It's been a classic bowl season this December with some epics. And it gets even better now.
The buildup to the spectacles coming up started yesterday in the Russell Athletic Bowl when Baylor blasted North Carolina, 49-38, in Orlando, then Leonard Fournette ran all over Texas Tech's defense to the tune of 212 yards, four rushing TDs and one 44 yard receiving TD, as the LSU Bengal Tigers blasted the Red Raiders in the Advocare V100 Bowl in Houston, 56-27.
Now it gets even more interesting with four terrific bowl matchups today on the slate, including three with SEC teams involved, with one of them being the Auburn Tigers.
Here are my top five Power conferences in order heading into the final acts of what has been a riveting bowl season that is about to get more scintillating.
1. SEC: It starts with the Crimson Tide of Alabama and keeps on going. The SEC will prove it in this final four days of the bowl season.
2. Big 12: A really good conference. The Big 12 doesn't play defense like the SEC, but Oklahoma is a high quality team as are Baylor and TCU.
3. Pac-12: Stanford and the teams out on the left coast are excellent clubs. They've shown some metal in the postseason so far going 5-1. USC in action tonight, Stanford New Year's Day against Iowa in the Rose Bowl, Oregon in a terrific matchup with TCU in the Alamo Bowl Saturday, Jan. 2nd, and Arizona State finishing off the regular bowl season against West Virginia in the Cactus Bowl.
4. Big Ten: Somewhat of an overrated conference. Ohio State has been a disappointment even though they've gone 11-1. With the talent they had coming into this season they should have reached the playoff. But some lackluster performances and a loss to Michigan State at home knocked them out. The offensive play calling and some serious head cases on the team cost them the opportunity to be in the playoff. Michigan State is solid, but not great. Michigan is not there yet. Maybe at some point, but Jim Harbaugh has some work to do to get back into the elite company of college football. Iowa is a fine team. Far from great, but pretty good. But they're certainly not an elite team and were totally overrated this year.
5. ACC: They've been getting taken to the woodshed some; see Pittsburgh and North Carolina. This is the least impressive of the Power Five conferences. In the upcoming bowl games, it should show up even more.
Bowl Record: 14-10
Today's games
Birmingham Bowl
Auburn (6-6, 2-6 SEC) vs. Memphis (9-3, 5-2
American Athletic)
Legion Field, B'ham (71,594)
11 AM CT/Noon ET
ESPN
Talent: Beth Mowins, Anthony Becht, Paul Carcaterra
Whistles: ACC, Jeff Heaser
Weather: 56 at kickoff, rain, 90% and 100% at noon CT, but tapering off after that. Wind minimal NNW 2 MPH
Line: AU by 3
When you talk about Memphis, it all starts with quarterback Paxton Lynch. The 6'7", 245 redshirt junior has completed 69% of his passes, 280-of-406 for 3,670 yards, 28 TDs against only three interceptions. He's tough to stop. His receiving corps is led by Mose Frazier, who has caught 66 passes for 750 yards and four TDs, and Anthony Miller, who has hauled in 44 passes for 684 yards and five, 7's. Wide out Tevin Jones has 19 catches for 300 yards and four TDs on top of those other two. Frazier and Miller are 5'11, 190, but Jones is 6'2", 225. They have three other receivers with three TD catches. They like to throw it around with Lynch. The Memphis Tigers leading rusher is Doroland Dorceus, who has rushed for 613 yards on 144 carries, 4.3 average per carry, and eight TDs. Jarvis Cooper and Sam Craft have added five TDs on the ground. Lynch is a pretty decent running quarterback, too. He's only rushed for 240 yards, but he can be difficult to bring down when he's scrambling.
On defense, they are aggressive and like to bring pressure on the quarterback. Mike linebacker Leonard Pegues, a 5'11", 240 pound senior, leads the Tigers in tackles with 65 and has 7 tackles for loss of 22 yards. Sophomore defensive end Christian Johnson, 6'5", 255, has 6.5 tackles for loss of -25 yards. He also leads the team in sacks with 4. Safety Reggie Ball leads the defense in interceptions with 3.
For AU, it'll be about the running game and play action passing. It appears Jeremy Johnson and Sean White will both play though Gus hasn't shown his hand on what he'll do. White sounds healthy, and Johnson actually played a good game in the Iron Bowl, but just didn't get a lot of help from his receivers except for Jason Smith's terrific catch and run for a seven against the Crimson Tide. But it'll be about the running game for the Auburn Tigers today. Peyton Barber rushed for 976 yards and 13 TDs this season. He'll be one of the workhorses. Jovon Robinson will be the other and he's shown signs of his excellent credentials coming out of high school and junior college. He had some really good games towards the end of the season. I expect Jovon to have a good day today on the ground. I look for Kerryon Johnson and Roc Thomas to play big roles and maybe get a house call or two in from distance. Johnson completed 94-of-156 passes, 60%, for 1,043 yards, nine TDs but seven ints. He looked out of sorts at times, but I still actually believe in him. He's a great kid and wants to do well. White completed 75-of-130, 58%, for 1,064 yards, 1 TD and two ints, but I believe in his talent also. Ricardo Louis, who caught 45 passes for 699 yards and three TDs, could help today. So could Marcus Davis, 28-174 1 TD, Melvin Ray, 18-229, 2 TDs, and Jason Smith, 12-192, 1, seven.
***Update*** Gus starting Sean White
On defense, Carl Lawson should be all systems go today, and that will help the defense. He, Montravius Adams and DeVonte Lambert need to get after Lynch and make him uncomfortable throwing the football. Safety Johnathan Ford led the team in tackles with 113 and intercepted two passes. Johnathan is a quality player. Casanova McKinzy, who led the team in tackles for loss with 10 for -45 yards and sacks with 5, needs to also get after Lynch from his defensive end spot. Carlton Davis, Ford and Blake Countess will need to try and turn Lynch over with interceptions.
Final Analysis
Auburn's game plan will be to ground and pound the Memphis defense and contain Lynch on defense. It might be wet for a while, so holding onto the football will be at a premium. The Auburn Tigers will be looking for a new defensive coordinator and could announce as early as Saturday, but today, Lance Thompson will call the defense. The Auburn running game and a recharged spirit in the AU Tiger camp gets it done.
Auburn 35, Memphis 31
Belk Bowl
Mississippi State (8-4, 4-4 SEC) vs. NC State (7-
5, 3-5 ACC)
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C. (73,298)
2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET
ESPN
Clay Matvick, John Congemi, Dawn Davenport
Stripes: Pac-12, Michael Batlin
Weather: 55% chance of scattered T-storms, dissipating through the game, 69 degrees, wind SW & MPH
Line: Mississippi State by 6
This game to me is all about Dak Prescott and his illustrious career in the SEC. It's his final game in college and he wants to go out on top. Dak has completed 67% of his passes this season, 291-of-435 for 3,413 yards, 25 TDs against only four ints. He's also run for 541 yards and 10, sevens. For his career, he's piled up over 9,000 passing yards, 2,500 yards rushing, and over 100 TDs. He's had a stellar career. His favorite targets are Fred Ross and De'Runnya Wilson. Ross is 6'2", 210 and Wilson is 6'5", 215. They are excellent targets. Ross has caught 81 passes for 933 yards and four TDs, and Wilson has added 55 catches for 822 yards and nine, 7's. State's running game is OK after Dak, as Brandon Holloway and Ashton Shumpert have rushed for 372 yards and 201 yards respectively. Holloway averages 4.7 yards per carry and can take it to the house, while Shumpert has more power, but averages only 3.7. Still he's capable of having a good game today.
On defense, the Bulldogs leader is middle linebacker Richie Brown, who is outstanding. The 6'2", 245 Brown has posted 101 tackles on the season with 12 for loss of 54 yards and a team leading 5.5 sacks on the season. He's also intercepted a pass. He's a game changer on defense for the Bullies. Defensive end A.J. Jefferson, 6'3", 277 pounds, leads the team in tackles for loss with 13.5 for -65 yards. Defensive backs Will Redmond, Tavez Calhoun and Brandon Bryant all have two interceptions to lead the Bulldogs, though Redmond is out for the season with injury
For N.C. State, it's also about their quarterback, Jacoby Brissett. Brissett, the transfer from Florida two years ago, has found a home at N.C. State and is making the most of it. He has completed 225-of-367 passes, 61%, for 2,448 yards, and 19 TDs against only four interceptions. Tight end Jaylen Samuels is Brissett's favorite target, as he has caught 64 passes for 599 yards and 7 TDs. They lost starting running back Matt Dayes to a broken toe later in the season and they had dismissed their other star running back Shadrach Thornton earlier in the season. So NC State will have to be creative running the ball. Reggie Gallaspy II rushed for 316 yards and four TDs this season, so he'll be counted on. On the other side of the ball, defensive end Mike Rose leads the team in tackles for loss with 15 for -72 yards, and also leads the team in sacks with 10.5 for -56 yards. Safety Hakim Jones leads the team in interceptions with 2.
Final Analysis
It could be a little sloppy out there and there will probably be some turnovers. The quarterback and skilled players who take care of the ball the best and are effective moving the football, and of course, getting it across the goal line, will win this game. May be more of a defensive game than some expected due to the weather. But I do like some offense too in this game with Dak and Brissett making plays both with their arms and their legs. Can't go against Dak in his last game though.
Mississippi State 31, NC State 24
Music City Bowl
Texas A&M (8-4, 4-4 SEC) vs. Louisville (7-5, 5-
3 ACC)
Nissan Stadium, Nashvegas (69,143)
6 PM CT/7PM ET
ESPN
Tom Hart, Andre, Laura Rutledge
Stripes: Big 12, Alan Eck
Weather: 47 degrees, 0% rain, wind NW 4 MPH
Line: Louisville by 4
Kevin Sumlin lost his two quarterbacks to transfers, Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray. Looks like Murray will go to Oklahoma, while Allen hasn't decided. It was rumored to be Texas, but nothing is definite. Sumlin also had to suspend wide receiver Speedy Noil for this game. Jake Hubenak will start for the Aggies at quarterback. Hubenak only threw 27 passes this season completing 12 for 92 yards, a touchdown and no ints. But he still has superstar wide receiver and punt returner Christain Kirk. The lightning fast Kirk caught 70 passes for 925 yards and six TDs. He's also got Ricky Seals-Jones who caught 42 passes for 542 yards and three, 7's, and Josh Reynolds, who caught 40 passes for 730 yards and five, 7's. Tra Carson is a highly capable running back who ran for 1,059 yards and six TDs. James White is a pretty decent backup. Safety Armani Watts led the team in tackles with 111. Stud defensive end Myles Garrett led the team in tackles for loss with 18.5 for -91 yards and sacks with 11.5 for -16 yards. He'll be a disruptor tonight. Nickelback Donovan Wilson led the team in interceptions this season with five.
Louisville will be led by dual threat quarterback Lamar Jackson, who completed 57% of his passes, 123-of-221 for 1,613 yards, 10 touchdowns but eight ints. He's a really good runner though as he rushed for 734 yards and nine TDs. Running back Brandon Radcliff rushed for 587 and seven TDs. The receiving corps is led by Jamari Staples, who caught 36 passes on the season for 610 yards and three, 7's, and James Quick who added 35 receptions for 551 yards and 5 TDs. Linebacker Keith Kelsey leads the team in tackles with 100, has 12 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Linebacker Devonte Fields leads the team in tackles for loss with 19 for -73 yards and sacks with 7.5. Cornerback Trumaine Washington leads the team in interceptions with four.
Final Analysis
The oddsmakers like Louisville here, but I like the wounded dog factor here with A&M. The Aggies are going to fight with a vengeance and they'll play inspired. I really like Sumlin as a person and firmly believe that he's also a very good football coach. The Aggies get it done in the Music City.
Texas A&M 38, Louisville 35
Holiday Bowl
USC (8-5, 6-3 Pac-12) vs. Wisconsin (9-3, 6-2
BigTen)
Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Cali (71,294)
9:30 PM CT/10:30 PM ET
ESPN
Adam Amin, Kelly Stouffer, Olivia Harlan
Stripes: SEC, John McDaid
Weather: 55 degrees, Clear, 0% rain, wind minimal: NNE 3 MPH
Line: USC by 3 1/2
Cody Kessler, who completed 280-of-414 passes, 68%, for 3315 yards, 28 TDs against only six ints, and running back Ronald Jones, who rushed for 940 yards and eight TDs, have their way with Whisky.
USC 42, Wisconsin 30
Tomorrow: Playoffs? You want to talk about the Playoffs?
It'll be time to.
Playoff Games
Cotton Bowl
Alabama Crimson Tide (12-1) vs
Michigan State Spartans (12-1)
7 PM CT/8 PM ET
ESPN
Chris, Herbie, Heather
Crimson Tide by 10
Will have a lot to discuss on the Crimson Tide's matchup with the Spartans tomorrow morning.
Orange Bowl
Clemson (13-0) vs. Oklahoma (11-1)
3 PM CT/4 PM ET
ESPN
Brad, Todd, Holly
OU by 3 1/2
Will discuss this one in detail as well, maybe not as much as about S, Derrick and the Tide, but will certainly break this one down.
Also: one of the other New Year's Six Bowls
Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl
Houston (12-1) vs. Florida State (10-2)
11 AM CT/Noon ET
ESPN
Dave Pasch, Grease, Luges
FSU by 7