Here are some quick predictions for today’s games. Will have the Crimson Tide, the Auburn Tigers, the Rose Bowl (Oregon vs Wisconsin) and Sugar Bowls (Georgia vs Baylor) tomorrow. Much more extensive coverage tomorrow.

Yesterday: 4-0

Overall: 13-8

All times Central

Belk Bowl

Kentucky (7-5) vs. Virginia Tech (8-4)

Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.

11 AM

ESPN

Va Tech by 2

I like Wildcats quarterback Lynn Bowden Jr. to lead his team to victory as Mark Stoops puts together another solid season in Lexington.

Kentucky 31, Virginia Tech 28

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl

Florida State (6-6) vs. Arizona State (7-5)

Sun Bowl, El Paso, TX.

1 PM

CBS

Arizona State by 4

I like the Sun Devils in a close contest.

Zona State 24, Florida State 21

Autozone Liberty Bowl

Navy (10-2) vs. Kansas State (8-4)

Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis

2:45 PM

ESPN

Navy by 2 1/2

I’m going with the awesome Academy quarterback Malcolm Perry to lead his Midshipmen teammates to victory. Perry rushed for 1,804 yards this season.

Navy 34, Kansas State 30

Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl

Georgia State (7-5) vs Wyoming (7-5)

Arizona Stadium, Tucson

3:30 PM

CBS Sports Network

Wyoming by 7

Georgia State defeated Tennessee to open the season, 38-30. While UT was not the team they are now, that was in Knoxville. That’s good enough for me here.

Georgia State 38, Wyoming 35

Valero Alamo Bowl

Utah (11-2) vs. Texas (7-5)

Alamodome, San Antonio, TX.

6:30 PM

ESPN

Utah by 7 1/2

I like the physicality of the Utes here and they are 11-2 under Kyle Whittingham in bowl games.

Utah 37, Texas 28

After a phenomenal Saturday Night game between Clemson and Ohio State in which the Tigers just barely prevailed over the Buckeyes, 29-23, thanks to a late interception in the Clemson endzone by safety Nolan Turner, from Vestavia Hills and the son of the late Kevin Turner who played fullback for the Crimson Tide in the 1990’s and passed away tragically from Alzheimer’s recently, the No.3 Clemson Tigers will face the offensive juggernaut that is LSU in the National Championship Game Monday, January 13th, 2020 at 7 PM CT on ESPN.

LSU destroyed Oklahoma in Atlanta, 63-28, behind Joe Burrow’s 7 TD passes after tragedy that offensive coordinator Steve Ensmenger had to absorb just before the game when he was told his daughter in law had been killed in a private plane crash. So the Bengal Tigers will be playing with passion for their coach in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome (New Orleans) Monday, January 13th.

That one should be a classic. On one side you have the awesome Trevor Lawrence and the lightning bolt explosive player Travis Etiene along with star wideouts Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross and a stout defense that leads the nation in scoring defense at just over 10 points per game. LSU will counter with the spectacular Burrow and his elite wide receiving corps and will hope that running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, their 1,200 yard rusher and key receiver out of the backfield, will be available to play as he recovers from his hamstring injury. He played a little Saturday against Oklahoma, but they’ll need him at full strength versus Clemson.

It’s quite a matchup.

Dabo vs O is a colorful coaching matchup as well. “Rest of Y’all” vs “Go Tiguhs.”

So that will be one phenomenal night of football in 2020.

Here’s a look at today’s contests along with predictions.

Saturday: 4-0

Overall: 9-8

All times Central

ServPro First Responder Bowl

Western Kentucky (8-4) vs. Western Michigan (7-5)

Gerald R. Ford Stadium, Dallas, 32,000

11:30 AM

ESPN

Dave Neal, DJ Shockley, Dawn Davenport

Refs, Sun Belt, Jeremy Parker

Western Kentucky by 3 1/2

Western Kentucky went to Arkansas on November 9th and won 45-19. That was the end of Chad Morris’s tenure in Fayetteville, but that is still impressive. The HIlltoppers have the No.21 scoring defense in the country giving up just over 20 points per game. Western Michigan is 57th at over 26 per game. Both teams have 1,000 yard rushers, Western Ky’s Gaej Walker has rushed for 1,115 yards and 8 TDs, and the Broncos LeVante Bellamy has rushed for 1,412 yards and an FBS leading 23 TDs. Quarterback play is pretty solid with the Broncos Jon Wassink completing 60 percent of his passes (222-of-371) for 2,904 yards, 19 TDs and 7 ints, and Western Kentucky’s Ty Storey completing 70% of his throws (206-of-294) for 2,209 yards, 12 TDs and 5 ints. Defensively, bookends DeAngelo Malone (21 TFLs -117 yards, 11 1/2 TFLs -61, 6 sacks, -44 yards) lead the Hilltoppers while defensive end Ali Fayad leads Western Michigan with 14 TFLs for -64 yards and 6 1/2 sacks for -47.

Final Decision

I really like that scoring defense stat from Western Kentucky. Western Michigan is 18th in turnover margin while Western KY is 97th. Still like the Hilltoppers to get the job done today in Big D.

Western Kentucky 30, Western Michigan 17

Music City Bowl

Mississippi State (6-6) vs. Louisville (7-5)

Nissan Stadium Nashville, 68,798

3 PM

ESPN

Tom Hart, JRodg, Cole

Refs, Pac-12, Mark Duddy

State by 4 1/2

State lost quarterback Garrett Shrader after he got injured in a fight last week with a teammate. Tommy Stevens, the Penn State graduate transfer, will start. They seem a little dysfunctional to me. I’m going with the upset.

Louisville 34, Mississippi State 31

RedBox Bowl

California (7-5) vs. Illinois (6-6)

Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA., 75,000

3 PM

FOX

Joe Davis, Brock Huard, Bruce Feldman

Refs, SEC, Matt Loeffler

Cal by 6 1/2

The Golden Bears have the 32nd best scoring defense allowing 22 per game. Illinois is 57th at 26 per game. I like the Cal defense led by the nation’s leader in total tackles, linebacker Evan Weaver with 173, to carry the Golden Bears over the top.

California 28, Illinois 20

Capital One Orange Bowl

No.9 Florida (10-2) vs No. 24 Virginia (9-4)

Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 74,767

7 PM

ESPN

Steve Levy, Brian Griese, McShay, Molly McGrath

Refs, Big 12, Reggie Smith

Gatuhs by 14 1/2

Virginia has put together a pretty solid season, but they are no match for the Gators. Kyle Trask has done an excellent job for Florida filling in for starter Feleipe Franks, who was lost for the season back in September. Trask completed 213-of-315 passes, 68%, for 2,636 yards, 24 TDs and 6 ints. Florida has excellent receivers in Kyle Pitts (51-610, 5), Van Jefferson (43-528, 6) and Freddie Swain (35-496, 7). Linebacker Jonathan Greenard is a load on defense as he has 8 1/2 sacks for -45 yards, and he’s a total disrupter. Florida is 8th in the country in scoring defense giving up 14 per game. Virginia is 59th at 26. I like the Gators to excel in Hard Rock and complete another double digit victory season under 2nd year coach Dan Mullen. Mullen went 10-3 in 2018 after destroying Michigan in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, 41-15, and aims to go 11-3 this year with the 7th best recruiting class coming in next season (Rivals), and, as of now, the 4th best class in 2021.

Florida 37, Virginia 14

The College Football Playoff has arrived. Doesn’t seem like it took as long this year to get to it. LSU vs Oklahoma and Clemson vs Ohio State are in star-studded matchups in Atlanta and Glendale, AZ respectively. Who will be playing for the National Championship on Monday, January 13th, 2020 at 7 PM CT on ESPN? We’ll find out later today. It’s time to decide that, so here we are.

Here’s a look at the 2 playoff games with predictions along with the Cotton and the Camping World Bowls predictions.

Semifinal 1

Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl

No.1 LSU (13-0) vs. No. 4 Oklahoma (12-1)

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA., 71,000

3 PM CT

ESPN

Sean, Todd, Holly, Laura

Whistles, ACC, Stuart Mullins

LSU by 13 1/2

Both teams are facing some adversity coming in. Oklahoma suspended key defensive end Ronnie Perkins, who had 13 1/2 tackles for loss and 6 sacks this season, and running back Rhamondre Stevenson who had really come on late in the season and 2nd leading tackler safety Delarrin Turner-Yell is injured and out. The Bengal Tigers could be without 1,290 yard rusher Clyde Edwards-Helaire who is battling a hamstring injury. Edwards-Helaire rushed for 16 TDs and caught 50 passes for 399 yards, so he’s quite a weapon for them. O “believes” Edwards-Helaire will play, but it’s still unknown and there’s the question of how much he can go and if he’ll be effective. You never know, sometimes the miraculous happens and these superstars step up and play the games of their lives when the chips are stacked against them. So while it’s a challenging thing for LSU, it could be a miraculous positive thing for them in the end if Edwards-Helaire can be Edwards-Helaire.

OU has plenty of weapons on offense at their disposal. Jalen Hurts has been mostly phenomenal this season for the Sooners. Hurts has completed 222 of 309 passes, 72%, for 3,634 yards, 32 TDs and 7 ints. He has also rushed for 1,255 yards and 18 TDs. That’s a big wow, and there’s no doubt why he was in New York for the Heisman 2 weeks ago. And it couldn’t happen to a better guy, a guy who really paid his dues and hung in there through tough times. As they say, tough times don’t last, tough people do, and Jalen is the epitome of that tried but true statement. He knows how to play in big games, he’s been through a lot of them first for the Crimson Tide and now for the Sooners. Kennedy Brooks rushed for 978 yards and 5 TDs. He’s quality. The awesome CeeDee Lamb is a matchup nightmare for any cornerback, regardless of how good that corner is. Lamb caught 58 passes for 1,208 yards and 14 TDs. Charleston Rambo is next with 42 for 734 and 5 TDs. Lee Morris (18-330, 1 TD) is a walk-on and a total heart guy who is really a good football player. There are others who can really play for the Sooners on the perimeter.

On defense, linebacker Kenneth Murray has posted 95 tackles on the season, 16 1/2 tackles for loss of 58 yards and 4 sacks for -32 yards. Oklahoma has made a major improvement of defense this season moving to 31st in total defense when they had been in the 80’s and 90’s in prior years. First year defensive coordinator Alex Grinch has really made a difference and OU’s future is bright defensively if they can keep Grinch. He’ll be a head coach in the next couple of years.

For LSU it all starts with Heisman winner Joe Burrow. His numbers are off the charts great. Joe has completed 342 of 439 passes, 78%,, for 4,715 yards, 48 TDs against only 6 ints. Joe’s the second leading rusher on the team with 289 yards and 3 TDs. If Edwards-Helaire can’t play, Tyrion Davis-Price, a redshirt freshman (270 yards, 6 TDs), and freshmen John Emery Jr. (36-182, 3) and Chris Curry (22-99 0 TDs) will be a running back by committee trifecta. But LSU has the seriously great weapons on the perimeter as well. Ja’Marr Chase caught 73 passes for 1,498 yards and 18 TDs, Justin Jefferson caught 88 passes for 1,207 yards and 14 TDs, and Terrace Marshall caught 37 passes for 545 yards and 10 TDs. Tight end Thaddeus Moss is a weapon as well. He caught 38 passes for 435 yards and a TD.

On defense, linebacker Jacob Phillips leads the team in tackles with 97. But the unquestionable leader on defense for the Bengal Tigers is safety Grant Delpit who posted 56 tackles and 2 ints on the season. His ints are down from last season, but he was banged up a little this year. He’s the total leader of this defense. And sensational freshman Derek Stingley posed 6 ints this season. The defense had their issues several times this season, but played good games against Texas A&M (50-7) and Georgia (37-10) to finish off the year. Those aren’t prolific offenses, but that’s still a good days work in both games. They did give up 41 to the Crimson Tide and 37 to Ole Miss.

Final Analysis and Decision

Both offenses should have good afternoons, but I like Joe and the Bengal Tigers to keep their dream season going. This offense is as good as it gets in college football in recent years, and I see Joe, his receivers, and Edwards-Helaire, if he plays, advancing to the National Championship game.

LSU 48, Oklahoma 34

Semifinal 2

Playstation Fiesta Bowl

No.2 Ohio State (13-0) vs. No. 3 Clemson (13-0)

State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona, 63,400

7 PM CT

ESPN

Chris, Kirk, Maria, Tom

Refs, SEC, Ken Williamson

Clemson by 2 1/2

There are playmakers in abundance on both sides. Trevor Lawrence (232-of-337, 69%, 3,172 yards, 34 TDs and 8 ints) is spectacular along with running back Travis Etienne (182-1,500, 17 TDs) and wide receivers Tee Higgins (52-1,082, 13 TDs) and Justyn Ross (55-742, 8 TDs). That offensive cast is all back from last season’s national championship team and better than ever. The defense is led by linebacker Isaiah Simmons, who recorded 93 tackles on the season and 6 sacks. Safety Tanner Muse leads the teams in ints with 4. The Clemson defense leads the country in scoring defense allowing 10.6 per game. This is a stellar team though they played an extremely soft schedule.

Justin Fields has been one of the main stories for Ohio State. The Georgia quarterback transfer has completed 208-of-308 passes, 68%, for 2,953 yards, 40 TDs against 1 interception. That’s beyond spectacular. Running back J.K. “All Day” Dobbins has been just as terrific rushing for 1,829 yards and 20 TDs. Wide receiver Chris Olave pulled in 46 passes for 799 yards and 11 TDs. K.J. Hill added 51 receptions for 569 yards and 10 TDs and wide out Benjimen Victor pulled in 31 passes for 507 yards and 6 TDs. Garrett Wilson added 26 receptions for 385 yards and 5 TDs.

On defense the great defensive end Chase Young had 16 1/2 sacks for -117 yards. Cornerback Jeff Okudah is one of the best in the country with 3 ints this season, and opposing quarterbacks were afraid to test him he was so good.

So 2 highly talented teams that put up amazing numbers this season on both sides of the ball. They’ll collide in Glendale at 7 PM CT.

Final Decision

While I believe in both of these teams, their coaches and their elite players, I do like the defending champions to emerge but in a highly competitive contest.

Clemson 31, Ohio State 27

Today at 11 AM CT

Goodyear Cotton Bowl

No.10 Penn State (10-2) vs. No.17 Memphis (12-1)

AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX, 100,000

ESPN

Mark Jones, Dusty Dvoracek, Olivia Dekker

Refs, ACC, Jeff Flanagan

Penn State by 7

I like Penn State wide receiver KJ Hamler (54-858, 8 TDs) and a pretty solid defense to be the difference though Memphis running back Kenneth Gainwell (1,425 yards, 12 TDs) and wide receivers Damonte Coxie (68-1,144, 9 TDs) and Antonio Gibson (32, 636, 8 TDs) will make it interesting.

Penn State 35, Memphis 30

Today at 11 AM CT

Camping World Bowl

Notre Dame (10-2) vs. Iowa State (7-5)

Camping World Stadium, Orlando, 65,438

ABC

Bob Wischusen, Dan Orlovksy, Allison Williams

Refs, SEC, David Smith

Notre Dame by 3 1/2

Like the Fighting Irish and quarterback Ian Book (220-of-371, 59%, 33 TDs, 6 ints) to just get by a scrappy Iowa State team led by quarterback Brock Purdy (295-of-445, 66%, 3,760 yards, 27 TDs, 9 ints) and talented freshman running back Breece Hall (842 yards, 9 TDs).

Notre Dame 34, Iowa State 31

It’s getting very interesting now. Tomorrow will be a colossal day with the playoff featuring the No.1 Bengal Tigers of LSU (13-0) squaring off with the No.4 Oklahoma Sooners (12-1). That game will kickoff at approximately 3 PM CT and be televised by ESPN. Suspensions and a couple of injuries are a concern for the Sooners, but they’ll have Jalen Hurts, a pretty good running back in Kennedy Brooks, the awesome CeeDee Lamb and a highly talented receiving corps along with an improved defense led by tackling machine, linebacker Kenneth Murray. LSU has one critical injury. The great running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has a hamstring issue and is highly questionable to play. Edwards-Helaire has rushed for over 1,200 yards and posted 16 rushing TDs along with being a major threat catching the football out of the backfield. He’s a phenomenal player and will be missed. If he can’t go, there are 3 young guys who will have to carry the load, and Joe and his receivers will have to get the job done along with the offensive line because OU’s defense, though it’s been leaky at times, is much better. Will have more tomorrow morning

At 7 PM CT on ESPN, No.2 Ohio State (13-0) locks horns with No.3 Clemson (13-0). Ohio State has been impressive with quarterback Justin Fields throwing for 40 TDs against only 1 interception. That’s astounding. Clemson has faced inferior competition throughout the season, but are very talented. Their level of competition gets really ratcheted up tomorrow night.

Today we’ve got 5 games on tap. Here are predictions. All times Central.

Military Bowl

North Carolina (6-6) vs. Temple (8-4)

Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, 34,000

11 AM

ESPN

MIke Couzens, Kirk Morrison, Kelsey Riggs

Laundry: Mountain West, Michael VanderVelde

UNC by 5 1/2

I’m going to take Mack Brown and the Tar Heels. Freshman quarterback Sam Howell has thrown for 3,347 yards, 35 TDs against 7 ints. Howell is a stud. He leads his team to victory in a solid game.

North Carolina 30, Temple 28

New Era Pinstripe Bowl

Michigan State (6-6) vs. Wake Forest (8-4)

Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, 49,462

2:20 PM

ESPN

Adam Amin, Matt Hasselbeck, Paul Carcaterra

Yella Wood, Big 12, Cooper, “That’s offsides and that’ll be a 5 yard penalty” Castelberry. Retiring after 40 something years. Hes’ a classic.

Mich State by 4

I’m going to go for the upset here in The City.

Wake Forest 28, Michigan State 24

Texas Bowl

Oklahoma State (8-4) vs Texas A&M (7-5)

NRG Stadium, Rocket City, 71,054

5:45 PM

ESPN

Kevin Brown, Andre Ware (awesome on that, Andre is superb), Alyssa Lang

Whistles, Big Ten, Mark Kluczynski

A&M by 5 1/2

What the heck, give me another upset.

OK State 31, Texas A&M 28

Holiday Bowl

No.16 Iowa (9-3) vs. No.22 USC (8-4)

SDCCU Stadium, San Diego, 70,561

7 PM

Fox Sports 1

Gus, Joel, Jenny

Vogue, ACC, Jerry Magallenes

Iowa by 2 1/2

“Thank you may I have another” (upset that is)

USC 28, Iowa State 27

Cheez-It Bowl

Air Force (10-2) vs. Washington State (6-6)

9:15 PM

ESPN

Clay Matvick, Ryan Leaf, Cole

Stripes (“Name’s Dewey Oxburger, friends call me Ox”) Big Ten, Jeff Servinski

Air Force by 2 1/2

I’ll take the Academy to win 11 games this year, but in a close contest.

Air Force 38, Washington State 37

Classic Video

This is quite an impersonation of S from a former player. You might have already seen this, but I thought it would be fun to re-air it.

Yesterday:

Buffalo 31, Charlotte 9

Jaret Patterson rushed for 173 yards on 32 carries and 2 TDs to lead the Bulls to the victory in the Bahamas Bowl.

Kent State 51, Utah State 41

Quarterback Dustin Crum completed 21-of-26 passes for 289 yards and 2 TDs and rushed for 147 yards on 23 carries to lead the Golden Flashes to their first ever bowl victory.

Bowl Record

1-1 won Buffalo, lost Kent State.

Today

All Times Central

New Mexico Bowl

Central Michigan (8-5) vs. San Diego State (9-3)

DreamStyle Stadium, Albuquerque, 40, 094

1 PM

ESPN

Clay Matvick, Ryan Leaf, Dr. Jerry Punch

Stripes, American, Adam Savoie

SDSU by 3

I’m going to take the MAC again. They’re 2-0 and I like the way they’re trending. San Diego State has the 4th best scoring defense in the country allowing only 12.8 points per game, but they don’t score many themselves. Kent State defeated Utah State from the Mountain West last night, 51-41, and Utah State defeated San Diego State earlier this season at SDSU, 23-17. I like Quentin Dormady, who threw for 2,148 yards and 14 TDs against 6 ints and running back Jonathan Ward, who rushed for 1,082 yards and 15 TDs along with Kobe Lewis, who rushed for 977 and 11 TDs, and linebacker Troy Brown, who had 84 tackles and 3 ints this season, to lead the Chippewas to the upset victory in a low scoring contest in Albuquerque.

Central Michigan 17, San Diego State 14

Cure Bowl

Liberty (7-5) vs. Georgia Southern (7-5)

Orlando City Stadium, Orlando, FL. (25,000)

1:30 PM

CBS Sports Network

Carter Blackburn, Aaron Taylor, John Schriffen

Stripes, Mountain West, Kevin Hassell

GA Southern by 5 1/2

Georgia Southern defeated 12-1 App State on the road, 24-21. App State went on the road and defeated North Carolina and South Carolina, That seals it for me. Should be a close, exciting game though. Hugh Freeze on the sideline for Liberty.

Georgia Southern 34, Liberty 31

Boca Raton Bowl

Florida Atlantic (10-3) vs. SMU (10-2)

FAU Football Stadium, Boca Raton, FL., 29,419

2:30 PM

ABC

Tom Hart, Joseph Galloway, Pat McAfee

Whistles, Sun Belt, Lead launderer, Kyle Olson

SMU by 8

Florida Atlantic lost Lane KIffin to Ole Miss, and just suspended their top receivers on offense and their linebacker leading tackler and leader in forced fumbles on defense and lost their 3rd best receiver to injury. SMU features a high octane offense led by quarterback Shane Buechele (280-of-443, 63%, 3,626 yards, 33 TDs, 9 ints), running back Xavier Jones (1,249 yards, 21 TDs) and wide receiver, the explosive James Proche (102-1,139, 14 TDs). With that said, I’m liking pretty much a blowout now. The line started at SMU by 3 and moved to 8 last night with the suspensions.

SMU 45, Florida Atlantic 28

Camellia Bowl

Florida International (6-6) vs. Arkansas State (7-5)

Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, 25,000

4:30 PM

ESPN

Taylor Zarzour (“You are my wife,” “Goodbye City Life”), Matt “Stinch” Stinchcomb, Alyssa Lang

Vogue Cleaners, Mountain West, Lead Soap and Suds, Steve Baron

Ark State by 1

Give me Florida International coach Butch Jones in a slight upset in the state capital.

Florida International 31, Arkansas State 30

Las Vegas Bowl

Boise State (12-1) vs. Washington (7-5)

Sam Boyd Stadium, the City that never sleeps (one of them), 40,000

6:30 PM

ABC

Bob Wischusen, Herbie, Molly McGrath

Laundry, CUSA, Rodney Burnette

Washington by 3 1/2

Boise State is a strong team no doubt, but I like Chris Peterson to go out a winner at Washington. I hope Peterson returns to coaching because he’s a solid guy, a man of integrity, and awesome for college football.

Washington 34, Boise State 30

New Orleans Bowl

UAB (9-4) vs. App State (12-1)

Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, 73,432

8 PM

ESPN

Beth Mowins, Anthony Becht, Rocky Boiman

Whistles, MAC, Ron Hudson

App State by 16 1/2

UAB has put together another good season, but they really haven’t defeated anybody that good. Their best victory is over LA Tech, a bowl team (Independence Bowl, vs. Miami, 3 PM ESPN finished 9-3), but that was at home and LA Tech had injuries. UAB lost @ Western Kentucky, 20-13, @ Tennessee, 30-7, and @ Florida Atlantic in the C-USA Championship game, 49-6. App State is for real, no doubt. They did lose first year coach Eli Drinkwitz to Missouri, but he inherited a loaded team from Scott Satterfield, who is now at Louisville and has taken the Cardinals (7-5) to the Music City Bowl vs Mississippi State, 6-6 (Monday, Dec. 30th, 3 PM CT, ESPN), and I don’t think he was that big of a difference maker. There is serious talent on this team. The players really like new coach Shawn Clark who was promoted from the staff. I like quarterback Zac Thomas from Hewitt-Trussville High School (212-of-335, 63%, 2,576 yards, 26 TDs, 6 ints) and running back Darrynton Evans, 1,323 yards, 17 TDs, to lead the Mountaineers to a convincing victory over the Blazers.

App State 35, UAB 17

The bowl season commences today. There are 40 on the slate including the national championship in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Ahlins, Monday, January 13th, 2020 @ 7 PM CT on ESPN. The playoff games, featuring No.1 LSU vs. No.4 Oklahoma (3 PM CT ESPN) and No.2 Ohio State vs No.3 Clemson (7 PM CT, ESPN), kickoff on Saturday, December 28th, a week from tomorrow. LSU is playing OU in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta while Ohio State-Clemson play in the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, just outside of Phoenix. Captivating stuff there along with No.13 Alabama squaring off with No.14 Michigan on New Year’s Day at 12 PM CT on ABC in the VRBO Citrus Bowl in Camping World Stadium in Orlando and No. 12 Auburn locking horns with No.18 Minnesota at 12 PM CT on ESPN New Year’s Day in the Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. It’s kind of unfortunate both games are on at the same time, but one on the TV and one on the phone is the call there. Looks like the Crimson Tide will be with most of their players. Only linebacker Terrell Lewis and cornerback Trevon Diggs will not suit up to wait for the draft. Both have battled injuries and don’t want to take a chance of getting hurt. Defensive tackle D.J. Dale is injured and will miss the game. But all other players look healthy and ready to go including the phenomenal receiving corps of Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, DeVonta Smith and the awesome Jaylen Waddle, who put on a beyond spectacular performance against the Auburn Tigers in one of the better Iron Bowls of all time and that’s a high bar. Also, the great Najee Harris will play. Najee has been phenomenal this season and lived up to his billing as the No.1 rated player in the country by Rivals and 247 sports in 2017. Will have more on that game closer to game time. Mac Jones will get a shot at proving he’s the guy in 2020 for the Crimson Tide. Alabama faces 9-3 Michigan that is coming off a 56-27 thrashing by Ohio State at the Big House.

The Auburn Tigers look to have everyone ready to go. Defensive tackle Derrick Brown and defensive end Marlon Davidson are playing which is awesome. Love to see those guys put it on the line for their team when they could easily sit this one out to prepare for the NFL. Auburn gained so much momentum with their Iron Bowl victory that these 2 guys wanted to keep playing. Gus says everybody is a go in what should be an excellent matchup with Minnesota, a 10-2 team out of the Big Ten.

Looking forward to both of those contests.

For now, it’s the beginning of an always interesting and exciting bowl season. Today, the Buffalo Bulls suit up against the Charlotte 49ers in the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl followed later by Kent State vs Utah State in the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl. A game named after a northwest Chicago suburb and a smoothie bar. That’s pretty funny.

There will be 6 more tomorrow and I’ll have previews and predictions for all of those games in the AM.

Here’s a look at today’s contests.

Last week: Navy 31, Army 7, 1-0. Just needed to be 1-0 last week. My score was 24-21 Navy, but Army’s starting quarterback was a game time scratch and that really hurt the Cadets. Still an awesome game from the great quarterback for Navy, Malcolm Perry, who ran for 304 yards and 2 TDs averaging 10 1/2 yards per carry. It was a phenomenal performance by the young man from Tennessee who will be a Marine when he graduates in the spring. That figures. He’s 5’9”, 190 pounds and he runs like a bull in a china shop. He’s relentless and as tough as a Sherman Tank. Have major respect for Malcolm Perry.

Navy finished its season at 10-2 after going 3-9 in 2018. Quite a turnaround for Coach Ken Niumatalolo and the Midshipmen. He should be awarded coach of the year in college football by one of the services at least. What a coaching job. The No.23 Midshipmen play Kansas State in the Autozone Liberty Bowl on Tuesday, December 31st at 2:45 PM CT on ESPN. Malcolm Perry is definitely worth the watch. He’s a spectacular player.

Overall record: 255-82, 76%

Here’s a look at today’s 2 matchups.

Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl

Buffalo Bulls (7-5) vs, Charlotte 49ers (7-5)

Thomas Robinson Stadium, Nassau, Bahamas, 23,000

1 PM CT

ESPN

Steve Levy, Gregory McElroy, Dianna Russi

Laundry, Sun Belt, Lead Aladdin, Wayne “Henry” Winkler

Buffalo by 6 1/2

Buffalo is a ground and pound team, and they can really do some serious work running the ball. Running back Jaret Patterson, a 5’9”, 185 sophomore, has rushed for 1,626 yards and 17 TDs. His rushing mark is good for 6th in the country. Chuba Hubbard of OK State leads the country with 1,936 yards. Add to Patterson’s numbers, Kevin Marks who’s rushed for 1,008 yards and 8 TDs and you’ve got quite a potent combination. Buffalo throws it a little bit. Quarterback Kyle Vantrease has completed 93 of 155 passes, 60%, for 7 TDs against only 1 int. Antonio Nunn is the top WR for the Bulls as he’s caught 44 passes for 634 yards and 5 TDs. Daniel Lee is next at 22 for 278 and a TD.

On defense, Buffalo is 34th in the country in scoring defense giving up 22.3 points per game. Clemson leads the country at 10.6. Buffalo is also tied for 18th nationally in turnover margin with +7 turnovers gained over turnovers lost. Florida Atlantic leads the country at +20.

Safety Joey Banks leads the team in tackles with 78 and also is the team leader in interceptions with 3. The Bulls have 9 ints on the season. Defensive end Ledarius Mack (6’1”, 240, SR.) leads the team with 11 tackles for loss for -52 yards. Defensive end Taylor Riggins (6’2”, 255) , the other bookend, has added 10 TFLs for -47 yards. Riggins is the team leader in sacks with 8 1/2 for -46 yards.

On Charlotte’s side, they have a dominating defensive end in senior Alex Highsmith (6’4”, 242), who is tied for first nationally in tackles for loss with 21 for -108 yards. He’s tied with Blake Alldredge of Rice in that category. Highsmith is also tied for 2nd nationally in sacks with 14 for -83 yards. Chase Young of Ohio State leads at 16 1/2. The 49ers have 8 interceptions on the season with cornerback Marquill Osborne leading the team with 3. Their leading tackler is safety Marquavis Gibbs with 94.

Charlotte is 105th in scoring defense at 32.5 per game and 86th in turnover margin -3 turnovers lost over turnovers gained.

On offense, quarterback Chris Reynolds has completed 166-of-267 passes, 62%, for 2,366 yards 21 TDs and 10 ints. Leading rusher Benny LeMay has rushed for 1,027 yards and 9 TDs. Reynolds added 757 yards and 6 TDs. The leading receiver is Victor Tucker, who has 49 receptions for 848 yards and 6 TDs. Cameron Dollar has caught 37 passes for 551 and 2 TDs. Tyler Ringwood has 20 receptions for 331 and 5 TDs.

Final Analysis and Decision

This is a good matchup to kickoff the bowl season. The Bulls and 49ers can both run the ball well, but the Bulls 34th ranked scoring defense and 18th ranked turnover margin over Charlotte’s 105th in scoring and 86th in turnover margin is the edge for me. Charlotte gets gashed some against running teams. Like the Bulls in Nassau.

Buffalo 30, Charlotte 21

Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl

Kent State Golden Flashes (6-6) vs Utah State Aggies (7-5)

Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas, a town 25 miles north of Dallas with a population of 188,000, 20,500 capacity

6:30 PM CT

ESPN2

Anish Shroff, John Congemi, Kris Budden

Whistles, C-USA, lead Yella, Ken Antee

Utah State by 6 1/2

Kent State quarterback Dustin Crum has completed 195-of-286 passes, 68%, for 18 TDs against only 2 ints. His leading target is Isaiah McKay who has 51 receptions for 767 yards and 7 TDs. Kavious Price adds 47 for 504 and 3 TDs and MIke Carrigan has hauled in 38 for 534 and 5 TDs. Crum also leads the team in rushing with 560 yards and added 5 TDs. Will Matthews has rushed for 514 yards and 2 TDs.

On defense, the Golden Flashes are led in tackles by linebacker (Nelson) Mandela Lawrence-Burke who has 94 on the season. He also has 5 1/2 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. Safety Quantrezz Knight leads the defense in tackles for loss with 8. Defensive end Theo Majette (5’11”, 238 SR) leads the team in sacks with 5 for -31 yards. Safety KJ. Sherald and cornerback Jamal Parker lead the team with 3 ints apiece.

Kent State is 91st in scoring defense giving up 31.1 points per game and 37th in turnover margin at +4. They have 15 takeaways and have only given it up 11 times in 12 games.

For Utah State, after having a banner sophomore season, quarterback Jordan Love came back to earth this year. He completed 263-of-434 passes, 61%, for 3,085 yards, 17 TDs, but 16 ints. He’s rated as an NFL prospect this season, but he’s got a lot of proving to do tonight. Gerald Bright leads the team in rushing with 827 yards and 8 TDs. Jaylen Warren added 561 and 5 TDs. On the perimeter, Siaosi Mariner leads the team with 56 receptions for 874 yards and 8 TDs. Jordan Nathan added 47 receptions for 510 and 1 TD, Devin Thompkins caught 36 passes for 485 yards and 3 TDs and Caleb Repp has 36 receptions for 455 yards and 4 TDs.

On defense, the Aggies will be without leading tackler David Woodward. The linebacker is out tonight with an injury. He posted 93 tackles this season. Safety Troy Lefeged was second on the team with 89 tackles and linebacker Kevin Meitzenheimer was third with 85. Safety Shaq Bond led the team in interceptions with 3, one of which he took back to duh house. Linebacker Eric Munoz and corner DJ Williams each had 2 ints. Defensive end Tipa Galeai (6’4”, 235) led the team in tackles for loss with 8 1/2 and sacks with 5.

Utah State is tied for 65th in turnover margin with 23 gained and 23 lost for a net big fat 0. Utah State is 76th in scoring defense at 29 per game.

The Decision

I like a close contest here. Kent State will put up a heckuva fight, but the Aggies will prevail barely.

Utah State 31, Kent State 28

The 4 finalists for the 84th Heisman Trophy (1935) are LSU’s Joe Burrow, Oklahoma’s and former Crimson Tide QB Jalen Hurts, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, and Ohio State defensive end Chase Young.

All our phenomenal players, but I like most what Joe has done for O and the No.1 Bengal Tigers. Joe was 342-of-439, 77.9%, for 4,715 yards, 48 TDs and 6 ints. None of the other 3 put up stats that are as prolific in addition to the fact that LSU went 13-0, won the SEC Championship , is No.1 in the College Football Playoff Rankings, and they’ll face No.4 Jalen and Oklahoma on Saturday, December 28th at 3 PM CT on ESPN at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Chick-fil-A Bowl, and he defeated the almost impossible to defeat and then No.1 Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, November 9th. So Joe’s resume is powerful and convincing. I know I speak for the majority of the country and this blog in saying, give me Joe. The ceremony takes place tonight starting at 7 on ESPN.

Bowls

The bowl extravaganza commences on this coming Friday, December 20th, with Buffalo squaring off with Charlotte in the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl at 1 PM CT on ESPN. Utah State will face Kent State in the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl at 6:30 PM CT on ESPN2 next Friday as well. Saturday will feature 6 games including the 9-3 UAB Blazers facing No.20 App State in the R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl at 8 PM CT on ESPN. Super bowl for UAB though they’ll have a tough task with the Mountaineers, which almost became the Group of 5 representative in the New Year’s Six Bowl the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, December 29th at 11 AM CT on ESPN. No. 17 Memphis will face No. 10 Penn State in Jerryville that day. Should be a spectacular day of football that day with the playoff games that afternoon. LSU and OU square off at 3 PM CT on ESPN and No.2 Ohio State and No.3 Clemson kickoff at 7 PM CT in the other semifinal at the Playstation Fiesta Bowl on ESPN as well.

The No.12 Auburn Tigers and the No.13 Crimson Tide play on New Year’s Day at the same time very unfortunately. Both games kickoff at 12 PM CT on January 1, 2020 with the Tigers on ESPN and the Crimson Tide on ABC. The Tigers coming off an amazing 48-45 victory over the Crimson Tide, will battle No. 18 Minnesota in the Outback Battle. There will be questions whether Derrick Brown and Marlon Davidson will play maybe a couple of others. Should be an excellent football game though. Minnesota is a quality team that came close to being in the Big Ten Championship game and went 10-2. Auburn was 9-3. Gus lost offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham to Florida State and new coach MIke Norvell, who comes to FSU from Memphis where he had great success though this will be a much bigger stage in Tallahassee, Gus may have upgraded by hiring Chad Morris, a close friend of his in the coaching profession as their roots go back to high school coaching in Arkansas. While Morris struggled mightily at Arkansas, he was a stellar offensive coordinator for Dabo Swinney at Clemson and did a very good job as head coach at SMU. I like the hire. Bo Nix has a bright future and this should enhance his success as a college quarterback and help Auburn succeed in the SEC and nationally in the coming years.

The Crimson Tide faces No.14 Michigan on January 1st in the VRBO Citrus Bowl. This isn’t the destination the Crimson Tide wanted, they have much larger goals and 5 national championships under Nick Saban to show for it, but it is an interesting matchup of coaches, with key rivals S and Jim Harbaugh. S should be charged up for this one and it’s a chance to get the 2020 season underway. The Crimson Tide may be without receivers Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and DeVonta Smith along with running back Najee Harris and maybe an offensive lineman or 2 along with OLB Anfernee Jennings and Terrell Lewis among others as they sit out to get ready for the NFL draft. But there is nothing decided and these guys are competitors, so they may want to play. It would kind of be interesting if they didn’t play, they all should be excellent NFL players, and see what the guys on next year’s team can be like including the awesome Jaylen Waddle and Mac Jones, who, in my opinion, played an excellent game in the Iron Bowl in as high a pressure situation as a quarterback can be in. He threw 2 pick 6’s but also threw 4 TDs and Waddle was spectacular in that game. It was a phenomenal game if you didn’t have a rooting interest which I know most of the people on this blog did. So we’ll see what the draft eligible players will do in the next 2 weeks, if they decide to forgo the game or decide to play. It would be pretty interesting if they didn’t play. The Tide will still be a very formidable group for the Wolverines to face. So some interesting bowl scenarios coming up. There are 40 games and the blog will be on top of them. Look forward to that starting next Thursday with previews and predictions for the 2 games Friday and 6 Saturday.

The 13th Presidents Cup

The United States team trails a scrappy International team 10-8, but made up quite a bit of ground in the foursome session at the end of the day yesterday, winning 2 matches and tying 2. They had been down 9-5 going into the foursome matches, which is alternate shot, a really awesome format. Justin Thomas and Tiger have been the keys to the team so far. Tiger didn’t play yesterday choosing to captain but the team held up well. The U.S. holds a 10-1-1 advantage overall in this competition with the Internationals only victory coming in 1998 at Royal Melbourne where it is being played this year. The Internationals also tied the U.S. in 2003. It’s very fascinating as the Internationals need 5 1/2 points to capture the Cup and the U.S, needs 7 1/2. 15 1/2 is the winning score. It’s riveting as this is a serious competition whereas the U.S. has dominated in the past. It starts at 5 PM CT today on the Golf Channel and continues till 11 PM tonight if you want to stay up for it. There will be 12 singles matches and the intensity will be high. Patrick Reed’s caddie, Kessler Karain, also his brother in law got into an altercation with a heckler in the crowd, shoving him and will not be on Reed’s bag today. Reed’s swing coach will handle it. Reed is a lightning rod for controversy and enhanced that reputation by breaking the rules and taking 2 practice swings in a waste area last weekend at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. He was assessed a 2 stroke penalty and lost by 2 shots to Henrik Stenson. I don’t know positively if Reed intentionally broke the rules, but obviously it’s not a good look. But the fans have been ruthless and Reed has handled it pretty well but he’s shaken going 0-3 in the competition. He is usually a heckuva competitor in the Ryder Cup, so this is unusual. The crowd is on him and it’s really distracting him. I honestly believe he might have unintentionally done that though he has a reputation for being arrogant, so it could have been on purpose.

Anyway, the U.S. had their work cut out for them in what was expected to be a lopsided victory for the American team with the complete talent advantage on the U.S. side with Justin Thomas, Tiger, Dustin Johnson, Reed and Rickie Fowler among others against an International team with 7 rookies. But it’s a riveting competition tonight and worth tuning in.

College Basketball

The No.12 Auburn Tigers are 8-0 and looking spectacular. The Crimson Tide is 4-4, but is coming off a super victory over Stephen F. Austin which had just pulled off a tremendous upset at Duke the week before, so that’s a positive. While it could be a year before new coach Nate Oates gets his system in place, the Tide can be very competitive this season and you never know, get into the tournament. The Tigers look like a Final Four contender again. They’ve got a real shot to go very deep this season. Auburn plays Saint Louis here at Legacy Aren today at 3 PM CT on ESPN2, Saint Louis is 8-1, so will be a good test for the Tigers. The Crimson Tide is playing Penn State right now. Penn State just knocked off No.4 Maryland on Wednesday. The Tide leads 40-34 at halftime. Like what Nate Oates can do in Tuscaloosa. He was terrific at Buffalo and he can bring that same energy and success to the Crimson Tide. I know Walt, Bama and my Crimson Tide friends are ready for that to happen. The game is on the Big Ten Network, 610 on DirecTV and 821 on Charter.

The 120th Army-Navy Game

What an American Classic this is. Patriotism abounds in this one. It’s a phenomenal game always and such an inspiring 3 1/2 hours. The game kicks off in 10 minutes on CBS, 2 PM CT, with Brad, Gary and Jamie on the call. Navy is an 11 1/2 point favorite.

I like the great Navy senior quarterback Malcolm Perry, who has rushed for 1,500 yards and 19 TDs, he’s amazing, to prevail over Army in what I expect to be an intensely hard fought, spectacular game. Navy won 14 in a row from 2002-2015 but Army has captured the last 3 in a row. The Commander in Chief’s Trophy is on the line going to the Academy, the Navy, the Army and the Air Force, which wins it by virtue of the best record amongst each other. If Navy wins, they get it as they also defeated the Air Force and if Army wins the game they get it because all 3 academies would have been 1-1 against each other, Air Force defeated Army, and the Academy that held the Trophy last year keeps it and that’s Army. Army quarterback Kelvin Hopkins is 3-0 against Navy and has rushed for 706 yards and 7 touchdowns. *** Update, Hopkins is injured and out and backup Christian Anderson gets the start. ***Neither team throws it much and there has been some wet weather in Philadelphia, where the game will be played at 69,000 seat+ Lincoln Financial Field and it’ll be a little windy, so this should be a ground game contest, and both squads have prolific running quarterbacks. Navy also has standout fullback Jamale Carothers who has rushed for 637 yards and 13 TDs. Carothers rushed for 5 TDs against Houston in a 56-41 Midshipmen victory. No.23 Navy is 9-2 and going to the Liberty Bowl to face Kansas State on New Year’s Eve at 2:45 PM CT on ESPN. They’ve had a phenomenal year after having an offseason last year and going 3-10. Army was 11-2 last year and primed for a spectacular season this year, but it didn’t happen as they went 5-7. They lost to Michigan in double overtime, 24-21, and, according to their great coach Jeff Monken, never recovered. Ken Niumatlolo has had a tremendous run at Navy and this year is no exception. Give me the Navy but in another classic in Philly at “The Linc.”

Navy 24, Army 21

Last Week: 22-4

Overall: 246-80, 75%

All Times Central, games Saturday unless otherwise noted

SEC Championship Game

No.2 LSU 20, No.4 Georgia 10

3 PM CT

CBS

LSU by 7

Like Joe to get enough done offensively. The Georgia offense is not too swift. Jake Fromm is an above average quarterback, but not great. He’s missing star receiver Lawrence Cager due to injury and another key receiver, Hoover’s George Pickens, a freshman, is suspended for the first half for fighting with a GA Tech player last Saturday. Star running back D’Andre Swift is also banged up but will play. Georgia’s defense will keep them in it, but I don’t see them having enough offense. LSU held A&M to 7 points last Saturday in a 51-7 victory, so they’ve improved. Think the Tigers secure their playoff spot and make a strong case for the No.1 ranking as their schedule is the toughest of the top teams and they’ve gone undefeated. That’s a really strong argument the Bengal Tigers have. If LSU wins, the “Committee” should put them on top.

Big 12 Championship

No. 6 Oklahoma 35, No.7 Baylor 30

11 AM

ABC

OU by 9

Baylor gives the Sooners everything they want, but OU holds on. With a Georgia loss and a Utah and Oklahoma victory, I like Oklahoma as the better team and the fourth team in. If Baylor wins I like Baylor. The Big 12 is a stronger conference than the Pac-12.

Friday

Pac-12 Championship

No. 5 Utah 28, No. 13 Oregon 21

7 PM

ABC

Utes by 6 1/2

Not taking anything away from “Duh Utes,” they’ve had a phenomenal season, but Oklahoma and Baylor have stronger cases.

Big Ten Championship

No. 1 Ohio State 42, No.8 Wisconsin 28

7 PM

FOX

Ohio State by 16 1/2

I like Wisconsin to keep it interesting for a while. If LSU takes care of business , they should leapfrog the Buckeyes. Schedule is just so much tougher for the Bengal Tigers and going into Alabama and winning, who does that? That’s the difference right there is LSU defeats Georgia.

ACC Championship

No. 3 Clemson 45, No.23 Virginia 10

6:30 PM

ABC

Clemson by 28 1/2

Clemson is catching a lot of heat for playing such a pathetic schedule and Dabo Swinney is really sensitive about it. There’s no doubt, the schedule has been a joke. Not sure they can help that the ACC is so weak, but if they happen to lose, which as Walt Pittman quoted Barney Fife, “That’s from the movie Fat Chance”,” they’d fall out. They’ll win and win convincingly, but they’ll face stiff competition in the playoff, so we’ll see what Clemson really is then.

American Conference Championship

No.17 Memphis 31, No. 20 Cincinnati 27

2:30 PM

ABC

Memphis by 9 1/2

The Tigers just defeated the Bearcats last Saturday, 34-24, but I like it closer and a tougher game in a rematch. Memphis secures the victory and should very well lock up its spot in the Cotton Bowl playing opposite of maybe the No.12 Crimson Tide on Saturday, December 28th at 11 AM, though the No. 9 Florida Gators and the No.11 Auburn Tigers have made strong cases themselves and are just as deserving. Maybe all 3 can go though it would be tough to take all 3.

Mountain West Championship

No. 19 Boise State 41, Hawaii 30

3 PM

ESPN

Boise by 14

They’re playing on that terrible Blue Turf at Albertson’s Stadium in Boise where Boise is 126-9 since 1999. The blue uniforms should be outlawed on that blue field. It’s an laughable unfair advantage. The Mountain West outlawed them in 2011, but once Boise turned down joining the Big East Conference in 2013, the ban was lifted. The NCAA “thought” about making the Broncos wear different uniforms than the blue, but as usual, flamed out and didn’t do it. Typical do nothing work by NCAA President Mark Emmert and his outfit. They just don’t get much accomplished there. When are they going to hammer these basketball coaches? They talked tough, but as usual are taking forever to get anything done. Boise doesn’t belong in the New Year’s Six because of the uniforms.

Conference USA Championship

Florida Atlantic 38, UAB 28

12:30 PM

CBS Sports Network

FAU by 7 1/2

Don’t see the Blazers getting it done in Boca Raton. They finish the season at 9-4 and go to another bowl game under Bill Clark. Lane Kiffin may be controversial but he is getting it done in Boca Raton. His team will move to 10-3 with the victory.

MAC Championship

Central Michigan 38, Miami of Ohio 27

11 AM

ESPN 2

Central Michigan by 6 1/2

Jim McElwain, known as Coach Mac with Alabama fans and other SEC fans, has done a terrific job for the Chippewas. He’ll go to 9-4 with the victory for a team that was picked to finish last in the conference. That’s some awesome coaching.

Sun Belt Championship

No. 21 Appalachian State 31 Louisiana 14

11 AM

ESPN

App State by 6

App State is close to the New Year’s Six Bowl. They’d have to have a Cincy victory, a Boise State loss and help from the Committee to make it. It’ll be tough, but 12-1 is spectacular. Solid bowl game for the Mountaineers and a lot to build upon.