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 23rd Games:
Popeyes Bahamas Bowl – 17
Eastern Michigan (7-5, 4-4, MAC) vs Old Dominion (9-3, 7-1, C-USA)
If these sound like new programs, you are pretty close to being right. Eastern Michigan hasn’t had a winning season since 1995 and are in their second bowl game in program history, the only other trip was back in 1987. Old Dominion is a football newbie. From 1930-1941 as a tiny two year school, what would become ODU fielded a team but the current school didn’t have football until it played its first season in 2009. Billy Wilder has been the coach since the berth of Monarch football and saw this program go from FCS Independent, to the Colonial, to FBS Independent, to C-USA member and this year he and his team orchestrated an incredible nine win season and missed out on the C-USA title game with their head-to-head loss to Western Kentucky.
Would I go if I was a EMU fan: 10/10
Ignoring all the horrible seasons this fan-base has sat through since 1987, wouldn’t you rather be in the Bahamas for Christmas instead of the Midwest?
Would I go if I was a ODU fan: 10/10
Ignoring the fact that this is the first bowl in program history, wouldn’t you rather be in the Bahamas for Christmas instead of the mid Atlantic?
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 10/10
Hmm, Iowa City or the Bahamas…
…So, should we watch on TV: 10/10
I hate that these two teams have to play each other since I want both of them to win. EMU, the perennial doormats, should get a moment of glory and the young ODU program should get to cap off a fascinating season but it won’t work out like that. Each team is well tested with Eastern taking on six bowl-bound teams and knocking off three of them. Their win over Wyoming is particularly impressive. ODU faced five bowl teams and beat two of them. Each team is also balanced offensively with both clubs in the mid 50s in scoring. The only real difference is ODU’s defensive numbers are a pinch better, resulting in a couple more wins overall. Basically you have two programs that are easy to root for and are extremely balanced. Should be a very fun game.
- Dec. 23, Noon, ESPN
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl – 20
Navy (9-4, 7-1, AAC) vs Louisiana Tech (8-5, 6-2, C-USA)
The American and C-USA title game runner ups square off down in Texas in what has the makings of an offensive explosion. Navy brings in the 33rd ranked scoring offense but starting quarterback Will Worth has an ankle injury and could miss this game. Based on how this team looked against Army without him, that spells big problems because the Bulldogs have the 12th best scoring offense with 40.9 per. Cannot get in a hole to Skip Holtz’s team.
Would I go if I was a Navy fan: 6/10
Several factors in play. The first is Navy comes in banged up with that Worth injury and a few other nicks. It showed in their 0-2 finish in the AAC title game and the Army rivalry game. Another issue could be bowl fatigue. This is Navy’s 13th bowl since 2003, fifth straight, and second time in this game (went in 2013). However, I still gave it a so-so mark because Baltimore to Dallas has a ton of nonstop flights. Another factor is Navy has won three straight bowl games. There aren’t too many lengthy bowl winning streak around but Navy could build one if they survive this tricky match up.
Would I go if I was a La Tech fan: 8.5/10
The only thing giving me pause is how Tech finished the season. They went 0-2 and lost both by 2 touchdowns. The reason I probably would end up going is Ruston is so far north in Louisiana that it is a straight shot down just one highway, I-20, for about 4 hours so this is a really easy game to get to.
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 4/10
It’s strange, when I think of places I want to go in Texas both El Paso and San Antonio come to mind before Dallas…put Austin in that group too. Maybe it is the history, Mexican food, or culture of the others or maybe I watched too much Walker Texas Ranger so I feel like I’ve been there but I’m just not jumping at the chance to go to Dallas.
…So, should we watch on TV: 7/10
If Will Worth plays, and from what I’ve seen that is doubtful, this takes a TV view-ability hit. If he does go, well, it could be the best bowl of the year. He makes that much difference to the Midshipmen offense. If he can’t go, I’m still more curious than most though. Louisiana Tech and Navy both played a ton of bowl teams so I want to get one more chance at watching these teams in action. For Tech, especially, I want to see if they’re the real deal. Navy beat Houston when healthy, but the Bulldogs remain a little iffy to me.
- Dec. 23, 3:30 pm, ESPN
Dollar General Bowl – 15
Troy (9-3, 6-2, Sun Belt) vs Ohio (8-5, 6-3, MAC)
Another pair of runner ups meet to try and put the finishing touches on a nice season. For the Trojans, still one of the youngest FBS teams, this was only their second nine win season in school history at the higher rank. They have never had a double digit win year. While they do have five bowl games in their young history, this is their first since the 2010-2011 season, when they knocked off this very Ohio team. For the Bobcats the Frank Solich era has been very kind. This will be his eight bowl game in 12 seasons but they haven’t won one since 2012.
Would I go if I was a Troy fan: 10/10
Arguably the best season in school history, first bowl in a while, and under 3 hours driving time away. This falls under the no brainer category.
Would I go if I was a Ohio fan: 1.5/10
This was a nice Bobcat team, but they didn’t win the conference and they aren’t playing for anything historic. Worse, they played in a bowl game in nearby Montgomery just last season. Worse still, the nearest big city airport is Columbus, over an hour away so you are looking at some air travel right before the holiday. That’s a big ticket item to buy.
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 5/10
Earlier for the Camellia bowl I wrote 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 applies for Mobile. So yeah, I would be tempted, I’d think about it.
…So, should we watch on TV: 10/10
Man, this feels like the 20th ten I’ve given out but I really like both of these teams defenses. If the previous game is going to be a shootout, this thing will be a cage match. Ohio boasts the 28th ranked defense and has Blair Brown, my MAC Defensive POY. Not to be outdone, Troy comes in with the 22nd ranked defense. Both played six bowl-bound teams and Troy beat four while Ohio only beat two. About the only separation these teams have is Troy has a much better offense statistically. For that, I think this will come down to how my Sun Belt Offensive POY, QB Brandon Silvers does against this stout Ohio d.
- Dec. 23, 7 pm, ESPN
December 24th Game:
Hawai’i Bowl – 37
Hawai’i (6-7, 4-4, MTW) vs Middle Tennessee (8-4, 5-3, C-USA)
Woof, I don’t know how I can talk this one up. As you can tell I rated it 37th out of the 40 bowl games. A lot of this has to do with Hawai’i. Their program has been down for a while as this marks their first bowl since 2010 and they hope to get their first victory in a decade but while a postseason game shows some improvement, they are below .500. Worse, they beat just one team with a winning record this year.
Middle Tennessee is in their sixth bowl in the last ten years as they have become quite the consistent mid level program. Their 16th ranked offense should slice through the 116th ranked defense with ease. Honestly, the best part of this game is that these young kids from MT get to see another island. I’m sure the going to the Bahamas Bowl last year spoiled them some.
Would I go if I was a Hawai’i fan: 4/10
It is early enough in the day local time that you can go and still have a traditional Christmas Eve, but c’mon, this is a sub .500 team that made a bowl on a technicality.
Would I go if I was a MT fan: 5/10
I normally give this game a blanket 10 out of 10 because it is in Hawai’i, duh! But with Blue Raider nation it is a little different because they played in such an amazing location last year. Exciting for the players, hell yes. Expensive for the fans, unfortunately.
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 10/10
It is Hawai’i in December, coming from Iowa!!!
…So, should we watch on TV: 1/10
The only reason to even glance at this game is to see I’Tavius Mathers. The RB for Middle Tennessee had 1500 rushing yards and 589 receiving yards to win my Offensive POY award for C-USA on the pod. Hopefully his talented QB Brent Stockstill is healthy enough to play but that would just be icing on the cake. Mathers will take a senior bow with a zillion yards against the sorry Warrior’s defense.
- Dec. 24, 7 pm, ESPN
Big Ten and Counting 
I’d rather watch a Walker, Texas Ranger marathon during the game than watch the Armed Forces Bowl.
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