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) /
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Cheez-It Bowl: Air Force vs. Washington State (Dec. 27)

As prolific as Anthony Gordon was this season for Washington State and as entertaining as Mike Leach’s offense is, it’s important to note that the Cougars finished just 6-6 on the season. And among the big reasons as to why is the run defense. So facing Air Force and the option offense that averaged 292.5 rushing yards per game does not bode well for Wazzu. Even though they can key in on it, they don’t have the talent on that side of the ball to handle the Falcons.

Winner: Air Force

Cotton Bowl: Memphis vs. Penn State (Dec. 28)

Full disclosure, I’m a big fan of this Memphis team. The weapons at their disposal with Brady White, Kenneth Gainwell, Damonte Coxie and so on have been dangerous against everyone they’ve faced. However, with Matt Norvell heading out and now facing a decidedly great Penn State defense, I worry about the success they’ll be able to find. And with the Tigers’ lackluster defense, the Nittany Lions have the playmakers to control most everything about this matchup.

Winner: Penn State

Camping World Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Iowa State (Dec. 28)

The type of team that Notre Dame has struggled with en route to a 10-2 finish this season has been groups that want to get into a slugfest. Put simply, that’s not the way that Ian Book and this iteration of the Fighting Irish win — but it’s also not the way that Iowa State plays. And not playing that style puts the game in Notre Dame’s hands. They should be able to air it out a bit and pick up the win over the Cyclones.

Winner: Notre Dame

Peach Bowl (CFP Semifinal): Oklahoma vs. LSU (Dec. 28)

Though it’s difficult to argue for any team making the College Football Playoff over Oklahoma, putting the Sooners against these LSU Tigers is a mismatch. Even if Alex Grinch has improved the OU defense, they are still middle-of-the-pack on their best day and now face one of the best offenses in the country led, of course, by Heisman Trophy-winner Joe Burrow. That’s not going to end well for the Sooners.

While LSU’s defense has not played at an elite level, they have playmaking talent on every level. So when you then factor in that Jalen Hurts and Oklahoma’s offense have oftentimes had lulls, despite their overall potency, the fact remains that the Tigers should be able to control every bit of the action and win running away.

Winner: LSU

Fiesta Bowl (CFP Semifinal): Clemson vs. Ohio State (Dec. 28)

The second College Football Playoff semifinal has the potential to be the best game of bowl season. In one corner, you have the balanced and explosive Ohio State Buckeyes, a team capable of scoring at any moment and also capable of making a game-changing play on defense with Chase Young and Jeffrey Okudah.

In the other corner, there’s the defending champion Clemson Tigers with Trevor Lawrence hitting his stride down the stretch and with Brent Venables’ defense getting several weeks to prepare. And while this should be a back-and-forth affair, that last factor will prove the most critical. Give me the Tigers pulling one out to advance to the Natty once again.

Winner: Clemson

First Responder Bowl: Western Kentucky vs. Western Michigan (Dec. 30)

There are many evenly matched bowl games throughout the college football postseason and this is one of them. Western Michigan has struggled to defend the run this season but Western Kentucky is not a great rushing offense. Meanwhile, the Hilltoppers have been solid against the run while that’s the M.O. of the Broncos offense. However, Western Michigan running back Levante Bellamy is the game-changer that will be on the field in this matchup, which has me rolling with the Broncos.

Winner: Western Michigan

Music City Bowl: Mississippi State vs. Louisville (Dec. 30)

If you’re looking for a recipe for madness, look no further than the Music City Bowl and a matchup between two good offenses and two bad defenses. While I do believe that Louisville’s turnaround will be apparent as they put up a good fight, Kylin Hill running against a defense that’s given up 211 rushing yards per game this season will be the deciding factor.

Winner: Mississippi State

Redbox Bowl: California vs. Illinois (Dec. 30)

The job that Lovie Smith has done with this Illinois team has been quite impressive. However, the Cal Golden Bears are much better than their 7-5 record would indicate. This is a talent-laden defense that should cause Brandon Peters problem while Chase Garbers back at quarterback gives the offense life. The Fighting Illini’s nice story should come to a halt in the Redbox Bowl.

Winner: California