Staffdna Cure Bowl: Ohio Bobcats (10-3) vs Jacksonville State Gamecocks (9-4)
Key Facts: Ohio is on an impressive bowl winning streak, the Bobcats have won their last 5 bowl games. Last year they had a ton of opt outs but it didn’t hold them back in a blowout win, how will it look this time with an interim coach. Jacksonville State is no slouch either, the Gamecocks have never lost a FBS bowl game but their first appearance came last season. I was disappointed to learn just now that Avocados from Mexico was no longer the sponsor of this game, staffdna is a healthcare employment agency.
Previous Meetings: This is a FIRST TIME MATCHUP! It’s not a huge surprise these two haven’t played considering Jacksonville State just moved up to FBS. The Gamecocks home & home series this year and last year with Eastern Michigan are their first games against MAC opponents. Jax State’s only previous matchup with a team from Ohio was a loss in the FCS playoffs to Youngstown State in 2016. Ohio beat South Alabama earlier this year, they have also faced Troy and UAB in bowl games before. Ohio will just need games against Alabama and Auburn to play every FBS team from Alabama.
Motivation Edge: This is a game of two conference champions so conference pride is at stake for both. Orlando is a great place to visit, especially this time of year so it’s a great trip for both teams. Ohio will have an interim coach, it was announced immediately after their conference championship win that Tim Albin was leaving so you have to wonder if the team knew that ahead of time and put all their efforts into ending the long MAC championship streak.
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl: Tulane Green Wave (9-4) vs Florida Gators (7-5)
Key Facts: These teams couldn’t enter this game on more opposite paths. Tulane has regressed a lot the last two games the Green Wave lost at home to Memphis and got blown out by Army. Florida comes in winning 3 straight and their last 2 losses coming without star QB DJ Lagway playing most of the game. Florida comes in with a 3 game losing streak in bowls, the Gators haven’t won one since the 2019 Orange Bowl. Tulane meanwhile lost their most recent bowl in an interim coach situation. The Green Wave already have a massive loss with star QB Darian Mensah hitting the portal, but Jon Sumrall will be sticking around. Both coaches are good in bowl games, Sumrall is 1-0 in bowls. Napier is 2-2, both losses coming in his first year at both Louisiana and Florida.
Previous Meetings: Tulane and Florida have played 21 times with Florida holding a 13-6-2 edge. The Gators have won the last 11 meetings though. These two teams were in SEC together until 1966! Oddly enough they continued to play each other for 4 years after and their only meetings since then was a home and home in 1982/1984.
Motivation Edge: Tulane is going to be very excited to get a shot at a SEC foe, especially with Sumrall still around. How will the Green Wave look without QB Darian Mensah? That’ll be a huge question. Florida won’t just be sitting around though, the Gators have been counted out all year and seem to have ended the season with an edge to them. They’ll want to end this season on a strong note to prime themselves for a 2025 playoff push.
College Football Playoff 1st Round: Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-1) vs Indiana Hoosiers (11-1)
Key Facts: This is a very good strength on strength battle. Notre Dame’s run offense against Indiana’s run defense, both are among the best in the nation in those categories. On the other side is Indiana’s pass offense against Notre Dame’s pass defense. Where could the edge come from? It is likely going to be Notre Dame’s pass rush against Indiana’s pass blocking. Indiana’s biggest flaw this year seems to be their Oline’s ability to handle the extra rusher, this seems to be where the Irish could take advantage. Marcus Freeman is 2-1 in bowl games, while Curt Cignetti has yet to coach in one. Indiana hasn’t won a bowl game since 1991 which is the longest in the nation, the Hoosiers have lost 6 straight bowl appearances.
Previous Meetings: Now here’s the irony. The last season that featured an Indiana bowl win was also the same season these two in-state foes last played each other. Notre Dame won that 1991 matchup 49-27. These two have played a total of 29 times and outside of that 1991 matchup, all of the meetings occurred 1958 and earlier. It’s astounding how these two are in the same state and play so rarely. Notre Dame holds a 23-5-1 edge in the series.
Motivation Edge: Playing in front of their home crowd is going to be massive for Notre Dame, I suspect they’ll make it difficult for Indiana fans to get tickets. Indiana will have a chip on their shoulder as the underdog and being known as the “basketball program” in the state, they’ll want to change that.
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