Southern Football Guide Bowl Preview

EDITOR’S

LETTER CHARLIE MILLER

College Football fans everywhere are excited about bowl season once again! (Well, maybe eveyone except Florida State fans.) It’s tough the Seminoles were left out of the party, they certainly deserved to be there.

For years, we had the polls. AP and UPI, which morphed into the Coaches’ Poll. Fans cried foul when top teams didn’t square off in bowls and champions were decided by voting sportswriters. Then came the BCS Era with “non-subjective” computer polls.

Yet, fans still believed in the “eye test.” So, here we are, in the Committee Era. Five major conferences and four playoff spots.

Still, there are few sport seasons in America like Bowl Season. Even for schools not competing for the national championship, winning a bowl game adds a bit of panache that lasts right through recruiting season up until the first game in 2024. Bowl Season has a way of making South Alabama vs. Eastern Michigan seem like a big, big deal.

Save this to keep track of who plays whom, when, and maybe just a touch of useful knowledge for your entertainment purposes.

Are You Ready for Some Bowl Games?

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Myrtle Beach Bowl Myrtle Beach, SC Dec. 16 11:00a ET - ESPN

Georgia Southern Eagles Coach: Clay Helton 6-6 (3-5 Sun Belt)

Ohio Bobcats

Coach: Tim Albin 9-3 (6-2 MAC)

GEORGIA SOUTHERN

OHIO

LB Marques Watson-Trent

QB Kurtis Rourke

Leads team with 56 solo stops and The 63 percent passer has 2,207 yards, with no picks in his last five 13 tackles behind the line. games.

RG Khalil Crowder

Leader of OL earned first team All- WR Sam Wiglusz Has 51 catches for 596 yards.

SBC honors.

RB Jalen White

LB Keye Thompson

QB Davis Brin

LB Bryce Houston

Ran for 891 yards averaging 5.6 Has 42 solo tackles and 10 behind the line. yards a carry.

Half of his 16 picks came in two Leading tackler with 54 solo stops, games (5 vs. Wisconsin, 3 vs. App 12.5 behind the line and has three picks.

State).

Georgia Southern ended the regular season on a four-game skid, and the Eagles would certainly like to erase that memory. The Eagles had difficulty stopping the run and allowed 35 points a game in conference play. Linebacker Marques Watson-Trent is a tremendous player and was named first team All-SBC. Defensive tackle Justin Rhodes made 12 stops behind the line, but the Eagles must be more physical upfront. Offensively, the Eagles love to throw the ball all over the field. Sixth-year quarterback Davis Brin threw the ball 41 times a game in conference play with 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Brin has a deep corps of receivers, but Khaleb Hood stands out with 94 catches for 917 yards. Derwin Burgess Jr. added 68 catches for 696 yards. Ohio suffered a 30-16 loss to Miami in late October that kept the Bobcats out of the MAC Championship Game. The defensive metrics are staggering for the Bobcats. Their 15.4 points allowed ranks fifth in the nation, 4.7 yards per play is 11th and 29.5 percent on third down is one of 12 teams less than 30 percent. And the defense better be good because the leading receiver and runner are in the transfer portal. Quarterback Kurtis Rourke must carry a heavier load but he has All-MAC receiver Sam Wiglusz still in the fold. O’Shaan Allison will be the feature back. The Bobcats have two of the best linebackers in the MAC in Keye Thompson and Bryce Houston.

Key Stats: The Eagles attempted 535 passes and allowed just 29 sacks.

Opponents threw just 380 passes and the Eagles registered 23 sacks.

The Bobcats have 87 tackles for loss and 31 sacks.

Prediction: Georgia Southern 27, Ohio 9

OHIO

GEORGIA SOUTHERN

THE MATCHUP

New Orleans Bowl New Orleans, LA Dec. 16 2:00 ET - ESPN

Jacksonville State Gamecocks

Coach: Rich Rodriguez 8-4 (6-2 CUSA)

Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns

Coach: Michael Desormeaux 6-6 (3-5 Sun Belt)

JACKSONVILLE STATE

LOUISIANA

QB Zion Webb

QB Chandler Fields

Has been in and out of the lineup; 1,281 passing yards.

RB Anwar Lewis

Had only four carries in September, but now the feature back.

DE Chris Hardie

Has 34 solo stops, 8.5 sacks and an interception to boot.

WR Perry Carter

Has 34 catches for 603 yards and three TDs.

In his three starts: 73 percent, 263 yards a game with seven TDs and one interception.

RB Jacob Kibodi

Has three 100-yard games on the season.

LG AJ Gillie

Best offensive linemen named third team All-SBC.

MLB K.C. Ossai

Has 41 solo stops to lead the defense.

The Jacksonville State Gamecocks have a tremendous defense, and it’s a real team effort. The unit has 87 tackles for loss this season and 11 players have four or more. The secondary makes passing difficult and 13 players have intercepted passes for a total of 16. Linebacker Quae Drake and safeties Kolbi Fuqua and Fred Perry are the leading tacklers. Defensive end Chris Hardie has 16 stops behind the line for 77 yards in losses. The Gamecocks are a run-first team averaging more than 230 rushing yards a game, and quarterback Zion Webb has 638 yards on the ground. He’s completed just 50 percent of his throws. Anwar Lewis has emerged as the top running back with 443 yards averaging five yards a carry. The Ragin’ Cajuns have been through three quarterbacks this season and now lean on Chandler Fields behind center. He threw just three passes prior to November, but he’s completed 71 percent for 914 yards in a little more than three games. The running backs room also looks like a hospital ward. Jacob Kibodi is the healthiest at the moment. He has 729 yards and averages 5.7 yards a carry. The Cajuns play the run well defensively, holding opponents to just 3.8 yards a carry. K.C. Ossai is the leading tackler. Kendre’ Gant is an exciting playmaker, but he’s been injured. The defense will be much better if he’s available. Tyrone Lewis Jr. leads the secondary with three picks.

Key Stats: JSU held opponents to 2.8 yards per rush; six foes ran for fewer than 100 yards. The Cajuns’ opponents have returned seven punts for -9 yards.

Prediction: Louisiana 16, Jacksonville State 13

LOUISIANA

JACKSONVILLE STATE

THE MATCHUP

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Cure Bowl

Orlando, FL Dec. 16 3:30 ET - ABC

Miami RedHawks

Coach: Chuck Martin 11-2 (7-1 MAC)

App State Mountaineers

Coach: Shawn Clark 8-5 (6-2 Sun Belt)

MIAMI (OHIO)

APP STATE

LB Matt Sapolek

QB Joey Aguilar

MAC DPOY leads team with 72 solo stops and has 8.5 behind the line.

DE Brian Ugwu

Has eight sacks, including a key strip sack in championship game.

DE Caidon Woullard

First team All-MAC has 11 tackles for loss.

K Graham Nicholson

Only miss this season was from 48 yards in title game.

Has eight games with three or more TD passes this season.

LB Andrew Parker Jr.

Leading tackler has 50 solo stops and six behind the line.

C Isaiah Helms

All-Sun Belt offensive lineman.

CB Tyrek Funderburk

Had a season-high five tackles and forced a fumble in the win over James Madison.

Miami avenged an October loss to Toledo with a comeback 23-14 win over the Rockets in the MAC Championship Game. The RedHawks forced a couple of turnovers and held Toledo to just seven first downs in the second half. Miami lost starting quarterback Brett Gabbert to injury in the first tilt with Toledo and Aveon Smith has been a capable replacement. The RedHawks have adjusted their offensive approach to more running, and Smith ran for 99 yards in the win over Toledo in the MAC title game. Rashad Amos is the leading running back. Defensively, the RedHawks are outstanding, ranking 15th in the country allowing just 4.9 yards per play.

Matt Salopek is the leading tackler and bookends Brian Ugwu and Caidon Woullard are terrific. Appalachian State was playing toe-to-toe with Troy in the Sun Belt Championship Game until the fourth. App State allowed five sacks in that game and coughed up two fumbles in the fourth quarter. The Mountaineers had allowed only 15 sacks on the season up to that point.

App State has a potent passing game with Joey Aguilar triggering the attack. He has 3,546 yards and 33 touchdowns. Nate Noel and Kanye Roberts split carries in the backfield. Aguilar spreads the ball around as well as any quarterback. Seven players have as many as 300 yards receiving.

Andrew Parker Jr. is the heart and soul of the defense. The secondary is a strength with Tyrek Funderburk, Ethan Johnson and Jordan Favors.

Key Stats: Opponents convert just 29.6 percent on third down against Miami. App State has scored 48 times (35 TDs) on 53 trips in the red zone.

Prediction: App State 24, Miami 21

APPALACHIAN STATE

MIAMI (OHIO)

THE MATCHUP

New Mexico Bowl Albuquerque, NM Dec. 16 5:45 ET - ESPN

Fresno State Bulldogs

Coach: Jeff Tedford 8-4 (4-4 MWC)

New Mexico State Aggies Coach: Jerry Kill 10-4 (7-1 CUSA)

FRESNO STATE

NEW MEXICO STATE

RB Malik Sherrod

QB Diego Pavia

DB Morice Norris Jr.

RB Thomas Star

Has 876 yards rushing and 179 receiving.

Third on the team with 40 solo stops and leads with 8.5 TFLs.

WR Erik Brooks

Has 55 catches for 711 yards and five TDs.

WR Jalen Moss

Has 51 catches for 630 yards and five TDs.

Threw for 201 yards and three TDs in win over Auburn.

Averages 5.8 yards a carry, but totes it fewer than 10 times a game.

RB Monte Watkins

Has 56 carries averaging 10.1 yards per carry.

LB Keyshaun Elliott

The sophomore linebacker averages more than five solo stops a game in his last five games.

Fresno State is the only non-Power 5 school with two wins over Power 5 schools, winning on the road at Purdue and Arizona State. When the Bulldogs scored 20 or more points, they won this season; scoring fewer than 20 points led to defeats. The offense disappeared in the final three games when the Bulldogs scored 18, 17 and 18 points. Expect the Bulldogs to get the ball to running back Malik Sherrod as often as possible. He averages 5.8 yards a carry and has 36 catches for 179 yards. Erik Brooks and Jalen Moss are valuable weapons in the passing game. Quarterback Mikey Keene must improve his accuracy. Defensively, defensive back Morice Norris Jr. is a stat sheet filler. Coach Jeff Tedford has stepped away with health issues, and Tim Skipper will lead the team through bowl season.

From 2018-21, New Mexico State won eight games. Total. In the two years since, Jerry Kill has transformed the program and won 17 games, including the Quick Lane Bowl last season and 10 games in 2023. Of course, the signature win came late in October at Auburn. Offensively, everything revolves around quarterback Diego Pavia, who has 2,915 yards and 26 touchdowns. He also leads the team with 853 rushing yards. Thomas Star is the leader in a deep running back room. Defensively, Keyshaun Elliott leads with 55 solo stops and 8.5 behind the line.

Key Stats: The Bulldogs have a +10 turnover margin after having lost just one fumble this season. The Aggies have been flagged 90 times for 876 yards; opponents have been penalized 87 times for 745 yards Prediction: New Mexico State 28, Fresno State 18

NEW MEXICO STATE

FRESNO STATE

THE MATCHUP

LA Bowl

Inglewood, CA Dec. 16 7:30 ET - ABC

Boise State Broncos

Coach: Spencer Danielson 8-5 (6-2 MWC)

UCLA Bruins

Coach: Chip Kelly 7-5 (4-5 Pac-12)

BOISE STATE

UCLA

RB Ashton Jeanty

QB Ethan Garbers

WR Billy Bowens

MLB Darius Muasau

Has 243 touches, 1,814 yards from scrimmage; had 107 rushing, 118 receiving in win vs. Air Force.

Time for the senior to step up; had four catches for 91 yards in MWC title game.

DE Ahmed Hassanein

Has 16.5 stops behind the line, 12.5 of them are sacks.

LB Andrew Simpson

Has 15 tackles for loss and two interceptions.

Has eight TDs and one interception in five Pac-12 games this season.

Leads UCLA with 37 solo stops and has eight behind the line.

DE Laiatu Latu

Accustomed to fighting through double-team blocking.

C Doug Clemens

All-Pac-12 second teamer leads the offensive line.

On Nov. 12, Boise State made a coaching change curiously timed the day after a blowout win. Spencer Danielson became the interim coach of a 5-5 team trying to get bowl eligible. Two weeks later, the Broncos were celebrating a win over Air Force to earn a berth in the MWC Championship Game. After a 44-20 win over UNLV, the interim tag was removed. The offense revolves around running back Ashton Jeanty who is a workhorse in the backfield and now the leading receiver. Quarterback Taylen Green has entered the portal, so freshman CJ Tiller, who hasn’t played all season, is the likely starter. The Broncos will lean heavily on Jeanty. Defensive end Ahmed Hassanein is the best player on defense. UCLA has suffered some losses since the end of the season, most notably defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn to rival USC. But Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Laiatu Latu is still on campus. He has 21.5 tackles for loss, including 13 sacks.

He also has a pair of interceptions. He is a big reason that UCLA holds opponents to just 2.3 yards per rush, second in the nation. Middle linebacker Darius Muasau is the leading tackler. Ethan Garbers took over the starting quarterback job midway through the season and completes 66.4 percent of his passes. Carson Steele and T.J. Harden have combined for 1,569 rushing yards. Receiver Logan Loya has 58 catches for 650 yards.

Key Stats: The Broncos drew only 48 flags this season, only six teams have been penalized fewer times. UCLA opponents rush for only 69.6 yards a game and ran for just three touchdowns.

Prediction: UCLA 27, Boise State 13

UCLA

BOISE STATE

THE MATCHUP

Independence Bowl Shreveport, LA Dec. 16 9:15 ET - ESPN

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Coach: Joey McGuire 6-6 (5-4 Big 12)

Cal Bears

Coach: Justin Wilcox 6-6 (4-5 Pac-12)

TEXAS TECH

CAL

RB Tahj Brooks

RB Jadyn Ott

Has 1,443 yards and nine touchdowns averaging 5.4 yards a carry.

QB Behren Morton

The 62 percent passer has 12 TDs and seven picks, three of which came in finale vs. Texas.

Averages 5.5 yards a carry and 6.7 yards per catch.

QB Fernando Mendoza Has passed for 13 TDs and thrown seven INTs.

LB Kaleb Elarms-Ott

P Austin McNamara

Leading tackler with 49 solo stops and five pass breakups.

FS Dadrion Taylor-Demerson

Not a good sign when a safety has 41 solo stops.

The All-Big 12 punter averages 46.5 yards a kick.

S Patrick McMorris

Leads the team with four picks.

The Red Raiders lost their first three matchups against FBS competition this season, but rallied to win five of their last eight Big 12 games. Early season heartbreaks at Wyoming in overtime and at West Virginia when a drive ended at the Mountaineers’ 11-yard line gave over to the elation of pulling out late wins over TCU, Kansas and UCF. Texas Tech kicked a field goal in the waning seconds to beat Kansas and UCF missed an extra point to give the Raiders a one-point victory. The Raiders lean on the running of All-Big 12 running back Tahj Brooks. Quarterback Behren Morton took over after four games and throws it about 30 times a game. Safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson is the leader on defense. Redshirt freshman Ben Roberts is a budding star at middle linebacker. The Cal Bears finished tied with UCLA for seventh in the Pac-12 and are 1-6 vs. bowl teams. Cal defeated UCLA 33-7 in the season finale to become bowl eligible. The Bears started three quarterbacks this season, and have settled on Fernando Mendoza, who started the final seven games. Mendoza responded with 1,447 yards passing. The engine of the offense is Jaydn Ott. The Bears would like for him to touch the ball 25 times a game. He has run for 1,260 yards on 229 carries, and caught 21 passes for 141 yards with 13 total TDs. Jeremiah Hunter and Trond Grizzell are Mendoza’s favorite targets. Defense is not a strength for Cal. The Bears have allowed 50+ points four times.

Key Stats: The Red Raiders have converted 22 of 35 attempts on fourth down this season. Cal has 25 takeaways and 24 giveaways this season.

Prediction: Texas Tech 41, Cal 35

CALIFORNIA

TEXAS TECH

THE MATCHUP

Toastery Bowl Charlotte, NC Dec. 18 2:30 ET - ESPN

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Coach: Tyson Helton 7-5 (5-3 CUSA)

Old Dominion Monarchs

Coach: Randy Rahne 6-6 (5-3 Sun Belt)

WESTERN KENTUCKY

OLD DOMINION

QB Austin Reed

QB Grant Wilson

WR Malachi Corley

RB Keyshawn Wicks

A 61 percent passer, Reed has 3,340 yards and 31 TDs. Has caught 75 passes for 958 yards and 11 TDs.

FS Kendrick Simpkins

The safety has made 11 stops behind the line and has eight QB Hurries.

OL Colten Cable

Right Guard will be asked to play center now.

Caught a 30-yard touchdown pass to tie the Georgia Southern game.

Has 552 yards on the season averaging 5.0 yards a carry.

MLB Jason Henderson

Leads team with 52 solo stops and 19.5 TFLs.

LB Wayne Matthews III

Third team All-SBC linebacker has 8.5 TFLs.

The WKU team that takes the field in Charlotte will look more like the 2024 squad than the 2023 team. Three starting offensive linemen, a starting linebacker and two reserve defensive backs have entered the portal. For a team that loves to throw it all over the field and yielded just nine sacks, making adjustments along the offensive line will be critical. Right guard Colten Cable, who will likely play center, must now lead an inexperienced group. Quarterback Austin Reed is outstanding. Malachi Corley is his favorite target, but Dalvin Smith and Easton Messer are solid receivers. Defensively, the safeties are forced to make too many tackles. But free safety Kendrick Simpkins is a good tackler in space. With two games to play, Old Dominion needed two wins to become bowl eligible. Ethan Sanchez kicked a field goal on the final play to give ODU a 20-17 win over Georgia Southern. The next week, the Monarchs scored 11 points (FG, Safety, TD) in the final 1:44 to win, 25-24, on the final play over Georgia State. Since then, the portal has taken a toll on the Monarchs who were already thinned by injuries. Grant Wilson triggers the offense and has 2,026 passing yards.

Keshawn Wicks and Obie Wilson are the healthiest running backs. Reymello Murphy and Isaiah Page are the top targets. All-SBC linebacker Jason Henderson is outstanding getting into the backfield.

Key Stats: The Hilltoppers are 1-5 this season vs. bowl teams, defeating South Florida in the season opener. Led by strong linebackers, ODU held opponents to 3.6 yards per carry.

Prediction: Old Dominion 24, Western Kentucky 23

OLD DOMINION

WESTERN KENTUCKY

THE MATCHUP

Frisco Bowl

Frisco, TX Dec. 19 9:00 ET - ESPN

UTSA Roadrunners

Coach: Jeff Traylor 8-4 (7-1 AAC)

Marshall Thundering Herd Coach: Charles Huff 6-6 (3-5 Sun Belt)

UTSA

MARSHALL

QB Frank Harris

RB Rasheen Ali

The 65 percent passer has 18 TDs and eight picks.

WR Joshua Cephus

Has 82 catches for 1,049 yards and nine TDs.

SS Rashad Wisdom

The second team All-MAC runner has 1,043 yards and 14 touchdowns.

DE Owen Porter

Porter leads the team with 15 stops behind the line.

Leads team with 47 solo tackles and has two sacks.

CB Micah Abraham

CB Kam Alexander

DE Elijah Alston

All-AAC corner has one pick and 13 breakups.

Has three picks and 13 breakups.

Has produced 10.5 TFLs.

Marshall is 13-5 all-time in bowl games, best of any school that has made 10 or more trips. UTSA is 0-4. UTSA began the season with a tough loss at Houston, then defeated a decent Texas State squad, took a bad loss to Army, then was not competitive at Tennessee. After a week off, the Roadrunners ran roughshod over AAC brethren winning seven straight before losing at Tulane on the final weekend. In fairness, starting quarterback Frank Harris was not available for the Army and Tennessee games. The offense begins with the veteran quarterback who has 2,506 passing yards and 323 rushing in just 10 games. Kevorian Barnes is a dependable back, but Harris’ best weapon is All-AAC receiver Joshua Cephus. AAC Defensive Player of the Year Trey Moore entered the portal, so the best player on defense is now safety Rashad Wisdom. Marshall’s offense came to life in November against Georgia Southern and Arkansas State to earn the Thundering Herd a bowl berth. Cole Pennington quarterbacked the win over Georgia Southern, but Cam Fancher engineered the win over Arkansas State. Fancher has entered the portal, so this is Pennington’s team now. Significant success only comes when the Herd can run the ball effectively with Rasheen Ali. All-SBC performers Owen Porter at defensive end and cornerback Micah Abraham lead the defense. End Elijah Alston has five sacks and 16 QB Hurries.

Key Stats: The Roadrunners tallied 40 sacks. Marshall’s -13 turnover margin is the worst among all bowl teams.

Prediction: UTSA 37, Marshall 14

MARSHALL

UTSA

THE MATCHUP

Boca Raton Bowl Boca Raton, FL Dec. 21 8:00 ET - ESPN

Syracuse Orange

Interim Coach: Nunzio Campanile 8-5 (5-3 MAC)

South Florida Bulls Coach: Alex Golesh 6-6 (4-4 AAC)

SYRACUSE

SOUTH FLORIDA

RB LeQuint Allen

WR Sean Atkins

Ran for 1,064 yards averaging 4.7 per carry.

LB Marlowe Wax

Leads team with 65 solo stops and 10.5 behind the line; also created four fumbles.

S Justin Barron

A third-team All-ACC performer, plays the run well and broke up seven passes.

TE/QB Dan Villari

Was 14-14 passing vs. Georgia Tech and ran for 154 vs. Pitt.

Has 86 catches for 961 yards.

QB Byrum Brown

The 64 percent thrower has 3,078 passing yards and 745 rushing yard with 11 rushing TDs.

LB Jhalyn Shuler

Leads with 42 solo tackles and have seven stops behind the line.

DB Daquan Evans

Has 42 solo stops as well and 12 tackles for loss.

Syracuse is bowl eligible. Never mind that the Orange’s only two ACC wins came over Pittsburgh and Wake Forest (who combined to go 7-17), and their four non-con wins came from a less-than-stellar schedule (Colgate, Western Michigan, Purdue, Army). Coach Dino Babers was let go before the season ended and Georgia defensive backs coach Fran Brown has been hired. Nunzio Campanile will lead the team through the bowl game.

The Orange was solid defensively led by Marlowe Wax in the middle and Justin Barron at safety. Offensively, Syracuse will run the ball primarily with LeQuint Allen, a 1,000-yard runner. Quarterback Garrett Shrader has been banged up and that paved the way for secret weapon Dan Villari to shine. The tight end turned quarterback completed 19 of 22 passes and ran for 289 yards in three games. Expect him to get snaps at QB in this game. South Florida earned bowl eligibility with its sixth win in the final game against Charlotte. Most of the Bulls’ success has something to do with Byrum Brown. The quarterback is a 3,000-yard passer and the team’s second leading runner. The top runner is Nay’Quan Wright, who has 757 yards. Brown’s favorite target is Sean Atkins, a second-team All-AAC honoree. Linebacker Jhalyn Shuler and safety Daquan Evans are the most impactful defensive players. Linebacker DJ Gordon IV has nine stops behind the line and corner Tavin Ward has an interception and eight breakups.

Key Stats: Syracuse had a +8 turnover margin in its six wins, -7 in its six losses. The Bulls allowed 40 sacks this season for 247 yards in losses.

Prediction: South Florida 17, Syracuse 14

SOUTH FLORIDA

SYRACUSE

THE MATCHUP

Gasparilla Bowl Tampa, FL Dec. 22 6:30 ET - ESPN

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Coach: Brent Key 6-6 (5-3 ACC)

UCF Knights

Coach: Gus Malzahn 6-6 (3-6 Big 12)

GEORGIA TECH

UCF

SS Jaylon King

RB RJ Harvey

RB Jamal Haynes

QB John Rhys Plumleer

Second team All-ACC leads team with 36 solo stops.

Averages 6.0 yards per carry.

QB Haynes King

Completes 62 percent of passes, but has 15 interceptions.

WR Eric Singletary Jr.

With 47 catches for 706 yards, Singletary was named freshman All-America.

Has 1,296 yards rushing and 231 receiving.

The former Ole Miss QB and center fielder is a 64 percent passer with 13 TDs and eight picks.

WR Javon Baker

The All-Big 12 selection has 43 catches for 966 and six TDs.

LB Jason Johnson

Leading tackler has 57 solo stops and six behind the line.

The Yellow Jackets finished tied for fourth in the ACC with significant wins over Miami and North Carolina. Georgia Tech was, overall, a very average team. The Jackets and their opponents averaged 5.4 yards per rush and 7.6 per pass. Tech scored 48 touchdowns and gave up 47. Both Tech and their opponents kicked 14 field goals. Third down conversion rates are 44 and 43 percent. Quarterback Haynes King and running back Jamal Haynes lead the offense. King has thrown for 2,755 yards and run for 648 and nine TDs. Haynes has 931 yards rushing. Malik Rutherford and Eric Singleton Jr. are the top receivers. Jaylon King is the best player on defense. He has four picks and eight pass breakups. UCF notched a big win at Boise State on Sept. 9 when Colton Boomer kicked a 40-yard field goal at the buzzer to win 18-16. The Knights didn’t win again until November and a win over Houston in the season finale earned bowl eligibility. The biggest win of the season was a 45-3 pasting of Oklahoma State. The Knights like to run the ball and they average 233 yards a game, good enough for fourth in the nation. Athletic quarterback John Rhys Plumlee is a perfect fit for this attack.

He has 473 yards rushing to complement his 2,073 yards passing. RJ Harvey averages 6.1 yards a carry and has 16 touchdowns. Linebacker Jason Johnson leads the defense and edge Tre’mon Morris-Brash is the top playmaker with 18.5 tackles for loss.

Key Stats: All six Georgia Tech losses were to bowl teams. The Knights are 2-5 vs. bowl teams.

Prediction: Georgia Tech 28, UCF 27

UCF

GEORGIA TECH

THE MATCHUP

Camellia Bowl Montgomery, AL Dec. 23 Noon ET - ESPN

Arkansas State Red Wolves

Coach: Butch Jones 6-6 (4-4 Sun Belt)

Northern Illinois Huskies

Coach: Thomas Hammock 6-6 (5-3 MAC)

ARKANSAS STATE

NORTHERN ILLINOIS

QB Jaylen Raynor

RB Antario Brown

The freshman can be an elusive Has four games of 150 rushing runner with four games with more yards or more. than 50 yards rushing.

QB Rocky Lombardi

WR Courtney Jackson

Originally signed with Michigan Leads the team with 38 catches, State in 2018.

658 yards and seven touchdowns. RT Nolan Potter

MLB Javante Mackey

First team All-MAC lineman leads Leads with 52 solo tackles and the OL. made seven behind the line.

DT James Ester DE Thurman Geathers The All-MAC second teamer Leads the team with 12 tackles 300-pounder upfront has 6.5 for loss.

TFLs.

The Red Wolves found some offensive rhythm with freshman quarterback Jaylen Raynor, who didn’t play in the first two games, but started the final nine. Raynor averaged 246 yards passing a game in his starts. He enjoys throwing to a quality trio of receivers. Courtney Jackson, Corey Rucker and Jeff Foreman combined for 94 catches and 1,777 yards. ASU is a pass first team, but Ja’Quez Cross averages 5.7 yards per carry and has 688 yards.

Arkansas State’s defense made 80 stops behind the line, which ranks in the top 25 nationally. The 4-2-5 scheme allows the Red Wolves to get pressure off the edge and funnels tackles to linebackers Javante Mackey and Charles Willekes. Cornerback Samy Johnson leads the secondary. The Northern Illinois season looked bleak after September with a 1-4 mark that included a loss to FCS Southern Illinois. But the Huskies won three in a row then defeated Western Michigan and Kent State to end the season and earn bowl eligibility. The Huskies love a good, rock ’em, sock ’em grind-it-out game.

The defense is excellent with Raishein Byrd and James Ester upfront and corner JaVaughn Byrd leading the secondary. Jaden Dolphin is the leading tackler at linebacker. Quarterback Rocky Long leads the offense with 2,074 yards passing. Antario Brown, an All-MAC running back, has 1,164 yards and 10 touchdowns. He averages 6.2 yards a carry.

Key Stats: Arkansas State is one of two schools to score 70+ points and allow 70+ this season. NIU managed only 22 sacks, but allowed just 16.

Prediction: Northern Illinois 16, Arkansas State 13

NORTHERN ILLINOIS

ARKANSAS STATE

THE MATCHUP

Birmingham Bowl Birmingham, AL Dec. 23 Noon ET - ABC

Duke Blue Devils Interim Coach: Trooper Taylor 7-5 (4-4 ACC)

Troy Tojans

Interim Coach: Greg Gasparato 11-2 (7-1 Sun Belt)

DUKE

TROY

QB Grayson Loftis

RB Kimani Vidal

RB Jordan Waters

QB Gunnar Watson

The freshman must take another step in improvement during bowl prep.

Leads the team with 753 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.

LT Graham Barton

Charged with keeping Loftis upright as well as leading the rushing attack.

LB Tre Freeman

The most active playmaker on a defense full of playmakers.

Has 280 carries (most in nation) and 17 catches for 1,780 yards from scrimmage.

Throws the ball 31 times a game.

LB Richard Jibunor

All-SBC selection has 16 tackles for loss.

DE Javon Solomon

The All-SBC end has sacked the QB 16 times.

As is the plight of schools like Duke and Troy, successful seasons produce highly attractive head coaches. Mike Elko has moved on to Texas A&M, and Jon Sumrall has left Troy for Tulane, leaving Duke and Troy to try to build on their recent success. Duke’s dominating defense, that held Clemson, Notre Dame and NC State to well below their scoring averages, tired as the season progressed and got little help from the offense after quarterback Riley Leonard was injured. Leonard has since transferred to Notre Dame.

Duke has 76 tackles for loss and employs a deep rotation along the front.

Grayson Loftis started the final four games at quarterback and the coaches’ confidence in the freshman grew. The Blue Devils will continue to lean on the running attack with Jordan Waters, Jaquez Moore and Jaylen Coleman. Jordon Moore is the top receiver. The Sun Belt champions feature a balanced attack–although the Trojans love to run the ball–and an opportunistic defense that defends the run well and gets after the quarterback. Sun Belt OPOY Kimani Vidal has 1,582 yards and 14 touchdowns, running primarily behind guard Daniel King and tackle Grant Betts. The success of the running game opens up the passing game for quarterback Gunnar Watson, who has 3,339 passing yards. Jabre Barber and Chris Lewis are excellent targets. Linebacker Richard Jibunor and end Javon Solomon practically live in opponents’ backfields. Corner Reddy Steward has four picks.

Key Stats: Five Duke players have five or more tackles for loss. The Trojans have 45 sacks and hold opponents to 3.1 yards per carry.

Prediction: Troy 17, Duke 14

TROY

DUKE

THE MATCHUP

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Boise, ID Dec. 23 3:30 ET - ESPN

Utah State Aggies

Coach: Blake Anderson 6-6 (4-4 MWC)

Georgia State Panthers

Coach: Shawn Elliott 6-6 (3-5 Sun Belt)

UTAH STATE

GEORGIA STATE

WR Jalen Royals

RB Marcus Carroll

All-MWC receiver has 68 catches for 1,023 yards and 14 TDs.

WR Terrell Vaughn

Has 81 catches for 847 yards and 10 scores.

MLB MJ Tafisi Jr.

Has 50 solo tackles and 7.5 behind the line.

S Ike Larsen

Leads team with 51 solo stops, has 4.5 TFLs and four interceptions.

The dynamic runner has nine games of 100+ yards from scrimmage this season.

QB Darren Grainger

Has two games of 100+ rushing yards and just four games of 200+ passing yards.

LT Travis Glover

One of the best linemen in the Sun Belt.

CB Gavin Pringle

Leads the team with four picks.

Utah State didn’t defeat any teams with winning records this season, going 0-6 vs. bowl teams. The five FBS schools the Aggies beat have a combined record of 18-42, so the resume is a bit lacking. The oft-injured Cooper Legas will lead the offense. He’s plyed in just nine games but completed 65 percent of his throws for 1,815 yards and 19 touchdowns. The Aggies have allowed 41 sacks this season, so keeping Legas upright will be critical. He has two outstanding receivers in Jalen Royals and Terrell Vaughn. Running backs Davon Booth and Rahsul Faison have combined for 1,422 yards and 10 touchdowns. Defensively, middle linebacker MJ Tafisi Jr. and safety Ike Larsen are both All-MWC selections. Georgia State clinched bowl eligibility on Oct. 21 with a win over Louisiana, and hasn’t won a game since. The Panthers’ lack of a potent passing attack certainly contributed to their struggles. Only once (vs. Charlotte) have the Panthers passed for more than 234 yards. The offense relies on Marcus Carroll to do all the heavy lifting. The first-team All-SBC selection has 1,350 rushing yards and another 234 receiving (third on the team). Quarterback Darren Grainger has 625 yards on the ground and 2,364 passing. Robert Lewis is Grainger’s favorite target with 70 catches for 877 yards. Defensively, four players—linebackers Jontrey Hunter, Justin Abraham, Kevin Swint and safety TyGee Leach—have seven stops behind the line.

Key Stats: The Aggies were flagged 93 times for 891 yards this season.

Georgia State has allowed 64 tackles for loss on running plays.

Prediction: Utah State 25, Georgia State 23

GEORGIA STATE

UTAH STATE

THE MATCHUP

Armed Forces Bowl Ft. Worth, TX Dec. 23 3:30 ET - ABC

Air Force Falcons

Coach: Troy Calhoun 8-4 (5-3 MWC)

James Madison Dukes

Interim Coach: Damian Wroblewski 11-1 (7-1 Sun Belt)

AIR FORCE

JAMES MADISON

FB Dylan Carson

OLB Mikail Kamara

Closed out season with back-toback 100-yard games vs. UNLV and Boise State.

QB Zac Larrier

Returning from two knee injuries this season after missing three games; is a two-time MWC 200m track champion.

OLB Bo Richter

Leads the Falcons with 15 TFLs.

LB Alec Mock

Made 17.5 stops behind the line for more than 75 yards in losses.

DE Jamree Kromah

Has 20.5 TFLs and 11 sacks.

WR Elijah Sarratt

Has 74 catches for 1,076 yards and eight TDs.

WR Reggie Brown

Contributed 51 catches for 1,010 yards and nine scores.

Top tackler is a defensive leader.

Troy Calhoun is completing his 17th season at the helm of the Falcons and Air Force has missed out on bowl season just four times in that span. Strategically, there are few surprises with the Falcons. Their option running attack remains as good as ever. The Falcons have small athletic offensive linemen who execute blocking schemes efficiently. The Falcons hope to have Zac Larrier back at quarterback after missing the last three games.

The Air Force season was flying high through October, but the Falcons couldn’t get off the ground against Army, suffered a surprising loss to Hawaii, and yet still had an opportunity to clinch a berth in the MWC Championship Game with a win over UNLV, but lost to the Rebels and to Boise State to end a once promising season. James Madison, still in the probationary phase of the school’s transition to FBS, is not eligible for the Sun Belt Championship. However, JMU will play in the Armed Forced Bowl due a lack of six-win teams to fill bowl slots. The Dukes’ lone loss came in overtime against App State. The defensive line has been tremendous, allowing just 2.1 yards per carry. Jamree Kromah, Mikail Kamara and James Carpenter combined for 47 TFLs. Jordan McCloud, a 3,400-yard passer, has entered the portal, so Alonza Barnett III and Billy Atkins will get a shot at throwing to 1,000-yard receivers in Elijah Sarratt and Reggie Brown.

Key Stats: The Falcons turned the ball over 10 times in a two-week span; six against Army and four in the Hawaii game. James Madison is 8-1 vs. bowl teams.

Prediction: Air Force 27, James Madison 17

JAMES MADISON

AIR FORCE

THE MATCHUP

68 Ventures Mobile, AL Dec. 23 7:00 ET - ESPN

South Alabama Jaguars

Coach: Kane Wommack 6-6 (4-4 Sun Belt)

Eastern Michigan Eagles

Coach: Chris Creighton 6-6 (4-4 MAC)

SOUTH ALABAMA

EASTERN MICHIGAN

RB La’Damian Webb

RB Samson Evans

Has 1,007 yards and 16 touchdowns averaging 5.4 yards per carry.

QB Carter Bradley

Has 2,660 yards on 67.8 percent passing.

LB Quentin Wilfawn

Has 635 yards on the ground with 12 TDs.

RB Jaylon Jackson

Also returns punts, has 574 yards rushing.

P Mitchell Tomasek

Leads team with 46 solo stops and 15 TFLs.

Averages 45.3 yards per punt with 24 inside the 20 and only three touchbacks.

FS Jaden Voisin

WR Tanner Knue

Has four picks and seven breakups.

Has 50 catches for 479 yards earning second team All-MAC.

South Alabama’s All-SBC receiver Caullin Lacy has entered the portal, but coach Kane Wommack believes there’s a chance he may participate in the bowl. A healthy, motivated Lacy is one of the most potent weapons in the Sun Belt. If Lacy chooses not to play, quarterback Carter Bradley will have Jamaal Pritchett (49 catches, 756 yards) as his go-to receiver. Tight end DJ Thomas-Jones and Javon Ivory will have to step up. The Jaguars will rely on 1,000-yard runner La’Damian Webb to establish offensive rhythm. Quentin Wilfawn is a productive linebacker, and nose tackle Wy’kevious Thomas is a load upfront. Jaden Voisin, an All-SBC choice, leads the secondary. Eastern Michigan rallied late in the season to defeat Akron and Buffalo in the final two weeks to become bowl eligible. Statistically, the Eagles have one of the worst offenses in the nation, averaging just 4.5 yards per play. Eastern Michigan was shut out by Jacksonville State and topped 30 points just twice against FBS competition. Samson Evans and Jaylon Jackson share carries in the backfield. Austin Smith completes fewer than 60 percent of his throws.

Tanner Knue is a reliable target with 50 catches for 479 yards. Right tackle Brian Dooley is a bright spot on the offensive line that allowed 78 tackles for loss. Linebackers Joe Sparacio and Chase Kline lead the defense. Punter Mitchell Tomasek (first team All-MAC) may be the best player on the team.

Key Stats: The Jaguars have scored on 39 of 43 trips to the red zone (33 TDs). The five FBS teams that Eastern Michigan defeated this season have a combined record of 13-47.

Prediction: South Alabama 24, Eastern Michigan 3

EASTERN MICHIGAN

SOUTH ALABAMA

THE MATCHUP

Las Vegas Bowl Las Vegas, NV Dec. 23 7:30 ET - ABC

Northwestern Wildcats

Coach: David Braun 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten)

Utah Utes

Coach: Kyle Whittingham 8-4 (5-4 Pac-12)

NORTHWESTERN

UTAH

QB Ben Bryant

DE Jonah Elliss

Threw for 396 yards and four touchdowns against Minnesota in September.

RB Cam Porter

Averages 4.0 yards a carry and has 618 rushing yards.

MLB Xander Mueller

Leads the Utes with 16 tackles for loss and 12 sacks.

MLB Sione Vaki

Leading tackler has 8.5 stops behind the line.

RB Ja’Quinden Jackson

Has 742 yards and three 100Leads Wildcats with 52 solo stops yard games. and 10.5 TFLs. FS Cole Bishop

LB Bryce Gallagher

Was named second team All-Big Ten.

Has 6.5 TFLs and two picks.

Typical of Big Ten teams this season, the Northwestern Wildcats are content to grind it out offensively and rely on tough, rugged defense to shorten games. Unfortunately for Northwestern the offense isn’t giving the defense a break. The Wildcats average a scant better than 300 yards a game, just three yards per carry and 4.7 yards per play. Only eight teams are worse per play, and only two–Eastern Michigan and Iowa–are playing in bowls.

One saving grace is the Wildcats’ +10 turnover margin. Northwestern lost just one fumble this season. Quarterback Ben Bryant missed October but has thrown for 1,585 yards throwing mostly to Cam Johnson and Bryce Kirtz who have combined for more than 1,300 receiving yards. Linebackers Xander Mueller and Bryce Gallagher are the strengths of the defense.

While there’s no shame in losses to Oregon State, Oregon, Washington and Arizona (three of those on the road), the Utes expected more this season. Much like Northwestern, the Utes win with defense and a sound running game and ball security, the Utes just do it better. The Utes also lost just one fumble this season. Ja’Quinden Jackson leads the rushing attack with help from Jaylon Glover. Quarterback Bryson Barnes was injured for the season finale, and Luke Bottari saw his only action of the season. AllPac-12 Jonah Elliss is a playmaker from his defensive end position. Sione Vaki is the leader of the unit.

Key Stats: Northwestern quarterbacks were sacked 48 times. Only Arizona matched its scoring average against the Utes’ defense this season.

Prediction: Utah 33, Northwestern 6

UTAH

NORTHWESTERN

THE MATCHUP

Hawai’i Bowl Honolulu, HI Dec. 23 10:30 ET - ESPN

San Jose State Spartans

Coach: Brent Brennan 7-5 (6-2 MWC)

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Coach: Tim Beck 7-5 (5-3 Sun Belt)

SAN JOSE STATE

COASTAL CAROLINA

QB Chevan Cordeiro

WR Sam Pinckney

The 62.3 percent passer has 2,558 yards, 19 TDs and four INTs.

RB Kairee Robinson

Has 1,127 yards and 18 TDs averaging 7.1 yards a carry.

RB Quali Conley

Has 1,073 from scrimmage, five games of 100+ yards from scrimmage.

CB Jay’Vion Cole

Leads team with 64 catches for 904 yards.

WR Jared Brown

Second to Pinckney with 58 catches for 740 yards.

FS Clayton Isbell

Plays the run and pass equally well.

CB Keonte Lusk

Team’s best cover corner.

Has three TFLs, three INTs and 10 breakups.

San Jose State hasn’t shied away from a competitive schedule. The Spartans began the season with USC and Oregon State and traveled to Toledo before embarking on the MWC slate. The Spartans ended the regular season with six straight wins as the defense held opponents below their scoring averages by an average of 8.4 points. All-MWC quarterback Chevan Cordeiro has three powerful weapons at receiver led by Nick Nash. Running backs Kairee Robinson and Quali Conley are both special. The defense excels upfront with All-MWC end Tre Smith and nose tackle Soane Toia who combined for 15.5 TFLs. Byrum Parham is the leading tackler and corner Jay’Vion Cole is an outstanding cover man. The Chanticleers are one of 12 bowl teams from the Sun Belt Conference. Three-time SBC POY Grayson McCall, who hasn’t played since Oct. 21 due to injury, has entered the transfer portal. Jarrett Guest and Ethan Vasko split time at quarterback in McCall’s absence, and both will play in this game. Regardless who is throwing the ball, Sam Pinckney and Jared Brown are the talented go-to receivers.

The Chanticleers are a pass-first team, and there’s been a revolving door in the backfield. Braydon Bennett leads the team with 86 carries, but had only five in the last two games. Free safety Clayton Isbell is the leading tackler and is tied with cornerback Keonte Lusk for the team lead with three picks.

Defensive tackle Michael Mason has 9.5 stops behind the line.

Key Stats: The Spartans’ +13 turnover margin ranks fourth in the nation.

Six Chanticleers have run for 210+ yards; the team leader has 381.

Prediction: San Jose State 31, Coastal Carolina 17

COASTAL CAROLINA

SAN JOSE STATE

THE MATCHUP

Quick Lane Bowl Detroit, MI Dec. 26 2:00 ET - ESPN

Minnesota Golden Gophers Coach: P.J. Fleck 5-7 (3-6 Big Ten)

Bowling Green Falcons

Coach: Scot Loeffler 7-5 (5-3 MAC)

MINNESOTA

BOWLING GREEN

RB Jordan Nubin

QB Connor Bazelak

Had 40 carries for 204 yards and two scores vs. Michigan State.

WR Daniel Jackson

The second team All-Big Ten performer has 57 catches for 831 yards.

QB Cole Kramer

Had a 19-yard touchdown run against Bowling Green in 2021.

SS Tyler Nubin

Has 34 Solo stops and leads team with five picks.

Made 20 starts at Missouri, nine at Indiana and 10 so far this season.

AP Ta’ron Keith

Playmaker has 44 catches for 457 yards and 66 carries for 390 yards with seven total TDs.

RB Terion Stewart

Has 762 yards rushing (6.1 per carry) and eight touchdowns.

MLB Darren Anders

Leads team with 41 solo stops.

Minnesota is the lone 5-7 team participating in a bowl this season, and earned that privilege with excellent academic progress. The Minnesota offense will be in the hands of Cole Kramer at quarterback, who has thrown just 14 passes in his career, and only one (an interception) this season.

Quarterbacks Athan Kaliakmanis and Drew Viotto entered the portal, leaving the position to Kramer. Jordan Nubin has been the feature back since the injury to Darius Taylor midway through the season. Nubin has averaged 23.5 carries and 102 yards in his last five games. The secondary is the strength of the defense. Corners Justin Walley and Tre’Von Jones are sure tacklers. Edge Danny Striggow leads with seven tackles for loss.

The three MAC teams with better conference records than Bowling Green (Toledo, Miami (Ohio) and Ohio) all defeated the Falcons this season, but the Falcons beat up every other MAC foe. Over his first five games, quarterback Connor Bazelak completed 57.7 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and six picks. After that, he was good on 65.2 percent with seven TDs and one interception. His favorite targets are tight end Harold Fanin Jr. and all-purpose back Ta’ron Keith. The Falcons would like to get Keith at least 12 touches a game. Edge Cashius Howell has 10.5 stops behind the line. Leading tackler Darren Anders also has 10.5 tackles for loss. Corners Jordan Oladokun and Jalen Huskey have four picks apiece.

Key Stats: Minnesota is 3-5 vs. bowl teams including a 12-10 win at Iowa.

The Falcons enjoy a +8 turnover margin; 27 takeaways and 19 giveaways.

Prediction: Bowling Green 24, Minnesota 10

BOWLING GREEN

MINNESOTA

THE MATCHUP

First Responder Bowl Dallas, TX Dec. 26 5:30 ET - ESPN

Texas State Bobcats Coach: GJ Kinne 7-5 (5-4 Sun Belt)

Rice Owls

Coach: Mike Bloomgren 6-6 (4-4 AAC)

TEXAS STATE

RICE

RB Ismail Mahdi

WR Luke McCaffrey

Has 1,208 rushing yards plus 18 catches for 276 yards; scored 12 TDs total.

QB TJ Finley

The 68.6 percent passer has 3,287 passing yards and 24 touchdowns.

Has 68 catches for 963 yards and 12 scores.

RB Dean Connors

Averages 6.7 yards per carry and has 1,102 yards from scrimmage.

FS Gabriel Taylor

WR Joey Hobert

Has 37 solo tackles and two picks.

LB Brian Holloway

Good tackler (38 solo tackles) and seven breakups.

Has five 100-yard receiving games this season.

Leads with 55 solo tackles and 16 behind the line.

CB Sean Fresch

Texas State scored 77, 52 and 50 points this season. The Bobcats also added two more 40+ games, including the season opening 42-31 win at Baylor, the first ever Texas State win over a Power 5 school. Sparking the offense is quarterback TJ Finley (the former LSU and Auburn QB) who has 3,287 passing yards. His favorite target is All-SBC second teamer Joey Hobert who has 71 catches for 847 yards. Kole Wilson is second with 61 catches, Ashtyn Hawkins has 819 yards. Running back Ismail Mahdi is a weapon in both the running game and passing game. Middle linebacker Brian Holloway and end Ben Bell are the playmakers on defense. Rice had to win its final two games against Charlotte and Florida Atlantic in order to become bowl eligible and the Owls took care of business with a backup a quarterback. AJ Padgett took over the final three games after JT Daniels was injured after starting the first nine games. Padgett has picked up the slack well. Dean Connors is the vital cog of the offense. He’s run for 707 yards and caught passes for another 395. Receiver Luke McCaffrey, a first-team All-AAC selection, is closing in on 1,000 yards receiving. Outside linebacker Plae Wyatt is the leading tackler and end Coleman Coco is a playmaker behind the line. Safety Gabriel Taylor and corner Sean Fresch are good in coverage.

Key Stats: Texas State is the only team to allow 77 points in a game and score 77 points in a game in the same season. Rice’s Dean Connors has six games of 100+ yards from scrimmage.

Prediction: Texas State 27, Rice 20

RICE

TEXAS STATE

THE MATCHUP

Guaranteed Rate Bowl Phoenix, AZ Dec. 26 9:00 ET - ESPN

Kansas Jayhawks

Coach: Lance Leipold 8-4 (5-4 Big 12)

UNLV Rebels

Coach: Barry Odom 9-4 (6-2 MWC)

KANSAS

UNLV

RB Devin Neal

QB Jordan Maiava

DE Austin Booker

WR Ricky White

S Kenny Logan Jr.

LB Jackson Woodard

CB Cobee Bryant

RS Jacob DeJesus

Averaged 8.1 yards a carry over his last three games.

Second on team with 40 solo tackles.

Leading tackler has a pick and five breakups.

Has six picks and 13 pass breakups over last two seasons.

A 63 percent passer has 2,794 yards.

Has 81 catches for 1,386 yards and seven TDs. Leads with 52 solo stops and eight TFLs with an INT. Has 52 catches for 511 yards and a PR for 59 yards and KR for 96 yards without scoring.

Arguably, the Kansas program was the worst Power 5 program in the nation a few years ago. Lance Leipold has transformed the Jayhawks and they defeated three bowl teams this season. The offense has been pretty good all season, and the defense improved appreciably after the open week in October. For the season, Kansas allowed 7.6 yards a play, but over the last five games that dropped to 5.4. Safety Kenny Logan Jr. is the leading tackler for the second year a row. Defensive end Austin Booker, named first team All-Big 12, has 12 TFLs. Corners Cobee Bryant and Mello Dotson have seven picks combined. Quarterback Jason Bean is healthy again after missing time with separate injuries. He was 13-17 in the finale vs. Cincinnati. Devin Neal has six 100-yard games, including the last three.

The UNLV offense put up 40 points five times against FBS competition.

Jordan Maiava took over the reins against Vanderbilt and led a comeback win and has kept the job since. The MWC Freshman of the Year has a tremendous weapon at receiver in Rickey White. Right tackle Tiger Shanks is one of the best in the conference. All-MWC linebacker Jackson Woodard is the leading tackler and cornerback Cameron Oliver is tremendous in coverage and strong against the run. He has 37 stops, 4.5 behind the line and three picks. Special teams are outstanding with All-MWC kicker Jose Pizano, who is 25-27 on field goals, and returner Jacob DeJesus.

Key Stats: Kansas registered 70 tackles behind the line and allowed only 25. The Rebels convert 50 percent on third down.

Prediction: Kansas 40, UNLV 30

UNLV

KANSAS

THE MATCHUP

Military Bowl Annapolis, MD Dec. 27 2:00 ET - ESPN

Tulane Green Wave Interim Coach: Slade Nagle 11-2 (8-0 AAC)

Virginia Tech Hokies Coach: Brent Pry 6-6 (5-3 ACC)

TULANE

VIRGINIA TECH

QB Michael Pratt

QB Kyron Drones

Has thrown a TD pass in every game this season.

RB Makhi Hughes

Averages 4.4 yards a carry.

RB Bhayshul Tuten

Has 1,290 yards, averaging 5.3 yards a carry.

The second-team All-ACC performer returned two kickoffs for scores.

DT Patrick Jenkins

DE Antwaun Powell-Ryland

Has 11.5 stops behind the line.

MLB Jesus Machado

Leads team with 56 solo stops and has three behind the line and a pick.

Had 6.5 TFLs in back-to-back wins over Wake Forest and Syracuse.

LB Keli Lawson

Leading tackler with 37 solo stops.

A trip to a New Year’s Six bowl was there for the taking. Tulane hosted the AAC Championship Game, but SMU brought it with a backup quarterback and the Green Wave was left with no championship, no New Year’s party and no coach after Willie Taggert left for Houston. Interim coach Slade Nagle is left to carry this team across the bowl finish line–and has already been stung by key transfers—until Jon Sumrall takes over the program.

Tulane’s Michael Pratt was named All-AAC quarterback and he plays behind two outstanding linemen in Sincere Haynesworth and Cameron Wire.

But it’s the defense that will carry this team. The most productive defensive lineman, Devean Deal, has elected to transfer. But the defense is in good hands with All-AAC performers Darius Hodges, Patrick Jenkins and Jarius Monroe still on campus, as well as leading tackler Jesus Machado. Virginia Tech, after suffering through painful defeats to Purdue, Rutgers and Marshall in September, made adjustments offensively and won five of eight ACC games behind quarterback Kyron Drones. In his 10 starts, Drones threw for 1,954 yards, and brings an element of speed at the position with 642 rushing yards. The offense flows through running back Bhayshul Tuten who has 727 yards on the ground and 220 receiving. Defensive end Antwaun Powell-Ryland leads the defense with 13.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. Defensive tackle Phildarius Payne has nine stops behind the line.

Key Stats: Tulane’s opponents gain only 3.1 yards per carry. The Hokies have 88 tackles for loss with an attacking style of defense.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 16, Tulane 9

VIRGINIA TECH

TULANE

THE MATCHUP

Duke’s Mayo Bowl Charlotte, NC Dec. 27 5:30 ET - ESPN

North Carolina Tar Heels

Coach: Mack Brown 8-4 (4-4 ACC)

West Virginia Mountaineers

Coach: Neal Brown 8-4 (6-3 Big 12)

NORTH CAROLINA

WEST VIRGINIA

QB Drake Maye

QB Garrett Greene

A 63 percent passer has 24 TDs and nine picks.

RB Omarion Hampton

Has 1,442 yards rushing, 215 receiving and 16 TDs.

WR Tez Walker

Owns 41 catches for 699 yards in only eight games.

LB Cedric Gray

Leads defense with 64 solo stops and has 11 behind the line.

Makes the offense go; the 53 percent passer has two 100-yard rushing games.

RB Jahiem White

Had only 25 carries in first seven games; 72 in last five games.

C Zach Frazier

All-Big 12 center makes all offensive line calls.

CB Beanie Bishop Jr.

Second on team with 48 solo stops and leads with four picks and 20 breakups.

North Carolina began the season 6-0 with high aspirations about earning a berth in the national playoff. But the Heels lost five of their last six ACC games—with a double overtime win over Duke—to limp to a .500 finish in the league. The offense failed to score 30 points just three times this season, all losses (Virginia, Clemson, NC State). The potent offense is powered by the trio of Drake Maye at quarterback, running back Omarion Hampton and receiver Tez Walker. All-ACC tight end Bryson Nesbit is a valuable target. Linebacker Cedric Gray is the leader of the defense that held opponents to 38.7 percent on third down. Gray and Kaimon Rucker (14 TFLs) and Power Echols form one of the best linebacking trios in the nation. The Mountaineers are all about running the ball. They have two terrific running backs and quarterback Garrett Greene is a weapon with his legs. West Virginia averages 234 yards a game on the ground, fourth in the nation and tops among Power 5 schools. CJ Donaldson has 798 yards and 11 touchdowns. Running mate Jahiem White, a freshman who was used sparingly for the first half of the season, has 792 yards, averaging 8.2 yards a carry. Greene doesn’t throw often, only twice reaching 30 attempts in a game, but his most reliable target is tight end Kole Taylor.

Center Zach Frazier and left tackle Wyatt Milum are excellent linemen.

Cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. is the team’s best defender.

Key Stats: UNC outscored eight bowl teams 35.1 to 30.7; went 5-3. West Virginia has allowed just nine sacks and attempted 308 passes.

Prediction: West Virginia 35, North Carolina 33

WEST VIRGINIA

NORTH CAROLINA

THE MATCHUP

Holiday Bowl San Diego, CA Dec. 27 8:00 ET - Fox

Louisville Cardinals Coach: Jeff Brohm 10-3 (7-1 ACC)

USC Trojans

Coach: Lincoln Riley 7-5 (5-4 Pac-12)

LOUISVILLE

USC

RB Jawhar Jordan

QB Miller Moss

WR Jamari Thrash

RB MarShawn Lloyd

QB Jack Plummer

WR Tahj Washington

All-ACC choice has 1,128 yards averaging 6.2 per carry.

Leads the Cardinals with 63 catches and 858 yards.

Has 3,063 yards passing with 21 touchdowns and 12 picks.

DE Ashton Gillotte

All-ACC defensive end has 14.5 TFLs and 11 sacks.

Completed 23 of 32 passes for 309 yards in three blowouts.

Averages 7.1 yards a carry with nine touchdowns.

Averaged five catches for 93 yards in five games after Notre Dame loss.

SS Calen Bullock

Strong tackler has two picks and seven breakups.

Thinking they should be heading to Miami for the Orange Bowl instead of to the West Coast, the Cardinals may have trouble getting excited to face the Trojans in their own neck of the woods. But we believe coach Jeff Brohm can use the Orange Bowl snub and the recent losses to Kentucky and Florida State in a championship game to fire up his troops. Jack Plummer is a 3,000-yard passer, but the most dependable offense comes from running back Jawhar Jordan. Jamari Thrash is a reliable target. Center Bryan Hudson is an All-ACC selection. Ashton Gillotte is the best playmaker on defense. With the defending Heisman winner and high expectations, USC began the season 6-0 and flying high. But a trip to South Bend turned sour followed by a loss to Utah. A failed two-point try by Cal allowed USC to beat the Bears 50-49, then losses to Washington, Oregon and UCLA ended the disappointing season. Quarterback Caleb Williams has already moved to the NFL, so Miller Moss will get a chance to run the team. Moss played in three blowouts in September, but was effective. USC allowed 34 sacks, so Moss may be on the move more than he would like. MarShawn Lloyd has 820 yards on the ground and is a nice safety valve for Moss.

Moss will throw to Tahj Washington, who has 963 receiving yards. AllPac-12 safety Calen Bullock is the best player on defense.

Key Stats: Louisville’s defense holds opponents to just 28 percent on third down. The USC offense generated 469 yards a game of offense. The defense allowed 439 yards a game.

Prediction: Louisville 37, USC 34

USC

LOUISVILLE

THE MATCHUP

Texas Bowl

Houston, TX Dec. 27 9:00 ET - ESPN

Oklahoma State Cowboys Coach: Mike Gundy 9-4 (7-2 Big 12)

Texas A&M Aggies

Interim Coach: Elijah Robinson 7-5 (4-4 SEC)

OKLAHOMA STATE

TEXAS A&M

RB Ollie Gordon II

WR Jahdae Walker

Averages 6.3 yards a carry with 20 rushing touchdowns.

LB Nickolas Martin

Leading tackler has 16 tackles for loss and nine QB Hurries.

WR Brennan Presley

With 27 catches and 453 yards, Walker looks to break out as a go-to receiver.

LB Edgerrin Cooper

Second on the team with 39 solo stops and leads with 17 TFLs.

The All-Big 12 second teamer has QB Jayden Henderson 85 catches for 839 yards.

Ran for 104 yards and threw for 704 over last three games.

LB Collin Oliver Has 15.5 TFLs, five pass breakups and caused four fumbles.

DB Josh DeBerry

Leads the secondary with two picks and seven breakups.

The second-place Big 12 team defeated four bowl teams, including Oklahoma. After an unconscionable loss to South Alabama and close defeat to Iowa State, the Cowboys righted the ship after a week off. The offense revolves around stud running back Ollie Gordon II. After brief appearances in the first three games, Gordon has averaged 150 yards a game since. When Gordon isn’t running, Alan Bowman is throwing to the tune of about 35 times a game. Brennan Presley is his favorite target. Defensively, the linebackers are the strength of the team. Nickolas Martin is the leading tackler on the team. He and Collin Oliver are big-time playmakers on a defense that has 80 stops behind the line. Texas A&M is no doubt the most difficult team to figure out at this point. As good as the Aggies were defensively, one starter has hit the portal and the upheaval in the coaching staff is unsettling. Quarterback Jaylen Henderson, who has significant time in just three games, will start the bowl game. He threw for 294 yards and completed 71.4 percent against LSU. As has been the case all season, running backs Amari Daniels, Le’Veon Moss and Rueben Owens will share carries. With Ainias Smith off to the NFL and Evan Stewart in limbo, Henderson will look to Jahdae Walker, Max Wright and Noah Thomas in the passing game. The defense allowed just 295 yards a game, opponents converted a scant 30.3 percent on third down and the Aggies had 42 sacks.

Key Stats: OSU’s Ollie Gordon II has 1,940 yards from scrimmage. Texas A&M holds opponents for just 3.3 yards per rushing attempt.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 31, Texas A&M 13

TEXAS A&M

OKLAHOMA STATE

THE MATCHUP

Fenway Bowl Boston, MA Dec. 28 11:00a ET - ESPN

Boston College Eagles Coach: Jeff Hafley 6-6 (3-5 ACC)

SMU Mustangs

Coach: Rhett Lashlee 11-2 (8-0 AAC)

BOSTON COLLEGE

SMU

QB Thomas Castellanos

TE RJ Maryland

S John Pupel

DE Elijah Roberts

WR Lewis Bond

SS Isaiah Nwokobia

WR Dino Tomlin

LB Kobe Wilson

Has three games with more than 125 rushing yards, and three games with 250+ passing yards.

The leading tackler is asked to wear a lot of hats defensively.

Caught 48 passes for 611 yards and seven TDs.

With 34 catches for 518 yards, he leads a group of five players with 400+ yards.

Leads the team with 11 stops behind the line.

Has 40 solo stops and leads the team with four picks.

Has played an increasing role in Leads the team with 44 solo passing game with 19 catches for stops.

201 yards over the last six games.

With a season-opening loss to Northern Illinois and a close win over Holy Cross, the Eagles were slow out of the gate. Boston College likes to run the ball, and it begins with quarterback Thomas Castellanos who leads the team with 957 yards and 11 touchdowns. Castellanos lost his favorite target Ryan O’Keefe midway through the season, but the quarterback has found Lewis Bond to be reliable. Defensively, the Eagles are not stocked with playmakers. The Eagles managed just 38 tackles for loss, 12 sacks and eight picks and eight fumble recoveries. Strong safety John Pupel leads the team with 52 solo stops and 6.5 tackles for loss. SMU’s defense showed up in a big way and quarterback Kevin Jennings was solid in his first start to lead the Mustangs to a AAC title over Tulane in New Orleans.

SMU would like to be a run-first team, but they love to spread the ball around to several different receivers. But defense is the heartbeat of this team. SMU opponents converted just 27 percent on third down. The Mustangs held foes to just 3.2 yards per rush and that starts with the big fella in the middle, Elijah Chatman, an All-AAC selection. Linebackers Kobe Wilson and Ahmad Walker are outstanding. Starting quarterback Preston Stone should be healthy for this game, but whoever plays QB will rely on Jaylan Knighton to carry the load in the backfield. He will run behind three All-AAC linemen: Marcus Bryant, Justin Osborne and Logan Parr.

Key Stats: Castellanos has 15 passing touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

SMU held opponents to 6.5 points below their average.

Prediction: SMU 27, Boston College 3

SMU

BOSTON COLLEGE

THE MATCHUP

Pinstripe Bowl Bronx, NY Dec. 28 2:15 ET - ESPN

Miami Hurricanes

Coach: Mario Cristobal 7-5 (3-5 ACC)

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Coach: Greg Schiano 6-6 (3-6 Big Ten)

MIAMI

RUTGERS

QB Jacurri Brown

RB Kyle Monangai

LB Francisco Mauigoa

QB Gavin Wimsatt

Was 14-19 with three TDs and 87 rushing yards in only career start.

The linebacker does just about everything for the Canes with 7.5 sacks and another seven hurries.

WR Xavier Restrepo

Leads team with 74 catches, 993 yards.

SS Kamren Kinchens

Leads team with five interceptions.

The second team All-Big Ten player averages 5.1 yards a carry.

He’s thrown nine touchdown passes and eight interceptions.

LB Mohamed Toure

Leads the team with 7.5 TFLs.

CB Robert Longerbeam Has one interception, but he’s broken up 10 passes.

The transfer portal has taken a toll on Miami already and quarterback Tyler Van Dyke has left the program. Jacurri Brown, who hasn’t played this season, will start the bowl game for the Hurricanes. Brown made one start in 2022 at Georgia Tech, leading the team to a win. Henry Parrish Jr. and Mark Fletcher Jr. are both capable backs and Brown has a trio of receivers to make him comfortable. The Hurricanes’ defense is tough, especially against the run. Opponents have averaged just 3.2 yards a carry and converted only 35.4 percent on third down. The portal has taken a couple of playmakers, but the players still here are quite good. Francisco Mauigoa has 17 stops behind the line. Safety Kamren Kinchens is an All-ACC first-teamer. Other than the service academies, only three schools have attempted fewer passes than the Scarlet Knights. And none have completed fewer than Rutgers’ 135. Rutgers relies on running back Kyle Monangai who has 1,099 yards.

Maybe it’s because he doesn’t get enough practice, but quarterback Gavin Wimsatt completes fewer than 48 percent of his passes. Defensively, four players have 38 or more solo tackles, led by free safety Flip Dixon with 48.

Linebacker Deion Jennings and strong safety Shaquan Loyal are just behind Dixon. Corner Max Melton has declared for the NFL, so Robert Longerbeam must take on tougher assignments.

Key Stats: The Miami defense held eight of 11 FBS opponents to less than their season scoring average. In four of his last five games, Rutgers quarterback Gavin Wimsatt has more rushing attempts than pass attempts.

Prediction: Miami 13, Rutgers 6

RUTGERS

MIAMI

THE MATCHUP

Pop-Tarts Bowl Orlando, FL Dec. 28 5:45 ET - ESPN

Kansas State Wildcats

Coach: Chris Klieman 8-4 (6-3 Big 12)

NC State Wolfpack

Coach: Dave Doeren 9-3 (6-2 ACC)

KANSAS STATE

NC STATE

QB Avery Johnson

LB Payton Wilson

The coaches believe in Johnson who has three TD passes and no picks.

RB DJ Giddens

Leads team with 69 solo stops and 17.5 tackles behind the line.

QB Brennan Armstrong

Has 70 carries for 331 yards in last three games.

Completed 70 percent for 650 yards and six touchdowns with no picks over final three games.

S Kobe Savage

WR KC Concepcion

DE Khalid Duke

CB Aydan White

Defensive leader is a tackling machine with three picks.

Second team All-Big 12 honoree leads team with six sacks.

Has 1,064 yards from scrimmage plus a touchdown pass.

Top corner has nine pass breakups.

The big news out of Manhattan is the sucking sound of the transfer portal, which robbed the Wildcats of their starting quarterback, their RB2 and significant depth in the secondary. Freshman quarterback Avery Johnson gets a jump on 2024 as does sophomore running back DJ Giddens. Giddens had seven games of 100+ yards from scrimmage, including a 30-carry, 207-yard performance against UCF. Johnson got in seven games, but didn’t take any significant snaps. He ran for 90 yards and threw for 90 yards (5-10 passing) against Texas Tech. Tight end/fullback Ben Sinnott and receiver Phillip Brooks are the top pass catchers. NC State has one of the best defenses in the nation, and the Wolfpack play to its strength with a consistent, conservative offensive approach. The defense held opponents to just 27.7 percent on third down and the Wolfpack enjoy a +10 turnover margin thanks to 17 interceptions. Linebacker Payton Wilson is the best defender in the ACC. Cornerback Aydan White leads the secondary. Quarterback Brennan Armstrong, a transfer from Virginia, leads the team with 544 yards rushing and he threw for 1,621, completing 62.4 percent. KC Concepcion is the ultimate weapon on offense. The freshman receiver made second team All-ACC, and was second on the Wolfpack with 297 yards rushing. He had 64 catches for 767 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Key Stats: Kansas State recovered 10 fumbles leading to a +10 turnover margin. NC State held opponents to about a touchdown under their scoring averages; only Notre Dame and Marshall reached their averages.

Prediction: NC State 14, Kansas State 0

NC STATE

KANSAS STATE

THE MATCHUP

Alamo Bowl San Antonio, TX Dec. 28 9:15 ET - ESPN

Oklahoma Sooners Coach: Brent Venables 10-2 (7-2 Big 12)

Arizona Wildcats Coach: Jedd Fisch 9-3 (7-2 Pac-12)

OKLAHOMA

ARIZONA

QB Jackson Arnold

QB Noah Fifita

Completed 18 of 24 passes this season for 202 yards. Was 11-11 for 114 yards vs. Arkansas State.

WR Drake Stoops

Has thrown 23 TDs and just five picks in his eight starts.

LT Jordan Morgan

Leader of offensive line ranks Caught 78 balls for 880 yards and high on NFL draft boards.

10 TDs. LB Jacob Manu S Billy Bowman Jr. The active linebacker has 9.5 His six INTs rank second in the tackles for loss and 10 QB hurries nation. coming off the edge.

WR Nic Anderson

Has 31 catches for 725 yards and nine TDs.

WR Tetairoa McMillan

The explosive receiver has 28 catches for 489 yards in his last three games.

On back-to-back Saturdays, the Sooners lost to Kansas and Oklahoma State, and with those losses, any hope of making the national playoff, or even a Big 12 title was erased. The Sooners, who scored 50+ points five times, are one of only five teams that produce 500 yards of offense a game.

All-Big 12 quarterback Dillon Gabriel has entered the portal and already exited, landing in Oregon. The Sooners will turn the page to freshman Jackson Arnold who will enjoy throwing to Drake Stoops and Nic Anderson. Arnold played in six games this season. Gavin Sawchuk and Tawee Walker split carries in the backfield. Linebacker Danny Stutsman is the Sooners’ leading tackler. Safety Billy Bowman Jr. has six interceptions. Arizona was quietly one of the best teams in what was an extremely tough Pac-12 conference this season. Arizona has improved all season and found an identity in the passing game. Noah Fifita started the last eight games at quarterback and has averaged 306 yards passing in those eight starts. He has a pair of outstanding receivers in Tetairoa McMillan (80 catches, 1,242 yards, 10 TDs) and Jacob Cowing (83, 696, 11). Running back Jonah Coleman averages 6.9 yards a carry. Defensively, the Wildcats play five defensive backs almost exclusively. Defensive end Taylor Upshaw and linebacker Jacob Manu provide an excellent pass rush. Corner Tacario Davis has broken up 15 passes.

Key Stats: Oklahoma’s defense registered just 19 sacks, but the Sooners are second in the nation with 19 interceptions. Arizona has lost just three fumbles and five of their 10 interceptions came in the first two games.

Prediction: Arizona 29, Oklahoma 17

ARIZONA

OKLAHOMA

THE MATCHUP

Gator Bowl

Jacksonville, FL Dec. 29 Noon ET - ESPN

Clemson Tigers

Coach: Dabo Swinney 8-4 (4-4 ACC)

Kentucky Wildcats Coach: Mark Stoops 7-5 (3-5 SEC)

CLEMSON

KENTUCKY

QB Cade Klubnik

CB Maxwell Hairston

Six of his eight interceptions came in the final six games.

WR Tyler Brown

The freshman leads the team with 51 catches for 519 yards; now more is expected after fellow starter Beaux Collins entered the portal.

DB Khalil Barnes

Leads the team with three picks.

DE T.J. Parker

The freshman has 11 stops behind the line.

Leads the team with 52 solo stops and has five interceptions and six breakups.

MLB D’Eryk Jackson

Has 49 solo stops, 6.5 behind the line and two picks.

QB Devin Leary

Transfer from NC State has 23 touchdown passes and 10 picks.

RB Ray Davis

Averages 5.7 yards a carry with 13 TDs.

Clemson fans have grown tired of 8-4 seasons. The Tigers haven’t won 10 games in a season since way back in 2022, the last of 12 consecutive double-digit win seasons. Cade Klubnik has had an inconsistent season and can be a bit careless at times, but threw for 2,580 yards. Clemson is a run-first team as Will Shipley and Phil Mafah split carries. With as many as eight defensive players projected to go in the first four rounds of the NFL draft, it will be interesting to see how many of those players will take the field in this game. Freshman defensive back Khalil Barnes is a rising star.

He had a scoop and score against South Carolina and later secured the game-sealing INT. Kentucky fans felt like the win over Florida in September was a big one and the Cats were flying high at 5-0. But the Wildcats were humbled by Georgia, Missouri and Tennessee and the season spiraled downward. The win over Louisville to end the season was certainly needed. This team seems to be much better than bad teams, but not good enough to compete with good teams. Ray Davis is a 1,000-yard runner and Devin Leary has thrown for 2,440 yards, but the Cats scored 30 points just five times, three of those were against Ball State, Akron and Vanderbilt. The Wildcats excel defending the run with Deone Walker upfront and D’Eryk Jackson in the middle.

Key Stats: Running backs Phil Mafah and Will Shipley combined to carry the ball 324 times for 1,692 yards and 14 touchdowns. Kentucky allowed only 20 sacks this season compared to 47 a year ago.

Prediction: Clemson 17, Kentucky 11

KENTUCKY

CLEMSON

THE MATCHUP

Sun Bowl

El Paso, TX Dec. 29 2:00 ET - CBS

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Coach: Marcus Freeman 9-3

Oregon State Beavers

Coach: Trent Bray 8-4 (5-4 Pac-12)

NOTRE DAME

OREGON STATE

RB Audric Estime

QB Ben Gulbranson

QB Sam Hartman

RB Damien Martinez

S Xavier Watts

DE Sione Lolohea

Capped the season with 238 yards and four TDs vs. Stanford.

Has 2,689 yards, 24 TDs and eight picks.

Leads nation with seven picks.

MLB JD Bertrand

Has 40 solo tackles and 7.5 behind the line.

Threw for 1,455 yards, nine TDs and five picks last season.

All-Pac-12 runner has 1,185 yards averaging 6.9 per carry.

Has 8.5 TFLs, seven of them on running plays.

SS Kitan Oladapo

Solid tackler has two picks and seven breakups.

The portal has hit the Irish pretty hard, taking the entire starting receiving corps, tight end, center and gutted the defensive depth. Right tackle Blake Fisher has opted out of the game as well. The offense, even with veteran quarterback Sam Hartman, has clearly been a run-first operation. Audric Estime has had a tremendous career and he capped it with 1,341 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. No healthy receiver has more than 16 catches. Defensively, Xavier Watts earned the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation’s best defensive player. Linebacker JD Bertrand is the leading tackler and Javontae Jean-Baptiste led the team with 9.5 tackles for loss.

Deletions have not been kind to Oregon State either since they last took the field. First, it was coach Jonathan Smith leaving for Michigan State, then quarterbacks DJ Uiagalelei and Aidan Chiles followed by tight end Jack Velling. The offensive line remains intact and is as good as any in the land. Right tackle Taliese Fuaga and center Jake Levengood are AllPac-12 selections, while right guard Tanner Miller and left Tackle Joshua Gray were named to the second team. Ben Gulbranson, who was 7-1 as the starting quarterback in 2022, will start. Silas Bolden and Anthony Gould each has 718 receiving yards. The main man on offense is Damien Martinez. Defensively, Sione Lolohea and safety Kitan Oladapo are the leaders.

Key Stats: The Irish offensive line allowed just 14 sacks, but 11 of those came in the three losses. The Beavers scored 41 times on 42 trips to the red zone with 33 touchdowns.

Prediction: Oregon State 17, Notre Dame 12

OREGON STATE

NOTRE DAME

THE MATCHUP

Liberty Bowl Memphis, TN Dec. 29 3:30 ET - ESPN

Iowa State Cyclones

Coach: Matt Campbell 7-5 (6-3 Big 12)

Memphis Tigers

Coach: Ryan Silverfield 9-9 (6-2 AAC)

IOWA STATE

MEMPHIS

QB Robbie Becht

RB Blake Watson

The 63.5 percent passer had 11 TDs and just three picks in last seven games.

RB Abu Sama III

Averages 8.5 yards a carry.

CB T.J. Tampa

Picked off two passes, broke up seven.

WR Jaylen Noel

Grabbed 60 passes for 741 yards.

He has 1,045 yards rushing and 463 receiving yards.

QB Seth Henigan

The 66.4 percent passer has 3,516 passing yards.

WR Roc Taylor

Leads team with 61 catches for 981 yards.

LB Chandler Martin

Leads team with 59 solo stops and 12 TFLs.

In September, Iowa State lost at Ohio and gave up 50 points to Oklahoma and many had written off the season. But the 2-3 Cyclones went 3-0 in October to get the season back on track. Iowa State wins with defense.

Aside from the 50 points to the Sooners and giving up 20 to Iowa in the opener, the Cyclones held every other opponent below their scoring average. Teams had trouble passing against Iowa State who is among the top 10 in pass efficiency defense. Cornerback T.J. Tampa is probably the best coverage guy, safety Jeremiah Cooper has five picks and corner Myles Purchase didn’t intercept any, but broke up 13 passes, five in the season finale against Kansas State. Offensively, Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year Robbie Becht threw for 2,674 yards. Freshman Abu Sama III will carry the load at running back. Memphis has had an excellent season, losing just three games to Missouri, Tulane and SMU. The Tigers also defeated three bowl teams in Arkansas State, Boise State and South Florida. The Tigers’ explosive offense begins with running back Blake Watson. He’s a 1,000yard runner and has caught 50 passes as well. Seth Henigan triggers the passing game and loves throwing to Roc Taylor and Demeer Blankumsee.

Linebacker Chandler Martin is the best defensive player. Cornerback DeAgo Brumfield is the best in coverage and outside linebacker Jayton Allen is a playmaker off the edge.

Key Stats: Iowa State’s 16 interceptions is tied for fourth in the nation. Memphis converts 44.9 percent on third down and holds foes to 31.6 percent.

Prediction: Iowa State 37, Memphis 28

MEMPHIS

IOWA STATE

THE MATCHUP

Cotton Bowl Arlington, TX Dec. 29 8:00 ET - ESPN

Ohio State Buckeyes Coach: Ryan Day 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten)

Missouri Tigers

Coach: Eli Drinkwitz 10-2 (6-2 SEC)

OHIO STATE

MISSOURI

QB Devin Brown

RB Cody Schrader

RB TreyVeyon Henderson

QB Brady Cook

WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

WR Luther Burden III

MLB Tommy Eichenberg

CB Kris Abrams-Draine

Completed 12 of 22 passes for 197 yards over five games.

Has 852 yards averaging 6.2 yards a carry.

Biletnikoff winner has 67 catches for 1,211 yards and 14 TDs. Leader in the middle of the defense.

Has four 148-yard or more rushing games against SEC teams.

A 66.8 percent passer, Cook has 20 TD passes and five picks.

Has 83 catches for 1,197 yards and eight touchdowns.

Has 35 solo stops and four picks with 11 breakups.

Ohio State players are still reeling from a third consecutive loss to Michigan, and now the program must deal with the transfers of quarterback Kyle McCord and receiver Julian Fleming. The portal has also gutted depth on defense, so the Cotton Bowl becomes the perfect opportunity for talented, but inexperienced, players to prove themselves. One of those players is quarterback Devin Brown. He’s thrown just 22 passes this season, none of them in crucial situations. Certainly having receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka in the lineup will help the youngster tremendously. Defensively, end JT Tuimoloau, linebacker Tommy Eichenberg and corner Denzel Burke are All-Big Ten performers. Missouri’s only losses were to LSU and Georgia, no shame there. The Tigers’ biggest wins were over Kansas State, Tennessee and Kentucky, although all three wins looked better at the time.

The Tigers committed just eight turnovers and Missouri has a trio of stars on offense that few teams can match. Quarterback Brady Cook is a 3,100-yard passer, Cody Schrader is a 1,500-yard runner and Luther Burden III has 1,197 receiving yards. Defensively, Darius Robinson is a beast off the edge and Ty’Ron Hopper is sound at linebacker. The secondary is a strength with safety Joseph Charleston and corner Kris Abrams-Draine. Kicker Harrison Mevis has proven he can make long kicks in the clutch.

Key Stats: Ohio State held opponents to an average of 14.7 below their scoring averages. Missouri scored on 54 of 55 trips in the red zone, including 34 TDs. Prediction: Missouri 20, Ohio State 17

MISSOURI

OHIO STATE

THE MATCHUP

Peach Bowl

Atlanta, GA Dec. 30 Noon ET - ESPN

Penn State Nittany Lions

Coach: James Franklin 10-2 (7-2 Big Ten)

Ole Miss Rebels

Coach: Lane Kiffin 10-2 (6-2 SEC)

PENN STATE

OLE MISS

DE Adisa Isaac

RB Quinshon Judkins

Leads to team with 15 TFLs.

LB Abdul Carter

Active linebacker plays sideline to sideline.

QB Drew Allar

Threw one interception in 350 passes.

NB Daequan Hardy

Has two picks and broke up seven passes.

The workhorse has 237 carries, seventh in the nation.

QB Jaxson Dart

The 65 percent passer has 2,985 yards, 20 TDs and five picks.

DE Jared Iyy

Leads the team with 9.5 tackles behind the line.

WR Tre Harris

The most exciting receiver has 47 catches for 851 yards and eight TDs.

Penn State defends as well as any team in the country and has committed just six turnovers leading to a +18 turnover margin. Penn State didn’t just stop the run (2.1 yards per carry), but pushed it backwards with 101 tackles behind the line, second most in the nation. There are 11 players with four or more TFLs. The Nittany Lions have studs at every level. Star Chop Robinson is skipping the game for the NFL, but linebacker Abdul Carter, ends Adisa Isaac and Dani Dennis-Sutton, and defensive backs Daequan Hardy and Johnny Dixon are tremendous. Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton split 325 carries for 1,553 yards and 15 touchdowns. The Ole Miss offense gets most of the attention, but the defense is top-notch, holding eight of the Rebels’ opponents below their scoring averages. The offense has had some trouble on third down, converting just 36.7 percent. They have compensated to some degree by converting 22 of 33 times on fourth down. Ole Miss has one of the best running backs in the SEC in Quinshon Judkins with 1,052 yards. Jaxson Dart runs the offense well and is an accurate passer closing in on 3,000 yards this season. He has three tremendous receivers in Tre Harris, Dayton Wade and Jordan Watkins.

Defensive backs John Saunders Jr. and Trey Washington are the team’s leading tacklers and each has three interceptions.

Key Stats: Penn State is the only school that holds opponents to fewer than four yards a play. The Rebels have a +9 turnover margin having thrown just six picks and lost one fumble.

Prediction: Penn State 19, Ole Miss 13

OLE MISS

PENN STATE

THE MATCHUP

Music City Bowl Nashville, TN Dec. 30 2:00 ET - ABC

Auburn Tigers

Coach: Hugh Freeze 6-6 (3-5 SEC)

Maryland Terrapins Coach: Mike Locksley 7-5 (4-5 Big Ten)

AUBURN

MARYLAND

RB Jarquez Hunter

QB Taulia Tagovailoa

Averages 5.9 yards a carry.

LB Eugene Asante

Leads the defense with 52 solo stops.

CB D.J. James

Has thrown the ball at least 30 times every game.

RB Roman Hemby

Terps will try to get him touches in the passing game.

Ourlads has James listed at No. 7 SS Beau Brade among draft eligible cornerbacks. Leads with 46 solo tackles and has an interception.

DT Marcus Harris The big fella has 11 stops behind the line.

CB Tarheeb Still

Leads with five picks and has two tackles behind the line.

Everyone associated with the Auburn program is still smarting over the final play of the Iron Bowl. Had that game ended differently, perhaps the loss to New Mexico State the week before would have been forgiven. Now, Hugh Freeze is desperate for something positive to close out the season. Aside for the 44 points LSU hung on them and the 31 from New Mexico State, the Tigers’ defense held every opponent under 30 and below their season average. Cornerback D.J. James is the best player on defense. He had a pair of picks with 10 breakups, and Jaylin Simpson added four interceptions. Eugene Asante is a tackling machine while defensive tackle Marcus Harris is a playmaker upfront. Transfer quarterback Payton Thorne has been a mild disappointment behind a revamped offensive line that allowed 76 tackles for loss. Maryland enjoys the thrill of facing Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State every year. The Terps played Michigan as well as anyone.

Maryland stops the run well, but the Terrapins don’t run the ball well. They rely on the arm of Taulia Tagovailoa, who set a Big Ten passing record this season with 3,377 yards. Jeshaun Jones, Tai Felton and Kaden Prather are playmakers at receiver. Leading runner Roman Hemby (663 rushing yards) has 37 catches for 288 yards and three touchdowns. Safety Beau Brade is the leading tackler and cornerback Tarheeb Still leads with five picks.

Key Stats: Auburn kicker Alex McPherson (13-13) is one of three kickers in the nation to finish the season perfect on field goals (minimum of 13 FGA). Maryland’s 451 pass attempts ranks 14th in the nation.

Prediction: Maryland 40, Auburn 13

MARYLAND

AUBURN

THE MATCHUP

Orange Bowl

Miami Gardens, FL Dec. 30 4:00 ET - ESPN

Florida State Seminoles

Coach: Mike Norvell 13-0 (8-0 ACC)

Georgia Bulldogs

Coach: Kirby Smart 12-1 (8-0 SEC)

FLORIDA STATE

GEORGIA

QB Tate Rodemaker

QB Carson Beck

RB Trey Benson

WR Dominic Lovett

Former top recruit has five TDs and no picks and averages 9.1 yards per attempt.

Needs 95 yards for 1,000; averages 5.8 yards a carry and has 14 touchdowns.

DE Jared Verse

Transfer from Albany gets to the quarterback as well as anyone.

DE Patrick Payton

Plays run well (7.5 TFLs are running plays) and has 10 breakups.

Completed 72 percent of passes for 3,738 yards after winning the job early in the season.

A bit unsung with 51 catches for 575 yards.

RT Xavier Truss

Eager to prove his merit to scouts.

S Tykee Smith

Leads this tremendous defensive unit with 44 solo tackles, 8.5 behind the line and four picks.

Well, where do we start? The Florida State Seminoles took on all comers this season and won 13 times. That includes beginning and ending the regular season by defeating two SEC teams. No doubt the Seminoles deserved to be one of the four playoff teams, and now it’s time to determine how that will affect the team moving forward. There’s no doubt that Georgia is fighting through a similar mindset that this game is meaningless for a squad that’s won the last two national titles. FSU has a golden opportunity to prove itself against a team that was considered the best in the country most of the season. This is also an opportunity for their 2024 quarterback Tate Rodemaker to show what he can do against an elite team. On the other hand, it is valuable practice and game time for inexperienced players expected to contribute in 2024, for both teams. How will Georgia respond after being No. 1 all season then missing the playoff? The roster of opt outs will be talented and deep. Expect to see a real-time, in-game preview of the 2024 season for both teams. In addition to Rodemaker, the Noles have Trey Benson and Keon Coleman as offensive stars. Defensive ends Jared Verse and Patrick Payton are peerless. For Georgia, expect Carson Beck to continure to grow as a leader in this game.

Key Stats: Georgia is the best third down team in the nation, ranking second offensively converting 54.8 percent, and first defensively at 26.4 percent. FSU defensive ends Patrick Payton and Jared Verse have combined for 26 TFLs and another 18 quarterback pressures.

Prediction: Georgia 41, Florida State 37

GEORGIA

FLORIDA STATE

THE MATCHUP

Arizona Bowl

Tucson, AZ Dec. 30 4:30 ET - Barstool Sports

Toledo Rockets

Coach: Jason Candle 11-2 (8-0 MAC)

Wyoming Cowboys Coach: Craig Bohl 8-4 (5-3 MWC)

TOLEDO

WYOMING

RB Peny Boone

QB Andrew Peasley

QB Dequan Finn

MLB Easton Gibbs

LB Dallas Grant

DT Jordan Bertagnole

CB Quinyon Mitchell

DE Sabastian Harsh

His 1,400 yards ranks sixth in the nation, his 7.2 yards/carry is third.

Has 2,657 passing yards and 563 rushing.

Leads team with 47 solo stops and has nine TFLs. Has just one pick, but broke up 18 passes.

Has 1,823 passing yards and 403 on the ground.

Has 46 solo stops and four behind the line.

Second-team All-MWC with five TFLs. Leads the Cowboys with eight TFLs.

The Rockets certainly have a bad taste in their mouths after losing to Miami in the MAC Championship Game. Toledo defeated the RedHawks in October. The Rockets have stars all over the field and feature a power running game with MAC Offensive POY Peny Boone running behind AllMAC linemen Nick Rosi and Vinny Sciury. Quarterback Dequan Finn is effective as a runner and passer. He throws it only about 24 times a game.

Jerjuan Newton is an All-MAC receiver. Dallas Gant is the leading tackler in the middle of the defense. Defensive tackle Judge Culpepper has nine sacks. Corner Quinyon Mitchell and safety Maxen Hook lead the secondary. Gant, Culpepper, Mitchell and Hook are first team All-MAC selections.

Wyoming’s four losses were at the hands of pretty good teams (Texas, Air Force, Boise State, UNLV), but the Cowboys must be able to beat the best in the MWC for the program to take a step up. The Cowboys love to run the ball, shorten games and play rugged, tough defense. Quarterback Andrew Peasley hands off often to Harrison Waylee, who has 856 yards, most of it running behind All-MWC tackle Frank Crum. Middle linebacker Easton Gibbs is a two-time All-MWC selection and leads the defense. Jordan Bertagnole and Sabastian Harsh lead the defensive charge upfront.

Linebacker Shae Suiaunoa has 58 solo tackles and Wyett Ekeler and Jakorey Hawkins lead the secondary with three picks and 14 breakups.

Key Stats: The Rockets have allowed just 11 sacks this season. Opponents converted 45.5 percent on third down against the Cowboys.

Prediction: Toledo 21, Wyoming 13

WYOMING

TOLEDO

THE MATCHUP

Reliaquest Bowl Tampa, FL Jan. 1 Noon ET - ESPN2

Wisconsin Badgers Coach: Luke Fickell 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten)

LSU Tigers

Coach: Brian Kelly 9-3 (6-2 SEC)

WISCONSIN

LSU

RB Braelon Allen

QB Jayden Daniels

Averages 5.4 yards a carry and has 131 receiving yards.

QB Tanner Mordecai

He’s a 64.6 percent passer with only three 200-yard games.

SS Hunter Wohler

Leading tackler has 4.5 TFLs and two interceptions.

CB Ricardo Hallman

Has picked off six passes and broken up five others.

Daniels is a 72 percent passer and averages 8.4 yards a carry with 50 total TDs.

WR Brian Thomas Jr.

Has five 100-yard receiving games against power 5 teams.

RB Logan Diggs

Missed some time in November, but averages 5.5 yards per carry.

MLB Harold Perkins Jr.

Leads with 41 solo stops, 13 behind the line and also has one pick.

Like many of the Big Ten teams, Wisconsin runs the ball well and defends well. The Badgers are more comfortable putting the ball in the air than some Big Ten brethren, and they have a good balance of 420 runs and 429 passes. Running back Braelon Allen is the key to the offense. He is approaching 1,000 yards and has 12 touchdowns. Quarterback Tanner Mordecai is experienced and manages the game well. Will Pauling is his main target. Hunter Wohler leads the team with 73 solo stops and is the best defensive player. Ricardo Hallman is a ballhawk at cornerback. Linebackers C.J. Goetz and Darryl Peterson have combined for 20.5 tackles for loss. LSU has the most exciting player and the most exciting offense in the land, and the Tigers are probably the best 3-loss team in the country having lost to Florida State, Alabama and Ole Miss. Jayden Daniels, the Heisman winner, is an 1,100-yard runner and 3,800-yard passer. If he plays, this will be a must-watch game. If he doesn’t play, Garrett Nussmeier is a quality quarterback, but he’s not Daniels. Malik Nabors (1,546 yards receiving) will not suit up for the Tigers. Brian Thomas Jr. has 60 catches for 1,079 yards and 15 touchdowns, so he’ll pick up some slack. Defensively, the Tigers aren’t very good. Harold Perkins Jr. is a tremendous talent and is the leading tackler and playmaker.

Key Stats: Only two teams, Washington State and Northwestern, reached their scoring average against Wisconsin. LSU leads the nation with 547.8 yards a game, 8.5 yards/play and 56.7 percent on third down.

Prediction: LSU 45, Wisconsin 20

LSU

WISCONSIN

THE MATCHUP

Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL Jan. 1 1:00 ET - ABC

Iowa Hawkeys

Coach: Kirk Ferentz 10-3 (7-2 Big Ten)

Tennessee Volunteers Coach: Josh Heupel 8-4 (4-4 SEC)

IOWA

TENNESSEE

RB Leshon Williams

RB Jaylen Wright

QB Deacon Hill

QB Joe Milton III

LB Jay Higgins

LB Aaron Beasley

DE Joe Evans

DE Tyler Baron

Has 804 yards averaging 4.9 yards a carry.

Completes less than 50 percent of his throws; still developing.

His 65 solo stops leads the Hawkeyes.

Leads the Hawkeyes with 9.5 TFLs.

He’s carried the ball just 137 times.

Has 10 touchdowns and one pick in last six games.

Leads with 35 solo tackles and has 11.5 stops behind the line.

Has 10.5 stops behind the line.

It’s clear what you get when you play Iowa. The Hawkeyes will bring a physical, conservative offense with no vertical passing attack, lots of punting and a stifling, fundamental, punishing defense. Starting quarterback Cade McNamara and tight end Erick All went down with injuries midway through the season and left the offense undermanned. The Hawkeyes enjoy winning ugly and are good at it. But maybe the Citrus Bowl is an opportunity for Iowa to try a different offensive approach. Expect Kaleb Brown to get more touches in this game as the offense opens up a little bit. Jay Higgins is one of the best linebackers in the nation. Tennessee’s prolific offense put up huge numbers against inferior teams, but couldn’t muster much of an attack when the competition got better. The Vols allowed just 18 sacks and committed only 12 turnovers. The best player on offense is Jaylen Wright with 1,013 rushing yards, averaging 7.4 yards a carry. Quarterback Joe Milton III can be erratic, but he has steadily improved. Squirrel White is an excellent receiver. Tennessee has athletic linebackers in Aaron Beasley and Elijah Herring. Tyler Baron is a tremendous playmaker at defensive end. Kamal Hadden the best cover corner is out with a shoulder injury, so safety Jaylen McCollough will have to carry a heavier load.

Key Stats: Iowa’s defense held opponents to an average of 11.2 points below their scoring average. All but one Georgia opponent (Ball State) and every Missouri opponent scored more points than Tennessee did against their division rivals.

Prediction: Tennessee 23, Iowa 6

TENNESSEE

IOWA

THE MATCHUP

Fiesta Bowl Glendale, AZ Jan. 1 1:00 ET - ESPN

Oregon Ducks

Coach: Dan Lanning 11-2 (8-1 Pac-12)

Liberty Flames

Coach: Jamey Chadwell 13-0 (8-0 CUSA)

OREGON

LIBERTY

QB Bo Nix

QB Kaidon Salter

DE Brandon Dorlus

Has 47 catches for 988 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Threw at least two touchdown Has 1,064 yards rushing and passes in every game; tossed just 2,750 passing; 43 total TDs. three picks all season.

RB Quinton Cooley RB Bucky Irving Ranks ninth in the nation with Had seven straight games of 1,322 rushing yards.

100+ yards from scrimmage.

WR CJ Daniels Run stuffer earned first team AllPac-12 honors.

CB Khyree Jackson

LB Tyren Dupree

Leads team with 61 solo stops, All-Pac-12 corner has three picks, eight behind the line and two one of which came in the Pac-12 picks.

Championship Game.

The Oregon Ducks outscored opponents by an average of 44 to 17. But two close losses to Washington kept the Ducks out of the national playoff. The question now is, what’s next? Can this Oregon team find sufficient motivation with the big prize no longer in reach? Quarterback Bo Nix, who finished third in Heisman voting, has two 1,000-yard receivers in Troy Franklin and Tez Johnson. Center Jackson Powers-Johnson won the Rimington Award for the nation’s best center. Defensively, opponents gain only 3.4 yards a carry and average just 320 yards a game. Brandon Dorlus clogs the middle upfront. Jeffrey Bassa is an excellent linebacker, and Khyree Jackson and Evan Williams lead the secondary. The Flames continue to assert themselves as a program to be reckoned with among non-power 5 teams. Now Liberty has a golden opportunity to prove itself against one of the best teams in the nation on a national stage. The Flames feature one of the nation’s most prolific offenses, averaging 303 yards rushing per game, by far the best in the country. Only Air Force has run the ball more than Liberty’s 642 carries. The passing game is pretty potent as well. Quarterback Kaidon Salter throws it just 20 times a game, but he completes 61 percent and has 31 touchdown passes with just five picks. The Flames have allowed just nine sacks this season. Linebacker Tyren Dupree is the best player on defense.

Key Stats: The Ducks threw 472 passes and allowed just five sacks. The Flames averaged 45 points a game over their last seven games.

Prediction: Oregon 51, Liberty 37

LIBERTY

OREGON

THE MATCHUP

Rose Bowl

Pasadena, CA Jan. 1 5:00 ET - ESPN

Michigan Wolverines

Coach: Jim Harbaugh 13-0 (9-0 Big Ten)

Alabama Crimson Tide

Coach: Nick Saban 12-2 (8-0 SEC)

MICHIGAN

ALABAMA

QB J.J. McCarthy

QB Jalen Milroe

Completes 74.2 percent and has 2,630 yards.

RB Blake Corum

Has 1,028 yards, but averages just 4.7 yards a carry.

Edge Jaylen Harrell

Has nine TFLs and 7.5 sacks.

DB Mike Sainristil

Leads with four picks and has four TFLs.

Has one 300-yard passing game, two 100-yard rushing games, just six picks.

CB Terrion Arnold

Has five picks and 6.5 TFLs.

OLB Dallas Turner

Leads team with 14.5 stops behind the line.

OLB Chris Braswell

Has eight sacks running opposite of Turner.

How dominant is Michigan’s defense? Only Maryland and Ohio State got within 10 points of their scoring average when they faced Michigan, and both fell about a touchdown short. Opponents have scored 14 touchdowns in 13 games, averaged 2.9 yards per rush and 4.27 yards per play. J.J McCarthy controls the offense magnificently and Blake Corum is a dominant runner, especially getting tough yards. Roman Wilson, Colston Lovelady and Cornelius Johnson are all quality pass catchers. The defense has 73 tackles for loss, and Jaylen Harrell is the most productive playmaker.

Junior Colson leads the team with 35 solo stops. Since the loss to Texas and ugly win over South Florida, quarterback Jalen Milroe has discovered greatness. He has grown from “he may not be the guy” to Heisman candidate in less than a season. The backfield duo of Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams can wear down a defense. Both Jermaine Burton and Isaiah Bond are playmakers in the passing game. Can Alabama’s stellar defense hold up physically with Michigan? Chris Braswell and Dallas Turner are the strengths at outside linebacker, but Alabama must be physical inside to stop the Wolverines. With safety Caleb Downs probably playing the run more, corners Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold must excel on islands.

Key Stats: The Wolverines have forced 24 turnovers giving the Wolverines a +17 turnover margin. Alabama’s defense held its eight regular season SEC opponents to 9.7 points a game below their average.

Prediction: Michigan 24, Alabama 22

ALABAMA

MICHIGAN

THE MATCHUP

Sugar Bowl New Orleans, LA Jan. 1 8:45 ET - ESPN

Washington Huskies Coach: Kalen DeBoer 13-0 (9-0 Pac-12)

Texas Longhorns

Coach: Steve Sarkisian 12-1 (8-1 Big 12)

WASHINGTON

TEXAS

QB Michael Penix Jr.

QB Quinn Ewers

RB Dillon Johnson

WR Xavier Worthy

Edge Bralen Trice

DL T’Vondre Sweat

CB Jabbar Muhammad

MLB Jaylan Ford

Completed 64.5 percent for 623 yards, five TDs and two picks in two Oregon games.

Averages 5.5 yards a carry with 13 touchdowns.

Has 8.5 tackles for loss and 14 QB Hurries.

Leads Huskies with three picks and 13 pass breakups.

Averages better than nine yards per attempts since returning from injury.

Had five catches for 75 yards and a touchdown against Alabama.

Six TFLs against the run, usually fighting through double teams.

Leads team with 10.5 TFLs and also has two picks.

Michael Penix Jr. leads the Washington offense and certainly delivered in the Pac-12 Championship Game. He has weapons around him with receivers Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan, who had 131 yards in the title game. Running back Dillon Johnson is a beast, but he’ll find the going tough at the point of attack. The Washington defense doesn’t get enough credit, probably because the Huskies played in so many high scoring shootouts, but this group is full of studs. Edge Bralen Trice, middle linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio, safety Dominique Hampton and corner Jabbar Muhammad are worth watching. The Texas offense certainly flexed its muscles in the Big 12 Championship Game, putting that game on ice early.

But it’s the Texas defense, particularly the big fellas upfront, that put the Longhorns over the top. Outland Trophy winner and Big 12 DPOY T’Vondre Sweat dominates the line of scrimmage. His presence allowed four of his teammates to join him with seven or more stops behind the line. Byron Murphy II is a load as well. They are two large reasons opponents run for fewer than three yards a carry. Middle linebacker Jaylan Ford is a two-time All-Big 12 selection. The offense is powered by Quinn Ewers, who has thrown for 3,161 yards despite missing two games. With 1,000-yard runner Jonathon Brooks out, CJ Baxter and Jaydon Blue share carries and both are very good. Xavier Worthy is closing in on 1,000 yards receiving.

Key Stats: Washington has a 4,200-yard passer, a 1,100-yard runner and two 1,000-yard receivers. Texas foes manage just 26.5% on third down.

Prediction: Washington 37, Texas 31

TEXAS

WASHINGTON

THE MATCHUP

College Football Playoff National Championship

January 8, 2024 7:30 P.M. NRG Stadium Houston, TX

THE SIDELINES