Rock Solid Bowl Picks: Part 1
December 19, 2019
Rock Solid Bowl Picks: Part 3
December 31, 2019
Rock Solid Bowl Picks: Part 2
Bowl Season is in full swing and we at BragHouse have you covered for all of it! Haven’t downloaded the app yet? What are you waiting for! With 41 games on the docket, you have so many chances to win! Our in-house expert Shea Freeman is breaking down each game and highlighting one Brag for each game that you can use for yourself! Check out the second part of the Rock Solid Bowl Picks and download the app today! Part three coming on Monday!
North Carolina (6-6)
Temple (8-4)
Military Bowl:After winning just five games in two years, the Tar Heels are playing in a bowl game and looking to finish off coach Mack Brown’s first year above .500. However, they face a stiff test against a Temple team boasts a solid group of upperclassmen, 16 of which are seniors playing in their last game. Their defense is ranked third in the country in the redzone and will face ACC Freshman of the Year in QB Sam Howell, who’s 3,347 yards led the ACC to go along with 35 TDs. UNC almost beat Clemson this year, too. Keep that in mind.
Pick: Temple
Something to Brag About: Sam Howell will throw 3 touchdowns.
In a game where senior leadership might be the deciding factor, Howell is probably the most important player on either side. His 35 TDs were 4th nationally and he has thrown for at least 3 scores in his last four games.
Michigan State (6-6)
Wake Forest (8-4)
New Era Pinstripe Bowl:
It’s been a pretty disappointing season for the Spartans, barely making it to bowl season and with only two wins against teams with a winning record. Wake Forest, meanwhile, has shown flashes of potential all season and in a weak ACC they could be a team to watch out for next season. These are vastly different teams that play different styles of ball: Wake can move the ball down the field with ease while Michigan State is only allowing 21 points per game. The difference is one team has a brighter future ahead, win or lose.
Pick: Wake Forest
Something to Brag About: Sage Surratt will have 7 receptions.
In a conference where Clemson has shelled out multiple pro-caliber receivers, Surratt has been flying under the radar a bit. He’s had two back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons and could be a first round pick in the 2021 draft. He’s the Demon Deacons best playmaker on offense and I think he’s going to shine.
Oklahoma State (8-4)
Texas A&M (7-5)
Academy Sports + Outdoor Bowl Texas Bowl: For once, a bowl game that makes geographical sense… this game should be a rowdy one, kind of like a Diet Red River Rivalry. It also features on of my favorite Heisman picks for next year, RB Chuba Hubbard. The Cowboys have won seven of their last nine bowl games, including three in a row and face an Aggies team that is looking for a big win. Don’t let that record fool you; Texas A&M played the toughest schedule of the season, at one point playing three #1 schools (Clemson, Bama, LSU). If there’s one team that should be ready for a showdown, it’s the Aggies.
Pick: Oklahoma State
Something to Brag About: Chuba Hubbard will rush for over 150 yards.
I already wrote this brag in my preview, but let me reiterate something: Hubbard led the country with 1,937 yards. He’s had four 200 yard games this season and only rushed for under 100 once all year. I’m calling it now: this kid will be a first round pick in 2021 and a star at the next level.
USC (8-4)
Iowa (9-3)
San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl:
For all intents and purposes, USC is a sexy school. They’ve got the history, the swag and they reside in Los Angeles. Iowa, for those same intents and purposes, is not that sexy. It’s blue collar, sometimes kind of boring but yet it’s consistent and gets the job the done. The Hawkeyes sport a top 10 defense nationally and won 9 games in a much tougher conference. USC has plenty of talent on offense to challenge Iowa, including a potential first round pick in WR Michael Pittman Jr., but the real matchup will be Iowa’s pedestrian offense vs the Trojan’s very gracious defense (415 yards allowed per game).
Pick: Iowa
Something to Brag About: Michael Pittman Jr. will have 8 receptions or more.
Pittman, the son of a former NFL RB and Super Bowl Champ with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has had a sensational year but look at these stats from the final the games: 37 receptions for 330 yards and 3 scores. I’m hedging my bet a little but I wouldn’t be surprised if he had double digit catches, even against a stingy Iowa D.
Air Force (10-2)
Washington State (6-6)
Cheez-It Bowl:
I love the military teams because you know exactly what you’re getting from each one: run the ball til the other team passes out. It’s worked for Air Force ten times this season. With Washington State, you could say the same. Coach Mike Leach’s Air Raid Attack has produced a number of pro-caliber QB’s and while it doesn’t always work out, it sure makes for a fun game. Both teams average over 30 a game, but the big difference between these schools is on the defensive side of the ball, where Air Force allows under 20 a game and Washington State allows over 30.
Pick: Washington State
Something to Brag About: Anthony Gordon will throw for over 400 yards.
Gordon leads the nation in passing yards and it’s not even close — his 5,228 yards is 500 more than the next guy, Heisman winner Joe Burrow. The Cougars face a pretty good defense, but Gordon will have plenty of opportunities to hit that 400 mark, something he’s done seven times this year, including two 500 yard games and one 600 yard game.
Memphis (12-1)
Penn State (10-2)
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic:
Memphis is having their best season in school history, winning the AAC Conference outright for the first time in 50 years and securing their first ever New Year’s Six Appearance (although not in the New Year, apparently). Penn State, meanwhile, had a very good season of their own and their two losses came against two top 15 teams (Ohio State, Minnesota). The Nittany Lions sport a top 10 defense and will have their hands full with a Tigers team that is putting up 480 total yards of offense. It’s a clash of different styles, but man is this game going to be good.
Pick: Penn State
Something to Brag About: Journey Brown will rush for 100 yards
I’m playing the matchup with this one. Brown finished the year with 100 yards in three of Penn State’s last four games. Memphis, meanwhile, gives up 175 yards on the ground per game but has a pretty decent secondary. He might be relied on more than usual in this one.
Notre Dame (12-1)
Iowa State (7-5)
Camping World Bowl:
Despite struggling a bit mid season, the Fighting Irish have won five straight and finished the season strong, averaging over 40 points over their last four games. Iowa State has a legitimate weapon in QB Brock Purdy, whose 3,760 yards led the Big 12, but have lost three of their last five. Both teams are averaging over 430 yards of offense and sport capable defenses, but a touchdown separates them on that side of the ball (18.2 ppg allowed for ND vs 25 ppg for ISU). In what could be a relatively close game, that might be the stat to watch out for.
Pick: Notre Dame
Something to Brag About: Chase Claypool will have 110 receiving yards
Claypool has been coming on strong to end his senior season for the Irish, hauling in 18 catches for 317 yards and 8 TDs over his last four games. He’s currently 109 yards away from his first 1,000 yard season. I’m a firm believer in if you will your way to something, it will happen. So I hope Claypool hits his mark.
Oklahoma (12-1)
LSU (13-0)
Chik-Fil-A Peach Bowl, CFP Semifinal:
Our first CFP matchup pits two high flying offenses against each other — as well as two Heisman QBs who could be seeing each other at the next level. Joe Burrow is officially a star and likely top pick in the draft. Jalen Hurts threw for over 3,500 yards and ran for 1,255 (45 less than LSU RB Clyde-Edwards Hellaire). Both teams have two top wideouts in next years draft, CeeDee Lamb for OU (1,208 yards and 14 TDs) and Jamarr Chase (1,498 yards and 18 touchdowns). In fact, both schools average the same exact offensive totals at 554 yards per game. However, LSU is a two touchdown favorite in this game, largely because of the inconsistent play of the Sooner’s defense, but the over/under on points is currently at 75. I wouldn’t be surprised if it broke 90. Get ready for a shootout.
Pick: LSU
Something to Brag About: Joe Burrow will throw 4 TDs.
It’s surprisingly hard to pick a brag for this game because there are so many to choose from, but I’m going with a “safe” bet here. Burrow has 48 scores on the year, including four against Georgia in the SEC Championship, and has only been held to under three in two games. We’ve seen what this kid can do when the spotlight is on him and I have no reason to think that’s going to change now.
Clemson (13-0)
Ohio State (13-0)
ServPro First Responder Bowl:
We follow up the two playoff games with a game featuring to “western” teams that I know nothing about. The only thing I know is that the committee got lazy and said “they both have ‘West’ in their name, let’s put them together”. W. Kentucky has played well down the stretch, winning their last three contests and averaging over 30 a game (5 points over their average). W. Michigan, meanwhile, had a disappointing end to their season with a 17-14 loss to Northern Illinois despite averaging 34 points a game. They’re not that great defensively, whereas W. Kentucky is pretty decent. Another stat W. Kentucky has in it’s favor? They have four wins over bowl eligible teams. W. Michigan has one.
Pick: Western Kentucky
PlayStation Fiesta Bowl, CFP Semifinal:
Quite possibly the best matchup of Bowl Season, we have a hell of a showdown in Glendale. Ohio State has, in my opinion, been the most dominant team in the country all year. They’re 1st in scoring, 3rd in scoring defense and 2nd in total defense. Clemson has won 27 straight games, including last year’s Championship, and has felt disrespected all year despite ranking 4th, 1st and 1st in those same categories. Both teams have the best point differential in the nation, winning each game by an astounding average of 46 points per game. They are also LOADED on both sides of the ball and sport playmakers that will be on our fantasy teams for the foreseeable future. Seriously, pick your poison: Lawrence, Etienne and Higgins or Fields, Dobbins and Olave? Ohio State has Heisman-nominated edge rusher Chase Young, while Clemson has potential top 10 pick LB Isaiah Simmons to counter. There’s talent all over the field. This may not be the Championship Game… but it will be next year. Mark my words.
Pick: Ohio State
W. Kentucky (8-4)
W. Michigan (7-5)
Something to Brag About: Sam Howell will throw 3 touchdowns.
In a game where senior leadership might be the deciding factor, Howell is probably the most important player on either side. His 35 TDs were 4th nationally and he has thrown for at least 3 scores in his last four games.
Something to Brag About: Gaej Walker will have over 100 yards rushing.
Walker has come on strong during W. Kentucky’s three game win streak, going for over 100 yards in two of the last three games. He’s amassed over 1,100 yards on the season and faces a W. Michigan team that is generous against the run. Something else to brag about? Walker is from my hometown of Tampa, FL. Shout out to East Bay High School, Walker’s alma-mater, and all of the 813!
Mississippi State (6-6)
Louisville (7-5)
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl:
This game is pretty interesting, but I’m not sure if it’s a good thing. Mississippi State has somewhat of an advantage despite not having a passing game. They average less points on offense than on defense and average less than 200 passing yards per game. However, they have a solid running attack and are playing a Cardinals team that is also averaging less points on offense than on defense. Both teams can run the ball effectively, but Louisville actually has somewhat of a passing game. The key is going to be on the ground, where both teams have backs that have at least 230 carries for 1,300 yards or more. Whoever can stop the run will win the game, and Mississippi State holds teams to 70 rush yards less than Louisville.
Pick: Mississippi State
Something to Brag About: Kylin Hill will rush for 150 yards
I love it when a guy needs to hit a mark to reach a milestone and Hill has one in play. He needs just 50 yards to set the Mississippi State single season rushing record and not only do I think he gets it, I think he becomes the first Bulldog running back to rush for 1,500 yards in a season. He’ll need 150 to do that against a team that gives up over 200 a game on the ground.
Cal (7-5)
Illinois (6-6)
Redbox Bowl:
Does anyone use Redbox anymore? I’m asking for a friend. This same friend also wants to know if anyone is going to watch this game. It’s kind of like a Redbox, in a way. You forgot it was there and while you might be intrigued to check it out, you’re probably not going to. Cal hasn’t been all that great this year, especially in games that matter. Illinois finished off their season dropping two straight and scoring only ten in both games, including one to a two win Northwestern team. They did have a four-game win streak prior to that, so it’s possible they could come back to life for the direct-to-DVD version of a bowl game.
Pick: Illinois
Something to Brag About: Sam Howell will throw 3 touchdowns.
In a game where senior leadership might be the deciding factor, Howell is probably the most important player on either side. His 35 TDs were 4th nationally and he has thrown for at least 3 scores in his last four games.
Florida (10-2)
Virginia (9-4)
Capital One Orange Bowl:
The Gators have been one of the most resilient two loss teams in the country. Their two losses came against the top two teams in the SEC and they hung in those games. QB Kyle Trask has developed into a nice starter, leading an offense that averages over 420 yards per game. On the other side, Virginia also has a legitimate passing threat in Bryce Perkins (3,215 yards) and while they were thrashed by Clemson, they are capable of putting points on the board. However, the Gators are allowing under 300 yards of offense per game and sport a point differential of nearly 20 a game.
Pick: Florida
Something to Brag About: Sam Howell will throw 3 touchdowns.
In a game where senior leadership might be the deciding factor, Howell is probably the most important player on either side. His 35 TDs were 4th nationally and he has thrown for at least 3 scores in his last four games.
SF
Make sure to check in on Monday for the final batch of picks, including the National Championship!
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