2019 College Bowl Picks – Gasparilla Bowl, Hawaii Bowl, Independence Bowl & Quick Lane Bowl: The 2019 College Football bowl season rolls on, and as we head to the holiday week, the games are a little more spread out before the action picks up in earnest over the weekend. We have the Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Boy kicking things off Monday, Dec. 23, followed by the SoFi Hawaii Bowl Tuesday. After a day off for Christmas, the Walk-On’s Independence Bowl and Quick Lane Bowl round a slate of four games over four days.
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Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl: UCF (-17) vs. Marshall
After representing the Group 5 conferences in a New Year’s Six bowl in each of the past two seasons, it is easy to say that UCF took a step back after a 9-3 campaign. However, those three losses all came on the road by a combined total of seven points. The Knights still boast a dangerous offense, loaded with playmakers. Led by quarterback Dillon Gabriel, big-play receiver Gabriel and a four-headed rushing attack, UCF ranks fifth in the country in scoring offense (43.0) and fourth in total offense (536.6). The Thundering Herd want to run the ball, control the clock and lean on their defense, but Marshall just doesn’t have the weapons on defense to keep the Knights in check and certainly doesn’t have the firepower on offense to keep pace. It’s a big line, but I think UCF rolls in this one.
Prediction: UCF Knights (-17) Cover the Spread
SoFi Hawaii Bowl: Hawaii vs. BYU (-1.5)
Both sides have some decent wins against Power 5 opponents, but the Cougars look like the more battle-tested, balanced team in this matchup. BYU beat Tennessee and a ranked USC team, and the Cougars also own a win over a Boise State team that clobbered Hawaii twice this year. As always, the Rainbow Warriors have put up impressive offensive numbers, and quarterback Cole McDonald is sitting on 3,642 yards and 29 touchdowns entering the bowl game. However, BYU has been the far better team on the defensive side of the ball, and they are tied for ninth in the country with 15 interceptions, recording multiple interceptions against Boise State, USC and Utah State, who has future NFL quarterback Jordan Love under center. Even with the Rainbow Warriors playing at home, I like the Cougars and their opportunistic defense to come away with the win.
Prediction: BYU Cougars (-1.5) Cover the Spread
Walk-On’s Independence Bowl: Louisiana Tech vs. Miami (Fla.) (-7)
Both of the teams limped to the finish, but I’m more concerned about the Hurricanes. Miami lost to Florida International and Duke to close the year, and the Hurricanes have been notorious for falling flat in bowl games recently, managing just one win in their last nine appearances. On the flip side, you have a Louisiana Tech squad that essentially gets a home game. More importantly, the Bulldogs have a healthy J’Mar Smith back under center. They are 9-1 when Smith starts this year, with the lone loss coming to Texas. He and running back Justin Henderson lead an offense that averages 34.0 points per game, and I actually think a motivated Louisiana Tech team gets the better of the Hurricanes. At the very, I’ll take the Bulldogs and the points.
Prediction: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (+7) Cover the Spread
Quick Lane Bowl: Pittsburgh (-11) vs. Eastern Michigan
The Panthers got a little sloppy down the stretch, especially on the offensive side of the ball, but they are the more talented team in this matchup. At their best, the Panthers nearly went on the road and took out Penn State. Meanwhile, Eastern Michigan finished tied for last in its own division in the MAC and are allowing more than 30 points per game to opponents. Yes, the Eagles have a playmaker at quarterback in dual-threat weapon Mike Glass III, but if there is one thing Pittsburgh does well, it is get after the quarterback. The Panthers are tied for third in the country with 49.0 sacks, and they are one of just two teams to average more than four sacks per game. Pittsburgh’s pass rush will rule the day.
Prediction: Pittsburgh Panthers (-11) Cover the Spread
