The closer we get to the new year, the better these games get and as the creepy leering mascot photo of Baylor’s bear and UNC’s ram shows, we have a damn good one coming up in this group. Like always, games with Big Ten teams will have a gambling tip and all times are central.
December 28th
Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman
Pittsburgh (8-4, 6-2, ACC) vs Navy (10-2, 7-1, American)
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 4/10
Not sold on going to Annapolis in December. When I think of Maryland and that humidity and possibility of cold snaps, I think of a good spring or fall destination and not a middle of winter or the dog days of summer. Of course this year it is in the 80s so go figure.
Would I go if I was a Navy fan: 10/10
When the game is played at your home stadium, going is a must. When your team is 10-win pesky crew like Navy, going is almost a must. When both of these thing are true and you don’t go, that ain’t your team and you are clearly a faker in a Yankees cap.
Would I go if I was a Pitt fan: 9.5/10
This was a solid rebuilding year. Pitt won eight games and was quite competitive in the ACC. Amazingly it was only year one and they did it without Connor who went down with injury. Obviously as he battles cancer, we wish him the best and can’t wait to see him on the field at some point. Celebrating this team in a 13th game is a pretty compelling reason to go. Oh, a four hour drive to do it…done.
…So, should we watch on TV: 8/10
18 combined wins is pretty sexy. Navy’s triple option versus Pat Narduzzi’s defensive brain is a football delight. One reservation is Pitt’s erratic offense. They are just 72nd nationally. If the Midshipmen’s top-25 scoring offense gets clicking, not sure the Panthers can keep up in a track meet.
- 1:30pm, ESPN
Quick Lanes Bowl
Central Michigan (7-5, 6-2, MAC) vs Minnesota (5-7, 2-6, Big Ten)
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 1.5/10
Detroit in December…no thanks. Bumping it to a 1.5 on two things. First, Detroit has a casino. Second, the game is in a dome.
Would I go if I was a CMU fan: 10/10
The Chips started out 1-3 and was eventually 2-4 before finding their grove. This is a team that fell back to the pack after an incredible run with the likes of Brian Kelly and Butch Jones at the helm but they had a solid season in the MAC this year. Oh, it is a 2 hour drive.
Would I go if I was a Minnesota fan: 0/10
Look, I understand that two of the three 5-7 teams have won but if I were a fan of any of those teams, I wouldn’t be caught dead at the bowl game.
…So, should we watch on TV: 1/10
Hats off to the Chips for an improved season BUT…this club lost to Syracuse, beat a FCS team, and has exactly one win over a bowl-bound team (Akron). Minnesota of course is under .500.
Gambling Guide
Minnesota -5, Over/Under 48
84th ranked offense versus 100th ranked offense. That has the smell of an under to me. Based on CMU’s lack of success against bowl teams this year and the Gophers seemingly hungry to get the Clayes era off to a hot start, I’ll take UM to win by a touchdown and cover.
- 4pm, ESPN2
December 29th
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
California (7-5, 4-5, Pac 12) vs Air Force (8-5, 6-2, Mountain West)
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 4/10
I said this for another game in Dallas…I just don’t care. I am a big history and culture nerd so San Antonio (the Alamo) and El Paso (Mexican culture) make me much more curious than what Dallas/Fort Worth has to offer.
Would I go if I was a Cal fan: 3/10
Making a bowl is a great step in the rebuild of the program but they finished the season on a 2-4 slide. Is seeing Jared Goff’s collegiate career finale worth the airfare from the Bay Area to big D?
Would I go if I was an Air Force fan: 6/10
For all the success Troy Calhoun has had, this year was the first Mountain West title game appearance. That is worth something, right? I think this is a compelling team for Falcons fans so I’m giving it a slightly better than average score for convincing fans to make the trip.
…So, should we watch on TV: 8/10
Have you seen Jared Goff?! Worth the price of watching the game from your sofa for sure. Air Force isn’t a slouch either, boasting a top 50 scoring offense and defense. Their ground attack is second in the nation. The multi-pronged attack is led by Jacobi Owens, a thousand yard back who averaged over 5 yards a carry. Good chance for points-galore in this one.
- 1pm, ESPN
Russell Athletic Bowl
North Carolina (11-2, 8-0, ACC) vs Baylor (9-3, 6-3, Big 12)
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 5.5/10
Bumping it up from the Cure Bowl because we are after Christmas but the reasoning behind a lower score still stand…you are either an Orlando person or not. Since I’m a childless bachelor, I am currently not an Orlando person.
Would I go if I was a UNC fan: 10/10
This is the best Tar Heel team since the 1980s and I found an airplane ticket from a discount carrier for 82 smackers. That’s right, a non-stop flight from Raleigh to Orlando for under a hundred bucks. I know you’re a basketball school Tar Heel nation, but give some love to this outstanding football team.
Would I go if I was a Baylor fan: 2/10
Baylor had national title hopes this year but injuries and poor defensive play resulted in a 1-3 finish. This team has been to too many good bowl games lately and has too high a ceiling to spend the money this year. Skip this season, save for next year. Giving it a 2 though because families will want to go to Orlando.
…So, should we watch on TV: 10/10
Baylor could be down to their 8th string quarterback and I would still assume they would score a boatload of points. The number one scoring offense (Baylor) versus the 11th best scoring team in the land has me jazzed. To see UNC get a remarkable 12th win or Baylor find some redemption in a bittersweet season also excites me. Great game.
- 4:30pm, ESPN
Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl
Nevada (6-6, 4-4, Mountain West) vs Colorado State (7-5, 5-3, Mountain West)
The Mountain West was so exciting this year, the league decided to have an extra game. Actually, the tomfoolery with 5-7 teams being selected and where they were selected left the Arizona Bowl getting this game, an oddity to say the least.
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 7/10
I’ve been to Tucson, twice…once for an Iowa game! Fun, fun, college town. Great weather, great Mexican food, beautiful desert mountains and an added perk of being a quick drive away from Phoenix for people wanting a more urban experience.
Would I go if I was a Nevada fan: 0/10
This Wolfpack team beat a FCS club, lost to both UNLV and Wyoming and has just one win over a bowl-bound team, New Mexico. Worse, they finished the year on a 0-2 skid. Not much excitement for this one.
Would I go if I was a Colorado State fan: 6.5/10
Very quietly the Rams are in their third straight bowl game after a big drop during the Steve Fairchild era. Sure Jim McElwain led the team to 10 wins but the fightin’ Mike Bobo’s rallied after a 3-5 start that included two blowouts to close out on a four game winning streak. They knocked off two bowl teams (New Mexico and Air Force) as well as push Minnesota and Colorado in two losses by a combined six points. With Bobo not getting any of the jobs he was rumored for, expect him and this team to want come out swinging for a statement about CSU’s program and his coaching ability.
…So, should we watch on TV: 2/10
This being a Big Ten blog, I’m inclined to watch just to check in on CSU for the first time since I watched their tilt with Minnesota but for the casual fan, this is pretty low. Thanks to a lackluster Nevada club, even a football geek like me can’t give this much more than a two or three. It’s a shame because I am curious what Bobo’s Rams could do against some stiffer competition.
- 6:30pm, American Sports Network
Advocare V100 Texas Bowl
LSU (8-3, 5-3, SEC) vs Texas Tech (7-5, 4-5, Big 12)
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 4/10
Remember what I said about Dallas? Yeah, that applies to Houston too.
Would I go if I was a LSU fan: 9/10
Look, 8-3 isn’t what Tigers fans had in mid. Not when they were a top-5 team at one point. BUT, this is one of the youngest teams in the SEC. It is a four hour drive to Houston and they are playing a power-five foe. Oh by the way, Tech’s rush defense gives up 271.8 rushing yards a game – third worst in the entire nation. I wonder if the Tigers have any running backs who can exploit that? Hmmm…
Would I go if I was a Texas Tech fan: 3.5/10
First and foremost, this is an eight hour drive, just to show the absurd size of Texas. Factor in the strong likelihood of Tech giving up a million rushing yards and I’m staying at home. The only reason I’m even giving it a 3.5 is they’ve won two straight to finish and have the 2nd best scoring offense so maybe they can turn it into a basketball game.
…So, should we watch on TV: 9/10
Really curious to see how Leonard Fournette does against that soft as Charmin Red Raider defense. Equally intrigued to see if Patrick Mahomes and the second best passing attack can make hay against an SEC defense.
- 8pm, ESPN
Big Ten and Counting 