A very quick SEC Bowl Preview
It’s Christmas-time. You and I have a ton of stuff to do, so here are my one-paragrah takes on the non-play-off bowl games, in order of our interest.
- Dec 29: COTTON BOWL (DALLAS) – Missouri (-1) v Ohio State (JerryWorld): Ohio State is going to be missing starting QB Kyle McCord (transfer portal), WR Julian Fleming (Portal), and one of its best RBs in Miyan Williams (NFL) Ryan Day has said that WR extraordinaire Marvin Harrison Jr, RB TreVeyon Henderson, TE Cade Stover, DE J.T. Tuimoloau and a number of other defensive players have been practicising and haven’t made their decision on whether to go pro or not. WR Emeka Egbuka has opted in as well as some other draft-eligible juniors. Both Missouri and Ohio State will be hit by depth problems, with both of them seeing double-digit players go into the transfer portal. Expect some fun from Ohio State back-up Devin Brown, though. But Missouri will start WRs Luther Burden and Theo Wease, RB Cody Schrader and Brady Cook. PREDICTION: Missouri 38, Ohio State 35 (if Ohio State’s WRs don’t play).
- Dec 30: PEACH BOWL (Atlanta) – Ole Miss v Penn State (-3): Anyone getting on Ole Miss is getting a steal here. Penn State has no secondary with the defects to the NFL. Their offensive gameplan may be a case of running in up the middle with two talented backs, but both OC (good news) and DC (bad news) are gone. Penn State’s best DE, Chop Robinson, has also declared for the NFL. This is also going to be fun because it’ll be a match-up of two coaches who can’t beat the ‘big boys’. PREDICTION: Ole Miss 28, Penn State 18.
- Dec 27: Texas Bowl (Houston) – Texas A&M (-1.5) v Oklahoma State: I love this match-up, simply because it’s not overly far for both sets of fanbases to get there (assuming that many Oklahoma State fans live in the Dallas area). And it’s a Big 12 rematch, which should be fun. The Cowboys’ fortunes will be on whether their Doak Walker-winning, All-American RB Ollie Gordon plays. There are rumors that he’ll be transferring for NIL reasons. Still, the atmosphere and the fact the game’s going to be close should be fun. Shouldn’t it? PREDICTION: Oklahoma State 18, Texas A&M 14.
- Jan 1: RELIAQUEST BOWL (Tampa) LSU (-10) v Wisconsin: Jayden Daniels (NFL trip) will not be playing, but Garrett Nussmeier will give us a glimpse into LSU’s future for 2024 when he starts. It’s probable that Malik Nabers will also be declaring, WR Brian Thomas – also expected to go pro – certainly is not. On the other side of the ball, Matt House’s defense ALWAYS makes things interesting….and that’s not a compliment. As for Wisconsin? The best thing about what they will offer is some excellent drinking competition for the LSU fans. PREDICTION: LSU 45, Wisconsin 10.
- Dec 29: GATOR BOWL (Jacksonville): Kentucky v Clemson (-5): Kentucky has been boosted on both fronts: By the fact that head coach Mark Stoops is sticking around….and that running back Ray Davis is coming back for his final game. Clemson’s best LB Jeremiah Trotter and best CB Nate Wiggins have both opted out for the NFL. There is also Will Shipley, who’s considering whether to return for another year or jump ship for the Draft. PREDICTION: Clemson 31, Kentucky 21.
- Dec 30: ORANGE BOWL (Miami) – Georgia (-14.5) v Florida State: Florida State’s best wide receivers, running back, tight end and defensive player have all declared for the draft. Georgia players who have declared for the Draft (so far)? Nil. This could end up being unwatchable by the end of the first quarter. PREDICTION: Georgia 41, Florida State 14.
- Jan 1: CITRUS BOWL (Orlando): Iowa at Tennessee (-8): For the first time since 2002, we can crack the Steve Spurrier joke: “You can’t spell Citrus Bowl without UT“. Anyway, it’s also not a certainty that QB Joe Milton will play in the game for UT, but he has accepted an invite for the Senior Bowl in February. That’s automatically got the Tennessee hordes excited that Nico Iamaleava – who has been drooled-over by the fanbase ever since he hit campus – might start his first game. Starting RB Jaylen Wright has declared, too. Tennessee will be further boosted by the fact that Iowa OC Brian Ferentz will doing the playcalls for his moribund offense. PREDICTION: Tennessee 28, Iowa 14.
- Dec 30: MUSIC CITY BOWL (Nashville): Auburn (-7) v Maryland: Maryland QB Taulia Tagovailoa is skipping the team’s bowl game. Auburn will be missing both of its starting corners DJ James and Nehemiah Pritchett (James is expected to be a 2nd round pick, Pritchett in the 3rd), but it shouldn’t be a problem with Maryland platooning at QB. PREDICTION: Auburn 34, Maryland 28.