Jared Birmingham Bowl: Memphis (8-5) vs. Wake Forest (6-6)
Date: Saturday, Dec. 22 | Time: 12:00 p.m. ET | Channel: ESPN
There’s no doubt that the Memphis Tigers have to be kicking themselves after the AAC Championship Game. They had UCF and the Knights’ winning streak on the ropes after a tremendous first half, but watched that slip away in the second half, falling to UCF for the second time this season. Their chance at redemption to end the 2018 season, though, will come against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
Put simply, this game should come down to the fact that Memphis, led by running back Darrell Henderson, has the better and more explosive offense. Neither of these defensive units are much to write home about, both conceding over 30 points per game. As such, it should be the Tigers’ firepower that overwhelms the Demon Deacs and gets Memphis a win to sweeten the bitterness of the conference title game.
Prediction: Memphis 40, Wake Forest 24
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: Houston (8-4) vs. Army (10-2)
Date: Saturday, Dec. 22 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET | Channel: ESPN
Quietly, the Army Knights finished the regular season with a 10-2 record, something that you might not have known about. They even showed positive things in one of their losses, pushing the Oklahoma Sooners — they in the College Football Playoff — to the brink when they played Lincoln Riley’s team. Now they’ll try to stop another dynamic offense as they face the Houston Cougars in the Armed Forces Bowl.
Houston, largely due to playing without Ed Oliver on defense, let up at the end of the regular season, losing three of their final five games. Their offense, however, still remained strong, but they will be tested against an Army defense allowing just 18 points per game this season. At the end of it, though, I have more belief in D’Eriq King and the Cougars offense than in Army’s offense or defense, which is why Houston will emerge as the winners.
Prediction: Houston 31, Army 23