Predicting every 2018 college football bowl game outcome

CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 17: Milan Richard #80, Travis Etienne #9, Trevor Lawrence #16 and Tremayne Anchrum #73 of the Clemson Tigers walk toward the line of scrimmage against the Duke Blue Devils at Clemson Memorial Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

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BLOOMINGTON, IN – NOVEMBER 24: Terry Wright #9 and Isaac Zico #7 celebrates a touchdown with Rondale Moore #4 of the Purdue Boilermakers during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl: Purdue (6-6) vs. Auburn (7-5)

Date: Friday, Dec. 28 | Time: 1:30 p.m. ET | Channel: ESPN

The Purdue Boilermakers were truly all over the place in the 2018 college football season, but perhaps no more so than at the end of the year. After beating Ohio State in a huge upset, the Boilermakers lost three of their final five games, but picked up a win over Iowa and took Wisconsin to three overtimes. But even with six losses on the year, this is an offensive team that you can’t take lightly, even if their defense often leaves a lot to be desired.

As for Auburn, they are a team that has often disappointed this season, specifically with Jared Stidham and the offense. Even though they have a stout defense, I think Purdue has plenty of offensive success still and, with that, Auburn isn’t able to keep up, giving the Boilermakers a relatively sizeable upset victory.

Prediction: Purdue 27, Auburn 20

Camping World Bowl: West Virginia (8-3) vs. Syracuse (9-3)

Date: Friday, Dec. 28 | Time: 5:15 p.m. ET | Channel: ESPN

If both the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Syracuse Orange were going to be at full strength for the Camping World Bowl, this would be one of the best matchups of bowl season that wasn’t a New Year’s Six game. Not only can Syracuse put up points, but the Orange’s solid defense going up against the prolific offense of the Mountaineers would’ve been one of the most fascinating matchups of the postseason in the sport.

That, unfortunately isn’t the case for this game. West Virginia quarterback Will Grier is sitting out of this game, as is his favorite target, David Sills. With those two critical cogs in the Mountaineers offense not being on the field, I don’t see this working out well for them in any regard. They are going to have a hard time moving the ball consistently and, subsequently, the Orange should roll.

Prediction: West Virginia 10, Syracuse 35

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