On to the next 10 games
December 29th
Air Force vs. California Armed Forces Bowl, Fort Worth, TX 2:30p ET
Tough season for Cal, starting 5-0 but losing five of their last seven games. With all the coaching changes, the Bears have opted to stick with Sonny Dykes instead of starting over. Air Force runs a triple option offense that gave Michigan State fits. This should be a good game and Air Force always wears cool helmets.
No. 10 North Carolina vs. No. 17 Baylor Russell Athletic Bowl, Orlando, FL, 5:30pm
Finally, a game with two ranked teams.
Baylor was hoping to be part of the playoff but they ran out of quarterbacks. Seriously, all of them. They used a wide receiver at QB in their last game against Texas. If they can get their starter back in time for this game they'll be favored. North Carolina is good but doesn't have the horses if Baylor is close to full strength.
Take Baylor, but only if their starting QB plays.
Nevada vs. Colorado State Arizona Bowl, Tucson, AZ, 7:30pm ET
**Update - this game is not on TV! Thanks to BowlQuest reader for the heads up. This game is only on CampusInsiders.com.
What's that you say, aren't Nevada and Colorado State in the same conference? (Well, you probably didn't say that or even realize it, but they are.) I'm not sure if it's worse that teams with 5-7 records are playing in bowl games or two teams from the same conference are in a game. Or there is a game so bland it's just called the Arizona Bowl.
There were some worries that this game wouldn't be played unless they found sponsorship. Maybe it would have been best to let it go but Nova Home Loans stepped in. Dori from Gig Harbor, Washington is not happy with Nova per her Yelp review.
"They are pure evil. They will lie to your face while smiling. They go so far as to call upon "God" and "Family" in order to suck you in. "You have my word as a Christian and a FAMILY MAN" were statements repeated as assurances that they were above-board and trustworthy. They made promises that were NEVER delivered, and charged hidden fees that we will never be able to recoup. They promised a well-earned, $8,000 commission to the friend who originated the loan and referred us to them, and SCREWED HER by giving her exactly NOTHING."
Take Colorado State here. And get Dori a new lender, ouch.
TV note: I've switched from the Sinatra documentary to the Dallas Christmas Parade. Just like watching bowl games, I like watching parades. They're dumb, serve no real purpose but I love them. This one is hosted by former Cincinnati weatherman Pete Delkus.
Pete used to do the weather for my station Mojo 94.9 before leaving for Dallas. Must be doing pretty well there. He was fond of a solid 60 second forecast. That's a lot of weather.
No. 20 LSU vs. Texas Tech Texas Bowl, Houston, TX 9pm ET
If you missed Tigers running back Leonard Fournette this season, catch this one. Texas Tech has one of the worst rushing defenses so Fournette should rumble. There was all kinds of dumb drama over whether or not LSU was going to fire head coach Les Miles - lose this game and they may regret not making a change.
I'll take LSU in a laugher here.
December 30th
Memphis vs. Auburn Birmingham Bowl, Birmingham, AL Noon ET
Auburn has to be the most disappointing team this season. They were the preseason pick to win the SEC West and go the playoff. Memphis has quarterback Paxton Lynch, who could be the first QB taken in the NFL draft. Go with the Tigers here. Ha, see what I did there, they're both the Tigers. Memphis is the pick.
Mississippi St. vs. North Carolina St. Belk Bowl, Charlotte, NC 3:30pm ET
"Belk you, Belk you very much!" What else are you going to be doing on this vacation day at 3:30 other than killing a few hours watching this game and hearing the incessant clanging of cowbells by Mississippi State fans.
This game should be high scoring with two good quarterbacks. I like Dak Prescott to take the Bulldogs to the win. CLANGA CLANGA!
Louisville vs. Texas A&M Music City Bowl, Nashville, TN 7pm ET
Add the Aggies to the disappointing teams for 2015. The Cardinals started 0-3 but won five of their last six. Take the surging Cardinals. This is kind of a "who cares" game after having Notre Dame and LSU in Nashville last year.
Wisconsin vs. No. 25 Southern Cal Holiday Bowl, San Diego, 10:30pm ET
Damn, there it is, the 10:30pm game.
Southern Cal was a soap opera all season with the early season firing of head coach Steve Sarkisian because of his drinking problem. Too bad because the Trojans are loaded with talent and were one of my picks to be in the playoff.
Wisconsin is not loaded with talent, especially at quarterback. They didn't beat a single ranked team this season. The Badgers still play well on defense, they just can't score and probably won't much in this game. Go with USC.
December 31st
No. 18 Houston vs. No. 9 Florida State Peach Bowl, Atlanta, Noon, ET
One of the teams from last year's playoff, Florida State was quietly having a very good season until this happened.
I have had to sit through the damn Bud Light ad now for the third time. I do love the line, "What a time to be alive" in that video. So yeah, the FSU season went down the tubes. Too bad, we're tired of the Noles. A lot of websites are picking Houston to win. I don't see that. FSU has running back Dalvin Cook and he'll be the difference.
No. 1 Clemson vs. No. 4 Oklahoma Playoff Semifinal - Orange Bowl, Miami, FL 4pm ET
It seems weird that this game will be played at 4:00 on a Thursday afternoon but that's how the playoff works, the six major bowl games on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. No one's working anyhow but it certainly would make more sense to play this game and the Cotton Bowl on January 2nd. If you were wondering why these games are on Dec. 31st, the Rose Bowl refuses to move to December 31st.
This should be a great match up that should make you forget the beating Clemson put on Oklahoma in the Russell Athletic Bowl last year. Two very good quarterbacks should mean quite a bit of scoring. I've got to go with No.1 here, Clemson.
Hey, look it's Santa in Dallas. Going to watch the Army/Navy game now.
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