College football bowl game predictions for Dec. 23
There's a busy slate of college football bowl games on Dec. 23rd and here is a prediction for each.
College football bowl games are back on Saturday with the busiest day of the bowl schedule yet. There are seven games total including some juicy matchups.
Over the next week, the college football bowl games will start to ramp up. It's the most wonderful week of the year as the ESPN commercials used to say. Maybe they still do. Either way, here are some college football bowl game predictions for each bowl game on Saturday.
Birmingham Bowl: Troy (Sun Belt) vs. Duke (ACC)
- Date: Saturday, December 23
- Time: 12:00 PM EST
- How to Watch: ABC
Birmingham Bowl prediction
Both teams have a new head coach for this bowl game. Duke is also without starting quarterback Riley Leonard. The Blue Devils defense was stout this season, but Mike Elko won't be there and Kimani Vidal, a 1,500-yard rusher for the Trojans, will hit the century mark. Troy will also win the game.
Troy 31, Duke 17
Camellia Bowl: Arkansas State (Sun Belt) vs. Northern Illinois (MAC)
- Date: Saturday, December 23
- Time: 12:00 PM EST
- How to Watch: ESPN
Camellia Bowl Prediction
The rare bowl game that features both starting quarterbacks. Jaylen Raynor is going for Arkansas State, while Rocky Lombardi (yes he's still around) will start for the Huskies. Northern Illinois ranks 82nd in scoring offense but is ranked in the top 31 in scoring defense and total defense. That's going to be the difference
Northern Illinois 23, Arkansas State 16
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: James Madison (Sun Belt) vs. Air Force (Mountain West)
- Date: Saturday, December 23
- Time: 3:30 PM EST
- How to Watch: ABC
Armed Forces Bowl Prediction
The Dukes are dealing with the loss of their head coach and a bunch of starters have entered the transfer portal. Yet, many should be playing in this bowl game. James Madison had to get an exemption to get into this game and Air Force has struggled since its loss to Army. The Falcons were a candidate for a New Year's Six Bowl bowl game at one point -- which seems like a long time ago -- and I don't see them rediscovering their mojo all of a sudden against what should still be a motivated James Madison team. Both teams are really good on defense, so bet the under.
Prediction: James Madison 24, Air Force 14