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) /

2 of 24

HOUSTON, TX – NOVEMBER 15: Justin McMillan #12 of the Tulane Green Wave throws a pass in the second half against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium on November 15, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

AutoNation Cure Bowl: Tulane (6-6) vs. Louisiana (7-6)

Date: Saturday, Dec. 15 | Time: 1:30 p.m. ET | Channel: CBSSN

Both the Tulane Green Wave and Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns finished strong in the regular season to even make a bowl game. The latter won four of their last five before losing to Appalachian State in the Sun Belt title game. As for Tulane, they were also winners of four of their last five games, including big wins at South Florida and in the finale against Navy, making them 6-6 and putting them in this game.

Both teams have the dubious displeasure of allowing more points per game this season than they average on offense. With the way that Tulane quarterback Justin McMillan has emerged, though, he appears to be the best playmaker that will be n the field in this game and has stabilized the Green Wave offense. As such, that will push them to a narrow win to start off bowl season.

Prediction: Tulane 27, Louisiana 21

New Mexico Bowl: North Texas (9-3) vs. Utah State (10-2)

Date: Saturday, Dec. 15 | Time: 2:00 p.m. ET | Channel: ESPN

If there are two things that the Utah State Aggies and the North Texas Mean Green have proven this season, it’s first that they know how to win and secondly that they know how to put up big numbers on the scoreboard. Utah State finished the 2018 season with a 10-2 record, averaging 47.2 points per contest, while North Texas put up 36.4 points per game en route to a 9-3 mark on the season.

Both Aggies quarterback Jordan Love and Mean Green quarterback Mason Fine proved this season that they can be prolific through the air. However, I simply have to give the edge to the more productive and more balanced offense, that of Utah State. Sure, they averaged more points per game this season than North Texas, but they also simply looked the more consistent group.

Prediction: North Texas 35, Utah State 48

Home/College Football