December 30th, wow…you can almost taste the CFP, the Rose, the Peach, and the Fiesta but we aren’t there quite yet. Still some intriguing appetizers to munch on right now. As always, games with Big Ten teams will have a gambling tip and the times are central.
December 30th
Birmingham Bowl
Auburn (6-6, 2-6) vs Memphis (9-3, 5-3, American)
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 5/10
While Birmingham isn’t close enough to Mobile for that one southern trip I have talked about in some of the other bowl games, it is only 3 hours away from Atlanta. Just like the Arizona bowl in Tucson, you could spend a few days in each. Absorb the history of Birmingham and then get some more urban flare just down the road. Hell, you could even double dip with one of the games later in this post. Wait, the featured image kind of gave that one away.
Would I go if I was an Auburn fan: 10/10
I know this isn’t the greatest Auburn team but AU fans are pretty nuts, right? Fyi, I mean that in a good way. I’m typing this blog at 8am in California a few days away from the Rose Bowl so I’m nuts too. Anyway, a diehard Tiger fan won’t care that they are 6-6 if the bowl game is only 2 hours away, like this one is.
Would I go if I was a Memphis fan: 10/10
Obviously the season the season didn’t end the right way with 3 straight late losses and a 1-3 final month and then the coach bolting but that doesn’t change anything about this game. Memphis is a southern school not in the SEC. They will always want to play SEC teams as a measuring stick. If they can win – like they did this year against Ole Miss – then it is a big check mark in the goals column for the season. Oh by the way, Memphis is under 4 hours away. Talk about an easy trip for both teams. I expect this bowl to be packed.
…So, should we watch on TV: 7/10
Memphis may no longer have Justin Fuente but they still have Paxton Lynch and he is a unique quarterback. At 6’7″, 245 he is a tad taller and a smidge heavier than Ben Roethlisberger. NFL scouts are already drooling. Seeing the junior take on a third power-five team sounds like a good morning to me.
- 11am, ESPN
Belk Bowl
NC State (7-5, 3-5, ACC) vs Mississippi State (8-4, 4-4)
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 3/10
I have no doubt Charlotte is a fun city but going there when the average high is 40 degrees doesn’t sound like the best way to enjoy it. I’d much rather see it in spring or early fall. Sorry Belk Bowl fans.
Would I go if I was a NC State fan: 10/10
7-5 isn’t the sexiest record ever and of their wins, no one is going to a bowl. For their losses, all of them made bowls so it stands to reason the Wolfpack will lose this game. Maybe they will but at least the improvement on the field was visible and with a drive under 3 hours, I would go.
Would I go if I was a MSU fan: 7.5/10
I know their losses (LSU, TAMU, Alabama, Ole Miss) are all punches to the gut. After all, those are the clubs the Bulldogs are chasing, but they did beat four bowl-bound teams and a .500 mark in league isn’t the end of the world. This was a team with a lot of holes, a tough schedule, and just Dak Prescott to win games. Going 8-4 with this crew is nothing to scoff at.
…So, should we watch on TV: 8.5/10
Both programs feel like they are heading the right direction, especially MSU with Dan Mullens. The next step for both is competing for a league crown and while the Belk Bowl won’t accomplish that, it will be a nice trophy to put in their case for the next 12 months. As a big fan of Dak’s game, I am looking forward to seeing his career finale.
- 2:30pm, ESPN
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl
Texas A&M (8-4, 4-4, SEC) vs Louisville (7-5, 5-3)
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 7.5/10
Nashville, home of Sun Records. Yeah, count me in. I know Memphis is known more for BBQ but I’m sure Nashville has some good joints, too. Plus, as a die-hard hockey fan, I’d make sure to catch a Preds game.
Would I go if I was a TAMU fan: 1/10
After a 5-0 start the Aggies finished just 3-4 and one of those wins was over a FCS crew. They are in a desperate position at quarterback in the wake of two transfers, none bigger than Kyle Allen. The only thing keeping this from a zero is that the 29th ranked defense was surprisingly salty. They could help steal this game.
Would I go if I was a Louisville fan: 10/10
The Cardinals have quietly gone 5-1 down the stretch and qb Lamar Jackson has become quite the duel threat as he leads UL in rushing yards, too. Lastly, this is a 2 and a half hour drive. Better be a lot of red there.
…So, should we watch on TV: 8/10
The Ville’s rise has been so quiet even I didn’t realize it and I have a blog and a podcast so well done by me. Now that I know they have turned the ship around I’m curious to see it against a good team. I’m not sure A&M qualifies as a good team with all the transfers but they are a talented team and that still matters.
- 6pm, ESPN
National Funding Holiday Bowl
USC (8-5, 6-3, Pac 12) vs Wisconsin (9-3, 6-2, Big Ten)
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 10/10
I love San Diego. On of my favorite cities.
Would I go if I was a USC fan: 10/10
It is a 2 (okay 3 with traffic) hour drive.
Would I go if I was a Wisconsin fan: 10/10
I’m in San Diego right now visiting my Grandma. We are trying to convince her to let us have a night free to go to the game.
…So, should we watch on TV: 7/10
Bill Simmons plays a game called “are we sure they’re good?” This applies to Wisconsin. They have 9 wins yet zero came against teams with winning records. Their best win was Minnesota and they finished 6-7 after their bowl victory. USC on the other hand beat six teams that played in bowls. Their losses were all to bowl teams, Stanford getting them twice. The talent seems to favor the Trojans so for Wisconsin to pull it off they would need to have that outstanding defense shine and a stellar day at quarterback. I’m not sure Joel Stave has done anything stellar in his life.
Gambling Guide
USC -3, Over/Under 50
Wisconsin has the number one defense in the nation and USC despite all that talent is just 31st in scoring. A solid mark, no doubt, but not what you would expect. I think the Badgers can keep this under 50 and competitive for most of the game but still end up losing by a touchdown or more. 31-10 is the score that I came up with.
- 9:30pm, ESPN
December 31st
Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl
Houston (12-1, 7-1, American) vs Florida State (10-2, 6-2, ACC)
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 6.5/10
I’ve been to Atlanta. It isn’t a bad town, I just don’t think of it as a college sports town. I’d rather go in the fall sometime and check out a Braves game than watch a bowl in the dump known as the Georgia Dome.
Would I go if I was a Houston fan: 10/10
This is the best season of Houston football since 1979 when they won the Cotton Bowl (I’m not counting 2011 when they won C-USA only to play in the Ticketcity Bowl). Greg Ward Jr. is an incredible quarterback leading the 12th best scoring unit but what is scary is the balance the Cougars have. Their defense is the 19th best scoring D in the nation.
Would I go if I was a FSU fan: 8/10
Just 2 years removed from a title and a year removed from the CFB the Peach Bowl may be a disappointment but this was still a formidable bunch with a rock solid defense (5th in the nation) and Dalvin Cook at running back. The trip isn’t terrible either, just a 4 hour drive.
…So, should we watch on TV: 10/10
Not having Everett Golson makes this game a tad bizarre, especially for ‘Noles fans but I, like the rest of the nation, want to see Houston against a power 5 club. Not just any power 5 club either, but a team that was a few plays outside the CFP.
- 11am, ESPN
Capital One Orange Bowl – Natl Semifinal
Oklahoma (11-1, 8-1, Big 12) vs Clemson (13-0, 8-0, ACC)
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 10/10
Been there, done that. Kidding! This is a semifinal game. Have to go regardless of location. It could be played on Mars and I’d find a way to teleport my ass there.
Would I go if I was an Oklahoma fan: 10/10
Much like Iowa fans, OU has been to South Florida within the last decade, going to the BCS title game in 2009. Much like any other fan base, this is the CFP. You go regardless.
Would I go if I was a Clemson fan: 10/10
The Orange Bowl is sort of like the Rose Bowl to fans of the ACC. Clemson has gone to it a few times recently but not as ACC champion the last time out and not with as much on the line. They’ll show up.
…So, should we watch on TV: 10/10
What part of a CFP semifinal don’t you get? Watch this game! I guess for Xs and Os you have the 3rd best scoring offense of OU going against a top 20 defense. Clemson’s offense might not be as high scoring but Deshaun Watson’s duel threat nature makes him a nightmare. God, that was painful. Just watch.
- 3pm, ESPN
Goodyear Cotton Bowl – Natl Semifinal
Michigan State (12-1, 7-1, Big Ten) vs Alabama (12-1, 7-1, SEC)
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 10/10
I’ve been knocking Dallas in this series but this is a semifinal. Must go.
Would I go if I was a MSU fan: 10/10
This. Is. A. National. Semifinal. Game. GO!
Would I go if I was an Alabama fan: 9.5/10
Downgrading it .5 of a point. If I went last year, I might not have any money in my bank account to go a second time. That’s the high cost of a solid football program.
…So, should we watch on TV: 10/10
What the hell is the point of being a football fan if you don’t watch the tournament? If you must have me hype it up, I would say I’m excited for some hard-hitting action. Bama is the 2nd best scoring defense and MSU is top 20. MSU’s unit has gotten better late after some shaky performances earlier in the year. Both team’s have front sevens that are scary so whoever can keep their quarterback clean, should find a way to eek out enough points for a win.
Gambling Guide
Alabama -10, O/U 46
18, 28, 13, 18, 5, 14, 25, 16, 14. Huh? Is this Lost? Nope, it is Alabama’s margin of victory over bowl teams. Outside of Mississippi State and Georgia who were completely over run, the Tide don’t really blow you out. I think MSU can hang around. I’ll take the points. Under also seems smarter. The score 24-21 popped into my head…….with the Spartans pulling off the stunning upset.
- 7pm, ESPN
Big Ten and Counting 