Fansided

Predicting every 2019-2020 college football bowl game winner

By Cody Williams

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 26: Mac Jones #10 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after passing for a touchdown to Jerry Jeudy #4 in the first half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 26: Mac Jones #10 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after passing for a touchdown to Jerry Jeudy #4 in the first half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
(Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Bahamas Bowl: Buffalo vs. Charlotte (Dec. 20)

Benny Lemay for Charlotte and Jaret Patterson for Buffalo might be two of the better running backs in college football that you’ve never heard of. But while the 49ers have a more balanced offense, their defense has given up 190.8 rushing yards per game. That’s advantage Bulls as Patterson should end the year with a monster outing that carries his team to the victory.

Winner: Buffalo

Frisco Bowl: Utah State vs. Kent State (Dec. 20)

The Frisco Bowl was going to be difficult to pick in the first place but I was initially leaning towards Kent State just looking at the letdown performances of the Aggies this season. But with Jordan Love declaring for the NFL Draft and then getting popped for marijuana possession, possibly pushing him out of action in this game, it’s Kent State all the way.

Winner: Kent State

New Mexico Bowl: Central Michigan vs. San Diego State (Dec. 21)

Quinten Dormady finding new life at Central Michigan has been a great story for the former Volunteer. However, the Chippewas come up against a San Diego State team that is elite in their ability to control the action. Averaging under 20 points per game but giving up fewer than 13 per contest, the Aztecs’ ability to dictate the game flow and flex their defensive muscles will be the difference.

Winner: San Diego State

Cure Bowl: Liberty vs. Georgia Southern (Dec. 21)

Liberty should be able to find offensive success as they have for much of this season with a high-powered Hugh Freeze offense headlined by Buckshot Calvert and stud receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden. However, the Flames’ run defense has given up almost 200 yards per game this season and Georgia Southern is going to do nothing but that in the option game. It should be close but the Eagles will prevail.

Winner: Georgia Southern

Boca Raton Bowl: SMU vs. Florida Atlantic (Dec. 21)

As mentioned, this should be one of the “lesser” bowl games for college football fans to get amped over. With SMU averaging 43.0 points per game to FAU’s 35.2 per contest and with both squads having merely okay defenses, this game should be two teams trading haymakers and touchdowns. However, Shane Buechele and the Mustangs have a little more juice in terms of playmakers, in my opinion, so I’m riding the Pony Express to emerge victoriously.

Winner: SMU

Camellia Bowl: Florida International vs. Arkansas State (Dec. 21)

You could flip a coin and be as likely to pick the winner of the Camellia Bowl correctly as you would be parsing through the numbers and talent in the matchup. The Red Wolves thrive in the passing game but FIU has been great at stopping the pass. But then again, the Panthers offense has been anything but consistent. Ultimately, FIU’s decent-enough run game against a bad Arkansas State run defense gives the Panthers the edge for me.

Winner: FIU

Las Vegas Bowl: Boise State vs. Washington (Dec. 21)

Do you believe that Jacob Eason can face a strong Boise State defensive front and not make mistakes? That’s essentially what the Las Vegas Bowl comes down to for me. And while Eason has all the talent in the world, I don’t believe he’s there yet in his maturation as a player. Give me the Broncos bringing that blue-field energy to Sin City.

Winner: Boise State

New Orleans Bowl: Appalachian State vs. UAB (Dec. 21)

Picking UAB over Appalachian State at this point would be a fool’s errand. Not only have the Mountaineers been boat-racing most of the Sun Belt this season but they looked their best at the end of the season. And though the Blazers have a fine record, their offense is limited and the defense isn’t quality enough to slow down Zac Thomas and App State.

Winner: Appalachian State