College Football Exciting Bowl Games Part I 2021

This article covers predicted College Football Exciting Bowl Games Part I (12/17-12/25/21). Bowl season is officially starting on 12/17/21 and that means 16 games by 12/25/21. Time to continue a weekly cadence of highlighting the best games to watch. Hard part about doing this exercise in 2021, is trying to determine if any of the 2020 trends will continue. 2020 was the season of partial team schedules due to Covid-19 impacts, all players getting an extra year of eligibility and transferring schools without having to sit one season.

2021 Week 14 Picks Recap

Top 10 games to watch – 7/10 correct thanks to UTSA, Utah, Northern Illinois, Louisiana, Cincinnati, Michigan and Pittsburgh

Overall picks -7/10 which is one standard deviation above the median

2021 All Picks Recap

Week 1 to Week 14 Top 5 games to watch – 43/65 correct

Week 1 to Week 14 Top 5 upsets that could happen – 22/65 correct

Top 10 conference championships – 7/10 correct

Overall picks – 72/140 correct which is one standard deviation above the median

College Football Exciting Bowl Games Part I

16. Bahamas Bowl: Middle Tennessee vs. Toledo

Early afternoon kickoff (12:00 PM EST) from Thomas Robinson National Stadium in Nassau, NP on 12/17/21. How many college football fans are excited for a real bowl season with people in the stands and excellent tv coverage across the networks? The 2021-2022 bowl season will be filled with highlights and memories before transitioning into the 2022 Winter Olympics. Blue Raiders have a quality win over Marshall to enter this game at 6-6. Rockets lost at Notre Dame in Week 2 (32-29) and enter this game at 7-5, with a three game winning streak. Middle Tennessee relies on their passing game and a running game by committee. Toledo has a nice 50/50 mix of running and passing.

Prediction: Toledo is currently a 10.0 point favorite and will cover that line easily

15. Cure Bowl: Northern Illinois vs. Coastal Carolina

Early evening kickoff (6:00 PM EST) from Exploria Stadium in Orlando, FL on 12/17/21. 25,500 seat stadium hosting a game that could turn into an aerial score fest. Huskies won the MAC Championship game over Kent State and have a solid season resume at 9-4. Chanticleers were 11-0 in the 2020 season, before losing the Cure Bowl to Liberty (37-34). Head coach Jamey Caldwell led Coastal Carolina to a 10-2 record in 2021. He’s obviously pushing a lot of buttons correctly to have a new FBS program since 2017, winning games consistently each season. Helps that PGA star Dustin Johnson is a Chanticleers alumni and a big football supporter.

Prediction: Coastal Carolina is currently an 11.0 point favorite and will win an entertaining game by 7 points

14. Boca Raton Bowl: Western Kentucky vs. Appalachian State

Late morning kickoff (11:00 AM EST) from FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, FL on 12/18/21. Hilltoppers finished second in Conference USA behind UTSA, and ended the season at 8-5. Keep an eye on Western Kentucky’s senior QB, Bailey Zappe. This is not a misprint, Zappe threw for 5545 passing yards, 56 passing TDs and 3 rushing TDs in 2021. WRs Jerreth Sterns (14 TDs) and Mitchell Tinsely (12 TDs) had big statistical seasons. Appalachian State finished second in the Sun Belt Conference behind Louisiana. Mountaineers rely on an above average passing game and two RBs (Nate Noel, Camerun Peoples). WR and TE corps goes five players deep, which means the Mountaineers play hard for 60 minutes each game.

Prediction: Western Kentucky is currently a 3.0 point underdog and will win by 10+ points

13. New Mexico Bowl: UTEP vs. Fresno State

Mid-afternoon kickoff (2:15 PM EST) from University Stadium in Albuquerque, NM on 12/18/21. Miners come into this game at 7-5 and finished fourth in Conference USA. Head coach Dana Dimel has turned around the UTEP program since taking the job in 2018, after a winless season in 2017. Bulldogs have a solid 9-3 record coming out of the Mountain West Conference. Quality wins over UCLA, Nevada and San Diego State led their head coach, Kalen DeBoer, to move onto the Washington Huskies for 2022. Fresno State senior QB Jake Haener is the real deal, with 3810 passing yards and 32 TDs. Haener should be playing on Sundays in the NFL in the near future.

Prediction: Fresno State is currently an 11.5 point favorite and will cover that line easily. Bulldogs can’t wait to play for Jeff Tedford again in 2022.

12. Independence Bowl: UAB vs. BYU

Late afternoon kickoff (3:30 PM EST) from Independence Stadium in Shreveport, LA on 12/18/21. Blazers enter this game with an 8-4 record and finished third in Conference USA. UAB runs a balanced offense and will definitely highlight sophomore RB Dewayne Mcbride. Cougars had a memorable season at 10-2, with quality wins over Utah, Arizona State, Utah State and Washington State. Rising head coach Kalani Sitake just had his contract extended to 2027. BYU is more than ready to move to the Big 12 Conference in 2022 and will flourish quickly. Independence Stadium is an ideal bathroom break location if you’re driving from Texas to the Orange Bowl. Write that important factoid down for future use.

Prediction: BYU is currently a 7.0 point favorite and will win by 10+ points

11. Lending Tree Bowl: Eastern Michigan vs. Liberty

Early evening kickoff (5:45 PM EST) from Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, AL on 12/18/21. Eagles head into this game at 7-5 and finished sixth in the Mid American Conference (MAC). Flames were also 7-5 in 2021 and played as a true FBS Independent team. Wonder if Notre Dame will ever formally join the ACC or continue to claim to be Independent and get a ton of money from NBC for broadcasting their games. Don’t mean to digress, but come on, this needs to be figured out sooner than later. Liberty’s junior QB, Malik Willis, will put on an aerial and rushing display in this game.

Prediction: Liberty is currently a 9.5 point favorite and will win this game by 14+ points

10. LA Bowl: Utah State vs. Oregon State

Evening kickoff (7:30 PM EST) from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA on 12/18/21. Aggies won the Mountain West Conference Championship Game over San Diego State and their offense is legit. Junior QB Logan Bonner has thrown for 3560 passing yards and 36 TDs. Quality wins over Washington State and Air Force led to a 10-3 season record. Beavers beat USC, Washington, Utah and Arizona State to finish 7-5 and sixth in the Pac-12 Conference. Its been a long time since Oregon State blew out Notre Dame in the 2001 Fiesta Bowl.

Prediction: Utah State is currently a 7.0 underdog and will win this game by 10 points

9. New Orleans Bowl: Louisiana vs. Marshall

Late evening kickoff (9:15 PM EST) from Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA on 12/18/21. Ragin’ Cajuns come into this game sky high at 12-1 after winning the Sun Belt Championship game over Appalachian State. Head coach Billy Napier is headed to the University of Florida and his Louisiana players want to make a statement against Marshall. Thundering Herd are 7-5 after finishing third in Conference USA. Freshman RB Rasheen Ali will be highlighted early and often in this game due to scoring 21 TDs in 2021. Over/under on how many times the tv announcers mention that Randy Moss and Chad Pennington are Marshall alumni?

Prediction: Louisiana is currently a 5.0 point favorite and will feed off the home crowd for a 10+ point victory

8. Myrtle Beach Bowl: Old Dominion vs. Tulsa

Mid-afternoon kickoff (2:30 PM EDT) from Brooks Stadium in Conway, SC on 12/20/21. 21,000 seat stadium will host the Monarchs at 6-6 from Conference USA and the 6-6 Golden Hurricane from the American Conference. Old Dominion doesn’t have any quality wins, whereas Tulsa beat Memphis and SMU on the road. Hard to get excited about this game, but Tulsa has two great breweries (American Solera, Heirloom Rustic Ales) if you’re ever passing through town.

Prediction: Tulsa is currently a 9.5 point favorite and will win this game easily

7. Potato Bowl: Kent State vs. Wyoming

Late afternoon kickoff (3:30 PM EDT) from Albertsons Stadium in Boise, ID on 12/21/21. Don’t adjust your television set, the field is supposed to be blue turf due to playing at Boise State’s home stadium. Golden Flashes are 7-6 and lost the MAC Championship Game to Northern Illinois. Toledo wear uniforms that look like bad Los Angeles Chargers knock offs. Cowboys had a bounce back season in the Mountain West at 6-6 and their fan base is probably ecstatic to travel to the warm weather in Boise during the holidays. Quality wins over Northern Illinois and Utah State shows that the Pokes can still move them chains when it matters.

Prediction: Kent State is currently a 3.0 point underdog and will win by 4 points

6. Frisco Bowl: UTSA vs. San Diego State

Primetime kickoff (7:30 PM EDT) from Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX on 12/21/21. Great matchup of the 12-1 Conference USA Champion Roadrunners vs. the 11-2 Aztecs of the Mountain West Conference. UTSA has climbed the Top 25 rankings due to hard work and buying into the 210 Triangle of Toughness motto from head coach Jeff Traylor. San Diego State has revived Brady Hoke’s coaching career due to focusing on defense and special teams. First Team All-American Punter Matt Araiza is worth watching every time he’s on the field to see if he can kick the ball 70-80 yards. Aztecs have trouble slowing down teams with top notch passing attacks. UTSA QB Frank Harris throws the ball all over the field to a six deep WR corps. Must watch game for 60 minutes due to momentum swings, field position and stout defenses.

Prediction: UTSA is currently a 2.0 point favorite and will win by 7 points

5. Armed Forces Bowl: Missouri vs. Army

Primetime kickoff (8:00 PM EDT) from Amon Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, TX on 12/22/21. Missouri had a quiet season in the SEC at 6-6, but did beat Florida in Week 12. Senior RB Tyler Badie will be showcased by the Tigers during this game, due to running for 1604 yards and 14 TDs. Army had an impressive season at 8-4 and played a memorable game against Wake Forest in Week 7, losing 70-56. Black Knights are a running team with a stable of players that goes ten deep. Missouri will try to throw the ball all over the field. Army will lull the Tigers to sleep by pounding the DL with interior running play after interior running play.

Prediction: Army is currently a 4.0 point favorite and will win by 3 points

4. Frisco Football Classic Bowl: North Texas vs. Miami (OH)

Late afternoon kickoff (3:30 PM EDT) from Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX on 12/23/21. Mean Green started the 2021 season at 1-6, before rebounding with a five game winning streak to reach 6-6. Quality win by knocking UTSA from the unbeaten ranks in Week 13 (45-23). North Texas’ home football stadium has unique exterior architecture when driving the outskirts of Denton, TX on I-35. Red Hawks are 6-6 and finished fifth in the MAC. Keep an eye on the silent chemistry that QB Brett Gabbert and WR Jack Sorenson have for Miami (OH). That duo dialed in their offense for 69 receptions, 1290 receiving yards and 10 TDs. Always thought the Redhawks were only a college hockey powerhouse.

Prediction: North Texas is currently a 3.0 point underdog and will win by 10+ points

3. Gasparilla Bowl: UCF vs. Florida

Primetime kickoff (7:00 PM EDT) from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL on 12/23/21. New head coach Guz Malzhan led the Knights to an 8-4 record and third place in the American Conference. Highlighted with a Week 1 come from behind victory over Boise State (36-31). Gators started the season 4-2 and then stumbled badly to finish 6-6. Almost lost to Samford at home in Week 11 (70-52), which led to head coach Dan Mullen being fired. Billy Napier from Louisiana takes the reins in 2022. Florida players are too selfish and not disciplined enough to stay competitive in this game.

Prediction: UCF is currently a 6.5 point underdog and will win by 3 points

2. Hawaii Bowl: Memphis vs. Hawaii

Primetime kickoff (8:00 PM EDT) from Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu, HI on 12/24/21. Tigers ended the season at 6-6 and seventh place in the American Conference. Quality wins over Mississippi State and SMU, led defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre to be hired as the new head coach at Florida International. Rainbow Warriors are the only team to qualify for a bowl game with a losing season record at 6-7. One quality win over Fresno State (27-24) in Week 6. Finished eighth in the Mountain West Conference and gladly hosts the Hawaii Bowl for the eleventh time in school history.

Prediction: Memphis is currently a 7.5 point favorite and will win by 14+ points

1. Camellia Bowl: Georgia State vs. Ball State

Afternoon kickoff (2:30 PM EDT) from the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, AL on 12/25/21. Panthers roll into this game at 7-5 and finished third in the Sun Belt Conference. Huge quality win on the road at Coastal Carolina in Week 12 (42-40). Georgia State’s offense focuses on running the ball with Tucker Gregg and Jamyest Williams (1709 rushing yards and 18 TDs combined). Ball State is typically known for men’s basketball and having David Letterman as an alumni. Cardinals finished 6-6 and sixth in the MAC. Two good wins over Army and Western Michigan and a one point loss to Northern Illinois highlighted their season. Keep an eye on senior LB Jaylin Thomas, with 106 tackles and 4 interceptions for the season. He’s got a chance to have his named called during the 2022 NFL Draft.

Prediction: Ball State is currently a 4.5 point underdog and will grind out a 4 point win

Same bat time, same bat channel in two weeks. I’ll review the results of College Football Exciting Bowl Games Part I and try again with Bowl Games Part II on 12/27/21.

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