FQ’s 2021 Bowl Blitz

Photo courtesy of Notre Dame athletics

Are we about to predict every single bowl game?

Yes.

Why?

Because people live for moments like a 3-3 tie in the fourth quarter of the Jimmy Kimmel Bowl.

NOTE: This is NOT gambling advice, rather a dumb man in his early 20’s shooting from the hip. 

ANOTHER NOTE: All Times ET

Friday, Dec. 17

Bahamas Bowl

Middle Tennessee (6-6) vs. Toledo (7-5) – 12 p.m. 

Middle Tennessee Player to Watch: Reed Blankenship, S: 106 tackles, sack, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, touchdown

Toledo Player to Watch: Bryant Koback, RB: 190 carries, 1,274 yards, 15 touchdowns, 6.7 yards per rush

Prediction: Middle Tennessee (+10) 

Tailgreeter Cure Bowl

Northern Illinois (9-4) vs. Coastal Carolina (10-2) – 6 p.m. 

Northern Illinois Player to Watch: Trayvon Rudolph, WR: 49 receptions, 877 yards, seven touchdowns, 17.9 yards per catch

Coastal Carolina Player to Watch: Grayson McCall, QB: 2,558 yards passing, 23 touchdown passes, three interceptions, 81.1 QBR

Prediction: Coastal Carolina (-10.5) 

Saturday, Dec. 18

RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl

Western Kentucky (8-5) vs. Appalachian State (10-3) – 11 a.m. 

Western Kentucky Player to Watch: Bailey Zappe, QB: 5,545 passing yards (leads nation), 56 touchdowns (leads nation) 11 interceptions, 77.3 QBR

Appalachian State Player to Watch: Nate Noel, RB: 196 carries, 1,078 rushing yards, four touchdowns, 5.5 yards per carry

Prediction: Western Kentucky (Money Line) 

PUBG Mobile New Mexico Bowl

UTEP (7-5) vs. Fresno State (9-3) – 2:15 p.m.

UTEP Player to Watch: Jacob Cowing, WR: 67 receptions, 1,330 yards, seven touchdowns, 19.9 yards per catch

Fresno State Player to Watch: Jake Haener, QB: 67.5 completion percentage, 3,810 passing yards, 32 touchdown passes, nine interceptions

Prediction: Fresno State (-11.5) 

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl

UAB (8-4) vs. No. 13 BYU (10-2) – 3:30 p.m. 

UAB Player to Watch: DeWayne McBride, RB: 176 carries, 1,188 yards, 12 touchdowns, 6.8 yards per carry

BYU Player to Watch: Tyler Allgeier, RB: 249 carries, 1,414 rushing yards, 20 touchdowns, 5.7 yards per rush

Prediction: BYU (-7)

LendingTree Bowl

Eastern Michigan (7-5) vs Liberty (7-5) – 5:45 p.m.

Eastern Michigan Player to Watch: Hassan Beydoun, WR: 86 receptions, 932 Yards, four touchdowns, 10.8 yards per catch

Liberty Player to Watch: Malik Willis, QB: 2,626 passing yards, 24 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions, 67.2 QBR, 820 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns

Prediction: Eastern Michigan (+9)

Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl Presented by Stifel

Utah State (10-3) vs Oregon State (7-5) – 7:30 p.m. 

Utah State Player to Watch: Deven Thompkins, WR: 96 receptions, 1,589 yards, nine touchdowns, 16.6 yards per catch

Oregon State Player to Watch: B.J. Baylor, RB: 209 carries, 1,259 yards, 13 touchdowns, six yards per rush

Prediction: Utah State (Money Line) 

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

No. 23 Louisiana (12-1) vs. Marshall (7-5) – 9:15 p.m.

Louisiana Player to Watch: Levi Lewis, QB: 60.3 completion percentage, 2,647 passing yards, 19 touchdown passes, four interceptions, 269 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns

Marshall Player to Watch: Rasheen Ali, RB: 230 carries, 1,241 rushing yards, 20 touchdowns, 5.4 yards per rush

Prediction: Louisiana (-5)

Monday, Dec. 20

Myrtle Beach Bowl Pres. by TaxAct

Old Dominion (6-6) vs. Tulsa (6-6) – 2:30 p.m. 

Old Dominion Player to Watch: Ali Jennings III, WR: 56 receptions, 992 yards, five touchdowns, 17.7 yards per catch

Tulsa Player to Watch: TieNeal Martin, S: 29 tackles, four interceptions, six passes defended

Prediction: Old Dominion (+9.5)

Tuesday, Dec. 21

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Kent State (7-6) vs. Wyoming (6-6) – 3:30 p.m.

Kent State Player to Watch: Dustin Crum, QB: 2,922 passing yards, 16 touchdown passes, six interceptions, 633 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns

Wyoming Player to Watch: Chad Muma, LB: 129 tackles, sack, fumble recovery, two touchdowns, three interceptions

Prediction: Kent State (Money Line)

Tropical Smoothie Café Frisco Bowl

UTSA (12-1) vs. No. 24 San Diego State (11-2) – 7:30 p.m.

UTSA Player to Watch: Sincere McCormick, RB: 298 carries, 1,479 yards, 15 touchdowns, five yards per carry

San Diego State Player to Watch: Patrick McMorris, S: 83 tackles, fumble recovery, four interceptions, eight passes defended

Prediction: UTSA (-2.5)

Wednesday, Dec. 22

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl

Missouri (6-6) vs. Army (8-4) – 8 p.m. 

Missouri Player to Watch: Tyler Badie, RB: 268 carries, 1,604 yards, 14 touchdowns, six yards per carry

Army Player to Watch: Christian Anderson, QB: 653 passing yards, five touchdowns, no interceptions, 586 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns

Prediction: Missouri (Money Line)

Thursday, Dec. 23

Frisco Football Classic

North Texas (6-6) vs. Miami University (6-6) – 3:30 p.m. 

North Texas Player to Watch: DeAndre Torrey, RB: 1,215 yards, 248 carries, 13 touchdowns, 4.9 yards per rush

Miami University Player to Watch: Jack Sorenson, WR: 69 receptions, 1,290 yards, 10 touchdowns, 18.7 yards per catch

Prediction: Miami University (+3)

Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl

UCF (8-4) vs. Florida (6-6) – 7 p.m. 

UCF Player to Watch: Tatum Bethune, LB: 101 tackles, two sacks, forced fumble, two interceptions

Florida Player to Watch: Emory Jones, QB: 2,563 passing yards, 19 touchdown passes, 13 interceptions, 72. QBR, 697 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns

Prediction: UCF (+6.5) 

Friday, Dec. 24

EasyPost Hawai’i Bowl

Memphis (6-6) vs. Hawaii (6-7) – 8 p.m. 

Memphis Player to Watch: Seth Henigan, QB: 3,322 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 62.8 QBR, 147 rushing yards

Hawaii Player to Watch: Nick Mardner, WR: 46 receptions, 913 yards, five touchdowns, 19.8 yards per catch

Prediction: Memphis (-7)

Saturday, Dec. 25

TaxAct Camellia Bowl

Georgia State (7-5) vs. Ball State (6-6) – 2:30 p.m.

Georgia State Player to Watch: Darren Grainger, QB: 1,512 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, four interceptions, 524 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns

Ball State Player to Watch: Drew Plitt, QB: 60.5 completion percentage, 2,248 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, five interceptions, 150 rushing yards

Prediction: Ball State (Money Line) 

Monday, Dec. 27

Quick Lane Bowl

Western Michigan (7-5) vs. Nevada (8-4) – 11 a.m. 

Western Michigan Player to Watch: Skyy Moore, WR: 91 receptions, 1,256 yards, 10 touchdowns, 13.8 yards per catch

Nevada Player to Watch: arson Strong, QB: 70 completion percentage, 4,186 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, eight interceptions

Prediction: Nevada (Money Line) 

Military Bowl Presented by Peraton

Boston College (6-6) vs. East Carolina (7-5) – 2:30 p.m.

Boston College Player to Watch: Pat Garwo III, RB: 205 carries, 1,045 yards, 5.1 yards per rush

East Carolina Player to Watch: Keaton Mitchell, RB: 174 carries, 1,132 yards, nine touchdowns, 6.5 yards per touch

Prediction: Boston College (-3) 

Tuesday, Dec. 28

TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl

No. 20 Houston (11-2) vs. Auburn (6-6) – Noon 

Houston Player to Watch: Clayton Tune, QB: 3,263 passing yards, 28 touchdown, nine interceptions, 70.4 QBR, 111 rushing yards

Auburn Player to Watch: Tank Bigsby, RB: 207 carries, 1,003 yards, 10 touchdowns, 4.8 yards per carry

Prediction: Houston (Money Line) 

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl

Air Force (9-3) vs. Louisville (6-6) – 3:15 p.m. 

Air Force Player to Watch: Brad Roberts, RB: 279 carries, 1,279 yards, 13 touchdowns, 4.6 yards per carry

Louisville Player to Watch: Malik Cunningham, QB: 2,734 passing yards, 18 touchdown passes, six interceptions, 82.6 QBR, 968 rushing yards, 19 rushing touchdowns

Prediction: Louisville (-1.5)

AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Mississippi State (7-5) vs. Texas Tech (6-6) – 6:45 p.m.

Mississippi State Player to Watch: Will Rogers, QB: 75.1 completion percentage, 4,449 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 76.1 QBR

Texas Tech Player to Watch: Erik Ezukaanma, WR: 48 receptions, 705 yards, four touchdowns, 14.7 yards per catch

Prediction: Mississippi State (-8.5)  

San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl

UCLA (8-4) vs. NC State (9-3) – 8 p.m. 

UCLA Player to Watch: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB: 2,409 yards, 21 touchdowns, six interceptions, 79.4 QBR, 609 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns

NC State Player to Watch: Devin Leary, QB: 65.7 completion percentage, 3,433 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, five interceptions, 72.5 QBR

Prediction: NC State (-1) 

Guaranteed Rate Bowl

West Virginia (6-6) vs. Minnesota (8-4) – 10:15 p.m.

West Virginia Player to Watch: Leddie Brown, RB: 223 carries, 1,065 yards, 13 touchdowns, 4.8 yards per carry

Minnesota Player to Watch: Jack Gibbens, LB: 86 tackles, forced fumble

Prediction: West Virginia (+3.5) 

Wednesday, Dec. 29

Wasabi Fenway Bowl

SMU (8-4) vs. Virginia (6-6) – 11 a.m.

SMU Player to Watch: Tanner Mordecai, QB: 67.8 completion percentage, 3,628 passing yards, 39 touchdowns, 12 interception, 69 QBR

Virginia Player to Watch: Brennan Armstrong, QB: 4,444 passing yards, 31 touchdown passes, 10 interception, 76.3 QBR, 256 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns

Prediction: SMU (Money Line)

New Era Pinstripe Bowl

Maryland (6-6) vs. Virginia Tech (6-6) – 2:15 p.m.

Maryland Player to Watch: Taulia Tagovailoa, QB: 68.4 completion percentage, 3,595 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, 11 interceptions

Virginia Tech Player to Watch: Dax Hollifield, LB: 88 tackles, 4.5 sacks, interception

Prediction: Maryland (-1)

Cheez-It Bowl

No. 19 Clemson (9-3) vs. Iowa State (7-5) – 5:45 p.m.

Clemson Player to Watch: James Skalski, LB: 85 tackles, 2.5 sacks, four passes defended

Iowa State Player to Watch: Breece Hall, RB: 253 carries, 1,472 yards, 20 touchdowns, 5.8 yards per carry

Prediction: Clemson (Money Line) 

Valero Alamo Bowl

No. 14 Oregon (10-3) vs. No. 16 Oklahoma (10-2) – 9:15 p.m.

Oregon Player to Watch: Travis Dye, RB: 193 carries, 1,118 yards, 15 touchdowns, 5.8 yards per carry

Oklahoma Player to Watch: Caleb Williams, QB: 1,670 passing yards, 18 touchdown passes, four interceptions, 85.4 QBR, 408 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns

Prediction: Oklahoma (-4.5)

Thursday, Dec. 30

Duke’s Mayo Bowl

North Carolina (6-6) vs. South Carolina (6-6) – 11:30 a.m. 

North Carolina Player to Watch: Sam Howell, QB: 2,851 passing yards, 23 touchdown passes, nine interceptions, 77.6 QBR, 825 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns

South Carolina Player to Watch: Jaylan Foster, DB: 90 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, five interceptions

Prediction: North Carolina (-8.5) 

TransPerfect Music City Bowl

Tennessee (7-5) vs. Purdue (8-4) – 3 p.m. 

Tennessee Player to Watch: Hendon Hooker, QB: 2,567 passing yards, 26 touchdown passes, three interceptions, 77.7 QBR, 561 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns

Purdue Player to Watch: Aidan O’Connell, QB: 73.5 completion percentage, 3,178 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 86.9 QBR

Prediction: Purdue (+4.5)

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

No. 12 Pittsburgh (11-2) vs. No. 10 Michigan State (10-2) – 7 p.m. 

Pittsburgh Player to Watch: Kenny Pickett, QB: 4,319 passing yards, 42 touchdowns, seven interceptions, 81.5 QBR, 241 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns

Michigan State Player to Watch: Kenneth Walker III, RB: 263 carries, 1,636 rushing yards, 18 touchdowns, 6.2 yards per carry

Prediction: Pittsburgh (Money Line) 

SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl

Wisconsin (8-4) vs. Arizona State (8-4) – 10:30 p.m.

Wisconsin Player to Watch: Leo Chenal, LB: 87 tackles, seven sacks, two forced fumbles

Arizona State Player to Watch: Rachaad White, RB: 182 carries, 1,006 yards, 15 touchdowns, 5.5 yards per rush

Prediction: Wisconsin (-7)

Friday, Dec. 31

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl

No. 17 Wake Forest (10-3) vs. No. 25 Texas A&M (8-4) – 11:00 AM 

Wake Forest Player to Watch: Sam Hartman, QB: 3,924 passing yards, 36 touchdown passes, 14 interceptions, 80 QBR, 342 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns

Texas A&M Player to Watch: Leon O’Neal Jr., DB: 58 tackles, sack, fumble recovery, two interceptions, touchdown

Prediction: Wake Forest (+5)

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl

Washington State (7-5) vs. Miami (7-5) – Noon 

Washington State Player to Watch: Calvin Jackson Jr., WR: 63 receptions, 955 yards, seven touchdowns, 15.2 yards per catch

Miami Player to Watch: Tyler Van Dyke, QB: 2,931 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, six interceptions, 80.6 QBR

Prediction: Washington State (Money Line) 

Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl

Central Michigan (8-4) vs Boise State (7-5) – 2 p.m. 

Central Michigan Player to Watch: Lew Nichols III, RB: 311 carries, 1,710 rushing yards, 15 touchdowns, 5.5 yards per rush

Boise State Player to Watch: Khalil Shakir, WR: 77 receptions, 1,117 yards, seven touchdowns, 14.5 yards per catch

Prediction: Central Michigan (+7.5) 

CFP Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

No. 4 Cincinnati (13-0) vs. No. 1 Alabama (12-1) – 3:30 p.m.

Cincinnati Player to Watch: Desmond Ridder, QB: 3,190 passing yards, 30 touchdown passes, eight interceptions, 75.4 QBR, 361 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns

Alabama Player to Watch: Bryce Young, QB: 68 completion percentage, 4,322 passing yards, 43 touchdowns, four interceptions, 88.9 QBR

Prediction: Alabama (-13.5) 

CFP Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl

No. 3 Georgia (12-1) vs. No. 2 Michigan (12-1) – 7:30 p.m. 

Georgia Player to Watch: Jordan Davis, DL: 28 tackles, two sacks, two rushing yards, rushing touchdown

Michigan Player to Watch: Aidan Hutchinson, DE: 58 tackles, 14 sacks (school record), two forced fumbles, fumble recovery

Prediction: Michigan (+7.5)

Saturday, Jan. 1

Outback Bowl

Penn State (7-5) vs. No. 21 Arkansas (8-4) – Noon

Penn State Player to Watch: Jahan Dotson, WR: 91 receptions, 1,182 yards, 12 touchdowns, 13 yards per catch

Arkansas Player to Watch: KJ Jefferson, QB: 2,578 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, three interceptions, 77 QBR, 554 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns

Prediction: Arkansas (Money Line) 

PlayStation Fiesta Bowl

No. 9 Oklahoma State (11-2) vs. No. 5 Notre Dame (11-1) – 1 p.m.

Oklahoma State Player to Watch: Malcolm Rodriguez, LB: 118 tackles, three sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries

Notre Dame Player to Watch: Kyren Williams, RB: 204 carries, 1,002 rushing yards, 14 touchdowns, 4.9 yards per carry

Prediction: Notre Dame (-2)

Vrbo Citrus Bowl

No. 15 Iowa (10-3) vs No. 22 Kentucky (9-3) – 1 p.m. 

Iowa Player to Watch: Jack Campbell, LB: 126 tackles, sack, forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions, touchdown

Kentucky Player to Watch: Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB: 205 carries, 1,272 yards, eight touchdowns, 6.2 yards per carry

Prediction: Kentucky (-3)

Rose Bowl Game Pres. by Capital One Venture X

No. 11 Utah (10-3) vs. No. 6 Ohio State (10-2) – 5 p.m. 

Utah Player to Watch: Cameron Rising, QB: 2,279 passing yards, 18 touchdown passes, five interceptions, 81.3 QBR, 407 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns

Ohio State Player to Watch: C.J. Stroud, QB: 70.9 completion percentage, 3,862 passing yards, 38 touchdowns, five interceptions, 89.9 QBR (leads nation)

Prediction: Ohio State (-6.5)

Allstate Sugar Bowl

No. 7 Baylor (11-2) vs. No. 8 Ole Miss (10-2) – 8:45 p.m.

Baylor Player to Watch: Abram Smith, RB: 232 carries, 1,429 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns, 6.2 yards per carry

Ole Miss Player to Watch: Matt Corral, QB 3,339 passing yards, 20 touchdown passes, four interceptions, 81.2 QBR, 597 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns

Prediction: Ole Miss (Money Line)

Tuesday, Jan. 4

TaxAct Texas Bowl

LSU (6-6) vs. Kansas State (7-5) – 9 p.m. 

LSU Player to Watch: Tyrion Davis-Price, RB: 211 carries, 1,003 yards, six touchdowns, 4.8 yards per carry

Kansas State Player to Watch: Deuce Vaughn, RB: 214 carries, 1,258 yards 15 touchdowns, 5.9 yards per rush

Prediction: Kansas State (-1)