2024 College Football Bowl Previews (Dec 23rd pt. 1)

10th Anniversary Camellia Bowl: Northern Illinois Huskies (6-6) vs Arkansas State Red Wolves (6-6)

What you need to know: These are a couple wild teams who weren’t consistent this year. Northern Illinois has wins over Boston College and Ohio, but losses to Southern Illinois, Tulsa and Ball State. Arkansas State opened the year losing 73-0 and won their 2nd to last game 77-31. Northern Illinois is led by 7th year senior QB Rocky Lombardi, but they’re in a tough spot at receiver in this one. Their top receiver and returner Trayvon Rudolph transferred, and their other top 3 receivers are all injured. Arkansas State is coached by Butch Jones and their season really turned around when they turned to Jaylen Raynor at QB. Northern Illinois has been terrible in bowl games the last decade plus, they’re riding a 7 game bowl losing streak. Update (12/13): Trayvon Rudolph announced he’s returning to NIU, likely means he will play in the bowl, huge news for the Huskies.

Previous Meetings: There’s more history here than you’d think. These programs have faced off 8 times, but 7 of them happened 7 years in a row from 1990-1996, how random! They didn’t face each other any other time before or after that 7 game series until facing off in the 2012 Go Daddy Bowl a 38-20 Northern Illinois win. Overall Northern Illinois leads this series 7-1, maybe another bowl matchup with Arkansas State is what the Huskies need to end the bowl losing streak!

Motivation Edge: Northern Illinois hasn’t made a bowl since 2021 and Arkansas State hasn’t been since 2018. Both will be pretty excited to be back in a bowl again.

Best Bet: Arkansas State -1 – I’m going to fade Northern Illinois during this bowl losing streak until they turn it around. NIU’s receiver situation only increases my confidence in Arkansas State.

76 Birmingham Bowl: Troy Trojans (11-2) vs Duke Blue Devils (7-5)

What you need to know: The first thing to know is this game is an interim coach showdown with Troy’s Jon Sumrall and Duke’s Mike Elko taking new jobs this offseason. Greg Gasparato is Troy’s interim coach, and he could be a candidate for the position permanently. Trooper Taylor is Duke’s interim coach, a role he had last time Duke had a coaching change! Troy’s season got off to a slow start, but once they got going they became dominant, Trojans bring a 10 game win streak into this one. Duke on the other hand had their season get off to such a promising start only for injuries to derail the season, poor Duke. That includes Duke losing Riley Leonard who later transferred out. Defense is the calling card for both teams, expect a good ole fashioned slobberknocker in this one!

Previous Meetings: Duke and Troy have only met twice before, a home and home series in 2013-2014. Oddly enough a 6-6 Troy nearly upset Duke, Duke went on to win 10 games and lose to Jameis Winston Florida State in the ACC championship.

Motivation Edge: Troy gets to play in-state for this game and they’re going to be excited to have their shot at an ACC foe. Duke had such high hopes midway through the season only for injuries to lead to them falling apart. It was such a heartbreaking year for the Blue Devils. Troy definitely is more motivated for this one.

Best Bet: Under 44 – with how good these two defenses are, I suspect points will be hard to come by here.

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: James Madison Dukes (11-1) vs Air Force Falcons (8-4)

What you need to know: James Madison is only in their 2nd season as a FBS member and they’ve taken FBS by storm with an incredible season. The Dukes were led by a dominant defense, especially against the run where they are dominant. The downside to this success is that Curt Cignetti has moved on and brought a lot of assistants with him, long time offensive line coach Damian Wroblewski will serve as the interim coach. Quite a few starters for JMU are in the transfer portal but currently reports indicate that they plan to play the bowl game. Air Force was an absolute wagon to start out the season but completely collapsed down the stretch losing 4 in a row after an 8-0 start. Turnovers were the biggest problem but QB Zac Larrier being hurt and missing a lot of time didn’t help, he might return for the bowl game which would be a huge boost.

Previous Meetings: First time matchup! This isn’t a surprise since James Madison just joined FBS but it will be exciting to see these two face off for the first time.

Motivation Edge: You’ll struggle to find a team more motivated than James Madison who was told all year by the NCAA that they weren’t good enough to be in a bowl game because of an antiquated rule, but thanks to not enough eligible teams the Dukes are here anyway. Air Force is in this bowl for a second year in a row so that can always lead to a team being less motivated, but if the temperature isn’t in the single digits like last year they will be happy.

Best Bet: Air Force +2.5 – sure all logic indicates JMU here but Air Force has been on a very impressive 4 bowl game win streak, a couple of which Air Force was not even expected to win.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Georgia State Panthers (6-6) vs Utah State Aggies (6-6)

What you need to know: These are two teams on opposite trajectories, and they’ve done it in an entertaining way. Georgia State started as one of the best teams in the Sun Belt at 6-1, then promptly collapsed and lost their last 5. Utah State’s season happened in 4 game stretches. They opened the first 4 games struggling at 1-3, then were merely ok the next 4 going 2-2, and then ended the season strong 3-1. Georgia State has been hit pretty hard with transfers their top RB and WR both left. Utah State has a QB situation to monitor, but they’ve gotten used to using multiple throughout the year. Currently it sounds like future Navy SEAL Levi Williams will be starting this game.

Previous Meetings: First time matchup!! Utah State and Georgia State have never faced each other. This isn’t a surprise since Georgia State is a newer program and they’re across the country.

Motivation Edge: Both programs will be happy to be here, although Georgia State hasn’t been to as many bowls so they might be slightly more excited. This is in Boise in late December so the weather is something to monitor, if it’s cold this shifts to Utah State.

Best Bet: Over 62.5 – A big part of Georgia State’s 5 game losing streak is the collapse of their defense, they gave up 40+ in 4 of those 5. Utah State will love this because they want to move with as fast of a tempo as possible. I’m also willing to take Utah State if the game stays as a pick em.