Congrats University of Georgia!
Of course, I bet on Saban and the Tide, but I’d be lying if I said I was disappointed. It was nice to see someone other than Bama win. The SEC, once again, proves they have the best elite teams in the country. Not elite? UTEP – check out the review here.
Current Results: 21 – 15
Here’s my annual Bowl Review with me just picking the winners (in Bold) straight up. I haven’t even looked at the lines and I need Friday night to finish my picks. But since the games start at noon tomorrow, I have the Friday picks posted now. Of course, betting on Bowl games is a fool’s errand but what the hell. Enjoy the Season, Bowl and Holiday.
Bahamas – Middle Tenn. (6-6) vs. Toledo (7-5) Nassau, Bahamas Fri., Dec. 17 Noon ESPN
Honestly, I think this is one of the best bowls for a MAC team. I am betting their exuberance pays off with a win for Toledo. But, let’s be honest, a bowl game in Bahamas and you are home for Christmas – They are all winners.
PICK Result: Loser
Cure: N. Illinois (9-4) vs. Coastal Carolina (10-2) Orlando, FL Fri., Dec. 17 6pm ESPN2
Not a bad match-up. A classic match up of a big Group of Five team and middling Power Five team. Let’s go with the underdog, Chanticleers all the way.
PICK Result: Winner
Boca Raton: W. Kentucky (8-5) vs. App. State (10-3) Boca Raton, FL Fri., Dec. 18 11am ESPN
This is another nice bowl to get invited. FAU’s stadium in Boca is newish with some attractive features. For the players, you are not far from South Beach and you will be home for Christmas. Going with pedigree here and taking App. State.
Pick Result: Loser
New Mexico: UTEP (7-5) vs. Fresno State (9-3) Albuquerque, NM Sat., Dec. 18 2:15 pm ESPN:
UTEP was a team going in the wrong direction and I wouldn’t imagine going to Albuquerque is a big plus for them. I will take the Bulldogs for the Victory (get it?)
Pick Result: Winner
Independence: BYU (10-2) vs. UAB (8-4) Shreveport, LA Sat., Dec. 18 3:30 pm ABC
Louisiana can be fun, maybe not Mormon fun, but fun. With less distractions, BYU should win this.
Pick Result: Loser
Lending Tree: E. Michigan (7-5) vs. Liberty (7-5) Mobile, AL Sat., Dec. 18 5:45pm ESPN.
To my surprise, Mobile is a kind of funky, cool little town. Liberty’s QB can sling it. I will go with them.
Pick Result: Winner
L.A.: Utah State (10-3) vs. Oregon State (7-5) Los Angeles, CA Sat., Dec. 18 7:30 pm ABC
What in the world is the L.A. bowl? Tough game to pick, I will go with Utah State in a toss-up.
Pick Result: Winner
New Orleans: Marshall (7-5) vs. Louisiana (12-1) New Orleans, LA Sat., Dec. 18 9:00 pm ESPN.
Not much of a trip for the Ragin’ Cajuns. They deserve better. The Sun Belt victors should roll.
Pick Result: Winner
Myrtle Beach: Tulsa (6-6) vs. ODU (6-6), Conway, S.C. Mon., Dec. 20 2:30 pm ESPN.
As long as Tulsa doesn’t get distracted, they should win based on the strength of their schedule.
Pick Result: Winner
Famous Idaho Potato: Kent State (7-6) vs. Wyoming (6-6) Boise, ID Tue., Dec. 21 3:30pm ESPN
Congrats Golden Flashes. You get to freeze your butts off for your bowl. At least they should be home for Christmas. I am taking Wyoming just because it is a shorter trip.
Pick Result: Winner
Frisco: UTSA (12-1) vs. San Diego State (11-2) (FL) Frisco, TX Tue., Dec. 21 7:30pm ESPN.
So is this the nicer of the two Frisco Bowls? And what in the world is Frisco doing getting two bowl games? Dallas suburbs aren’t that nice. Enjoy the Dave and Busters. This game, however, should be a good one. UTSA has been a bit streaky as of late, but I still like them.
Pick Result: Loser
Armed Forces: Army (8-3) vs. Missouri (6-6) Fort Worth, TX Wed., Dec. 22 8:00 pm ESPN
There should be a lot fans at this game for Army. They need atonement for the Navy loss. I am picking with my heart here. Go Black Knights.
Pick Result: Winner
Frisco Classic Miami OH 6-6) vs. North Texas (6-6) Frisco, Tx Thu., Dec. 23 3:30 ESPN
Classic? I would not describe this match-up as Classic. North Texas because they are closer?
Pick Result: Loser
Gasparilla: Florida (6-6) vs. UFC (8-4) Tampa, FL Thu., Dec. 23 7:30 pm ABC
This isn’t the usual UFC juggernaut. I think Florida wins one for SEC pride.
Pick Result: Loser
Hawai’i: Memphis (6-6) vs. Hawai’i (6-7) Honolulu, HI Fri., Dec. 24 8pm ESPN.
I always wonder if the Warriors like staying home for their Bowl Game. I am guessing yes because they can grab a cheap Christmas Day flight home after the game. I will go with Hawai’i with the “sleep in my own bed” advantage.
Pick Result: Cancelled
Camellia: Ball State (6-6) vs. Georgia State (7-5) Montgomery, AL Fri., Dec. 25 2:30pm ESPN
The Cramton Bowl seats 25k and is home to several high school teams. Awesome. Georgia State in a Bowl that only gambling degenerates care about.
Pick Result: Winner
Quick Lane: W. Michigan (7-5) vs. Nevada (8-4) Detroit, MI Mon., Dec. 27 11am ESPN
Well, at least the game is inside at Ford Field. I know it is closer for Western Michigan, but I like Nevada in this one. I don’t love them though. I am guessing that is the same thing their parents are saying about going to Detroit.
Pick Result: Loser
Military: ECU (7-5) vs. Boston College (6-6) Annapolis, MD Mon., Dec. 27 2:30 ESPN
If the weather was nice and I was stilling living outside of DC, I might consider going to this game. The only rub is the Navy’s stadium doesn’t have a water view. Boston College has been streaky. I will go with the Pirates of ECU.
Pick Result: Cancelled
Birmingham: Houston (11-2) vs. Auburn (6-6) Birmingham, AL Tue., Dec. 28 Noon ABC
This is being played at UAB’s new stadium, which already makes this bowl better than previous versions. A win here would be a nice feather in the Coogs cap and may give some insight as to Cincy vs Bama. I am going with the heart and not the head in this one. Houston for the win.
Pick Result: Winner
First Responder: Louisville (6-6) vs. Air Force (9-3) University Park, Tx, Tue., Dec. 28, 3:15pm ESPN
Another bowl game in Dallas? SMU’s stadium is fairly average but if they let fans tailgate for free on The Boulevard, it might be worthwhile. Air Force in a sentimental pick.
Pick Result: Winner
Holiday: UCLA (8-4) vs. NC State (9-3) San Diego, CA Sat., Tue., Dec. 28 5:00 pm FOX
Pick Result: Cancelled
Now we are talking – this is a bowl game location. I like NC State to win one for the ACC.
Liberty: Texas Tech (6-6) vs. Mississippi State (7-5) Memphis, TN Tue., Dec. 28 6:45 pm ESPN
Pick Result: Loser
This bowl game has been around awhile. I thought that Memphis should be more fun than it actual is. SEC flexes its muscles here with a Mississippi State win.
Guaranteed Rate: Minnesota (8-4) vs. West Virginia (6-6) Phoenix AZ Tue., Dec. 28 10:15pm ESPN.
This is a bowl game with an identity crisis. It was the Copper Bowl, Insight Bowl, Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, Cheez-It Bowl. Oye, and it is played on a baseball field. Yuck. The Gophers, in particular, deserve better. I like them for the win.
Pick Results: Winner
Fenway: Virginia (6-6) vs. SMU (8-4) Boston, MA Wed., Dec 29 11am ESPN.
Another baseball stadium and this time in the North. Thirty-eight degrees is the forecast. Good luck SMU. I will take the Hoo’s of Virginia, thank you.
Pick Result: Cancelled
Pinstripe: Virginia Tech (6-6) vs. Maryland (6-6) New York, NY. Wed, Dec. 29 2:15 pm ESPN
I can’t imagine sitting in Yankee Stadium in the freezing weather, and I am a Hokie fan. I am taking Virginia Tech for only that reason.
Pick Result: Loser
Cheez-It Clemson (9-3) vs. Iowa State (7-5) Orlando, FL Wed., Dec. 29 5:45Tpm ESPN
So let me get this right. The Cheez-It Bowl is now in Orlando in what was most recently the Camping World Bowl and was once the Blockbuster Bowl? I understanding the importance of naming rights, but can’t the organizers at least give a common second name? Branding 101. I will take Clemson, I guess.
Pick Result: Winner
Alamo: Oklahoma (10-2) vs. Oregon (10-3) San Antonio, TX Wed., Dec. 29 9:15pm ESPN
Finally a bowl I recognize, but the teams’ coaches – sort of? Two interim coaches so who knows who wins this. I will go with Oklahoma.
Pick Result: Winner
Duke’s Mayo: N. Carolina (6-6) vs. S. Carolina (6-6) Charlotte, N.C. Thur., Dec. 30 11:30am ESPN
Sort of interesting match up at least. I will go with Carolina. As in South Carolina.
Pick Result: Winner
Music City: Purdue (8-4) vs. Tennessee (7-5) Nashville, TN Thur., Dec. 30 3pm ESPN
Tough one here. Maybe Tennessee takes this a little more seriously? I am going with the Vols
Pick Result: Loser
Las Vegas: Wisconsin (8-4) vs. Arizona (8-4) Las Vegas, Thur., Dec 30 10:30pm ESPN
Who wouldn’t like a bowl game in Vegas? This is an attractive matchup. I like the Big 10 in this one with the Badgers getting the win. Not sure how sober the Badger fans will be in, but the team should be okay.
Pick Result: Winner
Peach: Michigan State (10-2) vs. Pitt (11-2), Atlanta, GA. 7pm ESPN
With Pitt’s QB, Kenny Prickett, out for this game, I think I like the Spartans. This is why I don’t like betting bowl games.
Pick Result: Winner
Gator: Wake Forest (10-3) vs. Texas A&M (8-4) Jacksonville, FL Fri., Dec.31 11:00am ESPN
Wake Forest is a nice story, but the Aggies have too much. Another win for the SEC.
Pick Result: NA – Rutgers substituted for A&M
Sun: Miami(FL) (7-5) vs. Washington State (7-5). El Paso, Tx. Dec. 31, 12:30pm CBS
The only thing great about this is the view in the Sun Bowl. Everything else from the teams to the city is meh. Washington State, I guess.
Pick Result: NA – Central Michigan substituted for Miami.
Cotton: Alabama (12-1) vs Cincinnati (13-0), Arlington, Tx Fri. Dec. 31 3:30pm ESPN
I want the Bearcats to win, but I can’t pick against Saban. Roll Damn Tide
Pick Result: Winner
Orange: Michigan (12-1) vs. Georgia (12-1). Miami Gardens, FL 7:30pm ESPN
I am not confident, but I am not afraid either. I think the Wolverines win this one.
Pick Result: Loser
Outback: Penn State (7-5) vs. Arkansas (8-4) Tamp, Fla Sat., Jan. 1 Noon ESPN2.
The under achiever (PSU) vs the over achiever (Arkansas). Franklin excels at winning games that don’t matter. Take the Lions.
Pick Result: Loser
Citrus: Iowa (10-3) vs. Kentucky (9-3) Orlando, FL Sat., Jan. 1 1:00 pm ABC
I think Kentucky is a bit over-rated. The Hawkeyes win, possibly by boring the Wildcats to death.
Pick Result: Loser
Fiesta: Notre Dame (11-1) vs. Oklahoma State (11-2), Glendale, AZ Sat., Jan 1, 1pm ESPN
Going with the continuity pick here. The Mullet will have the Pokes ready. The Irish loses another bowl.
Pick Result: Winner
Rose: Ohio State(10-2) vs. Utah(10-3) Pasadena, CA Sat., Jan. 1 5:00 pm ESPN
Buckeyes big in this one. This game alone screams for an 8 team bracket for FBS playoff.
Pick Result: Winner
Sugar: Ole Miss(10-2) vs. Baylor (11-2) New Orleans, LA Sat., Jan. 1 8:45 pm ESPN
This is about when I say I finally believe in Ole Miss and then they lose. Nonetheless, I am picking the Rebs.
Pick Result: Loser
Texas: Kansas State (7-5) vs LSU (6-6), Houston, Tx Tues. Jan. 4 9pm ESPN
I live in Houston, and I would go to this game if a) I could get a ticket for $20 or less and b) I had some Tiger fans to tailgate with. But really, the timing of this game is just terrible. They should have played this one the week before. For some reason, I think K-State will be more prepared, so I am taking the Cats.
Pick Result: Winner
I will update with results as we go. Blue games are played, green are upcoming. Enjoy the bowls and the holidays!