Bowl season has already begun, but we are really starting to get to the good games that are on everybody's mind. The bowl season started out with Colorado State making an epic comeback to defeat Washington State in a thriller. I will give you a preview of my top 5 non-BCS Bowl games and then a thorough breakdown of the BCS Bowls over the next few days. There are many storylines to this year's schedule that should be exciting to watch unfold.
Top 5 non-BCS Bowls:
Russell Athletic Bowl
Miami vs. #18 Louisville
6:45 PM December 28
Miami started the season off very hot until they met the dynamic Florida State squad in a very hyped game that ended in a beat down on the Canes. Louisville's only loss came to a good UCF team who is playing in a BCS Bowl. This could be Teddy Bridgewater's last game as a Cardinal, and he has some history to The U. Bridgewater, a star out of Miami Northwestern High School, originally committed to his hometown team, but changed his mind and went to Louisville. Bridgewater has had a terrific career with Louisville. The key to this game will be if the Cardinals defense can stop the ground and pound running game of Miami, lead by Duke Johnson. He has been a beast this season and has kept this Miami team together. Don't sleep on Miami QB Stephen Morris, though. He has thrown for over 2,800 yards and 21 TD. This Louisville defense has been stingy, but they haven't faced an offense (with the exception to UCF) like Miami's.
My Pick: Louisville 38 Miami 24
Alamo Bowl
Texas vs. #10 Oregon
6:45 PM December 30
This is Mack Brown's last game as coach of the Texas Longhorns, and he has had an illustrious career with UT. It will be a tough matchup for his team as they face a dynamic Oregon offense. Ducks' QB Marcus Mariota is electrifying and tough to stop. He will be coming back next year as he declined the NFL Draft for one more season with Oregon. Oregon's offense averages 46.8 points per game and is top 20 in the nation in both rushing and passing yards. I think Oregon will be too tough to stop and put a damper on Mack Brown's going out party.
My Pick: Oregon 48 Texas 27
Chick-fil-a Bowl
#24 Duke vs #21 Texas A&M
8:00 PM December 31
This might be the legendary Johnny Manziel's last game as a collegiate athlete. Duke is coming off a loss in the ACC Championship to Florida State. It has been a historic season for the Blue Devils. The Coastal Division Champions have had a fantastic ride, but they are facing one of the best playmakers in all of college football. Manziel has some big targets, including WR Mike Evans. Evans has been a beast this season by putting up huge numbers. I don't think Duke will be able to stop this A&M offense.
My Pick: Texas A&M 42 Duke 17
Capital One Bowl
#19 Wisconsin vs #9 South Carolina
1:00 PM January 1
I am so excited for this matchup between these two very good teams. The Wisconsin O-line will have a tough time trying to stop the South Carolina D-line. Jadeveon Clowney will try to finish his SC career with a big win. Wisconsin has great balance on offense with Melvin Gordon and James White carrying the ball and Jared Abbrederis at WR. The Badgers defense is 5th in the country by only allowing 14 points per game. South Carolina QB Connor Shaw is a great dual-threat QB and is a major threat. This game will be won at the line of scrimmage and I think that the Gamecocks will win their 2nd straight Capital One Bowl in a close matchup.
My Pick: South Carolina 27 Wisconsin 24
Cotton Bowl
#13 Oklahoma State vs #8 Missouri
7:30 PM January 3
This game pits two of the most explosive offenses in the country. Mizzou has one of the the best set of WR in all of college football. They create matchup problems for any secondary. Oklahoma State is coming off a crushing loss to rival Oklahoma. OSU RB Desmond Roland averages about 5 yards per carry and is one of the most underrated players in the Big 12. The Cowboys' defense will have a very tough time stopping the electric James Franklin. Franklin is one of the most fun players in college football to watch. I think he will be the difference between these two teams.
My Pick: Missouri 38 Oklahoma State 27
My Pick: Louisville 38 Miami 24
Alamo Bowl
Texas vs. #10 Oregon
6:45 PM December 30
This is Mack Brown's last game as coach of the Texas Longhorns, and he has had an illustrious career with UT. It will be a tough matchup for his team as they face a dynamic Oregon offense. Ducks' QB Marcus Mariota is electrifying and tough to stop. He will be coming back next year as he declined the NFL Draft for one more season with Oregon. Oregon's offense averages 46.8 points per game and is top 20 in the nation in both rushing and passing yards. I think Oregon will be too tough to stop and put a damper on Mack Brown's going out party.
My Pick: Oregon 48 Texas 27
Chick-fil-a Bowl
#24 Duke vs #21 Texas A&M
8:00 PM December 31
This might be the legendary Johnny Manziel's last game as a collegiate athlete. Duke is coming off a loss in the ACC Championship to Florida State. It has been a historic season for the Blue Devils. The Coastal Division Champions have had a fantastic ride, but they are facing one of the best playmakers in all of college football. Manziel has some big targets, including WR Mike Evans. Evans has been a beast this season by putting up huge numbers. I don't think Duke will be able to stop this A&M offense.
My Pick: Texas A&M 42 Duke 17
Capital One Bowl
#19 Wisconsin vs #9 South Carolina
1:00 PM January 1
I am so excited for this matchup between these two very good teams. The Wisconsin O-line will have a tough time trying to stop the South Carolina D-line. Jadeveon Clowney will try to finish his SC career with a big win. Wisconsin has great balance on offense with Melvin Gordon and James White carrying the ball and Jared Abbrederis at WR. The Badgers defense is 5th in the country by only allowing 14 points per game. South Carolina QB Connor Shaw is a great dual-threat QB and is a major threat. This game will be won at the line of scrimmage and I think that the Gamecocks will win their 2nd straight Capital One Bowl in a close matchup.
My Pick: South Carolina 27 Wisconsin 24
Cotton Bowl
#13 Oklahoma State vs #8 Missouri
7:30 PM January 3
This game pits two of the most explosive offenses in the country. Mizzou has one of the the best set of WR in all of college football. They create matchup problems for any secondary. Oklahoma State is coming off a crushing loss to rival Oklahoma. OSU RB Desmond Roland averages about 5 yards per carry and is one of the most underrated players in the Big 12. The Cowboys' defense will have a very tough time stopping the electric James Franklin. Franklin is one of the most fun players in college football to watch. I think he will be the difference between these two teams.
My Pick: Missouri 38 Oklahoma State 27
