Instead, BENched jumps on board with the bowl games beginning today. There are 20 games to pick, so buckle up!
2016 BENched PT Record
Final Week: 6-1
Game of the Week Pick: 6-4
Game of the Week Pick: 6-4
Overall: 123-55 (.691 win %)
Wednesday, Dec. 28
Pinstripe Bowl (Bronx, N.Y.)
No. 23 Pittsburgh vs. Northwestern (Line: Pittsburgh -4.5)
Pitt has been one of college football's toughest outs this season. The Panthers own wins over No. 2 Clemson and No. 5 Penn State. Pitt's offense is dynamic, but will be without offensive coordinator Matt Canada, who is now the OC at LSU. Northwestern lost to the upper half of the Big Ten and beat the lower half. It began the season 0-2 with home losses to Western Michigan and FCS Illinois State. James Conner is due for a big day in the Big Apple to send him off in style. Panthers 45-12
Russell Athletic Bowl (Orlando, Fla.)
No. 16 West Virginia vs. Miami (Line: Miami -2.5)
West Virginia's only losses came to the top two teams in the Big 12 - Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. Both were by double-digits, so it's difficult to say exactly how good this 10-2 Mountaineer team really is. Miami, on the other hand, had two four-game winning streaks sandwiched around a four-game losing streak. The Canes have plenty of talent, but are lacking in the consistency department. It's a good, old battle between former Big East foes and should come down to the wire. 'Neers 33-28
Foster Farms Bowl (Santa Clara, Calif.)
Indiana vs. No. 19 Utah (Line: Utah -5.5)
Despite making a bowl game, Indiana fired coach Kevin Wilson. That should make you leery enough. Add in a pretty good Utah team that knocked off USC and took both Washington and Colorado to the wire, it's a recipe for a bowl game blowout. Utes 52-20
AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl (Houston, Texas)
Texas A&M vs. Kansas State (Line: Texas A&M -2.5)
The Aggies have a virtual home-field advantage playing at NRG Stadium in Houston. The atmosphere should be electric as both fan bases will fill it up as these two former Big 12 foes renew acquaintances. You never know when Bill Snyder's time will be up, but while he's still coaching with weeks to prepare for an opponent, old Bill has the edge. A&M should have a healthy Trevor Knight, but not sure that's enough. SnyderCats 31-27
Thursday, Dec. 29
Birmingham Bowl (Birmingham, Ala.)
South Florida vs. South Carolina (Line: South Florida -10)
South Carolina closed the season 4-2 with a win over Tennessee to reach bowl eligibility. However, the Gamecocks were non-competitive in losses to Florida and Clemson. South Florida's quarterback Quintin Flowers might be the best kept secret in college football. His dual-threat ability will give Will Muschamp nightmares. Bulls 41-21
Belk Bowl (Charlotte, N.C.)
Arkansas vs. No. 22 Virginia Tech (Line: Virginia Tech -7)
The Hokies are coming off a hard-fought loss in the ACC Championship Game against Clemson. Jerod Evans is one of two QBs to have 3,000+ yards passing, 25+ TDs, 500+ yards rushing and 10+ rushing TDs. The other to do that this season? Heisman winner Lamar Jackson. So yeah, Evans is pretty good and the VT offense runs through him. Arkansas struggled this year with uptempo offenses, but the Hogs can hang some points up themselves. A win for the Hokies would cap a tremendous first season by Justin Fuente in Blacksburg. Hokies 38-24
Valero Alamo Bowl (San Antonio, Texas)
No. 12 Oklahoma State vs. No. 10 Colorado (Line: Colorado -3)
Another game between a current Big 12 team and a former conference foe who left for seemingly greener pastures. Colorado is the country's biggest surprise. The blemishes for the Buffs were mostly due to losing quarterback Sefo Liufau against Michigan and Washington. Oklahoma State has two befuddling losses to Central Michigan and Baylor, but the QB-WR combo of Mason Rudolph and James Washington is dangerous downfield. The Pokes also found a decent running game with freshman Justice Hill and senior Chris Carson. It's a toss-up, but BENched is going with the coach-of-the-year Mike MacIntyre who has his team in a bowl game for the first time in 10 years. Buffs 28-27
Friday, Dec. 30
AutoZone Liberty Bowl (Memphis, Tenn.)
Georgia vs. TCU (Line: Pick 'em)
Can you figure these teams out? TCU, led by transfer quarterback Kenny Hill, could never find consistency, never winning more than two in a row and alternating wins and losses the last five games of the season. The Horned Frogs had a double-OT loss to Texas Tech at home, then beat Baylor on the road 62-22. The next three games were a 31-6 loss to Oklahoma State, a 31-9 win at Texas, and a 30-6 loss at home against K-State. Georgia was just as inconsistent with losses to Vandy and Georgia Tech at home, but a win over North Carolina to open the season and against Top 10 Auburn late in the year. No wonder it's a pick 'em. Georgia 24-23
Hyundai Sun Bowl (El Paso, Texas)
No. 18 Stanford vs. North Carolina (Line: Stanford -3)
Christian McCaffrey won't play in this game. Maybe that takes some shine off the Sun Bowl, but the matchup between the Cardinal and Tar Heels is a good one. Stanford came on strong after a slow start, scoring 41+ in each of its last three games and winning its final five in a row. North Carolina ended the season with a dud, falling to Duke and NC State in two of its final three games. The Heels were in line to possibly clinch a division title and reach 10 wins for the second straight season. How will Mitch Trubisky handle the Cardinal defense? The answer to that will provide the winner of this one. Trees 34-30
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl (Nashville, Tenn.)
Nebraska vs. No. 21 Tennessee (Line: Tennessee -6.5)
The Vols were the most overrated team this season, entering with tons of hype and potential, but going just 4-4 in the SEC while playing the worst division in football (SEC East). Nebraska started 7-0, but was a bit of a fraud. The Huskers fell to Wisconsin in OT, then were shellacked by Ohio State 62-3 before the 30-point drubbing from Iowa. Both Tennessee and Nebraska fell flat against their rivals to close the season. Who will show up to end the year on a high note? Vols 28-23
Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl (Tucson, Ariz.)
South Alabama vs. Air Force (Line: Air Force -13.5)
Like BENched said, there are too many bowl games. Look, we're glad the Air Force Academy gets to play in a bowl game, but a 9-3 Mountain West team against a 6-6 Sun Belt squad just doesn't get the meter going. Falcons 34-14
Capital One Orange Bowl (Miami Gardens, Fla.)
No. 6 Michigan vs. No. 11 Florida State (Line: Michigan -7)
Ah, that's more like it. Florida State's offense faces a stiff test against the Wolverine D. Dalvin Cook against Jabrill Peppers is the matchup to watch. And it will be a fun one. But the Seminoles are looking to go out with a bang on defense as well. FSU's defensive line anchored by Demarcus Walker will cause havoc in the Michigan backfield. The first New Year's Six bowl should be an instant classic. Noles 30-27
Saturday, Dec. 31
Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl (Orlando, Fla.)
No. 20 LSU vs. No. 13 Louisville (Line: LSU -3)
Lamar Jackson will get his chance to put on a show against one of the nation's stingiest defenses. LSU hasn't faced a dynamic quarterback like Jackson this season, but the Tigers will be eager to shut him down. When Louisville faced tough defenses, especially down the stretch, the Cards folded. Will it be more of the same, or will the lack of Leonard Fournette give Louisville the upper hand? Cards 24-17
TaxSlayer Bowl (Jacksonville, Fla.)
Georgia Tech vs. Kentucky (Line: Georgia Tech -3.5)
Ground and pound, that'll be the name of this game. Georgia Tech's option offense against Kentucky's SEC best rushing attack. Which defense can stiffen up enough times to get off the field? Give the edge to the Yellow Jackets for senior quarterback Justin Thomas. But don't count out the Cats who just took down Heisman winner Lamar Jackson on his home field. Mark Stoops and Co. have had a month to break down the Jacket attack. But that also means Paul Johnson has had a month to be even more creative. Bees 35-30
CFB Playoff
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (Atlanta, Ga.)
No. 4 Washington vs. No. 1 Alabama (Line: Alabama -14)
There's no questioning the consensus No. 1 team in the land this season. But there are question marks about the quality of competition Bama has played. Finally we'll get our answer. Washington brings an athletic bunch and a stout defense to the Tide's backyard. Chris Petersen has a history of bigtime calls in bigtime bowls. Don't expect too much too soon from the Huskies, but if it's a tight one late there could be some trickeration in the ATL. However, BENched doesn't think Washington is there yet. Rome wasn't built in a day and this Bama team is loaded with studs. There's also that guy Nick Saban on the sideline, who arguably has his best team ever. Tide 34-17
GAME OF THE WEEK
PlayStation Fiesta Bowl (Glendale, Ariz.)
No. 3 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Clemson (Line: Ohio State -3)
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| Ohio State and Clemson meet in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl with the winner advancing to the National Championship. (Photo courtesy CFB Playoff) |
Monday, Jan. 2
Outback Bowl (Tampa, Fla.)
No. 17 Florida vs. Iowa (Line: Florida -3)
Florida's inept offense against Iowa's fickle self. The Gators won the SEC East, riding the defense all the way to Atlanta before being throttled by Alabama, 54-16. The most points Florida scored in its final six games was 24 in a win against Georgia. Iowa finished the season with three straight wins including the thriller over Michigan and a 40-10 blowout over rival Nebraska. But there were losses to North Dakota State and Northwestern along the way. Expect defense and not a lot of points. Gators 17-13
Goodyear Cotton Bowl (Arlington, Texas)
No. 15 Western Michigan vs. No. 8 Wisconsin (Line: Wisconsin -7.5)
What a fun one this should be (ROW THE BOAT!). Wisconsin might be the most unlucky team in terms of its close losses that could've turned its season into a magical one (ROW THE BOAT!). The Badgers have a seven-point loss at Michigan, a seven-point overtime loss to Ohio State, and blew a 21-point lead to lose by - you guessed it - seven to Penn State in the Big Ten title game (ROW THE BOAT!). Western Michigan turned in an impressive 13-0 season behind its infectiously optimistic coach PJ Fleck (ROW THE BOAT!). His catchphrases took America by storm and he always wants you to have an ELITE day (and to also ROW THE BOAT!). The talent gap between UW and WMU is sizable, though. Badgers 38-27
KEEP ROWING, THOUGH!!!
Rose Bowl Game Presented by Northwestern Mutual (Pasadena, Calif.)
No. 9 USC vs. No. 5 Penn State (Line: USC -6.5)
BENched isn't thrilled with the Committee's choice to move USC ahead of Colorado when the Buffaloes won the division and took a loss in the Pac-12 Championship. The way the Trojans finished the season, winning eight straight games, they are certainly deserving. But so were the Buffs. Aside from that, the Nittany Lions pulled off a miraculous season after starting 2-2 to win eight straight themselves. Penn State is a second half team, so the halftime score might not be an indication of how this game is going. PSU scored 38+ points in their final six games and were pretty salty on defense, too. USC scored 36+ in five of its final six, the lone exception a 26-13 win at Washington. It'll likely be a shootout in Pasadena. Trojans 45-35
Allstate Sugar Bowl (New Orleans, La.)
No. 14 Auburn vs. No. 7 Oklahoma (Line: Oklahoma -3)
At first glance, this appears to be a mismatch. A 10-2 Big 12 champion against a middling 8-4 SEC squad. Auburn dealt with injuries through much of the year, but should be healthy for the bowl game. Running backs Kerryon Johnson and Kamryn Pettway give the Tigers a two-headed monster in the backfield. Those two plus a healthy Sean White can put up points with the best of them. That's a dangerous thing for OU's feeble defense. The Sooners, though, boast two Heisman finalists in Baker Mayfield and Dede Westbrook. The star wide receiver ran wild in the Big 12 and provides a spark in the kicking game alongside Joe Mixon. OU is out to prove it can hang with some of college football's toughest teams after lacking the past few seasons against Clemson, Houston and Ohio State. The question is, will that be enough? Ponies and Wagons 37-35
-BtW
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