Hello, it is bowl season, and every year I make a bunch of broad assumptions in a series of predictions and calls for the bowl season that I do not do any research for.
Coming up are the real research, big previews, and deep dives. But remember what your third grade teacher taught you: always go with your first answer.
It will be harder than ever this year because most of these games are going to be terrible. Everyone is transferring, but that is for later.
This is meant to be a quick look at all the games with a pick. So, here are the first ten predictions I made without much thought, from this Saturday, December 14th, to December 23rd. Tomorrow, the rest of the parts will be here.
Bowl Game First Thought Predictions, Analysis
Cricket Celebration Bowl
South Carolina State vs Jackson State
Saturday, December 14
12:00 pm ET
The game always seems to live up to expectations; it got a 7 in our “How Good Was Your Bowl?” rankings last year, and it should be just as good this time.
Jackson State is not as good as it was when Coach Prime was in charge, but both of the 2021 and 2022 teams lost. Each team is very fast and has a great defense, but Jackson State has a little more power to go with its speed.
First Thought Bowl Prediction
Jackson State 27, South Carolina State 24
Line: Jackson State -1.5, o/u: 54.5
IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl
Western Michigan vs South Alabama
Saturday, December 14
9:00 pm ET
No Research Instant Analysis: It is not fair that South Alabama gets to play at home, and the Jaguar players should know that. But that should not really matter in this case.
It will help the Bronco offense a little, but it will not be able to keep up with South Alabama’s strong attack at the end of the season. It looks like fun.
First Thought Bowl Prediction
South Alabama 34, Western Michigan 27
Line: South Alabama -10.5, o/u: 59.5
Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl
Memphis vs West Virginia
Tuesday, December 17
9:00 pm ET
Based on what we know right now, this is a good bowl game for the Frisco, but it will only work if West Virginia can get together quickly without head coach Neal Brown.
Late in the game, the Mountaineer defense fell apart completely, but do not think that the chaos around the program does not matter. Chad Scott, who is in charge of the offense, might keep this simple: pound, pound, pound. There will be too much pop for the Tigers, but this should be a fight.
First Thought Bowl Prediction
Memphis 38, West Virginia 34
Line: Memphis -2, o/u: 56.5
Roof Claim.com Boca Raton Bowl
James Madison vs WKU
Wednesday, December 18
5:30 pm ET
Quick Question: Does Western Kentucky’s offense come back after doing almost nothing in the last two games of the season against Jacksonville State? They were the best in bowl games last year, with an exciting win over Old Dominion.
But now they are about to hit a brick wall. After a rough end to the season and not getting off the bus in last year’s bowl loss to Air Force, James Madison comes through big.
First Thought Bowl Prediction
James Madison 30, Western Kentucky 13
Line: James Madison -7.5, o/u: 54.5
LA Bowl
UNLV vs Cal
Wednesday, December 18
9:00 pm ET
Do Not Think, Just Pick: This is one of those “do not think, just pick” examples. Cal is better than its record suggests, but UNLV is not quite as strong as its record suggests.
Many people will love the idea of UNLV getting back on track after the tough loss to Boise State and the way it played against Syracuse earlier in the year, but it will be different without new Purdue head coach Barry Odom around.
First Thought Bowl Prediction
Cal 23, UNLV 17
Line: Cal -2.5, o/u: 51.5
R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Sam Houston vs Georgia Southern
Thursday, December 19
7:00 pm ET
No Research, Right Away: Defense vs. Offense. The defense led by Sam Houston should hold up in the first half, but the team is missing a lot of players from the group that played so well in many low-scoring games in the second half of the season. They will have to get out of their comfort zone right away because of Georgia Southern’s attack.
First Thought Bowl Prediction
Georgia Southern 30, Sam Houston 16
Line: Georgia Southern -5.5, o/u: 46.5
Staff DNA Cure Bowl
Jacksonville State vs Ohio
Friday, December 20
12:00 pm ET
It is too bad there are so many other things going on, because this would be one of the few games between conference champions. If Rich Rodriguez, the head coach of Jacksonville State, decides he wants to bring back the magic at West Virginia, this is one of the bowls to keep an eye on for players.
I think you should never break a streak. Over the last few years, Ohio has been too good in bowl games. But head coach Tim Albin is going to Charlotte, and Rodriguez is likely to be there, so maybe…
First Thought Bowl Prediction
Jacksonville State 30, Ohio 26
Line: Ohio -2.5, o/u: 52
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl
Florida vs Tulane
Friday, December 20
3:30 pm ET
Instant Analysis: There is a lot of talk about Florida football all of a sudden. With Billy Napier still on the team after pulling them out of a deep hole, this could be one of those “2025 Starts Here” games for the Gators. Even though some players are likely to be out, Tulane will fight, but that O will not go up against the SEC team.
First Thought Bowl Prediction
Florida 34, Tulane 20
Line: Florida -11.5, o/u: 50.5
Myrtle Beach Bowl
UTSA vs Coastal Carolina
Monday, December 23
11:00 am ET
Without Any Research: I am sure there is research out there that shows how good teams are when they play at home, but this should be more than that.
Can you get the parts at Coastal Carolina? Before, the offense was not very stable, and now both quarterbacks Ethan Vasko and Noah Kim are in the portal. UTSA will keep up its late-season form.
First Thought Bowl Prediction
UTSA 37, Coastal Carolina 23
Line: UTSA -6.5, o/u: 57.5
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Northern Illinois vs Fresno State
Monday, December 23
2:30 pm ET
There are a lot of Fresno State Bulldogs who have transferred in. The passing game is not wiped out, but it is not good either, and Northern Illinois loses quarterback Ethan Hampton.
Even though it might get rough, this is Fresno State’s last game under Tim Skipper before the new coaching staff takes over. Also, I am not fooled by their controversial Camellia Bowl win over Arkansas State last year; this is Northern Illinois in a bowl game. That being said…
First Thought Bowl Prediction
Fresno State 23, Northern Illinois 17
Line: Northern Illinois -1.5, o/u: 41.5
