@psychojoe, my friend, I'm not trying to divert attention away from your thread at all by posting this.
Duck Commander Independence Bowl
Miami vs. South Carolina, Dec. 27 (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET)
Who to watch: Miami tailback Duke Johnson might be playing in his final college game after rushing for a career-high 1,520 yards with 10 touchdowns. He averaged 7 yards per carry, tops in the ACC for running backs with at least 100 attempts.
Motivation for Miami: Hurricanes fans are looking for some sort of sign that the program is headed in the right direction. Miami doesn't want to end the season with a four-game losing streak, which would leave it with its first losing campaign since going 5-7 in 2007.
Motivation for South Carolina: Spurrier hasn't had a college team finish with a losing record since Duke went 5-6 in 1987, his first season as a college head coach.
Prediction: Miami 27, South Carolina 20
AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Texas A&M vs. West Virginia, Dec. 29 (ESPN, 2 p.m. ET)
Who to watch: West Virginia senior Kevin White was sixth among FBS players with 1,318 receiving yards and fifth with 8.5 catches per game. He finished with 102 catches and nine touchdown receptions. White seems to be good for at least one "SportsCenter" highlight per game, so don't take your eyes off of him for very long.
Motivation for Texas A&M: The Aggies took a big step back in their first season without Manziel, finishing 7-5 after a 5-0 start. Coach Kevin Sumlin would like to get things headed back in the right direction.
Motivation for West Virginia: After a disappointing 4-8 finish in 2013, the Mountaineers reversed course this season, going 7-5 in coach Dana Holgorsen's fourth season. West Virginia has dropped three of its past four bowl games, including a 38-14 loss to Syracuse in the 2012 Pinstripe Bowl.
Prediction: Texas A&M 35, West Virginia 34
AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl
Arkansas vs. Texas, Dec. 29 (ESPN, 9 p.m. ET)
Who to watch: The Hogs have one of the better one-two punches in the backfield, as Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins combined to run for 2,109 yards with 23 touchdowns this season. Texas allowed 162.1 rushing yards per game.
Motivation for Arkansas: After losing 13 consecutive SEC games to start Bret Bielema's tenure, the Hogs upset then-No. 17 LSU and then-No. 8 Ole Miss in November. They finally have turned the corner under Bielema, and a victory over Texas would be even more reason for optimism.
Motivation for Texas: The Longhorns won three of their last four games to qualify for the postseason in coach Charlie Strong's first season. If nothing else, the bowl game gives quarterback Tyrone Swoopes a few more weeks of practice to improve.
Prediction: Arkansas 24, Texas 17
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl
Notre Dame vs. No. 23 LSU, Dec. 30 (ESPN, 3 p.m. ET)
Who to watch: Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly says he'll play two quarterbacks
Everett Golson and Malik Zaire -- against LSU. Golson returned from a season-long academic suspension to throw for 3,355 yards with 29 touchdowns. But he was dogged by 22 turnovers (14 interceptions and eight lost fumbles) in the last nine games. Zaire replaced him in a 49-14 loss at USC in the regular-season finale.
Motivation for Notre Dame: After going 12-1 and reaching the BCS National Championship Game in 2012, the Irish have lost nine games combined in the past two seasons. They dropped five of their last six this season after a 6-0 start. Kelly needs to get things turned around.
Motivation for LSU: With quarterback Anthony Jennings and tailback Leonard Fournettecoming back in 2015, the Tigers have every reason to be excited about their future. A victory over Notre Dame might propel them to a high preseason ranking next season.
Prediction: LSU 27, Notre Dame 24
Belk Bowl
No. 13 Georgia vs. No. 21 Louisville, Dec. 30 (ESPN, 6:30 p.m. ET)
Who to watch: Georgia freshman Nick Chubb ran for 1,281 yards with 12 touchdowns, with much of his damage coming after UGA star Todd Gurley was suspended for accepting money for autographs. Chubb ran for more than 100 yards in each of the last seven games, averaging 151 yards during the stretch.
Motivation for Georgia: After losing to rival Georgia Tech 30-24 in overtime in the regular-season finale, the Bulldogs will be trying to avoid a two-game losing streak to ACC foes. Georgia also hasn't played well in the postseason recently, losing three of its past four bowl games.
Motivation for Louisville: By beating Georgia, the Cardinals would win 10 games and their third straight bowl game, which would put the icing on their first season in the ACC.
Prediction: Georgia 31, Louisville 27
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
No. 9 Ole Miss vs. No. 6 TCU, Dec. 31 (ESPN, 12:30 p.m. ET)
Who to watch: TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin might have been the country's most improved player, as he passed for 3,714 yards with 30 touchdowns and seven interceptions in the Horned Frogs' revamped spread offense. The best news for TCU: Boykin has one year of eligibility remaining.
Motivation for Ole Miss: The Rebels salvaged what was rapidly becoming a disappointing finish by upsetting rival Mississippi State 31-17 in the Egg Bowl. Ole Miss will try to win its seventh bowl game in a row.
Motivation for TCU: The Horned Frogs have to get over the bitter disappointment of not being selected for the playoff. The Horned Frogs are probably a year ahead of schedule, so beating the Rebels in Atlanta might propel them to a top-five ranking going into next season.
Prediction: TCU 34, Ole Miss 31
Capital One Orange Bowl
No. 7 Mississippi State vs. No. 12 Georgia Tech, Dec. 31 (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET)
Who to watch: Georgia Tech quarterback Justin Thomas, a sophomore from Prattville, Alabama, is tailor-made for coach Paul Johnson's triple-option spread offense. Thomas ran for 965 yards with five touchdowns, and completed 50.9 percent of his passes for 1,594 yards with 17 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Motivation for Mississippi State: The Bulldogs don't want to finish the season on a sour note by losing three of their last four games. They were ranked No. 1 in the country for much of the season and a victory over the Yellow Jackets would erase some of the disappointment from November.
Motivation for Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets are aiming for their first 11-win season since 1990, when they finished 11-0-1 and shared a national championship with Colorado.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 34, Mississippi State 30
Outback Bowl
No. 19 Auburn vs. No. 18 Wisconsin, Jan. 1 (ESPN2, Noon ET)
Who to watch: It's your last chance to watch Wisconsin tailback
Melvin Gordon, a Heisman Trophy finalist who ran for 2,336 yards with 26 touchdowns this season. He might find plenty of room against the Tigers, who gave up at least 31 points in each of their last six games against FBS foes. Auburn coach Gus Malzahn fired defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson and replaced him with former Florida coach Will Muschamp.
Motivation for Auburn: After starting 5-0, the Tigers limped to an 8-4 record, losing three of their last four games. Auburn's offense wasn't the problem; the Tigers are averaging 35.8 points per game.
Motivation for Wisconsin: The Badgers didn't just lay an egg against Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game; they were scrambled, fried and poached in an embarrassing 59-0 loss. That's not the lasting legacy Gordon and Wisconsin's seniors want to leave.
Prediction: Auburn 42, Wisconsin 35
Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl
No. 16 Missouri vs. No. 25 Minnesota, Jan. 1 (ABC, 1 p.m. ET)
Who to watch: Minnesota's David Cobb ran for 1,548 yards, which ranked ninth among FBS players. He had a season-high 220 yards against Middle Tennessee State and 207 against San Jose State.
Motivation for Missouri: It's time to quit doubting the Tigers, who have won the SEC East in two of their first three seasons in the league. Missouri had to replace a boatload of talent this season but didn't miss a beat. A bowl win would give the Tigers 23 victories over the past two seasons.
Motivation for Minnesota: The Gophers have been surprisingly good under Kill, but he hasn't yet led them to a bowl victory. In fact, Minnesota hasn't won in the postseason since beating Alabama 20-16 in the 2004 Music City Bowl, dropping its past six postseason games.
Prediction: Missouri 24, Minnesota 20
http://espn.go.com/college-football...362/predicting-winners-all-39-bowl-games#jan1
Duck Commander Independence Bowl
Miami vs. South Carolina, Dec. 27 (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET)
Why to watch: Miami and South Carolina were both disappointments this season, but it's always fun when Steve Spurrier goes up against the Hurricanes. Plus, it's the first chance for the SEC to end a current four-game losing streak against ACC foes.Who to watch: Miami tailback Duke Johnson might be playing in his final college game after rushing for a career-high 1,520 yards with 10 touchdowns. He averaged 7 yards per carry, tops in the ACC for running backs with at least 100 attempts.
Motivation for Miami: Hurricanes fans are looking for some sort of sign that the program is headed in the right direction. Miami doesn't want to end the season with a four-game losing streak, which would leave it with its first losing campaign since going 5-7 in 2007.
Motivation for South Carolina: Spurrier hasn't had a college team finish with a losing record since Duke went 5-6 in 1987, his first season as a college head coach.
Prediction: Miami 27, South Carolina 20
AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Texas A&M vs. West Virginia, Dec. 29 (ESPN, 2 p.m. ET)
Why to watch: These coaching staffs are very familiar with each other, and the sideline strategies will be very interesting to watch. The Aggies and Mountaineers both rank in the top 12 nationally in passing, and their respective coaches love to throw the ball around.Who to watch: West Virginia senior Kevin White was sixth among FBS players with 1,318 receiving yards and fifth with 8.5 catches per game. He finished with 102 catches and nine touchdown receptions. White seems to be good for at least one "SportsCenter" highlight per game, so don't take your eyes off of him for very long.
Motivation for Texas A&M: The Aggies took a big step back in their first season without Manziel, finishing 7-5 after a 5-0 start. Coach Kevin Sumlin would like to get things headed back in the right direction.
Motivation for West Virginia: After a disappointing 4-8 finish in 2013, the Mountaineers reversed course this season, going 7-5 in coach Dana Holgorsen's fourth season. West Virginia has dropped three of its past four bowl games, including a 38-14 loss to Syracuse in the 2012 Pinstripe Bowl.
Prediction: Texas A&M 35, West Virginia 34
AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl
Arkansas vs. Texas, Dec. 29 (ESPN, 9 p.m. ET)
Why to watch: Just pretend it's 1969, when the Longhorns and Razorbacks played what is still called the "Game of the Century." The longtime Southwest Conference rivals have played 77 times since 1894, with Texas winning nearly three out of every four contests.Who to watch: The Hogs have one of the better one-two punches in the backfield, as Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins combined to run for 2,109 yards with 23 touchdowns this season. Texas allowed 162.1 rushing yards per game.
Motivation for Arkansas: After losing 13 consecutive SEC games to start Bret Bielema's tenure, the Hogs upset then-No. 17 LSU and then-No. 8 Ole Miss in November. They finally have turned the corner under Bielema, and a victory over Texas would be even more reason for optimism.
Motivation for Texas: The Longhorns won three of their last four games to qualify for the postseason in coach Charlie Strong's first season. If nothing else, the bowl game gives quarterback Tyrone Swoopes a few more weeks of practice to improve.
Prediction: Arkansas 24, Texas 17
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl
Notre Dame vs. No. 23 LSU, Dec. 30 (ESPN, 3 p.m. ET)
Why to watch: Well, it's always entertaining to root for (or against) the Fighting Irish, who lost their last four games to finish 7-5. You can also get a sneak peek at LSU, which should be one of the country's better teams in 2015 after playing a plethora of freshmen this season.Who to watch: Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly says he'll play two quarterbacks
Everett Golson and Malik Zaire -- against LSU. Golson returned from a season-long academic suspension to throw for 3,355 yards with 29 touchdowns. But he was dogged by 22 turnovers (14 interceptions and eight lost fumbles) in the last nine games. Zaire replaced him in a 49-14 loss at USC in the regular-season finale.
Motivation for Notre Dame: After going 12-1 and reaching the BCS National Championship Game in 2012, the Irish have lost nine games combined in the past two seasons. They dropped five of their last six this season after a 6-0 start. Kelly needs to get things turned around.
Motivation for LSU: With quarterback Anthony Jennings and tailback Leonard Fournettecoming back in 2015, the Tigers have every reason to be excited about their future. A victory over Notre Dame might propel them to a high preseason ranking next season.
Prediction: LSU 27, Notre Dame 24
Belk Bowl
No. 13 Georgia vs. No. 21 Louisville, Dec. 30 (ESPN, 6:30 p.m. ET)
Why to watch: There's some lingering bad blood between the coaching staffs. Louisville defensive coordinator Todd Grantham left Georgia last season, and then took some veiled shots at his former colleagues on his way out the door. Plus, Louisville's Bobby Petrino, a former Atlanta Falcons coach, still isn't the most popular guy in Georgia.Who to watch: Georgia freshman Nick Chubb ran for 1,281 yards with 12 touchdowns, with much of his damage coming after UGA star Todd Gurley was suspended for accepting money for autographs. Chubb ran for more than 100 yards in each of the last seven games, averaging 151 yards during the stretch.
Motivation for Georgia: After losing to rival Georgia Tech 30-24 in overtime in the regular-season finale, the Bulldogs will be trying to avoid a two-game losing streak to ACC foes. Georgia also hasn't played well in the postseason recently, losing three of its past four bowl games.
Motivation for Louisville: By beating Georgia, the Cardinals would win 10 games and their third straight bowl game, which would put the icing on their first season in the ACC.
Prediction: Georgia 31, Louisville 27
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
No. 9 Ole Miss vs. No. 6 TCU, Dec. 31 (ESPN, 12:30 p.m. ET)
Why to watch: The Rebels were a few plays away from making the playoff, and the Horned Frogs might have been only a few votes away from being one of the four playoff teams. The game also provides a sharp contrast in styles: TCU's high-flying offense will get a major test from Ole Miss' athletic defense.Who to watch: TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin might have been the country's most improved player, as he passed for 3,714 yards with 30 touchdowns and seven interceptions in the Horned Frogs' revamped spread offense. The best news for TCU: Boykin has one year of eligibility remaining.
Motivation for Ole Miss: The Rebels salvaged what was rapidly becoming a disappointing finish by upsetting rival Mississippi State 31-17 in the Egg Bowl. Ole Miss will try to win its seventh bowl game in a row.
Motivation for TCU: The Horned Frogs have to get over the bitter disappointment of not being selected for the playoff. The Horned Frogs are probably a year ahead of schedule, so beating the Rebels in Atlanta might propel them to a top-five ranking going into next season.
Prediction: TCU 34, Ole Miss 31
Capital One Orange Bowl
No. 7 Mississippi State vs. No. 12 Georgia Tech, Dec. 31 (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET)
Why to watch: The Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets were two of the country's biggest surprises. Mississippi State started 9-0 before losing two of its last three games. The Yellow Jackets upset then-No. 19 Clemson and then-No. 9 Georgia before nearly beating No. 4 Florida State in the ACC championship game.Who to watch: Georgia Tech quarterback Justin Thomas, a sophomore from Prattville, Alabama, is tailor-made for coach Paul Johnson's triple-option spread offense. Thomas ran for 965 yards with five touchdowns, and completed 50.9 percent of his passes for 1,594 yards with 17 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Motivation for Mississippi State: The Bulldogs don't want to finish the season on a sour note by losing three of their last four games. They were ranked No. 1 in the country for much of the season and a victory over the Yellow Jackets would erase some of the disappointment from November.
Motivation for Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets are aiming for their first 11-win season since 1990, when they finished 11-0-1 and shared a national championship with Colorado.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 34, Mississippi State 30
Outback Bowl
No. 19 Auburn vs. No. 18 Wisconsin, Jan. 1 (ESPN2, Noon ET)
Why to watch: For the second time in three seasons, Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez will coach the Badgers in a bowl game, after former coach Gary Andersen left for Oregon State. Wisconsin lost to Stanford 20-14 in the 2013 Rose Bowl with Alvarez on the sideline.Who to watch: It's your last chance to watch Wisconsin tailback
Melvin Gordon, a Heisman Trophy finalist who ran for 2,336 yards with 26 touchdowns this season. He might find plenty of room against the Tigers, who gave up at least 31 points in each of their last six games against FBS foes. Auburn coach Gus Malzahn fired defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson and replaced him with former Florida coach Will Muschamp.
Motivation for Auburn: After starting 5-0, the Tigers limped to an 8-4 record, losing three of their last four games. Auburn's offense wasn't the problem; the Tigers are averaging 35.8 points per game.
Motivation for Wisconsin: The Badgers didn't just lay an egg against Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game; they were scrambled, fried and poached in an embarrassing 59-0 loss. That's not the lasting legacy Gordon and Wisconsin's seniors want to leave.
Prediction: Auburn 42, Wisconsin 35
Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl
No. 16 Missouri vs. No. 25 Minnesota, Jan. 1 (ABC, 1 p.m. ET)
Why to watch: Check out two of the country's most underrated coaches: Missouri's Gary Pinkel and Minnesota's Jerry Kill. Pinkel has guided the Tigers to SEC East titles in each of the past two seasons; Kill has led Minnesota -- Minnesota! -- to 16 victories during the past two seasons.Who to watch: Minnesota's David Cobb ran for 1,548 yards, which ranked ninth among FBS players. He had a season-high 220 yards against Middle Tennessee State and 207 against San Jose State.
Motivation for Missouri: It's time to quit doubting the Tigers, who have won the SEC East in two of their first three seasons in the league. Missouri had to replace a boatload of talent this season but didn't miss a beat. A bowl win would give the Tigers 23 victories over the past two seasons.
Motivation for Minnesota: The Gophers have been surprisingly good under Kill, but he hasn't yet led them to a bowl victory. In fact, Minnesota hasn't won in the postseason since beating Alabama 20-16 in the 2004 Music City Bowl, dropping its past six postseason games.
Prediction: Missouri 24, Minnesota 20
http://espn.go.com/college-football...362/predicting-winners-all-39-bowl-games#jan1
