Bowl Preview, Part I
by Big Al
It's the bowl season! Unfortunately, unlike other sports, a whole bunch of teams get to go interesting places, enjoy themselves, and play football for no other reason that to enjoy
playing football. And (almost) half of them get to feel good because they finished the season with a win. I still fail to see what's so wrong with this.
Bahamas Bowl
Middle Tennessee vs. Toledo
I'm writing this while the game is still in doubt, so I feel okay making a prediction.
I like Middle Tennessee here, because Toledo is going to be confused by the giant ball of flame in the sky, which they haven't seen in about two months.
Tailgreeter Cure Bowl
Northern Illinois vs. Coastal Carolina
Coastal Carolina, for reasons already given.
RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl
Western Kentucky vs. Appalachian State
I like Western Kentucky here, because they have an exasperating habit of putting points on the board bfore the other team knows that happened.
Cricket Celebration Bowl
South Carolina State vs. Jackson State
Deion is on a roll. Don't mess with it. Jackson State.
PUBG Mobile New Mexico Bowl
UTEP vs. Fresno State
It's a new world when a mobile game can sponsor a bowl game. Anyway, I like Fresno State.
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
UAB vs. BYU
BYU because they are pretty good and UAB is okay.
LendingTree Bowl
Eastern Michigan vs. Liberty
Liberty because they just keep getting it done.
Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl pres. by Stifel
Utah State vs. Oregon State
This one cracks me up. It's not a company, it's just one guy sponsoring a bowl game. Anyway, Utah State wins it.
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Louisiana vs. Marshall
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, this was the game that kicked off the bowl season. And I remember that long-ago time because some wag at ESPN made fun of some team for
having to play in the New Orleans Bowl. Yeah, because if there's anyplace people don't want to be, it's New Orleans. Sadly, I don't know how to add an eye-roll emoji in HTML.
Anyway, let's go with a Louisiana team that both better than Marshall, and isn't going to be sucked as deeply into the night life of New Orleans.
Myrtle Beach Bowl Presented by TaxAct
Old Dominion vs. Tulsa
I keep forgetting Old Dominion is an FBS team now. Anyway, I like Tulsa here because I don't forget they're in the FBS.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Kent State vs. Wyoming
Wyoming because I wasn't impressed with Kent State in the MAC title game.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl
UTSA vs. San Diego State
I'm pikcing San Diego State because I'm rooting for UTSA and, if I can't be happy, at least I can be right.
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
Missouri vs. Army
Army because it's the Armed Forces Bowl.
Frisco Football Classic
North Texas vs. Miami (Ohio)
I like Miami because North Texas is only in a bowl thanks to a bizarre upset of UTSA.
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl
UCF vs. Florida
Florida, because they are so miserable that they are going to make other people miserable too.
EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl
Memphis vs. Hawai'i
Memphis because they are actually going to be happy to be in Hawai'i.
TaxAct Camellia Bowl
Georgia State vs. Ball State
Georgia State for no reason whatsoever.
Quick Lane Bowl
Western Michigan vs. Nevada
Nevada because they have a better record in a stronger conference.
Military Bowl presented by Peraton
Boston College vs. East Carolina
East Carolina because I don't think Boston College is going to be excited to be in a bowl.
TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl
Houston vs. Auburn
Houston because I can't for the life of me figure out Auburn.
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl
Air Force vs. Louisville
Air Force because they are exasperating.
AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Mississippi State vs. Texas Tech
Texas Tech because I like them to disappoint Mike Leach again.
San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl
UCLA vs. NC State
UCLA because they get to enjoy home cooking.
Guaranteed Rate Bowl
West Virginia vs. Minnesota
West Virginia because Minnesota keeps letting me down.
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