collegiate game and I like Barkley and Trace McSorely to lead the way to a New Years Six bowl win for the Lions although I think Jake Browning will make plays for the Huskies to keep them in it.
Pick: Penn State

Capital One Orange Bowl: (6) Wisconsin (12-1) vs (10) Miami (11-2)- 8:00, ESPN: This is another great game. The Badgers went unbeaten in the regular season, but ended up losing in the Big-10 Championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Hurricanes had a great season too, but they lost two of their final three including the ACC Championship game against the Clemson Tigers. I absolutely love the Hurricanes here on their home turf with their great defense and I like Malik Rosier to outduel Alex Hornibrook as well.
Pick: Miami

Monday, January 1st
Outback Bowl: Michigan (8-4) vs South Carolina (8-4)- 12:00, ESPN2: This game is sneaky good between two teams that are good defensively. The Wolverines lost their final two games although they were against better opponents. The Gamecocks split their final four games and the two losses came against Georgia and Clemson. I like the Wolverines in a low scoring game here.
Pick: Michigan

Chick Fil-A Peach Bowl: (12) UCF (12-0) vs (7) Auburn (10-3)- 12:30, ESPN: This is a very good matchup here. The Knights went unbeaten this season and are really good offensively. The Tigers were a win away from the College Football Playoff and were blown out by Georgia in the SEC Championship game. I like the Tigers in a close, high scoring affair.
Pick: Auburn

Citrus Bowl: (14) Notre Dame (9-3) vs (17) LSU (9-3)- 1:00, ABC: This should be a fun game as well. The Fighting Irish lost two of their final three games but were both on the road against ranked opponents. The Tigers very quietly won their final three games. I love the Irish in this spot and I like Brandon Wimbush to lead them to a win.

Pick: Notre Dame

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