Yesterday: 1-1
Navy 44, Pitt 25, L
Minnesota 21, Central Michigan 14, W
Overall: 13-7
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
California (7-5 overall, 4-5 Pac-12) vs. Air Force
(8-5, 6-2 Mountain West)
Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Tx. (50,000)
1 PM CT/2 PM ET
ESPN
Talent: Dave Flemming, Mike Bellotti, Allison Williams
Stripes: SEC, Matt Loeffler
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 44 degrees, 0% rain, Wind E 7 MPH
Line: Cal by 6 1/2
After watching Navy dismantle Pitt yesterday, I like the triple option of the Academy to play well in Fort Worth. Running back Jacobi Owens, who rushed for 1,038 yards and 6 TDs this season, and quarterback Karson Roberts, who rushed for 674 yards and nine TDs, should have big days and have a big part in the Falcons getting the job done in a close and exciting contest.
Air Force 35, Cal 31
Russell Athletic Bowl
Baylor (8-3, 6-3 Big 12) vs North Carolina (11-2,
8-0 ACC Lost to Clemson in ACC Championship
game, 45-37)
Florida Citrus Bowl, Orlando (70,000)
4:30 PM CT/5:30 PM ET
ESPN
Mike Patrick, Ed Cunningham, Dr. Jerry Punch
Laundry: Big Ten, John O'Neill
Weather: 83, Partly cloudy, 0% rain, wind SE 4 MPH
Line: UNC by 3 1/2
If all things were equal in this game, I would definitely go with Baylor. But Baylor's two starting quarterbacks are injured and out, their best running back, Shock Linwood, 1,329 yards and 10 TDs, is out with an injury, and their leading wide receiver, Corey Coleman, who caught 74 passes for 1,363 yards and 20 TDs, is also out with an injury. It's going to be tough for Baylor, though Art Briles will do everything he can to keep this a really competitive game and give his team the chance to win. He's an excellent coach. UNC has a lot of talent on offense though, and I just don't believe Baylor can keep up with all the injuries they have on offense right now. Expect running back Elijah Hood, who ran for 1,345 yards and 17 TDs, and quarterback Marquise Williams, who threw for 21 TDs and ran for 867 yards and 11 more TDs, to have good games and for UNC to finish a terrific season with a 12-2 mark. Should be an entertaining game because Art Briles will figure out ways to put points on the board for his team, too.
North Carolina 35, Baylor 31
Nova Homes Loans Arizona Bowl
Colorado State (7-5, 5-3 Mountain West) vs.
Nevada (6-6, 4-4 Mountain West)
Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Zona (57,400)
6:30 PM CT/7:30 PM ET
American Sports Network ( DirecTV, Channel 640, Charter, Channel #02 WABM)
Ron Thulin, Doug Chapman, Shae Peppler, Monica McNutt
Stripes: American Athletic, Tracy Jones
Weather: Sunny, 50, 0% rain, wind, NW 6 MPH
Line: Colorado State by 3
Nevada has two 1,000 yard rushers in James Butler, who rushed for 1,153 yards and 8 TDs , and Don Jackson, who rushed for 1,029 yards and 8 TDs also. But looking at the schedules, I like Colorado State's resume a little better.
Colorado State 34, Nevada 30
Advocare V100 Texas Bowl
No. 20 LSU (8-3, 5-3 SEC) vs. Texas Tech (7-5, 4-
5 Big 12)
NRG Stadium, Houston (71,795)
8 PM CT/9 PM ET
ESPN
Tess, Jess, Dave, Maria
Stripes: Pac-12, Land Clark
Weather: fine, basically indoors, roof covers most of field.
Line: LSU by 7
Leonard Fournette goes off. He ran for 1,741 yards and 18 TDs this season and this ain't Alabama playing defense. Texas Tech will put up some points though.
LSU 48, Texas Tech 38
Tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec. 30th
Birmingham Bowl
Auburn vs. Memphis
11 AM CT/Noon ET, ESPN
Belk Bowl
NC State vs. Mississippi State
2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET, ESPN
Music City Bowl
Texas A&M vs. Louisville
6 PM CT/7 PM ET, ESPN
Holiday Bowl
USC vs. Wisconsin
9:3o PM CT/10:30 PM ET, ESPN