Written by: Garett

Saturday will bring us college football on tv all day long, just as Saturdays are meant for. We have a lineup of four games, with the first starting at noon and the last starting at 10:30. I will preview each of these four games and make a prediction for each one.

Jared Birmingham Bowl

Memphis vs. Wake Forest

Noon ET

Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama

I would first like to just say that I love this venue. It just screams college football. Built in 1927, it has seen many, many great college football games including the Iron Bowl for 40 years. It is now currently home to the 2018 Boca Raton bowl winners UAB. Memphis comes in to this game winners of eight games, and runner up in the American Athletic Conference to UCF. If there’s one thing that this team can do, it is light up the scoreboard. The Tigers have an EXPLOSIVE offense, led by quarterback Brady White and running back Darrell Henderson. Henderson will not be taking part in the bowl game however, focusing instead on the NFL draft. That will be a huge miss for the Tigers. Wake Forest only won six games this year, and you already know my stance on that. Even worse, they only went 3-5 in the ACC, who had a really down year. They lost to Clemson 63-3, just as if they were FCS school. I actually like Wake, and hope they win for the ACC, but I just don’t see that happening.

Prediction: Memphis 45 Wake Forest 22

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl

Houston vs. Army

3:30 p.m. ET

Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas

The Houston Cougars had a very similar year to their American Athletic Conference foe Memphis. Both had eight wins on the season, and both went 5-3 within conference. It was Memphis that beat Houston, though, and had the chance for the conference title. Also just like Memphis, Houston has the ability to put up some points in a hurry. Sensational quarterback D’Eriq King is injured and will not play in this game, so backup Clayton Tune will have the chance to prove himself within the offense. Though their offense has big time capabilities, their defense can also give up points in a hurry. Their defensive coordinator is no longer with the team, so who knows how this will turn out for the Cougar D. Army is coming off a very strong 10-2 season, with their only losses coming to Duke and Oklahoma. The Duke loss is very confusing, but the Black Knights only lost to the Sooners by a touchdown, which is impressive. They also very easily beat the Buffalo Bulls, who had the most impressive season in the MAC. The bottom line is the Black Knights have been getting the job done this season. Behind their triple-option offense that can be very hard to defend, and a stellar defense, Army will win this game.

Prediction: Army 25 Houston 18

Dollar General Bowl

Buffalo vs. Troy

7:00 p.m. ET

Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama

It seems like I have previewed about 10 teams so far from the MAC, and Buffalo is the latest. They had the most impressive year within the MAC, going 7-1, and 10-3 overall. The crazy football fans of Buffalo had a lot more to cheer for this year from the Bulls than the Bills. Coming off the MAC championship one-point loss to Northern Illinois, the Bulls are looking to prove to America that they are the toughest team from the MAC with a statement win against Troy. With an offense that averaged over 35 points/game this season, Troy will have its hands full. The Troy Trojans, out of the Sun Belt, had a solid year going 7-1 within conference play and 9-3 overall. The Trojans are always a tough game and are well-coached. After Appalachian State, they are the best team the Sun Belt has to offer. An interesting stat to prove just how good of a program Troy is: they have won 22 out of its last 26 games. They always seem to give bigger programs trouble, and in my opinion, is one of the most underrated programs in college football. These two teams are very evenly matched, and I expect this to be a GREAT game for college football fans. It could go either way, but I am going to lean the Trojans way on this one because I believe the Sun Belt is an overall better conference than the MAC.

Prediction: Troy 24 Buffalo 21

SoFi Hawaii Bowl

Louisiana Tech vs. Hawaii

10:30 p.m. ET

Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii

Just like the Bahamas, Hawaii also isn’t a bad place to play this time of year. I don’t think Louisiana Tech was too mad at their bowl selection, and Hawaii just gets a home game. Louisiana Tech hails from Conference USA, where they went 5-3. They lost five games overall, including losses to LSU and Mississippi State. The thing that makes me hesitate on picking the Bulldogs is the fact that they lost three out of their last four games, so they are sliding into this bowl game backwards. If they are going to win their fifth bowl game in five years, they are going to have to improve on recent play. Hawaii plays in the Mountain West Conference, who is top heavy with Boise State, Utah State, and Fresno State. They Rainbow Warriors are within the next tier in the conference, with a 5-3 record. They didn’t play Boise State, but did play Utah State and Fresno State and lost by 39 and 30, respectively. To me, Hawaii is a team that will beat a lot of teams at its skill level, but show there is a clear discrepancy between them and the next level teams. I just don’t see Hawaii being quite ready for this type of game yet. Quarterback Cole McDonald will have to continue his stellar season and throw for five touchdowns if the Rainbow Warriors want to have a shot to win this one.

Prediction: Louisiana Tech 32 Hawaii 17

Garett

College Football Bowl Preview: December 22