2019 College Bowl Predictions – First Responder Bowl, Music City Bowl, Red Box Bowl and Orange Bowl: The 2019 College Football bowl season rolls on as we head to the New Year, and this four-game slate starts with three pedestrian matchups before being capped by one of the New Year’s Six bowl, the Capital One Orange Bowl. There are a few middle-of-the-pack Power 5 teams in action in the other bowls, but the only ranked teams to take the field will be in the night cap.
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SERVPRO First Responder Bowl: Western Kentucky (-3.5) vs. Western Michigan
It will be a battle of directional schools between a more defensive-minded Western Kentucky squad and a Western Michigan team that was involved in its share of higher-scoring affairs this season. Both teams had some solid wins, and while the Hilltoppers beat SEC opponent Arkansas out of conference, the Broncos picked up wins over the top two teams in the MAC. Western Kentucky’s defense currently ranks in the top 25 nationally in scoring defense and in the top 30 in total defense, but Western Michigan’s offense is averaging a respectable 34.2 points per game, and the Broncos will have the best playmaker on the field in running back LeVante Bellamy. Bellamy has rushed for 1,412 yards and leads the country with 23 touchdowns, and he closed the year with 10 straight games of 70 or more yards, topping 100 yards eight times. I’m expecting a close, competitive contest, so I’m taking Bellamy and company and the points.
Prediction: Western Michigan Broncos (+3.5) Cover the Spread
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl: Mississippi State (-4) vs. Louisville
A pair of explosive running backs will highlight this matchup. Mississippi State’s Kylin Hill has rushed for 1,347 yards and 10 touchdowns, topping 100 yards in eight of his 12 games. Louisville counters with Javian Hawkins, who has rushed for 1,420 yards and eight scores. Overall, the Cardinals have been the more well-rounded offensive team, but the Bulldogs have faced a tougher schedule and have actually been decent at stopping the run and generating turnovers. Mississippi State is allowing 148.6 yards per game on the ground compared to 211.0 yards per game for the Cardinals, and the Bulldogs are tied for 12th nationally with 23 takeaways. I think Mississippi State wins the battle in the trenches and rides Hill to the win.
Prediction: Mississippi State Bulldogs (-4) Cover the Spread
RedBox Bowl: California (-7) vs. Illinois
Both sides have had some surprise wins and inexcusable losses this year, and both offenses lack explosive playmakers. The Fighting Illini have often been able to supplement their lackluster offense by being one of the best teams in the country at generating turnovers, ranking third with 28 takeaways. However, California’s conservative, defensive-minded approach is a bad matchup. The Golden Bears rank in the top 20 nationally in fewest giveaways, and current quarterback Chase Garbers has only thrown three interceptions. Throw in the fact that Illinois allows more than 200 rushing yards per game to opponents, and Cal should be able to control the pace and grind out a win with defense and mistake-free football.
Prediction: California Golden Bears (-7) Cover the Spread
Capital One Orange Bowl: No. 9 Florida (-14) vs. No. 24 Virginia
I guess you have to give Virginia credit for winning the ACC Coastal Division, but the Cavaliers are only playing in a New Year’s Six bowl because Clemson made the College Football Playoff and the ACC has an automatic tie-in with the Orange Bowl. On the flip side, the Gators are legitimately one of the best teams in the country, only losing to Georgia and LSU. Florida has one of the nastiest defenses around, ranking in the top 10 nationally in both points and total offense allowed per game. Meanwhile, quarterback Kyle Trask has stepped in and given the offense some legitimate punch. Yes, Virginia quarterback Bryce Perkins can be a one-man, dual-threat dynamo, but the overall talent gap between these two teams is too much for one player to overcome alone. The Gators will bottle up Perkins and win going away.
Prediction: Florida Gators (-14) Cover the Spread
