The wait is finally over! Our biased college bowl picks are back!
So without further ado, the first installment (there will, of course, be three)...
December 19th
Gildan New Mexico Bowl
Arizona Wildcats (6 - 6) vs New Mexico Lobos (7 - 5) Albuquerque, NM / University Stadium 2:00 pm - ESPN
How great is it to start off with an easy one. Don’t have too much of a problem with either program, but I’m not a big fan of coach rod - and I don’t care if people are now thinking that he isn’t soooooo bad. Plus - it’s the New Mexico Bowl. Lobos.
Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl
BYU Cougars (9 -3) vs Utah Utes (9 - 3) Las Vegas, NV / Sam Boyd Stadium 3:30 pm - ABC
I love the name of this bowl game - Royal Purple - It’s almost like they should be playing in Minneapolis... not in Sin City. Both teams will likely pull out the Playbook of Mormon and the secret Under Armour, but I think Utah will win the (latter) day. Utes.
Raycom Media Camellia Bowl
Appalachian State Mountaineers (10 - 2) vs Ohio Bobcats (8 - 4) Montgomery, AL / Cramton Bowl 5:30 pm - ESPN
Interestingly enough, both Appalachian State and Ohio are parties to some of the greatest moments in college football history... September 1, 2007, Michigan Stadium - and the rogue Bobcat mascot that decked Brutus. I’m go with Appalachian State in remembrance of the greatest day in the history of college football... plus, PSU plays them in 2 years. Mountaineers.
AutoNation Cure Bowl
San Jose State Spartans (5 - 7) vs Georgia State Panthers (6 -6) Orlando, FL / Orlando Citrus Bowl 7:00 pm - CBSSN
Georgia State Panthers vs SJSU... I really don’t have a trace of bias against either of these teams. Maybe, if I stretch it I can say that I’m not rooting for any georgia teams this year... or panthers. Spartans.
R & L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Arkansas State Red Wolves (9 - 3) vs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (8 - 4) New Orleans, LA / Mercedes Benz Superdome 9:00 pm - ESPN
Arrrgghhh - another one where I’m kinda stumped. Used to have trouble remembering Ark State’s mascot on the FBS Sporcle quiz... and yet I find Terry Bradshaw tiresome - oh but the 1970s Steelers supersede that. Bulldogs.
December 21st
Miami Beach Bowl
South Florida Bulls (8 - 4) vs WKU Hilltoppers (11 - 2) Miami, FL / Marlins Park 2:30 pm - ESPN
This is one where my heart and my head are at odds. Clearly the Hilltoppers are my bias pick, but I also know that the Bulls are a tough, well balanced team, that I kinda follow because of the Steven Bench connection. But the Bulls did beat Temple this year (which further emphasizes that they are a strong team)... Gotta go with Big Red... Hilltoppers.
December 22nd
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Akron Zips (7 - 5) vs Utah State Aggies (6 - 6) Boise, ID / Albertonsons Stadium 3:30 pm - ESPN
I’m a fan of the Zips - of their mascot, that is. But, seriously, I have to ask... when does a kangaroo zip? When it’s closing its pouch? When it’s trying to frighten off the Amish Mafia? I can’t answer these questions, but I can pick Akron to win on the Smurf Turf. Zips.
Marmot Boca Raton Bowl
Toledo Rockets (9 - 2) vs Temple Owls (10 - 3) Boca Raton, FL / FAU Stadium 7:00 pm - ESPN
T for Temple U... U...niversity! Fight! Fight! Fight! for the Cherry and the White; for the Cherry and the White we will Fight! Fight! Fight! The Owls and Coach Matt Rhule have had a fantastic, historical, season. Yes, their success began with a win over our own dear Lions, but, having been at that game, I can say that there was nothing *flukey* about it - they flat out beat us. And, as I have certainly not yet “made up my mind about Toledo” I must choose the Owls.
December 23rd
San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
Boise State Broncos (8 - 4) vs Northern Illinois Huskies (8 - 5) San Diego, CA / Qualcomm Stadium
4:30 pm - ESPN
I still kinda <3 Boise - blue field and all. With no bias for or against NIU, I’ll have to pick the Broncos.
Go Daddy Bowl
Georgia Southern Eagles (8 - 4) vs Bowling Green Falcons (10 - 3) Mobile, AL / Ladd-Peebles Stadium 8:00 pm - ESPN
Bird on bird action. You’ve probably heard/read this before, but - you know what really bothers me about Bowling Green? That there’s no *green* in their uniforms... not even close to green. But then Georgia Southern doesn’t wear green either, and they’re from georgia. Falcons.
December 24th
Popeyes Bahamas Bowl
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (7 - 5) vs Western Michigan Broncos (7 - 5) Nassau, Bahamas / Robinson National Stadium 12:00 pm - ESPN
Doesn’t this sound like the absolute best time ever? Fried chicken AND a tropical destination? Pretty evenly matched teams, record-wise and on the bias scale. Will have to use a completely arbitrary measure for this one and go with the *blue* team. Blue Raiders.
Hawai’i Bowl
Cincinnati Bearcats (7 - 5) vs San Diego State Aztecs (10 - 3) Honolulu / Aloha Stadium 8:00 pm - ESPN
Another fun trip for the teams and fans - I mean, Detroit and the Bronx are great and all, but I’m guessing O’ahu is a little better. Now, regarding this match-up - since we played SDSU this year (chocolate themed tailgate was delicious) - this pick is rather easy. Aztecs.
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