Bowl games preview, pt. 2 (why am I doing this?)

Hey, it turns out writing for "fun" isn't much fun. No idea why I chose to do these previews but since I started, I'll muddle through the rest of the games.  I have a much better appreciation for people who do this for a living.  Also, this is the first weekend since early September without college football except for Army/Navy, so I've got some free time. Here's the next 10.

December 24th

Middle Tennessee vs. Western Michigan    Bahamas Bowl, Nassau 12ET

No better way to start your Christmas holiday than with two teams you don't care about.  Take heart, last year's Bahamas Bowl was one of the best games of the bowl season with a furious five TD comeback by Central Michigan that included a hook and lateral play. The Chips wound up losing though.

Popeye's chicken is the sponsor here, so that's a plus. I advocate skipping cooking and just go all in with Popeye's for the Christmas feast. This is their newest menu item - what does that even mean beside being delicious?

Western gave MSU a good game in the season opener and their coach is obsessed with rowing so I'll go with the Broncos.

Cincinnati vs. San Diego State     Hawaii Bowl, Honolulu   8pm ET

See, here's my problem, I just wasted 10 minutes writing that Bahamas Bowl post because I was distracted by thinking about Popeye's.

UC's defense is awful, just like last year.  The Aztecs have a potent running game and should make it a long day for the Bearcats.  At least this Christmas Eve game has some meaning for those of us who live in Cincinnati.  I'm surprised boy #1 hasn't asked for money to go the game.

Go with SDSU here.

December 26th

Marshall vs. Connecticut      St. Petersburg Bowl, Tampa, 11am ET

I've stated this many times, why are there no games played on Christmas Day?  There are six games on the 26th - they could play this stinker right around 3pm, when guys have had enough family time. It's not like the players aren't at the bowl site already.  Come on bowl committee, get your crap together and give us Christmas Day games!!  Hell, Marshall's uniforms are Christmas green.

Man, those are ugly. Go with Marshall, UConn can't score.

Miami vs. Washington State    Sun Bowl, El Paso, 2pm ET

Mark Richt is out at Georgia and in as the new Miami coach.  He'll watch from the box, probably popping in to say "Hi" to Verne and Gary in the CBS booth at some point.  This should be a pretty good match up.

I think I like Miami here. Could change.

Washington vs. Southern Miss     Heart of Dallas Bowl, Dallas, 2:20pm ET

This is when BowlQuest gets tricky, multiple games.  Will probably need one of the boys to give this one a watch.  Washington's defense will be too much for Southern Miss.  Take the Huskies.

Duke vs. Indiana     Pinstripe Bowl, New York City, 3pm ET

Indiana may be the best 6-6 team in bowl season. They were a play or two away from beating Ohio State and Michigan.  That's college football, one play can swing your season, right Michigan?

Hoosiers running back Jordan Howard will be the difference here, go with IU.

Virginia Tech vs. Tulsa     Independence Bowl, Shreveport, LA 5:45pm ET

Gah, so many games.  Outgoing coaching legend Frank Beamer must dance one more time.

I had to sit through a 30-second Bud Light "team can" ad to get this video. Does anyone really care that a can of crappy Bud Light has your favorite NFL team's colors?  They go in the trash or the recycling bin just like the regular ones. At least I hope they do. Anyhow, VT has to win this one for the retiring Beamer.  Take the Hokies.

UCLA vs. Nebraska    Foster Farms Bowl, Santa Clara, CA 9:15pm ET

I hate Nebraska, go Bruins. The Huskers don't belong in a bowl game with a 5-7 record that should actually be 4-8 but they were gifted the game against MSU. Take UCLA.

If I watch all six games this day I'll have sat through bowl games for more than 12 hours.  Come on, man - move one or two of these to Christmas Day please.

December 27th - no games, because the NFL.

December 28th

Pittsburgh vs. No. 21 Navy    Military Bowl, Annapolis, MD  2:30pm ET

I'm looking forward to this game.  Pat Narduzzi has done a nice job in his first year at Pitt, especially without running back John Conner. Navy had a very good season behind senior quarterback Keenan Reynolds. This is a home game for the Midshipmen.  Take Navy here.  Check out these badass helmets Navy is wearing for the Army/Navy game.

Central Michigan vs. Minnesota    Quick Lane Bowl, Detroit, 5:30pm ET

Another garbage Big 10 team with a 5-7 record that should have been 6-6 if they had any idea how to run goal line plays in their game against Michigan. CMU's quarterback Cooper Rush gave Michigan State fits, he'll be the difference.  Take the Chips.