Yes, bowl projections are a bit ridiculous on Feb. 14, 2022, but we are always thinking about football in the south.
We know the task at hand for Bryan Harsin as he heads into his second year as the head coach of the Auburn Tigers. There has been a mass exodus of players and staff members in his first year. There is work to be done.
We check in to see where one member of the media has Auburn projected.
Brett McMurphy of Action Network released his way too early bowl projections for next season. After a trip to the Birmingham Bowl to play against Houston, the projections are a bit better for the Tigers.
Auburn Tigers vs TCU Horned Frogs
Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Bowl Game: Liberty Bowl
Venue: Liberty Bowl Stadium
Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Bowl Tie-In: SEC vs Big 12
Series History: Auburn leads 3-0, the last meeting in 1981
Last year Mississippi State earned a trip to the Liberty Bowl, where they faced Texas Tech. The Bulldogs were 7-5 (4-4), if all things are equal that means that Auburn would be one game better.
In school history, Auburn has played in the Liberty Bowl just twice. The last time came in 1984 when they faced off with the Arkansas Razorbacks. At the time they were members of the Southwest Conference.
The only other meeting came in 1965 when the Tigers faced off with Ole Miss.
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The Mississippi State Bulldogs will face the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Liberty Bowl on Tuesday evening from Memorial Stadium in Memphis.
The Mississippi State Bulldogs will face the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Liberty Bowl on Tuesday evening from Memorial Stadium in Memphis.
Mississippi State is coming off a 31-21 loss to Ole Miss in their last game of the season but have won four of their last six and will look for another one tonight. As for Texas Tech, they finished the season 6-6 and came off a three-point loss to Baylor in their final game of the season.
Tune in to the Liberty Bowl today, here is everything you need to know to watch and stream the action.
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NCAA Football Odds and Betting Lines
NCAA odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook. Odds last updated Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Mississippi State (-9.5) vs. Texas Tech
O/U: 58.5
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Here is the final score of every bowl game played by Penn State in program history.
After opting to stay home from the college football bowl season in an odd 2020 season, Penn State is heading back to a bowl game to wrap up the 2021 season. The Nittany Lions will play in the Outback Bowl, where they will face the Arkansas Razorbacks in the first meeting between the two schools on January 1, 2022. Penn State will also be looking to win their second consecutive bowl game and snap a three-game losing streak in bowl games to SEC teams.
The 2022 Outback Bowl will be the 51st bowl game in Penn State program history, and it will be the fifth time the Nittany Lions have appeared in the Outback Bowl. Penn State is 3-1 all-time in the Outback Bowl and is 30-18-2 all-time in postseason bowl games. The highlights of those bowl victories are two national championship victories in the 1983 Sugar Bowl against Georgia and the 1987 Fiesta Bowl against heavily-favored Miami.
Here is a complete list of every Penn State bowl game in program history including the 2022 Outback Bowl against Arkansas.
January 1, 1948, Cotton Bowl: Penn State 13, SMU 13
December 19, 1959, Liberty Bowl: Penn State 7, Alabama 0
December 17, 1960, Liberty Bowl: Penn State 41, Oregon 12
December 30, 1961, Gator Bowl: Penn State 30, Georgia Tech 15
December 29, 1962, Gator Bowl: Florida 17, Penn State 7
December 30, 1967, Gator Bowl: Penn State 17, Florida State 17
January 1, 1969, Orange Bowl: Penn State 15, Kansas 14
January 1, 1970, Orange Bowl: Penn State 10, Missouri 3
January 1, 1972, Cotton Bowl: Penn State 30, Texas 6
December 31, 1972, Sugar Bowl: Oklahoma 14, Penn State 0
January 1, 1974, Orange Bowl: Penn State 16, LSU 0
January 1, 1975, Cotton Bowl: Penn State 41, Baylor 20
December 31, 1975, Sugar Bowl: Alabama 13, Penn State 6
December 27, 1976, Gator Bowl: Notre Dame 20, Penn State 9
December 25, 1977, Fiesta Bowl: Penn State 42, Arizona State 30
January 1, 1979, Sugar Bowl: Alabama 14, Penn State 7
December 22, 1979, Liberty Bowl: Penn State 9, Tulane 6
December 26, 1980, Fiesta Bowl: Penn State 31, Ohio State 19
January 1, 1982, Fiesta Bowl: Penn State 26, USC 10
Jan 1, 1983, New Orleans, LA, USA; FILE PHOTO; The video board at the Superdome after the 1983 Sugar Bowl where the Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the Georgia Bulldogs. Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
January 1, 1983, Sugar Bowl: Penn State 27, Georgia 23
December 26, 1983, Aloha Bowl: Penn State 13, Washignton 10
January 1, 1986, Orange Bowl: Oklahoma 25, Penn State 10
Jan 2, 1987; Tempe, AZ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback John Shaffer (14) hands the ball off to running back D.J. Dozier (42) during the 1987 Fiesta Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes. Photo: USA TODAY Sports
January 2, 1987, Fiesta Bowl: Penn State 14, Miami 10
January 1, 1988, Citrus Bowl: Clemson 35, Penn State 10
December 29, 1989, Holiday Bowl: Penn State 50, BYU 39
December 28, 1990, Blockbuster Bowl: Florida State 24, Penn State 17
January 1, 1992, Fiesta Bowl: Penn State 42, Tennessee 17
January 1, 1993, Blockbuster Bowl: Stanford 24, Penn State 3
January 1, 1994, Citrus Bowl: Penn State 31, Tennessee 13
Penn State’s Ki-Jana Carter (32) is chased by Oregon’s Alex Molden (1) as he heads for the end zone on the Nittany Lions’ first possession of the 81st Rose Bowl against Oregon. AP Photo/Reed Saxon
January 2, 1995, Rose Bowl: Penn State 38, Oregon 20
January 1, 1996, Outback Bowl: Penn State 43, Auburn 14
January 1, 1997, Fiesta Bowl: Penn State 38, Texas 15
January 1, 1998, Citrus Bowl: Florida 21, Penn State 6
January 1, 1999, Outback Bowl: Penn State 26, Kentucky 14
December 28, 1999, Alamo Bowl: Penn State 24, Texas A&M 0
January 1, 2003, Capital One Bowl: Auburn 13, Penn State 9
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – JANUARY 3: Quarterback Michael Robinson #12 hands off the ball to Austin Scott #33 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the FedEx Orange Bowl against the Florida State Seminoles at Dolphins Stadium on January 3, 2005 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images.
January 3, 2006, Orange Bowl: Penn State 26, Florida State 23
January 1, 2007, Outback Bowl: Penn State 20, Tennessee 10
December 29, 2007, Alamo Bowl: Penn State 24, Texas A&M 17
January 1, 2009, Rose Bowl: USC 38, Penn State 24
January 1, 2010, Capital One Bowl: Penn State 19, LSU 17
January 1, 2011, Outback Bowl: Florida 37, Penn State 24
January 2, 2012, Ticket City Bowl: Houston 30, Penn State 14
Dec 27, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton (5) makes a catch in front of Boston College Eagles defensive back Ty-Meer Brown (5) for a touchdown during the fourth quarter in the 2014 Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
December 27, 2014, Pinstripe Bowl: Penn State 31, Boston College 30
January 2, 2016, TaxSlayer Bowl: Georgia 24, Penn State 17
January 2, 2017, Rose Bowl: USC 52, Penn State 49
December 30, 2017, Fiesta Bowl: Penn State 35, Washington 28
January 1, 2019, Citrus Bowl: Kentucky 27, Penn State 24
December 28, 2019, Cotton Bowl: Penn State 53, Memphis 39
Dec 28, 2019; Arlington, Texas, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Journey Brown (4) celebrates scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Memphis Tigers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
January 1, 2022, Outback Bowl: Penn State vs. Arkansas
All of the attention has been on the head coach search but with Brian Kelly now officially announce, focus shifts back to the football team. They finished the season 6-6 after beating Texas A&M on Saturday. Feels like a lifetime ago, but they were able to avoid their first losing regular season since 1999.
LSU can finish with a winning record this year if they secure a victory in the upcoming bowl game. The real question is where and who will they play?
The Wildcats had an opportunity to improve their bowl standings in the season finale last Saturday but fell to Texas 22-17. According to Erick Smith, they will likely get the LSU Tigers in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee.
Much like LSU, KSU started out 3-1 but stumbled down the stretch going 4-4 in the final eight games of the year. In that same stretch, the Tigers were 3-5 but could have easily been 6-2 if a couple of plays go their way. Regardless both teams could end the season on a high note. It remains to be seen if Brad Davis will be the interim head coach for the bowl or if Brian Kelly will take the reigns in the bowl game as he did in Cincinnati so many years ago.
KSU has a dynamic running back with Deuce Vaughn that will need to be contained when LSU is on defense. The off time will give quarterback Skylar Thompson ample time to rest his ankle that prevented him from playing against the Longhorns.
The West Virginia Mountaineers will meet the Army Black Knights in the Liberty Bowl at Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee.
The West Virginia Mountaineers will meet the Army Black Knights in the Liberty Bowl at Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee.
West Virginia comes into this game with a record of 5-4 with only two back to back wins all season. They have been an up and down football team and will face a strong Army squad this afternoon. As for Army, they are coming off a fantastic season where they finished 9-2.
Get yourself ready for a defensive showdown here today, here’s everything you need to know to stream the action tonight:
Prediction: Army hasn’t played the toughest schedule but West Virginia is not all that good either. They struggle on offense while Army has a great defense and these guys will come to play today after being not being invited to a bowl. This is their time to shine. Take the dog at +10.
Bet: Army +10. Under 41.5
NCAA Football Odds and Betting Lines
NCAA Football odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. ET.
West Virginia vs. Army. -10
O/U: 41.5
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Jeremy Pruitt, multiple players test positive for COVID-19, ending Vols’ football season.
There will not be a bowl game for the University of Tennessee football team this season.
The Volunteers (3-7, 3-7 SEC) accepted a bid to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl Sunday and were set to play West Virginia in Memphis on Dec. 31.
The Mountaineers (5-4) will await a replacement opponent for the game.
Tennessee was forced to opt out of the postseason contest when head coach Jeremy Pruitt and multiple players tested positive for COVID-19.
The Vols closed out the regular season with a 34-13 loss to Texas A&M Saturday at Neyland Stadium.
Statement From Tennessee Athletics
“After receiving Sunday’s COVID-19 test results, the University of Tennessee football program has paused all team activities and will be unable to compete in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. The test results revealed an increase in positive cases among student-athletes and staff and subsequent contact tracing. The decision was made in consultation with health officials, the Southeastern Conference and the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. The student-athletes and staff affected are taking the appropriate safety measures in accordance with University, CDC and local health department guidelines. The University of Tennessee extends its sincere appreciation to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and the city of Memphis and is disappointed it will not be able to fulfill its commitment on New Year’s Eve.”
Statement From Tennessee Head Football Coach Jeremy Pruitt
“Earlier today, I was informed by our medical staff that I have tested positive for COVID-19, and I immediately began isolating at home. I am experiencing mild symptoms but doing fine. We are obviously disappointed that we will not be able to play in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, but the health and safety of our student-athletes will always remain our top priority. I am especially proud of our team and medical staff in safely navigating through a unique season where we played all 10 of our regular-season games.”
Tennessee will play West Virginia in the Liberty Bowl.
Tennessee (3-7, 3-7 SEC) concluded its 2020 10-game, SEC-only regular season Saturday at Neyland Stadium.
After losing to Texas A&M, 34-13, Saturday, the Vols will have one more game remaining during the 2020 campaign.
Tennessee will play West Virginia (5-4, 4-4 Big 12) in the 62nd AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Dec. 31 in Memphis, Tennessee.
The contest will kick off at 4 p.m. EST with ESPN televising the matchup.
Tennessee Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer discussed the Vols playing in the Liberty and head coach Jeremy Pruitt finishing his third season ahead of spring practices early next year.
“I’m thrilled about our football program’s opportunity to compete in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl against a great opponent like West Virginia,” Fulmer said. “First, it’s an opportunity to connect with our many fans throughout West Tennessee and expand upon the rich historical links between the Memphis area and UT. We have so much Tennessee family in and around Memphis—especially our medical school and fantastic alumni. And secondly, it’s a tremendous development opportunity for our team and should serve as a primer to spring practice for Coach Pruitt and our returners.
“We all know Memphis loves the Tennessee Vols, and it’s an important stronghold for all of our athletic and academic programs.”
Latest bowl projections from USA TODAY Sports, the Texas would face off with the Tennessee Volunteers. They haven’t played since 1969.
Recently ESPN released their weekly bowl projections that pit the Texas Longhorns against their “rivals” the Arkansas Razorbacks. The Longhorns currently sit at 3-2 and fifth in the conference standings. Which likely means they are fifth in line for their bowl selection. If the Oklahoma State Cowboys don’t get a New Years Six game then that pushes them down into a less attractive bowl matchup.
According to USA TODAY Sports, they are currently projected to play in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. Their opponent would be the “other” UT. Texas and Tennessee could matchup in this matchup for Big 12 against the Southeastern Conference. For years the two fan bases have battled over who is the real UT when it comes to talking about their team. In this scenario they can settle it on the football field. The game is played at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee.
In their history the Volunteers and Longhorns have met on the football season three times total. The last came in 1969 when the Longhorns won 36-13 at the Cotton Bowl. They were awarded the 1969 Consensus National Championship. They have never met in the regular season but instead at the Cotton Bowl three times. They met in 1951 when the Vols won 20-14, then again in 1953 where the Longhorns won 16-0. Texas owns the all-time series lead 2-1 but they have not met on the football field in 50 years.
Former Georgia QB Jacob Eason could surge up NFL draft boards.
Former University of Georgia football starting quarterback Jacob Eason declared for the NFL draft after one year starting for the University of Washington Huskies, back in his home state. Indications are that his measurable qualities may push him up some teams’ draft boards.
In a feature article, Mike Silver, a columnist for NFL.com, ruminated on Eason’s interesting path through college football to the combine, ultimately lumping him in the second-tier of current NFL draftees, “…that includes Utah State’s Jordan Love and, yes, Georgia’s Fromm.”
Oct 7, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm (11) and quarterback Jacob Eason (10) high five as Eason enters the game during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Burrow, Tua Tagoviloa and Justin Herbert are fairly consensus 1-2-3 as far as quarterbacks at the top. I personally projected Fromm fourth with Eason fifth, in an earlier piece for UGA Wire.
At the time of the switch at UGA from coach Mark Richt to Kirby Smart, retaining top recruit Eason in Athens was considered the biggest “get” of the first recruiting class Smart had as a head coach. Eason had flirted with the Florida Gators and made a late visit to Gainesville, Fla., before honoring his earlier verbal commitment to UGA.
In the opening contest of the season versus UNC in Atlanta, Eason came off the bench in replacement of incumbent starter Greyson Lambert, who was struggling to get passes off. Eason won the game, which saw Nick Chubb run for 222 yards in his first game back from injury. Eason never yielded the position that year, going just 8-5 as a starter at UGA.
Georgia running back Nick Chubb (27) is hoisted in the air by offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn scoring a touchdown for a 31-0 lead against Appalachian State on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga. Georgia won, 31-10. (Photo by Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS/Sipa USA)
That mark as starter includes the first game of the next season, when Eason was injured and replaced by Fromm, who went on to lead Georgia to seasonal win totals of: 13, 11, 12, before declaring for the NFL.
An unnamed NFC head coach is quoted in the article as saying of Eason, “He partied hard early, but he has matured.”
I actually ran into him out the night before the 11 a.m.-kick Liberty Bowl in Memphis. His cocky attitude on display, long flowing hair, tight Euro suit and reputation for being out late struck me as potentially problematic for a young team leader, of a then-struggling program.
He can fling it. Eason has that tall stature of a classic pocket passer and a very strong arm, throws a tight spiral and can drop balls in at times. NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah said, “With Eason, teams are literally all over the map.”
My primary concern with him is his low winning percentage. Georgia won 10 three years in a row before he got the nod, as a true freshman. Washington was coming off winning 12, 10 and 10 in three years.
He went just 8-5, and then he skipped a would-be senior season.
