Fansided

Predicting every 2016 college football bowl game

By Cody Williams

Dec 31, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; A general view of the logo and end zone marker prior to the the 2014 Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; A general view of the logo and end zone marker prior to the the 2014 Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 25, 2016; Hattiesburg, MS, USA; Southern Miss Golden Eagles quarterback Nick Mullens (9) gestures during their game against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in the second quarter at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Hattiesburg, MS, USA; Southern Miss Golden Eagles quarterback Nick Mullens (9) gestures during their game against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in the second quarter at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

New Orleans Bowl: Southern Miss vs. UL Lafayette – Dec. 17, 9 p.m. ET

No one is going to scoff at the talent of the Louisiana Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns, especially with running back Elijah McGuire in the fold. However, this has been an odd, perhaps lucky, season for this team. They’ve been wildly inconsistent, but fortunate in big moments to get plays that allowed them to squeak out wins and ultimately make it to the New Orleans Bowl.

Meanwhile, the Southern Miss Golden Eagles has had a disappointing season, but largely because they lost their star quarterback, Nick Mullens, for a portion of the season. He won’t be missing this one, though, and should shine against a questionable Ragin’ Cajuns defense. With Ito Smith behind him in the backfield, the Golden Eagles should roll.

Prediction: Southern Miss: 48, UL Lafayette: 28

Miami Beach Bowl: Central Michigan vs. Tulsa – Dec. 18, 2:30 p.m. ET

In what should be an offensive showcase, the Miami Beach Bowl pits two polar-opposite attacks against one another with the Central Michigan Chippewas taking on the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. Quarterback Cooper Rush leads the way for the Chippewas and is a sleeper at the position in the 2017 NFL Draft. He’s got a big arm and can burn teams downfield with it. That’ll be the aim of their offense in this matchup.

But then you have Tulsa, who will look to counter Rush and the Central Michigan passing attack by controlling the ball with James Flanders on the ground. Flanders found paydirt 17 times throughout his senior year and has been one of the better running backs in the country in 2016. With the ability to control the clock and game due to their rushing prowess, Tulsa should earn a 10-win season with a victory.

Prediction: Central Michigan: 28, Tulsa: 35

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