2014 FBS Bowl Game Predictions (New Orleans Bowl, New Mexico Bowl, Las Vegas Bowl, Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, Camellia Bowl)

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and I'm not talking about the holidays. I'm talking about college football bowl season. The thing that makes this one of the most exciting bowls season in history is the beginning of the College Football Playoff. That's right, we will finally have a playoff system in college football. Although it's not a perfect system and needs some tweaking, it is something that fans have been wanting for a long time. To me, the bowl games are like inter-league play in Major League Baseball, where you get to see teams play each other that you normally wouldn't get a chance to see play. This year will showcase some really good teams against each other. My predictions have not been very accurate the last two years, but that is going to change this year. Instead of doing all of the bowl games in one blog, I am going to spread it out a little bit. In this blog I will be going over the bowl games that will be played on Saturday, December 20th. Here are my predictions for this Saturday's games.

Nevada vs Louisiana-Lafayette

This will be a pretty good game to watch between to very even teams.I think this will be a close game throughout its entirety. There's nothing that really special about these two teams, but they are good teams. Nevada has been up and down this year with wins against good teams and losses that should have been wins. Louisiana-Lafayette didn't have a signature win this season, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. They do have a good running back in Elijah McGuire who is averaging 7.8 yards per carry with only 150 attempts. Even though Louisiana-Lafayette will have the home field advantage, I think Nevada will come away with the victory by a score of 25-24.

Utah State vs UTEP

Utah State is coming off of the shellacking they took by the hands of Boise State in hopes to redeem themselves against UTEP. UTEP's running back, Aaron Jones, is averaging 5.7 yards per game, but he is going against a Utah State defense that is only allowing 3.3 yards per game. Utah State has a receiver in Hunter Sharp that is averaging 14.6 yards per catch with 7 touchdowns. Overall I think that Utah State is the better team. They have better wins against better teams, and will win this one by a score of 21-14.

Utah vs Colorado State

This could be the best game out of all of the bowl games this Saturday. Utah is the favorite to win the game, but I think Colorado State will get the victory. Colorado State's quarterback (Garrett Grayson) and receiver (Rashard Higgins) are two of the best in college football. Utah's defense isn't that good against the pass, and I believe that Colorado State's passing game will be the key factor for winning the game. I see Colorado State winning by a score of 30-21.

Western Michigan vs Air Force

The Western Michigan Broncos has had one of the biggest turnaround seasons this year. Last year the Broncos had an abysmal record of 1-11. This year they managed to turn around their program and finished the regular season with an 8-4 record. That is very impressive. This will be the school's 6th bowl game in its history. Air Force has also had a great year as well and shouldn't be looked over. Air Force is ranked 8th in rushing yards. Western Michigan has allowed only 4.2 yards per carry this season and 15 touchdowns. I think that Western Michigan's offense is going to attack in the air with precision and come away with the win by a score of 29-25.

South Alabama vs Bowling Green

This is a game of a couple of firsts. This is the first game of this new bowl, and it is the very first bowl game for South Alabama. South Alabama will have the home field advantage in this one playing in their back yard. But Bowling Green are considered the favorite to win, but not by me. While both of these teams don't have parts of their game that really stand out, I feel as though South Alabama has some things going for them that Bowling Green does not. While Bowling Green may have more experience in the FBS and bowl games, the Jaguars of South Alabama have the energy flowing through them. I think by having South Alabama play their first bowl game only tow hours away from their city in the inaugural Camellia Bowl will have these kids playing on another level. South Alabama will go into this game pumped up with plenty of support. I see South Alabama winning this game, which will be close, by a score of 16-15.


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