This week there are nine bowl games being played. These are small bowls but with some great match-ups. It should be a very good week of College Football! Some of these teams are going to go nose to nose. Some games are good defenses against good offenses. Coach Bear Bryant always said "defense wins championships", we will see if that holds true in bowl games.


Source
Idaho Potato Bowl
Bronco Stadium, Boise, Idaho

This Weeks Previews

December 18 – The Boca Raton Bowl in Boca Raton, Florida.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (10-3) – Northern Illinois (8-5)

Let me preface this with how proud I am of the UAB Blazers. Whether they win or lose, I am so happy to see them back into football. They did not have a football team for the 2015 and 2016 seasons. This year they have won their conference, Conference USA.

Their opponent, The MAC champions, Northern Illinois Huskies is number one in “sacks” this season with 50. Their defense goes after the opposing quarterback. However, UAB is tied for 3rd with 43 sacks. This should be a good defensive game. As of this writing, 30 minutes pre-game. UAB is a 2 – 2.5 point favorite.

December 19, 2018 - The Frisco Bowl in Frisco, Texas

Ohio (8-4)– San Diego State (7-5)

This game should be interesting as it pits one of the nation’s toughest offenses against one of the nations top defenses. Ohio has averaged 43.9 points per game while San Diego State’s defense has allowed only 2.7 yards per carry, they could potentially shut down Ohio’s strong ground game. So, who wins this game? Will it be offense or defense? Ohio is a 2.5 point favorite.

December 20, 2018 – The Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa, Florida

Marshall (8-4) - South Florida (7-5)

South Florida began this season strong with a 7-0 record, but the next 5 games were all losses. They are not riding high coming into this game.

Marshall strong defense, on the other hand, has allowed only 22 points per game. USF’s quarterback is banged up with shoulder and ankle injuries, it is up in the air as to whether he will be able to play in this game or not. Marshall is a 2.5 point favorite.

December 21, 2018 – The Bahamas Bowl in Nassau, Bahamas

Toledo (7-5) – Florida International University (8-4)

Toledo’s starting quarterback is out with injuries leaving a sophomore back-up at the helm. That being said, they also have one of the nation’s top receiving corps with 24 touchdown passes between them.

Florida International’s pass defense was fairly abysmal with 6th place in Conference USA. FIU also brings one of C-USA’s top offensive ground games.

Toledo’s defense has struggled this season so FIU should have plenty of opportunities to move the ball. Surprisingly, the line says differently. Toledo is a 6.5 point favorite.

December 21, 2018 – The Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise, Idaho

Brigham Young University (6-6) – Western Michigan (7-5)

Western Michigan has also lost their starting quarterback to a season-ending injury. Since then they have lost 3 of 4 games. The last game they did pull an upset over N. Illinois to secure a bowl game.

BYU has been up and down this season. The Cougars have very large, lopsided wins over lesser opponents but some odd losses as well. BYU will be playing this game without a couple of their key offensive players due to injury. That will hurt their scoring potential. This is going to be a struggle for BYU. Western Michigan is a 12.0 point favorite.

December 22, 2018 – The Birmingham Bowl, Birmingham, Alabama

Wake Forest (6-6) – Memphis (8-5)

Memphis has a fantastic offense that averaged 285 yards/game on the ground this season! The problem, their leading rusher is sitting out this bowl game waiting on the NFL draft. The problem for Wake Forest is that Memphis’ second-leading rusher has over 1,000 yards this season. If Wake goes after the run game, Memphis will open their passing with the quarterback, Brady White, who passed for over 3,000 yards this season.

On the other side of the ball, the Memphis defense has been lackluster, to say the least, this season averaging giving up 31 points per game. The Wake Forest offense will take full advantage of this. Wake has a solid running game and they can make explosive plays in the air. Wake Forest is a 3.5 point favorite.

December 22, 2018 – Armed Forces Bowl, Ft. Worth, Texas

Army (9-2) – Houston (8-4)

This is perhaps one of the best teams Army has fielded in several years. Army does not have super-star status players, what they have is a team effort. They play as a unit. The Black Knights of Army move the ball slowly on the ground and eat up the clock, keeping opponents offenses off the field.

Houston’s offense will move fast to score and give the ball back to Army. It is going to be up to Houston’s defense to get Army off the ball, get them to fumble or intercept a pass. Houston must hold the ball and control the clock to win. I don’t see that happening. Army is a 3 point favorite.

December 22, 2018 – The Dollar General Bowl, Mobile, Alabama

Buffalo (10-3) – Troy (8-4)

Buffalo ran a balanced attack and averaged 35 points per game this season. While Troy’s main asset is their incredible defense, giving up only 21 points per game.

Troy’s offense can hold the ball with their tough running attack, this is bad for Buffalo whose defense gave up over 400 yards to another rushing team this season and allowed them to score 52 points.

Buffalo saw better quality opponents this season and for that reason, Buffalo will probably prevail, but anything can happen. Buffalo is a 3 point favorite.

December 22, 2018 – The Hawaii Bowl, Honolulu, Hawaii

Hawaii (8-5) – Louisiana Tech (7-5)

La. Tech started this season strong but then went off course and lost strength losing their last 3 out of 4 games.

Hawaii’s defense has struggled giving up 35 points per game. With that being said, La Tech’s offense averaged only 4 yards/carry on the ground. Both teams have some major issues. This game is up in the air for me, but Hawaii is playing on their home field and as we know, all teams get home field advantage. Hawaii is a 2 point favorite.

Until next weeks previews

Mama