Five bowls on the docket today in what promises to be an epic postseason capped off by the New Year's Six Bowls and, especially, the College Football Playoff games pitting the No.2 Alabama Crimson Tide (12-1) and Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry squaring off against the No.3 Michigan State Spartans (12-1) in the Cotton Bowl (7 PM CT/8PM ET, ESPN), and No.1 Clemson (13-0) versus No.4 Oklahoma (12-1) in the Orange Bowl (3 PM CT/4 PM ET, ESPN) on New Year's Eve, Thursday, December 31st.
Record
Championship Saturday, two weeks ago: 8-0
Overall: 209-63 (77%)
Bowls last year: 21-15 (58%)
Here's a look at today's action. Will be exciting.
Gildan New Mexico Bowl
New Mexico (7-5 overall, 5-3 Mountain West) vs.Arizona (6-6 overall, 3-6 Pac-12)
University Stadium, Albuquerque, New Mexico (39,370)
1 PM CT/2 PM ET
ESPN
Talent: Eamon McAnaney, Rocky Boiman, Laura Rutledge
Stripes: Mid American Conference, Larry Smith head ref
Weather: Kickoff, 47 degrees, partly cloudy, wind S 4 MPH, 0% rain throughout game
Line: 'Zona by 8
Breakdown:
A good matchup in the Southwest. Kind of a Border War game between these two teams. New Mexico does have the home field advantage and an outstanding running game as they average 246 yards on the ground this season. The running game is led by super fast running back Jhurrel Pressley, who has rushed for 846 yards on 135 carries (6.3 ypc), with 11 TDs. Tenyon Gibson is also lightning fast at running back. He's another take it to the house guy for the Lobos. He has rushed for 766 yards on 132 carries (5.8) for 6 TDs. Quarterback Lamar Jordan has rushed for 672 yards and six scores and completes 53.2% of his passes going 58-of-109 for 935 yards, 4 TDs and six ints. The Lobos really rely heavily on the running game to move the sticks and generate sevens. The Lobos defense is led by middle linebacker Dakota Cox who has posted 89 tackles on the season, with 11 for loss of -29 yards and 5 sacks for -17. Cornerback Cranston Jones and free safety Markel Byrd lead the defense in interceptions with three apiece.
The Wildcats are coming off a disappointing season for them that was crippled by some key injuries that included all-star linebacker Scooby Wright, quarterback Anu Solomon and running back Nick Wilson. Wright and Solomon are back for the bowl game, and Wilson is most likely playing, too. Wright only played in two games this season, so his presence on the defense will be felt even if he's a little rusty. The 'Zona defense is led in tackles by combo linebacker/safety Will Parks, who's registered 72 tackles on the season, and 6.5 for loss of -17 yards. In 10 games this season, Solomon has completed 192-of-306 passes for 2,338 yards, 18 TDs and four ints. Pretty outstanding numbers. Wilson has rushed for 725 yards and eight TDs in nine games, and the backup quarterback Jerrard Randall has rushed for 702 yards and five TDs. Backup running back Jared Baker has rushed for 691 yards and 6 TDs. Wide out Cayleb Jones leads the Wildcats in receptions with 51 for 722 yards and four TDs. Johnny Jackson has added 50 receptions for 612 yards and five TDs, and Nate Phillips has caught 41 passes for 546 yards and four TDs. David Richards also has 41 receptions for 514 yards and five TDs.
Final Analysis
This should be an exciting offensive shootout with both teams having explosive running games and game changers on offense. New Mexico will give 'Zona everything they want, but Solomon and company will squeak it out.
Arizona 35, New Mexico 31
Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl
BYU (9-3, Independent) vs. Utah (9-3, 6-3, Pac-12)
Sam Boyd Stadium, Vegas (40,000)
2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET
ABC
Brent, Jess, Maria
Whistles: Mid-American Conference, Mark Kluzynski, head guy
Weather: 54 sunny @ kickoff, 0% rain for game, wind ESE 8 MPH
Line: Utah by 2 1/2
Breakdown
BYU Coach Bronco Mendenhall is leaving the program after 11 years to take the job at Virginia. That's a good hire for UVA; Mendanhall is a solid coach. It'll be interesting to see how the Cougars handle Mendenhall's last game at the helm. Freshman quarterback Tanner Mangum had an excellent year completing 242-of-390 passes (62%) for 3,062 yards, 21 TDs, and seven ints. Tailback Algernon Brown rushed for 697 yards and 11 TDs. Mitch Matthews is a tall, rangy receiver at 6'6", and the key target for Mangum, as he caught 52 passes for 729 yards and 11 TDs. Michael Wadsworth is the Cougars leading tackler with 79 on the season. Defensive end Bronson Kaufusi had a huge year recording 17 tackles for loss of -82 yards and 11 sacks for -71 yards. Safety Kai Nacua intercepted six passes on the season, two for house calls. BYU started off the season knocking off Nebraska, 33-28, on a Hail Mary on the last play of the game at Nebraska and then beat Boise State, 35-24, with some late game heroics as well. They lost to UCLA, 24-23, the third game of the season at UCLA, then got rocked by Michigan at the Big House, 31-0, but came back and won seven of their last eight. They should be pumped up to play their in-state rival.
Utah looked like one of the best teams in the country halfway through the season. The Utes beat Michigan to open up the season, 24-17, and crushed Oregon at Eugene, 62-20, the fourth game of the season that put them firmly in the discussion for the playoff. After beating Arizona State at home, 34-18, in game six to move to 6-0, they lost at USC, 42-24, and lost to Arizona at 'Zona, 37-30, in two overtimes, and UCLA, 17-9, at home. They finished off the year beating Colorado, 20-14, to cap off another solid season under Coach Kyle Whittingham. The tough news for Utah is they lost their top player, running back Devontae Booker, to a knee injury after the 10th game of the season. Booker had rushed for 1,261 yards and 11 TDs and looked like one of the best backs in the country with a bright future on the next level. That could still very well happen, but for now, he's on the shelf in this game. Joe Williams will take over duties at RB. In nine games, Williams rushed for 386 yards and 1 score. Quarterback Travis Wilson may have to carry a lot of the load in this game and he's highly capable. Wilson rushed for 467 yards and six TDs, and completed 186-of-298 passes (62%) for 2,024 yards, 13 TDs against 10 ints. He can struggle with accuracy at times, so the Utes O line will have to protect him against a fierce pass rushing team so he isn't forced to make a bad decision and throw an int to the opportunistic BYU secondary. Wide receiver Britain Covey has caught 41 passes for 518 yards and four TDs, and wide out Kenneth Scott has caught 38 passes for 448 and four TDs.
The Utes have a pretty tough defense as well led by linebacker Paul Gionni who finished the season posting 109 tackles, 12.5 for loss of -42 yards, three sacks, and four ints. Utah had 86 tackles for loss of -343 yards. Defensive end Jason Fanaika led the way with 9.5 for -38. On the other side, defensive end Kylie Fitts led the defense with six sacks for-43 yards. Free safety Marcus Williams led the team with five interceptions for 88 yards.
Final Analysis
This should be a stellar game. BYU could be playing with a lot of passion for their coach who will be leaving them after the game. Or they could be disappointed in him and not play with as much passion. Knowing BYU, it'll most likely be the former. But Whittingham has established a tough, hard-nosed, sold football program in Salt Lake City. Like the Utes to get the job done here, but not by much, and in a classic.
Utah 31, BYU 30
Raycom Media Camellia Bowl
Appalachian State (10-2, 7-1 Sun Belt Conference) vs. Ohio (8-4, 5-3 Mid American Conference)
Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, Al. (25,000)
4:30 PM CT/5:30 PM ET
ESPN
Dave Neal, Anthony Becht, Paul Carcaterra
Whistles: American Athletic Conference, Todd LaPenta
Weather: 53, Sunny, 0% rain throughout game, wind WNW 3 MPH
Line: App State by 7 1/2
Breakdown
App State had a tremendous year in their first year to qualify for a bowl game in FBS play. They are unquestionably led by running back Marcus Cox, who rushed for 1,261 yards and eight TDs, although he was hurt late in the season. But he'll be ready to go late this afternoon in Montgomery. Jalin Moore is a good backup RB who rushed for 635 yards on 86 carries, 7.4 yards a pop, and five TDs. Quarterback Taylor Lamb had a big season for the Mountaineers, completing 157-of-257 passes, 61%, for 2,263 yards, 29 TDs against 8 ints. Wide receiver Simms McElfresh hauled in 33 passes for 424 yards and six TDs. Tight end Barrett Burns caught 12 passes for 131 yards, but six of them were for TDs. On defense, App State ranked 12th nationally in yards allowed per game, and registered four defensive touchdowns, good for seventh in the country. Defensive end Ronald Blair is the Bell Cow of the defense as he posted 18 tackles for loss of 87 yards and 7.5 sacks for -63 yards. Cornerback Latrell Gibbs was a ballhawk with six interceptions for 138 yards including two for TDs. This is a very solid, aggressive unit that can be game changing.
Ohio was solid in the MAC and overall, but they are 2-6 in their last eight bowl appearances missing out last year despite a 7-5 record. They'll have a two quarterback platoon system with Derrius Vick, who completed 158-of-248 passes (64%) for 1,807 yards, 10 TDs and six ints, and J.D. Sprague, who completed 50-of-88 passes (57%) for 789 yards, seven TDs and only one int splitting time under center. A.J. Ouelettte leads the team in rushing. The RB has 642 yards on the season with five TDs. Daz'mond Patterson has rushed for 497 yards and 9 TDs. Wide out Sebastian Smith has 62 receptions for 754 yards and seven TDs. Wide out Jordan Reid registered 45 receptions for 616 yards and five TDs. On defense, middle linebacker Quentin Poling leads the unit with 8.5 tackles for loss of 39 yards, four sacks for -30 yards and three interceptions.
Final Analysis
Ohio is a solid team, but App State with the running game led by Marcus Cox and the quarterback play of Taylor Lamb and a stout defense will be too much for the Bobcats to overcome.
Appalachian State 42, Ohio 28
AutoNation Cure Bowl
Georgia State (6-6, 5-3 Sun Belt) vs. San Jose State (5-7, 4-4 Mountain West)
Florida Citrus Bowl, Orlando (70,000)
6 PM CT/7 PM ET
CBS Sports Network
Carter Blackburn, Aaron Taylor, Jenny Dell
Stripes: C-USA, Steve Lamantia
Weather: 58 degrees, 0% rain, wind NNE 11 MPH
Line: San Jose State by 1
Breakdown
For San Jose State it's about their running back, Tyler Ervin. Ervin ran for 1,469 yards this season and 13 touchdowns averaging 5.6 yards per carry and 122 yards per game. He's their workhorse and he has great speed, so a house call or two from distance wouldn't be a surprise with Ervin. Quarterback Kenny Potter is pretty adept, too, as he completed 172-of-251 passes, 69%, for 1,895 yards and 14 touchdowns against six ints. His favorite target is tight end Billy Freeman who pulled in 47 passes for 581 yards and six TDs. Wide receiver Tim Crawley caught 39 passes for 424 yards and five TDs. The defense is led by outside linebacker Christian Tago, who posted 117 tackles on the season with nine tackled for a loss of 34 yards. Free safety Maurice McKnight added 95 tackles and an interception. Cornerbacks Jimmy Pruitt and Cleveland Wallace each had three interceptions, with each one taking one back for a house call.
Georgia State is led by their quarterback Nick Arbuckle who completed 293-of-457 passes (64%) for 4,160 yards, 26 TDs against 11 ints. Wide receiver Penny Hart led the receiving corps with 70 catches for 1,085 yards (15.5 average) and eight TDs. Wide out Robert Davis added 60 receptions for 979 yards (16.3) and six TDs. And tight end Keith Rucker had 39 receptions for 522 yards and six TDs. The running game isn't that prolific as tailback Glenn Smith led the team in rushing with only 353 yards and one TD. Backup running back Kyler Neal ran for 330 yards and five TDs. Inside linebacker Joseph Peterson leads the defense in tackles with 106, and has 7.5 for loss and two sacks. Strong safety Tarris Batiste added 95 tackles, 6.5 for loss and four interceptions for 56 yards. Linebacker Alonzo McGee led the team in tackles for loss with 12 for -38 yards.
Final Analysis
When it comes down to it, Georgia State relies heavily on the passing game while San Jose State is more balanced and has an outstanding running back in Ervin and a good quarterback in Potter. They also are pretty good at interceptions. So I like Ervin and San Jose State to get the job done in ana explosive offensive game.
San Jose State 38, Georgia State 31
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Arkansas State (9-3, 8-0 Sun Belt) vs. Louisiana Tech (8-4, 6-2 C-USA)
Mercedes-Benz Superdome, N'Awlins (76,468)
8 PM CT/9 PM ET
ESPN
Talent: Adam Amin, Kelly Stouffer, Dr. Jerry Punch
Whistles: American Athletic, Adam Savoie
Line: La Tech by 1
La Tech will be led at quarterback by Florida transfer Jeff Driskel, who's flourished under Coach Skip Holtz completing 255-of-412 passes (62%) for 3,575 yards, and 24 TDs against eight ints. Running back Kenneth Dixon has rushed for 968 yards and 17 TDs. Driskel has added 307 yards on the ground and five TDs. Driskel's top target is wide receiver Trent Taylor, who has pulled in 89 passes for 1,133 yards and eight TDs. Wide out Curtis Henderson has added 35 receptions for 721 yards and five TDs, and wide out Paul Turner has 40 catches for 560 yards and three TDs. Dixon also has five TD catches. On defense, SAM linebacker Beau Fitte leads the defense with 97 tackles with six for loss. He also has two interceptions. Middle linebacker Nick Thomason has posted 76 tackles and leads the defense in tackles for loss with 12.5 for -35 yards. Defensive end Jaylon Ferguson leads the team in sacks with six. Cornerback Bryson Abraham is the defense's leader in interceptions with 3 for 109 yards.
Arkansas State has a workhorse at running back and a stellar signal caller. Tailback Michael Gordon rushed for 1,070 yards this season and nine TDs. Backup Johnston White added 573 yards and 14 sevens. Quarterback Fredi Knighton completed 122-of-223 passes (55%), for 1,698 yards and 19 TDs against 7 ints. His leading receivers are slot back J. D. McKissic, who caught 49 passes for 499 yards and two TDs, and wide receiver Tres Houston, who caught 33 passes for 568 yards and 10 TDs.
On defense, the Red Wolves led the country in forced turnovers with 34, with 26 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries. Strong safety Hunter Money WAS money with three interceptions for 128 yards. Two of those ints Money took back to the house. Middle linebacker Quanterio Heath also had an interception for a score. Defensive end Ja'Von Rolland-Jones has led the team with 12 tackles for loss of -69 yards and posted a team leading 9 sacks for -61 yards.
Final Analysis
This is the 38th meeting between the two teams. La Tech holds a 25-12 advantage with their last encounter in 1998 when La Tech steamrolled the Red Wolves, 69-21. But this is a different Arkansas State team. With a solid running game led by Gordon and a dual threat QB in Knighton, and a super opportunistic defense, I like Arkansas State to finish off the season winning nine games in a row in what should be a fast paced, electric game offensively.
Arkansas State 38, La Tech 35
Coming up Monday
Miami Beach Bowl
Western Kentucky vs. South Florida
Preview and Prediction