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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Orange Bowl: Florida vs. Virginia (Dec. 30)

Because Virginia finished as the runners-up in the ACC, you might be led to believe that this is a matchup between two top-tier college football teams. Unfortunately, that’s not entirely the case. With the Cavaliers defense depleted due to injury (Bryce Hall’s being particularly devastating), Kyle Trask and Florida should be able to move the ball. Meanwhile, Bryce Perkins has been shut down by great defense before, meaning the Gators should wind up dominating the Orange Bowl.

Winner: Florida

Belk Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Kentucky (Dec. 31)

Credit to Mark Stoops for getting Kentucky to a bowl game after having to start a wide receiver at quarterback for roughly half of the season. And while that makes the Wildcats rushing offense difficult to stop, Virginia Tech has been a good run defense all season. Couple that with the Hokies newfound life on offense and Justin Fuente should end the 2019 season with a victory.

Winner: Virginia Tech

Sun Bowl: Florida State vs. Arizona State (Dec. 31)

In terms of the talent on the field, Florida State should be able to win the Sun Bowl running away. Unfortunately, that has been the case many times for the Seminoles throughout the past two college football seasons and it hasn’t played out that way. With Jayden Daniels aiming to prove himself on a big stage and keep Herm Edwards’ stock rising, give me the Sun Devils bringing FSU’s disappointing year to a disappointing end.

Winner: Arizona State

Liberty Bowl: Navy vs. Kansas State (Dec. 31)

It’s always a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to determining how a Power 5 defense like Kansas State is going to handle the triple option, especially with a dynamic stud like Malcolm Perry leading the charge. Navy should be able to have enough success to put up points but it’s actually a quality Midshipmen run defense that will be the difference as they stifle the Wildcats offense.

Winner: Navy

Arizona Bowl: Wyoming vs. Georgia State (Dec. 31)

If you like college football teams running the football, then the Arizona Bowl is the game for you. Both teams average north of 200 rushing yards per game and have been impressively efficient in that regard. However, Georgia State’s defense has been downright bad in every aspect this season and that will again hold true as the Cowboys run all over them in a winning effort.

Winner: Wyoming

Alamo Bowl: Utah vs. Texas (Dec. 31)

Regardless of your opinions regarding the merits of the Pac-12, this has mismatch written all over it. Sam Ehlinger and the Texas offense have proven capable of being slowed by a good defense, which Utah very much has. Moreover, the Longhorns have struggled against power run games that look to control the game, which is Zack Moss’ bread and butter. Not only will the Utes win but they’ll win big in the Alamo Bowl.

Winner: Utah

Outback Bowl: Minnesota vs. Auburn (Jan. 1)

What a great story it would be for Row the Boat to shine once more this season with a huge victory over an SEC titan. The issue, however, is that Minnesota’s losses to Iowa and Wisconsin showed that their offensive line is susceptible to getting bullied by quality defensive fronts.

And it just so happens that Auburn’s combo of Derrick Brown and Marlon Davidson is near-impossible to keep at bay. That will be the X-factor as the Tigers physically dominate the trenches to earn the victory.

Winner: Auburn

Citrus Bowl: Michigan vs. Alabama (Jan. 1)

If Jim Harbaugh wants a chance to try and redeem his showing in the 2019 college football season, capping off the year with a Citrus Bowl win over Alabama would be a good way to go about doing so. However, even if with Mac Jones at the helm instead of Tua Tagovailoa, the Crimson Tide offense will have too much firepower for Shea Patterson and the Wolverines to keep up with.

Winner: Alabama