college-football-picks – Page 4

Memphis vs Utah State SERVPRO First Responder Bowl Prediction Game Preview

Memphis vs Utah State game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl on Tuesday, December 27

Memphis vs Utah State prediction, game preview, odds, how to watch. SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, Tuesday, December 27

Memphis vs Utah State SERVPRO First Responder Bowl Prediction Game Preview

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Memphis vs Utah State How To Watch

Date: Tuesday, December 27
Game Time: 3:15 ET
Venue: Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX
How To Watch: ESPN
Record: Memphis (6-6), Utah State (6-6)
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Memphis vs Utah State SERVPRO First Responder Bowl 5 Things To Know

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

– Memphis crashed down the stretch with a four game losing streak against the tough teams on the AAC slate, and it didn’t help to close the regular season with a loss to SMU. Basically, the Tigers beat the bad teams and lost to the good ones. Even so, it’s a fun offensive team, there’s enough explosion to hit a slew of big plays, and now it’s here and as close to intact as reasonable, unlike …

– Utah State isn’t exactly a mess, but it’s missing a bunch. It’s going to be very, very thin at the skill spots with the loss of 1,043-yard rusher Calvin Tyler to the NFL world a big hit.

The Aggies started out 1-4, pulled up out of the nosedive to go 5-1 as the offense got sharper and the turnovers slowed, and close with a blowout loss to Boise State. They’re not the Mountain West Champion-level team of last year, but they’re dangerous enough to make this a fight.

– Utah State was one of the surprises of the 2021 bowl season, dropping Oregon State with relative ease in a 24-13 LA Bowl win. It won two of its last three bowls, but the program has been hit-or-miss going just 2-3 since 2014.

– Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield was on a bit of a hot seat at the end of the year. He’s expected to be back, but it would be a big positive to pull off this win. His Tigers rolled by Florida Atlantic in last year’s Montgomery Bowl, breaking the run of five straight bowl losses and a rough 1-7 run since 2005 for the program. It was supposed to play in the Hawaii Bowl last year, but it got canceled.

– The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl was sacked in 2018 because it was stormy, and apparently there weren’t any indoor football stadiums in the greater Dallas metropolitan area to play in. The bowl gods made up for it with three straight good battles all decided by a touchdown or less. Four of the last five First Responders have been one score games.

CFN Experts Dec 20-27 | CFP NY6, Dec 28-Jan 2

Why Memphis Will Win The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl

The Tigers know how to throw the ball and should have enough success to push for 250 yards. They’ve got the veteran quarterback in Seth Henigan, they have the weapons to keep the offense moving, and they should be able to own third downs.

This is hardly a rock-solid Memphis team, but it’s able to get the chains moving. On the flip side, Utah State is awful on third converting just 32% of its chances. If this is any sort of a back-and-forth shootout, even a little bit of a blink will be big.

On the other side, the Memphis defense is hardly a rock, but it should be able to hold up. Teams are able to throw against it, but the run defense has held up fine. Utah State is 0-4 when it doesn’t get to 130 yards on the ground, and Memphis has only allowed that many yards four times.

However …

Why Utah State Will Win The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl

With all the lost pieces in the Utah State backfield, getting time to work will mean everything. That’s not a problem against a Memphis defense that doesn’t generate a pass rush and fails to produce enough tackles for loss.

It might be ugly at the Utah State skill spots when it comes to depth and veterans, but the offensive line should be okay. The game has to be about blasting away for the ground game, keeping the mistakes to a minimum, and getting a huge performance out of a defense that needs to generate at least two takeaways.

Utah State had a problem this year in turnover margin, but it’s 4-1 when forcing multiple takeaways. Memphis is 1-3 when turning it over two times or more.

But …

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

NEXT: What’s Going To Happen, Memphis vs Utah State Prediction, SERVPRO First Responder Bowl History

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Buffalo vs Georgia Southern Camellia Bowl Prediction Game Preview

Buffalo vs Georgia Southern game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Camellia Bowl on Tuesday, December 27

Buffalo vs Georgia Southern prediction, game preview, odds, how to watch. Camellia Bowl, Tuesday, December 27

Buffalo vs Georgia Southern Camellia Bowl Prediction Game Preview

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Buffalo vs Georgia Southern How To Watch

Date: Tuesday, December 27
Game Time:12:00 ET
Venue: Crampon Bowl, Montgomery, AL
How To Watch: ESPN
Record: Buffalo (6-6), Georgia Southern (6-6)
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Buffalo vs Georgia Southern Camellia Bowl 5 Things To Know

Camellia Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

– Get ready to hear the name Kyle Vantrease a whole lot. Good at Buffalo over his five years, he transferred to Georgia Southern and helped change up the program under head coach Clay Helton.

All of a sudden, the Eagles went from being known for its option offense to finishing fourth in the nation in passing. It was a grind late in the year, but a wild 51-48 win over Appalachian State – with 389 yards from Vantrease – booked the bowl ticket.

– Buffalo has done okay for itself without Vantrease, too – even if it took a LOT of work to get here. It started 0-3 – including a Hail Mary loss to Holy Cross, won five straight, lost three straight, and it was out of the mix after the Akron game was postponed thanks to a blizzard. It was a dogfight, but the 23-22 Bull win was enough to get bowl eligible.

– This just the sixth bowl game in Buffalo history. It’s actually the seventh, but the 1958 team turned down its invitation to the Tangerine Bowl. The program lost its first three bowls starting in 2008, but under now-Kansas star coach Lance Leipold it won the last two in 2019 and 2020 – the latter the Camellia against Marshall.

– It’s the fifth bowl for Georgia Southern, winning three of the four since making the first appearance in the 2015 GoDaddy. The last appearance was a dominant 38-3 blasting of Louisiana Tech in the 2020 New Orleans.

– The Camellia Bowl has been in a few different locations over the years, but it’s now settled in at Montgomery. It’s also been one of the most consistently awesome bowl games over the last eight seasons with the first seven all decided by eight points or fewer before Georgia State blasted Ball State 51-20 last year.

CFN Experts Dec 20-27 | CFP NY6, Dec 28-Jan 2

Why Buffalo Will Win The Camellia Bowl

The defense has to crank up the takeaways.

The offense is too inconsistent and the special teams are awful, but the defense knows how to force mistakes.

For all of the good things Georgia Southern does, it’s got a problem when it starts turning the ball over. It’s 2-3 when giving it away multiple times – and the two wins were by the skin of its teeth in shootouts. UB takes it away in bunches with four or more turnovers forced in four games.

If that doesn’t work, it’s all about controlling the clock.

No, Buffalo’s offense isn’t great, but at least it operates with a deliberate pace to stay in control. Georgia Southern doesn’t care about that, moving quickly to keep defenses on their heels. There’s going to be a problem if the Eagles work fast and make mistakes, but …

Why Georgia Southern Will Win The Camellia Bowl

With a few rare exceptions, this isn’t the type of Buffalo team that did a good job of keeping up in shootouts. It could score here and there, but it was just 2-6 when it didn’t come up with more than 31 points and 1-6 when allowing more than 27.

The Georgia Southern offense has the ability to turn out the lights in a hurry if it comes up with a few early scoring drives. The offensive line is fantastic at keeping defenses out of the backfield – that’s partly because of the pace of the attack – and the offense keeps on cranking up yards through the air.

Buffalo is 0-3 when giving up 283 passing yards or more. Georgia Southern got there in every game but four.

Camellia Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

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East Carolina vs Coastal Carolina TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl Prediction Game Preview

East Carolina vs Coastal Carolina game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl on Tuesday, December 27

East Carolina vs Coastal Carolina prediction, game preview, odds, how to watch. TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl, Tuesday, December 27

East Carolina vs Coastal Carolina TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl Prediction Game Preview

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East Carolina vs Coastal Carolina How To Watch

Date: Tuesday, December 27
Game Time: 6:45 ET
Venue: Protective Stadium, Birmingham, AL
How To Watch: ESPN
Record: East Carolina (7-5), Coastal Carolina (9-3)
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East Carolina vs Coastal Carolina TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl 5 Things To Know

TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

– Coastal Carolina came close to having a special season, and it could still be a ten-win campaign. It started 6-0 and then 9-1, got rocked by James Madison, and rolled in the Sun Belt Championship by Troy.

Head coach Jamey Chadwell decided he’d rather be working at Liberty, Grayson McCall entered the transfer portal, and now the program is in a holding pattern for the Tim Beck era to begin. On the plus side, McCall is still playing in this before leaving.

– East Carolina had an interesting year. It was wildly inconsistent – good enough to blowout UCF and win at BYU, and flaky enough to get destroyed by Houston and lose to Navy – but it’s still going to be a winning season. The balanced offense knows how to crank up the yards. But …

– East Carolina has been a bowl game nightmare. Since getting by Boise State in the 2007 Hawaii it lost four of the last five and went 4-9 since 1992. It was supposed to play Boston College in last year’s Military, but it got canceled thanks to COVID.

– This is just the third bowl game for Coastal Carolina, with all coming in the last three seasons under Chadwell. The Chanticleers lost a thriller of a 2020 Cure Bowl to Liberty, and last year hung on for dear life to beat Northern Illinois in the 2021 Cure.

– The 2020 Birmingham Bowl – coming at the end of the 2019 season – was a rough 36-6 Cincinnati blowout over Boston College, and the 2020 season version was canceled. Other than that, this has been one of the consistently best bowls of the season. Four of the last five were thrillers including Houston’s win over Auburn last season in the final moments.

CFN Experts Dec 20-27 | CFP NY6, Dec 28-Jan 2

Why East Carolina Will Win The TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl

Coastal Carolina’s missing parts are more of a problem than East Carolina’s. But even at full strength, the Pirates have the style to give the Chanticleers problems.

ECU is usually dominates the turnover battle, it’s great offensively on third downs, and it’s going against a team that’s struggles on defense at getting off the field.

The Pirates haven’t turned the ball over since October 8th, going six straight games without a mistake and with eight games on the year with no turnovers. Coastal Carolina struggled over the last three games – two losses and a close call against Southern Miss – partly because it gave it up seven times.

Combined the lack of turnovers with almost no issues with penalties, and East Carolina isn’t going to beat itself.

Combine all of that with what East Carolina is about to do against a Coastal Carolina pass defense that was the worst in the Sun Belt, and it’s a nice mix. However …

Top 100 Bowl Players | Ranking Bowl Games So Far

Why Coastal Carolina Will Win The TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl

Grayson McCall, have a day.

Assuming he’s really and truly going to still play in this – and not be off being a Florida Gator or something – he going to crank up huge numbers against a Pirate secondary that allowed a nation-worst 299 passing yards per game.

From Houston and Clayton Tune pushing for 435 yards, to Temple rolling up 527 yards and five scores in a loss, to everyone by Navy and BYU coming up with at least 200 yards, everyone got fat on the East Carolina secondary.

Even with McCall out for a few games with a foot injury, the offense still worked. One of the most efficient passing games in America should be able to fire at will, but …

TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

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Bowling Green vs New Mexico State Quick Lane Bowl Prediction Game Preview

Bowling Green vs New Mexico State game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Quick Lane Bowl on Monday, December 26

Bowling Green vs New Mexico State prediction, game preview, odds, how to watch. Quick Lane Bowl, Monday, December 26

Bowling Green vs New Mexico State Quick Lane Bowl Prediction Game Preview

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Bowling Green vs New Mexico State How To Watch

Date: Monday, December 26
Game Time: 2:30 ET
Venue: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
How To Watch: ESPN
Record: Bowling Green (6-6), New Mexico State (6-6)
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Bowling Green vs New Mexico State Quick Lane Bowl 5 Things To Know

Quick Lane Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

– So, you want a bowl game with two teams that are really, really going to care? These two programs came into the season ranked among the lowest teams in college football, no one expected either one to have a shot at a winning season, and bowls are special for them no matter what, especially New Mexico State.

The Aggies got a break from the NCAA because a tragedy at San Jose State forced a cancelation of a midseason game. The played a 12th game anyway to have a Senior Day, rolling Valparaiso 65-3 to get to six wins, even though that made it two of the six wins coming against FCS teams, and … whatever. Head coach Jerry Kill’s team is in a bowl, and it’s rolling offensively.

– This is just the fifth bowl game for the New Mexico State program. It won the Arizona in 2017, but before that the previous bowl appearance was in the 1960 Sun. Bowling Green is 1-5 in its last six bowl games going back to 2004, with the last appearance a blowout loss to Georgia Southern in the 2015 GoDaddy.

– Bowling Green started out the season 1-3 in what seemed like another lost year, and it closed rough losing two of its last three games. In between, though, it went on a nice midseason run, shocked eventual MAC champion Toledo on the road, and now it brings its fun passing game to Detroit.

– The Quick Lane is a reboot of other Detroit bowl games, getting going in 2014 with a mixed bag of games. The 2020 version was canceled, four were ugly blowouts, and three were entertaining. Last year was the first time a Power Five team wasn’t playing in it. This keeps that going.

CFN Experts Dec 20-27 | CFP NY6, Dec 28-Jan 2

Why Bowling Green Will Win The Quick Lane Bowl

The passing game has been fun.

The Falcons might not run all that well, and they offensive line is miserable in pass protection, but Matt McDonald is able to get the offense moving through the air when it gets on a little bit of a roll.

It’s a simple formula. When the offense gets to 247 passing yards it has a shot – it’s 4-2 when it gets there and 2-4 when it doesn’t.

The other side is hit or miss, but the pass rush was as strong as any in the MAC and should be disruptive enough to force a few mistakes. New Mexico State doesn’t have big problems giving the ball away, but the D isn’t great at generating mistakes.

However …

Why New Mexico State Will Win The Quick Lane Bowl

It’s a Jerry Kill team, so in a perfect world it would like to start running and get physical. The program isn’t there yet in its Kill’s first season, but his offense has been crushing it over the last month.

QB Diego Pavia was supposed to be questionable, but he’s expected to give it a go. The offense takes on a different look if he’s able to go. He might not wing it around too much, and he might not be consistent, but he threw seven touchdown passes in his last two games and 11 over the last five – and he can run a little bit, too.

Bowling Green will give up 200 yards through the air. It’s not awful against the run, and it has a great pass rush, but the New Mexico State offensive front is good in pass protection. The quarterbacks get time to take shots down the field, and in the perfect conditions indoors, the O will stretch the field.

Quick Lane Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

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San Diego State vs Middle Tennessee EasyPost Hawaii Bowl Prediction Game Preview

San Diego State vs Middle Tennessee game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the EasyPost Hawaii Bowl on Saturday, December 24

San Diego State vs Middle Tennessee prediction, game preview, odds, how to watch. EasyPost Hawaii Bowl, Saturday, December 24

San Diego State vs Middle Tennessee EasyPost Hawaii Bowl Prediction Game Preview

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San Diego State vs Middle Tennessee How To Watch

Date: Saturday, December 24
Game Time: 2:30 ET
Venue: Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, Honolulu, HI
How To Watch: ESPN
Record: San Diego State (7-5), Middle Tennessee (7-5)
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San Diego State vs Middle Tennessee EasyPost Hawaii Bowl 5 Things To Know

EasyPost Hawaii Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

– It’s been a weird year for San Diego State. The opening of its shiny new awesome stadium was a total flop – losing to Arizona 38-20 – to kickoff an ugly run of offense in a rocky 2-3 start that was a somewhat miraculous late drive against Toledo away from being even worse.

The team switched offensive coordinators, defensive back – and former Mississippi State QB – Jalen Mayden took over under center, and it all clicked. This isn’t the nasty team of 2021, but it’s solid now.

– Middle Tennessee had a rough start, too, going 3-4 with a strange loss to Louisiana Tech to be 4-5 going into the finishing kick. It won its last three games, took down four of the last five, and for that it got to go to Hawaii. Overall the team has been just okay, but the defense takes it away in bunches.

– This is the tenth bowl appearance under Middle Tennessee head coach Rick Stockstill, and the results haven’t been anything great until the last few bowls. The program was 2-2 in bowls up until 1964, and everything else has been done under the current head man going 3-6, but 2-3 over the last three including a win over Toledo in last year’s Bahamas.

– San Diego State is hit-or-miss in bowls. Only the 2017 42-35 loss to Army was a close game out of the last six appearances. The Aztecs pushed past a good UTSA in last year’s Frisco, and took down Central Michigan in a blowout in the 2019 New Mexico to make it four wins in the last six. Head coach Brady Hoke in his two stints at SDSU is 2-0 in bowls

– The Hawaii Bowl was canceled the last two seasons thanks to COVID, and it needs to come back roaring. The 38-34 Hawaii win over BYU in 2019 was good, and Fresno State and Houston played a good one in 2017, but six of the last eight have been double-digit blowouts.

CFN Experts Dec 20-27 | CFP NY6, Dec 28-Jan 2

Why San Diego State Will Win The EasyPost Hawaii Bowl

The defense is rested.

This is nowhere near the D that dominated throughout 2021, but overall it’s been a rock against the run since the midseason second half debacle against Boise State – and in the season finale against Air Force – and shouldn’t have too much of an issue against the Middle Tennessee attack.

The Blue Raiders have a hard time keeping defenses out of the backfield, they don’t do much of anything on the ground, and they’re going to need takeaways to manufacture points if the passing game doesn’t rock.

On the flip side, San Diego State found something in Mayden and the passing game. Middle Tennessee is statistically a rock against the run, but that’s because everyone spent so much time throwing. It allowed 300 or more passing yards in three of its last four games and over 400 in the tight win over FIU.

Mayden won’t bomb away, but he should be efficient. However …

2022-2023 Bowl Schedule, Predictions

Why Middle Tennessee Will Win The EasyPost Hawaii Bowl

Takeaways, takeaways, takeaways.

Middle Tennessee throws well and can run enough go get by, but it crushes teams by forcing mistakes with two or more takeaways in eight of the 12 games. It’s what the program does – it’s been great at it for the last few years.

San Diego State doesn’t has a massive turnover issue, but it’s not designed to overcome a slew of big mistakes. It turned the ball over multiple times in five games going 1-4 in those games. It was 6-1 when it didn’t give it away twice.

On the other side, Chase Cunningham is a nice veteran quarterback who should be a difference-maker. He threw for close to 3,000 yards with 19 scores, runs enough to be a problem, and he should be good for at least 200 passing yards.

EasyPost Hawaii Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

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Missouri vs Wake Forest Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl Prediction Game Preview

Missouri vs Wake Forest game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl on Friday, December 23

Missouri vs Wake Forest prediction, game preview, odds, how to watch. Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl, Friday, December 23

Missouri vs Wake Forest Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl Prediction Game Preview

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Missouri vs Wake Forest How To Watch

Date: Friday, December 23
Game Time: 3:00 ET
Venue: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
How To Watch: ESPN
Record: Missouri (6-6), Wake Forest (7-5)
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Missouri vs Wake Forest Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl 5 Things To Know

Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

– Missouri needed a win over Arkansas in the regular season finale just to get here, and now it needs a victory to finish with a winning campaign. It’s missing some big players on defense – more on this later – and the offense has to be consistent, but the team is great at controlling the clock and the defense should still be okay.

– Wake Forest is fun. It might have collapsed over the finishing kick going 1-4 in the final five games, but the offense is going to throw for over 300 yards, the defense will give up a ton of big plays, and it all mixes together for what should be a high-energy bowl. Mizzou will have to keep up the pace.

– A good bowl team under head coach Dave Clawson, Wake Forest is 4-2 in the post-season in its last six, coming off a 38-10 blasting of Rutgers in last season’s Gator. The program is 10-6 all-time in bowls with 13 of them played after 2000. It’s still a big deal for Wake Forest to go bowling.

– Missouri is a bit more used to the bowl life – this is the 34th for the program, going 15-19 starting with a loss to USC in the 1924 Los Angeles Christmas Festival. However, it lost its last three including both of the chances under head coach Eliah Drinkwitz. The Tigers don’t have a bowl win since beating Minnesota in the 2014 Citrus – the loss to Army in last year’s Armed Forces Bowl hurt.

– This is the first time the Gasparilla Bowl has featured two Power Five teams – now it needs a little luck to finally come up with a good game. Last year’s UCF 29-17 win over Florida was entertaining for a whole slew of reasons, but it was the fourth straight game and ninth in the 13 decided by double-digits.

CFN Experts Dec 20-27 | CFP NY6, Dec 28-Jan 2

Why Missouri Will Win The Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl

The Wake Forest defense is a tad wobbly. It allowed well over 1,500 yards in its final three games of the season, it’s not doing much against anyone who wants to throw, and it gave up 30 points or more in its last five games.

Not helping the cause is the loss of corners Gavin Holmes and JJ Roberts to the transfer portal. Missouri doesn’t have a high-powered passing game, and losing top target Dominic Lovett to the portal hurts, but it’s 5-0 when throwing for more than 220 yards.

The Wake Forest pass defense doesn’t get out of bed in the morning without giving up 220 yards through the air.

When it does allow fewer, it’s usually because the offense on the other side is too busy running. Mizzou has to balance out the attack, do what it does to control the clock, and the defense that’s so good on third downs and so good at getting into the backfield has to be fired up from the start.

However …

Why Wake Forest Will Win The Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl

It’s all hands on deck against the Wake Forest passing game.

The Missouri defense that was so great this season will be without a few key pass rushers – Isaiah McGuire opting out really hurts – and will miss a little depth in the secondary.

The wins might not have been there over the second half of the season, but the Demon Deacons, but QB Sam Hartman kept bombing away with the offense hitting 300 yards through the air in each of the last six games and in nine of 11.

Missouri’s offense is balanced and can grind a bit, but it’s not built to get into wild shootouts. It takes 30 points to beat Wake Forest – it’s 5-0 when allowing fewer and 2-5 when giving up more – but the Tigers have only hit that mark against Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State, and Abilene Christian.

Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

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Houston vs Louisiana Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Prediction Game Preview

Houston vs Louisiana game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl on Friday, December 23

Houston vs Louisiana prediction, game preview, odds, how to watch. Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, Friday, December 23

Houston vs Louisiana Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Prediction Game Preview

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Houston vs Louisiana How To Watch

Date: Friday, December 23
Game Time: 3:00 ET
Venue: Independence Stadium, Shreveport, LA
How To Watch: ESPN
Record: Houston (7-5), Louisiana (6-6)
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Houston vs Louisiana Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl 5 Things To Know

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

– Houston wasn’t supposed to be here. It was supposed to be this year’s Cincinnati, ripping through a not-that-bad schedule on the way to pushing for a College Football Playoff spot. That all went bye-bye early with a 2-3 start in a season that wasn’t going anywhere.

Give the team credit for roaring back, winning five of its next six before stalling in a regular season loss to Tulsa. But that’s Houston. It has the talent to hang with just about anyone, but its defense and inconsistencies are just enough to make this a toss up.

– Louisiana wasn’t able to keep the fun going after head coach Billy Napier left for Florida, but the team managed to grind its way though the season and won its finale against Texas State to get bowl eligible. The offense is balanced and the defense opportunistic, but it’s going to need any aspect of the home crowd – and for Houston to be a little unfocused – to pull this off.

– Napier won two straight bowl games after losing his first to Tulane in the 2018 Cure, and Michael Desormeaux was able to fill in last year and lead the way to a New Orleans win over Marshall before getting the full-time gig. At the FBS level, the Ragin’ Cajuns have been great in bowls, going 5-2 since their first appearance in 2011.

– Let’s just say Houston has been a bit rocky in bowls. It shut out Navy 35-0 in the 1980 Garden State, and then it went on 5-14 run. It lost four straight after Tom Herman led the way to a New Year’s Six Peach Bowl win over Florida State, and that was it for the fun with four straight losses, including a 70-14 clunker to Army in the 2018 Armed Forces.

Just when it seemed like it was going to be business as usual last year, the Cougars came back late to beat Auburn 17-13 in the Birmingham. Head coach Dana Holgorsen could really use this as the program makes the move into the Big 12.

– At least among the early bowls, it’s one of the older games with the first back in 1976 – a 20-16 McNeese State win over Tulsa. Last year’s 31-28 UAB win over BYU broke a rough run with the 2020 game canceled and the previous four all ugly after Virginia Tech and Tulsa put on a 55-52 show in 2015. There’s hope for this – Houston games aren’t boring.

CFN Bowl Expert Picks: Dec 16-19 | Dec 20-27

Why Houston Will Win The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl

When the offense is on, look out.

It was a massive win for the team when star WR Nathaniel Dell decided to play even though he declared he was leaving for the NFL Draft. With 103 catches and 15 scores, he’s one of the most dangerous playmakers in the country, and he’s not alone.

Getting back QB Clayton Tune – at least he’s expected to go – to along with Dell all but guarantees the offensive fireworks. Last year he closed out a huge season with his late comeback drive to beat Auburn. This season he’s been a yardage machine, but that’s partly because the defense couldn’t come up with enough stops.

Louisiana can run well, but it’s nothing like the Billy Napier teams – he took some of the parts with him. The Ragin’ Cajuns might have put 41 on the board in the regular season finale win over Texas State, but they’ll have to press to keep up.

However …

Why Louisiana Will Win The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl

The Houston defense. It’s got issues.

It comes up with a ton of sacks and lots of big plays in the backfield, but they don’t translate. It gets ripped up through the air, allows 430 yards per game overall, and it can’t come up with a third down stop.

To be fair, the penalties slowed down in the second half of the season, but there are somewhere between 7-to-10 flags coming in this at some point.

Louisiana can stay in this by keeping the mistakes to a minimum – it’s good in turnover margin – and by just hanging around. Houston has a way of taking a nap here and there during games, especially against teams that can throw.

If Chandler Fields can find any sort of a groove, he’s hitting 250 on this bunch. However …

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

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Baylor vs Air Force Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl Prediction Game Preview

Baylor vs Air Force game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl on Thursday, December 22

Baylor vs Air Force prediction, game preview, odds, how to watch. Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl, Thursday, December 22

Baylor vs Air Force Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl Prediction Game Preview

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Baylor vs Air Force How To Watch

Date: Thursday, December 22
Game Time: 7:30 ET
Venue: Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX
How To Watch: ESPN
Record: Baylor (6-6), Air Force (9-3)
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Baylor vs Air Force Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl 5 Things To Know

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

– Baylor wasn’t able to repeat as the Big 12 champion, and it lost its last three games, but it was an entertaining season with lots of offense, a decent defense, and enough on both sides to come this close to beating TCU.

But that’s the problem. Beating Oklahoma and Texas Tech was good, but it couldn’t come through in several close losses. Beating Air Force wouldn’t make up for the misfires, but getting this done and finishing with a winning season would be nice.

– Air Force was rolling along with a 4-1 start, and it closed with four straight wins. In between it lost two of three games to keep it out of the Mountain West title hunt. Even so, it was a terrific season as it went full Air Force. It led the nation in rushing, time of possession, and in total defense. It’s got the ability to take down the Big 12 team and come up with a ten-win season.

– For years Air Force was a sure-thing bowl L, going 4-10 from 1987 to 2009. Troy Calhoun was responsible for two of the losses, and then he and the Falcons kicked it in going 6-3 in the last nine bowls. Win this, and it’ll be four straight bowl victories and five ten-win seasons since 2014. Last year the Falcons beat Louisville 31-28 in the First Responder.

– Baylor has been great at this bowl thing, too. It won four of the last five going back to the end of the Art Briles era in 2015, and Dave Aranda won in his first try in last year’s Sugar Bowl over Ole Miss.

– Around since 2003, the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl always seems to deliver. The matchups might not always be the sexiest on the board, but in the 19 games, ten have been close, last year’s Army win over Missouri was thrilling. The late Mike Leach’s Mississippi State team’s win over Tulsa was – let’s just say – intense at the end, and in 2018 Army cranked up 70 in a win over Houston. This should be entertaining, too.

CFN Bowl Expert Picks: Dec 16-19 | Dec 20-27

Why Baylor Will Win The Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl

It’s one of the few teams that can control the clock as well as Air Force.

It might not quite be able to gear down and hold the ball for 36 minutes, but it could – it hasn’t been terribly far off this year. There’s a good offensive balance, the attack is great on third downs, and things go well when the ground game works.

Baylor is 4-0 when running for over 235 yards and 5-1 when coming up with over 170 yards – the one loss was the last second loss to TCU. The Air Force defensive front might be strong, but the whole machine gets wobbly when teams are able to run against it.

The Falcons are 8-0 when allowing fewer than 115 rushing yards and 1-3 – the one win coming against Northern Iowa from the FCS – when they give up more. Baylor is 0-3 when not getting to 115 yards, but that’s it – just three times.

However …

Why Air Force Will Win The Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl

The Air Force offense got some rest.

The team was just fine over the finishing kick off the season, but it was banged up throughout key parts of the season and it mattered. It’s a team that needs everyone in place and working to be that half-click faster with how it operates.

Baylor might be solid on defense, and it’s great at holding up against the run, but it doesn’t do much to get into the backfield – it’s not going to stop the Falcon O before it gets moving.

The Bears are 1-4 when giving up 150 yards or more, and it’s Air Force – it comes up with that before breakfast. It hasn’t rushed for fewer than 171 yards and is 9-1 when getting to 200.

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

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South Alabama vs WKU R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Prediction Game Preview

South Alabama vs WKU game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on Wednesday, December 21

South Alabama vs WKU prediction, game preview, odds, how to watch. R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, Wednesday, December 21

South Alabama vs WKU R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Prediction Game Preview

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South Alabama vs WKU How To Watch

Date: Wednesday, December 21
Game Time: 9:00 pm ET
Venue: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA
How To Watch: ESPN
Record: South Alabama (10-2), WKU (8-5)
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South Alabama vs WKU R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl 5 Things To Know

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

– South Alabama might be the best Power Five team you didn’t pay any attention to this season. You probably didn’t notice it came this close to beating UCLA, and you probably didn’t notice that it was that 32-31 loss and a 10-6 battle with Troy away from being perfect. It didn’t exactly roll a slew of killers, but it has a solid offense, it controls the clock, and it brings one of the best run defenses in the country.

– WKU brings the fun. No, it doesn’t care about time of possession, and it’ll see your solid offense with a high-octane passing attack. It lost star QB Austin Reed to the transfer portal – he was supposedly headed to Louisville – but he changed his mind and came back. Here comes the offensive show.

– The Hilltoppers have played in eight FBS-level bowl games and won five of them. Head man Tyson Helton won two of his three – including the 2021 Boca Raton with a 59-38 explosion over Appalachian State.

– This is just the third bowl game for South Alabama and the first under head coach Kane Wommack. It’s a showcase moment for him and the program that lost its first two bowl tries and hasn’t been in one since losing to Air Force in the 2016 Arizona.

– The New Orleans Bowl always seems like it should be fun – the matchups are always strong – but the last five have been relative blowouts and seven of the last eight were decided by 13 or more. It’s been the Sun Belt’s world winning the last four.

CFN Bowl Expert Picks: Dec 16-19 | Dec 20-27

Why South Alabama Will Win The R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

How did South Alabama get it done this year?

It’s been a rock defensively, it doesn’t make a slew of mistakes or turnovers, and the ground game was one of the best in the nation. La’Damian Webb ran for over 1,000 yards and 13 scores, but he’s not alone in the rotation of runners including QB Carter Bradley.

Run well, rely on the defense, limit the turnovers – which, to be fair, come in bunches, but the team overcomes them. But against WKU it’s about holding up against a ton of midrange passes.

The Jaguars haven’t had too many problems surviving the games against teams that throw a ton. The wins haven’t been easy, but they can handle WKU thanks to a strong-tackling back-seven.

However …

Why WKU Will Win The R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

Getting back Austin Reed changes the game.

He’s a veteran passer who’s been around the block as a big bomber for West Florida at the D-II level before fitting right in at WKU. The South Alabama defense might be terrific, but it’s about to get thrown on 50 times for at least 300 yards.

But it’s not just about Reed and the air show. The WKU offense can run well enough to mix it up, and the defense isn’t just along for the ride. It might have had a bumpy finish in a blowout loss to Auburn and a tough 32-31 fight with Florida Atlantic, but few teams in the country do more to take the ball away.

WKU’s defense is high-risk/high-reward. It can get run over, but it makes up for it with a ton of forced fumbles. It’ll give up big plays through the air, but it also generates a bunch of picks.

It’s just this simple. For all the good things the offense does, and as good as Reed is, WKU is 7-0 when coming up with two or more takeaways, and 1-5 when it doesn’t.

But …

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

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Eastern Michigan vs San Jose State Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Prediction Game Preview

Eastern Michigan vs San Jose State game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Tuesday, December 20

Eastern Michigan vs San Jose State prediction, game preview, odds, how to watch. Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, Tuesday, December 20

Eastern Michigan vs San Jose State Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Prediction Game Preview

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Eastern Michigan vs San Jose State How To Watch

Date: Tuesday, December 20
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Venue: Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID
How To Watch: ESPN
Record: Eastern Michigan (8-4), San Jose State (7-4)
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Eastern Michigan vs San Jose State Famous Idaho Potato Bowl 5 Things To Know

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

– There was a moment when it seemed like San Jose State would be the star of the Mountain West, and possibly be in the run for a New Year’s Six spot. It started 4-1 with a close loss at Auburn, and was 6-2 with the conference there for the taking. Even with a tough 1-2 finish, this is still a fun team with QB Chevan Cordeiro leading a strong offense to go along with one of the nation’s most aggressive defenses.

– Eastern Michigan couldn’t find the slightest bit of consistency over the first two months, but the team found ways to get the job done in a phenomenal finishing kick. Just when it seemed like the wheels might come off, it went 4-1 to close. All of a sudden, the inconsistent team was able to consistently win.

– This is just the seventh bowl game in the history of Eastern Michigan football – it hasn’t exactly been a lot of fun. The program is 1-5, losing the last four under head coach Chris Creighton including last year’s LendingTree to Liberty 56-20. However, the lone win came in the 1987 California Bowl against …

– San Jose State. It might have lost to the Eagles in 1987, but it’s 7-4 overall in bowls and 4-1 since the loss. Bowl games are hardly a regular thing, though, with a 34-13 loss to Ball State in the 2020 Arizona Bowl – the Spartans were missing a ton of players with COVID – the last appearance since wining the 2015 Cure.

– The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl has been rolling since 1997 when it was called the Humanitarian Bowl. The game is way overdue for something interesting with the last six decided by nine points or more. To be fair, though, there were some insane shootouts – like the Idaho 61-50 win over Colorado State in 2016. For the most part, though, this has been one of the most lopsided bowls over the last decade.

CFN Bowl Expert Picks: Dec 16-19 | Dec 20-27

Why Eastern Michigan Will Win The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

The Eagle offense is relatively steady on the ground, has a good passing attack at times, and it’s not turning the ball over enough lately to matter with just two turnovers in the last five games.

Against San Jose State’s defense, just keep things moving. It’ll hold up well and force more field goals than allow touchdowns on long drives, but it’s not great on third downs. Eastern Michigan was the best in the MAC at converting its third down chances hitting 45% of its tries.

On the other side, the Eagle pass defense is in the spotlight. It finished second in the MAC, and the team was 6-1 when allowing fewer than 240 passing yards.

There’s a decent pass rush that shouldn’t have a problem getting into the backfield – San Jose State doesn’t have a ground game and the line allows too many sacks.

However …

Why San Jose State Will Win The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

The San Jose State defensive front lives behind the line.

It’s among the best in the nation in both sacks and tackles for loss, and it should be able to get to the Eastern Michigan backfield enough to be a problem.

On the flip side, the Eagles don’t do much on the offensive front. San Jose State doesn’t do much with the ground game, but it should be able to grind a wee bit – it’s more about yards per carry than bulk yards.

Again, Eastern Michigan has been solid at keeping the turnovers to a minimum lately, but it’s dead even in turnover margin on the season and San Jose State is +12, has yet to turn the ball over more than once, and it doesn’t have the penalty issues the other side has.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

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