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 27th Games:
Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl – 38
Army (7-5, Independent) vs North Texas (5-7, 3-5, C-USA)
Army returns to the postseason for the first time since 2010 and unlike the last time they were in a bowl, they don’t need to win it to guarantee a winning record. That’s exciting. The downside, they have to take on a UNT club that beat them 35-18 earlier in the year.
Would I go if I was a Army fan: 6/10
The only reason this got a six is because of Army’s bowl drought. In practical terms West Point to Dallas requires some logistics. The nearest airport is Newburgh, a 25 minute drive, but it is a smaller size regional airport. That means you are looking at a connecting flight, a layover, and all those expenses right up against the holiday. Is a rematch against sub .500 North Texas really worth breaking the bank for?
Would I go if I was a North Texas fan: 2.5/10
The 2.5 reflects how short the drive is: just over 2 hours long. In reality though, UNT doesn’t have a bowl drought (last played in 2014), is used to this bowl (this was the game they played in 2014), and were a 5-7 team that finished the year 1-4. Nothing to see here folks.
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 4/10
I said it for the other game in the Dallas metroplex, when I think of places I want to go in Texas El Paso, San Antonio, and Austin come to mind before Dallas. For whatever reason, I’m just not jumping at the chance to go to Dallas.
…So, should we watch on TV: 1.5/10
I’d say keep an eye on it, if it is close or Army is leading in the fourth, flip it on just to see the excitement of the cadets if they win their first bowl in six years.
- Dec. 27, 11 am, ESPN
Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman – 24
Temple (10-3, 7-1, AAC) vs Wake Forest (6-6, 3-5, ACC)
So you won your highly competitive conference, you are nationally ranked and what do you get? A trip to Annapolis, Maryland to play in a stadium you just played in to take on a middling ACC team. Woo-hoo! Despite the four win difference of these teams I’m still intrigued by it, thus the 24th ranking, because these teams can play some imposing defense. The Owls won their league thanks to the 9th best defense nationally, allowing just 17.2 points per contest. Wake was no slouch, giving up an average of 21.8 points per, which was 20th best in the nation.
Would I go if I was a Temple fan: 10/10
This is one of the best Owl teams of all time, is capping off the Matt Rhule era with 20 wins and a shot for the first 11 win season in school history. Oh by the way, it is right at about a 2 hour drive. Easy!
Would I go if I was a Wake Forest fan: 8/10
Wake snapped a bowl drought dating back to 2011 so that is motivating, show some solidarity in light of the terrible news that a former coach and radio announcer is giving away secrets is another. Lastly in terms of logistics, it is under six hours driving and there are nonstop flights from Charlotte (90 minutes away) to Baltimore, so there is some flexibility there.
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.
…So, should we watch on TV: 6/10
I love football, and I love defensive football, but Wake has the 121st offense in the nation. They went 2-6 in their final 8 and are losers of 3 straight. They beat just one team without a losing record, 6-6 Indiana. Temple beat three bowl-bound teams, gave Penn State all they could handle, and are red hot with seven straight wins. Even without the outstanding Jessie Bates patrolling passing lanes for Wake, I’m just not picturing how they can be competitive in this game.
- Dec. 27, 2:30 pm, ESPN
National Funding Holiday Bowl – 27
Minnesota (8-4, 5-4, Big Ten) vs Washington State (8-4, 7-2, Pac 12)
Two teams arrived at eight wins in very different ways. Washington State started slow with losses to FCS Eastern Washington and Boise State, won eight games, and then ended with losses to the two teams playing in the Pac 12 title game. All told they took on five bowl clubs but won only two of them, and one was Idaho in the non con. Minnesota was more consistent…at least on papers. Their four losses were Penn State, Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. No shame in any of them but their wins included just three bowl games and only one team with a winning record, and that was Colorado State in the non con.
Would I go if I was a Minnesota fan: 3/10
This is hard for me to say because I love San Diego and will make up any excuse to go, but not this Gopher team. They have consistently shown they aren’t good enough to beat winning teams. Worse, with ten players suspended for a title IX investigation from the fall, their secondary is in tatters. Awful news for the university in a verity of ways on and off the field.
Would I go if I was a WSU fan: 10/10
I love San Diego. On of my favorite cities. And back to shameless promotion for places I’ve been to and like.
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 10/10
I love San Diego. On of my favorite cities…can I at least play it off like I am visiting relatives?
…So, should we watch on TV: 4/10
An air raid offense going against a bad secondary that is made worse by the suspensions and on going investigation. This has blowout written all over it.
- Dec. 27, 6 pm, ESPN
Motel 6 Cactus Bowl – 39
Baylor (6-6, 3-6, Big 12) vs Boise State (10-2, 6-2, MTW)
Baylor started the year 6-0 until they decided they didn’t care about winning and would rather protest the firing of a coach who will never, ever, ever, never, never, never, ever, NEVER, EVER, be back on their sidelines. Yes, Art Briles was the (attempted) scapegoat for Baylor, but while he is not 100% responsible for the campus rapes at Baylor, he is isn’t unblemished either. Anyway, so Baylor lost out. They have to face Boise program that is in their 15th straight bowl game. They are also routinely prepared for these games, going 6-1 in their last seven bowls. So, yeah, this one should go well.
Would I go if I was a Baylor fan: 0/10
I am beyond disgusted at this school. I’m not just saying this as an outsider trashing on Baylor. When Iowa had a basketball player get arrested for rape about a decade ago, a lot of fans stopped attending games and protesting Steve Alford. I was in the group wanting that asshole gone.
Would I go if I was a Boise State fan: 7.5/10
First of all the weather. An excuse to get out of Boise is fine with me. But also, the time is right for this team to be back in Arizona. They are 3-0 in bowls played in Arizona but it has been a few years since they were in the Grand Canyon State.
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 7.5/10
I’ve been to Phoenix a few times so you wouldn’t get much resistance from me for some good weather, good food, and some fun attractions but I’m not going too high because of the cost included in traveling this close to the holiday.
…So, should we watch on TV: 1/10
Baylor is going to get worked over. I normally root for Boise anyway, but this time especially I hope they humble the Bears and hang half a hundred on ’em.
- Dec. 27, 9:15 pm, ESPN
Big Ten and Counting 