The PGA Tour comes back to the mainland in California

La Quinta California hosts the 60th Desert Classic on the PGA Tour this week. It’s been raining a good bit in California, but the rain is supposed to subside tomorrow afternoon and the temperature will be in the low 70’s and sunny Friday through Sunday.

Jon Rahm is the defending champion. He shot 62-67-70-67 to outlast Andrew Landry in a playoff last year. Last week’s winner on tour was Matt Kuchar, who was victorious at the Sony Open in Hawaii shooting -22 to win by 4 shots over Andrew Putnam. Kuchar also won the Mayakoba Classic in early November. He has 15 victories in his career. The 40 year old said after the Sony victory that “40 is the new 20.” It does seem pretty young and it looks like some of the 40 year olds can hang with the young guns on the tour.

The winner 2 weeks ago at the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Maui was Xander Schauffele.

World No.1 Justin Rose is in the field and he’s changed clubs, at least 10 of them. He signed a contract with Honma, a Japanese club manufacturer, to use a “10 club” deal. He will still use his Taylor Made driver and will keep his putter. He’s also got Henrik Stenson’a caddie on his bag as his regular caddie, Mark Fulcher, is having heart surgery. Garreth Lord will be on Rose’s bag. He and Stenson are taking a break from each other. I don’t really get why a No.1 player in the world, who won the Fed Ex Cup in 2018, would switch clubs. The last player to do that was Rory when he switched to Nike Clubs in 2013 and that was disastrous. So I don’t like Rose’s chances this week and I’m not sure he’ll figure it out before Augusta National. It’s a questionable decision.

Jordan Spieth seems like he’s fallen off the edge of the Earth. His game has digressed significantly since his victory at the Open Championship in 2017. Last year at the Open Championship, he seemed on edge, and frankly, arrogant. That attitude continued into the PGA Championship and in the Ryder Cup and it’s gotten him nowhere except below average results. I don’t know what’s cookin in Spieth’s head, but he needs to turn around his attitude if he wants to be successful again. He got married recently so that should help him. He’s got 3 majors, the Masters and U.S. Open in 2015 and the Open Championship in 2017. Needs to get his attitude back together and become a classy guy again like he had been before last season’s meltdown.

The Desert Classic in La Quinta, California starts the California Leg of the tour. Next week the players will be at famed Torrey Pines for the Farmers Insurance Open. Should be a top flight field for that. Jason Day is the defending champion. The TPC Stadium at PGA West course hosts this week. It’s 7,113 yards, and a par 72. It’s a Pete Dye design and features a lot of sand and a lot of water. No.’s 9, 17 and 18 stick out to me.

No.9 is a 452 yard par 4 and the No.1 handicap hole on the course. It’s a slight dogleg left to right. There is trouble off to the left off the tee and a large sand trap on the right. The better play is to favor the left side of the fairway as there is also water on the right. The green is guarded by bunkers to the right and left and in back and there is water to the right. The green breaks back to front and left to right. No. 17 looks very similar to the Island Hole at TPC Sawgrass, home to the Players Championship which will be played in March this year as the PGA Championship will be played in May and the Fed Ex playoffs will finish up at the end of August so as not to conflict with college and pro football. The focus can be on golf for all of the summer months. No.17 is an island hole with water surrounding the green on all sides. You can’t miss right, left, short or long or you’re in the water and staring at a possible double. Could lose the tournament here. No. 18 is the No.2 handicap hole, a 439 yard par 4, that has water on the entire left side of the hole and sand covering the right side. There are 4 sand traps on the right side with one pretty large one the furtherest from the tee. The approach needs to be to the right hand side of the hole with water covering the left side. There is more bail out on the right. The scores are usually low here, but it’s a challenging course that can eat the player’s lunch on some holes if he’s not focused.

Winner

There’s a highly competitive field this week for the tournament. The stars in the tourney are Rose, Phil Mickelson, Zach Johnson and Rahm. It’s a pro-am so they’ll also play the Nicklaus Tournament Course (7,159/72) and La Quinta Country Club course (7,060/72) as well. The players competing on Sunday will be at the Stadium Course though. All 4 of those guys I mentioned above are contenders though I’m not sure how great Rose will be. I’m going to take somebody else though. This guy won here in 2017, and he finished tied for 3rd last week at the Sony shooting a 64 on Sunday. I’ll take the 31 year old from Tallahassee, Florida by way of the University of Georgia.

Hudson Swofford

Like Swofford at Desert Classic (Photo, Zimbio).

Awesome effort by Astra, basketball, baseball, football, women's tennis, men's and women's golf and men's tennis

Astra Sharma fell just a little short at the Australian Open, falling to Greece's Maria Sikkari, 1-6,4-6, in the second round. Still an awesome showing by Astra getting through 3 rounds of qualifying and defeating 3 talented Russian players and winning her first match over Priscilla Hon of Australia in 3 sets. The 23 year old was in her first major and there are a lot of tournaments left which she can do well in and then qualify for the second Slam of the year, the French Open, in May. Awesome stuff from AS. Will keep you posted on her progress. I will talk to Geoff McDonald soon on Astra and his 2019 team, which looks very promising.

Also, basketball in action tonight facing South Carolina, which is 3-0 in SEC play. We’re now 0-3 and 9-7. We need to turn it around starting tonght. 6 PM CT on the SEC Network. We lost a lot when Darius Garland went down with a torn meniscus, losing Darius for the year. But we've got good talent that is still learning to play together and get the chemistry right. Tonight would be a great start to turning this season around. Know Bryce is doing everything possible to get this team to start playing good basketball. He's got 2 signees and a commit for the 2019 class. We have 2, 4 star signees, 6'8" power forward Dylan Disu of Pflugerville, Texas and 6'5" shooting guard Austin Crowley of Wichita, Kansas. Both are having excellent senior seasons. We got a commit from high 3 star Scotty Pippen, THE Scottie Pippen's son. Scotty Jr is a 6'0 point guard and a high 3 star, who could become a 4 star before the season is over. He's a terrific player. So a lot to be optimistic about with most all of our players returning next season. Just need to get it crankin this year. I know with Saben, Simi, Joe Toye, Maxwell Evans, Aaron Nesmith, etc we have the talent to turn it around. Big game tonight. Will have a report tomorrow. Need to get it done at home tonight. Hope we have a big crowd because this team CAN turn it around.

VU baseball looks electric. We are ranked No.1 in the country in the D-1 Baseball preseason poll. We are No.2 by Collegiate Baseball and No.3 by Perfect Game. I don't know about you, but I believe the D1 poll is the most accurate assessment of this team. With Austin Martin, Stephen Scott, Ethan Paul, JJ Bleday, Pat DeMarco, Philip Clarke and many other bats and gloves to go along with a massive amount of arms, there is a lot to be excited about with this baseball team. Interviewing Corbs next Monday. Will have that interview next Tuesday on the blog.

Football signed 19 players in the 2019 class and Coach Mason is looking for more. We got size and athleticism in this class. Very good class to back up an outstanding 2018 class. We also got graduate transfer quarterback Riley Neal from Bowling Green who put up some excellent numbers last season. He'll join the Deuce, Deuce Wallace, who is back, along with talented redshirt freshman Allan Walters and talented incoming freshman Jamil Muhammad in the quarterback competition this spring. We have good options to replace Kyle, who should be drafted in the April NFL draft and should have a very good carer in the National Football League along with Joejuan Williams who declared for the draft after his junior sesaon. We have some other seniors like Jordan Griffin, Dare Odeyinbo, Justin Skule, Bruno Reagan and Josh Smith, who can make it to the next level. So it'll be exciting to watch our guys’ progress.

I like the pieces we have returning for 2019. Ke'Shawn Vaughn is returning. The Mamba is primed for a huge season next year. Jared Pinkney is coming back at tight end, which is huge news. So is Kalija Lipscomb.  Our offense could be electric. Coach Mason will be hiring a new offensive coordinator as Coach Andy Ludwig took the offensive coordinator job at Utah. It’s a great opportunity to open the offense up with so many tremendous athletes. We’ve got the pieces in place to have a good defense on all 3 levels. A lot of good players in the secondary, d line will be stronger. Need to fill Jordan Griffin’s and Josh Smith’s positions at linebacker, but we’ve got talent led by 2018 high 4 star Alston Orji. So 2019 looks riveting for the team. The SEC is not getting any easier, but we’re getting better. Open with Georgia at home, which is tough, but we’ve got a shot with a lot of hard work in the weight room with Coach James Dobson and then in spring and fall drills. Like the team we have returning.

Will have the rundown on our 2019 class coming up in the next week or so. Sorry I’m late getting this out. Been kind of jammed up during the bowl season and NFL playoffs, along with some other stuff. Will get it out soon with complete breakdown of each player.

Also, baseball interview coming up with Corbs, football signee breakdown, interview with Geoff McDonald on his 2019 women’s tennis team, Men’s Golf preview with the great Scott Limbaugh, and Women’s Golf looks very exciting. Will check in on that. Men’s tennis, which looks promising as well, I’ll check in on them. So a lot to discuss.

‘Great effort by Astra, will keep you posted on her progress as she matriculates towards the season’s next slam, the French. Basketball in a key game tonight.

McDonald breaks down Astra's journey and prospects tonight

Astra Sharma will take the court at approximately 8 PM CT to face Maria Sakkari of Greece in the second round of the Australian Open in what promises to be a riveting match between 2 power players. ESPN2 will have coverage, but ESPN+ may be the best bet to watch Astra’s match in its entirety. The match will be played on Show Court 3 in Melbourne.

I caught up with Vanderbilt Women’s Tennis Coach Geoff McDonald and we discussed Astra’s journey to reach this penultimate point in her tennis career so far. Geoff also previewed tonight’s match with Sakkari, the 43rd ranked player in the world. Sakarri is 23, has been on the tour since 2015, and is a powerfully built player. She is a powerlifter. But Astra has strong strokes too and looks to be a more consistent player with her ground strokes. So this should be a classic.

Here’s my interview with Geoff.

DW: Tell me how Astra got to this point.

GM: Astra came into the summer ranked 230 in the world and is now 96. In the first round of qualifying she drew the No.1` seed, Vera Zdonereva of Russia. Vera is 34 and is making a comeback. She made the Wimbledon final at one point in her career. Astra defeated her 6-3, 6-2. Then Astra played another good Russian, Vavara Fink, and defeated her 6-7, 6-2, 6-4. In the final round she faced another Russian and won 5-7, 7-6 (11-9) and 7-6 (12-10). Astra was down 0-1, 1-2, 2-3 and 5-6 in the match and kept fighting back. It was an unbelievable effort.

DW: Astra’s victory over Priscilla Hon in the first round was quite exciting as well. (She won in 3 sets)

GM: Hon is a really good player. Astra was down break point 13 times and won 10 of them. It was an awesome effort.

DW: Tell me about Sakkari, tonight’s opponent?

GM: She is powerful. She could play outside linebacker for the Dores. She’s a power lifter. She hits the cover off the ball. If Astra can mix it up well with her she’s got a shot.

DW: What does this say about Astra and her abilities?

GM: She is such a hard worker and such a charismatic young lady. She just oozes charisma. She’ll have a lot of Australians cheering for her tonight (Astra is a Perth, Australia native). This is huge for her family and for her and the Vanderbilt tennis community. Top players are looking at Astra and see this as a place where they can develop their games and take it to the next level. It’s just awesome stuff for Astra, her family and the Vanderbilt tennis community.

Astra on court 3 tonight around 8 PM. It’ll be sensational watching our dedicated player home in on advancing against a top flight opponent. Here’s Astra’s press conference from Monday after her victory over Priscilla Won.

Astra victorious in first round of Australian Open

Astra Sharma just moved on to the second round of the 2019 tennis season’s first major, the Australian Open, with a 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 victory over fellow Aussie Priscilla Hon.

The 23 year old Perth, Australia native used a powerful first serve clocked around 105 MPH and solid ground strokes to outlast the scrappy Hon in intense heat. It’s in the mid 90’s in Melbourne right now, they are 17 hours ahead and it’s 1:30 PM on Monday in Melbourne right now, and the heat index has to be in the 100’s, but Astra never let up. She looked really energized after winning match point. Superb effort from the former Commodore All-American who was a key piece in our 2015 national championship team.

It’s a testament to Astra and all her hard work, her family, and our great coach, Geoff McDonald’ and his development of Astra, both physically and mentally. What an awesome thing.

Astra now faces the winner of Maria Sakkari of Greece and 22nd seed Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia. Ostepenko won the French Open in 2017 and was a semifinalist at Wimbledon in 2018. Her last 3 finishes at Melbourne are first round in 2016 and 3rd round in 2017 and 2018. But Astra’s game is well suited for these fast hard courts. Like her chances. She’ll face the winner of that match on Wednesday. Will have a time for you when it’s announced. You can watch it on ESPN+.

So awesome stuff from our former All American and amazing student athlete. Will keep you posted on Astra’s next challenge in Australia.

Predictions for the Australian Open

The fortnight in Melbourne Australia for playing of the 107th Australian Open begins tomorrow night at 6 PM CT on ESPN2. ESPN2 will provide coverage for the Open up through the women’s semifinals on Wednesday, January 23rd @ 9 PM CT.

ESPN will cover the men’s first semifinal on Thursday, Jan. 24th at 2:30 AM CT, and the second semifinal on Friday, 1-25 at 2:30 AM CT. ESPN will also carry the women’s final on Saturday, January, 26th at 2:30 AM CT and then will broadcast the men’s final Sunday, 1-27, at 2:30 AM CT.

So who’ll win in Melbourne where temperatures on Monday and Tuesday will be 99 and 93 on Wednesday before cooling off for the rest of the fortnight, at least that is what is predicted. So early rounds will be a battle of endurance, will and survival for the men and women on the hard courts.

I like the way Naomi Osaka defeated Serena in that controversial U.S. Open final last September. She was booed loudly in a classless manner by the New York City fans after her victory over Serena who had exploded during the match at an official who had accused her of looking at her coaching box for coaching. Players have been warned repeatedly about this and Serena was looking at her box, so the call was made. The fans took Serena’s side though she acting very classless and out of control, not becoming of a female tennis player. It was typical Serena bad behavior yet Osaka controlled the emotions and was iron. I really like this 21 year old from Japan to excel on tour this year and in the future. She plays like a younger Serena and could dominate in years to come. But I do like Serena to emerge in the top half of the women’s draw, however I’m picking her to fall in the final to Angelique Kerber of Germany.

Kerber over Serena 7-5, 4-6, 6-3

Sleeper, Osaka

She’s got the strokes to be elite. She has felt a lot of pressure since winning the U.S. but I see her stepping up in Melbourne.

Like Kerber over Serena in Melbourne (Photo, WTA).

Men

On the men’s side, it’s hard to pick against Novak Djokovic. I like Novak to play Roger in the finals on January 27th and hoist his 7th Australian Open title trophy and his 15th all time major. He’s creeping up on Rafa, who has 18, and Fed, who has 20. Fed is 37 years old, and Rafa and Djoker are 31.

Djoker over Federer, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 6-3

Sleeper, Kei Nishikori

I like the 29 year old Japanese player to have a shot. He just won at Brisbane a couple of weeks ago, and is playing really excellent tennis.

Gotta take the Djoker for his 15th Slam title and 7th in Melbourne (Photo, Wikipedia).

Final Review of Monday Night, NFL Divisional Playoffs Previews, Predictions

There were 5 game changing moments for me Monday Night in Clemson’s 44-16 national championship victory over the Crimson Tide.

1. Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell’s 44 yard pick 6 off a Tua Tagovailoa pass on Alabama’s opening offensive possession.

2. Jedrick Willis’s false start when Alabama had the ball 1st and goal at the 1 in the first quarter and the Tide could only get a field goal out of the drive.

3. The failed fake field goal on 4th and 6 in the third quarter which should have been a go for it with Tua and the receivers.

4. Tua getting stopped short of the first down line on a scramble in the 3rd quarter on 4th and 6.

5. And finally, the play call to run Tua around the left side on 4th and goal at the 4 in the 4th quarter.

   It was just Cemson’s night in Santa Clara. Trevor Lawrence, the great Justyn Ross, from Central-Phenix City, Travis Etienne, Tee Higgins, Mitch Hyatt and the offensive line and Christian Wilkins and the defense were not going to be denied. Dabo, defensive coordinator Brent Venables, co offensive coordinators Tony Elliott and Jeff Scott and the entire Clemson coaching staff had a masterful plan and coached a flawless game.

So they need to be applauded. But the Crimson Tide will be back in 2019 with a chip on their shoulder and a lot of talent to go along with that with Tua, who is still a stellar quarterback, Jerry Jeudy, DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, Henry Ruggs III and Irv Smith, he’s a junior but he should be back, an offensive line that will have talent led by Alex Leatherwood and Willis, and a defense that will need to fill some holes up front, but Dylan Moses will return at linebacker and maybe Mac Wilson will return, he’s a junior. The secondary is young led by Deionte Thompson, and there is a lot of young talent, so the Tide should be pretty stout back there next season. The 2019 signing class in No.1 in the country, so talent is coming Tuscaloosa’s way. And S is angry. He found that unacceptable, so the players will be trained extremely hard this winter by Scott Cochran and be ready for the spring.

Vegas already has the Crimson Tide as 1:1 favorites to win it all in 2019. Clemson is 3:1. I like Bama and Clemson in the playoff next season along with Georgia, which has 69 percent of their team as freshmen and sophomores. Ohio State, particularly if Justin Fields is eligible to play, will be right there, along with Oklahoma, which just brought in a 5 star quarterback, and is in the Jalen Hurts sweepstakes among many others including Houston, where Dana Holgerson takes over coming from West Virginia and he’s a coach who knows how to develop quarterbacks even further. TCU is in it. All the Texas schools are maybe not Texas as much as they are set at quarterback for a couple of years. UCLA with Chip Kelly is in the mix, too. So it’ll be interesting to see where Jalen ends up though I know Crimson Tide fans are sorry to see him leave. He’s been an awesome representative of the football program and the university. Class act.

My sleeper teams for the playoff are LSU, with O and Joe back, Florida, Dan Mullen has it cookin in Gainesville, and Texas, coming off their upset of Georgia in the Sugar Bowl and Tom Herman having an excellent team coming back led by quarterback Sam Ellinger.

So 2019 isn’t far away. We’re only 2 1/2 months from spring football cranking up, there’s still some recruiting to be done, and college basketball looks pretty interesting with Alabama, Auburn and UAB fielding good squads. Though the Crimson Tide and Tigers lost last night, they look solid. The Crimson Tide had a tremendous 77-75 victory last Saturday over Kentucky. That tells me this team is for real. A very talented group of players. The awesome Tevin Mack and super freshman point guard Kira Lewis Jr. are key players. Auburn had a tough time last night in Oxford, but the talent is apparent and they’’re right in the SEC and national mix to excel. Jared Harper and Bryce Brown lead a super talented Auburn basketball team. UAB is 2-0 in C-USA and looks like they have a shot to make the NCAA tourney. So great stuff going on this winter and spring.

I know Auburn fans were encouraged by the Tigers’ 63-14 dismantling of Purdue in the Music City Bowl. The Tigers looked great. There’s a lot of talent returning though a quarterback will have to step up in the spring. Redshirt freshman Joey Gatewood, a 6’5”, 235 pound talent, incoming 5 star Bo Nix, and Malik Willis will compete in the spring. Nix is a major talent and Gatewood was a high 4 star out of high school. Those look like the 2 competitors for the starting job. There are some good underclassmen returning and a pretty solid signing class coming in, so the Tigers should be a lot better. Gus will call plays, so that could make a difference as well.

Spectacular 2018 and 2019 looks just as promising. It’ll be here soon. Meanwhile, there’s college basketball, PGA Tour cranking up, the Australian Open coming up in professional tennis, the season’s first Grand Slam event, and the NBA and the NHL which will also be interesting especially when the playoffs crank up. So looking forward to a stellar 2019.

Final Record

Regular Season: 229-72, 76%

Bowls, 21-18

Overall: 250-90, 74%

NFL Divisional Rounds predictions

The National Football League is electric right now with week 2 of the playoffs cranking up on Saturday and continuing into Sunday. Here’s a look at this weekend’s 4 games along with predictions.

Last week: 2-2

Saturday

Indianapolis Colts (11-6) @ Kansas City Chiefs (12-4)

Arrowhead Stadium, 76, 416

3:35 PM CT

NBC

Al, Cris, Michelle

Lead Ref, John Hussey

Chiefs by 5 1/2

I’m really starting to trust Andrew Luck. He completed 19 of 32 passes for 222 yards, 2 TDs against 1 interception last Saturday in the Colts 21-17 upset of the Houston Texans in Houston. I like Luck, receiver T.Y. Hilton, running back Marlon Mack, an awesome offensive line anchored by former Alabama center Ryan Kelly and former Auburn offensive guard and Indy right tackle Braden Smith, and a stellar defense to go into Kansas City and pull off the upset.

Colts 30, Chiefs 27

Like Luck and the Colts to steal it in KC (Photo, SB Nation).

Dallas Cowboys (11-6) @ Los Angeles Rams (13-3)

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, 78,467

7:15 PM CT

FOX

Joe, Troy, Erin, Chris Myers

Laundry, John Parry

Rams by 7

I like Dak, Zeke, Amari and an awesome defense that was 6th in the league in scoring defense at 20.3 to go into LA and upset the Rams. Rams are 20th in the league in scoring defense at 24.5. Like them Cowboys. Jerry moves on to the NFC Championship.

Cowboys 31, Rams 28

Zeke and the Cowboys get the job done in LA (Photo, Wikipedia).

Sunday

Los Angeles Chargers (13-4) @ New England Patriots (11-5)

Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass., 66,829

12:05 PM CT

CBS

Jim, Tony, Trace, Jay

Stripes, Ron Torbert

Patriots by 4

The Patriots are 8-0 at home this season. Like Brady over Philip Rivers. Rivers is 0-7 against Brady lifetime but I look for him to play well and the Pats to barely win.

Patriots 28, Chargers 27

Like Brady (Photo, Business Insider) slightly over Rivers and Chargers (Rivers photo, Draft Sharks).

Philadelphia Eagles (10-7) @ New Orleans Saints (13-3)

Mercedes-Benz Superdome, 74,295

3:40 PM CT

FOX

Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis, Pam Oliver, Pter Schrager

Laundry, Carl Cheffers

Saints by 8

Like the great Drew Brees and the Saints to move on and host the NFC Championship game a week from Sunday in Who Dat Country. Nick Foles is spectacular and the Eagles are resilient and tough defending champions after going into Chicago last Sunday and upsetting the Bears, but I’ll take my chances with Drew and the Saints.

Saints 31, Eagles 27

Going with the man, Brees (Photo, UPI.com).

Alabama-Clemson IV

The No.1 Alabama Crimson Tide and the No.2 Clemson Tigers meet for the 4th time in 4 years with the Tide defeating Clemson in the 2016 National Championship game, 45-40, the Tigers defeating the Tide in the 2017 national title game, 35-31, and the Tide defeating Clemson in the semifinals of the playoffs last season, 24-6. The teams will collide tonight at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, about 50 minutes south of San Francisco. Here’s a look at this classic along with the predicted winner.

No.1 Alabama (14-0) vs. No.2 Clemson (14-0)

Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA. 68,500

7 PM CT

ESPN

Chris, Kirk, Maria, Tom

Whistles, Big Ten, Mike Cannon

Bama by 5 1/2

Coaches

Nicholas Lou Saban

Born: October 31,1951, Fairmont, West VA, 67 years old.

12 years at Alabama

141-20, 88%

8 SEC Championships, 2003,, ‘09, ‘12, ‘14-’16, 2018.

5 National titles at Alabama, 2009, ‘11, ‘12, ‘15, ‘17. 1 national title at LSU, 2003

Bowls, 14-9

CFB Playoff, 6-2

Overall: 232-62-1, 79%

The gold standard for college football coaches in the history of the game. Bear Bryant always has a good argument with his 6 national titles, and I don’t want to compare them really. Both were and are the best of all time. Bear had man terrific teams and years and so has Saban. Saban has a contract through 2025, so there could very well be several more national titles which would cement his legacy as the greatest of all time.

William Christopher “Dabo” Swinney

November 20,1969, Pelham, AL. 49 years old.

11 years at Clemson

115-30, 79%

5 time ACC Champion, 2011, 2015—18

Bowls, 8-5

Playoffs, 4-2

1 National Championship, 2016

If S is the greatest in the game today and maybe of all time, Dabo is second in greatest today. He came in as an interim coach in 2008, and has hung in there and built a juggernaut with his terrific recruiting, his family atmosphere in a place where it’s fun to be a football player, and his development of players along with his coaching acumen. He’s not playing for second place tonight.

The Players

Alabama

Tua Tagovailoa, 223-of-321, 70%, 3,671 yards, 41 TDs, 4 ints. Tua has put on a clinic in 2018 on how to play quarterback in college football, or at any level. He was superb in the Tide’s 45-34 semifinal victory over Oklahoma, completing 24 of 27 passes for 318 yards, 4 TDs and 0 ints. He has 400+ family members coming to the game. My response to that is how is it possible to have that many family members? Wow. For Tua to be here in pretty much peak physical health, after a high ankle sprain in the Georgia game looked ominous going forward, you have to give a major assist to Dr.’s. Lyle Cain and Norman Waldrop, the orthopedists who performed the “tightrope” procedure on Tua’s ankle. It’s an intricate surgery that was invented by Dr. Thomas Clanton of Vail, CO. It’s a procedure in which surgeons slip a high strength suture through small holes in the bone, fasten it with small metal buttons and then tighten it as you would a zip tie (information from SI.com). Pretty intricate and cutting edge procedure by Dr.’s Cain and Waldrop. They deserve a major amount of credit. Tua is healthy and ready to take on the Tigers. The 2 doctors performed the same surgery on Jalen Hurts, Jonah Williams and Ross Pierschbacher as well and their respective recoveries were equally as impressive.

Damien Harris is the Tide’s leading rusher with 819 yards and 9 TDs. But Josh Jacobs may be the Bellcow with 593 yards and 11 TDs. Jacobs rushed for 98 yards against the Sooners. He’s a workhorse and a take it to the house back. Quite a player.

On the perimeter, there are a wealth of weapons. Jerry Jeudy leads the team with 63 receptions for 1,176 yards and 13 TDs. Henry Ruggs III is next with 45 receptions for 738 yards and 11 TDs. The explosive Jaylen Waddle has pulled in 43 passes for 823 yards and 7 TDs and tight end Irv Smith Jr. has 40 receptions for 667 yards and 7 TDs. And the awesome DeVonta Smith adds 36 receptions for 626 yards and 6 TDs.

On defense, outside linebacker Dylan Moses leads the team with 82 tackles, has 10 for loss and 3 1/2 sacks. The great defensive tackle Quinnen Williams has posted 67 tackles, 18 for loss and 8 sacks. He’s the enforcer in the middle of the Crimson Tide defense. The Tide has 14 interceptions on the season led by cornerback Saivion Smith’s 3. Deionte Thompson, Xavier McKinney, Mack Wilson and Shyheim Carter each have 2. Carter has taken 2 back to the house and Smith and McKinney have each taken one int the distance. Defensive end Isaiah Buggs has 13 1/2 tackles for loss and a team leading 9 1/2 sacks. Outside linebacker Christian Miller, who is questionable tonight with a hamstring injury, has 11 TFLs and 8 sacks. So a highly formidable defense. The Crimson Tide is 5th in the country in scoring defense giving up 16.2 points per game.

Clemson

The No.1 high school player in the country in 2018, Trevor Lawrence, has been nothing short of spectacular in his freshman campaign for the Tigers. After becoming the starter in game 5 this season season, taking over from Kelly Bryant, who eventually transferred to Missouri, Lawrence has completed 239 of 366 passes, 65%, for 2,933 yards, 27 TDs against only 4 interceptions. Against Notre Dame in the semifinal, Lawrence was 27 of 39 for 327 yards, 3 TDs and 0 ints. The young guy plays like a fourth year senior. He throws a perfect ball from his front foot and his from back foot.

And he has the weapons around him that make him so effective. Running back Travis Etienne has rushed for 1,573 yards and 22 TDs. He’s a gamebreaker. 6’4” wide receiver Tee Higgins has caught 56 passes for 855 yards and 11 TDs. Amari Rogers has 52 receptions for 540 yards and 4 TDs. Stud freshman Justyn Ross, from Central Phenix City High School in Alabama, is 6’4”, and has 40 receptions for 847 yards and 8 TDs. Ross was superb against Notre Dame catching 6 passes for 148 yards and 2 TDs. And the always reliable and ageless one, Hunter Renfrow, has pulled in 47 passes for 534 yards and 1 TD. He’s a Wes Welker, Danny Amendola receiver for the Tigers. Highly clutch.

On defense, the Tigers will once again be without first round draft pick and 340 pound defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. Lawrence is suspended for this game and was suspended in the Notre Dame game by the NCAA for taking a banned substance. But tackle Christian Wilkins, (13 TFLs, 5 sacks) and ends Clelin Ferrell (18 1/2 TFLs and 11 1/2 sacks) and Austin Bryant (14 TFLs and 8 1/2 sacks) make up a very stout threesome that Ross Pierschbacher, Jonah Williams and company will have to block. Clemson’s leading tackler is linebacker Isaiah Simmons who has 79 on the season with 8 TFLs. The Tigers have posted 12 interceptions on the season with Simmons taking one back to the house for a 27 yard TD.

The Clemson defense is No.1 in the country in scoring defense giving up only 12.9 points per game.

Final analysis and prediction

This is a heavyweight bout for the ages. Ali-Frazuh, Tyson-Holyfield, this game has it all. The lines of scrimmage on both sides will be critically important as you would expect. Can Jonah Williams and the Crimson Tide o line hold up against Clelin Ferrell, Christian Wilkins, Austin Bryant and the vaunted Clemson front 7. Can Clemson’s offensive line led by tackle Mitch Hyatt hold off Quinnen Williams, Isaiah Buggs, Raekwon Davis and company. And how will the teams’ respective secondaries hold up against the potent passing attacks each teams possess. Will Clemson go after talented but young freshman Patrick Surtain II who had a tough night against Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl, and will Alabama take advantage of the Clemson secondary with their superb receivers. Can Travis Etienne get yards and get in the open field and take it to the house for the Tigers. That’ll be tough against the Crimson Tide front 7. Can Jacobs and Harris pound out the yards for the Tide and break explosive plays.

And finally, which quarterback will shine the brightest. Will it be Tua or Trevor.

That’s where I see the Tide having a slight advantage. Tua has the experience in this game and his numbers are all off the charts. So are Trevor’s, but he just doesn’t have the experience that Tua does in this game. I think Tua having his 400+ family members at Levi’s Stadium will be totally amped up. I look for Tua to have a little better game than Trevor and earn the Crimson Tide their 18th national championship all time and 6th under Nick Saban.

Alabama 35, Clemson 31

Predictions for the Wild Card round in the National Football League

Today

AFC

Indianapolis Colts (10-6) vs Houston Texans (11-5)

NRG Stadium, Houston

3:35 PM CT

ABC

I like Deshaun on offense with his awesome receiver DeAndre Hopkins and a solid running game, and J.J. Watt to get the Texans over the Colts and Andrew Luck barely.

Texans 28, Colts 24

NFC

Seattle Seahawks (10-6) vs Dallas Cowboys (10-6)

AT&T ‘Stadium, Dallas

7:15 PM CT

FOX

Going with Dak, Zeka and Amari and a stellar defense to outlast Russell Wilson and the Seahawks.

Them Cowboys 24, Seahawks 21

Sunday

AFC

Los Angeles Chargers (12-4) vs. Baltimore Ravens (10-6)

M&T Stadium, Baltimore

12:05 PM CT

CBS

Give me Philip Rivers over Lamar Jackson here though the Ravens defense will make it tough.

Chargers 24, Ravens 21

NFC

Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) vs. Chicago Bears (12-4)

Soldier Field, Chicago

3:40 PM CT

NBC

Like Khalil Mack, Roquan Smith, and Alabama stud Eddie Jackson and a superb Bears defense to carry the Bears over the top., Mitchell Trubisky and the offense do enough.

Bears 27, Eagles 21

Monday

No.1 Alabama (14-0) vs. No. 2 Clemson (14-0)

National Championship Game Preview and Prediction

2019 rings in 5 stellar bowl games, quick comment on playoff and headsets

Happy New Year to everyone. Hope everybody has a prosperous, enjoyable 2019.

And this year starts off with 5 riveting bowl matchup particularly in the Fiesta, Rose and Sugar Bowls. Here’s a look at the first 5 on the slate for 2019 with an epic coming up next Monday Night in Santa Clara.

Bowls: 19-14

Overall: 248-86, 74%

Today

Outback Bowl

No. 18 Mississippi State (8-4) vs. Iowa (8-4)

Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, 65,890

11 AM CT

ESPN2

Mark Jones, Dusty Dvoracek, Molly McGrath

Laundry, Pac-12, Chris Coyte

State by 7

Nick Fitzgerald caps off a really fine career as a winner in Tampa.

Mississippi State 24, Iowa 14

Playstation Fiesta Bowl

No.11 LSU (9-3) vs. No. 8 UCF (12-0)

State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ., 63,400

12 PM CT

ESPN

Levy, Grease, McShay

Yella Wood, ACC, Stuart Mullins

L-S-U by 7 1/2

UCF has won 25 games in a row. I don’t care who you’re playing, that’s spectacular. But I’m going with my main men, Joe and O. Joe Burrow and Coach O cap off a 10 win season, which should have been 11 if the Matt Austin officiating crew hadn’t royally screwed up the A&M game which LSU won about 4 times before falling in 7 overtimes, 74-72. There was some bad refereeing in that game that cost the Bengal Tigers. LSU prevails here though and with the 4th best recruiting class in the country in 2019, O has it going for next season.

LSU 37, UCF 28

Citrus Bowl

No. 14 Kentucky (9-3) vs. No.12 Penn State (9-3)

Camping World Stadium, Orlando, 65,000

12 PM CT

ABC

Dave Flemming, Brock, Allison

Aladdin, ACC, Riley Johnson

Penn State by 5 1/2

I like a really close game. Benny Snell always gives the Wildcats a shot, and the Wildcats defense has been pretty stout all season. But I’ll take the Nittany Lions barely..

Penn State 24, Kentucky 21

Rose Bowl

No.9 Washington (10-3) vs. No.6 Ohio State (12-1)

Rose Bowl, Pasadena, 92, 542

4 PM CT

ESPN

Chris, Kirk, Maria, Tom

Vogue, SEC, John McDaid

Urb by 6 1/2

Washington is a pretty good team, but Dwayne Haskins and his teammates are going to send Urb out as a winner. But I’m expecting Urb to break a pretty good sweat. The Huskies play good defense.

Ohio State 24, Washington 21

Allstate Sugar Bowl

No. 15 Texas (9-4) vs. No. 5 Georgia (11-2)

Mercedes-Benz Superdome, N’awlins, 74,295

7:45 PM CT

ESPN

Sean, Todd, Holly

SudsnDuds Laundry Mat (that’s in the metro area if you’re interested, our smokers might be), Pac-12, Michael Mothershed

Them Dawgs by 11 1/2

The Dawgs should have been in the playoff despite the 2 losses. They should have played Clemson for the right to play the Crimson Tide. Notre Dame did NOT belong. They never do. They’re not tough enough. Never will be under “Cryin” Brian Kelly. Instead of being not ready to play for this game because of the disappointment of not making the playoff, I like Kirby Smart and his team to be totally focused and kick some tail.

Georgia 45, Texas 24

Playoff thoughts

There has been a lot of discussion over the past 2 years of expanding the playoff from 4 to 8 teams. That’s a bad idea. Making the playoff is a privilege not a right. Since when did we start playing 1st grade softball where everybody gets a trophy. This is college football, you have to earn it. They should keep it at 4 teams forever. Making this exclusive is what makes it special. The best get to play for it all. So if you want to be in the top 4 recruit harder, coach’em up better and have a better game plan throughout the season. This doesn’t apply to Georgia because Georgia should have been in there and Notre Dame didn’t belong. The committee said they’d take the 4 best teams, but lost their courage when it was time to make the decision and gave Clemson a gimme in their playoff game. Clemson is an awesome team, it’s not their fault. But 4 teams belong in the playoff and that should be the law from now on. And they need to pick the 4 BEST teams, an undefeated team that played against a totally soft schedule and didn’t have to play a conference championship game.

The 4 best teams belong in the playoff and 4 should be the number. It’s called competition. It’s the true spirit of competition when there are 4 teams and it should always remain that way.

Headsets

The over-under for headset breakage next Monday Night is 2.

Ohio State by 6 1/2

Early Preview of the National Championship game, New Year's Eve predictions

The Crimson Tide defeated Oklahoma 45-34 and Clemson crushed an overmatched Notre Dame team that shouldn’t have been in the playoff, 30-3, it should have been Georgia, to set up a classic national championship game as the Crimson Tide and the Tigers meet for the third time in the national title game and fourth time in the playoff with the Tide holding a 2-1 advantage. They’ll square off a week from today at 7 PM CT in Santa Clara, California 45 miles south of San Francisco on ESPN in the CFB National Championship game.

It’ll be the great Tua versus a super freshman quarterback in Trevor Lawrence. The offensive and defensive lines on both sides could determine this outcome, as the Clemson o line will be tested by the rugged Alabama front and the Alabama o line will be tested by an equally solid Clemson front line on defense. It could ultimately come down to quarterback play though as it does many times. Tua does have the experience of a national championship game and it was a memorable one as he lead his team back from a 13-0 deficit and threw a game winning 45 yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith in overtime to catapult the Tide over Georgia 26-23 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium last January. But Lawrence plays like a redshirt senior. I’ve never seen a quarterback so accurate throwing off his back foot. That’s not how they teach it, but he can throw it using the right form and he can hum it using the wrong form. The guy’s a stud, too. The secondaries for both teams will be tested mightily and rushing the passer for both teams will be at a premium. The difference between Lawrence and Kyler Murray is Lawrence has pretty average running ability. He can run a little bit, but he’s not exceptional. He’s OK with his legs. Tua can run if necessary and is a better runner than Lawrence. The weather in Cali will be probably mid 60’s to low 60’s at game time so fatigue won’t play a role like it did in the Orange Bowl. Chasing Kyler Murray in 84 temperature that feels in the 90’s is no picnic. But Lawrence has a pretty quick delivery and excellent receivers so Deointe Thompson and the secondary will be tested. Alabama will certainly test the Clemson secondary with Tua’s arsenal on the perimeter, DeVonta Smith, Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and Jaylen Waddle. And the Crimson Tide has the better backup quarterback option if Tua gets hurt. My wife said that God is on Jalen’s side for all he’s persevered through in the last year, so if Jalen is called upon, he can deliver. Clemson has Chase Brice and he’s not bad either. He led Clemson to the game winning touchdown against Syracuse completing a 4th and 6 pass that if he didn’t complete would have cost Clemson the game. So he’s pretty good as well.

Alabama has a slight edge in turnover margin at No.21 in the country while Clemson is 43. Bama has 14 interceptions on the season and Clemson has 10. Bama has recovered 7 fumbles and Clemson has 11. Alabama has lost the ball 13 times and Clemson has lost it 16. Winning the turnover battle is always critical, but there are a lot of other factors in this game also as mentioned above.

Will be a thriller on the left coast next Monday Night

Here are predictions for today’s bowl games. 6 on tap.

Military Bowl

Cincinnati (10-2) vs Virginia Tech (6-6)

Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, MD. 34,000

11 AM CT

ESPN

Mike Corey, Rene Ingoglia, Alex Corddry

Refs, Mountain West, Kevin Hassell

Cincy by 6 1/2

I don’t know why, but I always trust VA. Tech in toss up games, even though Cincy is a pretty clear favorite here. The way Duke smashed Temple, 56-27, in the Independence Bowl, a Temple team that finished 9-3 overall and 7-1 in the American in the regular season, and that VA. Tech defeated Duke, 31-14, at Duke in the regular season, makes me believe in the Hokies here.

VA Tech 28, Cincinnati 27

Sun Bowl

Stanford (8-4) vs. Pittsburgh (7-6)

Sun Bowl, El Paso, TX. 51,500

1 PM CT

CBS

Brad, Gary, Jamie

Refs, SEC, David Smith

Stanford by 4

Pitt is another ACC team I like to upset a Stanford team that will be without star running back Bryce Love who is sitting out. Love wasn’t that great this year anyway running for 739 yards and only 6 TDs. So I like the Panthers here.

Pitt 28, Stanford 24

RedBox Bowl

Michigan State (7-5) vs. Oregon (8-4)

Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA., 68,500

2 PM CT

FOX

Joe Davis, Brady Quinn, Bruce Feldman

Refs, Big 12, Reggie Smith

Oregon by 1 1/2

I like the Ducks to prevail here, though it’ll be close.

Oregon 30, Michigan State 28

Liberty Bowl

No. 23 Missouri (8-4) vs. Oklahoma State (6-6)

Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, 61,008

2:45 PM CT

ESPN

Clay Matvick, Dan Orlovsky, Paul Carcaterra

Refs, BIG 10 , Jerry McGinn

Missouri by 9

I’m going with Drew Lock and the Tigers here in what will be a shootout.

Missouri 38, Oklahoma State 35

Holiday Bowl

No. 22 Northwestern (8-5) vs. No. 17 Utah (9-4)

SDCCU Stadium, San Diego, 70,561

6 PM CT

Fox Sports 1

Gus, Joel, Jenny

Utah by 7

Refs, Big 12, Brandon Cruse

Utah Coach Kyle Whittingham is 11-1 in bowls in his 15 years at the helm in Salt Lake City. I like him to add to that impeccable record.

Utah 28, Northwestern 20

Gator Bowl

NC State (9-3) vs. No. 19 Texas A&M (8-4)

TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL. 67,164

6:30 PM CT

ESPN

Adam Amin, Rod Gilmore, Quint Kessenich

Refs, Pac-12, Mark Duddy

A&M by 7

I like Jimbo and the Aggies to get the job done and with the 3rd best recruiting class in 2019 behind Bama and Georgia, look for even bigger things next year and beyond that.

Texas A&M 31, NC State 23

The Crimson Tide squares off with OU, Clemson vs. Notre Dame, 3 other bowl games

The College Football Playoff is here and Crimson Tide fans are happy about that. The No. 1 Tide locks horns with No.4 Oklahoma and their dynamic offense today at the Orange Bowl in Miami at 7 PM CT on ESPN. Prior to that, at 3 PM CT, No. 2 Clemson squares off with No.3 Notre Dame in the first semifinal matchup at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Here’s a look at those 2 blockbusters along with short previews and predictions for the Chick-fil-A, the Belk and the Arizona Bowls.

Bowl record: 14-8

Overall: 243-80, 75%

Capital One Orange Bowl, Second semifinal game

No.1 Alabama (13-0) vs. No. 4 Oklahoma (12-1)

Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 65,326

7 PM CT

ESPN

Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Maria Taylor, Laura Rutledge

Whistles: ACC, Duane Heydt

Bama by 14

For the Crimson Tide, Tua Tagovailoa, despite battling through some knee and ankle injuries this season, put together a masterful year completing 199 of 294 passes, 68%, for 3,353 yards, 37 TDs against only 4 ints. The great Tua has a wealth of targets led by Jerry Jeudy, who caught 59 passes for 1,103 yards and 12 TDs. Henry Ruggs III was next with 42 receptions for 724 yards and 10 TDs. The electric Jaylen Waddle pulled in 41 passes for 803 yards and 7 scores, and tight end Irv Smith caught 38 passes for 649 yards and 7 TDs. Not to be forgotten was last year’s national championship hero, DeVonta Smith, who pulled in 30 passes for 524 yards and 5 TDs. That’s quite an arsenal. Damien Harris led the running game with 771 yards and 7 TDs. The great Josh Jacobs added 495 yards and 11 TDs. The defense is anchored by awesome nose guard Quinnen Williams, who was the 3rd leading tackler on the team with 66 stops, and added 18 tackles for loss and 8 sacks. Outside linebacker Dylan Moses led the team with 76 tackles along with 10 for loss and 3 1/2 sacks. Free safety Deionte Thompson was second with 70 tackles. Defensive end Isaiah Buggs posted 12 1/2 tackles for loss and 9 1/2 sacks. Outside linebacker Christian Miller posted 10 tackles for loss and 7 sacks. The Tide defense intercepted 14 passes, led by cornerback Savion Smith’s 3. Savion took one back to the house as did safety Xavier McKinney. STAR Shyheim Carter made 2 house calls with his ints. The Tide finished with 6 non offensive touchdowns on the season as Waddle returned a punt for a score and Jacobs ran back a kick for a TD.

For the Sooners, it’s about offense. Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray completed 241 of 340 passes, 71%, for 4,053 yards, 40 TDs and 7 ints. Murray also rushed for 892 yards and 11 TDs. Trey Sermon is the leading rusher for the Sooners with 928 yards and 12 TDs. On the perimeter, Marquise Brown, who was injured in the Big 12 Championship game but is expected to play tonight, caught 75 passes for 1,318 yards and 10 TDs. Just as effective was CeeDee Lamb who recorded 57 receptions for 1,049 yards and 10 TDs as well. Tight end Grant Calcaterra pulled in 25 passes for 378 yards and 6 TDs, and Lee Morris added 21 receptions for 457 yards and 8 TDs. On defense, defensive end Kenneth Murray posted 140 tackles, 12 for loss and 4 sacks. Outside linebacker Curtis Bolton was next with 133 tackles, 11 1/2 for loss and 4 sacks. OU registered 6 ints on the season.

Decision

Alabama star offensive guard Deonte Brown is suspended for the rest of the playoff for undisclosed reasons, though I would assume it’s a failed drug test. Lester Cotton will take his place. I’ve heard Lester Cotton is one of the meanest guys on the team, though Mack Wilson has a good argument. I like what Tua can do through the air against the Sooner defense. I also think Bama can run the ball well against a questionable OU front 7. On the OU side of the ball, Murray hasn’t faced a defense like this in the Big 12. He’s never had to deal with Quinnen Williams and company. I see him struggling. I like the Crimson Tide to dominate this game and move on to the national championship game @ Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. on January 7th. 7 PM CT on ESPN.

Crimson Tide 52, Sooners 24

The Goodyear Cotton Bowl, Semifinal 1

No.2 Clemson (13-0) vs. No. 3 Notre Dame (12-0)

AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX., 100,000

3 PM CT

ESPN

Sean McDonough, Todd Blackledge, Holly Rowe, Tom Rinaldi

Officials, SEC, Matt Austin

Clemson by 11 1/2

This is another great quarterback duel between Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence (212 of 327, 65%, 2606 yards, 24 TDs, 2 ints) and Notre Dame’s Ian Book (197 of 280, 70%, 2,468 yards, 19 TDs, 6 ints). It’s also a good running back matchup, as Clemson’s great Travis Etienne rushed for 1,464 yards and 21 TDs and the Fighting Irish’s Dexter Williams rushed for 941 yards and 12 TDs this season.

Clemson lost all star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence for the game due to a failed drug test, but they still have defensive end Clelin Ferrell (17 1/2 TFLs, 10 1/2 sacks), defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (12 1/2 TFLs, 4 1/2 sacks) and defensive end Austin Bryant (11 TFLs, 6 1/2 sacks). They’ll plug in Albert Huggins in Lawrence’s spot and Huggins finished the season with 3 1/2 TFLs and 2 1/2 sacks. Clemson posted 11 ints on the season.

Lawrence’s key targets are Tee Higgins, who caught 52 passes for 802 yards and 10 TDs. Justyn Ross pulled in 34 passes for 699 yards and 6 TDs. And the always reliable and a guy who seems like he’s been there forever, Hunter Renfrow, pulled in 43 passes for 472 yards and a TD.

Notre Dame’s leading receiver is Miles Boykin, who posted 54 receptions for 803 yards and 8 TDs. Chase Claypool added 48 receptions for 631 yards and 4 TDs. On defense, middle linebacker Te’Von Coney led the team with 107 tackles. Defensive end Khalid Kareem led the team in TFLs with 11 and had the co-lead for sacks with the opposite bookend, Julian Okwara, at 5 1/2. The Irish intercepted 11 passes this season.

Decision

The Irish have had an excellent 2018, but I don’t see them keeping up with Clemson. Like Dabo and the Tigers to face the Tide on January 7th.

Clemson 42, Notre Dame 27

Chick Fil-A Peach Bowl

No.7 Michigan (10-2) vs. No.10 Florida (9-3)

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 71,000

11 AM CT

ESPN

Bob Wischusen, Brock Huard, Allison Williams

Whistles, Big 12, Mike Defee, likes to show off his artillery, tight shirts

Michigan by 5 1/2

Michigan has four players sitting out this game for the NFL Draft, star defensive end Rashan Gary, star linebacker Devin Bush, top running back Karan Higdon and fifth year senior offensive lineman Juwann Bushell-Beatty. Michigan sounds like they don’t want to be there. I like the upset in Atlanta.

Florida 21, Michigan 17

Belk Bowl

South Carolina (7-5) vs Virginia (7-5)

Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C., 75,412

11 AM

ABC

Adam Amin, Anthony Becht, Rocky Boiman

Officials, BIG 10, Jeff Servinski

South Carolina by 3 1/2

The Gamecocks have a ton of players who will miss this bowl. Star wide receiver Deebo Samuels is skipping this game for the draft. I like Jake Bentley and the offense to do just enough to prevail over a gritty UVA effort.

South Carolina 28, Virginia 27

Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl

Arkansas State (8-4) vs. Nevada (7-5)

Arizona Stadium, Tuscon, Zona, 57,400

12 PM CT

CBS Sports Network

Carter Blackburn, Aaron Taylor, John Schriffen

Whistles, MAC

Nevada by 1

Arkansas State 31, Nevada 28

The Auburn Tigers in action today, part of a trifecta of games once again

It may be great to be an Auburn Tiger at 4 PM in the Music City. It depends on the play of Jarrett Stidham, the play of the o line and the running backs and a defense that can be good at times, but got bashed by Tua Tagovailoa and the Crimson Tide in the Iron Bowl, 52-21. Purdue is playing with a lot of passion as result of their team inspiration. Tyler Trent, a young guy battling a rare form of bone cancer, and is a passionate Boilermakers fan. Trent is in hospice but will be at the game supporting his team. Against Ohio State, Trent was there and the Boilers put on a clinic blasting the Buckeyes, 49-20. So Purdue will be charged up. The question is, will Auburn be.

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl

Auburn (7-5) vs. Purdue (6-6)

Nissan Stadium, Nashville, 69,143

12:30 PM CT

ESPN

Anish Shroff, Ahmad Brooks, Roddy Jones

Whistles, Big 12, Brad Van Vark

Auburn by 3 1/2

Jarrett Stidham has declared for the NFL draft, but I’m not so sure he can be a good Sunday player. He’s got a lot to prove today. Stidham completed 209 of 346 passes, 60%, for 2,421 yards, 13 TDs and 5 ints. His offensive line had trouble protecting him quite a bit, but he was inaccurate at times also. But he’s got some pretty good weapons on the perimeter in Ryan Davis, who pulled in 64 passes for 523 yards but no touchdowns. They need to get Davis the ball and let him move the sticks and get in the end zone. Darius Slayton has 32 receptions for 510 yards and 2 TDs. But maybe the most impressive is freshman Seth Williams, who pulled in 24 passes for 479 yards and 5 TDs. Williams can be a super player with good quarterback play, which may be a little questionable at Auburn next year though freshman Joey Gatewood and incoming 5 star Bo Nix have great talent. Anthony Schwartz is a world class sprinter who rushed 23 times for 199 yards and 4 TDs. If Schwartz gets into space, he can certainly make a house call. He’s a pretty good receiver, too, with 19 receptions for 307 yards and 2 TDs. Running back Ja’Tarvious Whitlow, known as “Boobie” by his teammates, is a good when he’s healthy. Whitlow rushed for 777 yards and 4 TDs this season, but struggled with injuries and sometimes ball security. Shaun Shivers is a promising speedster who rushed for 338 yards, on 5.7 yards per carry and 3 TDs.

On defense, the Tigers are led in tackles by superb inside linebacker Deshaun Davis, who posted 103 tackles and a team leading 14 tackles for loss. Defensive end Nick Coe, who posted 13 1/2 TFLs and 7 sacks is out today with an injury. The Auburn front, led by Derrick Brown (9 1/2 TFLs, 3 1/2 sacks) and Marlon Davidson ( 4 1/2 TFLs and 2 1/2 sacks) will need to be big factors to stop what can be a pretty prolific Purdue offense. The Tigers have 12 interceptions on the season, Strong safety Daniel Thomas and linebacker Darrell Williams have both taken 1 back to the house.

Purdue is led by quarterback David Blough, who has completed 283 of 425 passes, 67%, for 3,521 yards, 25 TDs against 8 ints. Slot back Rondale Moore is explosive rushing for 203 yards and 1 TD, and catching 103 passes for 1,164 yards and 12 TDs. On defense, linebacker Markus Bailey leads them in tackles with 104. He also has 8 tackles for loss and 6 1/2 sacks, and a 41 yard interception return for a house call. Inside linebacker Cornel Jones leads the defense in TFLs with 12 1/2. The Boilermakers have posted 11 interceptions on the season.

Decision

Auburn really doesn’t have momentum heading into this game and Purdue will be playing with a lot of passion. Auburn’s talent is better, but can Gus Malzahn get them motivated for this game. It’s a big question mark. But I’ll take the Tigers in a close game. They’ll do enough.

Auburn 35, Purdue 31

Camping World Bowl

Syracuse (9-3) vs. West Virginia (8-3)

Camping World Stadium, Orlando, 65,000

4:15 PM CT

ESPN

Dave Flemming, Rod Gilmore, Quint Kessenich

Stripes, Pac-12, Steve Strimling

Syracuse by 2

The Mountaineers started out as a 9 point favorite, but when star quarterback Will Grier decided to sit this one out for the draft, the line moved drastically. I agree with the gamblers. Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey, who completed 205 of 343 passes, 60%, for 2,565 yards, 17 TDs and 7 ints along with running for 732 yards and 15 more TDs, and the Orange earn the victory in Orlando.

Syracuse 42, West Virginia 34

Valero Alamo Bowl

Iowa State Cyclones (8-4) vs Washington State Cougars (10-2)

Alamodome, San Antonio, 72,000

8 PM CT

ESPN

Dave Pasch, Gregory McElroy, Lugues

Laundry, BIG 10, John O’Neill

Wash State by 3

I like running back David Montgomery (1092 yards, 12 TDs), quarterback Brock Purdy (128 of193, 66%, 16 TDs, 5 ints) and a pretty solid Cyclones defense to get over the top against quarterback Gardiner Minshew (433 of 613, 71%, 36 TDs, 9 ints) and the Cougars in a slight upset.

Iowa State 38, Washington State 34

Three more bowls today, SEC in action with the Vanderbilt Commodores in the nightcap

Walk-On’s Independence Bowl

Duke Blue Devils (7-5) vs. Temple Owls (8-4)

Independence Stadium, Shreveport, LA., 65,000

12:30 PM CT

ESPN

Mike Couzens, Kirk Morrison, Lauren Sisler

Refs, Big 10, Mark Kluczynski

Temple by 3 1/2

The Owls had a very solid season finishing 8-4 overall and 7-1 in the American Conference, while the Blue Devils limped home losing to Clemson, 35-6, and then getting blasted by Wake Forest, 59-7. Clemson’s an excellent team and Wake Forest is very solid, but 59-7 was a disaster. The Owls did lose their coach, Geoff Collins, who took the job at Georgia Tech and interim Ed Foley will coach the team while Manny Diaz, the defensive coordinator for Miami, will be taking over in 2019. You wonder if a team loses motivation when their coach leaves, but Utah State and App State showed with convincing victories over North Texas and Middle Tennessee in their respective bowl games, that maybe that is a little overrated. Temple won their last 3 games, 59-49 over Houston on the road, 29-17 over South Florida at home, and 57-7 over UConn on the road. That’s pretty convincing to me. Temple has a 1,000 yard rusher, Ryquell Armstead (1,098 yards, 13 TDs). Armstead and a defense that has 15 ints on the season are the difference for the Owls.

Temple 31, Duke 27

New Era Pinstripe Bowl

Wisconsin Badgers (7-5) vs Miami Hurricanes (7-5)

Yankee Stadium, New York, 54,251

4:15 PM CT

ESPN

Bob Wischusen, Mike Golic Jr. Dan Orlovsky, Paul Carcaterra

Whistles, SEC, Ken Williamson

Miami by 2 1/2

It’s going to be 42 at kickoff and getting colder, Wisconsin weather, not South Beach weather. Even though Badgers starting quarterback Alex Hornibrook is out with a concussion and Jack Coan is taking his place (50 of 82, 61%, 488 yards, 4 TDs, 2 ints), I like Johathan Taylor, who rushed for 1,989 yards and 15 TDs, and the Badgers to outlast the Canes in the Bronx.

Wisconsin 20, Miami 17

Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl

Baylor Bears (6-6) vs Vanderbilt Commodores (6-6)

NRG Stadium, Houston, 72,220

8 PM CT

ESPN

Tom Hart, JRodg, Cole

Whistles, ACC, Gary Patterson

Vandy by 4 1/2

The Vanderbilt Commodores were 4-6 heading into their last 2 games of the season after a gut wrenching loss at Missouri, 33-28 in Columbia and several tough losses throughout the season. But the Commodores answered the bell defeating Ole Miss, 36-29, in overtime, and then following that up with a dominating victory over the Tennessee Vols, 38-13. They have a loaded offense with quarterback Kyle Shurmur, a potential quarterback on Sundays, completing 236 of 369 passes, 64%, for 2,844 yards, 23 TDs against only 6 ints. And there are some more future NFLers. Ke’Shawn Vaughn, who is a junior and will hopefully stay, rushed for 1,001 yards, averaging 7 yards per carry and 10 TDs. He also caught 13 passes for 170 yards and 2 more scores. Wide out Kalija Lipscomb caught 81 passes for 886 yards and 9 TDs, while tight end Jared Pinkney, along with the other 3, an NFL looking player, caught 45 passes for 698 yards and 7 TDs. On defense, middle linebacker Jordan Griffin rolled up 110 tackles. Cornerback Joejuan Williams, another NFL prospect as a junior but Vanderbilt fans are hoping he comes back, intercepted 4 passes on the season and had 10 pass breakups. Williams is lockdown.

For Baylor, they finished the season losing 2 out of their last 3, to Iowa State, 28-14, TCU, 16-9, before winning their final game in Arlington, Texas defeating Texas Tech, 35-24, a solid victory. Quarterback Charlie Brewer completed 219 of 356 passes, 62%, for 2,635 yards, 17 TDs against 8 ints. His leading receiver, Jalen Hurd, the former Tennessee standout, is hurt, so Baylor loses his 69 receptions for 946 yards and 4 TDs. But wide receiver Denzel Mims is explosive as he has caught 49 passes for 699 yards and 8 TDs. John Lovett is their leading rusher with 546 yards and 5 TDs. On defense, James Lynch leads the Bears with 8 1/2 tackles for loss and 4 1/2 sacks. The Bears have 6 ints on the season.

Final Decision

I see the 4 man offensive juggernaut of Shurmur, Vaughn, Lipscomb and Pinkney, along with stellar play by Williams, who I expect to pick off a pass, leading the Dores to victory and setting them up for a bright future in 2019.

Vandy 31, Baylor 21

3 bowls on the ledger today

Record in Bowls: 10-4

Overall: 239-76, 76%

ServePro First Responder Bowl

Boston College ( 7-5) vs. Boise State (10-3)

Cotton Bowl, Dallas, 92,100

12:30 PM CT

ESPN

Lowell Galindo, Ahmad Brooks, Kris Budden

Whistles: PAC-12, Kevin Mar

Boise State by 2 1/2

Boise State had another excellent season and went for back to back 11 win seasons under coach Bryan Harson. They also finished 10-3 in 2016 but lost their bowl game, the then Motel 6 Cactus Bowl in Phoenix, to Baylor, 31-12. Last year they defeated Oregon in the Las Vegas Bowl, 38-28, to cap off an 11-3 season.
They can get it done both on the ground and through the air. Running back Alexander Mattison rushed for 1,415 yards and 17 TDs this season. He’s a workhorse who gets better with more carries. Good between the tackles and has take it to the house speed. Quarterback Brett Rypien completed 301 of 447 passes, 67%, for 3,705 yards, 30 TDs against only 7 ints. The senior has been around the block and knows how to get his teams past the sticks and into the end zone. Rypien’s top targets are Sean Modster, who pulled in 68 receptions for 978 yards and 8 TDs, and A.J. Richards, who caught 54 passes for 825 yards and 8 TDs as well. On defense, linebacker Curtis Weaver posted 15 tackles for loss and 9 1/2 sacks. NIckelback Kekaula Keniho leads the defense with 3 ints. Corner Tyler Horton has only 1 interception, but he made the most of it, taking it back to the house 99 yards.

For the Eagles, running back A.J. Dillon is their workhorse. He rushed for 1,108 yards and 10 TDs. Quarterback Anthony Brown has completed 158 of 285 passes, 55%, for 2,121 yards, 20 TDs against 9 ints. On defense, Connor Strachan leads the team in tackles with 91. Zach Allen has the team lead in tackles for loss with 15 and added 6 1/2 sacks. Wyatt Ray posted 11 1/2 tackles for loss and a team leading 9 sacks. Cornerback Hamp Cheevers leads the nation with 7 ints, and he’s taken 1 back for a house call. The Eagles lead the country with 18 ints.

Final decision

BC has a good defense, but dropped their last 3 to Clemson, 27-7, Florida State, 22-21, and Syracuse, 42-21. The Broncos lost out in the Mountain West Conference Championship game to Fresno State, 19-16, in overtime on their home turf, Albertson’s Stadium, a place they barely lose at. Before that, they had won 7 in a row including a 24-17 victory over Fresno State at home. I like the Broncos better in this one. While this game is pretty evenly matched, I like Mattison and Rypien to be the difference.

Boise State 30, Boston College 27

Quick Lane Bowl

Minnesota (6-6) vs. Georgia Tach (7-5)

Ford Field, Detroit, 65,000

4:15 PM CT

ESPN

Mark Neely, Ray Bentley, Allison Williams

Stripes: Big 12, Scott Campbell

Tech by 6

Paul Johnson is retiring after 11 seasons at Georgia Tech and 22 overall as head coach. The 61 year old is 82-59 at Tech with 1 ACC Championship in 2009 and 4 Coastal division titles. He is 189-58 overall including 2 national titles at FCS Georgia Southern in 1999 and 2000. Johnson spent 6 seasons at Navy. from 2002 to 2007. I like the Yellow Jackets to send their coach out in a big way with a convincing victory over the Golden Gophers.

Georgia Tech 42, Minnesota 31

Cheez-It Bowl

Chase Field, Phoenix, 48,519

8 PM CT

ESPN

Jason Benetti, Kelly Stouffer Olivia Dekker

Whistles, SEC, Marc Curles

Cal by 1

TCU finished an uncustomary 6-6 this season, but 7 defensive starters were lost for the season early in the year. Third string quarterback Grayson Muehistein came in the last 2 games of the season to replace injured second stringer Michael Collins after starter Shawn Robinson, who had been banged up some, decided to transfer. Muehistein led the Frogs to 2 victories to finish off the season, 16-9 over Baylor on the road, and 31-24 over Ok State at home to get the Frogs eligible for a bowl game. He completed 28 of 43, 65%, for 328 yards, 3 TDs and 0 ints. His main target is Jalen Reagor, who caught 71 passes for 1,053 yards and 9 TDs. Darius Anderson led the running game with 598 yards and 3 TDs. On defense, defensive end Ben Banogu posted 17 TFLs and 7 1/2 sacks.

Cal played a lot of excellent defense this season. Inside linebacker Evan Weaver posted 144 tackles this season, 4th best in the country. Cal picked off 16 passes. Free safety Antoine Davis led the team with 4, taking 1 back the distance. The defense posted 4 ints that they took back to the house. .On offense, quarterback Chase Garbers completed 147 of 241 passes, 61%, for 1,418 yards, 16 TDs against 7 ints. His leading target was Vic Wharton, who pulled in 50 passes for 502 yards and 1 score. Jordan Duncan registered 19 receptions for 234 yards and a team leading 4 TDs. Patrick Laird rushed for 935 yards and 5 TDs.

Decision

This is a close call but I like Gary Patterson’s Horned Frogs to pull it out over Justin Wilcox’s Bears and catapult the Frogs into 2019.

TCU 28, Cal 24

4 Bowls on tap today as bowl season starts kicking into high gear

BYU buried Western Michigan yesterday at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, 49-18. Cougar freshman quarterback Zach Wilson was 18-of-18 for 317 yards, 4 TDs and 0 ints. Kid’s a total stud.

Florida International was also impressive in defeating Toledo, 35-32. FIU was a 7 point underdog, but quarterback Christian Alexander completed 17 of-26 passes for 209 yards and 1 TD and ran for 83 more He became the starter on Thursday when usual starter James Morgan was ruled out due to injury. Morgan had completed 65% of his passes for 2,727 yards and 26 TDs so it looked like a huge blow heading into the Bahamas Bowl. But Alexander stepped up in a big way and led his team to an impressive victory. Spike called it on the blog. Well done Spike.

Today there are 4 games on the slate, The Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field pitting Wake Forest and Memphis, The Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth featuring Army and Houston, The Dollar General Bowl in Mobile pitting Buffalo and Troy, and finally, capping it off, the Hawaii Bowl with Hawaii squaring off with Louisiana Tech.

Here’s a look at today’s games along with predictions.

Birmingham Bowl

Wake Forest (6-6) vs. Memphis (8-5)

Legion Field, 71,594

11 AM CT

ESPN

Dave Neal. DJ Shockley, Dawn Davenport

Laundry, Conference USA, Rodney Burnette

Memphis by 3 1/2

Solid matchup in the Magic City. Memphis running back Darrell Henderson, who rushed for 1,909 yards and 22 TDs, is sitting this one out for the draft. Patrick Taylor Jr. is a more than capable back who rushed for 1,017 yards and 15 TDs. Quarterback Brady White completed 231 of 365 passes, 63%, for 3,125 yards, and 25 TDs against 8 interceptions.

On the other side, the story has been the play of quarterback Jamie Newman. Newman came in November 8th and started against NC State after starter Sam Hartman was lost for the season with an injury. Wake was a 17 point underdog in Raleigh on a Thursday Night, but Newman proceeded to complete 22 of 33 passes for 297 yards and 3 TDs against 0 ints to lead the Demon Deacons to a 27-23 upset of the then No. 14 NC State. Then at Duke, the final game of the season with Wake’s bowl hopes on the line and playing as a 12 point underdog, Newman completed 18 of 23 passes for 177 yards, 4 TDs and 0 ints to lead his team to a 59-7 rout of the Blue Devils.

So I like what Newman brings into Legion Field today. And I like his team to pull off a slight upset.

Wake Forest 34, Memphis 30

Armed Forces Bowl

Army (10-2) vs. Houston (8-4)

Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX., 50,000

2:30 PM CT

ESPN

Chris Cotter, Emmanuel Acho, Jim Mora, Quint Kessenich

Whistles, MAC, Luke Richmond

Army by 6 1/2

The Cadets’ offense rushed for 3,556 yards this season, good for fourth in the country. Houston allowed 199 rushing yards per game, 99th in the FBS out of 129 teams. I like quarterback Kelvin Hopkins Jr. (852 yards, 12 TDs) and fullback Darnell Woolfolk (885 yards, 14 TDs) to have big days against a defense that is banged up, up front. Star defensive tackle Ed Oliver, who could be a top 5 draft pick in late April, is sitting this one out in preparation for the NFL draft, another unfortunate decision particularly for his team.

Army 38, Houston 28

Dollar General Bowl

Buffalo (10-3) vs. Troy (9-3)

Ladd Peebles Stadium, Mobile, 40,000

6 PM CT

ESPN

Anish Shroff, Ahmad Brooks, Roddy White

Stripes, ACC, Jeff Flanagan

Buffalo by 1

Troy’s scoring defense is 23rd in the country giving up only 21.1 points per game. Buffalo is 40th giving up 24.7. Buffalo quarterback Tyree Jackson put together a fine season completing 205 of 372, 55%, for 2,857 yards, and 27 TDs against 11 ints. He’s pretty good, but can be erratic. Troy running back B.J. Smith rushed for 1,090 yards and 12 TDs . Quarterback Sawyer Smith, who came in this season when starter Kaleb Barker was lost for the season due to injury, completed 113 of 185 passes, 61%, for 1,349 yards, 10 TDs against 6 ints. He’s a good player overall. Defensive end Hunter Reese leads the Trojans with 14 1/2 TFLs and 7 1/2 sacks. The Troy defense posted 16 interceptions. Free safety Cedarius Rookard led the way with 4. Nickel back Tyler Murray added 3.

All in all, I like Troy’s running game and defense, including a game changing interception or 2 against Jackson, who can be errant with his passes, to carry the night for the Trojans. Going with the Trojans fairly handily in Mobile.

Troy 30, Buffalo 17

Hawaii Bowl

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (8-5) vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (7-5)

Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, 50,000

9:30 PM CT

ESPN

Beth Mowins, Kirk Morrison, Allison Williams

Refs, MAC, Greg Sujak

LA Tech by 1

This is a potent offense versus a solid defense. Rainbow Warriors quarterback Cole McDonald has thrown fo 3,790 yards and 35 TDs against 8 ints. His top target, John Ursua, has pulled in 89 passes for 1,343 yards and 16 TDs, which leads the FBS. ***** Note Ursua out with a hamstring injury. ****Cedric Byrd is next with 76 receptions for 939 yards and 9 TDs. JoJo Ward has pulled in 51 receptions for 865 yards and 9 TDs also. On defense for LA Tech, defensive end Jaylon Ferguson has 23 1/2 tackles for loss, 2nd in the country just behind East Carolina’s Nate Harvey, and is tied for the FBS lead with Sutton Smith of Northern Illinois with 15 sacks. The 6’2”, 262 pound “Sack Daddy” has 42 1/2 career sacks needing only 2 against Hawaii to break the official NCAA record.

With that said, LSU defeated LA Tech, 38-21, and Mississippi State defeated them 45-3, and while those are very good SEC teams, their offenses weren’t totally prolific at times during the season. I like this Hawaii attack . I watched the Rainbow Warriors upset San Diego State at the end of the season, 31-30, and was super impressed with McDonald. I like the Warriors to get the job done on their home turf.

Hawaii 38, LA Tech 35

Bahamas Bowl, Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on the docket today

The bowls head to sunny Nassau and chilly Boise today, for action as the bowl season keeps cookin. Looks like there will be good quarterback play in both games, so there should be some offensive fireworks, particularly in the Bahamas. Here’ s a look at today’s slate.

Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl

Florida International Panthers (8-4) vs. Toledo Rockets (7-5)

Thomas Robinson Stadium, Nassau, Bahamas, 15,023

11:30 AM

ESPN

Steve Levy, Desmond Howard, Laura Rutledge

Whistles, Mountain West, Mike Vandervelde

Toledo by 7

Panthers’ quarterback James Morgan has put together a really good season completing 213 of 326 passes, 65%, for 2,727 yards, 26 TDs against 7 ints. Note, Christian Alexander will get the start at QB. 19-of-29, 65%, 218 yards,. 0 TDs 1 int. Played in 9 games. Morgan is out with injury. Key targets are C.J. Whorton, who has caught 36 passes for 620 yards and 6 TDs. Austin Maloney added 28 receptions for 582 yards and 5 TDs. Bryce Singleton is another key target registering 28 receptions for 336 yards and 2 TDs. Running back Napoleon Maxwell rushed for 670 yards and 7 TDs averaging 5.6 yards per carry. On defense, linebacker Sage Lewis posted 118 tackles and a sack. Linebacker Edwin Freeman was next with 88. Defensive tackle Anthony Johnson posted 3 1/2 sacks to lead the team. FIU intercepted 17 passes on the season tied for 7th best in the country. Utah State led the country with 22. FIU is tied with Troy, Cal, App State and Syracuse. Safety Dorian Hall and corner Rishard Dames lead the team with 3 apiece. Freshman linebacker Rocky Jacques- Louis has 2 ints, both of which he took back for house calls.

For the Rockets, Eli Peters took over at quarterback the last 4 games of the season and started another game, as starter Michael Guadagni was lost for the season with injury. Peters did a very nice job completing 124 of 227, 55%, for 1,573 yards, 15 TDs and 7 ints. He’s got some explosive playmakers on the perimeter. Cody Thompson caught 43 passes for 592 yards and 10 TDs, while Jon’ Vea Johnson added 29 receptions for 7 TDs. Dontae Johnson also was an explosive player, catching 43 passes for 592 yards and 7 TDs. Bryant Kobek led the rushing game with 875 yards and 13 TDs. Shakif Seymour added 526 yards and 5 TDs. Art Thompkins recorded 563 yards and 6 TDs. On defense, outside linebacker Richard Olekanma led the team with 78 tackles, posted 8 1/2 for loss and 2 1/2 sacks. Defensive tackle Reggie Howard led the team in TFLs with 14 1/2 and defensive end Tuzar Skipper posted 8 1/2 sacks for the team lead. Toledo intercepted 11 passes on the season with 3 players leading the way with 2 apiece. Middle linebacker Tyler Taafe took both of his back to the house, and defensive end Jamal Hines, and safety Zach Ford each had 2 as well..

Decision

Butch Davis was very successful at Miami (FL) in the late 90’s, OK at the Cleveland Browns and decent at North Carolina, though there were some problems with the NCAA when he was in Chapel Hill. He’s done a good job at FIU, and his team is explosive. Jason Candle is a young, exciting coach at Toledo. The 39 year old is going to be a hot commodity in the future, very soon most likely. His teams are explosive offensively and are pretty disruptive on defense. Davis’s team is explosive on offense as well. I expect fireworks in this one with 2 potent offensive attacks. I like the Rockets to play a little better on offense and get a key turnover to decide the game.

Toledo 45, FIU 37

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Western Michigan Broncos (7-5) vs. BYU Cougars (6-6)

Albertsons Stadium, Boise, Idaho, 36,387

3 PM CT

ESPN

Roy Philpott, Tom Ramsey, Alex Corddry

Stripes, Sun Belt, Jeremy Parker

BYU by 12 1/2

BYU coach Kalani Sitake decided to make a quarterback change in midseason replacing senior Tanner Mangum with freshman Zach Wilson. Wilson, a 6’3”, 205 freshman, has completed 102 of 164 passes, 61%, for 1,063 yards, 8 TDs and 3 ints. Andre Ware was singing Wilson’s praises on Wednesday Night at the Frisco Bowl. The 1989 Heisman Trophy winner and ESPN football analyst was broadcasting the Frisco Bowl and was raving about Wilson’s talents stating that he will be a starter in the National Football League in the future. I trust the former Heisman winner, and going with his recommendation. I like BYU to roll this afternoon on the Blue Turf with high 30’s at kickoff. Not bad for Boise this time of year. Like Wilson and his team to take care of business.

BYU 35, Western Michigan 21

Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl on the slate tonight

Marshall (8-4) vs. South Florida (7-5)

Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, 65,890

7 PM CT

ESPN

Clay Matvick, Dan Orlovsky, Paul Carcaterra

Stripes: Mountain West, Steve Baron, lead whistle

Marshall by 4

Under ninth year coach, Doc Holliday, Marshall is 5-0 in bowls. Marshall has won this bowl twice, in 2011 when it was called the Beef O’ Brady’s Bowl, and in 2014 when it was the St. Petersburg Bowl. South Florida has played in this bowl once, the inaugural one in 2006, defeating Memphis, 41-14.

Marshall quarterback Isaiah Green, a 6’2”, 202 redshirt freshman, has completed 155 of 280 passes, 55%, for 2,060 yards, 15 TDs against 10 ints. Tyler King (5’11”, 190 soph) leads the team in rushing with 655 yards on 108 carries, averaging 6.1 yards per pop and 4 TDs. South Florida has the 9th worst rushing defense in FBS allowing 245 yards on the ground per game. 6’3”, 206 pound senior Tyre Brady leads the team in receiving with 60 receptions for 819 yards and 9 TDs. Wide receiver Obi Obialo (6’3”, 213, Jr.) is next with 37 receptions for 463 yards and 4 TDs. On defense, senior outside linebacker Chase Hancock (5’11”, 223) leads the Thundering Herd with 98 tackles including 6 for loss and 3 sacks. Safety Malik Gant (JR. 6’2”, 194) is next with 90 tackles and has added 9 TFLs. Nose tackle Channing Harnes (6’5”, 252) leads the team in tackles for loss with 10 1/2 and sacks with 5 1/2. The Herd has posted 12 interceptions on the season. Gant leads the team with 2. Linebacker Omari Cobb has taken 1 back to the house for 25 yards.

For South Florida, former Alabama quarterback Blake Barnett (6’5”, 217, JR) has had his ups and downs this season. He’s completed 203 of 327, 62%, for 2,477 yards, 11 TDs and 11 ints. South Florida started the season 7-0, but lost their last 5 including a 38-10 loss to UCF at home the final game of the season. Running back Jordan Cronkrite (5’11”, 207, JR) is a nice back. He’s run for 1,095 yards and 9 TDs. Johnny Ford (5’5”, 168, FR) added 737 yards and 8 TDs and Barnett rushed for 313 yards and 8 TDs as well. So there is some potency with this offense. Slot receiver Tyree McCants, a big guy at 5”10”, 240, leads the team in receiving with 58 receptions for 607 yards and 3 TDs. Wide out Darnell Solomon registered 25 receptions for 424 yards and 4 TDs, but he’s questionable for the game with an injury. Mitchell Wilcox, also questionable for the game, has 40 receptions for 506 yards and 2 TDs. On defense, outside linebacker Khalid McGee (5’10”, 213) leads the team in tackles with 104. He also posted 6 1/2 tackles for loss and 1 1/2 sacks. Defensive end Josh Black (6’2”, 252) leads the team in tackles for loss (11) and sacks (5). The Bulls have 11 ints on the season, and are led in that department by strong safety Nick Roberts (5’10”, 183) who has 3 for 91 yards. He’s averaging 30 yards per interception return.

Final Decision

The Bulls are playing on their home turf which is certainly an asset, but they lost 5 in a row to conclude the season. Marshall did lose their last game, 41-20 to VA. Tech, which allowed the Hokies to get into a bowl game (the Military Bowl vs Cincy, Monday, Dec. 31st, 11 AM CT ESPN), but they did win 4 of 5 before that. The momentum looks to be on the Thundering Herd’s side somewhat and I like Holliday’s bowl record, which includes a 31-28 victory over Colorado State in the New Mexico Bowl last season, though South Florida is going for their 3rd straight bowl victory also. Even though the Bulls have the home field advantage, I like the Herd to capture the Gaspirilla Bowl tonight, but in a highly competitive game.

Marshall 34, South Florida 28

Blazers excel, San Diego State vs. Ohio in Frisco Bowl tonight

The UAB Blazers put on a clinic last night in defeating the Northern Illinois Huskies in the Boca Raton Bowl, 37-13, before 22,614 fans at FAU Stadium.

Quarterback Tyler Johnston III completed 17-of-29 passes for 373 yards, 4 TDs and 1 int. Tyler was superb. MVP Xavier Ubosi was beyond phenomenal, catching 7 passes for 227 yards and 3 TDs including a 70 yarder with just 18 seconds elapsing in the first quarter, the 14:42 mark. Ubosi also caught a 46 yarder from Johnston III with 5:11 to go in the second quarter, and a 66 yarder with 5:15 to go in the 3rd quarter. It was a spectacular performance from the senior who may have just earned himself a lot of money with that performance. The National Football League should be very interested in Xavier now. Johnston III is a sophomore. Spencer Brown ran for 78 yards on 25 carries and Collin Lisa caught 4 passes for 64 yards. On a tenacious defense, defensive back Mar’Sean Diggs led the team with 10 tackles. Zac Williams posted 2 sacks and Anthony Rush added another. The UAB defense was swarming and aggressive and laid some serious wood.

There were some quality seniors on this team including 4 outstanding starting offensive linemen led by senior right tackle Justice Powers, Ubosi and receiver Andre Wilson and some key defensive players. But Bill Clark has excellent players returning, including Johnston III and Brown, a very good recruiting class, including 2 quality dual threat quarterbacks, and a ton of momentum heading into 2019.

Clark is a hot commodity. Auburn and Ole Miss could be interested in the future. Maybe the near future. But this is an awesome situation for Clark. He’s got a tremendous football facility, a phenomenal stadium on the way, which will be completed in 2021, players who’ll run through brick walls for him, recruiting is about to skyrocket, he’s making $1.4 million and that’ll increase to $1.6 M in 2 years with a chance for more, a community that will also run through brick walls for him, and an incredible city where he can live a very comfortable life in an extremely nice place with people who are serious about football and a city that offers a very reasonable cost of living. Clark can live very well here on his salary. And, maybe as importantly as anything, a team that can be the best in the Group of 5 and go to New Year’s Six bowl games and, who knows, maybe even better than that with the brand UAB is putting out there nationally. It’s a winning situation for Clark. He most likely will be sought after in the future, but why would he want to leave? This can be as good as it gets. He seems to be a loyal guy, loves Birmingham, and is passionate about his team and winning championships. He could very well be here for the duration. Some teams might be coming after him, but why would he want to leave.

Regardless, the UAB story is an epic. it’s a book or a movie. Both. And it keeps getting better. I know UAB fans and people throughout the city are proud of Clark and his football team. A lot of our community leaders, Tommy Brigham, Hatton Smith and Craft O’Neal, made it happen. They streamlined the effort to bring football back to UAB. They should be applauded for their efforts. And with UAB a rapidly growing organization medically and as a university, not only in the south but nationally, it doesn’t get any better than this. It’s a story of success. And it’ll only get better if Clark commits to being the coach for his entire career. He’s got all he needs right here to excel. Hopeful he makes that commitment. People sure are excited about this program, as they should be. UAB football is here to stay and it’s here to excel. The Blazers complete the 2018 season 11-3 overall and 7-1 in C-USA, and are conference champions and Boca Raton Bowl champions. And there is major momentum going forward. The sky is the limit on the Southside.

Tonight

DXL Frisco Bowl

San Diego State (7-5-4-4 Mountain West) vs. Ohio (8-4, 6-2 MAC)

Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas, 37 miles from Dallas, 20,500

7 PM

ESPN

Kevin Brown, Andre Ware, Kris Budden

Whistles: Sun Belt, Jason Autrey, lead Aladdin

Ohio by 2 1/2

Ohio quarterback Nathan Rourke completed 155 of 253 passes, 61%, for 2,225 yards, 22 TDs and 7 ints. Running back A.J. Ouellette rushed for 1,142 yards and 12 TDs, Maleek Irons added 831 yards and 8 TDs and Rourke rushed for 816 yards and 13 TDs. Papi White is the leading receiver with 58 receptions for 897 yards and 9 TDs. Andrew Meyer added 34 receptions for 445 and 4 TDs. On defense, linebacker Evan Croutch led the team with 75 tackles, 11 1/2 for loss and added 4 sacks. Defensive tackle Kent Berger was the team leader in sacks with 5. Ohio intercepted 14 passes this season. Four guys posted 2 ints, Croutch, safety Javon Hagan, linebacker Jared Dorsa and safety Kylan Nelson.

San Diego State quarterback Christian Chapman completed 50-of-87 passes, 58%, for 774 yards, 4 TDs and 1 int. He took over from Ryan Agnew who was hurt during the season. Agnew completed 104-of-199, 52%, for 1,525 yards, 10 TDs and 5 ints. Both will be available but it looks like Chapman will get the start. He’s good with his arm and his wheels. Juwan Washington is an excellent running back. Despite being injured some this season, Washington rushed for 870 yards and 10 TDs. He’s explosive. Chase Jasmin added 592 yards and 5 TDs. Fred Trevillion was the Aztecs leading receiver with 22 receptions for 598 yards and 3 TDs. Kahale Warring registered the most receptions with 31 for 372 yards and 3 TDs. Timothy Wilson Jr. added 19 receptions for 372 yards and 3 TDs. On defense, Kyahva Tezino a 6’0”, 230 pound junior middle linebacker, posted 119 tackles, 14 1/2 TFLs and 8 1/2 sacks. Safety Tariq Thompson, a 6’0”, 200 pound sophomore, added 101 tackles, 3 ints and a fumble recovery. He led the team in ints. The Aztecs intercepted 7 passes on the season.

Final Decision

These 2 teams are pretty evenly matched up, though Ohio can really move the football.But I see Tezino being a big factor on defense and Washington running well for the Aztecs. I am also bullish on the Mountain West after Utah State bulldozed North Texas in the New Mexico Bowl, 52-13, and Fresno State defeated Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl, 31-20. And the MAC’s champion, Northern Illinois, got bulldozed last night by the Blazers, 37-13. So I’m taking the Aztecs in an upset.

San Diego State 35, Ohio 30

Tremendous victory for our growing basketball team, excitement in the air for football, Malcolm Turner new AD

Our Vanderbilt Commodore basketball team put forth a phenomenal effort last night in defeating No.18 Arizona State, 81-65, before an electric Memorial Gymnasium crowd of 9,271.

Five Commodores scored in double figures. Sophomore point guard Saben Lee led the way with 14 points on 2-for-3 from the field, 1-for-2 from trifecta and 9-for-12 from the stripe. Super freshman Aaron Nesmith added 13 on 5-for-10 from the field and 3-for-5 from triple. Talented 6’10” transfer big man Yanni Wetzell chipped in 12 points and 5 boards to go along with 2 blocks. Yanni was also 5-for-5 from the line. Super senior Joe Toye and junior sharpshooter and Notre Dame transfer Matt Ryan added 11. We shot 44% for the game, 24-for-55, and 12-for-28 from trifecta, 43%. We were on fire from 3 in the second half going 6-for-12. We also finished 21-for-29 from the stripe, 72%. Would like to see that get even better, but a solid number nonetheless.

On the defensive side we also really excelled. We held the Sun Devils high octane offense to 32% shooting from the field (21-for-65) , 29% from 3 (7-for-24) and 65 points. To give you some perspective on that accomplishment defensively, the Sun Devils came into the game averaging 83 points per contest, 46% from the field, and 34 percent from trifecta. Their leading scorer, Dort Luguentz, a 5 star freshman guard from Canada, finished with 10 points on 3-for-13 from the field and 2-for-4 from trifecta. He came into the game averaging 20 points per game. Zona State was out-rebounding teams by 11 1/2 boards per game, but we kept it close. They pulled down 42 and we yanked 39 off the glass. VU 5 star freshman 6’10”, 250 power forward Simi Shittu finished with 9 points and led the team with 7 rebounds. Wetzell and Lee both grabbed 5, and Maxwell Evans, who did an outstanding job at point along with Saben, pulled down 4 boards, and added 8 points and 3 assists. Max hit 2 critical 3 pointers towards the end of the first half. Aaron had a monster tomahawk slam in the second half off an assist by Saben that ignited the crowd and really got the team pumped up.

It was a spectacular showing by our team that took a blow when we lost McDonald’s All American and potential NBA lottery point guard Darius Garland 3 weeks ago with a torn meniscus in his knee. We miss him, but Darius is there with the team on the bench and the players are now making the adjustment and look to have put it together last night. We moved to 7-2 and Zona State dropped to 8-2. Zona State lost by 6 to No.6 Nevada on December 7th in Los Angeles, 72-66, and defeated Georgia this past Saturday Night in Athens, 76-74, after having been down by 14 at halftime. The Sun Devils also defeated No.17 Mississippi State, 72-67, in Las Vegas, November 19th.

So that team is for real. It was an unreal, herculean effort by our team. Very proud of them. It doesn’t get any easier as we face Kansas State Saturday at 6 PM in Kansas City. ESPN2 will televise. But I think Bryce and the players are now more confident in this group’s chances to make a run this season. Bryce does a tremendously great job of building teams, and this team has a chance to be pretty special. Will have more on Kansas State coming up later this week. Awesome job by the guys. They deserve a lot of credit for hanging in there through the adversity of losing Darius and through the rigors of final exams. Just a terrific effort. Hopefully, it’s sign of things to come for this talented and developing basketball team.

Football

Kyle Shurmur and Coach Mason aim to build on their legacy next Thursday in Houston in the Texas Bowl (Photo, Knoxville News Sentinel).

There is a lot of electricity going on with Derek and his football team. We now have 21 commitments, many of whom will sign with us tomorrow on the first national signing day. The other is the first Wednesday in February, 2-6-19. We expect most all of these guys to sign and it looks like we could have 1 or 2 more tomorrow. It’s a very solid class. I’ve watched film on quite a few of them, and they are excellent football players. Coach Mason knows how to get good players and make them great players. He’s done that with his 2018 team and he’ll do it again with his 2019 team and beyond that. We also just got a graduate transfer quarterback, Riley Neal from Ball State. Neal will compete for the starting job in 2019. He was a 3 year starter for Ball State and is 6’5”, 217 pounds. He played in 9 games this fall as his season was cut short by injury, and completed 58 percent of his passes, for 1,917 yards and 11 TDs. He also rushed for 357 yards and 5 more TDs. He’ll join talented rising junior Deuce Wallace, rising and talented high 3 star freshman Allan Walters, and incoming freshman and great talent Jamil Muhammad, as those 4 compete for the starting job in 2019. Deuce has been reinstated to the team after serving a semester long suspension for violation of school policy. Deuce is a tremendous talent if he can get his act together. I’m sure he does now. Deuce is 6’2”, 210. As a senior at Sevier County High School in Sevierville, TN., Deuce passed for 3,505 yards and 37 TDs and led his team to the 5A state title game. Wallace also passed for 2,783 yards and 25 TDs as a junior. He was a 5,7 3 star by Rivals and an 88 by 247 Sports. He’s got it in him if he can keep his head on straight. Walters was a phenomenal high school quarterback as was Muhhamad. Should be a very compelling quarterback race this spring and summer with terrific candidates competing for the starting job.

Meanwhile, Kyle Shurmur, Kalija Lipscomb, Jared Pinkney, Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Justin Skule, Bruno Reagan, Jordan Griffin, LaDarius Wiley, Joejuan Williams and this talented Commodore football team gets ready to square off with Baylor on Thursday, Dec. 28 in the Academy Sports + Outdoor Texas Bowl in Houston. We are presently a 4 point favorite. The game kicks off at 8 PM CT and will be televised by ESPN. Can’t wait to see the guys compete again. Awesome reward for Kyle and the seniors for their incredible efforts for 4 and 5 years on the West End and for the underclassmen who have worked their tails off in the weight room, and during spring and summer drills along with the grind of the season, especially the SEC part of it. So proud of these guys for hanging tough and defeating Ole Miss and Tennessee to earn the right to play in the Texas Bowl. It’ll be somewhat of a home field advantage for Baylor, as Waco is 3 hours from Houston, so they’ll have quite a few fans there. Hopefully our fans will be there, too, to cheer on this fantastic team that has been through so much adversity and come out as winners regardless of the result in the Texas Bowl. But we’re there to win. This is a business trip as well as a reward trip for our players. We’ll be locked in come 8 PM December 28th at NRG Stadium in the Rocket City. Could be a high scoring game though our defense really excelled against Tennessee. Need to win the turnover battle and cash in in the red zone. Our offense has been pretty solid all season and our defense looks like it’s getting pretty terrific as well. This is a treat for Commodore Nation and is a building block for the future along with a tremendous reward for the seniors, all the players. But it’s serious on December 28th. It’s serious now. Our guys will be ready.

Will preview the Texas Bowl next week and have a major spread on signing day tomorrow.

New Athletics Director

Malcolm Turner takes over the athletic department at Vanderbilt (Photo, The Tennessean).

Chancellor Nicholas Zeppos and a 5 person committee including himself named Malcolm Turner as our new Athletics Director last week. Malcolm comes with impeccable academic credentials having been an exclusive Morehead Scholar and finalists for a Rhodes Scholarship at the University of North Carolina. He also earned an MBA and a law degree from Harvard. That’s impressive in itself, but he also has engineered successful ventures running the NBA G League capping off major accomplishment upon major accomplishment for the triple A league of the NBA and had excellent success working with and for the PGA. He comes highly recommended and endorsed by many people in the sports world including former NBA Commissioner David Stern and PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan. Malcolm is described as a great communicator, great listener and overall superb human being. He will work tirelessly with our stellar coaches in football, basketball, baseball, golf, tennis, soccer and bowling to make Vanderbilt Sports the best it can possibly be and continue the legacy of excellence in the classroom. Malcolm said he loves the energy of Vanderbilt and the city of Nashville, he loves the relationships with the student athletes and the relationships with the coaches. Malcolm starts on February 1, 2019. Welcome aboard Malcolm.

The UAB Blazers square off with Northern Illinois in the Boca Raton Bowl

The 10-3 UAB Blazers are locked in tonight for their second straight bowl appearance and third in program history (also, 2004) under Eddie Robinson Award recipient Bill Clark.

‘The great Clark won the prestigious Award for being the top coach in the country. The UAB story is fascinating and rich. There could be a book written on this amazing comeback of football on the Southside with a sparkling year and a half old football facility and ground broken for a new stadium to be completed in 2021. And Clark and his team are delivering. They not only finished the season with 10 victories, they also claimed the Conference USA Championship with a 27-25 victory over Middle Tennessee at Murfreesboro, where they had lost the week before, 27-3.

It’s a phenomenal story that has been written about by highly reputable sports writers throughout the country including Washington Post and numerous New York Times best selling author John Feinstein. It’s not just a feel good story. It’s a spectacularly good story.

The Blazers finished 2017 with an 8-5 and a disappointing loss to Ohio in the Bahamas Bowl, 41-6, but Clark and his team rebooted in January of this year. Clark said, as his team was running stadiums, he and his team talked about championships. They didn’t shy away from that. And it came to fruition on December 1st when the Blazers defeated Middle Tennessee to claim the Conference USA Championship. Now the Blazers set their sights on finishing off the season on majorly high note as they compete in the Boca Raton Bowl versus the 8-5 Northern Illinois Huskies, which also claimed a conference championship in the Mid American by virtue of a 30-29 victory over Buffalo in the MAC championship game at Ford Field in Detroit on November 30th.

This is a fascinating matchup between 2 teams that are built on defense and ball control offense with both teams featuring explosive playmakers. With a victory, the Blazers are almost assured of a top 25 ranking at season’s end.

Tonight

Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl

UAB (10-3) vs. Northern Illinois (8-5)

FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, FL., 30,000

6 CT

ESPN

Dave Lamont, Dez Howard, Jonathan Vilma, Alyssa Lang

Whistles, Mountain West, Cal McNeill, lead official

UAB by 2 1/2

This matchup features 2 of the most prolific defenses in the FBS. Northern Illinois leads the country in sacks with 50, while the Blazers check in at 2nd with 46. The Blazers are 5th in the country in tackles for loss with 89, while the Huskies are 6th with 87. A key stat to look at is 3rd down conversion percentage allowed by the defense, how the defense defends opposing offenses on 3rd down and gets off the field. UAB is 2nd nationally holding opponents to a 25% conversion rate, while Northern Illinois is 58th at 38%.

Outside linebacker Antonio Jones- Davis (5’11”, 226) leads the Huskies in tackles with 119, and he’s also posted 13 1/2 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. The bellcow of this defense though is junior defensive end Sutton Smith (6’1”, 237), who is 4th in the country in tackles for loss with 24 1/2 and tied for lead nationally with 15 sacks on the season. Smith is tied for the national lead in sacks with Louisiana Tech defensive end Jaylon Ferguson. Fellow defensive bookend Josh Corocoran (6’3”, 251) has posted 12 1/2 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, good for 8th nationally. Middle linebacker Kyle Pugh (6’0”, 235) added 99 tackles this season. The Huskies have recorded 7 ints on the season led by cornerback Jalen McKie’s 2.

On offense, quarterback Marcus Childers completed 212 of 368, 58%, for 1,996 yards, 15 TDs against 10 ints. Running back Tre Harbison (5’11”, 227) rushed for 985 yards and 4 TDs. Marcus Jones (5’8”, 199) added 523 yards and 4 TDs, while Childers chipped in 496 yards and 6 TDs. The Huskies leading receiver is D.J. Brown (5’9”, 185). Brown caught 55 passes for 484 yards and 5 TDs. Jauan Wesley (5’11”, 182) added 49 receptions for 585 yards and 2 TDs, while wide out Spencer Tears posted 34 receptions for 372 yards and 4 TDs. All these players are juniors and seniors. The offensive line features 2 seniors, 2 juniors and a redshirt sophomore. Center Luke Shively (6’3”, 300, SR.) is the leader up front.

For the Blazers, middle linebacker Chris Woolbright (6’3”, 235, Sr.) leads the team in tackles with 74 and added 13 1/2 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. The team leader in tackles for loss and sacks is towering senior outside linebacker Jarnell Garcia-Williams (6’8”, 245), who posted 15 1/2 TFLs and 9 1/2 sacks. Senior outside linebacker Tre Crawford (6’3”, 225) added 12 TFLs and 8 sacks. The Blazers registered 9 ints on the season led by Woolbright, strong safety Mar’Sean Diggs and corner Brontae Harris, who each picked off 2 passes. Woolbright took 1 back to the house.

On offense, the Blazers are anchored by a veteran offensive line. 4 seniors start up front along with a redshirt sophomore. Right tackle Justice Powers (6’3”, 300), a first team All-C-USA selection, is the leader, though left tackle James Davis (6’2”, 300), left guard Rishard Cook (6’3”, 340) and right guard Malique Johnson (6’3”, 320) are all seniors as well. Center Greg Fecanin (6’3”, 325) is a redshirt sophomore.

First team All-C-USA running back Spencer Brown (6’0”, 235, sophomore) rushed for 1,152 yards and 16 TDs. Behind his trusted line, Brown had a phenomenal season. Expect Clark and offensive coordinator Bryant Vincent to get Brown 25 or more carries tonight to get him crankin. Brown is a between the tackles, power runner, who also has the speed to make house calls. Quarterbacks A.J. Erdely (6’4”, 220, SR) and Tyler Johnston (6’2”, 212, Soph) have both performed well under center. Erdely has completed 111-of-198, 56%, for 1,539 yards, 7 TDs against 7 ints. Johnston, maybe a little more of an explosive player, completed 63-of-111, 57%, for 950 yards, 7 TDs against 8 ints. Johnston gives the offense more big play making ability, so I’m speculating he will get the start tonight. But if he struggles, expect to see Erdely fairly quickly. Not guaranteeing that Johnston will get the start, but he did get the start against Middle Tennessee in the C-USA championship and played well. Erdely has been battling an injury, but should be good to go tonight. The leading receivers for the Blazers are big play guys Andre Wilson (5’10, 180l SR) and Xavier Ubosi (6’2”, 217, SR). Wilson registered 30 receptions for 486 yards and 5 TDs, while Ubosi pulled in 28 throws for 610 yards and 5 TDs also. Senior Collin Lisa (5’10”, 168) is a terrific possession receiver. He caught 29 passes for 398 yards and a TD.

The Decision

This is a very evenly matched game with talented players on both sides of the ball for both squads. I do like UAB’s 3rd down defense, the o line and Spencer Brown. I’d say Johnston is a better call at quarterback than Erdely. With all that, along with a very good UAB defense, I like the Blazers to get over the top in an edge of your seat game in South Florida. UAB finishes a phenomenal 2018 campaign with 11 victories and a massive amount of momentum heading into 2019 and beyond.

UAB 27, Northern Illinois 24