By Vince Ferrara / @VinceSports
Below are my predictions for SEC bowl games here on my blog, “Vince’s View.”
There are 9 bowl games, including the playoffs, involving an SEC team. There is a chance for a 10th in the national championship game.
These are straight-up picks. The point spreads are just for some context of who the favorites are.
2018 Game Prediction Record: 93-32 (74%)
2019 SEC Championship Prediction Record: 1-0 (100%)
2019 Game Prediction Record: 96-17 (85%)
SEC BOWLS
Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl (Houston)
Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma State
Dec. 27 – 6:45 pm ET / 5:45 pm CT – ESPN
Line: Texas A&M – 4 ½
Vince’s View: If Oklahoma State was at full strength, I’d likely go the Cowboys way. Texas A&M should be plenty motivated to show that they are better than what they showed vs. LSU.
Score Prediction: Texas A&M 35 Oklahoma State 21
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (Atlanta)
LSU vs. Oklahoma
Dec. 28 – 4 ET / 3 CT – ESPN
Line: LSU -11
Vince’s View: I had no confidence Oklahoma could guard LSU’s passing attack initially. Now with the suspensions for OU, it could get even uglier.
Score Prediction: LSU 48 Oklahoma 24
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl (Nashville)
Mississippi State vs. Louisville
Dec. 30 – 4 pm ET / 3 pm CT – ESPN
Line: Mississippi State -4
Vince’s View: The Bulldogs rushing attack, even with shaky QB play, should be too much for the pourous Louisville defense to handle.
Score Prediction: Miss State 31 Louisville 20
Capital One Orange Bowl (Miami)
Florida vs. Virginia
Dec. 30 – 8 pm ET / 7 pm CT – ESPN
Line: Florida -14 ½
Vince’s View: The is a mismatch on paper and will be on the field. Virginia does not have the athletes, even with no CJ Henderson for UF, to hang with the Gators.
Score Prediction: Florida 34 Virginia 7
Belk Bowl (Charlotte)
Kentucky vs. Virginia Tech
Dec. 31 – Noon ET / 11 am CT – ESPN
Line: Virginia Tech -2 ½
Vince’s View: The Hokies should be fired-up in Bud Foster’s final game on the sideline as DC. However, UK’s rushing attack has been incredible with Lynn Bowden at QB.
Score Prediction: Kentucky 28 Virginia Tech 27
Outback Bowl (Tampa)
Auburn vs. Minnesota
Jan. 1 – 1 pm ET / Noon CT – ESPN
Line: Auburn -7
Vince’s View: Minnesota should fall under the “happy to be there” category. Auburn has had plenty of time to come down from it’s Iron Bowl victory. The D-line should be the difference unless Auburn is just not interested. The Tigers were interested last season when Gus Malzahn called plays and they looked like they were going to score 100 on Purdue in Nashville.
Score Prediction: Auburn 31 Minnesota 13
VRBO Citrus Bowl (Orlando)
Alabama vs. Michigan
Jan. 1 – 1 pm ET / Noon CT – ABC
Line: Alabama -7
Vince’s View: I know Alabama is a prime candidate to have a letdown because it’s the first time the Tide isn’t in the college football playoff and Bama’s been disinterested in bowls before (OU & Utah Sugar Bowls.) However, those were live and capable underdogs. I don’t think Michigan is that.
Score Prediction: Alabama 42 Michigan 14
Allstate Sugar Bowl (New Orleans)
Georgia vs. Baylor
Jan. 1 – 8:45 pm ET / 7:45 pm CT – ESPN
Line: Georgia -6
Vince’s View: Both teams are great defensively. Georgia should roll on talent alone. But, Baylor’s likely high motivation, Georgia potential low motivation (again) and the Bears quality coaching staff should make up the difference.
Score Prediction: Baylor 20 Georgia 17
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl (Jacksonville)
Tennessee vs. Indiana
Jan. 2 – 7 pm ET / 6 pm CT – ESPN
Line: Tennessee -1 ½
Vince’s View: I expect Tennesee to be sharp in this ball game. I don’t think the Jauan Jennings first half suspension will be a major factor, even though Indiana typically starts fast. The Vols should have some new wrinkles on offense that will lead to more points. Plus, Indiana is dealing with more injury questions than Tennessee is.
Score Prediction: Tennessee 38 Indiana 24
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