It’s beginning to look a lot like Bowl games
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Not Christmas.Though that is my favorite holiday. No, it’s bowl season! My favorite season, hands down. I watch a lot of college football. It takes up my weekends (especially on Saturdays) from September through December. But when December rolls around, and the bowl games start, that’s when it gets just a little magical.
Even despite the transfer portal, coaching changes, and NFL opt-outs hurting the excitement of bowl season, I still love it.
Of course, those things make picking these games difficult. But I’ll do my best regardless!
SATURDAY, DEC. 16
Myrtle Beach Bowl
Georgia Southern vs. Ohio
Conway, South Carolina
11 a.m. | ESPN
QB Kurtis Rourke is in the portal, along with other key contributors for Ohio. I think Georgia Southern will benefit in this game and win. But I am cheering for Ohio because I love an underdog. I was looking forward to watching Rourke play but instead, he’s the first key portal guy to make a game less more interesting.
I’ll be rooting for Ohio. But I’m predicting Georgia Southern will win.
Celebration Bowl
Florida A&M vs. Howard
Atlanta, Georgia
12 p.m. | ABC
This is my favorite bowl game every year. I love watching the two best HBCUs battle it out. Neither the SWAC nor MEAC play in the FCS playoffs. I am rooting for Howard because former Liberty basketball guard Zay Warfield is now there. Ultimately, FAMU is the better team so I expect they will win. Thanks in large part to QB Jeremy Moussa who is a baller.
I’m rooting for Howard, but I expect Florida A&M will take home the win.
New Orleans Bowl
Jacksonville State vs. Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
2:15 p.m. | ESPN
This one is too easy. Our conference vs that other conference? The only team that has beaten us twice from that other conference too? Easy. Billy Napier ain’t here to save you from Rich Rod’s offensive scheme at Jax State. Zion Webb will have 3 rushing tuddys, GO COCKS.
Of course, I’m rooting for Jax State, and they’re also my pick to win the game!
Cure Bowl
Miami (Ohio) vs. Appalachian State
Orlando, Florida
3:30 p.m. | ABC
Ah yes, our home away from home. Remember when Liberty was back-to-back Cure Bowl champs? We beat that one team down in SC and stole their coach? We love the Cure Bowl. This is probably the game of the day. Both teams have lost some key contributors to the transfer portal. However, only one team is a conference champion. Miami (OH) will take this one despite not having their starting QB thanks to their better defense. Expect Inexperienced QB Hunter Hesson to have a great game for Miami (OH). Even with QB Joey Aguilar starting, App State won’t be able to get it done.
I’m pulling for Miami (OH) and picking them to win the game.
New Mexico Bowl
Fresno State vs. New Mexico State
Albuquerque, New Mexico
5:45 p.m. | ESPN
Another easy one. GO AGGIES. What Kill has done at NM State is astonishing. They’re a worthy rival in CUSA. Gotta cheer for them in this one to beat another quality G5 team. Go show these people that what you did down on the Plains wasn’t fraudulent. Go show the G5 that CUSA is a better conference than they think. Fresno State is an excellent matchup and this one won’t be easy for the Aggies. This is one of my top 5 favorite bowls that don’t include Liberty or Penn State (my childhood team ) for this season.
Give me Jerry Kill and company! Make CUSA proud!
LA Bowl
UCLA vs. Boise State
Inglewood, California
7:30 p.m. | ABC
Gotta cheer for the G5 team with Boise. An upset could happen, but with Boise State QB Taylen Green transferring out after their Mountain West championship, I have to go with the deeper team in UCLA. Cheering for Boise to win one for the Group of Five though.
I’ll be rooting for Boise State, but UCLA should win this game.
Independence Bowl
Texas Tech vs. Cal
Shreveport, Louisiana
9:15 p.m. | ESPN
Plenty of transfers in this game. I honestly didn’t know who to cheer for in this game. I am not a huge fan of Cal. So I’m going with Texas Tech. I know, not that exciting. They’re both on the same level in terms of talent. I think I trust Texas Tech coach Joey Maguire more in this matchup. Oh, and Texas Tech RB Tahj Brooks is electric so maybe it’ll be exciting after all.
I’m picking the Red Raiders to win.
MONDAY, DEC. 18
Bahamas Bowl (Temporarily renamed the Famous Toastery Bowl)
Western Kentucky vs. Old Dominion
Nassau, Bahamas (Temporarily relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina)
2:30 p.m. | ESPN
The last CUSA bowl game until you know who, you know when. This has not been the season Western Kentucky wanted or expected. And now they’ve lost a lot of players to the portal. Star WR Corley should play in this game, but QB Austin Reed is up in the air. Cheering for the Hilltoppers for conference pride but the Monarchs could pull this one out. ODU All-American star LB Jason Henderson is out due to injury so if Reed plays he won’t have to worry about a future NFL guy lining up across from him.
I don’t like ODU (in-state rival, “[Malik] can’t throw that good”, their fans, etc.) so go Toppers! I think they pull it out in the end.
TUESDAY, DEC. 19
Frisco Bowl
Marshall vs. UTSA
Frisco, Texas
9 p.m. | ESPN
Jets and Dolphins QB Chad Pennington played for Marshall back in the day. Now his son is the starting QB for this game. That’s just cool to see. However, I am cheering for UTSA once again (after they lost to Tulane a couple of weeks ago) and they’re a fun team with Coach Jeff Traylor running the show. UTSA QB Frank Harris’ swan song for the Roadrunners. *sad* meep meep.
I’m rooting for UTSA and picking them to win.
THURSDAY, DEC. 21
Boca Raton Bowl
USF vs. Syracuse
Boca Raton, Florida
8 p.m. | ESPN
I grew up near Buffalo, NY, not far from Syracuse. But I don’t like Syracuse and never will. Alex Golesh has been great at rebuilding this USF team. Dino Babers was fired at Syracuse, but I trust Cuse QB Garrett Schrader more to win this matchup. Go Bulls…..
Gotta root for the G5 so USF gets my cheers USF, but Syracuse gets my pick.
FRIDAY, DEC. 22
Gasparilla Bowl
Georgia Tech vs. UCF
Tampa, Florida
6:30 p.m. | ESPN
Now this one was difficult. I am a big John Rhys Plumlee fan (QB for UCF). However, I am cheering for Georgia Tech because it has been fun to see them transition from read-option run offense to the spread. I miss GT coach great Paul Johnson, but GT looks to be in good hands with Brent Key. However, I’m picking Central Florida to win. This is an underrated fun game this bowl season. UCF QB Plumlee vs GT QB Haynes King should be a great matchup.
I’d love to see Georgia Tech pull this one out, but I think Central Florida is taking home the hardware.
Check back soon for part two!