I like to do my bowl preview a little differently. I’ll list each bowl in order of telecast but I also give each bowl a number value 1-40, 40 being the worst bowl and put that number after it. The national title game is not included because there is nothing to write about it yet. Anyway, from there I then take on the perspective of a local fan (i.e. a Utah fan living in Salt Lake City) and give the chances of me attending. Basically I talk out of my butt like always but it is more fun to write as a fan when it comes to bowl games than really analyze these things. All times central.
December 19th Game:
Miami Beach Bowl – 26
Central Michigan (6-6, 3-5, MAC) vs Tulsa (9-3, 6-2, AAC)
I really liked the Chips this year to be a dark horse to spoil Western Michigan’s season and it just didn’t play out. QB Cooper Rush entered as one of the best in the league and while his numbers were still solid, they weren’t as good as the previous two seasons. Part of the decline was an offensive line in front that gave up more sacks. Part of the problem was an inconsistent ground game. A final reason was a defense that gave up 28.2 ppg, 70th in the nation. When just in league games, this actually jumped to 29.9 ppg allowed. As a result the 3-0 start, which included the insane win at Oklahoma State, couldn’t be maintained. After the Okie State game, CMU didn’t beat another bowl team until November when they upset Ohio to get victory number six.
Tulsa entered 2016 as a bit of an unknown quantity. They had a fantastic offense and made a bowl last year, but made it going just 6-6 and seemed to avoid playing any defense. Factor in the tough division with Houston and Navy, not too many predicted a big season for the Golden Hurricanes. Instead they delivered a nine win gem that included the 10th ranked scoring offense that put up 41.4 ppg. QB Dane Evans had another nice season but one of the reasons he threw for 1300 fewer yards this year than last year was Tulsa boasts two thousand yard backs in James Flanders (1529 yards) and D’Angelo Brewer (1330 yards). While the defense still had its issues (91st in the nation), for most games it really didn’t matter as this team scored at will.
Would I go if I was a CMU fan: 1/10
Central is quietly one of the most consistent programs for making bowls. This is the Chips’ 8th bowl game since 2006 but it is only the second outfit to make a bowl at just 6-6. Their defensive issues against such a high powered offense is also concerning. Lastly, this team played in the Bahamas in 2014 so while a trip to Miami is fun for most fan bases, it wouldn’t excite me (as a hypothetical fan living in Mt. Pleasant) as much.
Would I go if I was a Tulsa fan: 8/10
First off, Tulsa is big enough that American Airlines offers a nonstop flight, making this a little easier. Plus the weather is going to be solid. Lastly, this is by far the best weather bowl game for Tulsa since their 2010 Hawai’i bowl trip. The only reason I didn’t give it a 10 is traveling this close to Christmas can be very expensive. Plus, Tulsa is a bowl machine. This will be the program’s 21st bowl game and 10th since 2003. A lot of fans could be bowled out.
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. Plus Cubanos…mmm.
…So, should we watch on TV: 4/10
My gut says this will be a blowout. Tulsa had the much tougher competition with the American and has three more wins than Central. Plus that match up of Tulsa’s strength in offense versus CMU’s questionable defense would also point that way. BUT, with Tulsa’s defense being awful and Cooper Rush playing in his final game there is a chance for something exciting. At the very least, tune in for a bit just to watch Tulsa’s dynamic offense.
- December 19, 1:30 pm, ESPN
December 20th Game:
Marmot Boca Raton Bowl – 12
Western Kentucky (10-3, 7-1, C-USA) vs Memphis (8-4, 5-3, AAC)
Who is ready for some points?! The Conference USA Champs racked up 41.9 ppg, which is good for 9th in the nation. The Tigers weren’t lightweights either with the 17th best scoring offense, good for 39.5 ppg. Interestingly, both teams did play some defense. The Hilltoppers were 29th in scoring d and Memphis was only 58th. Normally such offensively minded schools let that side of the ball slide, not these two clubs.
Would I go if I was a WKU fan: 5/10
Western’s modern bowl history features games in 2012, 2014, 2015, and now 2016. In 2014 they were in the Bahamas Bowl. Last year there were in the Miami Beach Bowl. Now they are back in the Miami area. As a result I can’t go too high on this game but I would still consider it. This WKU team was incredibly fun to watch. The offense, as stated, was amazing but the defense made this team so balanced. Lastly, being league champs with a shot at their 11th win would be such a send off for the best three year stretch in school history.
Would I go if I was a Memphis fan: 6.5/10
The Tigers could also be a little bowl weary. This is their third straight bowl and 8th since 2003. Worse, they have been in the Miami area as recently as 2014. The only reason this gets a higher mark than WKU is Memphis is big enough to have a nonstop flight. That really is a game changer.
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 7/10
Same rational as the Miami Beach bowl but move the setting a few miles north.
…So, should we watch on TV: 10/10
Did you hear those offensive numbers?!?!?! C’mon! Okay, fine. You are probably thinking, these teams are group of five clubs, who exactly did they play? Western played EIGHT games against bowl-bound teams (Louisiana Tech twice) and won five of them. They were also somewhat pesky at Alabama. By pesky, I mean they lost by less than Florida did in the SEC title game. A lot less.
Memphis took on five bowl-bound teams and knocked off two of them. One of those wins was Houston, and we know what their ceiling is, but the other was American champ Temple. So to recap, two outstanding offenses going against defenses that can hold their own, two battle tested teams, a combined 18 wins between them, and you are still debating watching? What’s wrong with you?
- December 20, 6 pm, ESPN
December 21st Game:
San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl – 22
BYU (8-4, Independent) vs Wyoming (8-5, 6-2, MTW)
With a first year coach there is always some bumpy aspects to the transition but this is even worse when the new coach has never been a head man but Kalani Sitake did some solid work in Provo this year going from a 1-3 start to a 7-1 finish. Speaking of good work, Wyoming’s Craig Bohl guided this Cowboys team to the Mountain West title game, a year in which most predicted a dead last finish in their division. So there you go, two over-achieving clubs square off in a bowl to capstone the season in beautiful San Diego. Not a bad consolation prize.
Would I go if I was a BYU fan: 10/10
This is BYU’s 12th straight bowl game and 35th in program history but it is their first time in southern California since 1993. Still not convinced? Well how about a direct flight from Provo on Allegiance air for just 125 bucks. Flying from nearby Salt Lake City also boasts several nonstop options for under 200 smackers. Still not convinced? Umm, check the weather for San Diego. Hint: it’s nice.
Would I go if I was a Wyoming fan: 10/10
The once proud Cowboys are playing in their 14th bowl game but their first since 2011. I say proud because this program used to be legit. From 1987-1993 they played in 4 bowl games. An era with a lot fewer games and they came out of the WAC. Yeah, they were good. While the other bowls would prove to be a false start to returning to the glory days, this team feels different. Plus that weather compared to Laramie makes it mighty tempting.
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 10/10
Full discloser, I have family in the area so I love, love, love San Diego. Great weather, great city, great Mexican food. Total package.
…So, should we watch on TV: 5.5/10
Based on the surprise seasons both had, it is hard to know exactly how good these teams really are and thus how fun this game will be to watch. Wyoming faced eight bowl teams (SDSU twice) and won four of them but they appeared to hit a bit of the wall going 1-3 down the stretch. More troubling is their offense is 22nd in the nation in scoring but their defense is a woeful 107th so if QB Josh Allen can’t get things going, watch out, this one will get ugly.
BYU was a bit more balanced with the 15th best defense and 61st in scoring but faced a much easier schedule. They faced just five bowl-bound teams and beat two of them; however, one of those victories came over 5-7 Mississippi State. They did win out but those four victories were against three FBS scrubs and a FCS club, color me dubious. I think Wyoming is the more battle tested club but with that defense a sloppy loss isn’t out of the picture.
- December 21, 8 pm, ESPN
December 22nd Game:
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl – 19
Idaho (8-4, 6-2, Sun Belt) vs Colorado State (7-5, 5-3, MTW)
The surprising Vandals entered this year with a deadline. The school has announced that starting in 2018 they are returning to the FCS ranks after just over 20 years in D1-a / FBS. Facing long trips to all their road conference games in the Sun Belt, Idaho played extremely well and weren’t too far off from winning the league. Their other two losses were Washington and Washington State, making their non conference slate a beast.
Colorado State opened with a butt whippin’ on national tv against Colorado – who turned out to be pretty good – but this sort of set the tone on what kind of schedule the Rams would have to face. All told they took on eight bowl-bound teams and won three of them but they kept getting better and better. After a 21 point loss to Wyoming, the Rams went 5-2 with their two losses by a combined 8 points to Boise State and Air Force. Their 2-0 finish came against New Mexico and SDSU. For reference, all four teams I just mentioned won at least eight games.
Would I go if I was a Idaho fan: 10/10
This is only the third bowl game in school history as the jump to FBS in 1996 hasn’t been kind to the program. With their departure looming, this could be the last bowl game in school history. Plus, it is only a 5 and a half hour drive from Moscow to Boise.
Would I go if I was a CSU fan: 7/10
Fort Collins is just 45 minutes from Laramie and a pinch over an hour from the Denver airport so flight options are a plenty. I realize the weather won’t do much and skiing in Idaho is similar to Colorado…I’m assuming, I don’t ski (shocker, a kid from Iowa doesn’t care about slopes and mountains) but I am still giving this a solid grade because I love this CSU team. They improved so much over the course of the year and I think Mike Bobo has them poised for a breakthrough next year. I would want to see this club one more time in action in 2016. End a rewarding year on a high note.
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 0/10
Hmm, Boise, Idaho in the middle of winter for a non skier…no thanks. I’m sure people who love to catch some powder probably enjoy Boise as a travel destination this time of year but it isn’t for me. However, the pictures of the city in spring in summer are amazing. I would strongly consider going for some hiking and/or camping, just not for this bowl game.
…So, should we watch on TV: 9.5/10
I’m a pinch worried that Idaho, who has only played four bowl teams and won exactly none of them, has to take on this battle tested and improving Rams team but people have overlooked the Vandals all year. I think they are on a mission to show they belong in FCS even if the Sun Belt and then the school gave up on them. Their fire this year has been impressive so despite not facing the grueling road the Rams did, I do think this Idaho team will be a tough outfit for the Fightin’ Bobos.
- December 22, 7 pm, ESPN
Big Ten and Counting 