Preview & Predictions for Every Bowl Game, Including the National Championship
By Nathan Deal
Dec 21, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns head coach Mark Hudspeth talks to his players during their game against the Tulane Green Wave in the second half of the R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Louisiana-Lafayette defeated Tulane, 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
December 20
New Orleans Bowl: UL-Lafayette vs. Nevada. The Ragin’ Cajuns are making their 4th-consecutive appearance in the New Orleans Bowl, but don’t expect ULL’s players to be tiring of the experience. The Louisiana Superdome has become a second home for ULL, who will surely have home-field advantage. The Cajuns have won 7 of their last 8 games after a 1-3 start. However, Nevada is from the Mountain West, a far superior conference to the Sun Belt. The 7-5 Wolfpack’s losses to Arizona, Boise State, Colorado State and Air Force (combined record of 40-10) were by a combined 26 points (all of them by 7 points or fewer). I like the Wolfpack t snap ULL’s bowl-winning streak. Nevada 34, UL-Lafayette 31
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New Mexico Bowl: Utah State vs. UTEP. Matt Wells did one of the best coaching jobs of 2014 with Utah State this year. The Aggies lost starting QB Chuckie Keeton to injury, then went on to lose their next two quarterbacks as well. In the end, USU rode their stifling defense to a 9-4 record despite their terrible injury luck. The Aggies went 7-1 from October 3 to November 21. UTEP, meanwhile, is making their first bowl appearance since 2010. The Miners are led by one of the nation’s most underrated backs, Aaron Jones (1,233 yards and 11 TDs). However, UTEP is too one-dimensional to find consistent success against Utah State’s powerful defense. Utah State 37, UTEP 21
Las Vegas Bowl: #22 Utah vs. Colorado State. Utah was one of the most surprising teams in the Pac-12 this year, starting 6-1. However, the Utes struggled in November, losing 3 of their last 5 games. In their final two home games against Oregon and Arizona, they were outscored 93-37. Their wins came by a combined 7 points on the road against Stanford and Colorado. Colorado State, meanwhile, is trying to recover from losing Jim McElwain to Florida. The Rams have plenty of offensive talent, but the Utes are a more talented team. RB Devontae Booker will be the difference. #22 Utah 29, Colorado State 26
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Western Michigan vs. Air Force. This game is the most unlikely bowl matchup of the entire year, honestly. Air Force and Western Michigan were awful in 2013, combining to go 3-21. This season, they’ve completely reversed their fortunes, as the Broncos are 8-4 and the Falcons are 9-3. As usual, Air Force is a run-first team (8th in the FBS in rushing). However, Western Michigan is more dynamic offensively, as they can run and pass efficiently. WMU RB Jarvion Franklin has rushed for 1,525 yards and 24 (!!!) touchdowns this year. I like the Broncos to pick up their 9th win after winning one measly game a year ago. Western Michigan 27, Air Force 20
Camelia Bowl: South Alabama vs. Bowling Green. The Jaguars are making their first-ever bowl appearance, while the postseason has become commonplace for the BGSU Falcons. These teams have their strengths and weaknesses. USA has a weak offense and a strong defense (the Jags scored a combined 40 points in 5 of their 6 losses this season), while Bowling Green has a strong offense and a weak defense (the Falcons allowed 45.3 PPG this year in their 6 losses). In a battle of good defense vs. good offense, it’s easier to side with the defense. South Alabama 23, Bowling Green 17
Next: December 22-24