On the Thirteenth Day of Christmas It’s going to be an interesting bowl season for a lot of reasons. One, there are going to be several teams, seven to be exact, that have losing records. Some teams have more losses (I’m looking at you Miss State and Arkansas) than other teams have played games.
For another, there is no usual 2-3 weeks to prepare and soak in the bowl atmosphere after the regular season. UL Lafayette played last Saturday in the Sun Belt championship and plays UT San Antonio this Saturday in the First Responder Bowl. Just another week.
But the most disturbing was how the schedule came together. Some bowls hadn’t lined up teams while others were kicking off. That meant that it was impossible to pull together a Bowl Confidence Pool. Rats, it was my favorite part about the Holiday Season. While the family was either wrapping presents, unwrapping presents or playing with their new toys, I was watching football with my new present from the Swag Man, a bottle of nice bourbon.
For another, there is no usual 2-3 weeks to prepare and soak in the bowl atmosphere after the regular season. UL Lafayette played last Saturday in the Sun Belt championship and plays UT San Antonio this Saturday in the First Responder Bowl. Just another week.
But the most disturbing was how the schedule came together. Some bowls hadn’t lined up teams while others were kicking off. That meant that it was impossible to pull together a Bowl Confidence Pool. Rats, it was my favorite part about the Holiday Season. While the family was either wrapping presents, unwrapping presents or playing with their new toys, I was watching football with my new present from the Swag Man, a bottle of nice bourbon.
Georgia Southern loves to pound the rock Even without the pool, watching with the bourbon is still fun. To start the messed up Bowl Season I'll go with:
Georgia Southern +6.0 vs La Tech, New Orleans Bowl, New Orleans, LA – La Tech looks to keep the longest bowl winning streak alive (6 straight wins). They hope to keep their perfect 9-0 record against the Fun Belt intact too.
But the Bulldogs are coming off a 52-10 pounding by TCU. It was the second time in three games they let up over 330 yards rushing. The Bulldog rush defense is weaker than Sully at last call (one more Sir? Sssuuuure).
In comes Georgia Southern which ranks fifth in rushing averaging over 260 yards per game. And they are pretty good on the defensive side of the ball too ranking 22nd overall. They rely on forcing turnovers and have 22 on the season, 2nd in Div 1A
The problem for the Eagles is that they are down to their 3rd string QB. But they do play a lot of close games. Aside from a 28-14 loss to Coastal Carolina, all four GSU losses came by single-digit margins — with a total margin of defeat of 17 points across the four, while five of the Eagles' seven wins have been by a touchdown or less.
I’ll put a quatloo on Georgia Southern to run rampant over La Tech and end their bowl streak. Make it a quatloo.
Georgia Southern +6.0 vs La Tech, New Orleans Bowl, New Orleans, LA – La Tech looks to keep the longest bowl winning streak alive (6 straight wins). They hope to keep their perfect 9-0 record against the Fun Belt intact too.
But the Bulldogs are coming off a 52-10 pounding by TCU. It was the second time in three games they let up over 330 yards rushing. The Bulldog rush defense is weaker than Sully at last call (one more Sir? Sssuuuure).
In comes Georgia Southern which ranks fifth in rushing averaging over 260 yards per game. And they are pretty good on the defensive side of the ball too ranking 22nd overall. They rely on forcing turnovers and have 22 on the season, 2nd in Div 1A
The problem for the Eagles is that they are down to their 3rd string QB. But they do play a lot of close games. Aside from a 28-14 loss to Coastal Carolina, all four GSU losses came by single-digit margins — with a total margin of defeat of 17 points across the four, while five of the Eagles' seven wins have been by a touchdown or less.
I’ll put a quatloo on Georgia Southern to run rampant over La Tech and end their bowl streak. Make it a quatloo.
FAU relies on its defense Memphis -8.0 vs Florida Atlantic, Montgomery Bowl, Montgomery AL – While Skip Holtz may be undefeated in bowl games, FAU’s Willie Taggert has yet to win one. He looks to get his first one against the explosive Memphis Tigers.
This is not quite the same Memphis team that won the AAC title last year and gave Penn State all it could handle in the Cotton Bowl last year. But they still can put points on the board (averaging 31.6 PPG) led by QB Brady White.
They need to put up all those points because the defense gives them back just as fast (29.6 PPG allowed)
FAU is stout on defense (15.6 PPG allowed) ranking 16th nationally in total defense and ninth in scoring defense. The defense can get after the QB. FAU led the CUSA in total sacks with 25. Sr LB Leighton McCarthy is tied for fourth nationally with 9 sacks.
But the Owls just can't move the ball. QB They just can’t move the ball. Since coming in at midseason, Fr QB Javion Posey has completed just 50% of his passes for a meager 390 yards, 2 TDs and 3 picks.
Willie may be winless in bowls but FAU is 5-0. Still, I’m taking Memphis and laying the points for a quatloo. I'm counting on the Tigers getting up on the scoreboard quick it and hanging for the win.
This is not quite the same Memphis team that won the AAC title last year and gave Penn State all it could handle in the Cotton Bowl last year. But they still can put points on the board (averaging 31.6 PPG) led by QB Brady White.
They need to put up all those points because the defense gives them back just as fast (29.6 PPG allowed)
FAU is stout on defense (15.6 PPG allowed) ranking 16th nationally in total defense and ninth in scoring defense. The defense can get after the QB. FAU led the CUSA in total sacks with 25. Sr LB Leighton McCarthy is tied for fourth nationally with 9 sacks.
But the Owls just can't move the ball. QB They just can’t move the ball. Since coming in at midseason, Fr QB Javion Posey has completed just 50% of his passes for a meager 390 yards, 2 TDs and 3 picks.
Willie may be winless in bowls but FAU is 5-0. Still, I’m taking Memphis and laying the points for a quatloo. I'm counting on the Tigers getting up on the scoreboard quick it and hanging for the win.
Chevan Cordeiro will need to stay upright for Hawaii to win Hawaii +12.5 vs Houston, New Mexico Bowl, Frisco TX – This bowl is 2020 in a nutshell. Hawaii was supposed to play in the Hawaii Bowl, as usual. But the bowl got cancelled due to Covid. In fact, Hawaii will be looking for a new home field next year as the Aloha Bowl is shutting down due to financial difficulties.
So the Rainbow Warriors agreed to play in the New Mexico Bowl, which moves to Frisco TX because, well you know.
Houston spent a good chunk of the season home and in bed. The Cougars had eight games postponed, canceled or rescheduled during the year. Between Nov. 14 and the upcoming bowl game, they played just one game, a 30-27 loss to Memphis on Dec. 12.
When they did get to play, had a losing 3-4 record. The offense never quite got going but did flash signs of being quite good. Jr QB Clayton Thune can put up the numbers. He has 13 TDs through the air and another 5 rushing but has thrown at least one interception in each of his last four contests.
This is not your Hawaii team that you know and love. They rely on defense and a balanced attack, not the passing attack of old. They excel against the pass, giving up only 191 yards per game with nearly as many interceptions (nine) as touchdown passes (10)
Though Hawaii QB, Chevan Cordeiro, is a true dual-threat quarterback, he has been sacked 26 times in eight games. Houston is one of the best in the nation at getting to the quarterback. The Cougars average better than three sacks per game (22 total), which ranks them among the top 20 in FBS.
I’ll put a quatloo on him staying upright and Hawaii covering. Houston can give up the points (33 PPG) and will be without two of their best defenders in the bowl game. Senior linebacker Grant Stuard, who leads the AAC in tackles per game (8.7), and senior defensive lineman Payton Turner (team-high 5.0 sacks) have both opted out to start preparing for next year's NFL draft. I’ll put another quatloo on the over 59.5 too.
So the Rainbow Warriors agreed to play in the New Mexico Bowl, which moves to Frisco TX because, well you know.
Houston spent a good chunk of the season home and in bed. The Cougars had eight games postponed, canceled or rescheduled during the year. Between Nov. 14 and the upcoming bowl game, they played just one game, a 30-27 loss to Memphis on Dec. 12.
When they did get to play, had a losing 3-4 record. The offense never quite got going but did flash signs of being quite good. Jr QB Clayton Thune can put up the numbers. He has 13 TDs through the air and another 5 rushing but has thrown at least one interception in each of his last four contests.
This is not your Hawaii team that you know and love. They rely on defense and a balanced attack, not the passing attack of old. They excel against the pass, giving up only 191 yards per game with nearly as many interceptions (nine) as touchdown passes (10)
Though Hawaii QB, Chevan Cordeiro, is a true dual-threat quarterback, he has been sacked 26 times in eight games. Houston is one of the best in the nation at getting to the quarterback. The Cougars average better than three sacks per game (22 total), which ranks them among the top 20 in FBS.
I’ll put a quatloo on him staying upright and Hawaii covering. Houston can give up the points (33 PPG) and will be without two of their best defenders in the bowl game. Senior linebacker Grant Stuard, who leads the AAC in tackles per game (8.7), and senior defensive lineman Payton Turner (team-high 5.0 sacks) have both opted out to start preparing for next year's NFL draft. I’ll put another quatloo on the over 59.5 too.
