College Football Bowl Game Extravaganza (Part 4)

Part 3 was a struggle going 1-3 so I decided to make this one and the future posts shorter to increase my odds of doing better. Army killed Houston and Hawai'i allowed Louisiana Tech to walk all over them in their own great state. Bowl season has started to get more unpredictable which as a college football fan, I love. As a gambler, however, I hate it with a passion. Hopefully this set of games can go my way and turn my luck around.

Wednesday, Dec. 26

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl – Boston College vs. Boise State

Boise State is going to be without their top playmakers WR John Hightower and RB/WR Khalil Shakir against a pretty tough Boston College defense. I’m going to try and not be too much of a homer and just talk about all the positives of Boise State’s team. Senior QB Brett Rypien is going to look to end his career on a high note after a disappointing loss to Fresno State in the Mountain West Conference Championship game. Boston College has a strong run game behind Sophomore RB AJ Dillon. Their offense doesn’t fill up the stat sheet, but they take time off the clock and control the ball. The Over/Under is 53 is this game which I think is an easy over but if Boston College slows down the tempo, it could be a long day for an already banged up Boise State defense. That being said, BSU will find a way to make these replacement players work when the time comes.

Pick: Boise State (Like I would really pick Boston College)

Quick Lane Bowl – Minnesota vs. Georgia Tech

We just saw Army kill Houston running the triple option against Houston and now we get to see another team run it 90% of the game. Georgia Tech has beat some impressive teams and has put up an impressive 35.6 points per game behind their 334.9 rushing yards per game. If the Yellow Jackets can hold the ball for 75% or more of this game, Minnesota is going to have to play out of their comfort zone. Minnesota has a stable but inconsistent offense. They go from putting up 37 against a good Wisconsin team to 13 against a not so good Maryland team. Freshman QB Tanner Morgan took over for other Freshman QB Zack Annexstad half way through the season and the offense has looked better under Morgan. Minnesota also has Freshman RB Mohamed Ibrahim who has put up some decent numbers this year as well. I think the much more experienced Yellow Jacket team controls this up-and-coming, young Gophers team.

Pick: Georgia Tech

Cheez-It Bowl – California vs. TCU

I didn’t get a chance to see much of either of these teams this season but in the past TCU has proved, under coach Gary Patterson, that they can beat anybody in a bowl game. Cal coach Justin Wilcox took over as head coach last season and led the Golden Bears to a 5-7 record. This year, they’re 7-5 and represented on of the toughest defenses in the PAC-12. TCU plays in the Big 12 but their defense is no joke either. Cal hasn’t allowed over 24 points since October and played both Washington and Washington State, who have better offenses than TCU does. TCU, on the other hand, has been blown out by really good teams, West Virginia and Oklahoma, but taken care of the teams they were just better than. Senior QB Grayson Muehlstein is going to have to make smart decisions against a great Cal secondary and Sophomore WR Jalen Reagor is going to have to replicate what he did against Oklahoma State, 212 all-purpose yards and 2 TDs, in order for TCU to have their best chance at moving the ball.

Pick: Cal