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 29th Games:
Birmingham Bowl – 29
South Carolina (6-6, 3-5, SEC) vs South Florida (10-2, 7-1, AAC)
A three game skid against solid teams dropped USC to 2-4 and the long season everyone predicted looked to be coming true. Instead the Gamecocks ripped off three straight victories, including one over Tennessee, to get above .500. While the 1-2 finish was ugly against Clemson, no one expected this team to be competitive or make a bowl in Will Muschamp’s first season as he tries to make good on his second chance as a head man.
USF was a totally different animal. An eight win 2015, boosted by a 7-1 finish to the regular season, had the Bulls as a trendy pick to win the American. They came damn close, too. Their lone league loss this year was Temple so the tiebreaker went the Owl’s way, leaving a really good USF team outside the AAC title game. The resurgence under Willie Taggert has been quick, as the program went from 2 wins, to 4, to 8, to 10 in just four seasons under the now Oregon Duck headman. These seniors look to atone for last season’s bowl loss and get the program’s first bowl win since 2010.
Would I go if I was a South Carolina fan: 7/10
Quietly this program has won 4 consecutive bowls so I’d be tempted to hoot and holler to keep the streak going. The fact that decently priced airfare or a manageable 5 hour drive will get me to Birmingham, I’d take that.
Would I go if I was a USF fan: 8/10
Despite Taggert leaving, this is the best USF team ever. They already have set a new program record with 10 wins, have a shot for 11, and can break a bowl drought. Toss in the fact that Southwest has a nonstop Tampa to Birmingham flight, it makes this an easier game to get to than you would think.
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 and Nashville. 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. Added bonus, both cities have bowl games after this one so you could do a double dip if you had the money to take in both games.
…So, should we watch on TV: 4/10
If you haven’t seen South Florida’s duel threat quarterback Quinton Flowers, then you are missing one of the most dynamic kids in the game. He alone makes this a 4/10. I really want to see how he fares against a SEC defense because if there is one weak thing to the Bulls this year, it is their 1-1 mark against power conference teams, and the lone win was over a sub .500 Syracuse team. Let’s see how they stack up here in the bowl season.
- Dec. 29, 1 pm, ESPN
Belk Bowl – 31
Arkansas (7-5, 3-5, SEC) vs Virginia Tech (9-4, 6-2, ACC)
The Hogs started 3-0 but after the hot start they lost big to Texas A&M setting up a trend where they would alternate blowout loss with blowout victory (other than the 4 point Ole Miss win) in what was one of the must infuriating seasons to watch as fans because Arkansas supporters had no idea which Razorback team would show up. Tech was way more consistent. They never lost back-to-back games and had two separate three game winning streaks. Among their victories were four bowl teams (UA beat just 3 and one was 5-7 Miss. State) and they also gave Clemson a pretty good ACC title game. Arkansas was routed by every ranked team they faced.
Would I go if I was a Arkansas fan: 0/10
55th in scoring, a woeful 84th in defense, and the inability to be consistent makes me worried. Worse, their defense against the ground attack was awful this year. VT has the 33rd best offense and has one of the better duel threat qbs with Jerod Evans. Watch him run wild.
Would I go if I was a Virginia Tech fan: 10/10
This is Tech’s best team since at least the 2011 outfit and oh, by the way, Blacksburg to Charlotte is under 3 hours driving. Lane Stadium South.
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.
…So, should we watch on TV: 3.5/10
Tech was extremely consistent. In addition to that Evans led offense, their defense was 28th in scoring defense as Bud Foster coordinated another salty outfit. I just don’t see how Arkansas can be competitive with a team as good as Virginia Tech because up until now, they haven’t been competitive against good teams.
- Dec. 29, 4:30 pm, ESPN
Valero Alamo Bowl – 7
Oklahoma State (9-3, 7-2, Big 12) vs Colorado (10-3, 8-1, Pac 12)
This is my highest rated game of the previews so far with good reason. 19 wins between the two teams and they were the runner ups in their power conferences. I also love the opposing strengths. While Colorado’s offense has had flashes, the defense was their bread and butter this year as they were the number one defense in the Pac 12. For the Pokes, they have a solid QB in Mason Rudolph being coached by a former QB in Mike Gundy and they aren’t afraid to let it rip. Should be a fascinating game of strength vs strength.
Would I go if I was a OSU fan: 9/10
While this is Okie State’s 11th straight bowl, it is their first in several seasons in the state of Texas and first in San Antonio since 2010. With a ton to do in a city that the team has been to for a while, convenient flight possibilities, and a damn good football team, I would ask you…why not?
Would I go if I was a Colorado fan: 10/10
This is actually even easier to get too. Boulder is a stones throw from the Denver airport where there are tons of non-stop flights to San Antonio. One airline is as low as 77 bucks on google! Oh, this is also the first Buffs bowl since 2007 and they are trying to get their first bowl win since 2004. Can you say drought?!?
Would I go if Iowa was playing: 10/10
I’ve always had a soft spot for the Alamo bowl. Iowa has played in it several times and had some extremely memorable games from it. I was disappointed when it was no longer on the Big Ten slate. So why would I want to go? The history (Alamo among other things), amazing Mexican food, check out the river walk, and so much more. Like, check out a Spurs game. Museums too. Definitely a cool looking city as an outsider.
…So, should we watch on TV: 10/10
This is, without question, one of the best match ups of this bowl season. Factor in playing in a dome so OSU’s offense can be at full potential and all the recruiting both programs hope to do in talent rich Texas and you have a chance at a real barn-burner.
- Dec. 29, 8 pm, ESPN
Big Ten and Counting 