G-Rex's 2015 March Madness Guide

It's that time of year again! The time for bracket pools, shocking upsets, and buzzer-beaters.  This may be my favorite time of year (either this or summertime) not only because of the NCAA basketball tournament but also because spring is almost here, baseball season is around the corner, and there are just three more months until I graduate. I've done some research this year, trying to make my bracket better than last year, when I had Creighton winning it all (let's not talk about it).
Here are some trends I found:

• #1 Seeds NEVER Lose in the Round of 64

 No number one seed has lost a Round of 64 game in the NCAA Tournament. They are 120-0 against the sixteen seeds.

• At Least One 12 Will Beat a 5, at Least One 11 Will Beat a 6, and There Will Probably be a 13 That Beats a 4

4, 5, and 6 seeds are only a combined 250-110 all-time in the Round of 64. In fact, the last time there weren't at least two 11, 12, or 13 seed upsets in the Round of 64 was 2000 (when there was only one). 12 seeds are probably the best bets, as three made it to the first weekend each of the past two years.

• There Will Be One Upset Nobody Saw Coming

Last year it was three seed Duke losing to 14 seed Mercer. The year before it was 15 seed Florida Gulf Coast making it to the Sweet 16 (and 14 seed Harvard making it to the Round of 32). And the year before that it was 2 seeds Duke and Missouri getting upset by 15 seeds. Whether it's a 14 vs. a 3 or a 15 vs. a 2, there will most likely be at least one upset almost nobody saw coming.

• Strong Defense and Stellar Guard Play Win Championships

When picking a national champion, look for a good defensive team with a playmaking guard. Let's look at the last five champs: In 2010, champion Duke ranked 28th in scoring defense (and 2nd in three-point defense) and had junior guard Nolan Smith, who averaged 17.4 points per game. In 2011, champion UConn was only 80th in scoring defense but was 11th in opponent field goal percentage, and they had playmaking guard Kemba Walker, who was 5th in the nation in points per game (23.5) and was the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player. In 2012, champion Kentucky ranked 25th in scoring defense (and 1st in opponent field goal percentage) and had two guards who each averaged over ten points per game (Doron Lamb with 13.7 and Marquis Teague with 10.3). In 2013, champion Louisville was 21st in scoring defense and had junior guard Russ Smith (18.7 points per game) and senior guard Peyton Siva (10). And last year, champion UConn ranked 31st in scoring defense and had electric guard Shabazz Napier (18 points per game). The old adage is true: Defense (and a playmaking guard or two) wins championships.

• Teams Who Enter the Tourney Hot Usually Stay Hot

Always go with the hot hand. That's a good tip about many things, including filling out NCAA Tournament brackets. Last year, UConn wasn't necessarily hot going into the Big Dance, but they did make a run in the Big East Tournament, falling to Louisville in the finals. Going into the 2013 NCAA Tournament, Louisville was on a 10-game winning streak (winning each game by at least five), Kentucky had won 24 in a row in 2012 before losing to Vanderbilt in the SEC Championship, and 2011 UConn was especially hot, making a surprise run in the Big East Tournament and winning it after struggling at the end of the regular season.

• 3's Are Your Best Friend... And Your Worst Enemy

Relying heavily on the three-point shot is a dangerous proposition. On one hand, you can beat just about anybody on any given night if the threes are falling. On the other hand, if they aren't falling, you can lose to just about anybody. So it's probably smart to pick a three-point heavy team to pull an upset in the first couple of rounds, but not to win it all. I learned this the hard way last year, when I picked Doug McDermott and three-happy Creighton (I wasn't thinking clearly; I was hypnotized by the greatness that was McDermott). Think about it this way: Attractiveness can get you through a one night stand, but looks alone won't make a relationship last. The same idea applies to threes. You can survive one night against anyone if you knock down the three, but you'll need a lot more than the three to win a championship.

Midwest Region
Players To Watch:

• Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky - You could choose any number of Kentucky players to watch, but the 7'0" junior is a leader on this team and the defensive anchor, averaging 1.6 blocks per game (and 6.4 rebounds per game) on one of the top defensive teams in the nation.
• Jerian Grant, Notre Dame - The senior guard, who was suspended for part of last season due to an academic scandal, has led the electrifying Fighting Irish offense this year. He averaged 16.8 points per game and was seventh in the nation in assists per game (6.6).
• Melo Trimble, Maryland - The sensational freshman guard is part of a trio of talented perimeter players for the Terps that consists of him, senior guard Dez Wells (15.4 ppg), and junior forward Jake Layman (12.8 ppg). Trimble averaged 16.3 points per game during the regular season. 
• Fred Van Vleet, Wichita State - The junior guard is part of a backcourt that, like Maryland's, is talented, and features him, Ron Baker (15 ppg), and Tekele Cotton (9.6 ppg). Van Vleet averaged 12.7 points per game and was among the best in the country when it came to assists (5.8 per game).
• A.J. Hammons, Purdue - The 7'0" junior helped the Boilermakers rebound from a rough start and is a weapon on both ends of the court, averaging 11.8 points per game and 2.9 blocks per game (as well as 6.5 rebounds per game).

Teams To Watch:

• #3 Notre Dame - The offensively efficient (51% from the field) Fighting Irish are hot, knocking off Duke and North Carolina to win the ACC Tournament last weekend. 
• #5 West Virginia - The Mountaineers' full court press has led to them having a strong defense that led the country in steals per game (10.9). Offensively, they still offensive rebound well and have a star in senior guard Juwan Staten (14.5 ppg) when he is healthy (he has missed the last four games).
• #11 Texas - Texas has struggled this season, and Rick Barnes' team has blown multiple games, but they have the talent to beat anyone in the region, Kentucky included. They have a star point guard in Isaiah Taylor (13 ppg, 4.6 apg) and a potential lottery pick up front in Myles Turner (10.4 ppg), and they lead the nation in blocks.

Upsets To Watch:

• #13 Valparaiso vs. #4 Maryland - Maryland is overrated, and the stats show that. They have won many very close games that could have gone either way. They are good, with three playmakers who could take over a game at any time, but they have not looked very impressive. On the other side, Valpo is a tough, balanced team, and has a star of its own in 6'9" Alec Peters (16.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg), who can score from anywhere.
• #12 Buffalo vs. #5 West Virginia - This is a trendy upset pick among analysts, and for good reason. Although this is Buffalo's first NCAA Tournament appearance, they are led by former Duke star Bobby Hurley, they led Kentucky earlier this year at half time (they ultimately lost by 19) and lost by 12 to Wisconsin, and they have power forward Justin Moss, who averages 17.7 points per game and 9.2 rebounds per game.

Prediction: The only lower seed I have advancing to the Round of 32 is Purdue. I had Valpo upsetting Maryland (because I think Maryland is overrated), but then I realized I had every 13 seed winning, which is highly unlikely. I have Notre Dame and Kentucky in the Elite Eight, but Kentucky will easily win this region.

West Region

Players To Watch:

• Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin - The odds-on favorite to win the Wooden Award, the 7'0" Kaminsky can defend, rebound (8 per game), and score from anywhere (18.2 ppg). He is the leader on a disciplined and dangerous Badger team.
• Stanley Johnson, Arizona - The freshman forward is a big reason the Wildcats are one of the most feared teams in the country, as he is big, strong, and talented (14.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg).
• Joseph Young, Oregon - The Pac-12 Player of the Year is a dangerous scorer, and has played especially well of late, including a three in the final seconds to beat Utah in the Pac-12 Tournament semifinal. Young averaged 20.2 points per game.
• D'Angelo Russell, Ohio State - Russell a potential top-five pick in the NBA Draft, is one of the most skilled players in college basketball. He has a sweet shooting stroke (19.3 ppg), excellent court vision (5.1 apg), and can rebound too (5.6 rpg). He is the main reason Ohio State could possibly make a tournament run.
• R.J. Hunter, Georgia State - The coach's son, R.J. is a lethal three-point shooter (19.8 ppg), and the combination of him, former Kentucky player Ryan Harrow (18.7 ppg), and former Louisville player Kevin Ware (18 points in the Sun Belt Tournament Championship) are why the Panthers could be a threat to upset.

Teams To Watch:

• #3 Baylor - The physical Bears have the best rebounder in the country (Rico Gathers, 11.6 rpg) and can hit the three (39%) with guys such as Taurean Prince (13.8 ppg) and Kenny Chery (11.4 ppg). 
• #4 North Carolina - UNC played very well in the ACC Tournament, beating Virginia in the semifinal before falling to Notre Dame in the championship. The Heels, led by Marcus Paige (13.9 ppg, 4.6 apg), have the talent to make a run. 
• #10 Ohio State - Much of Ohio State's hopes hang on D'Angelo Russell, but they also need the supporting pieces to step up. If Russell catches fire, seniors Shannon Scott and Sam Thompson play to their potential, and Marc Loving rediscovers his scoring touch, the Buckeyes could make a run.  

Upsets To Watch:

• #13 Harvard vs. #4 North Carolina - On the surface, this looks like an easy win for North Carolina. They beat a team in the ACC semifinal (Virginia) that Harvard lost to by 49 points. However, Harvard has been here before (They beat Cincinnati as a 12 seed last year and New Mexico as a 14 seed the year before) and was ranked at the beginning of the season. 
• #12 Wofford vs. #5 Arkansas - Arkansas may have SEC Player of the Year and future pro Bobby Portis (17.5 ppg, 8.6 rpg), but they haven't beaten anybody amazing (although they lost to Kentucky twice), and Wofford, led by senior Karl Cochran (14.6 ppg), has played some tough games, including a one-point win at N.C. State.

Prediction: I have double-digit seeds Ohio State, Ole Miss, and Wofford advancing to the Round of 32. I did have Harvard in the Sweet 16 until I was talked out of it, and I could see Georgia State giving Baylor a scare. I also had Ohio State upsetting Arizona, but then I woke up. I do have Wofford upsetting UNC. I have Wisconsin and Arizona in the Elite Eight, with the Badgers advancing to the Final Four.

East Region
Players To Watch:

• Buddy Hield, Oklahoma - Buddy has captained a Sooner team that is a Final Four threat, and has led them to many big wins thanks to his offensive prowess (17.5 ppg).
• Montrezl Harrrell, Louisville - Harrell is a beast, using his size and physicality to bully peopl down low, both on the offensive end (15.7 ppg) and defensive end (9.5 rpg). 
• Seth Tuttle, Northern Iowa - Northern Iowa's breakout this year is largely thanks to the breakout of this "Poor Man's Frank Kaminsky" (15.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg), who led them to the Missouri Valley Conference title over Wichita State.
• Kris Dunn, Providence - The exciting Dunn (15.8 ppg, 7.6 apg) and backcourt mate LaDontae Henton (19.7 ppg) form one of the best tandems in college basketball, and lead a dangerous team that beat Notre Dame earlier this season.
• Mamadou Ndiaye, UC Irvine - Pronounced Mom-uh-do N-die, he is in here mostly because he is 7'6". But he is also productive (10.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg) when healthy (he missed a chunk of this season), anchoring one of the best defenses in the country and literally towering over opponents. 

Teams To Watch:

• #3 Oklahoma - Oklahoma is one of the best teams in the country, an all-around team that has beaten Kansas, Baylor, Iowa State, and West Virginia, and has the likes of Buddy Hield, TaShawn Thomas, and Ryan Spangler.
• #7 Michigan State - Tom Izzo's Michigan State teams always seem to play well in the postseason, no matter how mediocre they are during the regular season, and this year looks no different. Sparty played very well in the Big Ten Tournament, taking Wisconsin to overtime in the final, and they have veteran experience.
• #8 N.C. State - The Wolfpack are a dangerous eight seed. They've beaten North Carolina, Duke, and Louisville, and their led by guards "Cat" Barber (12.1 ppg), Trevor Lacey (15.8 ppg), and Ralston Turner (13.2 ppg). If they play to the level they are capable of, they can make a run.

Upsets To Watch:

• #13 UC Irvine vs. #4 Louisville - This is a good matchup for the Anteaters. Louisville is a poor three-point shooting team, and UC Irvine's zone defense, featuring a 7'6" center, that is very difficult to drive against. Montrezl Harrell might have some trouble with Mamadou Ndiaye, senior Will Davis II (12.9 ppg, 7 rpg) can be a playmaker, and the Anteaters can shoot the three too. 
• #12 Wyoming vs. #5 Northern Iowa - Northern Iowa is a talented team, but critics will argue that they played a relatively weak schedule, and Wyoming, a bid-stealer out of the Mountain West, has talent, including Josh Adams (13.1 ppg) and Larry Nance Jr. (16.1 ppg).

Prediction: I believe this could be a crazy region. I have UC Irvine upsetting Louisville in the "first round" (technically the second round), and I really thought about Dayton over Providence. The Round of 32 is when the real craziness begins. i have Michigan State over Virginia and N.C. State over Villanova. Ultimately, I have UNI and Oklahoma in the Elite Eight and Oklahoma in the Final Four.

South Region
Players To Watch:

• Jahlil Okafor, Duke - The fabulous freshman is even better than Duke's fab freshman last year (Jabari Parker) and is projected to go #1 in the NBA Draft. He is a force down low (17.7 ppg).
• Kyle Wiltjer, Gonzaga - The former Kentucky player from Portland is a major reason why (along with the play of teammate Kevin Pangos and others) the Zags are a two seed and a Final Four threat. He averaged 16.7 ppg (and 6 rpg).
• Delon Wright, Utah - Delon, who's older brother Dorell plays in the NBA, is a do-it-all senior point guard for the surprising Utes. He is among the best all-around players in the country (14.9 ppg, 5.3 apg, 4.9 rpg).
• D'Angelo Harrison, St. John's - Another great freshman named D'Angelo, Harrison (17.5 ppg) has been an essential part of bringing St. John's to prominence. 
• Tyler Harvey, Eastern Washington - Harvey, who got zero Division 1 offers out of high school, is the nation's leading scorer (22.9 ppg) and a key part of a dangerous offensive team.
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Teams To Watch:

• #3 Iowa State - The Cyclones are a very impressive team that won a very competitive Big 12 Tournament. They are propelled by talented point guard Monte Morris (11.8 ppg) and talented forward Georges Niang (15.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.5 apg).
• #5 Utah - Utah is a very balanced team, and one of the best defensive teams in the country. Those are two key ingredients to a Final Four team, along with a playmaking guard (Delon Wright). 
• #10 Davidson - Davidson has made a Cinderella run before (with some kid named Steph Curry), and they have the firepower to do it again (terrific three-point shooting team). They also potentially have a somewhat easy path, with an overseeded Iowa team and a beatable Gonzaga team.

Upsets To Watch:

• #13 Eastern Washington vs. #4 Georgetown - Tyler Harvey leads an excellent three-point shooting team that beat Indiana earlier this season, and Georgetown does not have a good recent track record in the NCAA Tournament.
• #12 Stephen F. Austin vs. #5 Utah - This is a popular upset pick after the Lumberjacks upset VCU last year. They are a great offensive team and have tested themselves. Plus, they have more tournament experience than five seed Utah.

Prediction: I'm infatuated with Utah (for some reason), which is why I have them winning this region. I have EWU upsetting Georgetown first round, and I have Utah and Iowa State in the Elite Eight.

"Most Likely" Upset Picks (These are big upsets that probably won't happen, but if I had to choose a 16, 15, and 14 seed to pull an upset, these are the ones I'd choose)
Most Likely 16 vs. 1 Upset:

• Lafayette vs. Villanova - Villanova seems like the most vulnerable of the one seeds, since they don't play the level of competition the other one seeds play. This isn't to say Nova is not a great team, but they are probably the worst of the one seeds (regardless of the sterling 32-2 record). The Leopards of Lafayette went on an absolute tear of three-pointers to win the Patriot League, and a team that shoots threes like that always has at least a sliver of a chance.

Most Likely 15 vs. 2 Upset:

• Belmont vs. Virginia - Staying in the East Region, this is an upset that isn't nearly as unfathomable as Lafayette over Villanova (remember, two 15 seeds pulled off upsets in 2012 and another 15 seed won two games in 2013). Virginia star Justin Anderson came back from an appendectomy in the ACC Tournament but played poorly, not scoring at all. One could argue for Texas Southern over Arizona (they beat Michigan State and Kansas State during the regular season) or North Dakota State over Gonzaga (they won a tournament game last year, and Gonzaga is the weakest two seed), Belmont can shoot the three as well as just about any team in the country, which could give the country's best defense a challenge.

Most Likely 14 vs. 3 Upset: 

•  Georgia State vs. Baylor - This is the most likely of these three upsets to happen, since a 14 beat a three just last year (Mercer over Duke). Georgia State is led by two players who have played on national powerhouses (Kentucky transfer Ryan Harrow and Louisville transfer Kevin Ware) and the coach's son (R.J. Hunter), and they are one of the best shooting teams in the country.

"Coin Flip" Teams (These are teams that could easily go to Indianapolis or go home early)

• Maryland - The Terps have a trio of very talented players, and have looked like one of the best teams in the country at times. But they have also barely won some games, and are a bit overrated. Still, if one or two of there playmakers catch fire, they could make a run.
• Notre Dame - Notre Dame is an offensive powerhouse led by one of the best players in the country, and they beat Duke and North Carolina on the way to an ACC Tournament title. But they are a below-average defensive team and don't have a history of deep NCAA Tournament runs.
• Texas - The Longhorns barely made the tournament, but they are better than the numbers suggest. They are very talented, and have beaten Baylor and West Virginia, but inconsistency and late game blunders have riddled this team.
• North Carolina - The Tar Heels are kind of like Texas, except without the blown games. They are talented but somewhat inconsistent. They beat Virginia and Louisville, but lost to Iowa and N.C. State. They have some really good players (Marcus Paige and Brice Johnson), but no superstar.
• Providence - The Friars have one of the most talented backcourts in the country and have beaten Notre Dame, but they don't shoot threes particularly well and were ousted early in last year's tournament. They have a potentially dangerous 6-11 matchup in Columbus against Dayton (if they beat Boise State).
• Virginia - Virginia, with their suffocating defense, is one of the best teams in America. However, there are questions about Justin Anderson's health, and if he isn't productive, they'll have to lean on Malcolm Brogdon (13.9 ppg) offensively, which could lead to an early exit.
• Utah - The Utes are very talented, and rank high both offensively and defensively. But they have lost four of their last seven, don't have NCAA Tournament experience, and face a dangerous upset-minded team in Stephen F. Austin.
• Gonzaga - The Zags have more talent than they have had in a while, which is why this team might be different from the ones who were called overrated and didn't do much to silence the haters. There are still the usual questions surrounding this team (strength of schedule and reputation), but nobody can deny that this is a very good team.

My Final Four Picks:

I picked Wisconsin over Kentucky and Utah over Oklahoma (I went back and forth on that one). I have Wisconsin as my National Champion. They are disciplined, experienced, efficient, and talented. They rarely turn the ball over and have the best player in the country. Here is my bracket.

Note: I am not a psychic, or even that good at picking NCAA Tournament games (I picked Creighton last year, after all). I went back and forth on more than a few matchups, and my bracket is still subject to change.

Grading Buzzer-Beaters

As we enter conference tournament play and get ever closer to the NCAA Tournament, I am creating some posts to get people ready for the Big Dance, including my 2015 March Madness Guide.

Buzzer-beaters are possibly the most exciting part of basketball, especially college basketball and March Madness. But not all buzzer-beaters are created equal. First, it has to actually beat the buzzer (if there is still time left on the clock, it is not a buzzer-beater!). After that, there are a number of things one must take into account when judging the greatness of a buzzer-beater. So I have attempted to create a sort of grading rubric for buzzer-beaters.

Degree Of Difficulty
The first thing to consider when determining the amazement of a buzzer-beater is how difficult it was. How bleak did the team's chances look in the final minutes/seconds? An epic comeback culminating in a buzzer-beater is better than losing the lead and winning on a buzzer-beater. How much of an underdog was the winning team (or how highly ranked was the losing team)? The shock factor is an important part of grading a buzzer-beater. Winning on the road also gets extra points, although they might lose points in the "Celebration" category (more on that later). The team also gets bonus points if they are playing shorthanded. Last, but not least, is the difficulty of the actual buzzer-beating shot. Full-court or half-court shots are obviously more amazing than layups. Buzzer-beating dunks and tip-ins may not be as difficult, but are still exciting and impressive (extra credit if a team can somehow win on a tip-in by the opponent). Likewise, having to take the ball the length of the court, especially without taking a timeout, is more impressive than setting up a play to win it. And obviously, game-winning buzzer-beaters beat game-tying buzzer-beaters.

Celebration
No buzzer-beater is complete without a jubilant celebration. There are various ways to go about this. Some common ones are the "jump around" celebration, the "dogpile" celebration, the "run away" celebration, and the "cold as ice" celebration (I didn't put much thought into these names, so feel free to come up with different names for them). The crowd celebration and commentator celebration are factors as well. The crazier the commentators' celebration, the better. And a court storming is always a plus.

Stakes
Last, but certainly not least, on my buzzer-beater grading rubric, is the measure of how high the stakes are. A buzzer-beater in the NCAA Tournament has a bit higher stakes than, say, one in the Maui Invitational. One in a conference championship game or the National Championship Game is even better.

Example:

Degree of Difficulty: 8/10

Things looked bleak when Butler traveled, giving Gonzaga the ball with 3.5 seconds remaining. It was pretty amazing when Roosevelt Jones stole the ball, brought it down the court, and lofted up a one-handed shot at the buzzer. A couple points are taken off because it wasn't a huge upset, they had home-court advantage, and the shot was close to the basket.

Celebration: 10/10

Jones and Butler did a combination of the "run away" celebration and the "dogpile" celebration, Dickie V went crazy, and the court storming was exemplary.

Stakes: 5/10

It was just a regular season game, although it was one around the halfway point of the season and it was a game between ranked teams.

Overall Shock Factor: 7.7/10

The "Overall Shock Factor" is just the overall grade for the buzzer-beater. I just average the scores for the other three areas to get it. Overall, this was a pretty amazing buzzer-beater, and it's hard to disagree.

This is a completely subjective grading scale, so it's okay if you disagree with my grades and factors. After all, this is my buzzer-beater grading scale, and even I am not 100% about my own grades. This is just a fun little way to judge the amazement of a buzzer-beater. But really, any buzzer-beater is pretty amazing. 

The Art of Court Storming

As we enter conference tournament play and get ever closer to the NCAA Tournament, I am creating some posts to get people ready for the Big Dance, including my 2015 March Madness Guide.

Court storming (for those somehow unfamiliar with the term, it's when fans rush the court after a win) has long been a staple in college basketball and an integral part of the excitement that is March Madness. It exhibits the euphoria of March Madness and upsets. However, the act of court storming has recently come under fire after Kansas State stormed the court following an upset over rival Kansas. Kansas was unable to get off of the court due to the sea of fans, and forward Jamari Traylor was elbowed by a fan. In reaction to the event, many people, including college basketball analysts and writers, denounced the act of storming the court and thought it should be banned (although others have defended court storming, like myself). It makes sense why people would say that. Court storming is chaotic and can be dangerous. Hundreds of crazy fans run out onto the court with the players and go wild, and the opposing team can sometimes have trouble making it to their locker room. However, this is mostly an isolated incident, and rarely does anything seriously bad happen during a court storming. As long as people don't act stupidly (which can sometimes be hard to ask for) and security is present, court stormings shouldn't be a serious problem. Plus, court storming is an essential part of the excitement and entertainment of college basketball and March Madness. Even for those watching at home, just seeing a court storming adds elation. My brother always wonders whether a team will storm the court after an win, even if they are the favored team, and he loves it when they do. Court storming is as much a part of March Madness as upsets and buzzer-beaters (and those three events go hand-in-hand). Long live court storming.

March Madness

As we enter conference tournament play and get ever closer to the NCAA Tournament, I am creating some posts to get people ready for the Big Dance, including my 2015 March Madness Guide.


March. The time of year when the thermometer starts rising, the snow starts melting, and college basketball starts exciting. Not that the rest of the college basketball season isn't enticing  and sometimes chaotic. There is just something about March. Maybe it’s the single-elimination tournaments (both conference tournaments and the NCAA Tournament), and the understanding that anything can happen on any given day. Maybe it’s the introduction of Cinderellas, teams that many people don’t know of until they cause chaos in the postseason. Maybe it’s the coming out party of many a tournament hero. Maybe it’s the amazing game-winning shots and unbelievable buzzer-beaters, made all the more iconic by the high stakes. Maybe it’s simply the sport of filling out brackets, a favorite pastime of millions of people. Maybe it’s the joy of watching a loathed juggernaut get upset or the agony of watching a favorite team falter in the final seconds. Maybe (and most likely) it’s the combination of all of these reasons. Whatever it may be that causes so much euphoria this time of year, it is unlike anything else. College football (at least the highest division) only has a four team playoff. Not many people fill out brackets for college baseball or lacrosse. Hardly anyone will remember who won the NCAA Division I college volleyball national championship last year (was it Penn State?), but many remember the magical run the Connecticut Huskies went on in last year’s NCAA Division I college basketball tournament. No other sporting event (except maybe the Super Bowl or the Olympics) can have such an effect on so many. Not many sporting events are so monumental that there is a profession made just for projecting the tournament field (bracketology). Not many events cause Warren Buffet to offer $1,000,000,000 for a perfect bracket. This is the time when ordinary collegiate student-athletes can become legends, even if they never go on to success in professional basketball. This is the time when people meet (and fall in love with) the Jimmers, Kembas, and Shabazzes. This is the time when people jump on bandwagons, and cheer for the underdogs. This is March Madness.

G-Rex's 2014-15 College Football Bowl Preview Extravaganza: Part III

Happy New Year, and welcome to the third and final part of G-Rex's 2014-15 College Football Preview Extravaganza, which includes the inaugural College Football Playoff. Before we begin, just a quick disclaimer. My predictions are not who i want to win (as you will see with the Sugar Bowl), but rather who I am guessing will win. Remember, I am not a prophet, and most of these are just somewhat-educated guesses. As with Parts I and II of the Bowl Preview Extravaganza, I've provided links to the web sites of each of the bowl games embedded in the name of the bowl, so you can find out all you want to know about the bowls. Thanks again to ESPN.com for stats and information, and thank you, loyal readers, for taking the time to check this out. I hope you enjoyed it. One last thing: Go Bucks!


Outback Bowl (Tampa, FL, Jan. 1, 12:00 PM, ESPN2)
#19 Auburn Tigers (8-4, 4-4 SEC, 4th SEC West) vs. #18 Wisconsin Badgers (10-3, 7-1 Big Ten, Big Ten Runner-Up)
Season Results:
Auburn                                                                     Wisconsin    
vs. Top 25: 3-3                                                                   vs. Top 25: 1-2
vs. Bowl Teams: 6-4                                                          vs. Bowl Teams: 7-2                          Rankings:
Auburn                                                                     Wisconsin   
Passing: 63rd (230.7 yards/game)                                       Passing: 115th (150.8 yards/game)  
Rushing: 12th (258.5 yards/game)                                   Rushing: 4th (314 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 79th (239.2 yards/game)                          Pass Defense: 5th (164.3 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 46th (149.5 yards/game)                         Rush Defense: 17th (118.9 yards/game)
Summary: This will be a battle on the ground between two of the country's best rushing teams. Wisconsin has junior running back Melvin Gordon (2,336 yards rushing, 26 TD), who is the nation's leading rusher (he's 292 yards away from Barry Sander's all-time NCAA single-season rushing record) and a projected 1st round pick in this year's draft. On the other sideline are senior quarterback Nick Marshall (2,315 yards passing, 18 TD, 7 INT; 780 yards rushing, 11 TD) and senior running back Cameron Artis-Payne (1,482 yards rushing, 11 TD). Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez will be coaching this game after Gary Anderson left for Oregon State (Wisconsin hired Pittsburgh coach Paul Chryst)
Prediction: Auburn 32, Wisconsin 28

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (Arlington, TX, Jan. 1, 12:30 PM, ESPN)
#8 Michigan State Spartans (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten, 2nd Big Ten East) vs. #5 Baylor Bears (11-1, 8-1 Big 12, T-1st Big 12)
Season Results:
Michigan State                                                                     Baylor    
vs. Top 25: 0-2                                                                   vs. Top 25: 2-0
vs. Bowl Teams: 4-2                                                          vs. Bowl Teams: 5-1                          Rankings:
Michigan State                                                                     Baylor   
Passing: 39th (261.6 yards/game)                                       Passing: 5th (346.2 yards/game)  
Rushing: 24th (234.9 yards/game)                                   Rushing: 23rd (235.2 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 25th (196 yards/game)                          Pass Defense: 96th (260 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 6th (97.5 yards/game)                         Rush Defense: 9th (107.7 yards/game)
Summary: Both of these teams were oh-so-close to getting in to the inaugural College Football Playoff. MSU's only losses were to two teams in the playoff (Oregon and Ohio State) and Baylor's lone blemish was against West Virginia. It will be a matchup to watch between Baylor's lethal offensive attack, led by senior quarterback Bryce Petty (3,305 yards passing, 26 TD, 6 INT), and Michigan State's suffocating defense, led by defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi for the last time (he took the head coaching job at Pittsburgh).
Prediction: Baylor 42, Michigan State 38

Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl (Orlando, FL, Jan. 1, 1:00 PM, ABC)
#16 Missouri Tigers (10-3, 7-1 SEC, SEC Runner-Up) vs. #25 Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-4, 5-3 Big Ten, 3rd Big Ten West)
Season Results:
Missouri                                                                     Minnesota    
vs. Top 25: 0-2                                                                   vs. Top 25: 0-3
vs. Bowl Teams: 7-2                                                          vs. Bowl Teams: 2-4                          Rankings:
Missouri                                                                     Minnesota   
Passing: 92nd (196.2 yards/game)                                       Passing: 120th (131.4 yards/game)  
Rushing: 62nd (165.6 yards/game)                                   Rushing: 27th (224.6 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 37th (208.5 yards/game)                          Pass Defense: 32nd (201.5 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 30th (135.8 yards/game)                         Rush Defense: 63rd (161.2 yards/game)
Summary: Missouri is coming off a loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship, while Minnesota is coming off a 3rd place finish in the Big Ten West. Mizzou is paced on offense by sophomore quarterback Maty Mauk (2,551 yards passing, 23 TD, 11 INT) and on defense by All-American junior defensive end Shane Ray (61 tackles, 14 sacks). Minnesota gets most of their points on the ground with senior running back David Cobb (1,545 yards rushing, 13 TD).
Prediction: Missouri 35, Minnesota 21

Rose Bowl Game Presented By Northwestern Mutual (Pasadena, CA, Jan. 1, 5:00 PM, ESPN)-Semifinal
#2 Oregon Ducks (12-1, 8-1 PAC-12, PAC-12 Champion) vs. #3 Florida State Seminoles (13-0, 8-0 ACC, ACC Champion)
Season Results:
Oregon                                                                     Florida State    
vs. Top 25: 4-1                                                                   vs. Top 25: 2-0
vs. Bowl Teams: 6-1                                                          vs. Bowl Teams: 9-0                          Rankings:
Oregon                                                                    Florida State   
Passing: 11th (308.9 yards/game)                                       Passing: 14th (299.8 yards/game)  
Rushing: 22nd (237.3 yards/game)                                   Rushing: 96th (134.8 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 95th (259.5 yards/game)                          Pass Defense: 48th (218.2 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 50th (153.9 yards/game)                         Rush Defense: 60th (160.1 yards/game)
Summary: Finally, here we are. The inaugural College Football Playoff. This semifinal is a battle of the past two Heisman Trophy winners-Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota (3,783 yards passing, 38 TD, 2 INT; 669 yards rushing, 14 TD) and Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston (3,559 yards passing, 24 TD, 17 INT). Winston has a dangerous weapon in senior wide receiver Rashad Greene (1,306 yards receiving, 7 TD), but the Ducks also need to look out for senior tight end Nick O'Leary (614 yards receiving, 6 TD). The Noles are unbeaten, but just barely escaped in many of their games (7 wins by seven points or fewer), while Oregon has mostly breezed in their wins (their lone loss was in the fifth game the season to Arizona, 31-24).
Prediction: Oregon 35, Florida State 28

Allstate Sugar Bowl (New Orleans, LA, Jan. 1, 8:30 PM, ESPN)-Semifinal
#1 Alabama Crimson Tide (12-1, 7-1 SEC, SEC Champion) vs. #4 Ohio State Buckeyes (12-1, 8-0 Big Ten, Big Ten Champion)
Season Results:
Alabama                                                                     Ohio State    
vs. Top 25: 4-1                                                                   vs. Top 25: 3-0
vs. Bowl Teams: 9-1                                                          vs. Bowl Teams: 9-1                          Rankings:
Alabama                                                                    Ohio State   
Passing: 22nd (281 yards/game)                                       Passing: 50th (246.8 yards/game)  
Rushing: 36th (209.5 yards/game)                                   Rushing: 11th (160.8 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 56th (223.7 yards/game)                          Pass Defense: 17th (188.2 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 2nd (88.7 yards/game)                         Rush Defense: 33rd (139.8 yards/game)
Summary: Both of these teams are rolling into this semifinal off convincing conference championships (Alabama beat Missouri 42-13; Ohio State beat Wisconsin 59-0). The Buckeyes have endured an ugly early season loss to Virginia Tech (35-21) at home and the loss of two Heisman Trophy contenders at quarterback (Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett), but redshirt sophomore Cardale Jones (375 yards passing, 5 TD; 215 yards rushing) stepped up in the Big Ten Championship, throwing three long touchdowns to senior deep threat Devin Smith (799 yads receiving, 11 TD). On the other side of the ball, Alabama will have to face a strong defense led by sophomore defensive end Joey Bosa (51 tackles, 12.5 sacks), but they have plenty of playmakers, including senior quarterback Blake Sims (3,250 yards passing, 26 TD, 7 INT; 321 yards rushing, 6 TD) and junior wide receiver/Heisman Trophy finalist Amari Cooper (1,656 yards receiving, 16 TD). Alabama's only loss was at Ole Miss 23-17.
Prediction: Alabama 38, Ohio State 35

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl (Fort Worth, TX, Jan. 2, 12:00 PM, ESPN)
Houston Cougars (7-5, 5-3 American, 5th AAC)  vs. Pittsburgh Panthers (6-6, 4-4 ACC, 4th ACC Coastal)
Season Results:
Houston                                                                     Pittsburgh    
vs. Top 25: 0-0                                                                   vs. Top 25: 0-1
vs. Bowl Teams: 1-3                                                          vs. Bowl Teams: 4-4                          Rankings:
Houston                                                                    Pittsburgh   
Passing: 66th (226.6 yards/game)                                       Passing: 101st (182.9 yards/game)  
Rushing: 49th (181.6 yards/game)                                   Rushing: 16th (251.3 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 29th (198.3 yards/game)                          Pass Defense: 20th (192.7 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 31st (136.3 yards/game)                         Rush Defense: 51st (156 yards/game)
Summary: We go from the College Football Playoff to a game between two teams who will have new coaches next year (Houston hired Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman; Pittsburgh hired Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi). Pitt likes to run the ball, headed by sophomore running back and ACC Player of the Year James Connor (1,675 yards rushing, 24 TD). Houston is guided by sophomore quarterback Greg Ward Jr. (1,736 yards passing, 9 TD, 7 INT; 481 yards rushing, 6 TD), a converted receiver who took over midseason. Both teams also have pretty good defenses.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 28, Houston 21

TaxSlayer Bowl (Jacksonville, FL, Jan. 2, 3:20 PM, ESPN)
Iowa Hawkeyes (7-5, 4-4 Big Ten, 4th Big Ten West) vs. Tennessee Volunteers (6-6, 3-5 SEC, 5th SEC West)
Season Results:
Iowa                                                                     Tennessee    
vs. Top 25: 0-0                                                                   vs. Top 25: 0-1
vs. Bowl Teams: 1-3                                                          vs. Bowl Teams: 4-4                          Rankings:
Iowa                                                                    Tennessee   
Passing: 66th (226.6 yards/game)                                       Passing: 101st (182.9 yards/game)  
Rushing: 49th (181.6 yards/game)                                   Rushing: 16th (251.3 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 29th (198.3 yards/game)                          Pass Defense: 20th (192.7 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 31st (136.3 yards/game)                         Rush Defense: 51st (156 yards/game)
Summary: The Hawkeyes probably fell short of expectations this season, while the Volunteers probably exceeded expectations. Quarterbacking each side are junior Jake Rudock (2,404 yards passing, 16 TD, 5 INT) and sophomore Josh Dobbs (1,077 yards passing, 8 TD, 5 INT; 393 yards rushing, 6 TD), respectively. Both teams are stout defensively, although Iowa has struggled a bit recently.
Prediction: Iowa 29, Tennessee 24

Valero Alamo Bowl (San Antonio, TX, Jan. 2, 6:45 PM, ESPN)
#11 Kansas State Wildcats (9-3, 7-2 Big 12, 3rd Big 12) vs. #14 UCLA Bruins (9-3, 6-3 PAC-12, 3rd PAC-12 South)
Season Results:
Kansas State                                                                     UCLA    
vs. Top 25: 0-3                                                                   vs. Top 25: 3-2
vs. Bowl Teams: 5-3                                                          vs. Bowl Teams: 6-3                          Rankings:
Kansas State                                                                    UCLA   
Passing: 20th (283.2 yards/game)                                       Passing: 35th (268.5 yards/game)  
Rushing: 89th (142.8 yards/game)                                   Rushing: 39th (199.4 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 76th (236.8 yards/game)                          Pass Defense: 82nd (243.3 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 23rd (124.5 yards/game)                         Rush Defense: 54th (157.7 yards/game)
Summary: These two teams had visions of playing on New Year's Day, but instead they'll be playing the day after. In what will likely be the last game of each of their college careers, UCLA junior quarterback Brett Hundley (3,019 yards passing, 21 TD, 5 INT; 548 yards rushing, 8 TD) will go up against Kansas State senior quarterback Jake Waters (3,163 yards passing, 20 TD, 6 INT; 471 yards rushing, 8 TD). The Wildcats also have dangerous senior wide receiver Tyler Lockett (1,351 yards receiving, 9 TD), and the Bruins are led defensively by senior linebacker and Butkus Award (nation's best linebacker) winner Eric Kendricks (136 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 INT).
Prediction: Kansas State 32, UCLA 28

TicketCity Cactus Bowl (Tempe, AZ, Jan. 2, 10:15 PM, ESPN)
Washington Huskies (8-5, 4-5 PAC-12, 3rd PAC-12 North) vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys (6-6, 4-5 Big 12, 7th Big 12)
Season Results:
Washington                                                                     Oklahoma State    
vs. Top 25: 0-3                                                                   vs. Top 25: 0-4
vs. Bowl Teams: 5-3                                                          vs. Bowl Teams: 1-6                          Rankings:
Washington                                                                    Oklahoma State   
Passing: 94th (194.8 yards/game)                                       Passing: 56th (235.7 yards/game)  
Rushing: 40th (195.3 yards/game)                                   Rushing: 94th (135.3 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 116th (283.9 yards/game)                          Pass Defense: 105th (269.3 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 21st (121.9 yards/game)                         Rush Defense: 68th (168 yards/game)
Summary: The Huskies and Cowboys each had their moments this season. Washington is coming off coach Chris Peterson's 100th win, and Oklahoma State started off the season by almost beating Florida State and then winning the next five games. Washington hounds defensively, led by junior linebacker/running back Shaq Thompson (456 yards rushing, 2 TD; 71 tackles, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 1 INT, 1 TD). Washington is led offensively by sophomore quarterback Cyler Miles (2,129 yards passing, 16 TD, 3 INT; 280 yards rushing, 4 TD), while OK State is led offensively by freshman quarterback Mason Rudolph (554 yards passing, 4 TD, 3 INT).
Prediction: Oklahoma State 34, Washington 32

Birmingham Bowl (Birmingham, AL, Jan. 3, 12:00 PM, ESPN)
East Carolina Pirates (8-4, 5-3 American, 4th AAC) vs. Florida Gators (6-5, 4-4 SEC, 3rd SEC East)
Season Results:
East Carolina                                                                     Florida    
vs. Top 25: 0-0                                                                   vs. Top 25: 1-4
vs. Bowl Teams: 2-3                                                          vs. Bowl Teams: 2-5                          Rankings:
East Carolina                                                                    Florida   
Passing: 2nd (367.3 yards/game)                                       Passing: 103rd (180.7 yards/game)  
Rushing: 63rd (165.4 yards/game)                                   Rushing: 43rd (189.5 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 99th (262.6 yards/game)                          Pass Defense: 22nd (194.2 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 8th (107.1 yards/game)                         Rush Defense: 12th (116.8 yards/game)
Summary: This is clearly not where the Gators want to be, and the Pirates expected better after starting off the season well. Florida will be coached by defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin after firing Will Muschamp and hiring Colorado State coach Jim McElwain. East Carolina has a high-octane offense, led by senior quarterback Shane Carden (4,309 yards passing, 28 TD, 8 INT) and senior wide receiver Justin Hardy (1,334 yards receiving, 9 TD). They will face a talented defense that is allowing only 21.2 points per game.
Prediction: East Carolina 38, Florida 32

GoDaddy Bowl (Mobile, AL, Jan. 4, 9:00 PM, ESPN)
Toledo Rockets (8-4, 7-1 MAC, 2nd MAC West) vs. Arkansas State Red Wolves (7-5, 5-3 Sun Belt, 4th Sun Belt)
Season Results:
Toledo                                                                     Arkansas State    
vs. Top 25: 0-1                                                                   vs. Top 25: 0-0
vs. Bowl Teams: 3-3                                                          vs. Bowl Teams: 2-3                          Rankings:
Toledo                                                                    Arkansas State   
Passing: 54th (239 yards/game)                                       Passing: 49th (248.2 yards/game)  
Rushing: 18th (247.3 yards/game)                                   Rushing: 26th (229 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 114th (282.4 yards/game)                          Pass Defense: 51st (219.3 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 19th (120.5 yards/game)                         Rush Defense: 91st (191.9 yards/game)
Summary: Last but not least (excluding the National Championship) is the prestigious GoDaddy Bowl, between representatives from the MAC and Sun Belt. This is Arkansas State's fourth consecutive GoDaddy Bowl, and they are looking for their third straight win. Watch out for coach Blake Anderson in the future, as the last three people to coach the Red Wolves were Hugh Freeze (went to Mississippi State), Gus Malzahn (went to Auburn), and Bryan Harsin (went to Boise State). Junior quarterback Fredi Knighten (2,874 yards passing, 19 TD, 7 INT; 775 yards rushing, 11 TD) and junior running back Michael Gordon (1,064 yards rushing, 13 TD) lead a potent rushing attack for the Red Wolves. The Rockets also have a potent rushing attack with sophomore running back Kareem Hunt (1,360 yards rushing, 11 TD).
Prediction: Toledo 28, Arkansas State 27

CFP National Championship Game Presented By AT&T (Arlington, TX, Jan. 12, 8:30 PM, ESPN)
#2 Oregon Ducks vs. #1 Alabama Crimson Tide
Prediction: Oregon 38, Alabama 32

G-Rex's 2014-15 College Football Bowl Preview Extravaganza: Part II

Welcome to Part 2 of Grantosaurus Rex's 2014-15 College Football Bowl Preview Extravaganza! Sorry for the delay, but it's not like you missed much (no offense to the Heart of Dallas Bowl, Quick Lane Bowl, and St. Petersburg Bowl). I hope you all had a great Christmas, and have a great New Year, when I'll be back for Part 3.

Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl (Dallas, TX, Dec. 26, 1:00 PM, ESPN)
Illinois Fighting Illini (6-6, 3-5 Big Ten, 5th Big Ten West) vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (8-5, 7-1 Conference USA, C-USA Runner-Up)
Season Results:
Illinois                                                                                      Louisiana Tech                                         vs. Top 25: 1-2                                                                         vs. Top 25: 0-1
vs. Bowl Teams: 3-5                                                                vs. Bowl Teams: 4-3
Rankings:
Illinois                                                                                      Louisiana Tech 
Passing: 51st (243.2 yards/game)                                          Passing: 44th (252.6 yards/game)  
Rushing: 106th (117.1 yards/game)                                       Rushing: 79th (151.2 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 42nd (214.8 yards/game)                               Pass Defense: 77th (237.8 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 119th (249.6 yards/game)                             Rush Defense: 16th (117.9 yards/game)
Summary: Illinois is back to the postseason for the first time in three years, led by true freshman receiver Mike Dudek (985 yards, 6 TD). Louisiana Tech almost won Conference USA (they lost to Marshall 26-23), with strong contributions from the defense (FBS-leading 40 turnovers) and star junior running back Kenneth Dixon (1,236 yards rushing, 21 touchdowns; 306 yards receiving, 5 TD).
Prediction: Louisiana Tech 32, Illinois 28

Quick Lane Bowl (Detroit, MI, Dec. 26, 4:30 PM, ESPN)
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (7-5, 3-5 Big Ten, 4th Big Ten East) vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (6-6, 4-4 ACC, 3rd ACC Coastal)
Season Results:
Rutgers                                                                                 North Carolina                                           vs. Top 25: 0-3                                                                       vs. Top 25: 1-1
vs. Bowl Teams: 2-5                                                              vs. Bowl Teams: 4-6
Rankings:
Rutgers                                                                                 North Carolina 
Passing: 51st (243.2 yards/game)                                        Passing: 24th (279.3 yards/game)  
Rushing: 106th (117.1 yards/game)                                     Rushing: 86th (146.2 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 42nd (214.8 yards/game)                             Pass Defense: 101st (263.5 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 119th (249.6 yards/game)                           Rush Defense: 113th (232.2 yards/game)
Summary: Rutgers survived their first season in the Big Ten, doing it mostly through the air with senior quarterback Gary Nova (2,667 yards passing, 20 TD, 12 INT) and junior wide receiver Leonte Carroo (1,043 yards receiving, 10 TD). North Carolina were up-and-down this season, upsetting Georgia Tech but losing to East Carolina, among other disappointments. They did, however, find a quarterback in Junior Marquise Williams (2,870 yards passing, 20 TD, 9 INT; 737 yards rushing, 12 TD).  
Prediction: North Carolina 38, Rutgers 35

Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl (Saint Peterburg, FL, Dec. 26, 8:00 PM, ESPN)
N.C. State Wolfpack (7-5, 3-5 ACC, 5th ACC Atlantic) vs. Central Florida Knights (9-3, 7-1 American, 3rd AAC)
Season Results:
N.C. State                                                                                 Central Florida                                       vs. Top 25: 0-4                                                                          vs. Top 25: 0-1
vs. Bowl Teams: 2-5                                                                 vs. Bowl Teams: 3-2
Rankings:
N.C. State                                                                                 Central Florida
Passing: 93rd (196 yards/game)                                              Passing: 63rd (130.7 yards/game)  
Rushing: 38th (206 yards/game)                                             Rushing: 97th (132.2 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 27th (197.5 yards/game)                                 Pass Defense: 11th (185.4 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 76th (175.6 yards/game)                                Rush Defense: 5th (97.4 yards/game)
Summary: The Wolfpack had a turnaround season after finishing 3-9 last year, in large part to junior quarterback and Florida transfer Jacoby Brissett (2,344 yards passing, 22 TD, 5 INT; 498 yards rushing, 3 TD). UCF had an exciting season, capped by a Hail Mary to beat East Carolina. They've been carried by their defense, led by senior linebacker Terrance Plummer (90 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 INT).
Prediction: N.C. State 27, Central Florida 24

Military Bowl Presented By Northrop Grumman (Annapolis, MD, Dec. 27, 1:00 PM, ESPN)
Cincinnati Bearcats (9-3, 7-1 American, T-1st AAC) vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (6-6, 3-5 ACC, 6th ACC Coastal)
Season Results:
Cincinnati                                                                                Virginia Tech                                             vs.  Top 25: 0-1                                                                       vs. Top 25: 1-1
vs. Bowl Teams: 2-3                                                               vs. Bowl Teams: 4-5
Rankings:
Cincinnati                                                                                Virginia Tech
Passing: 13th (300.2 yards/game)                                          Passing: 68th (225.2 yards/game)  
Rushing: 71st (157.6 yards/game)                                         Rushing: 89th (142.8 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 103rd (266.3 yards/game)                              Pass Defense: 14th (186.8 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 80th (181.5 yards/game)                               Rush Defense: 41st (144.8 yards/game)
Summary: The Bearcats had another successful season culminating in a share of the American, largely due to sophomore quarterback and Notre Dame transfer Gunner Kiel (3,010 yards passing, 30 TD, 11 INT), who had a wonderful season, including a six-touchdown performance in the season opener. Virginia Tech has struggled after a big road win over Ohio State in the second week of the season, especially on offense. They are led defensively by sophomore cornerback Kendall Fuller (50 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT), the younger brother of Bears corner Kyle and Lions receiver Corey.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 28, Cincinnati 24

Hyundai Sun Bowl (El Paso, TX, Dec. 27, 2:00 PM, CBS)
#15 Arizona State Sun Devils (9-3, 6-3 PAC-12, 2nd PAC-12 South) vs. Duke Blue Devils (9-5, 5-3 ACC, 2nd ACC Coastal)
Season Results:
Arizona State                                                                          Duke                                                         vs. Top 25: 2-2                                                                        vs. Top 25: 1-0
vs. Bowl Teams: 5-2                                                               vs. Bowl Teams: 2-3
Rankings:
Arizona State                                                                          Duke
Passing: 29th (276.3 yards/game)                                          Passing: 77th (214.9 yards/game)  
Rushing: 59th (170.2 yards/game)                                         Rushing: 47th (183.3 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 98th (261.8 yards/game)                                Pass Defense: 34th (204 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 52nd (156.8 yards/game)                              Rush Defense: 94th (196.3 yards/game)
Summary: Arizona State almost got to the PAC-12 championship game, falling to rival Arizona 42-35 for the PAC-12 South title. The quarterback position has been a bit shaky for the Sun Devils, but junior wide receiver Jaelen Strong (1,062 yards receiving, 10 TD) and junior running back D.J. Foster (1,002 yards rushing, 9 TD; 646 yards receiving, 3 TD) have helped power the offense. Duke built off a 10-win season last year, making it to a bowl game in two straight seasons for the first time ever. Senior receiver Jamison Crowder (942 yards receiving, 6 TD) and senior linebacker David Helton (125 tackles, 2 sacks) are big reasons why.
Prediction: Arizona State 34, Duke 28

Duck Commander Independence Bowl (Shreveport, LA, Dec. 27, 3:30 PM, ABC)
Miami Hurricanes (6-6, 3-5 ACC, 5th ACC Coastal) vs. South Carolina Gamecocks (6-6, 3-5 SEC, 4th SEC East)
Season Results:
Miami                                                                                    South Carolina                                            vs. Top 25: 0-3                                                                      vs. Top 25: 1-4
vs. Bowl Teams: 5-5                                                             vs. Bowl Teams: 4-5
Rankings:
Miami                                                                                    South Carolina
Passing: 46th (251.1 yards/game)                                        Passing: 21st (281.4 yards/game)  
Rushing: 50th (179.9 yards/game)                                       Rushing: 60th (169.4 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 9th (183.7 yards/game)                                Pass Defense: 50th (219.2 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 39th (143.9 yards/game)                             Rush Defense: 106th (214.4 yards/game)
Summary: Miami and South Carolina both came into the season with high expectations and didn't meet them. However, there are some positives. Miami true freshman quarterback Brad Kaaya (2,962 yards passing, 25 TD, 11 INT) was a breakout star, junior running back Duke Johnson (1,520 yards rushing, 10 TD; 370 yards receiving, 3 TD) became Miami's all-time leading rusher, senior linebacker Denzel Perryman (102 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 1 INT) led a strong defense, and senior tight end Clive Walford (676 yards receiving, 7 TD) is one of the best in the country (and has a great name). South Carolina had one of the best all-purpose players in the country in sophomore receiver Pharoh Cooper (966 yards receiving, 8 TD; 198 yards rushing, 2 TD; 78 yards passing, 2 TD), who also has a great name.
Prediction: South Carolina 34, Miami 30

New Era Pinstripe Bowl (New York, NY, Dec. 27, 4:30 PM, ESPN)
Boston College Eagles (7-5, 4-4 ACC, 4th ACC Atlantic) vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (6-6, 2-6 Big Ten, 6th Big Ten East)
Season Results:
Boston College                                                                           Penn State                                           vs. Top 25: 1-3                                                                            vs. Top 25: 0-2
vs. Bowl Teams: 3-5                                                                   vs. Bowl Teams: 2-4
Rankings:
Boston College                                                                           Penn State
Passing: 119th (132 yards/game)                                               Passing: 71st (221.9 yards/game)  
Rushing: 15th (251.8 yards/game)                                             Rushing: 112th (103.6 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 47th (218 yards/game)                                       Pass Defense: 10th (185 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 4th (95.5 yards/game)                                       Rush Defense: 1st (84.8 yards/game)
Summary: This is sure to be a defensive battle, as both teams are among the best in the nation in rush defense and total defense. Penn State has the Big Ten's best linebacker in senior Mike Hull (132 tackles, 2 sacks). Boston College has some threats offensively, including dual-threat senior quarterback Tyler Murphy (1,526 yards passing, 11 TD, 10 INT; 1,079 yards rushing, 10 TD) and true freshman running back John Hilliman (712 yards rushing, 12 TD). Penn State has struggled offensively due to inconsistent sophomore quarterback Christian Hackenberg (2,606 yards passing, 8 TD, 15 INT).
Prediction: Boston College 27, Penn State 20

National University Holiday Bowl (San Diego, CA, Dec. 27, 8:00 PM, ESPN)
Nebraska Cornhuskers (9-3, 5-3 Big Ten, 2nd Big Ten West) vs. #24 USC Trojans (8-4, 6-3 PAC-12, 4th PAC-12 South)
Season Results:
Nebraska                                                                              USC    
vs. Top 25: 0-3                                                                      vs. Top 25: 1-3
vs. Bowl Teams: 5-3                                                             vs. Bowl Teams: 4-4                                    Rankings:
Nebraska                                                                              USC     
Passing: 89th (198 yards/game)                                           Passing: 15th (294.6 yards/game)  
Rushing: 17th (248.3 yards/game)                                       Rushing: 70th (158.2 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 26th (196.3 yards/game)                              Pass Defense: 102nd (265.7 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 78th (176.5 yards/game)                             Rush Defense: 27th (132.5 yards/game)
Summary: Nebraska will be led by interim coach Barney Cotton after the firing of Bo Pelini and hiring of Mike Riley. Nebraska has been pretty strong defensively and is powered offensively by senior running back Ameer Abdullah (1,523 yards rushing, 18 TD; 208 yards receiving, 3 TD). USC has one of the better passing offenses in the country thanks to junior quarterback Cody Kessler (3,505 yards passing, 36 TD, 4 INT) and junior wide receiver Nelson Agholor (1,223 yards receiving, 11 TD).
Prediction: USC 34, Nebraska 28

AutoZone Liberty Bowl (Memphis, TN, Dec. 29, 2:00 PM, ESPN) 
Texas A&M Aggies (7-5, 3-5 SEC, 6th SEC West) vs. West Virginia Mountaineers 7-5, 5-4 Big 12, 5th)
Season Results:
Texas A&M                                                                           West Virginia    
vs. Top 25: 1-4                                                                        vs. Top 25: 1-3
vs. Bowl Teams: 4-5                                                               vs. Bowl Teams: 3-5                                Rankings:
Texas A&M                                                                           West Virginia     
Passing: 12th (306.4 yards/game)                                          Passing: 9th (314.6 yards/game)  
Rushing: 89th (142.8 yards/game)                                         Rushing: 44th (187.5 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 60th (225.5 yards/game)                                Pass Defense: 61st (226 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 111th (223.5 yards/game)                             Rush Defense: 67th (162.6 yards/game)
Summary: This is sure to be a shootout as both of these teams have prolific passing offenses. Both teams, however, have gone through bumps in the road at quarterback. Texas A&M benched Kenny Hill, who looked really good the first few weeks, for freshman Kyle Allen (1,028 yards passing, 12 TD, 6 INT), and West Virginia quarterback Clint Trickett retired due to concussions, meaning sophomore Skyler Howard (483 yards passing,5 TD) will start the bowl game. He'll have one of the best wide receivers in the nation in senior Kevin White (1,318 yards receiving, 9 TD).
Prediction: West Virginia 42, Texas A&M 38

Russell Athletic Bowl (Orlando, FL, Dec. 29, 5:30 PM, ESPN)
Oklahoma Sooners (8-4, 5-4 Big 12, 4th) vs. #17 Clemson Tigers (9-3, 6-2 ACC, 2nd in ACC Atlantic)
Season Results:
Oklahoma                                                                                   Clemson    
vs. Top 25: 0-3                                                                           vs. Top 25: 1-3
vs. Bowl Teams: 4-4                                                                  vs. Bowl Teams: 5-3                              Rankings:
Oklahoma                                                                                   Clemson     
Passing: 78th (211.9 yards/game)                                             Passing: 42nd (257.1 yards/game)  
Rushing: 9th (268.6 yards/game)                                              Rushing: 78th (153 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 110th (272.7 yards/game)                                 Pass Defense: 3rd (161.9 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 10th (109.6 yards/game)                                  Rush Defense: 7th (97.7 yards/game)
Summary: Both of these teams have some very talented young players. Unfortunately for the Mountaineers, freshman quarterback Deshaun Watson (1,466 yards passing, 14 TD, 2 INT; 200 yards rushing, 5 TD) will not play while recovering from knee surgery. That means senior Cole Stoudt (1,573 yards passing, 6 TD, 10 INT) will lead the Tigers against Oklahoma, who is led by freshman running back Samaje Perine (1,579 yards rushing, 21 TD), who broke the single game record for rushing yards against Kansas (427). Clemson has a suffocating defense, led by senior defensive end and ACC Defensive Player of the Year Vic Beasley (28 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks).
Prediction: Clemson 35, Oklahoma 28

AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl (Houston, TX, Dec. 29, 9:00 PM, ESPN)
Arkansas Razorbacks (6-6, 2-6 SEC, 7th in SEC West) vs. Texas Longhorns (6-6, 5-4 Big 12, 6th)
Season Results:
Arkansas                                                                                 Texas    
vs. Top 25: 1-5                                                                        vs. Top 25: 0-4
vs. Bowl Teams: 3-6                                                               vs. Bowl Teams: 2-6                            Rankings:
Arkansas                                                                                 Texas     
Passing: 95th (190.3 yards/game)                                          Passing: 79th (211.8 yards/game)  
Rushing: 28th (220.3 yards/game)                                         Rushing: 84th (148.7 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 54th (221.4 yards/game)                                Pass Defense: 12th (186.3 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 22nd (124 yards/game)                                 Rush Defense: 66th (162.1 yards/game)
Summary: Arkansas and Texas will revive an old rivalry in the Texas Bowl. Charlie Strong's squad is quarterbacked by sophomore Tyrone Swoopes (2,352 yards passing, 13 TD, 10 INT; 294 yards rushing, 3 TD), who's favorite target is senior wide receiver John Harris (1,015 yards receiving, 7 TD). Arkansas finished 28th in the nation in rushing thanks to the one-two punch of junior Jonathan Williams (1,085 yards rushing, 11 TD) and sophomore Alex Collins (1,024 yards rushing, 12 TD). Texas has one of the best pass defenses in the country, while Arkansas is among the better rush defenses.
Prediction: Arkansas 34, Texas 31

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl (Nashville, TN, Dec. 30, 3:00 PM, ESPN)
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-5) vs. #23 LSU (8-4, 4-4 SEC, 5th in SEC West)
Season Results:
Notre Dame                                                                            LSU    
vs. Top 25: 0-4                                                                        vs. Top 25: 2-3
vs. Bowl Teams: 4-4                                                               vs. Bowl Teams: 4-4                          Rankings:
Notre Dame                                                                            LSU    
Passing: 16th (293.8 yards/game)                                          Passing: 112th (163.9 yards/game)  
Rushing: 80th (150.8 yards/game)                                         Rushing: 29th (219.5 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 80th (239.8 yards/game)                                Pass Defense: 4th (162.3 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 64th (161.7 yards/game)                               Rush Defense: 38th (143.5 yards/game)
Summary: These teams were each expected to contend for a playoff spot at the beginning of the season, but faded after hot starts. Notre Dame senior quarterback Everett Golson (3,355 yards passing, 29 TD, 14 INT; 277 yards rushing, 8 TD, 8 fumbles) was a Heisman candidate at midseason, but will now be splitting time with sophomore Malik Zaire (170 yards passing; 91 yards rushing, 1 TD). LSU's offense has also been a bit messy, although true freshman running back Leonard Fournette (891 yards rushing, 8 TD) led a strong committee of running backs. LSU's defense, however, has been a strength.
Prediction: LSU 28, Notre Dame 20

Belk Bowl (Charlotte, NC, Dec. 30, 6:30 PM, ESPN)
#13 Georgia Bulldogs (9-3, 6-2 SEC, 2nd in SEC East) vs. #21 Louisville Cardinals (9-3, 5-3 ACC, 3rd in ACC Atlantic)
Season Results:
Georgia                                                                      Louisville    
vs. Top 25: 3-1                                                                   vs. Top 25: 0-2
vs. Bowl Teams: 5-3                                                          vs. Bowl Teams: 4-2                          Rankings:
Georgia                                                                      Louisville    
Passing: 85th (199.9 yards/game)                                       Passing: 50th (246.8 yards/game)  
Rushing: 13th (255 yards/game)                                   Rushing: 82nd (149.4 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 2nd (158.4 yards/game)                          Pass Defense: 30th (199.6 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 76th (175.6 yards/game)                         Rush Defense: 3rd (93.7 yards/game)
Summary: The always-punny Belk Bowl features two very good teams. Georgia is led by a strong rushing attack (freshman running back Nick Chubb: 1,281 yards rushing, 12 TD) and one of the nation's best pass defenses. Louisville is led by a consensus first round pick in next year's NFL Draft (senior wide receiver DeVonte Parker: 735 yards receiving, 5 TD) and one of the best defenses in the nation (sophomore safety Gerod Holliman won the Jim Thorpe Award as the country's best defensive back and tied an NCAA record with 14 interceptions).
Prediction: Georgia 27, Louisville 21

Foster Farms Bowl (Santa Clara, CA, Dec. 30, 10:00 PM, ESPN)
Maryland Terrapins (7-5, 4-4 Big Ten, 3rd Big Ten East) vs. Stanford Cardinal (7-5, 5-4 PAC-12, 2nd PAC-12 North)
Season Results:
Maryland                                                                     Stanford    
vs. Top 25: 0-3                                                                    vs. Top 25: 1-4
vs. Bowl Teams: 2-5                                                          vs. Bowl Teams: 2-5                          Rankings:
Maryland                                                                      Stanford    
Passing: 72nd (221.5 yards/game)                                       Passing: 59th (231.7 yards/game)  
Rushing: 98th (130.6 yards/game)                                   Rushing: 74th (154.8 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 75th (236.5 yards/game)                          Pass Defense: 7th (175.7 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 97th (201.6 yards/game)                         Rush Defense: 11th (111.8 yards/game)
Summary: Stanford will basically be playing a home game, and playing against a mediocre Maryland team. The Terps are guided by senior quarterback C.J. Brown (2,083 yards passing, 13 TD, 9 INT; 569 yards rushing, 7 TD) and junior wide receiver Stefon Diggs (654 yards receiving, 5 TD), who returns from a lacerated spleen he suffered on November 1st. Stanford has a stout defense and an efficient quarterback in senior Kevin Hogan (2,603 yards passing, 17 TD, 8 INT; 245 yards rushing, 5 TD).
Prediction: Stanford 28, Maryland 13

Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl (Atlanta, GA, Dec. 31, 12:30 PM, ESPN)
#9 Ole Miss Rebels (9-3, 5-3 SEC, 3rd SEC West) vs. #6 TCU Horned Frogs (11-1, 8-1 Big 12, T-1st Big 12)
Season Results:
Ole Miss                                                                     TCU    
vs. Top 25: 3-2                                                                    vs. Top 25: 1-1
vs. Bowl Teams: 7-3                                                          vs. Bowl Teams: 6-1                          Rankings:
Ole Miss                                                                      TCU    
Passing: 30th (275.6 yards/game)                                       Passing: 7th (332.8 yards/game)  
Rushing: 61st (167.7 yards/game)                                   Rushing: 37th (209.3 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 16th (187.6 yards/game)                          Pass Defense: 81st (242.4 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 29th (133.6 yards/game)                         Rush Defense: 13th (117.1 yards/game)
Summary: The Peach Bowl features two teams just left out of the playoff. It will be a good battle between Ole Miss's strong defense (senior cornerback Senquez Golson is a first-team All-American and has nine picks) and TCU junior quarterback Trevone Boykin (3,714 yards passing, 30 TD, 7 INT; 642 yards rushing, 8 TD). It will also be an entertaining quarterback matchup between Boykin and Ole Miss senior quarterback Bo Wallace (3,085 yards passing, 22 TD, 11 INT).
Prediction: TCU 42, Ole Miss 35

Vizio Fiesta Bowl (Glendale, AZ, Dec. 31, 4:00 PM, ESPN)
#20 Boise State Broncos (11-2, 7-1 Mountain West, MWC Champion) vs. #10 Arizona Wildcats (10-3, 7-2 PAC-12, PAC-12 Runner-Up)
Season Results:
Boise State                                                                     Arizona    
vs. Top 25: 0-1                                                                    vs. Top 25: 3-3
vs. Bowl Teams: 8-2                                                          vs. Bowl Teams: 5-3                          Rankings:
Boise State                                                                      Arizona    
Passing: 26th (278.2 yards/game)                                       Passing: 28th (277.7 yards/game)  
Rushing: 31st (217.8 yards/game)                                   Rushing: 48th (183.8 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 59th (225 yards/game)                          Pass Defense: 113th (279.1 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 36th (141.5 yards/game)                         Rush Defense: 73rd (170.4 yards/game)
Summary: This game features the best team from the Group of 5 conferences, Boise State. The Broncos are powered by junior running back Jay Ajayi (1,689 yards rushing, 25 TD; 536 yards receiving, 4 TD). Arizona has many talented players, including freshman quarterback Anu Soloman (3,458 yards passing, 27 TD, 7 INT), freshman running back Nick Wilson (1,289 yards rushing, 15 TD), and sophomore defensive end Scooby Wright III (153 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, 6 forced fumbles).
Prediction: Arizona 38, Boise State 28

Capital One Orange Bowl (Miami, FL, Dec. 31, 8:00 PM, ESPN)
#7 Mississippi State Bulldogs (10-2, 6-2 SEC, 2nd SEC West) vs. #12 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (10-3, 6-2 ACC, ACC Runner-Up)
Season Results:
Mississippi State                                                                     Georgia Tech    
vs. Top 25: 2-2                                                                   vs. Top 25: 2-1
vs. Bowl Teams: 5-2                                                          vs. Bowl Teams: 6-3                          Rankings:
Mississippi State                                                                      Georgia Tech   
Passing: 36th (266.3 yards/game)                                       Passing: 118th (135.2 yards/game)  
Rushing: 20th (239.8 yards/game)                                   Rushing: 3rd (333.6 yards/game)
Pass Defense: 117th (285.2 yards/game)                          Pass Defense: 63rd (227.6 yards/game)
Rush Defense: 25th (126.5 yards/game)                         Rush Defense: 70th (168.8 yards/game)
Summary: Both of these teams had great seasons after many years of relative obscurity. This will be a battle of top rushing offenses. The Bulldogs' rushing attack is led by junior quarterback Dak Prescott (2,996 yards passing, 24 TD, 10 INT; 939 yards rushing, 13 TD) and junior running back Josh Robinson (1,128 yards rushing, 11 TD), while the Yellow Jackets' triple-option is powered by sophomore quarterback Justin Thomas (1,594 yards passing, 17 TD, 5 INT; 965 yards rushing, 5 TD) and senior running back Zach Laskey (788 yards rushing, 9 TD).
Prediction: Georgia Tech 35, Mississippi State 28