College Football: ESPN Capital One Bowl Mania 2017 picks!

Here are all the ESPN Capital One Bowl Mania 2017 picks!

Bowl season is upon us once again. The college football season is not done just yet! We still have Capital One Bowl Mania! I still have 41 more picks to make, 40 of which I will make against the spread. More on that later.

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Are you in a bowl pool where you need to make all of your bowl picks before the games begin? Or do you play ESPN’s Capital One Bowl Mania? In case you do, this is the place to get every game picked before they all begin. I will place them in order of confidence for those of you that play that format.

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Since it doesn’t make sense to pick all of these games against the spread right now, those will be done at a later date. This is just for those of us that need to pick all at once. These are in order from least confidence (1) to most (41). Because, you know, it’s more dramatic that way.

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(1) Army over San Diego State:

The Aztecs took down a couple more big names than Army did, but San Diego State got blown off the field by Boise and Fresno. Army only got blown out by Ohio State. This is the best Army team that I remember seeing. And….duh….it’s the Armed Forces Bowl!

(2) UAB over Ohio

Honestly, this is a horrible matchup for the Blazers. To have a dream comeback season and run into one of the longest tenured and oldest coaches in FBS in Frank Solich. This isn’t just a feel good story. Devin Singletary is a legit back, and might be the best player on the field. That’s good enough for me to pick the upset.

(3) Mississippi State over Louisville:

I know that scouts and college pundits alike are still fawning over Lamar Jackson, but this Mississippi State defense is a good one. I would obviously like this better if Nick Fitzgerald were healthy, but Louisville’s defense gave up a ton of points to every decent offense that they faced. So long as  Aeris Williams is healthy, I like the Bulldogs. Giving Keytaon Thompson almost a month to practice with the first team doesn’t hurt either.

(4) National Championship Game, TBA:

I had this game at ten points last year. This only goes to show just how wide open this thing is. Clemson is not quite as good as last year, but the defense might be better. Alabama isn’t quite as good as last year, but they have a true sophomore than is 25-2 in his career and the defense is finally healthy. Georgia has three awesome running backs to hide the fact that they have a freshman quarterback. And Oklahoma, well, the offense is elite and the defense is good enough in the Big 12(10). We can change the point value on games that have not been played yet, but this year that doesn’t mean anything. The playoff games are the last games of bowl season. That’s all the more reason to put it this low.

Next: Are There More Upsets In This Tier?

(5) Iowa State over Memphis:

This is a tough draw for Iowa State because this is essentially a road game. However, the Cyclones dealt with all of the high powered offenses in the Big 12(10) this year and still won seven games. This defense is for real, and they have some horses on offense too. You know they want to send Allen Lazard out in style for staying home for four years. This team is capable of doing it too.

(6) USC over Ohio State:

This is going to be a great game. If this were played two months ago, I would say that USC had no chance. However, since USC got thumped by Notre Dame, they woke up. A big reason for that is Sam Darnold. Darnold threw at least one interception in each of the first six games of the season. He only threw two in the five games after the loss to Notre Dame. Ohio State is going to give Darnold some trouble, but it will depend on which Ohio State team shows up. Both of their losses were blowout losses.

(7) Houston over Fresno State:

How is Fresno being picked almost two to one over Houston? This was a great season for Jeff Tedford and the Bulldogs, but Houston is a strong team. Five of the seven Cougars wins were against bowl bound teams. Fresno beat three. I do expect a close game, I just think that Houston is more tested.

(8) Temple over Florida International:

This is another pick that surprises me. A lot of people are on FIU, but after Frank Nutile took over as the starter on October 21st, Temple finished 3-2 with the two losses coming to bowl bound teams. This will also be a close game, but I think the Temple defense can slow down the Panthers enough to pull out a win.

(9) Washington over Penn State:

This is not going to be a popular pick, but I think Washington is a more tested team. Penn State only beat one ranked team all season. The same holds true for Washington. We are going to see what the Penn State defense is made of here, and just how improved the Washington offense is.

Next: Spoiler Alert: I'm Not Done With Upsets!

(10) LSU over Notre Dame:

LSU’s only loss after the embarrassing home loss to Troy was at Alabama. That includes a game against Auburn. Notre Dame was being talked about as a playoff contender until being blown out by Miami and losing on the road to Stanford. All three Irish losses were to ranked teams. Two were to New Year’s Six teams. This is going to be tough for LSU, but I’ll take the Tigers since Notre Dame lost two of the last three games.

(11) Alabama over Clemson:

This is going to be another great matchup between these teams. Clemson has a whole bunch of new offensive weapons that have not faced a defense like Alabama has. However, Clemson’s only loss was when they lost their quarterback during the game. Alabama’s only loss came in a road rivalry game. I’m taking the Tide because they will finally be healthy on defense here.

(12) Northern Illinois over Duke:

Duke lost six in a row in the middle of conference season, and had to beat Georgia Tech and Wake to even get here. This Northern Illinois defense is good enough to control the game and win this. I’m not sure Duke is.

(13) Miami over Wisconsin:

This is an absolutely terrible matchup for the Badgers. Miami was outstanding at home, and look where they wind up in a bowl. This is not what bowl season is supposed to be about.Especially in the prestigious New Year’s Six.

(14) Oklahoma over Georgia:

This is going to be close and high scoring. Can Georgia throw enough to win it? Oklahoma’s run defense has been pretty solid all year. It looks like things are aligning for Oklahoma. This is what Baker Mayfield came back for. I have hope that Oklahoma wont choke this year.

(15) Auburn over Central Florida:

This has been a great run for UCF, and letting Frost coach this game is a class move by both sides. I think the Knights are going to put up a big fight here, but they come up just short. Auburn spoiled one perfect season already this year. They make it two here.

(16) Boston College over Iowa:

You may think I’m crazy, but I can back this up. AJ Dillon took over the starting running back role against Louisville on October 14th. Boston College went 5-1 down the stretch with the only loss coming by three points against NC State. Iowa followed up their big win over Ohio State with losses to Wisconsin and Purdue before having a Thanksgiving cupcake with Nebraska. I think Boston College is the better team.

(17) TCU over Stanford:

What Bryce Love did this year was nothing short of remarkable. He ran for nearly 2000 yards on one leg for half the year. However, Stanford’s defense is not what it used to be. They had problems with explosive offenses this year, losing to USC twice and Washington State. I still like TCU’s defense to control this game. The only team they really had trouble with was Oklahoma.

(18) Missouri over Texas:

It really is quite remarkable that either of these teams are here. Texas got hammered by Maryland in the opener.  Missouri lost five of their first six games before winning out. Now, I will say that Texas is the best team that Missouri has faced since Georgia two months ago, but I don’t trust that the Texas offense can move the ball enough to win this. Missouri’s offense is strong.

(19) Wake Forest over Texas A&M:

John Wolford is a very underrated quarterback. He came up with some big games this year. The good part for him is that A&M got gouged on defense more than a few times this year. If this was a contest for who has the best athletes, it’s A&M hands down. But it’s not. The best team is by far Wake Forest. If it weren’t, Kevin Sumlin would still have a job.

(20) North Carolina A&T over Grambling:

This is the only game that I wont pick against the spread, but I will pick it for ESPN Capital One Bowl Mania. A&T is undefeated. Grambling’s only loss was to Tulane in the opener. Lamar Raynard is going to be a problem for Grambling. Grambling wpm a close one against NC Central last year. That is the team that NC A&T beat 24-10 to make it to this game.

(21) Wyoming over Central Michigan:

All signs point to Josh Allen playing, and honestly, he needs to. Allen’s stock took a dive in an up and down season for Wyoming. He needs this to get him back on the NFL radar with a loaded crop coming out this year. However, if Allen doesn’t play, I’m switching to CMU and significantly raising the points. Wyoming was awful without Allen.

(22) Oregon over Boise State:

We have heard a lot of grandstanding over what might have been were so and so not injured. Not once in this discussion have I heard Oregon or Justin Herbert. The Ducks started 4-1 with their only loss a nailbiter to Arizona State. Then Herbert gets hurt and the Ducks lose four of five. Herbert returned for the last two games and went 27-44 for 486 yards and four touchdowns in combined Oregon wins of 117-38. Boise is a lot better than they were early on, but they can’t slow down a healthy Herbert.

(23) West Virginia over Utah:

Will Grier should  be good to go for this one. If he is, I don’t really see Utah being able to hang with the Mountaineers. If Grier is out, I am going to at the very least lower the confidence and possibly change the pick.

(24) Kansas State over UCLA:

Hiring Chip Kelly is a good move for UCLA, but it still doesn’t help that defense. Kansas State has a solid defense and have played better with Skylar Thompson at quarterback. Josh Rosen and the offense are a very good unit. That defense is a mess.

(25) Florida State over Southern Mississippi:

The Seminoles having to fight for a bowl berth was really good for this team. It was a way for the team to bond together which they never really got a chance to do after the traumatic loss of Deondre Francois in the opener. This Florida State defense is still sound. Sound enough to stop Ito Smith, the only real weapon that the Eagles have.

(26) Washington State over Michigan State:

I don’t trust that Michigan State’s offense can put up enough points to stay all that close here. Washington State’s offense is a tough one to stop. Michigan State does have a good defense, but Washington State’s is no slouch. I think the Cougars can handcuff that Michigan State offense.

(27) Michigan over South Carolina:

I like South Carolina, but I just don’t think that offense can hold up against Michigan’s defense. This is going to be an ugly and low scoring game. So long as Brandon Peters is a go, I like Michigan. If not, I may end up changing this.

(28) Oklahoma State over Virginia Tech:

It is going to take everything that the Virginia Tech defense has to slow down Mason Rudolph in is last collegiate game. Oklahoma State had the most balanced offense in the Big 12(10), and possibly the country this year. I just don’t think that Virginia Tech can stop it over the course of the entire game.

(29) Navy over Virginia:

The Hoos peaked when they took it to Boise on the Smurf Turf in early October. Few teams have been as cold as Virginia, who lost five of their last six games. Now they get to face one of the best rushing offenses around. Well, don’t look now, but Navy lost six of their last seven, including the Commander-In-Chief trophy to Army. Only one can bounce back. It looks like Navy  the better bet.

(30) South Florida over Texas Tech:

Tech is back in a bowl, but they get a lousy matchup. This is a game that could blow up the scoreboard at Legion Field. I expect a high scoring game, but in the end, Quinton Flowers is a talent like none that Texas Tech faced this year. If the over/under is under triple digits, take the over. This is going to be that kind of game.

(31) Arizona over Purdue:

This was a great turnaround at Purdue, but they get a bad draw here as well. Most of the Big Ten(14) did, honestly. Khalil Tate has given RichRod a new lease on his coaching life in Tucson. Purdue is going to be a good team in the near future. I just don’t see any scenario in which they are better than Arizona.

(32) North Carolina State over Arizona State:

The Wolfpack are an underrated team. After a hiccup in the opener against South Carolina, NC St4te only lost to three more bowl bound teams. Only Notre Dame beat them by two scores. Arizona State bumbled though a coach firing and a bizarre hiring of Herm Edwards. One has to wonder where their heads are.

(33) Colorado State over Marshall:

This is the first bowl game that I looked at that I could see a significant mismatch. Chase Litton is good, but their inability to run the ball consistently is going to cost them against this Rams defense. Nick Stevens is going to carry the Rams to a win a few hours south in Albuquerque.

(34) Arkansas State over Middle Tennessee State:

I like the Blue Raiders, but I like Justice Hansen more. I’m honestly thinking about moving this one down a little. However, MTSU’s best win is likely over Florida International. Arkansas State nearly topped Troy and Nebraska in Lincoln before their monumental collapse. The Red Wolves will need better than almost here.

(35) Utah State over New Mexico State:

New Mexico State is in a bowl for the first time in 50 years, but the good news ends there. Utah State became a more explosive team with Jordan Love under center. It was a good story for New Mexico State,and they may manage to keep it close, but I’m not sure that they can win this outright.

(36) Toledo over Appalachian State:

This was a good year for Appalachian State, but they got a horrible draw in Toledo. The Rockets were far and away the best team in the MAC this year.This Rockets offense is better than anything the Mountaineers have seen this year. Hopefully App State gets a better bowl draw next year.

(37) Troy over North Texas:

Troy sounded the warning bell when they went into Death Valley and not only beat LSU, but shut them out in the first half! You know I like North Texas and their balanced offense, but that defense has no answer for Brandon Silvers and the Troy offense.

(38) Western Kentucky over Georgia State:

The Hilltoppers were not all that great this year, but they are at least more tested than Georgia State. The Western Kentucky offense is still pretty good. Better than most teams that Georgia State has faced this season.

(39) SMU over Louisiana Tech:

That SMU offense can run with just about anyone. Louisiana Tech is not nearly as good as they were last year, especially on the offensive side of the ball. The Ponies are going to light up the scoreboard in this one. I don’t expect this to be close at all.

(40) Northwestern over Kentucky:

The Wildcats are going to win! No, not the Mildcats……the Wildcats. You know, the ones that won three straight overtimes games. The ones that closed the season with seven straight wins. Knetucky lost to an awful Tennessee team. I shouldn’t have to say anything else.

(41) Florida Atlantic over Akron:

This was a good season for Akron, but they ran into a horrible bowl matchup for them. Lane Kiffin’s Owls are similar to the Toledo team that destroyed Akron not once, but twice this season. This has the largest spread in the bowl games, and it is well deserved. This game shouldn’t be close.

Next: How Crazy Are Fantasy Football Fans?

Stay tuned for complete bowl capsules for all of these games, and the picks against the spread. I’m not done embarrassing myself just yet!