Servpro First Responder Bowl: Boston College (7-5) vs. Boise State (10-3)
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 26 | Time: 1:30 p.m. ET | Channel: ESPN
The Boston College Eagles entered their final three games of the season ranked and with a 7-2 record. However, as they enter their matchup with the Boise State Broncos, they’ve lost three-straight games as they dropped their final trio of contests at the end of the regular season. Of course, the Broncos fell in the Mountain West Championship Game, though that’s hardly the same as the Eagles’ skid to end the year.
What BC’s struggles at the end of the year showed is a defense that simply hasn’t been playing that well overall, and has been playing worse of late. That doesn’t bode well for them going up against an experienced and potent Boise State offense. In the end, Brett Rypien and Co. should pull through with a comfortable win.
Prediction: Boston College 20, Boise State 30
Quick Lane Bowl: Minnesota (6-6) vs. Georgia Tech (7-5)
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 26 | Time: 5:15 p.m. ET | Channel: ESPN
Neither the Minnesota Golden Gophers nor the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defense are truly nothing to be too impressed by. What makes that intriguing for their matchup in the Quick Lane Bowl, though, is that both offenses, though inconsistent, have shown that they have the ability to take advantage of a not-so-great defense. As such, there could be plenty of scoring here.
However, I’m buying fully in on the emotional narrative of this game. Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson has already announced his retirement after this season, meaning this will be his last game at the helm of the Yellow Jackets. I expect that to galvanize this team and the triple option and push them to a win to punctuate Johnson’s career at Georgia Tech.
Prediction: Minnesota 28, Georgia Tech 42