2016 College Football Bowl Game Picks & Predictions – Heart of Dallas Bowl, Military Bowl, Holiday Bowl & Cactus Bowl: The 2016 college football bowl season rolls on, and four more games are on tap Tuesday, Dec. 27. Included in the slate is a Pac-12, Big Ten showdown and a potential shootout between Boise State and Baylor. There is also a ranked team in action. Let’s take a closer look at all four matchups.
2016 College Football Bowl Game Picks & Predictions: Heart of Dallas Bowl, Military Bowl, Holiday Bowl & Cactus Bowl
Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl: Army vs. North Texas
One of the difficult things about picking bowl games is that they often involve two teams from different conferences that rarely meet and don’t play many common opponents. The Heart of Dallas Bowl is a major exception to that trend, and when the Army Black Knights and North Texas Mean Green square off, it will be a rematch of regular season showdown.
North Texas won the first meeting, knocking off Army 35-18. In that game, the Mean Green picked off Army quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw four times, leading to the comfortable win. However, North Texas didn’t exactly shut down the Army offense. The Black Knights second-ranked rushing attack ran for more than 300 yards in the loss.
The first time around, Bradshaw through the ball a season-high 21 times. Don’t expect Army to make that same mistake twice. The Mean Green are allowing more than 30 points per game, and they didn’t stop the Black Knights the first time around, the Black Knights stopped themselves. Army sticks with its bread and butter in this one, and at the very least, they keep it close.
Prediction: Army Black Knights (+9.5) Cover the Spread
Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman: No. 24 Temple vs. Wake Forest
These two teams are heading in opposite directions heading into their matchup. The Temple Owls have reeled off seven straight wins, winning the AAC title in the process. On the flip side, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons have dropped five of their last six games and are embroiled in a scandal where a former coach may have been giving away plays to opponents.
Both sides have stout defensive units, but Temple’s defense has been on another level, allowing 13 points or less in five straight. More importantly, Temple has the much better offense. The Owls are averaging 33.3 points per game, but the Demon Deacons have scored 14 points or less in five of their last six games. Temple rolls in this one.
Prediction: Temple Owls (-13) Cover the Spread
National Funding Holiday Bowl: Minnesota vs. Washington State
Although the Minnesota Golden Gophers recently ended their boycott of football activities, there is still a good chance that the team won’t be 100 percent focused for this one.
Of course, Minnesota would have its hands full even without all the off-field drama. After all, the Washington State Cougars have one of the best offenses in the country. Led by quarterback Luke Falk, the Cougars ranks 15th in scoring and second passing yards nationally. Washington State will have too much firepower for whomever they face.
Prediction: Washington State Cougars (-6.5) Cover the Spread
Motel 6 Cactus Bowl: Boise State vs. Baylor
Both teams are probably a little disappointed to be playing in the Cactus Bowl rather than a major game, but I like the Boise State Broncos to get up for this one and take care of business.
Yes, Boise State lost a couple of late games and a chance to be the top-ranked team from outside the Power Five. However, they still have a balanced offense led by quarterback Brett Rypien and stud running back Jeremy McNichols. On the flip side, Baylor has lost six straight games and will be without quarterback Seth Russell. Throw in all the question marks around the coaching staff and the program in general and running back Shock Lindwood’s decision to skip the game, and I don’t see the Bears suddenly righting the ship against a quality Boise State team.
Prediction: Boise State Broncos (-8) Cover the Spread
Get more expert college football bowl picks from the nation’s top college football handicappers on NSAwins.com.
| 2 EASY STEPS to BET on the 2016 College Football Bowl Odds! STEP 1: CLICK HERE to OPEN BOVADA Sportsbook Account STEP 2: Deposit with Credit Card or Bitcoin and get a 100% BONUS instantly FREE upto $250! |