We are 4-2 after last week’s picks. Not to bad, but not great either. There are eight games on this week’ s bowl schedule and we are looking forward to everyone of them. Here are our picks for the week of December 23 through December 29.
SHERATON HAWAII BOWL
Nevada vs. No. 22 Southern Miss
Dec. 24, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Playing in Hawaii where the weather is always good, these two high powered offenses should put on a show as both teams are averaging over 32 points a game. Both offenses are well balanced with great running games to go with solid passing attacks.
MY Pick: Southern Miss. 38 Nevada 31
AdvoCare V100 INDEPENDENCE BOWL
Missouri vs. North Carolina
Dec. 26, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Both teams have identical 7-5 records. Missouri won three straight to end the season, while UNC lost four of its last six. Missouri will be without their star running back sophomore Henry Josey due to a knee injury but Tiger quarterback James Franklin is very capable of carrying the load as he threw for over 2700 yards and 20 TDs while rushing for over 800 yards and 13 touchdowns.
MY Pick: Missouri 28 UNC 19
LITTLE CAESARS BOWL
Western Michigan vs. Purdue
Dec. 27, 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Purdue finished the year on a high note with wins over Ohio State on Nov. 12 and a win over rival Indiana to become bowl eligible. Western Michigan sports a prolific passing attack averaging 342 yards a game through the air. They are led by quarterback Alex Carder, who has thrown 28 touchdown passes and wide reciever Jordan White, with 127 receptions for 1,646 receiving yards and 16 TD’s. Purdue is favored but look for Western Michigan to pull an upset.
MY Pick: Western Michigan 31 Purdue 27
BELK BOWL
Louisville vs. N.C. State
Dec. 27, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Both teams started the season slow (Louisville 2-4 and NC State 2-3) but rallied to become bowl eligible with 7-5 records. Louisville has a solid ground game in running backs Dominique Brown and Victor Anderson, who combined for 960 yards and seven TDs. NC State is led by quarterback Mike Glennon who threw for 2,790 yards and 28 touchdown passes.
MY Pick: N.C. State 24 Louisville 21
MILITARY BOWL
Toledo vs. Air Force
Dec. 28, 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Both teams are averaging over 450 yards total offense. Toledo is averaging 42 points a game while Air Force averages 34 points a game. With it’s triple option attack, Air Force is second in the FBS in rushing at 320.3 yards a contest and is led by quarterback Tim Jefferson, the winningest quarterback in Air Force history. Toledo has a more balanced offense averaging 273 yards a game in the air and 219 yards per game on the ground.
MY Pick: Toledo 28 Air Force 27
BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION HOLIDAY BOWL
California vs. Texas
Dec. 28, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Cal fininshed the year strong winning three of their last four games with their only loss in that stretch coming against Standford. Texas dropped three of it’s last four. Cal is led by quarterback Zack Maynard, 2802 yds passing-17 TDs, and running back Isi Sofele 1270 yds rushing and 9 TDs. The Texas defense ranks 14th in the nation and first in the Big 12 at 315.3 yards at 315.s yards allowed per game. The Longhorns are 11th in the country against the run, giving up 103.7 yards per contest.
MY Pick: California 27 Texas 24
CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL
No. 25 Florida State vs. Notre Dame
Dec. 29, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
The Florida State defense is ranked fourth in the country, allowing just 15 points per game. They are also ranked sixth in total defense, second in rushing defense, and first in punting. Notre Dame wideout Michael Floyd set a single-season school record with 95 receptions while leading the Irish with 1,106 yards and eight TDs. Look for the Seminole defense to dominate in a low scoring game.
MY Pick: Florida State 17 Notre Dame 14
VALERO ALAMO BOWL
Washington vs. No. 15 Baylor
Dec. 29, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
Washington finished the year with losses in three of their last four games and gives up 33 points a game on defense. Baylor’s offense is ranked second in total offense (571 yards per game) and sixth in scoring (43.5 points per game) and is led by Heisman winner quarterback Robert Griffin III. In one of the biggest mismatches of the bowl season look for Baylor to roll.
MY Pick: Baylor 42 Washington 17
*** Disclaimer: I am not a sports expert, I do not know a sports expert, and I don’t play a sports expert on television. So if you use my picks to bet half of your paycheck on said games, you do so at your own risk. I take no responsibility for the actual outcome of any games I try to pick. Friday Picks is just for fun and should be taken it that way.
