College Football bowl predictions 2016: Week 6
By Carly Regehr
Alabama and Ohio State are the favorites heading into the college football national championship game.
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach and Brett McMurphy compiled a list of playoff hopefuls and paired them with their respective bowl games. Even though the two disagreed on most, there are some alignments, such as the Cactus Bowl, where they hope Davis Webb’s Cal Bears will meet Patrick Mahomes and the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
There are some new kids on the block as past sponsors dropped out of the naming rights competition in this year’s bowl games. For instance, Camping World was granted sponsorship in the Independence Bowl and Dollar General took over for the GoDaddy Bowl.
Other than the increase in shenanigans on the business side, there will be four ballparks that will play host to some college bowl games: Marlins Park (Miami Beach Bowl), Tropicana Field (St. Petersburg Bowl), Yankee Stadium (Pinstripe Bowl) and Chase Field (Cactus Bowl). This intersection of baseball and football not only challenges the groundskeepers, but it helps boost the experience for the players and fans.
And with the college football season nearing the halfway point, Schlabach and McMurphy took it upon themselves, practicing their foresight in what’s to be a busy December and January. That said, these are their picks, which paint a truly wild playoff picture.
Gildan New Mexico Bowl, University Stadium
December 17, 2016
2:00 ET on ESPN
Last 5 Winners: Temple (2011), Arizona (2012), Colorado State (2013), Utah State (2014), Arizona (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Old Dominion vs. New Mexico (Schlabach) or UNLV vs. Old Dominion McMurphy)
Las Vegas Bowl, Sam Boyd Stadium
December 17, 2016
3:30 ET on ABC
Last 5 Winners: Boise State (2011, 2012), USC (2013), Utah (2014, 2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Boise State vs. USC (Schlabach, McMurphy)
Raycom Media Camellia Bowl, Cramton Bowl
December 17, 2016
5:30 ET on ESPN
Last 3 Winners: Hardin-Simmons (1948), Bowling Green State (2014), Appalachian State (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Central Michigan vs. S Alabama (Schlabach) or Appalachian State vs. Toledo (McMurphy)
AutoNation Cure Bowl, Citrus Bowl Stadium
December 17, 2016
7:00 ET on CBS Sports Network
Inaugural Winner: San Jose State (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: UCF vs. Troy (Schlabach) or Army vs. S Alabama (McMurphy)
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, Mercedes Benz Superdome
December 17, 2016
9:00 ET on ESPN
Last 5 Winners: UL-Lafayette (2011-2014), Louisiana Tech (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Georgia Southern vs. Southern Miss (Schlabach, McMurphy)
Miami Beach Bowl, Marlins Park
December 19, 2016
2:30 ET on ESPN
Past Winners: Memphis (2014), Western Kentucky (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Cincinnati vs. Toledo (Schlabach) or Cincinnati vs. Central Michigan (McMurphy)
Boca Raton Bowl, FAU Football Stadium
December 20, 2016
7:00 ET on ESPN
Past Winners: Marshall (2014), Toledo (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Middle Tennessee vs. Memphis (Schlabach, McMurphy)
San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl, Qualcomm Stadium
December 21, 2016
9:00 ET on ESPN
Last 5 Winners: TCU (2011), BYU (2012), Utah State (2013), Navy (2014), Boise State (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: BYU vs. San Diego State (Schlabach, McMurphy)
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, Albertsons Stadium
December 22, 2016
7:00 ET on ESPN
Last 5 Winners: Ohio (2011), Utah State (2012), San Diego State (2013), Air Force (2014), Akron (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Colorado State vs. Ohio (Schlabach) or Nevada vs. Eastern Michigan (McMurphy)
Popeyes Bahama Bowl, Thomas Robinson Stadium
December 23, 2016
1:00 ET on ESPN
Past Winners: Western Kentucky (2014), Western Michigan (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Louisiana Tech vs. Tulsa (Schlabach) or Marshall vs. UCF (McMurphy)
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl, Amon G. Carter Stadium
December 23, 2016
4:30 ET on ESPN
Last 5 Winners: BYU (2011), Rice (2012), Navy (2013), Houston (2014), Cal (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Texas vs. Navy (Schlabach, McMurphy)
Dollar General Bowl, Ladd-Peebles Stadium
December 23, 2016
8:00 ET on ESPN
Last 5 Winners (GoDaddy Bowl): Northern Illinois (2012), Arkansas State (2013, 2014), Toledo (01/04/2015), Georgia Southern (12/23/2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Appalachian State vs. W Michigan (Schlabach) or Troy vs. W Michigan (McMurphy)
Hawaii Bowl, Aloha Stadium
December 24, 2016
8:00 ET on ESPN
Last 5 Winners: So Miss (2011), Southern Methodist (2012), Oregon State (2013), Rice (2014), San Diego State (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Air Force vs. W Kentucky (Schlabach, McMurphy)
St. Petersburg Bowl, Tropicana Field
Formerly known as the Beef O’Brady’s Bowl.
December 26, 2016
11:00 AM ET on ESPN
Last 5 Winners: Marshall (2011), UCF (2012), East Carolina (2013), NC State (2014), Marshall (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Georgia Tech vs. S Florida (Schlabach, McMurphy)
Quick Lane Bowl, Ford Field
December 26, 2016
2:30 ET on ESPN
Past Winners: Rutgers (2014), Minnesota (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Maryland vs. Wake Forest (Schlabach) or Wake Forest vs. Minnesota (McMurphy)
Camping World Independence Bowl, Independence Stadium
December 26, 2016
5:00 ET on ESPN2
Last 5 Winners: Mizzou (2011), Ohio (2012), Arizona (2013), South Carolina (2014), Virginia Tech (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Kansas State vs. Pittsburgh (Schlabach) or NC State vs. Kentucky (McMurphy)
Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl, Cotton Bowl Stadium
December 27, 2016
Noon on ESPN
Last 5 Winners: Houston (2011), Oklahoma State (2012), North Texas (2013), Louisiana Tech (2014), Washington (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Indiana vs. N Texas (Schlabach) or Kansas State vs. Louisiana Tech (McMurphy)
Northrop Grumman Military Bowl, Navy-Marine Corps Stadium
December 27, 2016
3:30 ET on ESPN
Last 5 Winners: Toledo (2011), San Jose State (2012), Marshall (2013), Virginia Tech (2014), Navy (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Temple vs. NC State (Schlabach), Pittsburgh vs. Temple (McMurphy)
Holiday Bowl, Qualcomm Stadium
December 27, 2016
7:00 ET on ESPN
Last 5 Winners: Texas (2011), Baylor (2012), Texas Tech (2013), Southern Cal (2014), Wisconsin (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Colorado vs. Michigan St. (Schlabach) or Maryland vs. Utah (McMurphy)
Motel 6 Cactus Bowl, Chase Field
December 27, 2016
10:00 PM ET on ESPN
Last 5 Winners: Oklahoma (2011), Michigan St. (2012), Kansas St. (2013), Oklahoma State (2014), West Virginia (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Cal vs. Texas Tech (Schlabach, McMurphy)
New Era Pinstripe Bowl, Yankee Stadium
December 28, 2016
2:00 ET on ESPN
Last 5 Winners: Rutgers (2011), Syracuse (2012), Notre Dame (2013), Penn State (2014), Duke (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Notre Dame vs. Iowa (Schlabach) or Virginia Tech vs. Michigan St. (McMurphy)
Russell Athletic Bowl, Orlando Citrus Bowl
December 28, 2016
5:30 ET on ESPN
Last 5 Winners: Florida State (2011), Virginia Tech (2012), Louisville (2013), Clemson (2014), Baylor (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Miami vs. Oklahoma State (Schlabach) or Miami vs. West Virginia (McMurphy)
Foster Farmers Bowl, Levi’s Stadium
Formerly known as the Fight Hunger Bowl.
December 28, 2016
8:30 ET on FOX
Last 5 Winners: Illinois (2011), ASU (2012), Washington (2013), Stanford (2014), Nebraska (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Northwestern vs. Utah (Schlabach) or UCLA vs. PSU (McMurphy)
AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl, NRG Stadium
December 28, 2016
9:00 ET on ESPN
Last 5 Winners: Texas A&M (2011), Texas Tech (2012), Syracuse (2013), Arkansas (2014), LSU (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Arkansas vs. WVU (Schlabach) or Oklahoma St. vs. Mississippi St. (McMurphy)
Birmingham Bowl, Legion Field
Formerly known as the BBVA Compass Bowl.
December 29, 2016
2:00 ET on ESPN
Last 5 Winners: Pittsburgh (2011), Southern Methodist (2012), Ole Miss (2013), Vandy (2014), Auburn (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Army vs. Tulane (Schlabach) or Tulsa vs. Mizzou (McMurphy)
Belk Bowl, Bank of America Stadium
December 29, 2016
5:30 ET on ESPN
Last 5 Winners: NC State (2011), Cincinnati (2012), UNC (2013), UGA (2014), Mississippi St. (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Auburn vs. Virginia Tech (Schlabach) or LSU vs. FSU (McMurphy)
Valero Alamo Bowl, Alamodome
December 29, 2016
9:00 ET on ESPN
Last 5 Winners: Baylor (2011), Texas (2012), Oregon (2013), UCLA (2014), TCU (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Baylor vs. UCLA (Schlabach) or Oklahoma vs. Colorado (McMurphy)
AutoZone Liberty Bowl, Liberty Bowl
December 30, 2016
Noon on ESPN
Last 5 Winners: Cincinnati (2011), Tulsa (2012), Mississippi St. (2013), Texas A&M, (2014), Arkansas (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Mississippi St. vs. TCU (Schlabach) or Auburn vs. TCU (McMurphy)
Hyundai Sun Bowl, Sun Bowl Stadium
December 30, 2016
2:00 ET on CBS
Last 5 Winners: Utah (2011), Georgia Tech (2012), UCLA (2013), ASU (2014), Washington St. (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: ASU vs. FSU (Schlabach) or UNC vs. ASU (McMurphy)
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl, Nissan Stadium
December 30, 2016
3:30 ET on ESPN
Last 5 Winners: Mississippi St. (2011), Vandy (2012), Ole Miss (2013), Notre Dame (2014), Louisville (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: UGA vs. Minnesota (Schlabach) or UGA vs. Iowa (McMurphy)
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Capital One Orange Bowl, Hard Rock Stadium
December 30, 2016
8:00 ET on ESPN
Last 5 Winners: West Virginia (2011), FSU (2012), Clemson (2013), Georgia Tech (2014), Clemson (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Louisville vs. Tennessee (Schlabach, McMurphy)
NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl, Arizona Stadium
December 30, 2016
TBD (time, network)
Inaugural Winner: Nevada (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Texas State vs. Wyoming (Schlabach) or Texas State vs. Nevada (McMurphy)
Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl, Camping World Stadium
December 31, 2016
11:00 AM ET on ABC
Last 5 Winners: South Carolina (2012), UGA (2013), South Carolina (2014), Mizzou (2015), Michigan (2016)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Ole Miss vs. Nebraska (Schlabach) or Indiana vs. Arkansas (McMurphy)
TaxSlayer Bowl, EverBank Field
Formerly known as the Gator Bowl.
December 31, 2016
11:00 AM ET on ESPN
Last 5 Winners: Mississippi St. (2011), Florida (2012), Northwestern (2013), Tennessee (2014), UGA (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Florida vs. UNC (Schlabach) or Notre Dame vs. Ole Miss (McMurphy)
Outback Bowl, Raymond James Stadium
January 2, 2017
1:00 ET on ABC
Last 5 Winners: Michigan St. (2011), South Carolina (2012), LSU (2013), Wisconsin (2014), Tennessee (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: LSU vs. Penn St. (Schlabach) or Nebraska vs. Florida (McMurphy)
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, AT&T Stadium
January 2, 2017
1:00 ET on ESPN
Last 5 Winners: Arkansas (2011), Texas A&M (2012), Mizzou (2013), Michigan State (2014), Alabama (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Houston vs. Stanford (Schlabach) or Houston vs. Wisconsin (McMurphy)
Rose Bowl Presented by Northwestern Mutual, Rose Bowl
January 2, 2017
5:00 ET on ESPN
Last 5 Winners: Oregon (2012), Stanford (2013), Michigan St. (2014), Oregon (2015), Stanford (2016)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Wisconsin vs. Washington (Schlabach) or Michigan vs. Stanford (McMurphy)
Allstate Sugar Bowl, Mercedes Benz Superdome
January 2, 2017
8:30 ET on ESPN
Last 5 Winners: Michigan (2011), Louisville (2012), Oklahoma (2013), Ohio State (2014), Ole Miss (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Oklahoma vs. Texas A&M (Schlabach) or Texas A&M vs. Baylor (McMurphy)
Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl, Georgia Dome
December 31, 2016
TBD (network, time)
Last 5 Winners: Auburn (2011), Clemson (2012), Texas A&M (2013), TCU (2014), Houston (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Alabama vs. Michigan (Schlabach) or Alabama vs. Washington (McMurphy)
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Fiesta Bowl, University of Phoenix Stadium
December 31, 2016
TBD on ESPN
Last 5 Winners: Oklahoma State (2011), Oregon (2012), Central Florida (2013), Boise State (2014), Ohio State (2015)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Alabama vs. Michigan (Schlabach), Alabama vs. Washington (McMurphy)
National Championship, Raymond James Stadium
Monday, January 9, 2017
TBD on ESPN
Past Winners: Ohio State (2015), Alabama (2016)
ESPN’s Prediction for 2016: Ohio State vs. Alabama (Schlabach, McMurphy)