Sun Belt Review and Final Bowl Picks
It's taken me a little while to find the time to review my preseason Sun Belt predictions and how they panned out, but you'll find them below. In addition, I have my results of my bowl picks so far, and the rest of my predictions.
Here is my prediction for the Sun Belt Conference. Their actual finish is in parenthesis.
1. App St (1)
2. Ark St (3)
3. Troy (1)
4. Louisiana (5)
5. S Alabama (8)
6. Idaho (8)
7. Ga Southern (10)
8. La-Monroe (5)
9. New Mexico St (5)
10. Ga St (4)
11. Coastal Carolina (10)
12. Texas St (12)
As you can see, I was marginally successful, doing pretty well with the top and the bottom, not so well in the middle.
For my bowl picks so far, I am 6-8, which is not very good, I must say. Hopefully, I'll be much better on the remaining 25 games. Wish me luck!
West Virginia over Utah- Both teams have been kind of up-and-down this season, but I feel like the Mountaineers have a little more firepower. After starting 4-0, the Utes lost 6 of their last 8.
Duke over N Illinois- The Blue Devils destroyed Northwestern early in the season, then, after hitting a lull, came on strong late, winning their last 2 over Ga Tech and Wake Forest. The Huskies had a good season, but I believe they are not on Duke's level. This might be close for a while, but won't end that way.
Kansas St over UCLA- This could be Bill Snyder's last game as coach of the Wildcats (he has not publicly announced his plans for next season), and UCLA is without Josh Rosen, and definitely playing their last game for the interim coach.
FSU over S Miss- Even though the Seminoles had an awful season, they are still better than the Golden Eagles. I would be very surprised if the winning margin is less than 20.
Boston College over Iowa- Even though both teams finished with identical 7-5 records, the feeling is different for each team. The Eagles' fans are thrilled, and the Hawkeyes' fans are disappointed. BC won 5 of their last 6, while Iowa lost 2 of their last 3. This should be a close game!
Arizona over Purdue- The Boilermakers were a pleasant surprise, but they have never seen a QB like Khalil Tate. While Purdue finished stronger, I believe the Wildcats prevail in another close one.
Missouri over Texas- In this matchup of former conference rivals, the Tigers look to be the favorites, as they finished the season on a 6-game winning streak. Texas is improving, but they're not quite there yet. This will be a huge momentum boost for Missouri heading into next season.
Virginia over Navy- Virginia started the season strong, but faded late, as did Navy. While Virginia was mostly happy going to a bowl, the Midshipmen were disappointed to only finish 6-6, as they had won 8 or more games for at least the last 5 seasons. This should be a close game.
Oklahoma St over Va Tech- This is the first game involving 2 ranked teams. The Cowboys have more weapons offensively, and occasionally play decent defense. The Hokies are the opposite. This is an intriguing matchup.
TCU over Stanford- After a slow start, Stanford finished strong. However, the Horned Frogs have played well all year, losing only to Iowa St on the road and to Oklahoma (twice). Another great matchup!
Mich St over Wash St- The Spartans came on strong at the end of the season, winning 3 of their last 4, and 7 of their last 9. The Cougars lost 3 of their last 6, all blowouts.
Texas A&M over Wake Forest- Both of these teams are the very definition of mediocre. I consider this a coin flip, as it could go either way. Either team could win a close one, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a rout, either.
N C State over Ariz St- The Wolfpack have played pretty well for most of the season, and came close to upsetting Clemson. Arizona St fired their coach after they improved their record by 2 wins, and made a bowl for the 5th time in his 6 years. How motivated will the Sun Devil team be?
Kentucky over Northwestern- Kentucky has a chance to win 8 games for the first time in a while. Northwestern is on a 7-game winning streak, but 3 were overtime victories, and only 2 were over teams that I would consider decent. I believe their record is largely an illusion.
Utah St over New Mexico St- The NMS Aggies are in a bowl for the first time since 1960, and a victory would be a "Hollywood" ending. But Tucson ain't Hollywood, and the USU Aggies have played pretty well this year, with a 3-game improvement from last year, against tougher competition.
USC over Ohio St- Both of these teams have flawed resumes, but have the capability to beat any team at any time. They can also lay an egg at any time. I am really looking forward to watching this game!
Miss St over Louisville- The Bulldogs had problems only with Georgia and Auburn, and played Alabama close (they also lost to Ole Miss, when QB Fitzgerald was hurt). The Cardinals have a great offense, but a terrible defense.
Memphis over Iowa St- The Tigers have had a wonderful season, losing only to UCF (twice). The Cyclones have been surprisingly good, but won't be able to match the Tigers.
Washington over Penn State- Like Ohio St and USC above, these 2 teams are capable of beating anyone, or getting blown out by anyone. Should be another good one!
Wisconsin over Miami- Though this is a virtual home game for the Hurricanes, the Badgers are out to prove they are one of the best teams.
S Carolina over Michigan- This should be yet another good game! The Gamecocks have the capability to play with the best, while the Wolverines have been inconsistent.
Auburn over UCF- The Knights have poked the bear, so to speak, claiming that the Tigers have never seen speed like theirs. Guess they've never heard of the SEC. Or maybe they remember beating a 6-6 Georgia team 7 years ago...
LSU over Notre Dame- The Bayou Bengals turned their season around at Florida, and won 6 of their last 7 (Florida, Auburn, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Texas A&M). Their only loss was to Alabama. Notre Damelost 2 of their last 3, by 33 and 18 points.
Georgia over Oklahoma- The Sooners have an outstanding offense, but a suspect defense. Texas was the only team to keep them below 30 points, and they gave up more than 30 5 times, more than 40 twice, and more than 50 once. Georgia scored more than 30 9 times, so they are more than capable of matching the Sooners score-for-score. They only gave up as much as 28 twice, and only once gave up 40. I anticipate a score similar to 35-31.
Clemson over Alabama- The Tigers are the best team in football, and the Tide is on its way down. But this will be a very close game for the 3rd year in a row.
That's it for now. May your day and your loved ones be blessed!
Here is my prediction for the Sun Belt Conference. Their actual finish is in parenthesis.
1. App St (1)
2. Ark St (3)
3. Troy (1)
4. Louisiana (5)
5. S Alabama (8)
6. Idaho (8)
7. Ga Southern (10)
8. La-Monroe (5)
9. New Mexico St (5)
10. Ga St (4)
11. Coastal Carolina (10)
12. Texas St (12)
As you can see, I was marginally successful, doing pretty well with the top and the bottom, not so well in the middle.
For my bowl picks so far, I am 6-8, which is not very good, I must say. Hopefully, I'll be much better on the remaining 25 games. Wish me luck!
West Virginia over Utah- Both teams have been kind of up-and-down this season, but I feel like the Mountaineers have a little more firepower. After starting 4-0, the Utes lost 6 of their last 8.
Duke over N Illinois- The Blue Devils destroyed Northwestern early in the season, then, after hitting a lull, came on strong late, winning their last 2 over Ga Tech and Wake Forest. The Huskies had a good season, but I believe they are not on Duke's level. This might be close for a while, but won't end that way.
Kansas St over UCLA- This could be Bill Snyder's last game as coach of the Wildcats (he has not publicly announced his plans for next season), and UCLA is without Josh Rosen, and definitely playing their last game for the interim coach.
FSU over S Miss- Even though the Seminoles had an awful season, they are still better than the Golden Eagles. I would be very surprised if the winning margin is less than 20.
Boston College over Iowa- Even though both teams finished with identical 7-5 records, the feeling is different for each team. The Eagles' fans are thrilled, and the Hawkeyes' fans are disappointed. BC won 5 of their last 6, while Iowa lost 2 of their last 3. This should be a close game!
Arizona over Purdue- The Boilermakers were a pleasant surprise, but they have never seen a QB like Khalil Tate. While Purdue finished stronger, I believe the Wildcats prevail in another close one.
Missouri over Texas- In this matchup of former conference rivals, the Tigers look to be the favorites, as they finished the season on a 6-game winning streak. Texas is improving, but they're not quite there yet. This will be a huge momentum boost for Missouri heading into next season.
Virginia over Navy- Virginia started the season strong, but faded late, as did Navy. While Virginia was mostly happy going to a bowl, the Midshipmen were disappointed to only finish 6-6, as they had won 8 or more games for at least the last 5 seasons. This should be a close game.
Oklahoma St over Va Tech- This is the first game involving 2 ranked teams. The Cowboys have more weapons offensively, and occasionally play decent defense. The Hokies are the opposite. This is an intriguing matchup.
TCU over Stanford- After a slow start, Stanford finished strong. However, the Horned Frogs have played well all year, losing only to Iowa St on the road and to Oklahoma (twice). Another great matchup!
Mich St over Wash St- The Spartans came on strong at the end of the season, winning 3 of their last 4, and 7 of their last 9. The Cougars lost 3 of their last 6, all blowouts.
Texas A&M over Wake Forest- Both of these teams are the very definition of mediocre. I consider this a coin flip, as it could go either way. Either team could win a close one, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a rout, either.
N C State over Ariz St- The Wolfpack have played pretty well for most of the season, and came close to upsetting Clemson. Arizona St fired their coach after they improved their record by 2 wins, and made a bowl for the 5th time in his 6 years. How motivated will the Sun Devil team be?
Kentucky over Northwestern- Kentucky has a chance to win 8 games for the first time in a while. Northwestern is on a 7-game winning streak, but 3 were overtime victories, and only 2 were over teams that I would consider decent. I believe their record is largely an illusion.
Utah St over New Mexico St- The NMS Aggies are in a bowl for the first time since 1960, and a victory would be a "Hollywood" ending. But Tucson ain't Hollywood, and the USU Aggies have played pretty well this year, with a 3-game improvement from last year, against tougher competition.
USC over Ohio St- Both of these teams have flawed resumes, but have the capability to beat any team at any time. They can also lay an egg at any time. I am really looking forward to watching this game!
Miss St over Louisville- The Bulldogs had problems only with Georgia and Auburn, and played Alabama close (they also lost to Ole Miss, when QB Fitzgerald was hurt). The Cardinals have a great offense, but a terrible defense.
Memphis over Iowa St- The Tigers have had a wonderful season, losing only to UCF (twice). The Cyclones have been surprisingly good, but won't be able to match the Tigers.
Washington over Penn State- Like Ohio St and USC above, these 2 teams are capable of beating anyone, or getting blown out by anyone. Should be another good one!
Wisconsin over Miami- Though this is a virtual home game for the Hurricanes, the Badgers are out to prove they are one of the best teams.
S Carolina over Michigan- This should be yet another good game! The Gamecocks have the capability to play with the best, while the Wolverines have been inconsistent.
Auburn over UCF- The Knights have poked the bear, so to speak, claiming that the Tigers have never seen speed like theirs. Guess they've never heard of the SEC. Or maybe they remember beating a 6-6 Georgia team 7 years ago...
LSU over Notre Dame- The Bayou Bengals turned their season around at Florida, and won 6 of their last 7 (Florida, Auburn, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Texas A&M). Their only loss was to Alabama. Notre Damelost 2 of their last 3, by 33 and 18 points.
Georgia over Oklahoma- The Sooners have an outstanding offense, but a suspect defense. Texas was the only team to keep them below 30 points, and they gave up more than 30 5 times, more than 40 twice, and more than 50 once. Georgia scored more than 30 9 times, so they are more than capable of matching the Sooners score-for-score. They only gave up as much as 28 twice, and only once gave up 40. I anticipate a score similar to 35-31.
Clemson over Alabama- The Tigers are the best team in football, and the Tide is on its way down. But this will be a very close game for the 3rd year in a row.
That's it for now. May your day and your loved ones be blessed!
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