College Bowl Games Central...Talk,Match-Ups,Scores,Highlights,Etc.

[Greenbacks]

Miami Beach Bowl: Central Michigan vs. Tulsa
(2:30 p.m., ESPN, Marlins Park, Miami)

Tulsa quietly had one of the better seasons among Group of 5 teams, as quarterback Dane Evans led a fast and talented offense that eclipsed 30 points in all but one game (Ohio State). The Golden Hurricane keep it rolling against a Central Michigan team that faded considerably down the stretch. Tulsa 45, Central Michigan 21.

 

[Greenbacks]

Boca Raton Bowl: Memphis vs. Western Kentucky
(7 p.m., ESPN, FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, Florida)

Take the over in this one. These teams combine to average 84.6 points per game. Western Kentucky has had four 50-point games, while Memphis scored 77 on Sept. 24. Memphis seems more battle-tested after playing in the AAC, and the uncertainty about coach Jeff Brohm's future makes me leery about the Hilltoppers. Memphis in a shootout. Memphis 45, Western Kentucky 40.

 

[Greenbacks]

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl: BYU vs. Wyoming
(9 p.m., ESPN, Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego)

There's a common opponent here, as Wyoming beat Boise State while BYU fell a point short. But Kalani Sitake's team played a much tougher overall schedule and held its own every time out. BYU's defense is deciding factor in a low-scoring affair. BYU 26, Wyoming 19.

 

[Greenbacks]

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Idaho vs. Colorado State
(7 p.m., ESPN, Albertsons Stadium, Boise, Idaho)

Idaho's Paul Petrino quietly did one of the best jobs in the Group of 5, especially with the Vandals soon dropping down a level, but Colorado State's powerful offense makes the difference. Nick Stevens is an emerging star, and the Rams quarterback has a big night in Boise. Colorado State 45, Idaho 34.

 

[Greenbacks]

Popeyes Bahamas Bowl: Eastern Michigan vs. Old Dominion
(1 p.m., ESPN, Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, Nassau, Bahamas)

Chris Creighton did an incredible job coaching Eastern Michigan to seven wins, especially with a rash of injuries, but a balanced Old Dominion offense led by quarterback David Washington and running back Ray Lawry will be too much to handle. Old Dominion 45, Eastern Michigan 27.

 

[Greenbacks]

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: Louisiana Tech vs. No. 25 Navy
(4:30 p.m., ESPN, Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas)

Both teams dropped league championship games on Saturday, but Navy endured the more painful setback, losing quarterback Will Worth and slotback Toneo Gulley on the same play. Without Worth, Navy will have a hard time outlasting Ryan Higgins, Trent Taylor and the Louisiana Tech offense. Louisiana Tech 43, Navy 33.

 

[Greenbacks]

Dollar General Bowl: Ohio vs. Troy
(8 p.m., ESPN, Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama)

The age gap between Ohio coach Frank Solich (72) and Troy coach Neal Brown (36) will be a lot larger than the one on the scoreboard. Both teams had nice midseason stretches before fading late, but Troy has the edge at quarterback with Brandon Silvers, who puts up a big fourth quarter in the win. Troy 33, Ohio 27.

 

[Greenbacks]

Hawaii Bowl: Hawaii vs. Middle Tennessee
(8 p.m., ESPN, Aloha Stadium, Honolulu)

Hawaii has home-field advantage, and Middle Tennessee lost top quarterback Brent Stockstill to a broken collarbone in November. Still, it's hard not to pick the Blue Raiders, with an offense that scored 115 points in the final two games without Stockstill. Middle Tennessee 40, Hawaii 28.

 

[Greenbacks]

St. Petersburg Bowl: Miami (Ohio) vs. Mississippi State
(11 a.m., ESPN, Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida)

Mississippi State is 5-7 and Miami (Ohio) went from 0-6 to 6-6, so sizing up this one is tricky. But Bulldogs dual-threat quarterback Nick Fitzgerald will make the difference against a good Miami defense, as another 5-7 squad finishes with a bowl victory. Mississippi State 33, Miami (Ohio) 24.

 

[Greenbacks]

Quick Lane Bowl: Maryland vs. Boston College
(2:30 p.m., ESPN, Ford Field, Detroit)

Maryland and BC are Nos. 75 and 76 in FPI, just above 3-9 Arizona, and both struggled mightily against the elite of their respective conferences. It comes down to which squad makes the most strides during bowl preparation. Boston College gets it done in Motown. Boston College 24, Maryland 21.

 

[Greenbacks]

Camping World Independence Bowl: NC State vs. Vanderbilt
(5 p.m., ESPN2, Independence Stadium, Shreveport, Louisiana)

Two of the nation's best under-the-radar defenders share the field in Vanderbilt linebacker Zach Cunningham (16 tackles for loss) and NC State defensive end Bradley Chubb (21 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks). Neither offense gets much going, but NC State star Matthew Dayes reaches the end zone in the final minute for the win. NC State 20, Vanderbilt 17.

 

[Greenbacks]

Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl: Army vs. North Texas
(noon, ESPN, Cotton Bowl, Dallas)

What's exciting? Army is in its first bowl game since 2010. What's not so exciting? These teams played Oct. 22, a 17-point North Texas victory. It will be closer this time around, but the Mean Green continue the success of 5-7 teams in bowl games. North Texas 28, Army 22.

 

[Greenbacks]

Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman: No. 24 Temple vs. Wake Forest
(3:30 p.m., ESPN, Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Maryland)

Temple might be the Group of 5 version of USC: a team no one wants to play right now. Wake Forest struggled down the stretch and lacks the firepower to beat the remarkably balanced Owls, who outscored their opponents 427-224. Temple pulls away to secure its first bowl win since 2011 and just the second in team history. Temple 35, Wake Forest 17.

 

[Greenbacks]

National Funding Holiday Bowl: Minnesota vs. Washington State
(7 p.m., ESPN, Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego)

Both defenses are solid, but quarterback Luke Falk gives Washington State a major advantage over Minnesota, which simply hasn't seen the improvement it needed from veteran signal-caller Mitch Leidner. The Gophers hang around for a half before Falk and his wide receivers start stretching the field. Washington State 37, Minnesota 24.

 

[Greenbacks]

Motel 6 Cactus Bowl: Boise State vs. Baylor
(10:15 p.m., ESPN, Chase Field, Phoenix)

Baylor's season can't end soon enough, while Boise State saw its New Year's Six hopes fade with two losses in its final five league contests. The Broncos have more quality wins and a decided edge on defense against Baylor, with its offense missing quarterback Seth Russell. Boise State pulls away in the fourth quarter behind running back Jeremy McNichols. Boise State 44, Baylor 31.

 

[Greenbacks]

New Era Pinstripe Bowl: No. 23 Pittsburgh vs. Northwestern
(2 p.m., ESPN, Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York)

Pitt has the strongest 8-4 record in the country -- wins over No. 2 Clemson and No. 5 Penn State -- and a coach (Pat Narduzzi) who faced Northwestern as a defensive coordinator on various teams for years. Northwestern's offense has improved enough to keep pace into the second half, but Pitt will be too much in the fourth as James Conner scores two touchdowns. Pitt 38, Northwestern 28.

 

[Greenbacks]

Russell Athletic Bowl: No. 16 West Virginia vs. Miami
(5:30 p.m., ESPN, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida)

A streaky Miami team ended the season on an upswing, but West Virginia has the experience and talent on both sides of the ball. WVU has the edge on the perimeter with cornerback Rasul Douglas and a receiving corps -- Dakiel Shorts Jr. and Shelton Gibson -- loaded with playmakers. The Mountaineers win a tight one. West Virginia 34, Miami 33.

 

[Greenbacks]

Foster Farms Bowl: Indiana vs. No. 19 Utah
(8:30 p.m., Fox, Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California)

Despite Utah's late-season fade, it's hard to go against coach Kyle Whittingham, who is 9-1 in bowl games and brings the more talented squad to the Bay Area. New Indiana coach Tom Allen will have his Hoosiers ready to go, but Utah's defensive front, stocked with NFL-caliber talent, pushes the Utes over the top. Utah 37, Indiana 28.

 

[Greenbacks]

AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Kansas State
(9 p.m., ESPN, NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas)

Texas A&M has more talent but limped to the finish, while Kansas State finished strong against mostly weak competition. The game site certainly favors Kevin Sumlin's Aggies, but Kansas State is the more energized and motivated team, and rides its defense to victory. Kansas State 35, Texas A&M 28.

 

[Greenbacks]

Birmingham Bowl: South Florida vs. South Carolina
(2 p.m., ESPN, Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama)

Remember what Deshaun Watson did to South Carolina a few weeks ago? Expect a slightly less severe version of that with South Florida's Quinton Flowers, one of the nation's most underappreciated stars. Flowers accounts for four touchdowns in the Bulls' first bowl win since 2010. South Florida 41, South Carolina 24.