Paul's Picks- Bowls 1

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Welcome Back!

Last week, I was right on every single game!  Yes, I was 1-0, but don't spoil the moment.   Overall, I am 618-225, a .733 win percentage.  Now that it's time for the bowl games, I don't see that percentage improving.  Generally, if anyone is above 50% in predicting the bowl games, that's pretty good.  Or pretty lucky.  Because predicting bowls is fraught with difficulty.  There are coaching changes, academic suspensions, behavior suspensions, players not playing to prepare for the NFL Draft, injuries, and a host of other issues, not the least of which are the location of the game and the focus level of the players.  Which team will be more motivated?  Take the Quick Lane Bowl, for example.  The game is in Detroit, which is closer to Minnesota, but the Gophers just suspended 6 players.  Will that galvanize the team?  Or will it weaken it?  Then again, Georgia Tech is playing their last game under Paul Johnson.  Will that motivate them?  Or will they be distracted?  And how will the new redshirt rule affect the bowls?  I expect to see a lot of freshmen who played in 3 or less games get playing time.

Anyway, let's get started.

Saturday, December 15
Tulane vs Louisiana (AutoNation Cure Bowl-Orlando)- The Ragin' Cajuns have won 4 of their 5 bowl games so far (see Odds and Ends 12/12/18), but they are playing a Tulane team that is on a roll.  The Green Wave have won 4 of their last 5, but UL has lost to Miss St, Alabama, App St (twice), Troy, and (inexplicably) to Coastal Carolina.  This should be a good game, but I think Tulane pulls it out.

North Texas vs. Utah State (New Mexico Bowl- Albuquerque)- The Mean Green have their 2nd straight 9-win season, but the Aggies have lost only to Michigan St in the 1st game of the season, and to Boise St in their last.  The only thing that gives me pause is that USU HC Matt Wells has left to coach at Texas Tech, and they have hired Gary Anderson to return.  Frank Maile is the interim  who will coach the bowl.  Despite all this, I think Utah State wins.

Fresno State vs Arizona State (Las Vegas Bowl- Las Vegas) The Bulldogs won the MWC Championship game last week, and have a chance at 12 wins for the 1st time in its history.  The Sun Devils started the season strong with 2 straight wins, then hit a lull, losing 4 of 5, before finishing strong by winning 4 of their last 5, including wins over USC, Utah, and Arizona.  This should be a competitive game, but Fresno St will pull it out in the end.

Georgia Southern vs Eastern Michigan (Camellia Bowl- Montgomery, AL)- The GSU Eagles returned to their glory days and bounced back to 9-3 on the season, while the EMU Eagles have won 7 games for the 2nd time in 3 years.  EMU endured a mid-season 4-game losing streak before finishing the season strong with 5 wins in their last 6 games, but GSU has been strong all season.  The Eagles will definitely win, but I'm going with the team closer to home- Ga Southern.

Middle Tennessee vs Appalachian State (New Orleans Bowl-New Orleans)- Mark Ivey will be the interim coach for ASU in this game, as Scott Satterfield left to be coach at Louisville.  However, the Mountaineers have lost only to Ga Southern and Penn St (in OT!).  The Blue Raiders increased their wins to 8 this season, but have lost 2 of their last 3.  This will be another competitive game, but ASU will win in the end.  

That's it for now.  On Monday, look for the next installment of my TWIF Notes, and on Tuesday, I'll have my picks for the Tuesday and Wednesday bowl games.  And don't forget to follow this blog and leave a comment, and please share with your friends.  Until next time, may you and your loved ones be blessed!

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