Bowl Picks (Part 1)

Happy Bowl Season Eve! This is the greatest part of the college football season because we get to see match ups that aren't possible in the regular season. So, let's pick the games for the first day of Bowl Season. All times are Eastern Standard Time.

On the first day of Bowl Season, ESPN networks gave to me:

Gildan New Mexico Bowl
December 21, 2:00 PM
Albuquerque, New Mexico
University Stadium

Washington State vs. Colorado State

The pick: Washington State 34 Colorado State 26

The Cougars have definitely evolved into a Mike Leach-style team. Quarterback Connor Holiday has thrown for 4,187 yards this season for the Cougars, along with 28 touchdown passes. Colorado State could make this one a lot more interesting if they can pound the rock to Kapri Bibbs, who has ran for 28 TDs this season. Unfortunately for the Rams, they rank 109th nationally in pass defense, allowing 265.4 yards per game. That stat will be the deciding factor, as the weather in New Mexico is looking pretty good tomorrow.

Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl
December 21, 3:30 PM
Las Vegas, Nevada
Sam Boyd Stadium

Fresno State vs. Southern California

The pick: Southern California 27 Fresno State 21

Not enough can be said about the Fresno State offense this season, as their passing attack was literally second to none. Derek Carr will at least be suited up on Sundays, as he is at the top of almost every statistical category that deals with passing offense this season. This offense has struggled, however, against some very mediocre defenses, and Fresno State hasn't played a defense that's the same caliber as Southern Cal's. I couldn't go against the Trojans' defense.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
December 21, 5:30 PM
Boise, Idaho
Bronco Stadium

Buffalo vs. San Diego State

The pick: Buffalo 29 San Diego State 17

When I was looking at this match up, there wasn't many statistics that seemed to jump off the paper. Both teams run offenses that are biased to running the football. Buffalo's Branden Oliver contributes more to the offense than anybody else on the roster, while San Diego State likes to hand the ball off to Adam Muema and Donnel Pumphrey in a similar fashion. The only thing that I could find that stuck out to me statistically was that Buffalo is tied for the fourth best turnover margin in the country at +15, where San Diego State has a -12 margin. That's enough proof for me.

R+L Carriers' New Orleans Bowl
December 21, 9:00 PM
New Orleans, Louisiana
Mercedes-Benz Superdome

Tulane vs. Louisiana-Lafayette

The pick: Louisiana-Lafayette 35 Tulane 24

If I had to pick a game to tailgate at, this would be it. If you like liquor and catfish, then you should've gotten tickets to this one. I think they'll be having a little more than "high quality H20."

Louisiana-Lafayette quarterback Terrance Broadway is doubtful for this game with an injury. Broadway was the MVP of this game last year, as the Ragin' Cajuns are trying to win this bowl for the third straight year. The Cajuns have an impressive rushing attack with Alonzo Harris and Elijah McGuire that has proven to be explosive. Tulane has been solid defensively this season, but the Green Wave struggled to find an identity in it's offense.

This completes the first installment of Bowl Picks! Be sure to check Monday morning for the next set of picks! Follow me on twitter @griffaldo and check out my work and follow me on Chatsports.com here.