2018 College Football Playoff, bowl game predictions with confidence picks
Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl
North Carolina A&T (9-2) vs Alcorn St (9-3)
Atlanta, Georgia
December 15 – 12 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
The Celebration Bowl kicks off bowl season, and is the only bowl game played between FCS teams, annually matching up the champions of the MEAC and SWAC. It’s considered the de-facto national championship of HBCU’s.
This game means enough to North Carolina A&T that they have eschewed opportunities to play for an FCS National Championship in order to play in it, and they frequently have teams good enough to compete for the FCS crown. It means a lot to the coaches, players, and fans who are part of it.
A&T and Alcorn State met in the inaugural Celebration Bowl in 2015, with the Aggies narrowly edging out the Braves 41-34. A&T won the game last year, too, by defeating Grambling 21-14.
The Aggies have an uncharacteristic two losses, but they were by a combined four points. They scored an early season victory over FBS opponent East Carolina as well.
Alcorn State has similarly been strong, with only two losses against FCS competition, coming by a combined 13 points.
It’s tough to go against A&T in this game. Look for Lamar Raymond and Marquell Cartwright to have big games to capture the Celebration Bowl for the third time in four years.