Bowl Week 1 Predictions

By Joey Broback

• A State of Gameday

Dec. 18, 2015

OVERVIEW

December 18, 2015

Joe Broback

GAMES OF THE WEEK

*all rankings are based on Playoff Committee rankings

Overall Record: 36-24 Last week: 1-0

Bowl season is upon us. No more rankings until these games are over, but even those rankings don’t mean much. The only ranking that matters is who will be #1 after January 11th. Bowl games can be so difficult to pick and a perfect example is San Jose State vs. Georgia State. Georgia State has gone from ESPN writer Ryan McGee’s Bottom 10 winner (?) to bowl eligible in one year. They appear to have all of the momentum, but the Spartans are tough. The phrase “flip a coin” is usually relevant with teams like this. They play in two different conferences, have seen two different schedules, and play in two completely different time zones. How that translates to the field will be unknown until they play. Each week, I will pick every game and have a preview for each game with the leaders in various statistics for each game.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19

New Mexico Bowl: Arizona (6-6) vs. New Mexico (7-5)

Arizona has struggled most of the year with injuries to key players including Mr. Tackles Everything Scooby Wright. Wright (above) and Anu Solomon are expected to be available for the game, and will provide a huge boost to both offense and defense. New Mexico is a stingy team that has beaten Utah State, Boise State, and Air Force this year. With the return of Wright and Solomon and surviving a Pac 12 schedule, the Wildcats are too much.

My pick: Arizona 30 New Mexico 21

Las Vegas Bowl: BYU (9-3) vs. #22 Utah (9-3)

Both teams at one point were the top talking point on Sports Center and college football platforms across the nation. Each team has dealt with major injuries to key players. Two teams that normally play each other, did not meet this season, making this game that much more important. If you only watch one bowl game this season, this should definitely be one to consider. These two rivals will go all out to win this game, and the intensity will sky high. The loss of Booker really hurts Utah and will show against the Cougars defense.

My pick: BYU 21 Utah 20

Camellia Bowl: Ohio (8-4) vs. Appalachian State (10-2)

Ohio started the year strong, but lost a game on a controversial call to Minnesota in week 4. The Bobcats won the next two games, but were thrashed in the following three weeks by Western Michigan, Buffalo (ouch) and Bowling Green. Appalachian State’s two losses came against #1 Clemson, and conference champ Arkansas State. The Mountaineers have been impressive all year, and Ohio is about to find out why.

My pick: Appalachian State 35 Ohio 20

Cure Bowl: San Jose State (5-7) vs. Georgia State (6-6)

Georgia State went from bottom dweller to bowl bound and they can thank the improved play at quarterback. A year after winning only one game, Arbuckle led his team to six wins and reduced his interceptions by six while throwing for three more scores. San Jose State has only lost to teams that they should have lost to and beat teams that they should. There’s only one problem with that and it’s that your team won’t become very good with that trend. Tyler Ervin is the heart of the offense, but take him away and the Spartans struggle. Georgia State has a feel-good story going, and it’s going to be a happy ending.

My pick: Georgia State 34 San Jose State 10

New Orleans Bowl: Arkansas State (9-3) vs. Louisiana Tech (8-4)

Jeff Driskel’s revival attempt with the Bulldogs has been successful. While he most likely won’t play at the next level, Driskel has added a passing game to go with Kenneth Dixon and the run game. Arkansas State has shown it can survive losing coaches in consecutive years and still compete. Now, they have some stability and are playing at a high level. Fredi Knighton complements a powerful run game of Michael Gordon, Warren Wand, and Johnston White, who have rushed for a combined 2,288 yards this season. If Knighten can continue to make good decisions and give the ball to one of those three, the Red Wolves will be fine. Just be sure Knighten doesn’t throw in Bryson Abraham’s direction. Abraham’s returned all three of his interceptions for touchdowns.

My pick: Arkansas State 42 Louisiana Tech 34

MONDAY, DECEMBER 21

Beach Bowl: Western Kentucky (11-2) vs. South Florida (8-4)

Western Kentucky gets more press because of the Brandon Doughty-Taywan Taylor combination. Throw in Nicholas Noris, Jared Dangerfield, Antwane Grant, and Tyler Higbee and you have a lot of names to pay attention to and cover downfield. But don’t sleep on South Florida, who lately has shown it can put up points in a hurry. The Bulls averaged 51 points per game in their final three games of the season. Marlon Mack is the workhorse for the Bulls and a big reason for their success offensively. South Florida’s defense is solid too, but hasn’t seen an offense like the Hilltoppers. This one may become a shootout.

My pick: Western Kentucky 45 South Florida 38

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Akron (7-5) vs. Utah State (6-6)

I’m excited about this game for one reason, but I’ll get to that later. Akron reeled off four consecutive wins to end the season and become bowl eligible. Those teams they played have a combined record of 14-34. Thrown in the three other teams they beat (Eastern Michigan, UL-Lafayette, and FCS Savannah State) and the teams they beat have a combined 20-62 record. Not exactly resume builders. Utah State has struggled most of the year, but has pulled out a few surprises (beating Boise State). The only reason why this game is exciting to me………is the return of………Chuckie Keeton!!!! Keeton (above) has one of my favorite names in college football and he will return and could possibly start his last collegiate game. For that reason alone, I’m going with the Aggies.

My pick: Utah State 34 Akron 27

Boca Raton Bowl: Temple (10-3) vs. Toledo (9-2)

Both teams had opportunities to make statements, and in some cases they did but others they missed. All of that is behind them and there is only one focus. Temple can rest easy now that coach Matt Rhule signed a six year extension. Toledo loses Matt Campbell to Iowa State and it will be interesting to see how they respond. Both defenses are stout, but both offenses have shown great improvement throughout the season. Temple has Tyler Matakevich on defense, aka the best defensive player in the nation, and he sniffs out plays before they begin. Rhule’s team has faced a more difficult schedule which will benefit them.

My pick: Temple 23 Toledo 17

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23

Poinsettia Bowl: Boise State (8-5) vs. Northern Illinois (8-5)

Boise State started the year with a key injury, but for the most part still looked like a typical Broncos team. A loss in week 2 to BYU wasn’t terrible because the Cougars received their second miracle in two weeks. The loss at home to Utah State was alarming, though, as the Broncos committed 8 turnovers before calming down. Northern Illinois was expected to continue its winning ways, and did for the most part. They had multiple chances to beat Ohio State but lost by seven. Once they got their footing (after three consecutive losses), the Huskies rattled off six wins in a row. This game is hard to decide because there isn’t a team that has shown enough consistency in a winning way.

My pick: Northern Illinois 32 Boise State 26

GoDaddy Bowl: Georgia Southern (8-4) vs. Bowling Green (10-3)

On paper, this game appears to be unfair. If Bowling Green continues to be Bowling Green, this game will be over at halftime. But there is something about the triple option that people don’t understand. By comparing these two teams, you will notice differences in offensive philosophies. Matt Johnson has almost eclipsed Kevin Ellison’s passing totals for the year in multiple games. In fact, you can take almost any two game stretch Johnson had and it would be more than Ellison passing total for the year. Georgia Southern is ok with that as they want to ground and pound by giving the ball to Breida, Ellison, LA Ramsby, and Wesley Fields. The only problem will arise if the Falcons can shut down the triple option because we all know the Eagles can’t stop Johnson.

My pick: Bowling Green 42 Georgia Southern 21

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24

Bahamas Bowl: Middle Tennessee (7-5) vs. Western Michigan (7-5)

Western Michigan’s identity was dependent on Javorion Franklin’s success last year, but they have found a new approach this year. Zach Terrell has added a passing threat to the Broncos offense. Middle Tennessee relies heavily on the pass and not as much on the run game. The Blue Raiders have played a relatively soft schedule, while the Broncos struggled early in the year and played well at the end of the year against good teams. Franklin isn’t the lead rusher for WMU this year, but this game could be a reminder that he’s still go some juice.

My pick: Western Michigan 27 Middle Tennessee 21

Hawaii Bowl: San Diego State (10-3) vs. Cincinnati (7-5)

Gunner Kiel recently took a leave of absence recently from Cincinnati to attend to a family matter, which makes Bearcat fans nervous. Hayden Moore proved to be a capable backup for Kiel right away, but has become inconsistent at times (9td-8int). The Bearcats are limping to the finish line even though they won two of their last three. San Diego State started the season 1-3, but steadied the ship and won nine straight to capture the Mountain West championship. Reports are saying that Kiel will not play for Cincinnati in the bowl game, which could mean the offense is in trouble. And don’t expect the Bearcats to have a quick answer on how to stop Donnel Pumphrey either.

My pick: San Diego State 31 Cincinnati 28

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Written by

Joey Broback

UWEC alum. College football enthusiast from the State of Hockey.

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