2018 college football bowl preview

Tulane is making its first bowl appearance since 2013. Coincidentally, it lost the New Orleans Bowl that year to Louisiana. The Green Wave have won four of the last five but will be tasked with trying to contain Ragin' Cajun running backs Trey Ragas (1,141 yards) and Elijah Mitchell (951, 12 touchdowns).

Prediction: Tulane 27, Louisiana 24 

Regardless who is coaching these teams, this gives both a good opportunity to conclude strong seasons with a win. Though coach Matt Wells moved on to a bigger pay day, the Aggies should have enough motivation to record their second 11-win season in the last seven. The Mean Green will try for their third 10-win campaign.

Prediction: Utah State 38, North Texas 21

It's the always fun Pac-12-Mountain West matchup where the little guys try to take down the big boys. Fresno, though, should not be intimidated after winning the MWC title and also beating UCLA earlier this season. However, Herm Edwards' Sun Devils have won four of five.

Prediction: Fresno State 31, Arizona State 24

Eastern Michigan made quite the plea to earn a bowl bid, but it also proved worthy of an invite by winning at Purdue and losing at San Diego State in overtime. Georgia Southern, meanwhile, is making its second bowl appearance since earning FBS status in 2014 thanks to an offense that averages 260.8 rushing yards.

Prediction: Georgia Southern 33, Eastern Michigan 27

Another bowl matchup where who is on the sideline coaching, specifically for Appalachian State, could be a factor in the outcome. The Mountaineers won the Sun Belt title game for their fifth straight victory. Middle Tennessee was edged by UAB in the Conference USA Championship Game but has one of the Group of Five's top quarterbacks in Brent Stockstill.

Prediction: Appalachian State 24, Middle Tennessee 21

Two years ago, UAB didn't even have a football program. Now it's going to a second straight bowl as the champion of Conference USA. Led by star defensive end Sutton Smith, NIU is coming off a fourth Mid-American Conference title and will try to snap a five-game bowl losing streak. These are also two of the top defensive teams in the nation.

Prediction: UAB 24, NIU 13

Ohio went 7-2 after losing two of its first three games, while San Diego State limps into the bowl season a loser of three in a row. Give the edge to Frank Solich and the Bobcats, who have also averaged 48.2 points over the last six games.

Prediction: Ohio 33, San Diego State 24

This season started so promising for Charlie Strong and South Florida, which won its first seven games. Once the schedule toughened, the Bulls perhaps showed their true colors and will try to snap a five-game skid while making a fourth consecutive bowl appearance. Marshall, meanwhile, will put a six-game bowl winning streak on the line.

Prediction: Marshall 27, South Florida 23

Butch Davis has FIU in position to set the school's single-season victory record while making a second consecutive bowl trip. Toledo has been inconsistent but will go bowling for a fifth year in a row. These programs last met in 2010 in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, won by FIU 34-32.

Prediction: FIU 31, Toledo 30 

Last season, BYU won an unthinkable four games. Now the turnaround isn't that grand, but the young Cougars are back in a bowl. They'll try to complete a winning season against Western Michigan, which played in the Cotton Bowl two seasons ago and boasts two of the MAC's better running backs in LeVante Bellamy (1,172 yards) and Jamauri Bogan (702 yards, 15 TDs).

Prediction: BYU 24, Western Michigan 16

This has the potential to be a fun contest. Memphis features one of the nation's top running backs in Darrell Henderson (1,909 yards, 22 TDs). Wake Forest receiver Greg Dortch (89 receptions, 1,078 yards, eight TDs) is equally as exciting. These two need to have the ball as much as possible.

Prediction: Wake Forest 32, Memphis 30  

This matchup would be more intriguing if both star defensive lineman Ed Oliver  and injured quarterback D'Eriq King were available for Houston. The former opens the door for Army's option attack to potentially have its way with the Cougars defense. The Cadets are trying for a third straight bowl win after going five consecutive seasons without a bowl trip.

Prediction: Army 34, Houston 28

If Buffalo is completely over a collapse in the MAC championship game, then expect the Bulls to be in good shape. Led by quarterback Tyree Jackson, Buffalo has topped the 40-point mark five times this season. Troy, meanwhile, is eyeing a third consecutive 10-win season and fourth straight bowl victory.

Prediction: Troy 28, Buffalo 27

Another home bowl game for Hawaii, which features one of the nation's top quarterbacks in Cole McDonald (3,790 yards, 35 TDs, eight interceptions). Louisiana Tech has one of the country's best defensive ends in Jaylon Ferguson and can extend its bowl winning streak to five games.

Prediction: Louisiana Tech 34, Hawaii 31

It was a rough home stretch for BC, which enters on a three-game losing streak and needing more from offensive stars Anthony Brown and AJ Dillon. Boise State's seven-game winning streak was snapped with an overtime loss to Fresno State in the Mountain West Title Game, but it's won seven of nine bowl appearances.

Prediction: Boise State 38, Boston College 20

Paul Johnson's swan song as Georgia Tech coach sets up nicely for his team to send him out in style. The Yellow Jackets lead the nation, averaging 334.9 rushing yards. Minnesota yielded more than 300 yards on the ground to both Maryland and Nebraska and 430 to Illinois this season — all three opponents failed to make a bowl.

Prediction: Georgia Tech 44, Minnesota 24

Back-to-back wins in its final two games sent TCU to a fifth consecutive bowl. Cal is making its first bowl appearance since 2015 and only the program's second in seven seasons. This game should be all about defense, but the Horned Frogs might have enough offensive firepower to prevail in the end.

Prediction: TCU 27, Cal 17 

Temple has won three in a row and six of its last seven. Duke, meanwhile, has dropped two straight and four of the last six. See where we are going with this? Owls running back Ryquell Armstead (1,098 yards, 13 TDs) is a name to remember this bowl season.

Prediction: Temple 33, Duke 24

Two teams that underachieved in 2018 meet in a rematch of last season's Orange Bowl. Wisconsin won that meeting, 34-24 and will look for a fifth consecutive bowl victory. Miami's won two in a row following a four-game skid but has lost seven of its last eight bowls.

Prediction: Wisconsin 35, Miami 27

Credit both Baylor's Matt Rhule and Derek Mason of Vanderbilt with quality coaching jobs this season. The Bears had one win in 2017, and Vandy missed a bowl for the third time in four seasons a year ago. Now these teams will go head-to-head with winning seasons for both on the line.

Prediction: Vanderbilt 24, Baylor 21

This could be the most memorable 6-6 season in the history of Purdue football. While it very well might be one of the more disappointing campaigns for Auburn, even though it has a shot at eight wins. The Boilermakers beat three ranked teams, highlighted by that resounding rout of then-No. 2 Ohio State. The Tigers lost to Tennessee at home and by 31 in the Iron Bowl.

Prediction: Purdue 33, Auburn 30

Star West Virginia receiver David Sills V will suit up for this contest. Whether teammate Will Grier does the same remains to be seen. Regardless, this matchup seems like it might mean more to Syracuse, which last played in a bowl in 2013 and hasn't won 10 games since 2001.

Prediction: West Virginia 44, Syracuse 28

Perhaps it's a stretch, but Iowa State could end up being the Washington State of 2019: a surprise team that was expected to be good, but not quite to the quality in which the Cougars actually displayed this season. The Cyclones finished third in the Big 12 and have a good one in freshman quarterback Brock Purdy. Unitas Award-winner Gardner Minshew II's one season at Washington State won't be forgotten.

Prediction: Washington State 31, Iowa State 24

It will be interesting to see how much fight Michigan will have. One devastating defeat to Ohio State pretty much ruined a special season in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines are 4-0 against Florida, which is a program ready to return to prominence under Dan Mullen. Can the same be said for Michigan?

Prediction: Michigan 22, Florida 17

Not having versatile threat Deebo Samuel for this contest is more of a loss for the fans of college football than South Carolina as a team. The Gamecocks still have more overall talent, while Virginia has struggled down the stretch, losing two in a row and three of the last four.

Prediction: South Carolina 35, Virginia 24

Not exactly two marquee names playing on the biggest day of the bowl season. Following two consecutive losing campaigns, Nevada is back in a bowl and looking to post eight victories for the first time since 2010. Out of the Sun Belt, Arkansas State is making an eighth straight bowl appearance.

Prediction: Nevada 28, Arkansas State 20 

Clemson enters as the heavy favorite, but Notre Dame has proved many wrong all season. The Tigers are a complete team, while the Irish's offense will face a test like none other this season. It might end up being closer than the early double-digit line, but Clemson seems on a destined course.

Prediction: Clemson 24, Notre Dame 16 

The hype will surround Tua Tagovailoa's health, but there's a good chance Oklahoma's Kyler Murray will be the best player on the field. That doesn't mean the Sooners will pull off the upset, because we know about all their defensive shortcomings. Oklahoma is fine with a shootout, but by now Alabama knows how to win games like this.

Prediction: Alabama 44, Oklahoma 31

It wasn't pretty, but Virginia Tech's bowl streak has reached 26 seasons. Meanwhile, a victory in this contest would give Cincinnati its best season since going 12-1 in 2009. This is a rematch of the 2014 Military Bowl, which the Hokies won 33-17.

Prediction: Cincinnati 34, Virginia Tech 24

It was Pittsburgh, not Stanford, which actually played for a conference championship in 2018 — not exactly what many expected prior to the season. The Panthers, however, totaled 13 points while losing to Miami and Clemson in their last two games. The Cardinal were one of '18's biggest underachievers but have won three in a row.

Prediction: Stanford 27, Pitt 20

In 2014 and '15 these teams met, and on both occasions each was ranked in the top 10. Now, it's a matchup of programs that are hard to figure out. The Spartans took a step back from a 10-win 2017 season, while the Ducks were an inconsistent group within the Pac-12. Will this be Justin Herbert's last game for Oregon?

Prediction: Oregon 31, Michigan State 30 

A winner of four in a row, Missouri finds itself amid a nice late-season surge. The Tigers look to keep it going against Oklahoma State, which has been all over the map this season. The Cowboys won't have leading rusher Justice Hill available for this contest, and that could be a big X-factor.

Prediction: Missouri 42, Oklahoma State 31

This should be renamed the Perseverance Bowl. Northwestern overcame a 1-3 start and the retirement of its leading rusher to win the Big Ten West Division crown. Not to be outdone, Utah lost both its starting quarterback and running back to injury but still claimed the Pac-12 South Division title.

Prediction: Northwestern 26, Utah 24 

Jimbo Fisher enjoyed a fine first season at Texas A&M, with two of his defeats coming against Clemson and Alabama. The Aggies should only get better. So, too, may North Carolina State if it can quickly overcome the loss of quarterback Ryan Finley and receiver Kelvin Harmon.

Prediction: Texas A&M 35, N.C. State 28

Iowa will be minus star tight end Noah Fant, so that's obviously a big blow to the offense — especially against a Mississippi State defense that last allowed a touchdown in the second quarter of a 24-0 loss to Alabama on Nov. 10. The Bulldogs will also be trying for a fourth straight bowl victory.

Prediction: Mississippi State 24, Iowa 13

Kentucky has not won a bowl game since 2008 when it beat East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl. If there is ever a Wildcat team capable of ending that drought, it could be this one. Kentucky's Nagurski Award-winning linebacker Josh Allen will have his sights set on Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley, whose stellar collegiate career comes to an end.

Prediction: Kentucky 26, Penn State 20 

With its winning streak at 25, UCF has another chance to prove wrong any doubters who remain. Darriel Mack Jr. is doing a solid job in place of injured quarterback McKenzie Milton, but the challenge gets amped up in the desert. Star cornerback Greedy Williams is  sitting this one out for the Tigers, who have talent to spare on the defensive side of the ball.

Prediction: LSU 31, UCF 27

The Buckeyes' resume wasn't good enough to earn them a spot in the College Football Playoff, so they will try to send Urban Meyer off into the sunset of retirement with a victory in the "Granddaddy of Them All." It will be an emotional one for Ohio State and an opportunity for Washington to record a fifth straight win to cap a somewhat bittersweet campaign.

Prediction: Ohio State 42, Washington 40 

One of these days Georgia will find a way to hang onto a lead against Alabama. For now, the Bulldogs need to muster up enough motivation not to be upset by the Longhorns. Georgia is the big favorite, but Texas is solid enough on both sides of the ball to make this a game.

Prediction: Georgia 33, Texas 27