It’s December, and as the song goes: “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” No, I’m not just talking about Christmas, I’m talking about bowl season!
Three plus weeks of college football essentially everyday. Even though in recent years bowls have been mired by opt-outs, and the transfer portal, the games are exciting for fans and more importantly the teams. In part one of our bowl previews, we will look at the first Saturday of bowl season. We’ll give a little insight into each game, talk about the matchups and I’ll give you my picks to win.
Myrtle Beach Bowl: Georgia Southern (-2.5) vs. Ohio
Saturday 12/16 11 AM ET/10 AM CT ESPN Myrtle Beach, SC
Our first bowl game of the year is the 4th annual Myrtle Beach Bowl. This years contest features the Georgia Southern Eagles of the Sun Belt Conference and the Ohio Bobcats from the MAC. Clay Helton’s Eagles come into this matchup on a 4 game skid at 6-6 on the year while the Bobcats have won 4 of their last 5 and are 9-3.
Georgia Southern could be without their leading rusher Jalen White (891 yds, 9 TD) and starting OLB Issac Walker as both didn’t play in the regular season finale at Appalachian State due to injuries. The Eagles are more of a passing team though as they are led by the Tulsa transfer, Davis Brin (3,431 yds, 22 TD,16 INT) and Senior WR Khaleb Hood (94 rec, 917 yds, 5TD)
Ohio could be in bigger trouble as there has been an exodus of players into the transfer portal including their starting QB Kurtis Rourke (2207 yds, 11 TD, 5 INT 219 yds rush 4 TD) starting RB Sieh Bangura (811 yd, 7 TD) backup RB O’Shaan Allison (452 yds 3 TD) starting WR Miles Cross (47 rec, 617 yds, 5 TD) and LB Keye Thompson (94 tkls, 1.5 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FF, 3 FR, and 1 of Ohio’s 2 defensive TDs this year) Add to all this that the Cats have been without WR Jacoby Jones most of the year, and it spells trouble for Ohio. Backup QB CJ Harris, who led the Bobcats to last year’s victory in the Arizona Bowl, is also out with injury so Ohio will turn to 3rd string QB Parker Navarro (7-10 65 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT, 107 yds rush) to lead the offense.
PREDICTION: When a team is without their top 2 QBs, their top 2 RBs, AND 2 of their top 3 WRs… I would venture to guess that their offense might go into what I call “Iowa mode” aka severe lack of offensive production, and I might be correct. However, the strength of this Bobcat team is their D (15.4 PPG Against) Georgia Southern is on a 4 game skid, but all to quality opponents with 2 of those losses being 1 score games. I think the lack of offensive firepower will be the Bobcats demise, give me Georgia Southern to win.
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: Jacksonville St. (-2.5) vs Louisiana-Lafayette
Saturday 12/16 2:15 PM ET/ 1:15 PM CT ESPN New Orleans, LA
Our second bowl game on this packed Saturday pits the Jacksonville State Gamecocks of Conference-USA up against the Ragin Cajuns of Louisiana-Lafayette from the Sun Belt. Rich Rodriguez is back in the FBS with a fury as his Gamecocks enter the fray with an 8-4 mark, needing an NCAA waiver to go to a bowl, while the Cajuns had a scrappy season and needed to beat their rivals UL-Monroe to make it to the 6-6 mark.
For Jacksonville State, it was an excellent first year in FBS as the Gamecocks won 7 of their first 9, losing only to Liberty and Coastal Carolina. Their offense is led by dual threat QB Zion Webb (1,281 yds, 5 TD, 6 INT, 638 yds rush, 7 TD) and RB Malik Jackson (860 yds, 7 TD) Defensively, they could be without stud DE Jaylen Swain (30 tkls, 4 sacks) who missed the regular season finale and starting CB Jabari Mack who has been out since week 8
For Louisiana-Lafayette, a trip to the Big Easy is nothing new. They’ve been there six previous times. This season has been tough at times, they lost 4 of their last 6, and the injury bug has bit their O-Line hard. Starting LT Nathan Thomas will miss the game due to surgery and starting C Landon Burton missed time at the end of the year though Cajuns HC Michael Desormeaux was hopeful that both Burton and starting S Courtline Flowers who also missed time would be healthy enough to go. The Cajuns are also led offensively by a dual threat QB, Zeon Chriss (1,222 yds, 11 TD, 5 INT, 492 yds rush, 6 TD) and RB Jacob Kibodi (729 yds, 7 TD) Defensively, they could as previously said be without Flowers and they will be without starting LB Kendre Gant, who entered the transfer portal.
PREDICTION: This is a de facto home game for Louisiana-Lafayette, the Cajuns are 5-1 in 6 previous New Orleans Bowls (2 however were vacated because of academic violations) However, this has been a tough year for them, and it doesn’t get easier. Rich Rodriguez has his boys fired up, and what better way to end your first year in FBS than with a bowl win? Add in that UL-Lafayette is down 1 possibly 2 of their starting OL and I see Jacksonville State coming away with the victory in the Big Easy!
Avocados From Mexico Cure Bowl: Miami(OH) vs Appalachian St. (-6)
Saturday 12/16 3:30 PM ET/ 2:30 PM CT ABC Orlando, FL
And now onto our next bowl game! (Sung to the Avocados From Mexico jingle) It is the 9th installment of the Cure Bowl, a bowl that promotes research and awareness of breast cancer with all the proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This year’s clash features the Miami(OH) Redhawks from the MAC and the Appalachian State Mountaineers from the Sun Belt. The Redhawks come into Orlando as champions of the MAC after beating Toledo 2 weeks ago, and sporting an 11-2 record. App State comes in with an 8-5 mark after losing the Sun Belt title game that same weekend.
Miami (OH) will have a conundrum on their hands going into the game Saturday as they will be without their top 2 QBs. Jr. Brett Gabbert (1,634 yds, 14 TD, 5 INT) has been out since the first Toledo game in October with a leg injury, and backup Aveon Smith (638 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT, 280 yds rush, 1 TD) has entered the transfer portal. That leaves the job to So. Henry Hesson who has only attempted 5 collegiate passes. Look for the Redhawks to rely offensively on RB Rashad Amos (895 yds, 12 TD) One positive for Hesson is WR Gage Larvadain (38 rec, 643 yds, 6 TD) returned in the MAC title game. Miami(OH) will also rely on a stingy D that was second in the MAC in scoring defense allowing only 16.2 PPG and only allowing 197.2 YPG through the air.
That could pose a challenge for App State QB Joey Aguilar (3,546 yds, 33 TD, 13 INT) and the pass happy Mountaineers offense that scored 35.8 PPG (2nd best in the Sun Belt). App State will however be without their leading rusher Nate Noel (834 yds, 5 TD), and WRs Dashaun Davis (29 rec, 381 yds, 3 TD) and Milan Tucker (21 rec, 305 yds, 1 TD) all of whom have entered the transfer portal. The Mountaineers will look to Kanye Roberts (648 yds, 7 TD) to lead the rushing attack, and look for WR Kaedin Robinson (59 rec, 787 yds, 10 TD) to continue spearheading the passing game with Aguilar.
PREDICTION: Both teams enter Saturday’s game on bowl streaks. Miami(OH) is seeking their 3rd bowl win in the last 4 seasons while App State is seeking their 7th bowl win in 8 appearances. Can the Redhawks tough D keep them in the game enough for their green QB to adjust to actual playing time? Or will Joey Aguilar and the Mountaineers throw all over FBC Mortgage Stadium? My money is on Appalachian State to get the W.
Isleta New Mexico Bowl: New Mexico St. (-3.5) vs Fresno St.
Saturday 12/16 5:45 PM ET/ 4:45 PM CT ESPN Albuquerque, NM
Our next bowl game on this packed Saturday takes us out to the lovely state of New Mexico with its picturesque views, the red and green chilis, the balloons, and an excellent matchup between Conference-USA’s New Mexico State Aggies and the Fresno State Bulldogs from the Mountain West. New Mexico St. has had a season for the ages, 10-4 under head coach Jerry Kill, playing in back to back bowls, and seeking their 11th win which would match the 1960 team for the best season. Meanwhile Fresno St. comes to the land of enchantment on a 3 game skid at 8-4. These two teams will play for (in my opinion) the best looking bowl trophy, a 20 inch piece of Zia Pueblo pottery hand painted with the bowl logo, the team logos, and Pueblo symbols. How cool is that?
New Mexico State’s banner year is due, in part, to the play of their dual threat QB Diego Pavia. Pavia has thrown for 2,915 yards, 26 TDs and 8 picks while also rushing for 856 yards with 6 TDs. He was banged up at the end of the year, especially in the C-USA title loss to Liberty, but he is expected to play tonight. RB Star Thomas (643 yds, 4 TD) will also factor into the run game. The Aggies could however be without their top WR, Trent Hudson (35 rec, 551 yds, 10 TD) as he has put his name in the transfer portal, but Jonathan Brady and Eli Stowers are still quality targets for Pavia. Defensively, CB Reggie Akies has put his name in the portal so we’ll see if that has an effect on the Aggies secondary.
Fresno State will be playing with a purpose as Head Coach Jeff Tedford will not be with the team because of health issues. The Bulldogs are led by QB Mikey Keene, the UCF transfer has thrown for 2,596 yds, 21 TDs, and 9 INTs. On the ground, look for Malik Sherrod to make an impact, he’s rushed for 876 yards and 9 TDs this season. Erik Brooks (55 rec, 711 yds, 5 TD) and Jalen Moss (51 rec, 630 yds, 5 TD) will both be targets for Keene. The one concern for the Bulldogs is the loss of LT Jacob Spomer who is out with an injury. There are also a few defensive players in the portal that have played a decent number of snaps this year.
PREDICTION: This will be one of the best games of the day. The key matchup is Diego Pavia and the New Mexico State offense (225 YPG passing and less than 1 INT per game) against Fresno State’s secondary (5th in the nation in INTs with 16 and t-7 in turnover margin at +10). It could go either way, but we’re in New Mexico damn it. You have to go with Jerry Kill and the Aggies, so that is what I’m gonna do.
Starco Brands LA Bowl Hosted by Gronk: UCLA (-5.5) vs Boise St.
Saturday 12/16 7:30 PM ET/ 6:30 PM CT ABC Los Angeles, CA
Now folks, it’s time for what you’ve always wanted… a bowl game hosted by Rob Gronkowski! Honestly, it’s a breath of fresh air compared to the last guy. The third annual LA Bowl will see the UCLA Bruins of (for the final time) the Pac-12 go up against the Boise State Broncos of the Mountain West. UCLA makes the 13 mile trek from campus (which believe it or not is closer than their normal home of the Rose Bowl, 26 miles away) to Sofi Stadium having lost 3 of their last 5 and sitting at 7-5. Boise St. rides into town as the Mountain West champions after beating UNLV 2 weeks prior, and sit at 8-5.
UCLA will likely go with Ethan Garbers (984 yds, 9 TD, 3 INT) at QB as freshman sensation Dante Moore (1,610 yds, 11 TD, 9 INT) has entered the transfer portal. Garbers has been out since week 13 with an injury, but should be good to go. The Bruins could also be without leading rusher Carson Steele (847 yds, 6 TD) though TJ Harden has nearly the same stats. Garbers will also be short WRs Keegan Jones and Kam Brown (Brown hasn’t played since week 9) and TE Carsen Ryan. The bigger concern for the Bruins is on the other side of the ball. To start with, D-Coordinator D’Anton Lynn moved across town to take the same job at USC. Then, DE and Pac-12 DPOY Laiatu Latu (49 tkls, 13 sacks, 2 INT, 2 FF) announced that he was sitting out to prepare for the NFL Draft. Along with Latu, UCLA will be without starting CB John Humphrey, starting S Kamari Ramsey, and S Will Nimmo who have all gone into the portal.
To say that Boise State has had an up and down year is an understatement. A week after losing to Fresno St. the Broncos fired head coach Andy Avalos and replaced him with DC Spencer Danielson. He would go on to win the final 2 regular season games and beat UNLV in the Mountain West title game to earn their spot in this game, and was recently officially named Head Coach. The Broncos will have a very different look at QB tonight… Maddux Madsen is out with injury, and Taylen Green left for Arkansas, so it will be up to true freshman C.J. Tiller to lead the charge. Tiller took snaps in the Utah State game, but has yet to throw a collegiate pass. This shouldn’t be too much of an issue as the Broncos can run the ball and run it well with Ashton Jeanty (1,262 yds, 14 TD) and George Holani (610 yds, 5 TD) Tiller might also have to rely on Jeanty (39 rec, 552 yds, 5 TD) out of the backfield on the passing game as Stefan Cobbs has been out since week 10 with injury and Eric McAlister (47 rec, 873 yds, 5 TD) is no longer with the team. Defensively, look out for Ahmed Hassanein who leads the team with 12.5 sacks.
PREDICTION: This is another interesting game as both offenses are without key pieces. UCLA’s defense is also without key pieces. The Mountain West team has won both of the previous games played and the conference as a whole is 6-1 in its last 7 bowl games vs the Pac-12. I think the Bronco run game with Ashton Jeanty will be the difference, give me Boise St. to take this one. BONUS CRAZY PREDICTION: Gronk spikes the trophy or something, it’d be on brand for him.
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl: California vs. Texas Tech (-3.5)
Saturday 12/16 9:15 PM ET/ 8:15 PM CT ESPN Shreveport, LA
LIVE FROM SHREVEPORT, IT’S SATURDAY NIGHT!!! That’s right, to cap off this mad Saturday of action, we’re going to the adopted home of the Sickos Committee for the 47th annual Independence Bowl. This year’s tussle will feature the California Golden Bears of (for the final time) the Pac-12 and the Texas Tech Red Raiders of the Big 12. Cal enters this game on a 3 game win streak at 6-6 needing to win all 3 to make it to this game. Meanwhile, Texas Tech enters with a matching 6-6 record winning 3 of their last 5, but limping in after the ass-whopping that Texas gave them 3 weeks ago.
Cal’s offense revolves primarily around Sophomore RB Jaydn Ott (1,260 yds, 11 TD) though Fernando Mendoza isn’t too bad of a QB (1,447 yds, 13 TD, 7 INT) He’ll get the nod at QB as Ben Finley and Sam Jackson V have both gone into the portal. Look for Mendoza to throw to Jeremiah Hunter (58 rec, 669 yds, 7 TD) quite a bit as WR Taj Davis is no longer with the program. Defensively, the Golden Bears will be without several players who entered the transfer portal including their leading tackler, LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr (87 tkls), LB Blake Antzoulatos, and CB Jeremiah Earby. They’ve been without starting LB Jackson Sirmon since week 6 due to injury.
For Texas Tech, like Cal, they also rely on a strong RB. Tahj Brooks (1,443 yds, 9 TD) is going to have to step up as the Red Raiders are going to be playing with a depleted passing attack. Starting WRs Jerand Bailey (36 rec, 431 yds, 4 TD) and Myles Price (43 rec, 410 yds, 5 TD) are both in the portal, as is starting LT Monroe Mills. Head Coach Joey McGuire said that the starting receivers will likely be Jordan Brown and Coy Eakin on the outside with Drae McCray and Xavier White in the slot, and that TEs Mason Tharp or Baylor Cupp could replace one of the inside receivers depending on the formation. McGuire also said that he expects QB Behren Morton will be at 100% for the game. Defensively, Tech will be without DL Jaylon Hutchings (44 tackles, 3.5 sacks) due to surgery, and possibly without starting S Tyler Owens and starting DE Steve Linton (3 sacks)
PREDICTION: This game could be a high scoring shootout, which would be the perfect end to the first day of bowl season. Bold take, both RBs rush for over 100 yards. I think Texas Tech will find a way to overcome the losses of Bradley and Price, and with a healthy Behren Morton will outgun Cal to lead the Red Raiders to victory!
That will wrap up my preview of day 1 of bowl season. This took a lot of work, and research. It’s actually 3:24 a.m. CT as I type this. I hope you get some useful information from this, and I hope most of all that you enjoyed reading this! Stay tuned for part-two of my bowl previews where I’ll probably preview the games during the next week, so like only 4 games, but most of my work will go into next Saturday’s part-three.
Anyway, I’m tired so I’m going to bed, I have bowls to watch in a few hours!
