David Jacobs is a senior and a reporter for the Fishers Tiger Times. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper.

   The minimum requirement for an NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) football team to make the bowl game is usually six games. However, there are exceptions every year, like 5-7 Rice this year, and teams like Army (6-6) or Appalachian State that have six wins but did not make the cut due to the quality of their wins. According to NCAA.com, bowl games start Friday, Dec. 16, and will wrap up with the National Championship on Jan. 9. So, let us jump right into these predictions. 

Bahamas Bowl 

Dec. 16

11:30 a.m. EST 

ESPN

   We kick things off this year with two incredibly mediocre programs with 6-6 Miami (OH) from the MAC and 6-6 UAB from Conference USA. According to Sports Reference, Miami (OH) is averaging 20 points a game, whereas UAB is more explosive with 30. Miami (OH) has played better as of late and their defense has been stingy throughout the season despite the lackluster offense. With that being said, Miami (OH) hasn’t seen a running back like DeWayne McBride all year and just let Ball State running back Carson Steele rush for 180 on them in their last game. I will take UAB to win and look for McBride to have a big game. UAB 33 Miami OH 20. 

Cure Bowl

Dec. 16

3:00 p.m. EST

ESPN

   After the Bahamas Bowl wraps up, we get rewarded with twenty-third ranked Troy with an 11-2 record from the Sun Belt and twenty-second-ranked UTSA with an 11-2 record from Conference USA. It is a shame this game does not get to be an NY6 game because this is going to be a fun one. Led by a top-10 scoring defense and a strong run game, Troy has relied on simply outlasting opponents for the majority of their 10-game win streak. UTSA on the other hand has a top-12 scoring offense and has relied on overwhelming defenses with their impressive air raid behind the arm of quarterback Frank Harris. Defense wins championships and with an offense that is scoring 42 points a game over their last three outings, Troy looks like they have got the gears going at the right time. Give me Troy to pull out the win and hold UTSA to under 30 for just the second time all season. Troy 31 UTSA 27

Fenway Bowl

Dec. 17

11:00 a.m. EST

ESPN

   Entering the weekend, we can celebrate the end of finals week with an interesting showdown between 9-3 Cincinnati out of the AAC and 7-5 Louisville out of the ACC. Neither one of these teams jump out at you with any impressive traits. Instead, we get one of the best storylines of the year, after suffering just 8 losses since 2018, Cincinnati head coach, Luke Fickell, took a pay raise to coach Wisconsin for the upcoming season and the foreseeable future. Cincinnati, in need of a new head coach, would go on to hire Scott Scatterfield who has led his team to three bowl appearances in the last four seasons, just one problem, he is the coach of Louisville. The most interesting thing will be seeing two interim coaches, Kerry Combs and Deion Branch, go at it in a game that ultimately means nothing to either program. Cincinnati just has the better offense and a more consistent passing attack. Match that with two defenses that are evenly matched, I got Cincinnati winning in a forgettable game. Cincinnati 23 Louisville 19. 

Celebration Bowl

Dec. 17

12:00 p.m. EST

ABC

   The Celebration Bowl was founded in 2015 and is unofficially known as the HBCU National Championship, as it features the champions of the SWAC and MEAC, two conferences filled with schools that fall under the category of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This year, 12-0 Jackson State from the SWAC takes on 9-2 NC Central from the MEAC. Deion Sanders (Coach Prime) has built a juggernaut at Jackson State behind a high-powered offense quarterbacked by his son, Shedeur, and a stout defense that has not given up more than 24 points all season. NC Central boasts a balanced offense behind a strong run game and a bend-don’t-break defense. Coach Sanders had very publicly taken a coaching job at Colorado after two great seasons at Jackson State, and also very publicly stated he is taking all of his Jackson State players with him. According to Sports Illustrated, Sanders will indeed be coaching when his team takes the field on Saturday. If Coach Prime is staying true to his word and coaching I cannot see why this is not a convincing Tigers win. Jackson State 41 NC Central 22. 

Las Vegas Bowl

Dec. 17

2:30 p.m. EST

ESPN

   In one of the more lopsided affairs, we see seventeenth-ranked Oregon State with a 9-3 record from the PAC-12 take on 6-6 Florida from the SEC. Oregon State has relied on its rushing attack and strong defense whereas Florida due to the efforts of NFL prospect and quarterback Anthony Richardson has kept their offense afloat while their defense gives up nearly 30 points a game. I expect Oregon State to dominate from kick-off. Oregon State 34 Florida 20. 

LA Bowl

Dec. 17

3:30 p.m. EST

ABC

   In a game that features two strong passers, 7-5 Washington State from the PAC-12 taking on 9-4 Fresno State from the MWC has me very intrigued. Washington State quarterback, Cameron Ward, has been impressive with 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions, numbers comparable to Heisman finalist Stetson Bennett. Fresno State has a bit more explosive offense and a much more balanced one quarterbacked by the more efficient Jake Haener, and between the tackles, they rely on running back Jordan Mims who has 1100 yards and 16 scores on the season. I think Fresno State will win by controlling the ball and keeping it away from Ward. Fresno State 33 Washington State 31.

LendingTree Bowl

Dec. 17

5:45 p.m. EST

ESPN

   Some bowl games are very clearly just advertising money-makers, and that is all this game is. 5-7 Rice from Conference USA takes on 6-6 Southern Mississippi from the Sun Belt. The only thing either team has going for them is the paycheck they are getting from playing in this game. I would much rather see Army vs Appalachian State, however, with a much better defense than Rice I do not see a reality where Southern Mississippi loses. Southern Mississippi 24 Rice 15.

New Mexico Bowl

Dec. 17

7:30 p.m. EST

ABC

   After witnessing the torture of the LendingTree Bowl, we now have the privilege to watch the shootout that will take place between 7-5 Southern Methodist (SMU) out of the AAC and 7-5 BYU. Both teams have amazing air attacks with the two quarterbacks Tanner Mordecai and Jaren Hall having a combined 62 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. Both teams also have extremely subpar defenses. The fate of this game lies in the hands of the volatile SMU offense, they scored 77 against Houston but also put up just 19 against Central Florida. BYU has given up 50 points once before this season and I think we see it happen again in what ends up being one of the most exciting games of the entire bowl season. SMU 53 BYU 44.

Frisco Bowl

Dec. 17

9:15 p.m. EST

ESPN

   It is a shame that SMU and BYU do not get the prime time spot on this day, but 9-4 Boise State out of the MWC and 7-6 North Texas out of Conference USA will be able to suffice. Boise State prides itself on a strong run game led by running back George Holani and a top-11 defense led by linebacker DJ Schramm. North Texas boasts one of the more explosive offenses in the country anchored by quarterback Austin Aune and a shared backfield that consists of running backs Ikaika Ragsdale and Oscar Adaway. Boise State 34 North Texas 29.

Myrtle Beach Bowl

Dec. 19

2:30 p.m. EST

ESPN

   This is a game right that at the beginning of the season I would not believe would ever happen. 6-6 Connecticut (UConn) takes on 8-4 Marshall from the Sun Belt. After starting 1-4, something clicked for UConn as they finished the year 5-2 including wins over Fresno State and Liberty. Similarly, after knocking off eighth-ranked Notre Dame at the time, Marshall started the year 3-3 before going 5-1 to end the season including a four-game win streak. Although UConn’s turnaround is quite the story, I am banking on the nation’s eighth-best scoring defense and running back Khalan Laborn to shut down UConn. Marshall 30 UConn 18.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Dec. 20

3:30 p.m. EST

ESPN 

   In another intriguing matchup, 8-4 Eastern Michigan out of the MAC takes on 7-4 San Jose State from the MWC. Eastern Michigan is just weird, man. With an offense that scored just .2 more points than what the defense gives up per game and is outgained by six yards each outing, how are they 8-4? With the mysterious entity of  Eastern Michigan set aside, San Jose State is led by the extremely efficient Chevan Cordeiro as he has 20 touchdowns to just four interceptions on the season. Give me San Jose State to win in a rather boring game. San Jose State 29 Eastern Michigan 20.

Boca Raton Bowl

Dec. 20

7:30 p.m EST
ESPN

   After a bit of a snooze fest with the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, things get better as we watch 8-4 Liberty take on 8-5 Toledo from the MAC. Toledo is led by the arm and legs of quarterback DeQuan Finn as he had 22 passing touchdowns and led them in rushing with 608 yards to pair with eight more scores. It came as a surprise to me that this Liberty team was ever ranked this season because they simply do not have much going for them. A mediocre rushing attack to pair with subpar quarterback play is usually not the recipe for success, and their defense is just okay ranking 56th in the nation. I got Toledo winning with the help of a monstrous game from DeQuan Finn. Toledo 38 Liberty 30.

New Orleans Bowl

Dec. 21

9:00 p.m. EST

ESPN

   For as odd and hectic as the bowl game schedule is, this is one the NCAA got right. 10-2 South Alabama from the Sun Belt takes on 8-5 Western Kentucky from Conference USA. South Alabama boasts one of the best defenses in the nation to go along with a balanced offense and a solid rushing attack from running back La’Damian Webb. Western Kentucky hopes to outlast and exhaust defenses with their high-powered air raid offense quarterbacked by Austin Reed. This is one instance where I think a great offense beats a great defense. With a big game from Reed, I have the Hilltoppers taking this one home. Western Kentucky 43 South Alabama 32.

Armed Forces Bowl

Dec. 22

7:30 p.m EST

ESPN

   After a good game the night prior, we have a chance for another good one here. 6-6 Baylor from the Big 12 takes on Air Force from the MWC. Air Force has relied on their stingy defense in the past, but this year they boast one of the nation’s best, giving up just 13 points each outing. A great run game that chews up the clock led by running back Brad Roberts (1600 yards/15 TD) paired with their stout defense is just going to be too much for a Baylor team that just does not impress me. Air Force 28 Baylor 24.

Independence Bowl

Dec. 23

3:00 p.m. EST

ESPN

   After two great games, I feel 7-5 Houston from the AAC going against 6-6 Louisiana from the Sun Belt will put an end to it. Louisiana has an offense with no identity and a defense that is doing what it can to help out this lackluster offense. Houston is the opposite as their defense is one of the worst in the nation and they have one of the best offenses quarterbacked by Clayton Tune, who helps them pour in nearly 40 each game. With the quarterback-wide receiver duo of Tune and Nathaniel Dell, I got Houston overwhelming a Louisiana team that has lost its identity somewhere in the grind of the season. Houston 41 Louisiana 21. 

Gasparilla Bowl

Dec. 23

6:30 p.m. EST

ESPN

   We have likely got another stinker here as 7-5 Wake Forest from the ACC takes on 6-6 Missouri from the SEC. Missouri has a lackluster offense and a defense that gives up just as many points as their offense scores. Wake Forest has one of the best offenses in the country led by quarterback Sam Hartman. I have them overwhelming Missouri early and often in this one. Wake Forest 34 Missouri 20.

Hawai’i Bowl

Dec. 24

8:00 p.m. EST

ESPN

   As an early Christmas gift, the NCAA is giving us an extremely mediocre football game as 7-5 Middle Tennessee State from Conference USA takes on 7-5 San Diego State from the MWC. Both of these teams score just a single point more each game than they give up. San Diego State has a top-20 defense to pair with their lackluster offense whose leading rusher has just 389 yards on the year. Middle Tennessee State pairs a mediocre defense with a mediocre offense, but they at least have a decent run game led by running back Frank Peasant. I have San Diego State outlasting the Blue Raiders in a snooze fest. San Diego State 22 Middle Tennessee State 20.

Quick Lane Bowl

Dec. 26

2:30 p.m. EST

ESPN

   As a late Christmas gift, the NCAA is giving us an even worse game as 6-6 Bowling Green from the MAC takes on 6-6 New Mexico State. Bowling Green gives up 10 more points than they score each game, which just should not be possible at 6-6. They are led by Quarterback Matt McDonald who gives a small spark to an awful offense. New Mexico State is no better offensively but has a competent defense that gives up 24 points on average. I would not even bother watching. New Mexico State 26 Bowling Green 18.

   The first half of the bowl season is often filled with forgettable games, but always make the next 21 games that much worth it.