College Bowl Picks (Dec. 30th)

Armed Forces Bowl: Middle Tennessee vs. Navy
The Navy Midshipmen and their option-offense square off against a hot Middle Tennessee team who is led by senior quarterback Logan Kilgore. Kilgore has had a fantastic career with the Blue Raiders but has struggled at times this year. He still had 2,289 yards and 16 touchdowns, while completing over 60% of his passes. Middle Tennessee's offense has been great this year but their defense has been exposed constantly, especially against the run. Navy is led on the offensive end by sophomore QB Keenan Reynolds, who ran for 1,260 yards and threw for 1,038 more. Reynolds is extremely fast and actually has a very good arm for an option quarterback. The Midshipmen never need too much from their offense: their defense has only allowed 25.9 points per game, holding two of their last four opponents they faced to under 14. The Blue Raiders have a solid rush attack led by Jordan Parker and Reggie Whatley who ran for over 600 yards both and can be receivers out of the backfield for Kilgore. Navy has been of the more consistent college football programs this decade, recording 10 bowl appearances in 11 years, while Middle Tennessee hasn't made a bowl appearance in a couple years. Navy should get a lot of plays from Reynolds in this one, but even if they do, Kilgore and Middle Tennessee's offense can carry them to a win.
Middle Tennessee, 33 Navy, 27

Music City Bowl: Ole Miss vs. Georgia Tech
As inconsistent as they have been lately one thing has been constant for Ole Miss: winning bowl

Jeremiah Attaochu

games as they head for their sixth straight against the option-orientated Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Big things were expected for Ole Miss entering the year with a load of returning starters and a great recruiting class but the Rebels still managed just a 7-5 mark, going 3-5 in the SEC. Junior quarterback Bo Wallace has been great for the Rebels this season throwing for over 3,000 yards but also being a threat as a runner, rushing for a lot of yards in wins over Texas and Troy. Wallace isn't the only playmaker on the Rebels' offense, they also have receiver Donte Moncrief and speedy freshman Laquon Treadwell. Georgia Tech has a solid defense that is led by linebackers Jabari Hunt-Days and Jeremiah Attaochu. Their pass defense has been suspect at times as the little experience in it has hurt. The key for the Yellow Jackets will be trying to get their triple-option attack going and running smoothly. Sophomore quarterback Vad Lee has filled in nicely and runs the offense well. Georgia Tech has a number of good backs including fullback David Sims, who looks for a big way to end his career in a Yellow Jacket uniform, and quick and shifty Robert Godhigh. Godhigh is also Georgia Tech's leading receiver and can hurt defenses in a number of ways. Georgia Tech will not run the ball easily with the front seven of the Rebels as talented as it is. Ends Robert Nkemdiche and Channing Ward are disruptive, while Robert's brother, Denzel, is a sure tackler. This one is tough because if Ole Miss' offense struggles the way it did against Mississippi State, Georgia Tech can come away with a victory. If Wallace plays to his potential, expect Ole Miss to come out with their sixth straight bowl victory.
Ole Miss, 28 Georgia Tech, 20

Alamo Bowl: Oregon vs. Texas
Two of college football's best programs square off in an attempt to forget what has been a rough year for both. For much of the college football year it looked like the Ducks would challenge for a national title but then they struggled against Stanford. Another embarrassing loss to Arizona dropped them to 10-2 and without a shot at a BCS bowl appearance. Texas started off 1-2 with losses to Ole Miss and BYU before getting hot and wining seven straight until recently where they lost any chance at a Big 12 title by losing their last two. Oregon still has a scary offense led by sophomore Marcus Mariota, who has already announced he will stay at least another year after being a projected first round pick this spring. Mariota is also surrounded by powerful Byron Marshall and receiver Bralon Addison who is a special teams threat. It looked like disaster when Texas' starter David Ash went out for the year with concussions, but Case McCoy has filled in well. The senior has thrown for 1,885 yards and 11 touchdowns but he still continues to make mistakes, with 11 interceptions as well. The Longhorns' defense was terrible at the start of the year, and although it has improved it can still be an issue. Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Jackson Jeffcoat at a huge year at defensive end, recording 12 sacks and 21 tackles for loss this season. Mariota still has shown he will struggle when you put pressure in his face, which is why Jeffcoat is so important. Oregon will take out their frustration on this one as Mariota, Marshall, Addison and senior receiver Josh Huff should make plays all over the field.
Oregon, 42 Texas, 27

Holiday Bowl: Arizona State vs. Texas Tech
Although they were beaten pretty easily by Stanford in the Pac-12 Championship Game it has definitely been a breakthrough year for a rising Arizona State program. They definitely have a good chance to win their 11th game of the year against Texas Tech. The Red Raiders started off 7-0 and a Top 10 team but has really struggled when facing good opponents. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has announced he will transfer, meaning Texas Tech will rely on their other freshman quarterback, Davis Webb, who had as many passing yards this year as Mayfield. Arizona State will have their hands full trying to contain tight end Jace Amaro who has the speed of a receiver and the stats. Amaro had 98 receptions and 1,240 yards this year. The Sun Devils' offense has been explosive this year, led by junior quarterback Taylor Kelly and a number of other playmakers. Marion Grice didn't play in the Pac-12 Championship Game but when he is healthy is very dangerous. Receiver Jaelon Strong has come out for very strong in the second half of the year and has proven to be Kelly's favorite target. Kelly is a pretty unorthodox quarterback; his arm isn't fantastic and he is rough around the edges but their is no denying how strong of a year he has had. The Sun Devils will need a strong performance from their defense, that includes linemen Will Sutton and linebacker Carl Braford, to stop an inconsistent TTU offense.
Arizona State, 35 Texas Tech, 17