Bowl Game Info Post Here >> (players out, coaching changes, etc....)

[Kaboom]

Air Force vs. Louisville​

First Responders Bowl: Dec. 28 in Dallas TX
Louisville -1.5 · Over/Under: 55.5


Louisville recently announced head coach Scott Satterfield will return in 2022, and it also learned that star quarterback Malik Cunningham will return next season.


However, the Cardinals did recently lose their first- and fourth-leading receivers to the transfer portal in Jordan Watkins and Justin Marshall, respectively.

 

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Texas Tech vs. Mississippi State​

Liberty Bowl: Dec. 28 in Memphis, TN
Mississippi State -8.5 · Over/Under: 60


Texas Tech recently announced the hiring of former Baylor associate head coach Joey Maguire as its new head coach. However, Interim head coach Sonny Cumbie will still lead the Red Raiders in their bowl game despite already accepting the head job at Louisiana Tech.


He will return to Lubbock on Dec. 13 to help with bowl preparations, while running backs coach DeAndre Smith will oversee things in the interim.


This game has some extra intrigue since it will mark a reunion for Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach against his old team that he claims still owes him millions. Popcorn, please.


Check back for any opt-out news.

 

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Houston vs. Auburn ​

Birmingham Bowl: Dec. 28 in Birmingham, AL
Auburn -3 · Over/Under: 52


Auburn did recently lose five players to the transfer portal:

• RB Shaun Shivers
• WR Elijah Canion
• S Ladarius Tennison
• DE Caleb Johnson
• OG Tashawn Manning

However, only Manning was a starter.


Rumors continue to swirl about potential opt-outs for Auburn, which I will continue to monitor. The most obvious name is cornerback Roger McCreary, who many project as a first-round NFL Draft pick.

 

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SMU vs. Virginia​

Fenway Bowl: Dec. 29 in Boston, MA
Virginia -1 · Over/Under: 72.5


The Hoos will take on SMU in the inaugural Fenway Bowl in what will mark head coach Bronco Mendenhall’s final game with the program after announcing he will resign at the end of the season.


Virginia’s staff will remain intact for its bowl game, but Anthony Poindexter will no longer be taking over as the Cavaliers’ head coach.

It’s also worth noting that eight Virginia players have entered their names in the transfer portal. That doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t stay and play in the bowl game — but it’s worth monitoring.


That list contains a number of starters from this season, including three offensive linemen:

• C Olusegun Oluwatimi (Rimington Award finalist)
• T Bobby Haskins
• G Joe Bissinger
• LB Noah Taylor

It will obviously be worth monitoring the status of quarterback Brennan Armstrong as well.


SMU will have a new head coach at the helm after the departure of Sonny Dykes, who also took offensive coordinator Garrett Riley and a few other assistants.


It remains to be seen if new head coach Rhett Lashlee, who has plenty of familiarity with Virginia after serving as offensive coordinator for Miami, will serve as interim coach.

 

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Maryland vs. Virginia Tech ​

Pinstripe Bowl: Dec. 29 in Bronx, NY
Virginia Tech -1 · Over/Under: 55


After letting head coach Justin Fuente go, interim head coach J.C. Price will lead the Hokies against Maryland. The current staff will stay on board through the bowl game during the transition to new head coach Brent Pry.


The Hokies will not have the services of four starters who opted out to prepare for the NFL draft, including:

• WR Tre Turner
• DT Jordan Williams
• DE Amare Barno
• G Lecitus Smith

Other potential opt-outs include center Brock Hoffman, cornerback Jermaine Waller and safety Chamarri Conner. The Hokies also lost wide receiver Tayvion Robinson (starting punt returner as well) and backup quarterback Knox Kadum to the transfer portal.


Seven Maryland players entered the transfer portal, including a pair of extremely high 2021 recruits, but none were seeing any impactful playing time by the end of the season.

 

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Iowa State vs. Clemson ​

Cheez-It Bowl: Dec. 29 in Orlando, FL
Clemson -1 · Over/Under: 45.5


Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy will be without two of his receivers, Joe Scates and Tarique Milton, for the Cheez-It Bowl. That pair combined for 23 catches, 423 yards and four touchdowns on the season.


Head coach Matt Campbell, whose name swirled in the rumor mill for a potential head coaching job elsewhere, says he expects everyone else to suit up as of now. However, I’d keep an eye on the status of star running back Breece Hall.


Meanwhile, the Tigers lost longtime defensive coordinator Brent Venables, who took the head coaching position at Oklahoma. Also, offensive coordinator Tony Elliott formally interviewed for the head coaching vacancy at Duke.


There’s no official opt-out news to report as of now for Clemson, but I’d expect some in the near future. The biggest name to watch is projected first-round cornerback Andrew Booth Jr.

 

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Oregon vs. Oklahoma​

Alamo Bowl: Dec. 29 in San Antonio, TX
Oklahoma -4.5 · Over/Under: 61.5


This will be a battle of interim coaches, as Bob Stoops will lead the Sooners against Bryan McClendon and the Ducks.


Most of Mario Cristobal’s staff at Oregon may join him in Miami, while defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter has taken the same position at Texas Tech.


Lincoln Riley already brought a few key assistants with him from Norman to USC, including defensive coordinator Alex Grinch in addition to the wide receivers coach, outside linebackers/defensive ends coach and strength coach.


Both teams will also have to make do without star defensive players who declared for the NFL Draft. Oregon will be without defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, while Oklahoma will be missing defensive linemen Nik Bonitto and Perrion Winfrey.


Oklahoma’s second-leading receiver, Jadon Haselwood, also entered the transfer portal and committed to Arkansas.


Check back for potentially much more news on this one leading up to the game.

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Michigan State vs. Pittsburgh ​

Peach Bowl: Dec. 30 in Atlanta, GA
Pittsburgh -3 · Over/Under: 63.5


As of Wednesday, Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett hasn’t decided whether or not he’ll play in the Peach Bowl.

The same can’t be said for offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, who abruptly resigned and took the same position at Nebraska.


It appears Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III will suit up. The status of injured wide receiver Jalen Nailor remains up in the air.

 

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Arizona State vs. Wisconsin ​

Las Vegas Bowl: Dec. 30 in Las Vegas, NV
Wisconsin -7 · Over/Under: 42.5


Arizona State will be without two of its top backs, Rachaad White (declared for NFL Draft) and Deamonte Trayanum (entered transfer portal), in the Las Vegas Bowl.


Those two combined for over 1,400 yards and 21 touchdowns on the season. That’s not great news against Wisconsin’s elite rush defense.

 

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Purdue vs. Tennessee​

Music City Bowl: Dec. 30 in Nashville, TN
Tennessee -3 · Over/Under: 63.5


For Purdue, all eyes will be on the status of a pair of potential early-round NFL Draft picks in defensive end George Karlaftis and wide receiver David Bell.( Entered Portal on 12/8 )


In regards to the Vols, they will be without running back TiYon Evans, who entered the transfer portal and recently committed to Louisville. Evans finished the season with 521 rushing yards on 81 carries.

 

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South Carolina vs. North Carolina​

Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Dec. 30 in Charlotte, NC
North Carolina -7 · Over/Under: 57.5


Quarterback Sam Howell will apparently suit up for the Tar Heels. Meanwhile, South Carolina will be without leading rusher ZaQuandre White, who opted out to prepare for the NFL Draft.

Kaboom ..here ... do we really believe Sam Howell NC Qb will play .....nope not me

 

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Wake Forest vs. Texas A&M ​

Gator Bowl: Dec. 31 in Jacksonville, FL
Texas A&M -6.5 · Over/Under: 59.5


This will be a rematch of the 2017 Belk Bowl in which Wake Forest won in a shootout by a final score of 55-52.


Texas A&M has a much better defense this time around, but it will have to make do without star defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal, who’s off to the NFL.


Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher also stated that original starting quarterback Haynes King still likely won’t be healthy enough to play after getting hurt in the second game of the season. Therefore, this looks like the Zach Calzada Show once again.

 

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Washington State vs. Miami​

Sun Bowl: Dec. 31 in El Paso, TX
Miami -1.5 · Over/Under: 59.5


Who’s ready for the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl? If this matchup looks familiar in this particular bowl, these two teams met in the same bowl six years ago in a snowy affair.


Jake Dickert was recently promoted from interim to permanent head coach at Washington State. He has made a number of staff changes as Washington State will transition from the run-n-shoot offense back to a more traditional Air Raid scheme.


However, it appears that the current staff will remain intact through the Sun Bowl.


Meanwhile, Manny Diaz was ousted as head coach at Miami, which hired Mario Cristobal away from Oregon. This will actually mark Miami’s third appearance in the Sun Bowl with all three coming after it fired its head coach.


There’s no word yet on who will serve as the Hurricanes’ interim coach for this game.

 

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Central Michigan vs. Boise State ​

Arizona Bowl: Dec. 31 in Tuscon, AZ
Boise State -8 · Over/Under: 55


No news to report on this game as of now.


It’s worth monitoring the status of Boise State quarterback Hank Bachmeier. He was beaten up at the end of the season after getting hit more than any other quarterback in the nation this year. Plus, backup Jack Sears, who saw some playing time over the past two seasons, entered the transfer portal.


The two potential draft picks who could possibly sit out for Boise State are wide receiver Khalil Shakir and safety JL Skinner.

 

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Cincinnati vs. Alabama ​

Cotton Bowl: Dec. 31 in Arlington, TX
Alabama -13.5 · Over/Under: 58


Alabama wide receiver John Metchie, who led the team with 96 receptions, will not suit up in the College Football Playoff semifinal due to an ACL injury suffered in the SEC ChampionshipgGame.


Outside of Metchie and Jameson Williams, no other Alabama wide receiver has more than 333 receiving yards.

 

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Arkansas vs. Penn State​

Outback Bowl: Jan. 1 in Tampa, FL
Penn State -2.5 · Over/Under: 46.5


Earlier this month, the Nittany Lions lost defensive coordinator Brent Pry, who left to take over as head coach at Virginia Tech. Head coach James Franklin has yet to make a decision on the interim DC as the search continues for Pry’s replacement.


Penn State has a few potential opt-outs, highlighted by star wideout Jahan Dotson. Meanwhile, all eyes were on the status of Arkansas star wide receiver Treylon Burks, but he has declared for the NFL Draft.

 

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Ole Miss vs. Baylor​

Sugar Bowl: Jan. 1 in New Orleans, LA
Baylor -1 · Over/Under: 54


Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral — a projected first-round pick in next year’s NFL Draft — plans on playing in the Sugar Bowl.

Meanwhile in Oxford, offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby is expected to take the same position at Oklahoma under new head coach Brent Venables.


In regards to Baylor, the questions leading up to the Sugar Bowl will revolve around who will start at quarterback: Blake Shapen or Gerry Bohanon.


Head coach Dave Aranda said he believes the latter will be healthy by New Year’s Day.

 

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Oklahoma State vs. Notre Dame​

Fiesta Bowl: Jan. 1 in Glendale, AZ
Notre Dame -2.5 · Over/Under: 45.5


With Brian Kelly leaving for Baton Rouge, newly-appointed head coach Marcus Freeman will take over the reins in South Bend.


So far, the only reports of any assistants who will join Kelly include special teams coach Brian Polian and co-strength and conditioning coach Jacob Flint.


Star safety Kyle Hamilton hinted that he’d played had Notre Dame made the College Football Playoff. No official announcement has been made on his status for the Fiesta Bowl.


The big news surrounding Oklahoma State centers around defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who left for the same position at Ohio State. However, the Broyles Award finalist won’t start his new gig until Jan. 2.


Interestingly enough, Knowles will prepare for Notre Dame in the bowl game and then again for Ohio State’s opener next season.

 

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Oklahoma State vs. Notre Dame​

Fiesta Bowl: Jan. 1 in Glendale, AZ
Notre Dame -2.5 · Over/Under: 45.5


With Brian Kelly leaving for Baton Rouge, newly-appointed head coach Marcus Freeman will take over the reins in South Bend.


So far, the only reports of any assistants who will join Kelly include special teams coach Brian Polian and co-strength and conditioning coach Jacob Flint.


Star safety Kyle Hamilton hinted that he’d played had Notre Dame made the College Football Playoff. No official announcement has been made on his status for the Fiesta Bowl.


The big news surrounding Oklahoma State centers around defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who left for the same position at Ohio State. However, the Broyles Award finalist won’t start his new gig until Jan. 2.


Interestingly enough, Knowles will prepare for Notre Dame in the bowl game and then again for Ohio State’s opener next season.

 

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Top Yards guy / Tied with Top TD Guy ( 9 ) ..............SMU WR Danny Gray declares for the NFL Draft