Welcome to G-Rex's first annual College Football Bowl Preview Extravaganza! Did I put the "Extravaganza" part in there just to get your attention? Maybe (plus it sounds cool). This bowl preview is so extravagant that I had to break it into parts, starting with the pre-Christmas bowl games. Did I break it into parts because I didn't get all of the bowls done in time? Maybe. This bowl preview will supply you with plenty of info about each team (which I gathered from ESPN.com and CBSSports.com), including record, performance against good teams, rankings, impact players, and of course, my "expert" prediction. I've also given a link to each bowl's web site embedded in the name of the bowl. And if you want to know what kinds of gifts the teams' players and staff get from each bowl game, Sports Business Daily has you covered. I hope you enjoy this bowl preview, and last but not least, Happy Holidays from Grantosaurus Rex!
R + L Carriers New Orleans Bowl (New Orleans, LA, Dec. 20, 11:00 AM, ESPN)
Nevada Wolfpack (7-5, 4-4 Mountain West, 3rd MWC West) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns (8-4, 7-1 Sun Belt, 2nd Sun Belt)
Season Results (the "vs. Top 25" is vs. teams currently in the Top 25 of the College Football Playoff rankings):
Nevada
vs. Top 25: 0-2
vs. Bowl Teams: 2-5
Louisiana-Lafayette
vs. Top 25: 0-2
vs. Bowl Teams: 2-3
Rankings:
Nevada
Passing: 94th (197.8 yards/game)
Rushing: 32nd (215.2 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 115th (271 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 81st (179.1 yards/game)
Louisiana-Lafayette
Passing: 102nd (188.9 yards/game)
Rushing: 26th (228.4 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 120th (275.3 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 44th (146.7 yards/game)
Summary: The Ragin' Cajuns will be looking for their fourth straight victory in the New Orleans Bowl. UL-Lafayette has a strong run game powered by senior quarterback and 2012 New Orleans Bowl MVP Terrance Broadway (634 yards, 3 TD) and the running back combo of sophomore Elijah McGuire (1,165 yards, 14 TD) and senior Alonzo Harris (737 yards, 12 TD). The Wolfpack also run the ball well, led by senior quarterback Cody Fajardo (997 yards, 13 TD), as well as junior running back Don Jackson (932 yards rushing, 7 TD) and freshman running back James Butler (620 yards, 5 TD). Broadway (2,073 yards passing, 12 TD, 9 INT) and Fajardo (2,374 yards passing, 18 TD, 11 INT) are two of the best dual-threats in the country. Fajardo is one of only two quarterbacks in FBS history to throw for over 9,000 yards and run for over 3,00 yards in a career (the other is former Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick).
Prediction: Nevada 42, Louisiana-Lafayette 35
Gildan New Mexico Bowl (Albuquerque, NM, Dec. 20, 2:20 PM, ESPN)
Utah State Aggies (9-4, 6-2 Mountain West, Mountain West Runner-Up) vs. UTEP Miners (7-5, 5-3 C-USA, T-2nd C-USA West)
Season Results:
Utah State
vs. Top 25: 0-1 vs. Bowl Teams: 3-4
UTEP
vs. Top 25: 0-1
vs. Bowl Teams: 0-4
Rankings:
Utah State
Passing: 84th (208.8 yards/game)
Rushing: 56th (172.5 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 76th (233.1 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 26th (129.2 yards/game)
UTEP
Passing: 120th (144.3 yards/game)
Rushing: 34th (212.7 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 34th (202 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 70th (168.3 yards/game)
Summary: Utah State has overcome the loss of three quarterbacks to injury (and nine starters overall), partly thanks to a dominant defense led by senior linebacker and MWC Defensive Player of the Year Zack Vigil (145 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 9 sacks). Vigil is one tackle for a loss away from breaking the MWC single-season record he set last year. UTEP's quarterback is the guy who lost the Texas A&M job to Johnny Manziel, Jameill Showers. He's played well for the Miners, throwing for 1,732 yards and 12 touchdowns with five interceptions (he's also run for 288 yards and 4 touchdowns. This is the Miners' first bowl appearance since 2010 and they will be looking for their first bowl win since 1967.
Prediction: Utah State 32, UTEP 13
Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl (Las Vegas, NV, Dec. 20, 3:30 PM, ABC)
#22 Utah Utes (8-4, 5-4 PAC-12, 5th PAC-12 South) vs. Colorado State Rams (10-2, 6-2 Mountain West, 2nd MWC Mountain)
Results:
Utah vs. Top 25: 2-3
vs. Bowl Teams: 4-3
Colorado State
vs. Top 25: 0-1
vs. Bowl Teams: 3-2
Rankings:
Utah
Passing: 91st (198.4 yards/game)
Rushing: 54th (176.3 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 84th (245 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 56th (158.1 yards/game)
Colorado State
Passing: 8th (326.3 yards/game)
Rushing: 57th (171.6 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 62nd (227.2 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 86th (187.6 yards/game)
Summary: Colorado State had a great season under head coach Jim McElwain, who won't be coaching in this game after leaving for the head coaching job at Florida. The Rams do, however, still have senior quarterback Garrett Grayson (3,779 yards passing, 32 TD, 6 INT) and sophomore wide receiver and Biletnikoff Award (given to the nation's best receiver) finalist Rashard Higgins (1,640 yards receiving, 17 TD). They, along with McElwain, are major reasons CSU has the eighth-best passing offense in the country. Utah has had a few nail-biters in a season that saw them compete with some of the PAC-12's elites. The Utes have talented players all over the field, including junior running back Devontae Booker (1,350 yards rushing, 9 TD), senior defensive end Nate Orchard (80 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks; won the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation's best defensive end), and wide receiver/return man Kaelin Clay (460 yards receiving, 4 TD; 3 punt return TD, 1 kick return TD; should have another touchdown).
Prediction: Utah 37, Colorado State 35
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Boise, ID, Dec. 20, 5:45 PM, ESPN)
Western Michigan Broncos (8-4, 6-2 MAC, 3rd MAC West) vs. Air Force Falcons (9-3, 5-3 Mountain West, 4th MWC Mountain)
Season Results:
Western Michigan vs. Top 25: 0-0
vs. Bowl Teams: 1-3
Air Force
vs. Top 25: 1-0
vs. Bowl Teams: 4-2
Rankings:
Western Michigan
Passing: 37th (264.8 yards/game)
Rushing: 53rd (178.5 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 65th (229.3 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 37th (142.7 yards/game)
Air Force
Passing: 114th (151.3 yards/game)
Rushing: 8th (272.2 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 94th (256 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 35th (140.3 yards/game)
Summary: Both of these teams had big turnaround seasons after disappointing seasons last year. The Broncos are 8-4 after finishing 1-11 last year, and the Falcons are 9-3 after finishing 2-10 last year. Western Michigan coach P.J. Fleck has done a great job turning the team around, with help from sophomore quarterback Zach Terrell, who's thrown for 3,146 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while completing 70 percent of his passes, and freshman running back and MAC Offensive Player of the Year Jarvion Franklin (1,525 yards rushing, 24 TD). Western Michigan has never won a bowl game. They are 0-5 all-time. Air Force, as always, is among the best running teams in the country with their triple-option offense, which has featured multiple players (nine players scored at least one rushing touchdown), including senior quarterback Kale Pearson (646 yards rushing, 6 TD; 1,513 yards passing, 14 TD, 3 INT).
Prediction: Air Force 34, Western Michigan 28
Raycom Media Camellia Bowl (Montgomery, AL, Dec. 20, 9:15 PM, ESPN)
South Alabama Jaguars (6-6, 5-3 Sun Belt, 4th Sun Belt) vs. Bowling Green Falcons (7-6, 5-3 MAC, MAC Runner-Up)
Season Results:
South Alabama vs. Top 25: 0-1
vs. Bowl Teams: 0-5
Bowling Green
vs. Top 25: 0-1
vs. Bowl Teams: 0-5
Rankings:
South Alabama
Passing: 96th (190.2 yards/game)
Rushing: 48th (182.6 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 31st (199.8 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 87th (190.7 yards/game)
Bowling Green
Passing: 45th (251.5 yards/game)
Rushing: 55th (176.2 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 119th (292.4 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 100th (207.2 yards/game)
Summary: The Jaguars of South Alabama are appearing in their first bowl game in their third year as an FBS program (and second year playoff-eligible). They are led by 6'6" Canadian senior quarterback Brandon Bridge (1,648 yards passing, 14 TD, 6 INT; 256 yards rushing, 3 TD), who has the size and athleticism, but needs to work on his accuracy (51.9 completion percentage). The Bowling Green Falcons and rookie coach Dino Babers have impressive freshman wide receiver Roger Lewis (956 yards receiving, 5 TD). Both of these teams barely got in at 6-6 and 7-6, respectively.
Predictions: South Alabama 28, Bowling Green 24
Miami Beach Bowl (Miami, FL, Dec. 22, 2:00 PM, ESPN)
BYU Cougars (8-4) vs. Memphis Tigers (9-3, 7-1 American, T-1st AAC)
Season Results:
BYU vs. Top 25: 0-1
vs. Bowl Teams: 1-4
Memphis
vs. Top 25: 0-2
vs. Bowl Teams: 1-3
Rankings:
BYU
Passing: 33rd (272.9 yards/game)
Rushing: 42nd (190.5 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 105th (266.7 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 14th (117.6 yards/game)
Memphis
Passing: 62nd (230.8 yards/game)
Rushing: 41st (191.8 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 46th (218 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 24th (125.3 yards/game)
Summary: BYU was a threat to go undefeated before losing star quarterback Taysom Hill in a loss to Utah State early in the season. They lost four in a row, but then rebounded to win four in a row to end the season. The Cougars have a good receiving corps, led by junior Mitch Matthews (840 yards receiving, 8 TD), that has helped out senior quarterback Christian Stewart (2,273 yards passing, 22 TD, 6 INT) in Hill's absence. Memphis was a surprise this year in winning a share of the American Athletic Conference title. The Tigers are led by sophomore quarterback Paxton Lynch (2,725 yards passing, 18 TD, 6 INT; 283 yards rushing, 10 TD), who set an AAC for most total touchdowns in a season (28).
Prediction: Memphis 32, BYU 24
Boca Raton Bowl (Boca Raton, FL, Dec. 23, 6 PM, ESPN)
Marshall Thundering Herd (12-1, 7-1 C-USA, C-USA Champion) vs. Northern Illinois Huskies (11-2, 7-1 MAC, MAC Champion)
Season Results:
Marshall vs. Top 25: 0-0
vs. Bowl Teams: 2-1
Northern Illinois
vs. Top 25: 0-0
vs. Bowl Teams: 3-2
Rankings:
Marshall
Passing: 7th (275.6 yards/game)
Rushing: 18th (287.8 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 23rd (194.7 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 53rd (157.2 yards/game)
Northern Illinois
Passing: 97th (189.5 yards/game)
Rushing: 14th (252.9 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 57th (224.5 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 58th (158.5 yards/game)
Summary: Marshall, who almost went unbeaten (they lost to Western Kentucky 67-66 in overtime), has one of the best quarterbacks in college football in Rakeem Cato (3,622 yards passing, 37 TD, 13 INT), who has thrown a touchdown pass in 45 straight games (an FBS record). Northern Illinois won another MAC championship with big seasons from many players, including senior wide receiver Da'Ron Brown (1,002 yards receiving, 6 TD). This is a matchup of the best teams in the Group of 5 conferences (conferences besides the AAC, ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, PAC-12, and SEC).
Prediction: Marshall 42, Northern Illinois 27
San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl (San Diego, CA, Dec. 23, 9:30 PM, ESPN)
Navy Midshipmen (7-5) vs. San Diego State Aztecs (7-5, 5-3 Mountain West, T-1st MWC West)
Season Results:
Navy vs. Top 25: 0-1
vs. Bowl Teams: 1-5
San Diego State
vs. Top 25: 0-1
vs. Bowl Teams: 1-4
Rankings:
Navy
Passing: 123rd (87.6 yards/game)
Rushing: 2nd (357.8 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 61st (226.4 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 94th (199.8 yards/game)
San Diego State
Passing: 102nd (181.5 yards/game)
Rushing: 30th (218.6 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 19th (192 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 42nd (145.6 yards/game)
Summary: Navy's triple-option offense was as lethal as ever this season, led by junior quarterback Keenan Reynolds, the nation's leading rusher among quarterbacks (1,182 yards rushing, 21 TD). San Diego State also has a dangerous running game with sophomore running back Donnel Pumphrey, who ranks third in the nation in rushing with 1,755 yards, along with 19 touchdowns. Both of these teams are very popular in San Diego (San Diego State is located there, and there is a large naval base in San Diego).
Prediction: Navy 32, San Diego State 27
Popeye's Bahamas Bowl (Nassau, Dec. 24, 12:00 PM, ESPN)
Central Michigan Chippewas (7-5, 6-2 MAC, 3rd MAC West) vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (7-5, 4-4 C-USA, 3rd C-USA East)
Season Results:
Central Michigan vs. Top 25: 0-1
vs. Bowl Teams: 1-2
Western Kentucky
vs. Top 25: 0-0
vs. Bowl Teams: 4-1
Rankings:
Central Michigan
Passing: 70th (220 yards/game)
Rushing: 69th (158.7 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 40th (211.4 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 19th (119.8 yards/game)
Western Kentucky
Passing: 3rd (365 yards/game)
Rushing: 68th (160.3 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 110th (272.2 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 112th (229.7 yards/game)
Summary: Central Michigan is clearly happy to be here. Who wouldn't want to spend Christmas Eve in the Bahamas? The Chippewas face a familiar foe, one they beat in the 2012 Little Caeser's Bowl. The player to watch for Western Michigan is senior running back and Michigan transfer Thomas Rawls (1,103 yards rushing, 10 TD). Western Kentucky has one of the most prolific passing offenses in the country, led by the nation's leading passer, Brandon Doughty (4,344 yards passing, 44 TD, 10 INT).
Prediction: Western Kentucky 52, Central Michigan 32
Hawai'i Bowl (Honolulu, HI, Dec. 24, 8:00 PM, ESPN)
Fresno State Bulldogs (6-7, 5-3 Mountain West, MWC Runner-Up) vs. Rice Owls (7-5, 5-3 Conference USA, 2nd C-USA West)
Season Results:
Fresno State vs. Top 25: 0-4
vs. Bowl Teams: 2-5
Rice Owls
vs. Top 25: 0-1
vs. Bowl Teams: 1-4
Rankings:
Fresno State
Passing: 57th (233.8 yards/game)
Rushing: 45th (183.9 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 88th (248.9 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 101st (207.3 yards/game)
Rice Owls
Passing: 69th (223.6 yards/game)
Rushing: 58th (170.3 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 85th (245.1 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 47th (151.8 yards/game)
Summary: Fresno State is the only bowl team with a losing record (they lost the Mountain West championship game to Boise State). The Bulldogs got another 1,000 yard season from senior wide receiver Josh Harper (1,072 yards receiving, 7 TD). Rice is led on offense by senior wide receiver Jordan Taylor (781 yards receiving, 6 TD) and on defense by junior defensive end Brian Nordstrom (44 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks).
Prediction: Rice 38, Fresno State 31
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