It looks like these bowls are just right.
Some teams, like Nebraska, Colorado, BYU, and Army, will be over the moon to be here. They will bring the energy and play some great games. What are the plans for each one?
In the big bowl game previews, picks and predictions were made ahead of time. Here are the first thoughts and calls that were made without doing any research. Pick the first answer you get. So…
That is what people said and did about the bowls from December 28th to December 30th.
Bowl Game First Thought Predictions, Analysis: December 28 to 30
Wasabi Fenway Bowl
North Carolina vs UConn
Saturday, December 28
11:00, ESPN
No Research, Instant Analysis: Things are not going the way North Carolina thought they would. Bill Belichick is in the running to replace Mack Brown as coach, and Freddie Kitchens is taking over as head coach. The team has also lost a lot of players to other teams.
UConn is doing pretty well so far, but they lost RB Durell Robinson, so they could be better. NC still has the best players in the ACC, but UConn will be much more in sync.
First Thought Bowl Prediction
UConn 24, North Carolina 23
Line: North Carolina -4.5, o/u: 55.5
Isleta New Mexico Bowl
TCU vs Louisiana
Saturday, December 28
2:15, ESPN
No Research, Right Away Analysis: No defense, a lot of chances to score, and a blowout if TCU puts in the work and the right attitude.
New Mexico in the middle of a Saturday afternoon is a step down from winning the national title two years ago, but this team will be ready for it after missing out on a bowl game last year. This could be one of the most fun games that you have not heard of.
First Thought Bowl Prediction
TCU 38, Louisiana 20
Line: TCU -9.5, o/u: 60.5
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl
Boston College vs Nebraska
Saturday, December 28
12:00, ABC
There was no research done on this. This is a real analysis. So far, the transfers at Boston College are not a big problem, and Nebraska is losing a lot of backups but not any real killers.
The Eagles will be excited to be here and should be one of the better Power Four bowl teams that is not in the playoffs. But Nebraska can not be in a bowl game for the first time without bringing it. The Huskers do not roll, but they make 2025 a great year.
First Thought Bowl Prediction
Nebraska 27, Boston College 23
Line: Nebraska -3.5, o/u: 45.5
Pop-Tarts Bowl
Miami vs Iowa State
Saturday, December 28
3:30, ABC
Do Not Do Any Research: There is No Way Cam Ward is Playing in This, Is There? Thanks to its great advertising, the Pop-Tarts Bowl will be a lot of fun. However, Miami has been too quiet so far about his bowl opt-outs and transfers. They are coming. You can bet that Iowa State’s starting 22 will be a bit more complete and a lot more fired up right now.
First Thought Bowl Prediction
Iowa State 34, Miami 20
Line: Iowa State -1.5, o/u: 53.5
Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl
Miami University vs Colorado State
Saturday, December 28
4:30, CW Network
There was no research done for this instant analysis. Caleb Goodie and Jamari Person, Colorado State’s top two receivers, went to the portal, and more are likely to follow. Both teams should be a little more whole, though Colorado State has more talent on the lines to work through. Even though there are a lot of games going on at the same time, this bowl game might be worth looking for.
First Thought Bowl Prediction
Colorado State 26, Miami University 17
Line: Miami University -1.5, o/u: 43.5
Go Bowling Military Bowl
East Carolina vs NC State
Saturday, December 28
5:45, ESPN
Without any research, this should be at least exciting, with two groups of fans who will travel up the road. NC State had a terrible season, but they still have quarterback CJ Bailey and a lot of young players, so they should be fine.
But by the time this starts, the lines might not be clear. East Carolina head coach Blake Harrell can really start next year with this. His team is not as good, but they will play a little better.
First Thought Bowl Prediction
East Carolina 31, NC State 27
Line: NC State -5.5, o/u: 59.5
Valero Alamo Bowl
BYU vs Colorado
Saturday, December 28
7:30, ABC
There was no research done for this instant analysis, but this could be the most important bowl game of the season that is not the playoffs. It is just weird—it is a Big 12 game—and it might be even stranger if all the stars pick Colorado for some crazy reason.
To make things even stranger for this bowl season, BYU is still pretty much the same team. Even stranger? Both times he went to a bowl game at Jackson State, Coach Prime lost, so he is still looking for his first win. There is no reason for these two to stop trading haymakers until someone tells them to.
First Thought Bowl Prediction
BYU 41, Colorado 38
Line: Colorado -2.5, o/u: 54.5
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
Army vs Marshall
Saturday, December 28
9:15, ESPN
No Research, Right Away: Army, Army, Army. I have nothing against Marshall, but their head coach Charles Huff is going to Southern Miss, their running game is not great, and the portal probably will not be on their side by the time the game starts.
There will be a lot of effort, though, because it is a match between two conference champions. It will be performance art for the Army attack.
First Thought Bowl Prediction
Army 38, Marshall 13
Line: Army -10.5, o/u: 48.5
TransPerfect Music City Bowl
Iowa vs Missouri
Monday, December 30
2:30, ESPN
No Research, Right Away Analysis: Luther Burden (WR) from Missouri and Kaleb Johnson (RB) from Iowa are both getting ready for the NFL. But everyone else is still here for now, so both should bash away, especially on the offensive lines.
This is how Iowa should play, and they should be in charge for most of the game. But keep an eye on these two for opt-outs and portals over the next few weeks.
First Thought Bowl Prediction
Iowa 23, Missouri 20
Line: Missouri -2.5, o/u: 43.5
