Stanford Steve and The Bear: College football bowl picks, bets, nuggets
What's in store for this holiday season in college football?
"Stanford Steve" Coughlin and Chris "The Bear" Fallica break down the bowl season as only they can, offering their top bets, teasers to look at and betting nuggets for the games.
The guys are ready to continue their prognostications and will do so throughout the bowl season.
Records
- Stanford Steve (1-2 in bowls; 40-31 overall)
- The Bear (1-2 in bowls; 37-46-1 overall)
Note: Lines from Caesars Sportsbook.
Military Bowl presented by Peraton (Dec. 27)
2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN at Navy-Marine Crops Memorial Stadium
Stanford Steve: If you listen to the Stanford Steve & The Bear podcast you would notice that these two teams are talked about a lot... for various reasons. Whether it was having BC over the season win total, our love for Pirates QB Holton Ahlers or our love for BC coach Jeff Hafley, both these teams have been shown plenty of love. Therefore, I am really interested in this game. I think it's a great matchup and both teams come into the game in very different ways. ECU won four of its past five and BC lost three of its past five. BC got QB Phil Jurkovec back toward the end of the season and he did not play well when he returned. I expect the Eagles' offense to be a lot more buttoned up and I think their approach will be focused, thus being too much for the Pirates. I'll take BC and give the points.
Pick: Boston College -3 (Boston College 23, East Carolina 17)
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl (Dec. 28)
3:15 p.m. ET on ESPN at Gerald J. Ford Stadium
Stanford Steve: I don't think there will be much defense in this game. I'll take the over.
Pick: Over 55.5 points (Air Force 34, Louisville 31)
San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl (Dec. 28)
8 p.m. ET at Petco Park
Stanford Steve: Easily a top-5 bowl matchup I am interested in. Love both teams and the capability of both offenses, led by the QBs. Bruins QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson will be playing in his last game in the UCLA uniform and he has done a great job throwing the ball off play action. UCLA has run the ball for over 244 yards in its past three games, but NC State is better than all three of those teams. However, The Wolfpack gave up over 5 yards per carry to UNC (297 yards), Syracuse (170 yards) and Louisville (215 yards) this year. The magic number is 200 yards rushing. UCLA is undefeated when rushing for over 200 yards this year. I think it will get there. I'll take the Bruins plus the point.
Pick: UCLA +1 (UCLA 28 NC State 24)
Pick: UCLA +1 (UCLA 28 NC State 24)
Guaranteed Rate Bowl (Dec. 28)
10:15 p.m. ET on ESPN at Chase Field
Fallica: I like the way Minnesota is entering this game and you know P.J. Fleck will have complete buy-in from his team. The Gophers have overcome a lot this season, beat Wisconsin in its big rivalry game and its defense has played quite well, although I'm not sure how great some of those offenses were. But this is a West Virginia offense that's been hit-or-miss this season and will not have RB Leddy Brown.
Pick: Minnesota -4
Cheez-It Bowl (Dec. 29)
5:45 p.m. ET on ESPN at Camping World Stadium
Fallica: Clemson is used to playing in College Football Playoff games and now has to face Iowa State in Orlando, Florida, without its coordinators and with a QB who has struggled all season. No thank you, especially against a really good Iowa State defense and one that should be motivated to end a disappointing season on a positive note, even without RB Breece Hall.
Pick: Iowa State +1
Stanford Steve: I'll take the team with the coaching staff intact. Even though Cyclones QB Brock Purdy had a subpar year, I give the 'Clones the advantage in this matchup at that position. I'll take Iowa State plus the point.
Pick: Iowa State +1 (Iowa State 23 Clemson 17)
Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl (Dec. 31)
Noon ET at Sun Bowl
Fallica: I just don't know how you can back Miami here. It hasn't been the easiest of months given the coaching change and COVID concerns. Those concerns likely won't knock the Canes out from playing in the game, but I can see a feeling in Coral Gables that's one of "let's just get this thing over with and move on to spring ball." Wazzu has played well for its new head coach who didn't quit on the team and as a result he's the new head coach. If we're handicapping motivation and preparation, the edge has to go to the Cougars.
Pick: Washington State +1