The holiday season is always associated with different bowls in the world of NCAA football. For the second year, what occupies the main attention is the start of the 12-team playoffs, starting Friday and Saturday. The Journal offers you some issues, players to observe, analyzes and predictions for these duels which will lead up to the national championship, on January 19 in Miami.
SERIES MATCHES (FIRST ROUND)
Alabama (10-3) c. Oklahoma (10-2)
December 19 (8 p.m.), Norman, Oklahoma
The Receiver of the Alabama Germie Bernard
This match should be hotly contested on Friday evening. The Alabama Crimson Tide no longer has the aura of invincibility of Nick Saban’s heyday at the helm, but the team will want to prove to all the detractors who spit on their inclusion by the playoff selection committee that they are in the field. Quarterback Ty Simpson, after a superb start to the season, slowed down at the end, like the team. However, he will benefit from the return of carrier Jam Miller. Even though Ryan Williams didn’t live up to expectations in his second year, he forms a solid receiver duo with Germie Bernard. Where Alabama dominates less than usual is on the fronts. Oklahoma won the duel between the two clubs by 23-21 this fall, but Alabama dominated 406-212 in terms of yards collected. Oklahoma’s defense is excellent, which will make the matchup close.
Prediction: ALABAMA PAR 6
*The winner will face Indiana (12-0) in the quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on June 1is January (4 p.m.)
Miami (10-2) c. Texas A&M (11-1)
December 20 (12 p.m.), College Station (Texas)
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed – Getty Images via AFP
The player to watch in this matchup is electrifying Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed. He shone as much with his arm (25 touchdown passes and 2,932 yards) as with his legs (466 yards rushing and six touchdowns). His opposite, Carson Beck, a defector from Georgia, has experience in big moments and, in his only season in Miami, he accumulated 3,072 yards and 25 touchdown passes. His receiver Malachi Toney, a first-year player who is still far from the NFL draft, is spectacular as can be (84 receptions, 970 yards, 7 touchdowns). Texas A&M is also banking on a dynamic receiver in KC Concepcion, author of nine touchdowns on 57 receptions and two other majors on punt returns. On the defensive side, lineman Rueben Bain Jr., of the Miami Hurricanes, will be among the coveted players in the next draft.
Prediction: TEXAS A&M PAR 6
*The winner will face Ohio State (11-1) in the quarterfinals at the Cotton Bowl in Arlington on December 31 (7:30 p.m.)
Tulane (11-2) c. Ole Miss (11-1)
December 20 (3:30 p.m.), Oxford (Mississippi)
Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy – Getty Images via AFP
Let’s be frank, this duel does not look competitive at all. The selection committee for the playoffs must make a place for a team from Group of 5 (the weakest conferences) which won the championship of its league. And the proof that it promises to be difficult for the Tulane Green Wave is that they lost by 35 points in the regular season against the same Ole Miss Rebels, whom they face on Saturday. It promises! Ole Miss is banking on a truly superior roster, starting with quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy, who was dominant with 1,279 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. The only intrigue is that Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin has decided to leave to take the vacant position at LSU and will therefore not lead the team into the playoffs. Quite a twisted situation!
Prediction: OLE MISS PAR 27
*The winner will face Georgia (12-1) in the quarterfinals at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on June 1is January (8 p.m.)
James Madison (12-1) c. Oregon (11-1)
December 20 (7:30 p.m.), Eugene, Oregon
University of Oregon quarterback Dante Moorea University of Oregon quarterback Dante Moore – Getty Images via AFP
James Madison, like Tulane, enters the playoffs through the back door and should immediately exit through the same door. The Dukes dominated their conference thanks to their ground game (with running back Wayne Knight and quarterback Alonza Barnett III) and their run defense. They have, however, beaten no opponent that comes close to one-hundredth the caliber of the Oregon Ducks with their complete offense. Center Dante Moore, a potential first-round prospect if he decides to opt for the NFL draft, is the leader with 2,733 yards through the air and 24 touchdowns. Three rushers (Noah Whittington, Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr.) gained more than 475 yards on the ground. Five receivers have at least 25 receptions. James Madison will have to choose his poison.
Prediction: OREGON PAR 24
*The winner will face Texas Tech (12-1) in the quarterfinals at the Orange Bowl in Miami on June 1is January (12 p.m.)
A FEW BOWLS TO WATCH…
Hawai’i Bowl
Cal c. Hawaii
December 24 (8 p.m.), Honolulu
Montreal receiver Nicholas Cenacle amazed last season with 721 yards and six touchdowns. – PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII
Why watch a bowl live from Honolulu on December 24? Because the University of Hawaii stars Quebec wide receiver Nicholas Cenacle. Hampered by injuries that hampered his final season, he showed last year that he excelled with the Rainbow Warriors, catching 63 passes for 721 yards and six touchdowns. This fall, he was limited to 20 receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown due to his health. Cal rookie quarterback Jaron-Keawe-Sagapolutele is off to a strong start.
Prediction: HAWAII PAR 3
Pop-Tarts Bowl
BYU (11-2) c. Georgia Tech (10-2)
December 27 (3:30 p.m.), Orlando
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier – Getty Images via AFP
All season, the BYU Cougars thought they looked good enough in the Big 12 Conference to earn their spot in the playoffs. They will be hungry, with their freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier, an athlete who ran for 11 rushing touchdowns. His opposite, Haynes King, with Georgia Tech is at the end of his university career and will want to avenge the honor of the Yellow Jackets, who seemed on course for glory before losing three of their last four games. Both clubs rely on the ground game.
Prediction: BYU PAR 10
Gator Bowl
Missouri (8-4) c. Virginia (10-3)
December 27 (7:30 p.m.), Jacksonville
University of Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy – Getty Images via AFP
The Virginia Cavaliers completely blew their chance to make the playoffs with their embarrassing loss to Duke. We will have to see if the motivation will still be there, since the bowls are now smaller awards since the advent of the 12-man playoffs. The University of Missouri Tigers won with one of the best running backs on the college circuit, Ahmad Hardy, who finished with 1,560 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.
Prediction: MISSOURI BY 7
Alamo Bowl
USC (9-3) c. TCU (8-4)
30 December (9 pm), St. Anthony
USC defensive tackle Floyd Boucard – John McGillen / USC Athletics Stephane Cadorette
The USC Trojans are considered a team on the rise with some good recruiting efforts recently, including the latest one, which brought on board Quebec defensive tackle Floyd Boucard. He had six tackles and a sack in four games, returning from a knee injury on November 22, to finish the campaign after a promising start. It will be a big quarterback duel between that of USC, Jayden Maiava (3431 yards, 23 touchdowns), and that of TCU, Josh Hoover (3472 yards, 29 touchdowns).
Prediction: USC PAR 6
ReliaQuest Bowl
Iowa (8-4) c. Vanderbilt (10-2)
December 31 (12 p.m.), Tampa
The fourth back of Vanderbilt Diego Pavia – Getty Images via AFP
In 2024, the Vanderbilt Commodores took a giant step forward in program history with their first winning season since 2013. This season, they did even better with a record 10 wins, coming close to the playoffs. The reason behind these successes is veteran quarterback Diego Pavia, who may not have the physique for the job for the NFL, but is entertaining to the max in the NCAA. His 3,192 yards and 27 touchdowns give a good idea, as do his 826 rushing yards and nine other touchdowns. He will face one of the best defenses, year in and year out, in Iowa.
Prediction: VANDERBILT PAR 13
Citrus Bowl
Texas (9-3) c. Michigan (9-3)
December 31 (3 p.m.), Orlando
University of Texas quarterback Arch Manning – Getty Images via AFP
The Texas Longhorns were ranked No. 1 before the season, and while they picked up some momentum along the way, their rough start to the campaign hurt them. Quarterback Arch Manning (2,942 yards, 32 total touchdowns), from the famous family, should be in office. That won’t be the case for a few quality starters on defense, who are preparing for the NFL draft. On the Michigan side, first-year quarterback Bryce Underwood has things to prove, and it’s time to give him some rope. What state will this team be in after all the scandal surrounding the shameful departure of their head coach Sherrone Moore, involved in a disturbing affair of the heart?
