Whelp, due to traveling I missed a couple games. It is what it is. I’ll write about them anyway because…why not? All times Central.
December 21st
Miami Beach Bowl
Western Kentucky (11-2, 8-0, C-USA) vs South Florida (8-4, 6-2, American)
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 8/10
I’ve been to Miami for an Iowa Orange Bowl. Great town but it isn’t as hot as you would expect (usually 70s) so there are not too many beach activities regardless of what the name of the bowl is. Still, the weather is way better than 90% of the nation.
Would I go if I was a WKU fan: 10/10
This is one of the best teams in Hilltopper history and Brandon Doughty is the real deal. Considering the drive to Nashville is super short and there are direct flights from there makes this trip a snap.
Would I go if I was a USF fan: 10/10
Not only are the Bulls hot, winning seven of their last eight, but Tampa to Miami is a 4 hour drive. Talk about easy.
…So, should we watch on TV: 10/10
A high-powered passing attack that is on fire, fun. A solid AAC team that is finishing strong, fun. Oh, and some coaching intrigue as Willie Taggert left WKU a few seasons ago for the Bulls gig, double fun. Count me in!
December 22nd
Marmot Boca Raton Bowl
Temple (10-3, 7-1, AAC) vs Toledo (9-2, 6-2, MAC)
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 7/10
Same rational as the Miami Beach bowl but move the setting a few miles north.
Would I go if I was a Temple fan: 7/10
This is one of the best Temple teams in a long, long time. I checked google, there are flights for a pretty reasonable price but it would be tight with Christmas. I would be tempted though, this Owl team was special.
Would I go if I was a Toledo fan: 6/10
Basically the same as Temple, but air travel isn’t as smooth leaving Toledo.
…So, should we watch on TV: 10/10
Temple was ranked going in and the Rockets had been ranked during the year. Both of these teams are really well coached, fundamentally sound, and do not beat themselves. I mean there were 19 combined wins coming in! It was a shame Toledo’s Phillip Ely didn’t get an extra year of eligibility.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Akron (7-5, 5-3, MAC) vs Utah State (6-6, 5-3, Mountain West)
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 0/10
Hmm, Boise, Idaho in the middle of winter…no thanks. Fyi, I am not a skier. I’m sure people who love to catch some powder probably enjoy Boise as a travel destination this time of year.
Would I go if I was an Akron fan: 4/10
Yes there are flights but they are really expensive. The reason I give it a decent mark is the Zips haven’t lost in a month and this is only the second bowl game in school history. This team is special when you look at the history of the program so it is tempting to try and make it.
Would I go if I was a USU fan: 8/10
It is Chuckie Keaton’s last game and only a four hour drive. I would pay respect to a hard working kid like that with such a short trip.
…So, should we watch on TV: 6/10
Both teams are above average, Keaton is a fun player and Akron’s Jatavis Brown is a beast! I’m just not sure there are too many fireworks that will happen in this one. Note: I had this as a draft before the game, the 23-21 game did turn out better than I expected with some late drama.
December 23rd
San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
Boise State (8-4, 5-3, Mountain West) vs Northern Illinois (8-5, 6-2, Mountain West)
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 10/10
I love, love, love San Diego. Great weather, great city, great Mexican food. Total package.
Would I go if I was a Boise State fan: 10/10
So Cal versus Idaho, hmm. The air fare wasn’t horrible but for the truly adventurous they could make a sweet road trip and swing through Las Vegas. I know this season was a bit of a struggle with freshman Brett Rypien coming in due to injury and some sloppy play late but with him looking very good in some of his games, you can see the promise BSU has for the next few years thanks to his arm.
Would I go if I was a NIU fan: 7/10
Illinois versus San Diego, hmm. The cause for concern is the health of this Husky team.
…So, should we watch on TV: 7.5/10
NIU’s injuries have been mounting, especially quarterback. It is amazing they even made the MAC title game. They are extremely well coached, play with a lot of pride and the defense can keep them in it, but don’t be surprised if the Broncos pull away in the second half.
- 3:30pm, ESPN
GoDaddy Bowl
Georgia Southern (8-4, 6-2, Sun Belt) vs Bowling Green (10-3, 7-1, MAC)
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 5/10
I wrote this about Montgomery: “Montgomery is a great historical city, especially for the Civil Rights Movement. Their December weather is pretty reasonable and the city is a stone’s throw from other interesting places like Mobile, Biloxi and even New Orleans. If you were so inclined, you could create a nice little southern tour for the holidays and catch a ball game.” The same rationale stands for Mobile.
Would I go if I was a GASO fan: 9/10
Statesboro, Georgia – namesake of my favorite blues song is a simple 7 hour drive through Montgomery so you basically have that southern tour I talked about. Oh yeah, Matt Breida is one helluva running back to watch too, so there is that.
Would I go if I was a BGSU fan: 7.5/10
This Falcon team is high-flying, literally. The Matt Johnson led passing attack averages nearly 44 points per game, 5th nationally. The MAC champions have crossed off a ton of goals…knocking off power teams (two, both Big Ten), winning their division and winning their league. Capping that off with a bowl would be sweet. The one difficulty with making the game, you have to fly which adds to costs.
…So, should we watch on TV: 10/10
5th best scoring offense that does it through the air versus the 16th best scoring offense that does it with the nation’s leading rushing attack. I love the contrasting styles that are both insanely successful. Sure the coaching staffs have changed, but these are senior laden teams that have been operating at a high level for years, I expect nothing different tonight.
- 7pm, ESPN
December 24th
Popeye’s Bahamas Bowl
Middle Tennessee (7-5, 6-2, C-USA) vs Western Michigan (7-5, 6-2, MAC)
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 10/10
It’s the Bahamas…in December…coming from the midwest.
Would I go if I was a Mid Tenn fan: 10/10
It’s the Bahamas…in December…coming from the southeast.
Would I go if I was a WMU fan: 10/10
It’s the Bahamas…in December…coming from the midwest.
…So, should we watch on TV: 8/10
Talk about some under-the-radar clubs that are quite hot. The Blue Raiders finished 5-1 with a win over a sneaky good Marshall team. The Broncos went 6-2 after a brutal non-con which included Michigan State and Ohio State. Their only league losses were Bowling Green and Northern Illinois – aka, the teams who played in the MAC title game. Both are top 50 scoring teams and both top 30 passing teams. Both defenses are ranked outside the top 50 so expect points galore.
- 11am, ESPN
Hawai’i Bowl
San Diego State (10-3, 8-0, Mountain West) vs Cincinnati (7-5, 4-4, American)
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 10/10
It’s Hawai’i…in December…coming from the midwest.
Would I go if I was a SDSU fan: 10/10
Strangely, not the weather would lure me but the fact this team has won NINE straight games! They are rolling!!! Donnel Pumphrey is a stud at running back. Rocky Long has pushed all the right buttons this year for the Aztecs and they are well deserved Mountain West champs.
Would I go if I was a Cincy fan: 6/10
It is Hawai’i and that is super, duper tempting but have you seen this UC team? They are a very shaky 7-5. Just two wins over bowl-bound clubs: uninspiring UConn and Miami just prior to Golden being canned. They have wins over a FCS team, Miami (OH), and UCF; two of the worst FBS clubs around. Lastly, Gunner Kiel is not traveling with the team. Yikes.
…So, should we watch on TV: 6.5/10
I love this SDSU team and want to see them finish their season in style. Unfortunately it is Christmas Eve and the Bearcats aren’t coming to the game full strength because of their quarterback situation. It should still be a fun game, but won’t be nearly as good as it should be.
- 7pm, ESPN
Big Ten and Counting 