RAHL REVIEWS BOWL SEASON PREVIEWS & PREDICTIONS
DECEMBER 23 – DECEMBER 25
Due to scheduling difficulties, I am forced to break up the predictions into multiple posts. So be sure to check back for the rest of the previews & predictions!
New Orleans Bowl (12/23)
Georgia Southern (7-5) vs Louisiana Tech (5-4)
Georgia Southern -3.5 / 52
The New Orleans Bowl features a Conference USA vs Sun Belt matchup. Louisiana Tech will be looking to finish the season above .500 by continuing their current streak of 6 straight bowl wins. To do so they will have to find a way to slow down Georgia Southern’s ground game, which is not an easy task. #9 Coastal Carolina is the only team to hold Georgia Southern under 150 yards rushing this season. I look for them to run away with this game as well.
Georgia Southern 31
Louisiana Tech 20
Montgomery Bowl (12/23)
Memphis (7-3) vs Florida Atlantic (5-3)
Memphis -10 / 52
Memphis and Florida Atlantic will face off in Montgomery, Alabama for the very first Montgomery Bowl. Memphis comes into the game after winning 4 of their last 5, while FAU enters the matchup after losing back-to-back games. The Owls will be tasked with limiting Memphis’ potent passing attack. The Tigers are currently throwing for 310.3 yard per game. This ranks 18th in the nation. With FAU ranking 11th in passing yards allowed per game, this is clearly the matchup to watch. I believe this game will be close, but Memphis’ aerial attack will prevail.
Memphis 34
Florida Atlantic 31
New Mexico Bowl (12/24)
Houston (3-4) vs Hawaii (4-4)
Houston -10.5 / 61.5
The only bowl game on Christmas Eve will feature two teams trying to end their seasons at .500 or better. This bowl game features a bit of irony. Due to COVID-19, the New Mexico Bowl will actually be played in Texas. Neither of these teams have been able to gain much traction this season, as neither have been able to post consecutive wins. Hawaii will have the chance to do that with a victory here, but I believe they will be considerably outmatched by the Cougars.
Houston 42
Hawaii 16
Camellia Bowl (12/25)
Buffalo (7-1) vs Marshall (7-2)
Buffalo -3 / 53
Buffalo & Marshall will both be looking for a Camellia Bowl win for Christmas. Both teams are coming into the game off losses. The main matchup here is Buffalo’s run game vs Marshall’s run defense. The Bulls have the top run game in the country, averaging an astounding 310 yards per game on the ground. Their run game is led by Jaret Patterson who averages 178.7 yards per game on the ground. He also had perhaps the most impressive individual performance of the season when he ran for an incredible 409 yards and 8 TDs against Kent State. I look for him to run wild in this game as well.
