Arizona Bowl
Tucson, AZ
12/29 7:30 PM
Nevada (6-6) vs. Colorado State (7-5)
Colorado State
Confidence: 26
In the weird turn of events, we have a game where two MWC teams will play each other. Fortunately, neither of these teams played each other during the regular season. Colorado State has the better record despite being in the tougher of the two divisions. There isn’t too much to say about this one. The player to watch is Colorado State WR Rashard Higgins. He didn’t have the same campaign as last season with Garrett Grayson throwing to him, but he has 66 catches for 933 yards and 8 TDs this year.
Colorado Sate 27 Nevada 18
Texas Bowl
Houston, TX
12/29 9 PM
LSU (8-3) vs. Texas Tech (7-5)
LSU
Confidence: 40
This one is all Leonard Fournette versus himself. It’s pretty remarkable that he wasn’t a Heisman finalist figuring where he was halfway through the season. Still the talent is there and he had 1741 yards rushing and 18 TDs. I think he will be a candidate for best individual bowl game performance. Texas Tech allows the fourth most points per game and the most of any bowl team with almost 43 a game. The run defense is third worst with 272 a game. To give Texas Tech some credit, they do have an amazing offense. They are second in the country in passing and points scored and have just under a 1500 yard rusher to compliment that. Most teams would be unable to handle an offense like that, but LSU can and has been a NFL factory for cornerbacks.
LSU 49 Texas Tech 38
Birmingham Bowl
Birmingham, AL
12/30 12 PM
Auburn (6-6) vs. Memphis (9-3)
Memphis
Confidence: 12
This is one of the games I’m looking forward to so I can get a look at QB Paxton Lynch from Memphis. He is being talked about as another top pick in the NFL draft this year. He’s lead Memphis through a great season with the highlight being a 37-24 victory over then 13th ranked Ole Miss. Against that SEC defense he was 39 of 53 for 384 with 3 TDs and 1 INT. On the season he’s 280 of 406 for 3670 and 28 TDs to just 3 INTs. His best performance came against SMU going 9 of 14 for 222 yards and 7 TDs with his longest pass being only 44 yards. Their kicker is pretty good too. Jake Elliott was 22 of 26 going 9 of 10 from 40+ and a perfect 62 of 62 on XPs. Auburn has really struggled, going 2-6 in the SEC and allowing 27 points a game. Auburn has gotten nothing from their QBs this year, combining to throw just 10 TDs all season while throwing 9 INTs. Memphis has already beaten one SEC team and I think they will beat another that is not as good as Ole Miss.
Memphis 24 Auburn 20
Belk Bowl
Charlotte, NC
12/30 3:30 PM
NC State (7-5) vs. Mississippi State (8-4)
Mississippi State
Confidence: 29
This game hosts two pretty good QBs. Jacoby Brissett didn’t have eye popping numbers this year, 2448 yards and 19 TDs to 4 INTs, but at 6’4” 235 pounds and a cannon arm he looks to be a day two pick in the NFL Draft. Dak Prescott has been the do it all guy for the Bulldogs this year. He leads the team in rushing with 541 yards and 10 TDs and also accounts for 3413 through the air with 25 TDs to 4 INTs. His game doesn’t translate as well to the NFL but he is still a three year starter and has had another good season. The thing both teams lack is a quality win over somebody especially playing in the ACC and SEC. In the end, I like the experience of Prescott to get it done in his final game.
Mississippi State 34 NC State 28
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