Tuesday, December 26th
2:00pm ET- Bowling Green vs Minnesota: My issue here is Bowling Green does not have a strong run game; an area Minnesota got destroyed in to end the 2023 campaign. With injuries and the transfer portal, they will be down to their 3rd, 4th, and 5th string RB’s. Minnesota got gifted an opportunity at a bowl win, while winning only 5 games in 2023. So, this game flat out comes down too, who wants it more? Minnesota HC P. J. Fleck is 4-0 SU their last 4 bowl games, so it does appear he has his boys ready to play. The Gophers will turn to 5-year back up QB Cole Kremer with Kaliakmanis in the transfer portal. Kind of reminds me of a Rudy the movie type of moment. I mean the kid has 14 career pass attempts in FIVE YEARS. The rest of this Golden Gopher team will be balls to the wall for a victory.
Play: Minnesota -2.5 (-110) to win 0.75u
5:30pm ET- Rice vs Texas St: Texas St QB TJ Finley versus Rice QB AJ Padgett. Finley holds a tremendous advantage over Padgett. Besides ability and flat-out skill content, he has on his sideline HC G.J. Kinne an offensive and QB guru. Hence Finley’s obnoxious stats in 2023. Finley threw for 3,287 yards, 24 touchdowns and 8 INT’s. Luckily for him Rice ranks 130th in INTs per game. Rice might have a small advantage defensively, but both Ds struggled mightily in 2023. For me the difference is Texas St’s ability to create turnovers, while Rice just flat out does not. Rice crawled into bowl eligibility late, with 2 wins versus Charlotte and FAU. Like last year they really don’t belong playing in December so look for Texas St to score and score often in the First Responder Bowl. For those that don’t know, this game is played in Dallas Texas where the Cotton Bowl will be played. Weather will not be a factor. Look for Finley and Kinne to light up the scoreboard! Let’s lay the 3.5 points and back their team total OVER!
Play(s): Texas St -3.5 (-110) to win 1u, Texas St Team Total over 31.5 (-115) to win 1.5u
9:00pm ET- UNLV vs Kansas: Points, points, points. Playing indoors in Arizona I believe will turn this into a track meet fairly quickly, similarly to last year’s bowl game between KU and Arkansas. UNLV will make their first postseason appearance since 2013, and Kansas will play their second bowl game in program history. Losing in triple OT last season versus Arkansas. KU QB Jason Bean will get his shot this year after backing up Daniels in 2022. He will face a UNLV defense who struggles with running QB’s, which could lead to big plays and quick TD’s. Rebel freshman J. Maiva will face a Jayhawk defense who had plenty of struggles stopping the pass in 2023. Back the over, for SU pools take KU.
Play: over 67.5 (-110) to win 1.2u
