The Big E College Football Picks: Bowl Week #1

Unlike some of my OFD brethren, I hate the bowl season.

There's way too many of them. Half of the games suck. The bowls are robbing these poor (in the financial sense) schools. I even hate the letters "BCS" and wish it would go away.

I can't wait until the playoffs make the bowls even more irrelevant.

So I do this through gritted teeth.

Saturday, December 15th

*The New Mexico Bowl*

Nevada (+9.5) at Arizona

1:00 PM ET

Pick: Arizona

What do we think of Rich Rod nowadays? How many pegs did he fall after his experience at Michigan? Should we be content with a 7-5 season at Arizona?

It would have been so much better if the Cats beat Arizona State to finish the season. Rich...you at least have to win that one every year.

Nevada has lost a bunch of close games and 'Zona has been absolutely destroyed by a couple teams. Yet, these teams have identical records but only one of them plays in a big boy conference. I think Arizona's potent offense can do enough damage to cover the spread.

*The Idaho Bowl*

Toledo (+10.5) at No. 18 Utah State

4:30 PM ET

Pick: Utah State

Utah State might be the most underrated team in the country. They were VERY close to going 12-0 and I've been impressed watching them play over the past couple seasons.

I have no idea what to make of Toledo but I've also been fairly impressed with them playing against a couple MAC teams.

But they aren't playing a MAC team in this one.

Thursday, December 20th

*Poinsettia Bowl*

BYU (-2.5) at San Diego State

8:00 PM ET

Pick: BYU

Doesn't it seem like SDSU has fallen out of the national consciousness a little bit? They did go 9-3 and beat Boise State this year and I don't think I saw them play once this year. Is that on me? Anyone else see them play?

I'm pretty blind on the Aztecs but I think BYU is a good ball club. The Cougars defense is definitely for real and it should be the difference in this one.

Friday, December 21st

*Beef 'O'Brady Bowl*

Ball State (+7.5) at UCF

7:30 PM ET

Pick: Ball State

Ball State is riding a nice winning streak and they didn't lose their head coach. UCF limped to the finish line losing 2 of 3. I'm tempted to take the Florida speed here but I'm taking the points.

What a terrible name for a bowl game. It's embarrassing.

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