2013-2014 Bowl Predictions – Week 1

I made a pretty big jump in accuracy (from 77%) with my overall regular season predictions this year. It’s a New Day, right? Let’s see how it translates to the bowl games, though. There are 35, and they start tomorrow. Let’s tackle them a week at a time, and once you’re done reading these and getting your mind right, go join the bowl pick ’em.

Bowls: 3-5 (37.5%)
Regular Season: 145-33 (81.4%)
Overall: 148-38 (79.6%), ATS at PickOrPlay.com: 70-70 (50.0%)

12/21

Gildan New Mexico Bowl (1 p.m. ESPN)
Washington State vs. Colorado State – As I’ve always said, when Auburn beats a team, I became a semi-fan of them for the rest of the season. In most cases. Therefore, I’d like Washington State to win, and given the that they are playing Colorado State, they should.

Washington State 34, Colorado State 24

Colorado State 48, Washington State 45 – FAILURE

Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl (2:30 p.m. ABC)
Fresno State vs. USC – USC did not retain Ed Orgeron. He was mad. I’m sure the players were mad as well. Now they are split up and as lost. Fresno State fed on a bad schedule all year and then got beat by San Jose State late in the season to kill their BCS chances. USC should win, but without the guy that turned their season around after Kiffin is fired, I can see Fresno winning. Yep, they will.

Fresno State 41, USC 28

USC 45, Fresno State 20 – FAILURE

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (4:30 p.m. ESPN)
Buffalo vs. San Diego State – Remember when Buffalo was nothing but a nuisance to a team’s strength of schedule? Remember when people wanted to hire Turner Gill? They’re pretty good now apparently. Apparently. You think I keep up with Buffalo football?

Buffalo 28, San Diego State 23

San Diego State 49, Buffalo 24 – FAILURE

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl (8 p.m. ESPN)
Tulane vs. UL-Lafayette – Tulane plays their home games in the Superdome. Lafayette, LA is just over 100 miles from the Superdome. This bowl is being playing the Superdome. Some bowl trip. Home team wins.

Tulane 21, UL-Lafayette 17

UL-Lafayette 24, Tulane 21 – FAILURE

12/23

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl (1 p.m. ESPN)
Ohio vs. East Carolina – The absolute most embarrassing bowl game name returns, and what a matchup! Ohio, the king of the matte MAC helmets, takes on the current home of Jeff Lebo. Pat Dye once coached the Pirates as well. That’s just too many Auburn connections.

East Carolina 34, Ohio 14

East Carolina 37, Ohio 20 – SUCCESS!

12/24

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl (7 p.m. ESPN)
Boise State vs. Oregon State – Hey, finally something I might watch. Boise’s final game with Chris Petersen versus the school with my favorite color scheme (besides Auburn’s). It’s cold in Idaho and Oregon right now. Hawaii is not ready for the amount of white thigh meat it’s about to see. Boise has to win in their coach’s sendoff, right? I don’t think so.

Oregon State 38, Boise State 28

Oregon State 38, Boise State 23 – SUCCESS!

12/26

Little Caesars Bowl (5 p.m. ESPN)
Pittsburgh vs. Bowling Green – Pizza Bowwwllll. But hey, Pitt. At least you didn’t have to go to Birmingham for the 12th year in a row. Instead you get to go to <looks up Little Caesars Bowl location> … Detroit. Ouch. Yeah, shoot for Birmingham again next year. Urban Meyer once coached at Bowling Green so they’ll lose.

Pittsburgh 30, Bowling Green 7

Pittsburgh 30, Bowling Green 27 – SUCCESS!

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsetta Bowl (8:30 ESPN)
Utah State vs. Northern Illinois – I just got carpel tunnel from typing the bowl name. Remember Utah State giving Auburn everything they wanted? That seems like forever ago. I do remember that time Northern Illinois beat Alabama though. Go Huskies.

Northern Illinois 34, Utah State 13

Utah State 21, Northern Illinois 14 – FAILURE

Now that I’ve picked the bowls, you should go join the bowl pick’em. Just make sure you have them in prior to each game, but go ahead and do them all so you don’t have to worry about it. There’s prizes and stuff.