College Football Bowl Thread

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Another season is done and it's time for a bunch of bowls of varied importance and interest. For the first time, the 4 playoff teams are without any controversy. With the way it played out, you really can't make an argument for any other team to be in the playoff. The only bit of controversy is in the seeding.

But before we get to that, we must talk about the most anticipated bowl of the Season in this post and the less important ones in the next post.



Cotton Bowl - Cowboys Stadium - Sat 12/28 at 12:00 ESPN
10 Penn State vs 17 Memphis
The AAC is hungry for wins vs the power 5 conferences. Penn State is hugely disappointed that Wisconsin team was chose for the Rose. Word is that Jerruh pushed hard to get Penn State in his stadium instead of Wisconsin. But the benevolent committee would never be influenced by money so that must be nonsense.

This feels a lot like Penn State's bowl vs Kentucky last year. Kentucky called it their biggest game in history and Penn State fans could care less. I'm a bit worried that could happen again. But I'm hoping the disappointment of the flat performance will inspire them to not let it happen again.

Each team is dealing with some coaching changes. Memphis's coach left to become the HC at Florida State and they promoted OC (i think) Ryan Silverfield to the head coach. Penn State lost OC Ricky Rahne who became HC at Old Dominion. Penn State has not hired a replacement yet. It's unclear who will call the plays. It may be Franklin himself.

Franklin just got a contract extension. The biggest part of his contract was commitment for upgraded facilities and more money for assistants. This leads into the rumor that Penn State is strongly pursuing LSU's Joe Brady who is the passing game coordinator, kind of a Co-OC role. He'd be solo at Penn State. Brady also served as a grad assistant at Penn State under Franklin. We shall see.

As for the game, Penn State has a big talent advantage. Particularly on both lines. Memphis is small both lines. Their DL averages 266 lbs. Their NT is only 280. Penn State may be able to just push them around.

Memphis starting RT Scottie Dill will not play in the Bowl and has left the team. Could be a huge blow.

Penn State DE Yetur Gross-Matos, projected as a 1st rounder, has said he intends to play, but he has played with injury all year and may change his mind or be used sparingly. PSu does have pass rush depth behind him.

Sean Clifford will start at QB. He played the second half of the year injured until finally being knocked out vs Ohio State. He sat vs Rutgers which was pretty much a scrimmage for Penn State.

Memphis's main weapon is RB Kenneth Gainwell who is a factor in the passing game as well. He was a mismatch vs AAC defenses but Penn State does have LBs who can run with him in Brandon Smith, and 1st Team All American Micah Parsons

Penn State's defense had a few cracks late in the year but it was still good. They still held Ohio State to 28 points. I think Penn State's front 7 will bully Memphis and their QB will feel heat like he hasn't all year.

Penn State's OL should be able to overpower the Memphis DL and open running lanes. It could be close early but I think PSU wears them down and pulls away late.


And now the other games...

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Friday 12/20
MAKERS WANTED BAHAMAS BOWL - 2:00 ESPN
Buffalo vs Charlotte
They are expecting 40 mph winds. May want to bet the under on this one. Buffalo is the much better run team and if Charlotte can't throw it could be an easy win for Buffalo.


Saturday 12/21
CHERIBUNDI BOCA RATON BOWL - 3:30 ABC
SMU vs Florida Atlantic
could be an exciting game to flip back and forth between the Bills vs Pats which starts at 4:30

MITSUBISHI MOTORS LAS VEGAS BOWL 7:30 ABC
19 Boise State vs Washington
Wash coach Chris Peterson is retiring due to stress and this will be his last game. Will Wash play hard to send him out a winner? Boise wants badly to be included in the Pac 12 which will never happen because Boise may be good at football but academically, the Pac 12 looks at them like a Junior College. Like the Big 10, the Pac 12 does value their conference as more than sports. On the other hand, let the Pac 12 get left out of the playoff a few more times and maybe Boise starts looking good. I mean they do already have Arizona State in the conference.


Sunday 12/22 - No Bowls

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Playoff Matchups Sat 12/28 - After watching Penn State's Cotton Bowl earlier in the day, most of America probably won't even watch these playoff games, but for those diehards, I guess we can take a look.


Peach Bowl - Atlanta - 4:00 ESPN
4 Oklahoma vs 1 LSU
Spread LSU -13.5

Just about everybody is expecting a blowout here. Oklahoma is seen as as a huge step down from the top 3 teams and would have been a double digit underdog to any of them. I do think Oklahoma would get blown out by either Ohio State or Clemson because they both have really tough defenses that can hold down that Oklahoma offense. What about LSU?

I think LSU is the only team Oklahoma can beat, because LSU does have issues on defense. LSU gave up 400 yards rushing to Ole Miss. Oklahoma and LSU are actually pretty close in all stats. Both are great on offense and hit or miss on defense.

Oklahoma does have 3 players suspended. Their starting DE, along with their leading rusher and a WR. The RB and WR should not be an issue because they have depth there. The DE might be an issue, but the way Burrow gets rid of the ball so quickly, I don't think pass rushers will be much of a factor anyway.

Jalen Hurts has played in championships. He's played vs LSU too. Everyone expects this game to be a shootout and that's the type of game where Oklahoma has a shot. LSU outplayed Bama but they had a shot to win at the end because that LSU defense kept giving up plays. Burrow just made more. Will this be the game Burrow makes a mistake?

It's hard to believe in Oklahoma in a big game, but they usually get knocked out by a good defensive team. Now they get to play a game more their style. I'm still not sure they can pull it off, but they have a real shot.


Fiesta Bowl - Glendale AZ
3 Clemson vs 2 Ohio State 8:00 ESPN
Spread Clemson -2

Ohio State has looked like the best team this year. They have been dominant in all phases. Clemson is a bit unknown only because their schedule was so weak. What is known is they are loaded with talent and they have Championship experience.

Justin Fields had an outstanding season and the OSU offense has been unstoppable. Penn State came the closest. They have LBs that can run and that was a key. But PSU's secondary wasn't good enough. Clemson also has speed at LB that can track down Fields but they also have playmakers in the secondary

This really should be a great game. My thoughts are that Clemson will win with their experience but this year's team really has had an easy road and maybe that leads to a slow start while they adjust to Ohio State's speed. But Clemson won't panic. Trevor Lawrence won't panic.

Ohio State relies more on the run than Clemson does. If Clemson can shut down Ohio State's run with their front 7, then Fields may have to make some tough throws that he really hasn't had to make. Clemson is an effective run team but they aren't as reliant on it to make their offense go.

I'm picking Clemson. I think Clemson will be able to slow the OSU run game and their LBs can run down Fields. Fields will have to make more tight window throws that he's used to and may throw an INT or 2.

 

[Omar10213245]

Playoff Matchups Sat 12/28 - After watching Penn State's Cotton Bowl earlier in the day, most of America probably won't even watch these playoff games, but for those diehards, I guess we can take a look.


Peach Bowl - Atlanta - 4:00 ESPN
4 Oklahoma vs 1 LSU
Spread LSU -13.5

Just about everybody is expecting a blowout here. Oklahoma is seen as as a huge step down from the top 3 teams and would have been a double digit underdog to any of them. I do think Oklahoma would get blown out by either Ohio State or Clemson because they both have really tough defenses that can hold down that Oklahoma offense. What about LSU?

I think LSU is the only team Oklahoma can beat, because LSU does have issues on defense. LSU gave up 400 yards rushing to Ole Miss. Oklahoma and LSU are actually pretty close in all stats. Both are great on offense and hit or miss on defense.

Oklahoma does have 3 players suspended. Their starting DE, along with their leading rusher and a WR. The RB and WR should not be an issue because they have depth there. The DE might be an issue, but the way Burrow gets rid of the ball so quickly, I don't think pass rushers will be much of a factor anyway.

Jalen Hurts has played in championships. He's played vs LSU too. Everyone expects this game to be a shootout and that's the type of game where Oklahoma has a shot. LSU outplayed Bama but they had a shot to win at the end because that LSU defense kept giving up plays. Burrow just made more. Will this be the game Burrow makes a mistake?

It's hard to believe in Oklahoma in a big game, but they usually get knocked out by a good defensive team. Now they get to play a game more their style. I'm still not sure they can pull it off, but they have a real shot.


Fiesta Bowl - Glendale AZ
3 Clemson vs 2 Ohio State 8:00 ESPN
Spread Clemson -2

Ohio State has looked like the best team this year. They have been dominant in all phases. Clemson is a bit unknown only because their schedule was so weak. What is known is they are loaded with talent and they have Championship experience.

Justin Fields had an outstanding season and the OSU offense has been unstoppable. Penn State came the closest. They have LBs that can run and that was a key. But PSU's secondary wasn't good enough. Clemson also has speed at LB that can track down Fields but they also have playmakers in the secondary

This really should be a great game. My thoughts are that Clemson will win with their experience but this year's team really has had an easy road and maybe that leads to a slow start while they adjust to Ohio State's speed. But Clemson won't panic. Trevor Lawrence won't panic.

Ohio State relies more on the run than Clemson does. If Clemson can shut down Ohio State's run with their front 7, then Fields may have to make some tough throws that he really hasn't had to make. Clemson is an effective run team but they aren't as reliant on it to make their offense go.

I'm picking Clemson. I think Clemson will be able to slow the OSU run game and their LBs can run down Fields. Fields will have to make more tight window throws that he's used to and may throw an INT or 2.

Panic or not, I'm thinking the Buckeyes sack Trevor Lawrence 5, 6 times and shut down the Clemson offense for large portions of the game. Buckeye offense does just enough on the ground, and Justin Fields makes enough throws early to knock Clemson D off their comfort zone. Buckeyes win by 10

 

[F83]

I want to see the end of shea Patterson on Maize and yellow not a QB with so many weapons can carry a offence and put up 30 PPG whith the talent he had at WR he should easily but games army wisconson were horrid.

 

[TDX27]

Penn State not getting the Rose was one thing but then not getting a New Years day bowl in the Citrus or Outback was a total slap in the face. They should pound Memphis but who knows.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Penn State not getting the Rose was one thing but then not getting a New Years day bowl in the Citrus or Outback was a total slap in the face. They should pound Memphis but who knows.

They Cotton is a higher bowl than the Citrus or Outback. It is a "New Year's 6" bowl. It's just not played on New Year's because ESPN bought most of the bowls and they want to spread out the big name bowls. It only seems like a lesser bowl because they got memphis.

The committee likes to throw a bone to non Power 5 teams so they don't sue them for the obvious collusion that effectively excludes non power 5 teams from the playoff.

 

[TDX27]

They Cotton is a higher bowl than the Citrus or Outback. It is a "New Year's 6" bowl. It's just not played on New Year's because ESPN bought most of the bowls and they want to spread out the big name bowls. It only seems like a lesser bowl because they got memphis.

The committee likes to throw a bone to non Power 5 teams so they don't sue them for the obvious collusion that effectively excludes non power 5 teams from the playoff.

Not sure how they figure that. We are playing the worst team possible. Both Michigan and Minnesota are playing higher ranked teams. Plus, for me, I could have gone to one of the Florida games so that pissed me off too.

 

[Stainless]

No love for the SERVPRO FIRST RESPONDER BOWL??? Western Kentucky wanted some of Penn State, but we got stuck with Western Michigan.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Monday 12/23 - as baseball would call it, a Business Person Special.

<small>BAD BOY MOWERS GASPARILLA BOWL 2:30 ESPN
</small>UCF vs Marshall

Game is in Tampa so it should be a home game for UCF. Be a Bad Boy and watch some football on your phone while you're supposed to be working

 

[Hoot]

No love for the SERVPRO FIRST RESPONDER BOWL??? Western Kentucky wanted some of Penn State, but we got stuck with Western Michigan.

No love for the New Orleans Bowl either.

LOL. My son is a Jr. at App State. We have enjoyed the season they put together.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

others are free to post about Bowls or draftable players that interest them.

I think steeler fans need to be looking at OL, TE, and RB for the draft

 

[Pittsburgh Charlie]

No love for the New Orleans Bowl either.

LOL. My son is a Jr. at App State. We have enjoyed the season they put together.

I had love for App st
Picked them -17.5 and they let me down

I figured if my FAU Owls could beat UAB by 43 a top 20 App st could beat them by 18

Then earlier a 9 point underdog FAU lambasts SMU 52-21

Oh well


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Bowls are tough to predict because not all teams approach them the same way. Some go all out to win. Some are hugely disappointed by their bowl and play flat. Some use the game to try out a bunch of young players or try some schemes that they may use next year.


Interesting fact on Joe Brady LSU's passing game coordinator. He went to William and Mary. Maybe W&M is the new cradle of coaches.

Interesting fact on the playoffs. 3 of the 4 QBs are transfers. Shows how the transfer portal has changed the game.

 

[SteelerFan448]

I think steeler fans need to be looking at OL, TE, and RB for the draft

Offensive line is at the top of my list. You can find a very good starter at guard or right tackle where the Steelers will be drafting in the second round. Both plug and play positions, IMO.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Pass rush could be in the mix too. Dupree is likely gone on a big free agent deal. What about Tuitt? He looks great when healthy but he's never healthy. Heyward will be 31 next year and may only have a few peak years left.

They do need to start drafting OL, but pass rushers are so hard to find, they may not be able to pass on a guy in RD 2.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

A pair of games today

Independence Bowl. 4:00. ESPN
Miami vs La Tech
Miami has a bunch of guys sitting out because now the media tells all players that they are being exploited by playing in bowl games so they have to be smart and sit. So Miami has 3 guys out on defense and their top WR is sitting as well. But Miami has recruited well off years so they do have talent. The new redshirt rules allow players to play in 4 games or less without losing the redshirt. Miami has several young guys who will play because of that.

Miami stinks on offense but has a good defense. This seems destined to be low scoring if you are inclined to bet on an Under. I’m thinking the Pitt game will go under as well.


Quick Lane Bowl 8:00 ESPN - Detroit
Pitt vs Eastern Michigan
should be a home game for E Mich but how scary is that? Pitt has a good defense. Sometimes great. Maybe Pitt plays flat for being in such a crappy bowl but I don’t think the program is in a place where they overlook anybody. Pitt’s defense should be enough to win this game. I may parlay the under on this with the under on the Miami game.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Penn State has hired Minnesota OC Kirk Ciarocca to replace Ricky Rahne who left to become HC at Old Dominion. There was rumor they would try for LSU’s Joe Brady but that never seemed realistic. LSU will pay whatever it takes to keep him.

Ciarocca is a really good coach and Minnesota’s offense is similar to what Penn State has been doing so it should not be a major change or learning curve for the players. I do think he is much better at gameplanning than Rahne was.

 

[steel dino]

A pair of games today

Independence Bowl. 4:00. ESPN
Miami vs La Tech
Miami has a bunch of guys sitting out because now the media tells all players that they are being exploited by playing in bowl games so they have to be smart and sit. So Miami has 3 guys out

The NCAA should stop these kids from "choosing" to sit out Bowl games...

Can any other students that attend their university choose to not take Finals, and still get credit?

Maybe they can make these STUDENT athletes pay back their years tuition, books, and room and board?

 

[Omar10213245]

geez, thank GOD that one is over with, talk about a snoozefest.

Oh, and LOL at Miami not scoring a single point against LA-Tech. I don't care if they had 20 kids sitting out, not a single point?? That's sad.

 

[Sarge]

Man, Pitt kinda looks sucky so far.

 

[Omar10213245]

Pitt currently eating ****. . .

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Pitt is heavily favored so naturally Narduzzi finds a way to lose.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

EMU's run defense is awful, so naturally Pitt wants to throw

 

[Sarge]

Well, that tied it. Nice long catch and run!