It wasn’t a pretty one on Thursday, but it was entertaining in New Orleans.
Six games into bowl season, just a small handful of the entries in the Von Hugendong Bowl Mania group remain perfect. And even so, there are so many points left on the board for everyone that it’s really too early to start projecting a favorite to win it all.
With that said, congratulations to Matman Robinson, who currently holds the lead.
Let’s take a look at the games taking place on Friday, including the first of four Playoff games to take place over the next two days.
StaffDNA Cure Bowl
Jacksonville State vs. Ohio (Friday, 12 PM ET – ESPN)
A pair of interim coaches, both offensive coordinators for the respective teams, will lead these two squads into battle on Friday afternoon. Hardware has already been won by both, as Jacksonville State whooped Western Kentucky to win the C-USA title and Ohio beat in-state rival Miami to capture the MAC crown earlier this month. The fact that the pinnacle has arguably already been reached by both and head coaching direction is now in flux means it is difficult to determine whether both teams will be mentally focused.
In addition to featuring two conference champions, this game also boasts two of the better rush offenses in the country. Jacksonville State is No. 2 nationally, averaging 267 yards per contest, and has two 1,300+ yard rushers in running back Tre Stewart and quarterback Tyler Huff. Ohio’s offense is No. 12 nationally in rushing at just over 210 yards per game, and in its case also features a potent RB-QB tandem in Anthony Tyus III and Parker Navarro, though not quite as prolific statistically. Where the Bobcats seemingly hold in advantage is in stopping the run. Ohio is nationally renowned there as well, coming in as the fifth best defense in terms of yards per game allowed on the ground (94.3). Though it is difficult to rely on statistics along for bowl game predictions, there isn’t much separating these two and they are very similar in style. I think Rich Rod may have had a slightly bigger effect on Jacksonville State’s success, and therefore will side with the team that doesn’t lose his presence in this one.
My Pick: 28-24 Ohio
Bowl Mania Confidence: 26 points
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl
Florida vs. Tulane (Friday, 3:30 PM ET – ESPN2)
Tulane qualified for its third straight AAC title game, though outside of that there wasn’t a ton to write about the Green Wave this season. The beginning and end the schedule featured the Green Wave’s toughest competition, and they went 1-4 during those windows, including back-to-back losses to eliminate any chance of the team heading to the Playoff. In particular, the offense struggled to move the football on the ground against Power conference competition. Luckily for Tulane, stopping the run has been an area of concern for the Gators this season, but Florida turned things around during the back half of the year, in that area and in the W/L columns.
Billy Napier likely saved his job thanks to Florida’s month of November, which saw the Gators knock off ranked squads LSU and Ole Miss in back-to-back weeks before taking care of business against rival Florida State to end the regular season. While this wasn’t the postseason destination anyone would have hoped for in August, the team showed resolve in the second half of the season and Napier appears to have retained control of the room. Despite the December date, this is also a chance for Gators quarterback DJ Lagway to introduce himself to a wider audience and perhaps implant the thought that he should be on preseason award watchlists heading into the 2025 season. Tulane isn’t necessarily overmatched from a talent perspective, but I think that Florida actually wants to show out and prove that it will be a force to reckon with next season.
My Pick: 33-21 Florida
Bowl Mania Confidence: 24 points
College Football Playoff First Round
#10 Indiana at #7 Notre Dame (Friday, 8 PM ET – ABC)
Many casual college football fans may be surprised to learn that the Playoff begins on Friday evening, but the event starts off with a bang when in-state opponents Indiana and Notre Dame square off in South Bend. The matchup hasn’t occurred since 1991, and it has been even longer since Indiana last won it (1950), but the Hoosiers have assembled a squad that could give the Fighting Irish trouble. Curt Cignetti’s team has stopped everyone on the ground this season, including Ohio State, and will be a difficult test for the Notre Dame attack. Notre Dame ranks No. 10 nationally in rushing yards per game (224.8) and will certainly look to maintain control of the pace of the game. Cignetti’s offense has also been potent, though it is questionable whether the Hoosiers are really able to flex their muscle against great defenses or simply beat up the inferior ones.
Say what you want about the Notre Dame schedule, but there is a telling statistic that should be kept in mind for this game. When rushing for at least 120 yards, Notre Dame is not only undefeated, but has won every game by more than a touchdown. When rushing for fewer than 120 yards, the Fighting Irish are 1-1 and both games were decided by a single score. Keeping the ball on the ground, and out of Kurtis Rourke’s hands, will be key for Marcus Freeman’s team. Rourke has been excellent for the Hoosiers this season and will probably be heavily relied on to break through a Notre Dame defense that has been nasty against the pass. The Fighting Irish have picked off nearly twice as many passes (17) as they have allowed passing touchdowns (9) this season. This isn’t a David vs. Goliath matchup, but Rourke will need to stand on his head and the defense will need to be great in order for Indiana to move on to the next round.
My Pick: 27-21 Notre Dame
Bowl Mania Confidence: 44 points
