In another 2020 oddity, the college football bowl season actually began early this week, just a couple of days after some teams had played their final regular-season games and others had competed in conference championship contests.
Of course, all of it is weird anyway with 2-8 or 3-7 teams qualifying for bowls just because they can in this pandemic-infested season.
As a Tennessee fan, I was happy to see my 3-7 Vols opt out of the Liberty Bowl – just not happy it was due to COVID-19 – and I was very pleased that it was the 9-2 Army Black Knights that took Tennessee’s place in the game played in Memphis, Tenn.
Realizing that some games may likely change or could be canceled due to the pandemic, here are my picks for the bowl games from today, Friday, December 25, through Thursday, December 31.
Camelia Bowl, Montgomery, Ala., Friday, December 25, 2:30 p.m., ESPN, Buffalo vs. Marshall: Buffalo had the running back who scored eight touchdowns in one game, but I think Marshall has been a better team, despite its odd shutout loss to Rice. Neither team has any type of homefield or neighborhood advantage. Marshall 27-Buffalo 24.
First Responder Bowl, Dallas, Texas, Saturday, December 26, 3:30 p.m., ABC, Louisiana vs. Texas-San Antonio: Louisiana, you may remember, upset Iowa State in the first game of the regular season for both teams and while that was back in September, the Ragin’ Cajuns are 8-1 and have lost only to Coastal Carolina, the darling of the Group of 5 teams. Louisiana 34-Texas-San Antonio 21.
Lending Tree Bowl, Mobile, Ala., Saturday, December 26, 3:30 p.m., ESPN, Western Kentucky vs. Georgia State: I don’t still hold any hard feelings toward Georgia State for beating my Vols in the first game of the 2019 season. No, I don’t at all, but Western Kentucky had better win by at least a million. Western Kentucky 32-Georgia State 19.
Cure Bowl, Orlando, Saturday, December 26, 7:30 p.m., ESPN, Liberty vs. Coastal Carolina: This was supposed to be a regular-season game between two of the surprise Group of 5 teams that were capturing the attention of college football. Coastal Carolina is 11-0 and didn’t have a chance to sniff even a New Year’s Six bowl game. Both teams are pretty good and want to put on a show for the national television audience. ESPN was smart enough to move this game from its previously scheduled noon start to 7:30 p.m. I’m up in the air about this one, but I’ll pick Coastal because former Blue Darter kicker Alex Catron played on the teal turf there and helped the Chanticleers win a few games. Coastal Carolina 31-Liberty 28.
Cheez-It Bowl, Orlando, Tuesday, December 29, 5:30 p.m., ESPN, Oklahoma State vs. Miami: My inclination is to pick Miami, but will the Hurricanes be interested in actually playing? They’ve been up and down this season, but mostly up, so I’ll assume that they won’t mind traveling three hours or so up the road to Orlando. Miami 38-Oklahoma State 24.
Alamo Bowl, San Antonio, Texas, Tuesday, December 29, 9 p.m., ESPN, Texas vs. Colorado: This could be a pretty good game, but there are so many questions about Tom Herman’s job at Texas that it may be too much of a distraction. We’ll see. Colorado 29-Texas 27.
Duke’s Mayo Bowl, Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, December 30, noon, ESPN, Wake Forest vs. Wisconsin: This game used to be called the Belk Bowl, but it’s sponsored by a sandwich condiment, so there’s that. Normally, this would look like a sure Wisconsin victory, but Wake Forest is sneaky good under coach Dave Clawson. I’ll go with him even though the year he was Tennessee’s offensive coordinator was awful. Wake Forest 30-Wisconsin 28.
Music City Bowl, Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, December 30, 4 p.m., Iowa vs. Missouri: Iowa has been playing pretty well and so had Missouri until late in the season. All I know is that the Missouri game is the last time my Vols won a game. Lord, that was a long time ago. Iowa 27-Missouri 24.
Cotton Bowl, Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, December 30, 8 p.m., ESPN, Oklahoma vs. Florida: I’m guessing the over/under (total points scored) is sitting at about 72 with Florida favored by 3 points. Not having tight end Kyle Pitts will hurt Florida, but not only am I taking the over, but I’ll pick the Gators to win. Ouch, that hurt to type. Florida 41-Oklahoma 35.
Armed Forces Bowl, Fort Worth, Texas, Thursday, December 31, noon, ESPN, Tulsa vs. Mississippi State: Mike Leach’s first team at Mississippi State has been the ultimate up-and-down squad, but they can beat Tulsa if they play well. However, I just think Tulsa will be more interested in putting on a good performance. Tulsa 37-Mississippi State 33.
Arizona Bowl, Tucson, Ariz., Thursday, December 31, 2 p.m., CBS Sports Network, Ball State vs. San Jose State: I don’t know a lot about either team, but I do know that San Jose State is unbeaten despite being forced to move to Las Vegas to finish its season due to an order last month in Santa Clara County, California, that banned all contact sports. Now, there is talk that because San Jose State returned to its campus after winning the Mountain West Conference championship, the team won’t be allowed to board the plane to go to the bowl game because they didn’t isolate after being out of state. Sigh. San Jose State 34-Ball State 27.
Liberty Bowl, Memphis, Tenn., Thursday, December 31, 4 p.m., ESPN, West Virginia vs. Army: How bad is it that I am happy my Vols aren’t playing in this game? It’s such a weird feeling and even though I am glad they aren’t playing, I would have watched the game just as I do every other game when the Big Orange is playing. In terms of the actual game that I hope is played, I would be surprised to see West Virginia be able to prepare for Army’s running game on such short notice. It’s tough enough when you’ve got the normal 3-4 weeks to prepare to play the Black Knights in a bowl game. Army’s defense is pretty good, too. Army 21-West Virginia 17.
Texas Bowl, Houston, Texas, Thursday, December 31, 8 p.m., ESPN, Arkansas vs. TCU: Normally, there is a better bowl game in this slot, but I’m sure I’ll watch at least parts of this one. I must give coach Sam Pittman kudos for getting the Razorbacks on track. I wish I could say the same thing about things in Knoxville. But I digress. Both teams have had some forgettable performances, but they’ve also had some success. I’m better that Sam has his Hogs ready to play. Arkansas 31-TCU 24.
