Holiday Bowl: Minnesota vs. Washington State – Dec. 27, 7 p.m. ET
If Mike Leach could somehow coach all 80 teams competing in a bowl game, we’d all be better for it as college football fans. Alas, that’s not happening, so we’ll have to settle for watching his Washington State Cougars take on the Minnesota Golden Golphers. Not just because of Leach, but because of the Minnesota offense as well, this one should be a shootout.
While the Cougars pulled off some upsets this season, they fell short of the Rose Bowl thanks to a demoralizing loss in the Apple Cup. Meanwhile, Minnesota was the picture of being exactly who they are, winning the winnable games and losing the ones against the upper-tier of the Big Ten. However, these offenses led by Luke Falk for the Cougars and Mitch Leidner for the Golden Gophers are prolific and should put on a show. For the result, give me Leach or give me death.
Prediction: Minnesota: 42, Washington State: 48
Cactus Bowl: Boise State vs. Baylor – Dec. 27, 10:15 p.m. ET
There was at least one point in 2016 where the Boise State Broncos going to war with the Baylor Bears would’ve been highly intriguing. After all, Boise State is the perpetual face of the Group of 5 teams and has made a habit of knocking off Power 5 foes in bowl games. Of course, this matchup lost quite a bit of luster when Seth Russell went out with a season-ending ankle injury.
Zach Smith has stepped in at quarterback for Baylor and played well, but to not much success for the Bears. Moreover, the Baylor defense is as porous as ever before. So as they go up against a fearsome Broncos rushing attack led by junior Jeremy McNichols, Boise State should be able to control the clock and the game, dominating all the way through.
Prediction: Boise State: 49, Baylor: 31