College Cappers: Picking the Bowl Games

The cappers made picks for each of the bowl games. Read below to find out their winners, including best bets.

BAHAMAS BOWL

Buffalo (-6.5) vs. Charlotte

CHRIS: Buffalo - I am a huge fan of this 49ers team, but this couldn't be a worse matchup. Both can run, but Charlotte can't stop it.

GREG: Buffalo - Both teams on a roll coming in, I'll take the better defense.

FRISCO BOWL

Utah State (-6.5) vs. Kent State

CHRIS: Utah State - Recent marijuana charges for QB Jordan Love, RB Gerald Bright and WR Sean Carter are of concern, as are rumors of Love transferring or turning pro following this contest. But Kent State is not a good football team.

GREG: Utah State - A six win MAC team, yeah, I'll side with Jordan Love who will be auditioning for the scouts.

NEW MEXICO BOWL

San Diego State (-3.5) vs. Central Michigan

CHRIS: San Diego State - CMU far exceeded preseason expectations. I'm not sure how either side scores, but SDST has the better D, and should create shorter fields.

GREG: San Diego State - CMU needs to run to be successful, it won't be able to against SDSU, which allows only 72 yards per game on the ground.

CURE BOWL

Georgia Southern (-4.5) vs. Liberty

CHRIS: Georgia Southern - I couldn't agree with Greg more. Both teams will score plenty, but Liberty has no chance at stopping the Eagles' option.

GREG: Georgia Southern - Georgia Southern loves to run the ball, Liberty allows nearly 200 yards per game on the ground. Plenty of points in this game.

BOCA RATON BOWL

SMU (-3.5) vs. FAU

CHRIS: SMU - This seems like a pretty big step up in class for FAU, whose only non-conference wins came against Wagner and Ball State. If the Mustangs' defense were slightly better, I'd lock this in as a best bet.

GREG: SMU - There's no way to know how FAU responds without Lane Kiffin. SMU is no slouch, if FAU isn't focused, this could get ugly.

CAMELLIA BOWL

Arkansas State (-2.5) vs. Florida International

CHRIS: Arkansas State - I'm not, or dont want to as a Miami homer, buying FIU's late-season surge. I find their pass defense stats skewed by team's knowing they can run against them, as LaTech and FAU found success against them, and the RedWolves will as well.

GREG: FIU - A month removed from its huge upset of Miami, FIU has had plenty of time to celebrate. Now it's back to business.

LAS VEGAS BOWL

Washington (-3.5) vs. Boise State

CHRIS: Boise State - I want to fade the Chris Peterson retirement angle and hope his old team wants to send him out a loser. Washington has been wildly inconsistent on both sides of the ball, so I'll cautiously take the points.

GREG: Washington - Huskies will have plenty of motivation to send Chris Peterson out as a winner. Boise State hasn't been the machine we've become accustomed to in the past.

NEW ORLEANS BOWL

Appalachian State (-16.5) vs. UAB

CHRIS: Appalachian State - UAB is far too one-dimensional offensively. The Mountaineers contain the Blazers rushing attack, while QB Zac Thomas beats them with his arm and legs.

GREG: Appalachian State - UAB has dropped three of its past six, all by 20 or more points. App State with only one loss this season, looking to impress the nation with a blowout win.

GASPARILLA BOWL

Central Florida (-17.5) vs. Marshall

CHRIS: Central Florida - It's a big number for a team with questionable motivation, but UCF is playing roughly an hour from campus, and I think they can put a few scores up early, forcing Marshall to pass more than they want.

GREG: Marshall - Motivation will be hard to come by for UCF, which has become accustomed to playing in bigger bowls. Marshall was blown out just once this season.

HAWAII BOWL

BYU (-2) vs. Hawaii

CHRIS: Hawaii - BYU went only 4-8 ATS and a similarly ratioed 2-4 on the road, while Hawaii was a surprisingly limited 4-4 ATS on the islands. I don't think BYU will use this as a vacation, but in a coin flip game, I'll side with the "home" team getting points.

GREG: Hawaii - Tough to focus on the game when you get a free trip to Hawaii in the middle of December. Hawaii with more than enough fire power to hang with the Cougars.

INDEPENDENCE BOWL

Miami (-6.5) vs. Louisiana Tech

CHRIS: Miami - Homer pick which makes absolutely no sense as everything points to a LaTech upset win. When everyone zigs, I'm zagging.

GREG: Louisiana Tech (best bet) - Miami is a team that struggled to get up for its opponents many times this season, losing several times as a big favorite. Louisiana Tech can win this game if Miami isn't careful.

QUICK LANE BOWL

Pittsburgh (-11) vs. Eastern Michigan

CHRIS: Eastern Michigan - Pitt should win this easily, but their high-volume passing attack doesn't yield big points, and have won only once by more than one possession. EMU isn't good, and I have no idea how they score, and am banking on Pitt not caring about playing a team that finished last in the MAC West.

GREG: Pittsburgh - Panthers struggled down the stretch, but we have another six win MAC team in play. If Pittsburgh comes to play, it wins and covers.

MILITARY BOWL

North Carolina (-4.5) vs. Temple

CHRIS: North Carolina - I like the Heels balance offensively, and don't think the Owls can keep up once Sam Howell and company start putting up points.

GREG: Temple - Tough to find much separation here. Both teams have very similar metrics, which means, take the underdog.

PINSTRIPE BOWL

Michigan State (-4.5) vs. Wake Forest

CHRIS: Wake Forest - I question the Deacons ability to score against a physical defense, but MSU's only wins since September are over Maryland and Rutgers. Give me the points.

GREG: Wake Forest - MSU struggled with a tough schedule, but never was able to show much of anything, even against lesser competition. Wake is unpredictable, but I think it shows up here.

TEXAS BOWL

Texas A&M (-7) vs. Oklahoma State

CHRIS: Texas A&M - I don't trust the Aggies much, but they have the far superior defense, and presumably a leg up under center with Kellen Mond as opposed to Dru Brown.

GREG: Texas A&M - Not a fan of laying this many points with an unpredictable Aggie squad, but OSU's offense just hasn't been the same without Spencer Sanders.

HOLIDAY BOWL

Iowa (-2) vs. USC 

CHRIS: Iowa - I'll be honest — I haven't watched a minute of either of these two play. Give me the Hawkeyes and their defense please.

GREG: USC - I've had a bit of an anti-Iowa bias all season because of its offense and I see no reason to switch sides now. The Trojans are pretty darn good when they come to play.

CHEEZ-IT BOWL

Air Force (-2.5) vs. Washington State

CHRIS: Air Force - The Falcons beat the best passing attacks they saw in Hawaii and Colorado State by a combined 47 points, scoring 100 in those two games. I like their rushing attack to keep the Cougars offense on the sideline.

GREG: Air Force - I underestimated WSU leading into its bowl game last season and I got burned, but this Cougars team does not have Gardner Minshew and just isn't as potent.

CAMPING WORLD BOWL

Notre Dame (-3.5) vs. Iowa State

CHRIS: Notre Dame - I'm not sure the Irish have a signature win this year, nor am I sure this would qualify. But I like the way QB Ian Book closed the year, and will take him to gash a defense that allowed three touchdown passes in three straight games before shutting down lowly Kansas to close the year.

GREG: Iowa State - Speak of the devil, ISU was the team I backed against Washington State last season and while the Cyclones did not have their best game in that spot, I think they come up big here and make this a game.

COTTON BOWL

Penn State (-6.5) vs. Memphis

CHRIS: Penn State - A theme with my picks has been defense. PSU has a leg up there, and should corral Memphis' potent offense, assuming they come in motivated.

GREG: Memphis - This was a tough one for me as I'm not sure how excited PSU will be to play in this spot. Memphis will be jacked to face Penn State and the Tigers have the offense to make this a game.

PEACH BOWL - CFP SEMIFINAL

LSU (-13) vs. Oklahoma

CHRIS: LSU - The Tigers defense has been getable, but I don't think Oklahoma has the DBs to cover the plethora of talent LSU has at WR. OU will put up points and keep it close for a half, but LSU will keep scoring while getting more stops late.

GREG: LSU - As Chris can attest, I originally had Oklahoma in this spot, but that was before the suspensions hit on Wednesday. I was on the fence to begin with and now I'm back on the favorite.

FIESTA BOWL - CFP SEMIFINAL

Clemson (-2) vs. Ohio State

CHRIS: Clemson (best bet) - The Tigers have been building to this all year long. They'll trim down their offensive rotations, leaving star power at all levels on the field and run away from Ohio State with ease.

GREG: Clemson (best bet) - To make this easy, I just didn't like what I saw from the Buckeyes in the Big Ten Championship. Specifically, Justin Fields looked terrible in stretches and I think Clemson can rattle him. On the other side, OSU has struggled against any halfway decent passing offense over the past few games and Clemson's attack is firing on all cylinders.

FIRST RESPONDER BOWL

Western Kentucky (-3.5) vs. Western Michigan

CHRIS: Western Kentucky - WKU's defense faded down the stretch, but I'm very happy to go agains thte MAC unless the matchup begs for the contrary.

GREG: Western Kentucky - WKU manhandled an SEC team this season. Okay, it was Arkansas, still that's quite a feat to go into an SEC stadium and embarrass the home team.

REDBOX BOWL

California (-6.5) vs. Illinois

CHRIS: California - Two more teams I know little about. Neither inspire much confidence, and this is a big number. But Illinois already owns losses to Eastern Michigan and Northwestern, so I'll take the Bears.

GREG: California - Illinois stepped-up a couple times this season and played very well, but the Illini also lost to Northwestern in their most recent game. Cal can lean on its defense in this game.

MUSIC CITY BOWL

Mississippi State (-3.5) vs. Louisville

CHRIS: Mississippi State - Two units I despise collide here in MSU's poor offense versus Louisville's soft defense. I'll take MSU RB Kylin Hill to gash a defense that allows 5.5 ypc to get the job done.

GREG: Louisville - The Cardinals were not expected to even make it to a bowl game this season. They've been beating expectations all season and that continues here.

ORANGE BOWL

Florida (-14.5) vs. Virginia

CHRIS: Florida - It's a big number, but loyal readers know my feelings on Virginia. Their defense has been decimated by injury and are susceptible to big passing plays, and their offense is Bryce Perkins and nothing else. Florida has the athletes to exploit the former, and contain the latter.

GREG: Florida - I'm not fond of laying this big of a number with Florida, but I think the Cavaliers left everything on the field against Virginia Tech two games ago and they are just playing out the string now.

BELK BOWL

Virginia Tech (-2.5) vs. Kentucky

CHRIS: Virginia Tech - Hokies' DC Bud Foster's last game, and surely he and his unit learned from the gashing UVA QB Bryce Perkins put on them in the finale. Kentucky may be even more one-dimensional with Lynn Bowden under center. Foster adjusts and rides off into the sunset.

GREG: Virginia Tech - Though they didn't make the conference championship, the Hokies were the second best team in the ACC this season. The Hokies will send Bud Foster off in style.

SUN BOWL

Arizona State (-4) vs. Florida State

CHRIS: Florida State - Both sides will be missing their star RBs due to NFL Draft prep, but ASU will also be missing top wideout Brandon Aiyuk. Both team's bring bottom 17 pass defenses, but the 'Noles look to have more available weapons, and get points

GREG: Arizona State - I don't like either side here, but ASU at least has the feel of a team on the rise, while I have no idea what's happening at FSU. Things could change next season with the new coach, but that won't help them.

LIBERTY BOWL

Navy (-2.5) vs. Kansas State

CHRIS: Navy - Both teams are spread warriors, going 9-3 ATS. We're looking at a quick game, with both team's being in the top 11 in time of possession, bleeding clock with the run game. I'll take Navy QB Malcolm Perry to end his career on a high note, and all of Navy's wins have come by more than this number.

GREG: Kansas State - Service Academy teams have played well in bowl games over the past decade, which makes sense I guess since the opponents don't often see an option-style offense, but something tells me the Wildcats will be just scrappy enough to cause problems for Navy.

ARIZONA BOWL

Wyoming (-7) vs. Georgia State

CHRIS: Wyoming - The Cowboys rank sixth against the run and 11th in points scored, and should be able to limit a Georgia State option attack. The Panthers went 1-3 SU and ATS in November.

GREG: Georgia State - As Chris mentioned, the Cowboys have a stout rush defense, but I doubt they've seen anything like the Georgia State offense. Add in terrible home/road splits and I'll side with the dog.

ALAMO BOWL

Utah (-7) vs. Texas

CHRIS: Utah - Have to stick with my defensive theme, as the Utes have the clear upside there. Texas' season clearly didn't go as they expected, and are content just to see it conclude.

GREG: Utah - Texas has nothing to play for here, no motivation, nothing to gain, while Utah needs to get some respect back after getting embarassed in the PAC 12 Championship game.

CITRUS BOWL

Alabama (-7) vs. Michigan

CHRIS: Alabama - Motivation is an obvious concern for the Tide, but we know how Michigan has performed against marquee competition of late. Until that narrative is consistently wrong, I assume it won't be.

GREG: Alabama - Alabama has fallen flat in these spots in the past because a lack of motivation. Something tells me that might not be the case this year and the Tide's national title hopes were dashed when Tua went down and they've had plenty of time to adjust their goals.

OUTBACK BOWL

Auburn (-7.5) vs. Minnesota

CHRIS: Auburn - I don't enjoy trusting Auburn QB Bo Nix with a number like this, but I think Minnesota's defensive stats, and record, are a product of a soft Big Ten schedule. Auburn parlay's the Iron Bowl momentum into a win here and the offseason.

GREG: Auburn - I still don't know what to think about the Gophers. They played a couple good teams this season and played well in about four of eight quarters. I don't think they are quite ready for this spot.

ROSE BOWL

Wisconsin (-2.5) vs. Oregon

CHRIS: Oregon - Minimal confidence, but I think I like the points here. Two great defenses, but Wisconsin has allowed 296+ yards through the air in three straight, something Justin Herbert can exploit.

GREG: Oregon - Wisconsin seems to show up in these spots, but I think the Badgers might still be deflated after blowing a big lead in the BIG 10 Championship.

SUGAR BOWL

Georgia (-7.5) vs. Baylor

CHRIS: Georgia - Impossible to feel confident here without knowing the status of Charlie Brewer, but Georgia's defense remains elite even if not motivated.

GREG: Baylor - There's only one thing I know for certain in this game, Baylor is going to play hard. Can we say the same for Georgia? After two consecutive disappointing showing in the SEC Championship, I can't imagine that any of the Bulldgos want to be here.

BIRMINGHAM BOWL

Cincinnati (-7) vs. Boston College

CHRIS: Cincinnati - The Eagles' defense is terrible, the Bearcats' isn't. The absence of BC RB A.J. Dillon isn't a difference maker, as David Bailey is a capable replacement. Cincinnati is just the better side.

GREG: Cincinnati - See Chris' note about AJ Dillon. He is the Eagle offense. Cincinnati was scrappy all season and while I don't like laying points with a team that struggled to separate all season, I'll do it here.

GATOR BOWL

Tennessee (-1.5) vs. Indiana

CHRIS: Tennessee - The Vols went 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS to close the season, while Indiana closed 1-2 SU/ATS. Consider me thoroughly unimpressed by the Hoosiers' wins to get here, beating Ball St., Eastern Illinois, UConn, Rutgers, Maryland, Nebraska, Northwestern and Purdue.

GREG: Tennessee - I enjoyed watching the Hoosiers this season as their offense is very exciting, but they have more than a couple injury concerns on that side of the ball and when in doubt, take the SEC team.

POTATO BOWL

Ohio (-7.5) vs. Nevada

CHRIS: Nevada - This game is a lot of yuck for me. Nevada seemed to rally in November after a woeful two months, and while Ohio QB Nathan O'Rourke is the best player on the field, the Ohio defense has let me down time and time again. I'm not buying their late-season swoon

GREG: Nevada - Nevada fared well as a dog this season, winning mutlple times and while I'm not calling a win here, I think the Wolfpack can cover.

ARMED FORCES BOWL

Tulane (-7) vs. Southern Miss

CHRIS: Southern Miss - Going against my gut, as I like this Tulane team. But they lost three straight down the stretch and Southern Miss is very sound against the run.

GREG: Tulane - Tulane struggled against upper-level competition this season, but Southern Miss does not qualify as upper-level. The Golden Eagles didn't have a single quality win this season.

LENDINGTREE BOWL

Louisiana (-14) vs. Miami (OH)

CHRIS: Louisiana (best bet) - Seven of the Cajuns' 10 wins came by at least this number. They rank 11th nationally in points and seventh in rushing, and will pound the ball down the throat of the RedHawks' 81st ranked run defense.

GREG: Louisiana - Unfortunately, I watched a lot of the MAC Championship game and even though Miami won, I was still unimpressed. Louisiana can light-up the score board.