Monday, December 30

Western Kentucky vs. Western Michigan

Servpro First Responder Bowl

12:30 p.m.

Dallas, TX

ESPN

WKU (-3)

Prediction: This should be a closely battled game between two pretty evenly matched teams, but I think the Hilltoppers out of Conference USA get it done here.

Mississippi State vs. Louisville

Music City Bowl

4:00 p.m.

Nashville, TN

ESPN

Miss St (-4.5)

Prediction: Mississippi State is not that good and doesn’t deserve a bowl game with a 6-6 record. But then again Louisville only won 7 games in a VERY weak ACC. So maybe this will be a good game. I like coach Scott Satterfield, coming from App State, so I’m going with the first year head coach and the Cardinals in this one.

California vs. Illinois

Redbox Bowl

4:00 p.m.

Santa Clara, CA

FOX

Cal (-6)

Prediction: Another 6-6 vs. 7-5 game here, with California having the better record. Neither team is worth bragging about, but someone has to win. Illinois has lost their last two games leading up to this one and it will essentially be a home game for California, while the Illini have to travel halfway across the country. I’m going with California.

#9 Florida vs. #24 Virginia

Orange Bowl

8:00 p.m.

Miami, FL

ESPN

Florida (-14.5)

Prediction: I don’t like this matchup. While Virginia is nationally ranked with nine wins on the year, that is a product of playing in a pitiful conference. Meanwhile Florida has had a very strong year and has played in the SEC. Their only losses have come to LSU and Georgia and they have a big win over Auburn. The Gators are battle-tested and they will make this a pretty boring game with a convincing win over Virginia.

Tuesday, December 31

Virginia Tech vs. Kentucky

Belk Bowl

12:00 p.m.

Charlotte, NC

ESPN

Virginia Tech (-2.5)

Prediction: Virginia Tech has one more win on the season (8) than Kentucky, but once again, you can’t make much out of that because of the weakness of the ACC. I’ve watched the Hokies this year and while they’re one of the better ACC teams, they’re not that great. It’s a good thing Kentucky isn’t either. The Wildcats have the potential to put up some points, but they have the potential to flounder as well, like they did against a very bad Tennessee team. I feel like this is a toss-up, so I’m going with Virginia Tech in a very close game.

Florida State vs. Arizona State

Sun Bowl

2:00 p.m.

El Paso, TX

CBS

ASU (-4)

Prediction: Florida State was flat out awful this year and barely crept into a bowl game with six wins. It was very unusual for a program like that. Arizona State isn’t great either and lost four games in a row earlier in the season. But, they have proven they can beat good teams. They beat a 6th ranked Oregon team, 15th ranked California team, and 18th ranked Michigan State team. Therefore, I’m going with the Sun Devils in the Sun Bowl by at least two touchdowns.

#23 Navy vs. Kansas State

Liberty Bowl

3:45 p.m.

Memphis, TN

ESPN

Navy (-2.5)

Prediction: The Midshipmen went 10-2 this year while only losing to a good Memphis team and 16th ranked Notre Dame, so they are a pretty good team. Meanwhile Kansas State can beat anybody (Oklahoma) and can lose to anybody (West Virginia). They are more battle-tested, however and for that reason I think they win this game. But I think it comes down to less than a touchdown.

Wyoming vs. Georgia State

Arizona Bowl

4:30 p.m.

Tucson, AZ

CBSSN

Wyoming (-7)

Prediction: These are two teams with 7-5 records coming from smaller conferences. Also just like one another, they have both lost 3 of their last 4 games coming into this one. They have each played against only one ranked team all year (Wyoming vs. Boise State and Georgia State vs. Appalachian State) and lost. Georgia State will score a lot of points, but give up a lot of points. Because they average 8 more points a game than Wyoming, I think they will come away with a victory in a high scoring affair.

#11 Utah vs. Texas

Alamo Bowl

7:30 p.m.

San Antonio, TX

ESPN

Utah (-7)

Prediction: I really thought Texas would have a great year, but they have been a big disappointment once again. And they don’t deserve a bowl game of this caliber with a less-than-thrilling 7-5 record. Meanwhile Utah is a very good team and has lost just two games all year. This game has the potential to be a shootout, but end the end I just don’t think Texas will hang. They have come out on the wrong side of things too many times this season. So, it will be a shame to Longhorn fans, but they will lose in their home state in the Alamo Bowl.

Garett

New Year’s Week Bowl Games Preview and Predictions (Part I)