Two days of bowl games are in the books, and the upcoming week provides eight more games. Starting on Monday, the week begins with a matchup between Marshall and UConn, and is capped off with everyone’s favorite Christmas Eve tradition, the Hawaii Bowl. San Diego State and Middle Tennessee State go head-to-head on the islands in this year’s edition of the holiday season favorite. 

December 19 

Marshall vs UConn- Myrtle Beach Bowl (11:30 AM, Conway, South Carolina) 

Coastal Carolina and their teal turf play host to the week’s opening bowl matchup, as the Thundering Herd and Huskies. UConn is in the midst of their best season since 2015, when they lost to this same Marshall team in a bowl game. Marshall comes in as a 12-point favorite, averaging 24.2 PPG compared to UConn’s 19.8. The Thundering Herd run a balanced offense, averaging 200 yards through the air and another 205 on the ground. UConn likes to keep it on the ground, so the battle between the Huskies potent rushing attack and Marshall’s stout ground defense will be a defining factor. 

Prediction: Marshall 23, UConn 14 

December 20 

Eastern Michigan vs San Jose State- Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (12:30 PM, Boise, Idaho) 

Two bowl games, two matchups on interesting turf. From one end of the country with Costal Carolina’s teal turf to the other with the world-famous blue turf of Boise State. Eastern Michigan visits Boise riding a three-game winning streak and having won four of their last five. On the other sideline, San Jose State has lost two of three, rebounding and closing out their regular season with a victory over Hawaii. Offensive trends point to a potent arial attack, as both teams average more than 215 yards passing per game while averaging less than 150 yards on the ground. Defense will again be an X-factor, as both teams give up 330+ yards per game.  

Prediction: San Jose State 31, Eastern Michigan 21 

Liberty vs Toledo- RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl (4:30 PM, Boca Raton, Florida) 

This bowl game used to be called the Cherribundi Tart Cherry Boca Raton Bowl, which might take the cake for longest bowl game name ever. Liberty comes in riding a three-game losing streak, having been shutout of the win column since their upset of Arkansas. They look to bounce back against the MAC champions Toledo, who beat Ohio to win the conference and snap a two-game skid. The Flames and Rockets both like to air it out, as their passing attacks provide the fuel to their scoring. Toledo averages 32 PPG to Liberty’s 28, but ESPN’s Football Power Index gives the Flames a slight nod at 50.1 percent favorites. All signs point to a close one in Boca Raton. 

Prediction: Toledo 30, Liberty 27 

December 21 

Western Kentucky vs South Alabama- R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl (6:00 PM, New Orleans, Louisiana)  

Both the Hilltoppers and Jaguars tend to put up a lot of points, with WKU’s passing attack heralded as one of the best in the whole nation. Western Kentucky has won three of their last five, but South Alabama is having their best season ever. Since making the jump to FBS in 2012, the Jaguars have never had a winning season until now. Sitting at 10-2, the Jags haven’t lost since mid-October, and Vegas has them as the favorite to take win number 11. Western Kentucky averages 35.8 ppg to South Alabama’s 31.9, but the Jags defense gives them the slight nod in New Orleans. 

Prediction: South Alabama 38, Western Kentucky 34 

December 22 

Baylor vs Air Force- Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl (4:30 PM, Fort Worth, Texas) 

To beat Air Force, Baylor will have to sell out and stop the run. As with all service academies, Air Force doesn’t pass all that often, and pounds the rock on most occasions. The Bears can put up a lot of points, but Air Force’s defense doesn’t give up all that many. To the disadvantage of the Falcons, Fort Worth is all but a home game for Baylor, with Waco being close by. The only problem for Baylor is that this game is being played at rival TCU’s stadium. Baylor will have to put the unfortunate environment behind them but having their home fans behind them should provide a start for them. 

Prediction: Baylor 24, Air Force 10 

December 23 

Louisiana vs Houston- Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl (12:00 PM, Shreveport, Louisiana) 

In their first year without Billy Napier at the helm, the Ragin’ Cajuns have regressed from their 2021 pace. Down from ten wins, Louisiana sits at 6-6, facing a Houston team posting only one win better. The Cougars have won two of their last three, only dropping a 37-30 shootout at the hands of Tulsa. Former West Virginia coach Dana Holgerson brings a high-powered passing attack to the Bayou City, as the Cougars post 321.1 passing yards per game compared to only 142.7 YPG on the ground. Houston averages 37.2 points per game but allowing 33.5 could be the window the Ragin’ Cajuns need to pull off a victory.  

Prediction: Houston 38, Louisiana 30 

Wake Forest vs Missouri- Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl (3:30 PM, Tampa, Florida) 

Wake Forest enters the postseason at 7-5 in a year that could have been so much more for the Demon Deacons. After winning six of their first seven, Wake closed out the year losing four of five. The Deacons rose as high as number ten in the rankings before falling out. They’ll look to right the ship and close out the year with a victory over Missouri. Wake averages 36.8 PPG to Missouri’s 25.5, and the Tigers will have to quiet the passing attack of Sam Hartman. 

Prediction: Wake Forest 33, Missouri 28 

December 24 

Middle Tennessee vs San Diego State- EasyPost Hawaii Bowl (5:00 PM, Honolulu, Hawaii) 

The final matchup of the week is a beloved Christmas tradition for college football fans everywhere. With Hawaii not being bowl eligible, San Diego State takes the trip to the islands as the Mountain West representative. The Aztecs have won three of their last four, while the Blue Raiders have taken four of five. MTSU likes to air it out, while SDSU runs a more balanced attack. Middle Tennessee State’s defense will have to come out strong, as their offense averages 29.2 PPG, but the defense gives up 28.1 PPG. If the offense wants to overcome San Diego State’s stout defense, they’ll have to do it through the air where the Aztecs give up an average of 206.6 YPG. 

Prediction: San Diego State 23, Middle Tennessee 16