Tag: College Football Predictions

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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College Football Expert Picks Predictions Bowl Games December 20-27

College football expert picks and predictions for the bowl games from December 20th through the 27th

College football expert picks, predictions for all of the bowl games from December 20th through the 27th

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* next to the pick means the team will win, but not cover.
Click on each game for the game preview and CFN Prediction

Bowl Game College Football Expert Picks 
Fenway EMU vs SJSU | Boca Liberty vs Toledo
NO WKU vs USA | Armed Forces AF vs Baylor
Ind Louisiana vs Houston | Gasp Missouri vs WF

Hawaii MTSU vs SDSU | Quick NMSU vs BGSU
Camellia UB vs GaSo | 1st Resp Utah St vs Memphis
Birm Coast Carolina vs ECU | GuarRate Ok St vs Wis
Results So Far | Bowls December 16-19

Bowl Schedule, Predictions | Ranking all 41 Bowls
NFL Week 15 Expert Picks 

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Eastern Michigan vs San Jose State

Line: San Jose State -4.5, o/u: 55.5

Eric Bolin, RazorbacksWire.com: San Jose State
Evan Bredeson, CornhuskersWire.com: San Jose State
Tony Cosolo, ColoradoBuffaloesWire.com: San Jose State
Jeff Feyerer, CFN: San Jose State
Pete Fiutak, CFN: San Jose State
Cami Griffin, LonghornsWire.com: San Jose State
Dan Harralson, VolsWire.com: San Jose State
Phil Harrison, BuckeyesWire.com: San Jose State
Jeremy Mauss, MWwire.com San Jose State
Kevin McGuire, NittanyLionsWire.com: San Jose State
Big Game Ben Niewoehner, CFN Eastern Michigan
E, CFN San Jose State
Tyler Nettuno, LSUTigerswire.com San Jose State
Zack Pearson, TarHeelswire.com San Jose State
Johnny Rosenstein, SportsBookWire.com: San Jose State
Nick Shepkowski, FightingIrishWire.com: San Jose State
Scott Steehn, WinnersandWhiners.com: San Jose State
Joe Vitale, UGAWire.com: San Jose State
Clucko the Chicken (a coin flip), CFN: Eastern Michigan
CONSENSUS PICK: San Jose State

NEXT: Liberty vs Toledo Expert Picks Predictions

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5 Best College Football Bowl Predictions Against The Spread December 21-24 Games

5 best college football bowl predictions and picks against the spread and point totals for the first run from December 21st to the 24th

5 best predictions for this the early bowls. What are the best bets and picks for the bowl games from December 21st through the 24th?  

5 Best College Football Bowl Predictions December 21-24 Games

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Expert Picks
Bowls Dec 20-27 | Dec 28-Jan 2, NY6, CFP
Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

Results So Far: 76-66-1
Bowl Season: 2-3

My goal was hit 3-for-5 in the first round of the 5 Best Bowl Predictions Against The Spread.

I roped two doubles off of fat beach balls down the middle of the plate – the over on the Celebration Bowl and the under on whatever the hell that Fenway Bowl between Louisville and Cincinnati was – and I hit a rocket shot for a hard out with UAB and Miami University coming two yards away from the over.

However, I’m shaken by looking at a called strike three right down the middle of the plate thinking Florida would give Oregon State a game in the Las Vegas, and one of my sure things of the bowl season – Boise State destroying North Texas in the Frisco – was an embarrassing strikeout with a pulled muscle at the end.

I apologize for not pumping up one of the easiest calls of the bunch – Marshall over UConn by 10.5 in the Myrtle Beach – so I’ll try to make up for it with this round of seven bowls to choose from between December 21st and December 24th.

Oh, but I only need one of them for two of the picks.

Happy Holidays everyone. Seriously. You and everyone else deserve to kick back, eat way too much, and watch a whole lot of mediocre football for next several days.

I’m tired of joking around. I’m getting these five right starting with …

Click on each game for the game preview

5. Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: Air Force vs Baylor

Thursday, December 22, 7:30, ESPN 
ATS Line Baylor -4
Pick Air Force

I’m not going to get into the why on this from a technical game analysis standpoint. Let’s make it simple.

Air Force and head coach Troy Calhoun are terrific in bowl games.

Calhoun had a bit of a rough start in his long tenure going 2-4 in these things, but since taking out Western Michigan in your 2014 Famous Idaho Potato, he and the program have gone 4-1 winning three straight including the last two against Power Fivers Louisville and Washington State.

Air Force doesn’t have anyone of note taking off or transferring, and the losses for Baylor are relatively minimal. However, the Bears did shake up the coaching staff a bit firing defensive coordinator Ron Roberts. That might not be a plus for Air Force, though, for one big reason.

Baylor head coach Dave Aranda appears to be handling the defensive coaching duties, and that’s why I’m not going overboard here. He’s way too good.

On the flip side, there’s a lot of fixing to do for a defense that was miserable at coming up with third down stops and didn’t generate enough pressure up front. There’s that, and Baylor needs to control the clock and the tempo – no one controls the clock and the tempo against Air Force.

All of that, and Air Force should be relatively healthy. When this team had all the parts, it worked. When it was banged up, it struggled.

Again, I’m not 1000% in love with this – Air Force came up with a whole lot of wins against a whole lot of bad teams – but I’m in deep like. So let’s try this …

NEXT: College Football Pick Against the Spread No. 4: R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

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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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Liberty vs Toledo RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl Prediction Game Preview

Liberty vs Toledo game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl on Tuesday, December 20

Liberty vs Toledo prediction, game preview, odds, how to watch. RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl, Tuesday, December 20

Liberty vs Toledo RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl Prediction Game Preview

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Liberty vs Toledo How To Watch

Date: Tuesday, December 20
Game Time: 7:30 ET
Venue: FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, FL
How To Watch: ESPN
Record: Liberty (8-4), Toledo (8-5)
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Liberty vs Toledo RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl 5 Things To Know

RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

– Liberty is in a transitional phase. It ended the regular season with a thud after starting 8-1, losing its last three games including an embarrassing 49-14 home whacking from New Mexico State.

Head coach Hugh Freeze bolted for Auburn, and now the program is waiting to get the former Coastal Carolina head man Jamey Chadwell’s era going. Josh Aldridge will be the interim head coach, there are plenty of great parts in place, and there’s still firepower.

– Toledo wasn’t perfect, it had a whole lot of turnover problems, and it struggled late in the regular season as it limped into the MAC Championship. One terrific defensive performance against Ohio later in a 17-7 win, and head coach Jason Candle has his second conference title in six season. Now …

– He and Toledo need to win a bowl game. Candle stepped in as an interim head man in the 2015 Boca Raton Bowl, and Toledo pulled off the 32-17 win over Temple. That’s been it for the bowl fun going 0-4 since then including a 31-24 Bahamas loss to Middle Tennessee last year. The team was able to keep it close in three of the losses, but that’s not enough – winning this matters.

– Liberty has been perfect in the bowls. Hugh Freeze took the Flames to three straight bowls and it won all three, with last year’s LendingTree 56-20 win over Eastern Michigan the most dominant of the group. Again, this season’s bowl version is going through some changes, but the program knows how to get up for these.

– If nothing else, the Boca Raton bowls have put on some great offensive shows. They haven’t been all that close – none of the eight were decided by fewer than 15 points – but the winning side hung up 50 points or more four times and 32 or more in the other four.

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

Why Liberty Will Win The RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl

The pass rush continues to be devastating.

The offense might have slipped late, and the team completely lost its focus, but it’s still bringing one of the nation’s most dangerous defensive fronts that leads the nation in tackles for loss and is fourth in sacks. That’s a huge problem for Toledo.

The Rocket offensive line isn’t awful in pass protection, but it allows close to seven tackles for loss per game. That’s a concern, and the bigger one is a case of the turnovers that almost crushed the end of the regular season.

Toledo didn’t turn it over in the MAC Championship win over Ohio, but before that it gave it away 16 times in the previous five games.

That’s all fine, but what’s the problem with Liberty? There were a whole lot of injures, but the passing game still managed to finish with 200 yards or more in ever game but a win over Akron, the rushing attack is good enough to get to 200, and …

Why Toledo Will Win The RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl

Liberty has bigger turnover problems than Toledo.

The Rocket miscues came in a late flurry, but Liberty has cranked out a steady stream of screwups with two or more in nine of the 12 games. They haven’t always been lethal – the mistakes are baked into the cake – but the defense doesn’t come up with a ton of takeaways.

At the very least, Toledo probably won’t get hurt if it starts giving the ball away, especially if its secondary can come up with its usual pick or two.

Offensively, the Rockets need to run well. They have a good group to work into the rotation, QB Dequan Finn is dangerous no matter what he does, and the team is 5-0 when running for 225 yards or more.

What was Liberty’s biggest problem over the rough last stretch? The run defense went bye-bye – allowing almost 600 yards and 11 touchdowns in the last three games.

RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

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Marshall vs UConn Myrtle Beach Bowl Prediction Game Preview

Marshall vs UConn game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Myrtle Beach Bowl on Monday, December 19

Marshall vs UConn prediction, game preview, odds, how to watch. Myrtle Beach Bowl, Monday, December 19

Marshall vs UConn Myrtle Beach Bowl Prediction Game Preview

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Marshall vs UConn How To Watch

Date: Monday, December 19
Game Time: 2:30 ET
Venue: Brooks Stadium, Conway, SC
How To Watch: ESPN
Record: Marshall (8-4), UConn (6-6)
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Marshall vs UConn Myrtle Beach Bowl 5 Things To Know

Myrtle Beach Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

– How did Jim Mora Jr. not make every Coach of the Year list? Before 2022, UConn won exactly ten games since 2015, hadn’t had a winning season since 2010, didn’t play in 2020, and a 2019 victory over UMass was the lone win against an FBS team since the middle of the 2017 season. Mora’s team shocked Fresno State as it went on a 5-1 run to get bowl eligible before dropping the regular season finale. This has been a wildly successful year no matter what happens here.

– It’s been a crazy season for Marshall. It made a massive splash with a shocking win over Notre Dame, and then it promptly followed it up with a loss to Bowling Green as part of a rough 2-4 run with a tough November looming. The switch was flipped, the defense took things up a notch, and the Herd closed out 4-0.

– For years Marshall was a bowl season given. It lost its first two, and then from 1998 to 2018 it went 12-1, with the only loss coming to Cincinnati in the 2004 Fort Worth. Along that ride was a 16-10 win over UConn in the 2015 St. Petersburg. Now it’s on a three-bowl losing streak including a 36-21 rocking from Louisiana in last year’s New Orleans Bowl.

– It’s just the seventh bowl appearance in the history of UConn football. It’s 3-3 with the last win coming over South Carolina in the 2009 PapaJohn.com Bowl. The only bowl between this and the 2010 Fiesta loss to Oklahoma was that loss to Marshall. Yeah, this game means something.

– The Myrtle Beach Bowl is only in its third season, but the first two games at least were interesting. It’s become a landing place for good Group of Five programs, and it’s got the college football day all to itself on a Monday afternoon. Appalachian State ran wild in a 56-28 win over North Texas in the inaugural game, and Tulsa’s 30-17 win over Old Dominion last year was more entertaining than the final score.

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

Why Marshall Will Win The Myrtle Beach Bowl

It’s a nice UConn team, but it’s about to run into a brick wall – not literally, but almost.

Marshall might not have a high-powered offense, but the run defense has been tremendous all year long, finishing fifth in the nation allowing just 88 yards per game. No one was able to get to 200 on this bunch – not Notre Dame, not Appalachian State, not Coastal Carolina – and UConn has to run well to win.

The Huskies were able to pull off a few wins when the ground game wasn’t flying, but the O line allows way too many plays behind the line, third downs are almost impossible to convert, and the passing attack does nothing down the field – UConn is dead last in the nation in yards per completion.

On the other side, Marshall is 6-0 when running for 200 yards or more. UConn is 1-6 when allowing more than 155 yards, but ….

Why UConn Will Win The Myrtle Beach Bowl

The running game really could work.

Granted, it cranked up the big yards against some of the worst run defenses in America, but with time to prepare and get everyone healthy again, the offense is about to hit Marshall with a wave of young backs.

Zion Turner is a dangerous young quarterback who can get on the move, the running backs should push for close to five yards per carry, and it should be able to slow the game down a bit.

The UConn defense doesn’t do too much to get behind the line, but it doesn’t take much to disrupt the Marshall attack. The passing game isn’t great, the O is miserable at converting drives into points, and the line is way too leaky.

However …

Myrtle Beach Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

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