Tulane (-1¹/₂) over Louisiana-Lafayette (New Orleans Bowl, Sat.): When looking at bowl games, motivation and excitement are what you start with. Tulane, which had only two wins each of the last two seasons, is going bowling for the first time since 2002 and they get to do it in their own home. Louisiana is playing in this same bowl game for a third straight year, which not only leads to complacency but also fewer fans making the trip. The Ragin’ Cajuns finished their season by losing to their in-state rival Louisiana-Monroe and then lost their starting QB to injury in an embarrassing 30-8 season-ending loss. Meanwhile, Tulane finished winning its last four games at home and has the entire city behind it.
Texas (+13¹/₂) over Oregon (Alamo Bowl, Dec. 30): Oregon comes into this game with a record of 10-2, while Texas is 8-4, but which team played better down the stretch? The Ducks went 2-2 in their last four games, but were outscored 124-116 despite being an average favorite of 20 points per game. The Longhorns also went 2-2 and though they were outscored 124-111, they received an average of 2¹/₂ points per game. Motivation is again a huge factor as Oregon was 8-0 thinking it would be in the national championship at the start of November while Texas was 4-2 and getting criticized. Fast forward and the Ducks have a first-year head coach facing a certain Hall of Fame inductee in Mack Brown, who is coaching his last game after 16 seasons.
Alabama (Â15) over Oklahoma (Sugar Bowl, Jan. 2):Â Can Alabama rebound from a heartbreaking loss keeping it from a possible third straight national title? Well, all you have to do is look on the sidelines and see Nick Saban to know the answer is yes. No coach has prepared his teams better in bowls recently than Saban as they have won their last four games by a combined 149-42 despite giving an average of six points a game. More impressive is the Crimson Tide have outgained their last three bowl opponents by an average of 486-188 and held two of those teams to season lows in yards. Oklahoma has been the opposite as they have gone 0-5 ATS in bowls when they have been an underdog or a favorite of less then 10 points.
It is Roll Tide time!
Season Record (NCAA): 5-14-1