2019 College Bowl Predictions – Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl, Las Vegas Bowl & New Orleans Bowl: My preview of one of the busiest days of the 2019 College Football bowl season continues, and after previewing four of the games already, I’ll take a look at the remaining three contests. The matchups feature some of the best Group of 5 teams in the country, including ranked Boise State and Appalachian State squads. The Conference USA champion Florida Atlantic Owls are also in action, and Washington will be representing the Power 5 out of the Pac-12.
2019 College Bowl Predictions: Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl, Las Vegas Bowl & New Orleans Bowl
Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl: SMU (-3) vs. Florida Atlantic
A pair of explosive offenses and talented quarterbacks will square off in this one. The Mustangs are averaging 43.0 points per game and nearly 500 yards of offense behind quarterback Shane Buechele, who has thrown for 3,626 yards and 33 touchdowns. He is flanked by running back Xavier Jones (1,249 yards and 21 TDs) and receiver James Proche (102 catches, 1,139 yards and 14 Tds). FAU quarterback Chris Robinson has 3,396 yards and 26 touchdowns under his belt, and the Owls are scoring 35.2 points per game. His top target is tight end Harrison Bryant, who has already topped 1,000 yards on the year. The Owls essentially have a home game, but they have lost head coach Lane Kiffin to Ole Miss. I think FAU will miss Kiffin’s creative play-calling in what seems destined to be a high-scoring, up-tempo game. I like the Mustangs in a shootout.
Prediction: SMU Mustangs (-3) Cover the Spread
Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl: No. 19 Boise State vs. Washington (-3.5)
How ironic is it that Chris Petersen’s final game as a head coach will come against the Boise State program that he helped transform into a perennial Group of 5 powerhouse? Looking at the resume, the Broncos have been the more consistent team with the better overall wins, but the Huskies have an edge in talent and upside. This is especially true at the quarterback position where Washington has a potential first-round pick in Jacob Eason while Boise State is relying on a backup. It is also worth noting that the Broncos’ lone loss came on the road to BYU, and the Huskies went on the road and blasted BYU 45-19. Like I said, Washington has better personnel, and I think the Huskies will be motivated to send Petersen out a winner over his former team. At their best, I think the Huskies are just too much for Boise State.
Prediction: Washington Huskies (-3.5) Cover the Spread
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: No. 20 Appalachian State (-16) vs. UAB
Appalachian State head coach Eliah Drinkwitz probably won’t be on the sidelines for the Mountaineers after accepting the Missouri job, but with or without him, App State is the better team. The Mountaineers went 12-1 overall, knocking off Power 5 opponents North Carolina and South Carolina while averaging 39.4 points per game behind quarterback Zac Thomas and running back Darrynton Evans. Yes, UAB’s defensive numbers are impressive, and the Blazers rank eighth in the country in sacks and ninth in total defense. However, they have struggled on both sides of the ball against better competition, losing 30-7 to Tennessee, 37-2 to Southern Miss and 49-6 to Florida Atlantic Conference USA title game. The Blazers won’t be able to hang with App State either.
Prediction: Appalachian State Mountaineers (-16) Cover the Spread
